EASY AND ORGANIZED BILL PAYING SYSTEM

Do you have an easy bill paying system... or does your mail lay in piles around the house? Are your bills sandwiched between Southern Living magazine and the Ballard Design catalog and lots of messy papers?

I HATE PAYING BILLS!

I don't have a mind for numbers and I think accounting is my own personal h__l!

But I'm not really into the idea of bill collectors calling me on the phone or knocking at my door...

 So, I came up with an EASY system to pay all our bills. A system that is very clear cut and organized and doesn't take a lot of time...

CONQUERING PAPER CLUTTER

One of the hardest things to conquer around the house is paper clutter! If you are like me, you could almost drown in all the papers you deal with on a daily basis.

Paper clutter can pile up fast and be very stressful! And before you know it... it's out of hand and overflowing!

But don't worry, I have a very, very, easy way to rid yourself of paper clutter!  

I'll show you a couple of basic steps to get your papers in order and under control!

ORGANIZING BOOK AND MAGAZINE CLUTTER

I love books... and I have an obsession with magazines. I can get lost for hours reading and being inspired!

But books and magazines can be a huge source of disorganization and can look so untidy... and get so out of control!

I'm all about organization and finding smart and easy ways to keep my home neat and clutter free!

Here's a couple of easy ways I'm solving the book clutter problem at StoneGable...

5 TIPS TO ORGANIZE A MESSY DRAWER

Oh, boy! Can my kitchen drawers get out of hand!!! 

YIKES! I wonder what is at the bottom of that drawer?

 Just take a look at this mess!

But with just a little time and a plan my drawer went from the mess above to an organized and neat drawer where I can find everything easily!

Here's how the drawer looks now. all pretty and organized...

ORGANIZING THE JUNKIEST DRAWER IN YOUR KITCHEN

You know you have one! We all have a junk drawer in our kitchen. It's the one that you can find a finishing nail or dog toy or baggies or a burnt bread crust or a missing sippy cup lid an extra pair of pantyhose in!

Yes, that drawer! Let's clean it up and organize it today!

Here's what the junkiest drawer in my kitchen looked like BEFORE...

ORGANIZING THE BOOKSHELVES

January feels like "organizing" to me! After taking down the Christmas decorations I am ready to sweep the house clean of clutter and get organized!

My bookshelves are a constant frustration! They can be seen from the kitchen and breakfast room and always look busy and cluttered!  There is so much going on in my other rooms, I wanted my eye to "rest" when it looked at this end of the family room!

So, I filled the bookshelves with identical chunky baskets (Pottery Barn Outlet) sporting number tags ...

THE BEST CHRISTMAS 2014 YOU WILL GET THIS YEAR!

Yes, you read that right! The time to think about next year's Christmas decorations is this year!!!

It will save you lots of time and energy (and stress) if you just do a couple of things this year to prepare for next.

 I can almost read your thoughts... "I am way to ________________ (fill in the blank), I can hardly get through THIS Christmas.

That's why we should be thinking about next year... NOW!  Here's what I mean...

TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS #35

Happy Valentine's Day...
and welcome to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS # 35.

Just want you to know that I love all of you and your creative and inspiring Tutorials... great and helpful Tips... and all your fun and interesting Tidbits! Thanks so much for making TTT a part of your week!

xo

It's so hard to pick features but these caught my eye and interest...

We all love reveals, don't we... here is a LAUNDRY ROOM REVEAL from LILY PAD COTTAGE... this makeover is so fresh and full of inspiration!

Doreen at HYMNS AND VERSES is sending all of us a LITTLE VALENTINE LOVE, after all it IS Valentine's Day (if you are reading this Thrusday). Look at this sweet banner and monochromatic vignette. Sending love back, Doreen!

Kathy Sue from GOOD LIFE DESIGNS wrote a very informative and much needed post called HOW TO GET BACK TO YOUR DESIGN ROOTS. I am not a professional ... Kathy Sue is... and I was hanging on every word.  I'd love Kathy Sue to talk to me and find my buzz words!!!

source




Daniela from FRUGAL AIN'T CHEAP has a great post on KEEPING PRODUCE FRESH. I'm copying it and having it on hand. VERY informative!

Isn't this the best coffee table idea ever? Lori from A BIG STORY made a Craig's List find into this stunning and sooooooo fun 

Every homemaker should read Jenn's HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED post over at CLEAN AND SCENTSIBLE! Outstanding!!!  I am organized... but not naturally. If left to my own devices it can get pretty bad!!! Thanks, Jenn!

If you have a little one that love to draw... this is the best idea from IT'S OVERFLOWING! STORING KID'S ARTWORK and showing it off is easy with these fabulous frames! Not just for kids... these frames have so many uses!








These are not real...They are FAUX QUINCE BRANCHES! Aren't they awesome. This is on my must-try list! Head on over and get the easy tutorials from Mary at HOME ON THE BAY.









How clever is this? Debbie from REFRESH RESTYLE will show you  HOW TO MAKE A BENCH from a bed and end table. I love this idea... you have to see it!

If you have been featured at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS please grab a "Featured" button from my sidebar.

Now let's see what great TUTORIALS, TIPS AND TIDBITS  you have for us this week!

Remember, any little tidbit will do!

* Please link your post using your permalink

* Please link back to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS in the body of your post. You can find my button TTT button on my sidebar. No mass link page, please!

* Visit other TTT participants... let's all visit at least 3 others and comment

* Please link up only photographs that belong to you.

* It would be nice if you would follow me, thanks!

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* By participating, you are giving me permission to use your linked post and picture as a featured link in an upcoming TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS. I may also use your post and any image to alter for a TTT title page and facebook announcement.

ORGANIZING CHRISTMAS... and more

Taking down Christmas decorations and putting them away can be quite a chore! I knew there had to be a better way of storing and organizing Christmas... I was throwing all the decor in big plastic bins and it was getting so out of control!

I used to keep a list of what was in each mammoth bin... but that got so overwhelming. And digging through each huge bin to find the few things I wanted was such a waste of time... and made a mess!

This year I am putting away and organizing smarter... here's how...

First... I am getting rid of most of my big bins!

They are just too big and bulky and  full to make finding things easy! That being said, a few things just fit into those bins better.. so I'm only using them when I absolutely necessary.

The smarter thing, for me, are smaller, see-through bins.  Most of my Christmas decor are smaller elements, so they fit better in smaller bins.

I separated like things into boxes, I've been collecting boxes as they go on sale...

I'm sorting and editing EVERYTHING!

The next step was to label each of my boxes.

I labeled each box that hold Christmas decor CHRISTMAS and then assigned the box a number.

Then under the main label I wrote a general description of what was in the contents of the box.

They will go down to the basement and be organized on metal shelves... I'll post about this later!

Having that done... I needed an easy system to keep track of all the Christmas decor...

So here is what I came up with...

I took a picture of each box, trying to get a good view of the content in it...and labeled each picture with the name of the box, and the content...

Then I put them all in a file in my computer labeled Organization/Christmas.

Now I have a complete visual inventory of my Christmas decor in one easy to access place!

As I add to or edit the boxes I can take a new picture, edit the description and put it in the Organization/Christmas file.

I don't have to run up and down the stairs to search through big bulky bins!

I can even take my ipad to the basement with me and search for what I want before I even get into the boxes!

Another great bonus is I can search my inventory on my computer when I am looking for element to use as a tablescape or for any other decorating without searching through big bins! HURRAH!

It will also be easier to put things away too! I have a basket designated for collecting things that go to the basement... all I have to do is look up their home on my ipad or computer and I can easily put them away!!!

As I organize my basement this year (one of my New Year's resolutions) I will convert all my bins to smaller, see-through boxes. I'm making a very big effort to PUT AWAY... GIVE AWAY ... AND THROW AWAY every last thing in my basement and garage! 

I'll keep you posted on my progress and how this system works. This may be a little too intense for some of you, but I need a system that gives me an easy way to find things almost effortlessly, so I don't mind a little extra work and expense on the front end to keep my life in order! There are few things that can frustrate me more than not being able to recall where things are... and the time wasted in searching for them!  Hopefully, this system will help!

I'd love to hear your best organizing tips!!!

Remember TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS is here tonight at 8:00 pm.

I hope you will join me!!!

Bouquet Of Talent

The Power Of Pinterest

WHERE DO YOU KEEP YOUR IDEAS?

I collect creative ideas! From magazines... and catalogs... and books... and  blogs...and pinterest... and media... and friends...

There are usually so many ideas rolling around in my head that I soon forget them... for my memory is not the safest place to store them!

Where do your keep your ideas...

With so many wonderful and accessible sources for creative ideas, it is easy to be overloaded with inspiration!

I have found a very easy, very basic and very old school solution for keeping my ideas...

A NOTEBOOK...

I don't have a pretty or a fancy journal..  Just an index card spiral notebook... a little sad and dog eared... but it works for me... and fits perfectly in all of my purses.

As I am sipping coffee at Barnes and Nobles and reading a stash of magazines (that I have no intention of buying), I keep my notebook ready and fill it with ideas, recipes, thoughts, wordings... anything that inspires me...

And I sometimes draw pictures too... really basic!

I take my notebook with me everywhere... you never know where you will be inspired!

My little notebook almost guarantees that I will not be running out of blogging ideas any time soon!!!

Where do you keep your ideas?  I'd love to hear!


Join me at 8:00 tonight for TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS.

Show us and show off what you have been doing!

TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS #9

Welcome to TUTORIAL TIPS AND TIDBITS! All of you have been very busy! You have been painting and rearranging and baking and updating and planting and gluing and sewing and stacking and getting ready for fall! There is so much creativity going on in blogland!

Here are just a couple featured blogs from last week's TTT ...

Last week's most viewed post was this beautiful WEATHERED CARRIER from Karen at SHABBY SWEET COTTAGE. What a gorgeous photograph too!

A $15.00 desk was turned into this stunning CARD CATALOG VANITY at DEAR EMMERLINE. Isn't that color striking... and look at the drawer pulls!!!!

Most of us have an old tray lying around... and Barbara from 21 ROSEMARY LANE transformed her's into this chic WINE CORK SERVING TRAY. I am saving my wine corks!

Here is a great idea to use up all the herbs growing like weeds in the garden! BUSY MOM'S MENU PLAN has a TRIO OF HERBED BUTTER that looks delicious. The great thing about herb butter is that it is so freezer friendly.... and can be added to so many dishes!

Look at this unique and swoon worthy bridal bouquet from ELIZABETH & CO.! These BROOCH BOUQUETS are becoming increasingly popular... they are so individual and magnificent!!! Make sure you check out the adorable couple and some other great wedding tips!

Many of you know that I LOVE LOVE LOVE tablescapes! Sarah at HYACINTHS FOR THE SOUL shows us how to set a SASSY TABLE using black and white with a pop of color!

Entryways can become landing spots for clutter! Not at Jenn's at CLEAN AND SCENTSIBLE! She has an ORGANIZED FRONT ENTRY that is welcoming and clutter free!

This week I am giving you the THE BEST PAINTING TIP YOU WILL EVER GET... REALLY! I recently went to an ASCP painting class and learned something that will effect every piece of furniture I paint... I am thrilled to share it with you!

If you have been featured at TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS please grab a "Featured" button from my sidebar.

Please visit our featured bloggers and see their creative blogs!

Now let's see what great TUTORIALS, TIPS AND TIDBITS  you have for us!

* Please link your post using your permalink

* Please link back to TUTORIALS TIPS AND TIDBITS in the body of your post. You can find my button TTT button on my sidebar.

* Visit other TTT participants... let's all visit at least 3 others and comment

* Please link up only photographs that belong to you.

* It would be nice if you would follow me, thanks!

Organizing Christmas Past



Happy New Year! Have you made any resolutions this year? Me? Well, yes... of course!

I am dubbing this the year "GIVE AWAY, PUT AWAY, THROW AWAY". I hope to be much more organized in 2011. Clutter drives me crazy! And wastes so much of my time, money and energy.

I hear from my beloved readers all the time that I must be soooooo organized. Well, yes........ and no!
Some areas of my home are gloriously in order and there are some areas that could qualify me as a candidate for a guest spot on  America's Messiest Home! My basement is the albatross around my neck... and conscience!

Christmas is always hard to organize. If you, like me, have years of collected decorations, containing all the Yuletide fluff and sparkle is a nightmare! And if things aren't put away properly finding them the next year is almost impossible!

I have had an organizing system in place for years that works. I just don't always WORK it!

I am the queen of plastic containers! They come in all shapes, sizes, colors (I prefer clear) and configurations. There is a container to curtail everything imaginable.

Here is my organizing system. This is a tried and true system. It is not my original idea, it has been around forever, but it really works.

Overall Organizing~ it works for everything you need to organize! REALLY!

1- Go through all of your decorations with 2 large cardboard boxes and a large trash bag. Mark them Give Away, Put Away, And Throw Away. Put all items in the correct container. Be ruthless! Don't keep ANYTHING you don't use. (Yvonne, are you listening?)

2- Put the Throw Away bag in the trash immediately. Put the Give Away box in your car to take to your donation location. ( I have decorations set aside for my daughter~ if she doesn't come to get them, out they go- remember, ruthless!)

3- Now put EVERYTHING away! Make sure you complete this step!

How To Put Everything Away:

1- Put LIKE things in a box.
When I deconstruct an arrangement, garland etc. I put all elements in one big container first.

I put containers on my island.

I then put the decor away. Like things together.



2- Number  each box.
Each box that holds Christmas decor begins with "CH" and then is assigned a number.



3- Record the number and content of the box in a list.

This year I made my lists using Microsoft Office. I printed a copy and kept the Christmas list in a file. I also have it on my computer!



4- Put the boxes away.
Don't lose the list!
The list is saved on my computer. If I loose the file, I'll have one safe!

Really, that's it! And it works great... if you do each step.

Let's get started!!!!!! Here's wishing you a more organized 2011!

I am participating in Seasonal Sundays at my friend's, The Tablescapers!   Click HERE to join in all the pretty fun.

I am participating in thr 102nd Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch. Click HERE  to visit all the creative before and afters!