I like the folder she used that you can just grab and go when you have an appointment. How many times have you been sitting at the dentist office reading this great article in a magazine and then they call your name next? You never get to finish reading the article!! This way, you will have your own collection of magazine articles that you want to read with you. I think I will definitely try this technique.

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Video: Sorting Magazines

The other magazine that I bought is the “Southern Living Storage & Organizing” issue. My daughter and I were at the grocery store and I swear that magazine called out my name to buy it. I hate it when that happens.

This magazine is full of great organizing ideas. It gives you ideas for organizing a small bathroom, kitchen cabinets, and has a great section on home offices. I was doing a lot of drooling, but you really didn’t need to know that.

I am very good at not holding on to magazines, but these are two that I will hold on to for awhile. And there will be NO ripping out pages in these babies!

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Two Great Organizing Magazines

Everyone has their different ideas when it comes to what organized and clean look like. There is nothing wrong with that what-so-ever. We are all different and that’s what makes this world so interesting. If you are like me though, and you like your house to be pretty darn clean on a consistent basis, then I have found a system that I think you might enjoy.

I have really been letting my house cleaning chores slip through the cracks lately and then my family and I end up spending part of Saturday cleaning. I just don’t like that. I want Saturdays to be our free family day where we don’t have to worry about that.

So, yesterday I sat down and googled “house cleaning system“. I looked over several and they all seemed pretty good, but there was one that caught my eye. I had to pay $8 for it, but oh was it worth it to me. It’s called MotivatedMoms.com. I purchased the day-by-day version and have been very pleased with it.

Basically, it tells you everyday what chores you need to do. If you are the check-things-off-a-list type, then this system is for you. It gives you on one side, the everyday chores and then it also gives you a special section for the extra chores to do for that day. On the day-by-day version, there is also a place to write down your menu, daily activities and a section for notes.

I printed out the next ten days worth and put it in my binder that I received from Menu Planner 101. Now I have my housecleaning schedule and my meal planning schedule all in one place. So far, so good! I’ll let you know next week how it’s all working out for me.

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MotivatedMoms.com – A System for Keeping the House Clean and Organized

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Organize Your Life Carnival #22

Have you ever renovated your kitchen or maybe really wanted to? I have been to people’s houses before to help them organize a space and they would prefer to just bull doze over it and start from scratch. There are several rooms in my home that I would love to renovate. I have never lived through a renovation, but I have heard the woes and the tales of what a pain it can be.

James Cury, the executive editor of Epicurious.com, the premier award-winning food Web site, blogs about his adventures in redoing his kitchen in his first home. He is taking us through the whole process from choosing the appliances, compromising on details with his wife and the ongoing battle with the city for approval. Doesn’t that sound like fun?! His latest blog post lays out everything he has had to deal with over the last few weeks which include asbestos testing, architect/contractor negotiations, filing paper work and more. I’m tired just reading about it!

If you are thinking about renovating your kitchen, you can follow James’ journey and get some great tips. Or, maybe you have been through a renovation already and you can share your two cents with him.

I’m looking forward to reading this blog, not only to see what all is involved in a kitchen renovation and seeing what decisions he has to make, but also getting to see and celebrate the end when he and his wife have the kitchen of their dreams. Now that will be a fun day!

Good luck to you James!

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Follow James Cury on the Journey of Renovating his Kitchen

Here are some hanger tips for choosing the best hanger:

Plastic Tubular Hangers:

These type of hangers are the foundation for your closet. These are great for polo shorts, tee-shirts, light weight blouses and dress shirts. Make sure that the hangers are a decent quality. I have bought cheap plastic hangers before that have snagged my clothes. You don’t need top-of-the-line plastic hangers, unless you want them of course, but don’t settle for the cheap ones if you want to protect your clothes.

Padded Hangers:

Padded hangers are perfect for those delicates and also evening wear.

Cedar Hangers:

If moths or moisture is a problem in your closet, these cedar hangers are perfect for coats and suits. Cedar will repel those nasty moths and also absorbs moisture.

Tiered Hangers:

Honestly, these kind of hangers annoy me, but I know a lot of people who love them. If space is an issue in your closet, then this may be the type of hanger you need. You can hang multiple pants and skirts and the arm swings out so you can retrieve the item you need.

Kids’ Hangers:

Using adult hangers for children’s clothing will stretch out the shape of the clothes. When buying kids’ hangers, make sure they have little slots and loops on them. This will keep their clothes from slipping off of the hangers.

Hopefully those tips will help you figure out which hangers you need to help you take care of your clothes and create an organized closet.

Photos Source: The Container Store

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The Right Hanger Does Make a Difference

Believe it or not, Susan really does work in there. Susan works out of her home, is a single mom of 3 teenagers and already has some plans for the money.

“With my winnings, a shredder, wastebasket, and a MyFax account are on the top of my list of things to purchase. Although, at this point, it might make more sense to rent a bulldozer and dumpster and start from scratch.”

Congratulations Susan from Declutter It! We do hope you will put your winnings to good use and create an office of your dreams.

This was a great contest that MyFax put together and $10,000 is a very incredible prize. What is MyFax exactly?

“MyFax is the fastest growing Internet fax service used by individuals, small, medium and large businesses to send and receive faxes using existing email accounts or the web. MyFax offers services in North America and Europe, including the United Kingdom to industries recognized among the fastest growing adopters of internet fax including finance, insurance, real estate, healthcare, transportation and government. More than 15,000 new customers subscribe to MyFax each month. Additional information is available at www.myfax.com and www.myfax.uk.com.”

Be sure and head over to My Fax to see all of the finalists.

Photo used by permission from MyFax. 

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Who Won the MyFax Messy Office Contest?

You see, we live in a pretty small house for a family of 5. We also both work out of our home, which we love, but space is definitely an issue for us. My husband has an office set up in the back of the house, but he doesn’t use it much because, well, it’s in the back of the house away from everyone. He goes back there when he needs to make phone calls.

My office is in the living room, which is where both of us usually work from. Yes, even with 3 kids and a dog running around. Our house is NEVER boring. The living room arrangement has been bothering me for awhile but I could never figure out what would work best, until today.

(Here’s a picture of my desk. It comes from Target and works well in a living area.)

My whole family approves of the new arrangement and so far, it seems to be working. If a room just doesn’t feel right to you, play around with it a bit. Move the furniture, think of some unconventional storage ideas and change it until it works and feels just right!

Never be afraid to change things up a bit. Oh, and I was going to take a picture of my new living room, but I have three kids home with the flu, so it’s a tad bit messy right now. I’ll post one later.

Photo Source: Target 

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Don’t Be Afraid to Change Things Up a Bit

I love a simple utility caddy. Here are three uses for a utility caddy in your home:

1. Store cleaning supplies – Yes, I know, that’s not a very original idea but it is a great way to use a utility caddy. When it comes time to clean the bathrooms, kitchen, living room, bedrooms, etc., all you need is one simple caddy filled with your supplies. Take the caddy with you from room to room and it makes clean-up a cinch.
2. Store Art Supplies – I did this for one of my clients and her kids love it. They wanted to store the craft supplies in the playroom, but the kids colored at the kitchen table. So, we found a caddy that wasn’t being used, filled it with crayons, glue, stickers, markers and scissors and in a jiffy her kids had a portable craft station.
3. Store toiletries – If all of your kids share a bathroom like mine, having their toiletries in something portable can come in handy. My daughter tends to switch between three rooms to get ready. Her bathroom, my bathroom and her room. I guess she has nomadic tendencies. Who knows? But having her toiletries in a portable container has helped keep everything together. I can also take one look in her caddy and see what she’s low on.

Can you think of any other uses for a utility caddy? If so, please share! I can think of at least two other ideas.

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3 Uses for a Utility Caddy

Jennifer has been with b5media for awhile and you can find her blogging away over at Tree Hugging Family and Offbeat Homes – two blogs which I am a big fan of.

March 1st is Jennifer’s official first day, so please help me welcome her tomorrow. She’ll be the one to find those mod and green organizing products for us. I can’t wait!

Welcome to Declutter It! Jennifer!

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Declutter It! Welcomes a New Writer – Jennifer Chait