I was recently sent some products made by Three by Three.  I am a big fan of organizing products and pride myself on knowing exactly what is out there and how to use it.  Well I was surprised as to how useful these products are!  They are new and innovative as well as cost effective and stylish.

The first product is the stick it silicone weekly planner.  It sticks to any surface, like glass or the front of a fridge and yes it actually stays put.  Its small enough to fit just about anywhere but its large enough to fit what you need on it.  You can write on it with a dry erase marker.  You can stack these to create a whole month’s worth of calendar or you can use it a week at a time.  I LOVE the idea of using these to track things such as your daily workout for the week, clothing choices for kids or adults, meal planning or homework.  Since it erases so easily it can be used week after week and can help everyone get involved in planning ahead.  It comes in white and an adorable bright green.

The second product I reviewed is Three by Three’s dry erase desktop to do board.  This thing will change the way you work.  We all have to write things down during the day and often those little slips of paper get lost.  This board will finally make sure you have all of the information you need, in one spot.  The dry erase board stands up on your desk so you can see what’s written on it.  Its easy to write on and easy to erase.  The board is about 5.5 inches by nine inches.  I was sent a green board and I can detach the stand and carry the board in my bag if I’d like.

I love the idea of using the board for the day’s to do list and I can cross things off and add as the day goes on.  I also love the idea of using a board like this for phone messages so everyone can see the information as soon as they walk in the door.  By using a central board like this you will not be losing any post it notes or using any paper.  Its a great environmentally sustainable alternative to traditional to do lists.  The dry erase boards come in all sorts of colors and are made from sustainable wood.

Check out Three by Three on Facebook here:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Three-by-Three-Seattle/186482420297

For many of us, spring-cleaning is an annual ritual.  However, don’t stop at washing the floors and vacuuming under the bed.  Spring is a great time to tackle your organizational projects.  Once you have done this, make some money and clean out your home!

Below you will find some tips on how to make your yard sale as profitable and successful as possible.

• Set up signs around your neighborhood, in grocery stores and on free online listings, such as Craig’s List.

• Check with your neighbors and let them know about the expected increase in traffic.  Confirm that you have no neighbored rules regarding yard sales.

• Consider having a neighborhood yard sale.  More items for sale will draw more customers.

• On the day of the yard sale, post clear signs directing potential customers to your home.  Post them in both directions.  Remember to take them down after your event.  Decorate your yard with balloons, banners and streamers to catch the eye of passers by.

• Ask family members if they have items they would like you to sell at your yard sale.

• You want to make your customers as comfortable as possible.  Have some baked goods and drinks on hand for them to enjoy while they browse.

• Make sure the area you are using is bright enough.  Use spotlights and lamps from your home if necessary.

• Have extension cords on hand so customers can test appliances.  If they know it works, they will be more likely to take it home!

• If you are selling clothes, put a full-length mirror out for customers to use.

• Make sure you lock your home and garage.  You will not be able to pay attention to your home for most of the day.

• Use a fanny pack instead of a moneybox to store change and customer’s payments.  Even a locked moneybox can be stolen.

• Clearly mark each item with its price.  Use blue painter’s tape so the item will not be damaged.

• Have boxes and bags ready for your customer’s to take home their new treasures in.

• Create a children’s section so that kids can play with toys before they purchase them.  This also allows the adults to shop quietly.

• Have bargains!  Yard sale customers love bargains so have a table where all items costs $1, have a 50% off bin, and even a buy one get one table!

• Also, be ready to bargain with customers!

• Have tarps or tents ready, or an alternative date ready in case of rain!

• Have a back up plan ready for the items that do not get sold.

A yard sale can be a great way to clean out your house and make some money while doing it!  Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of your time commitment versus your possible tax deduction before taking on the task.  Involve your kids and family and a yard sale can be a lot of fun.  Consider using the money you make to take a family adventure!

Maybe you have heard the statistic that moving is one of life’s top three stressors. Don’t be scared!  Using these tips will make your transition less stressful for your family. Remember, your move is a new adventure for your family!

Before You Leave Your Old Home:

1. Make sure each child has their own bag packed with any toys, blankets, or books that they will need to go to bed at night. These will help them feel comfortable during the transition.

2. Purchase an expandable file folder and start gathering documents such as birth certificates, passports, and currency.  These items should not be shipped with your household goods.

3. Call your doctors to obtain written copies of the family’s medical records. Offices sometimes charge for these documents, so have a form of payment ready. Also, see if your doctor can refer you to a new doctor in your new location. If applicable, ask for copies of prescriptions in case you cannot see a doctor quickly in your new location. If you have remaining refills at a local pharmacy, call to see if they can transfer them to a new pharmacy where you are moving.

4. Arrange for the home to be cleaned after all your furniture has been moved out. Stay one night in a hotel and return to the home to clean, or hire a cleaning service to do the job for you while you are traveling to your new location. Keep in mind that many real estate contracts state that the home must be left in “broom clean condition”. Failure to do so could result in a fee, or difficulty at closing.

5. Call your utility companies to arrange for final readings. Give them your new address to have any remaining bills forwarded.

6. If you are using a professional moving company, ask about insurance for your items while in transit.  You should also contact your homeowner’s insurance company to inquire about the same.

7. Send out change of address cards to friends and family.

8. Fill out a change of address and mail forwarding forms with the Post Office. These forms can be filled out online as well.

9. Pack irreplaceable or valuable items such as cameras, jewelry, wedding photos/videos, or family treasures to travel with your family. Also, keep in mind that most van lines are not climate controlled. Consider this when deciding to ship items like candles in with your other possessions.

10. If you are packing yourself, color-code your boxes. (Blue for the kitchen, red for the bedroom, etc).  Involve your children; let each child pick their own color for their rooms.

11. Pack a kit of the following items for use while you are in transit, and for your first night in your new home:

Toilet Paper

A Shower Curtain

Snacks and Bottled Water

Clean Clothes

Cleaning Products

Flashlight and/or Night Lights

First Aid Kit Medicine Needed by Your Family

Air Mattresses and sleeping bags (If you decide to spend your first night in your new home.)***See sleepover suggestion in “When You Arrive at Your New Home” section.

When You Arrive At your New Home:

1. Start by sorting your boxes and bringing them to their appropriate room. (Red to the kitchen, etc).

2. Evaluate if you will need to purchase any organizational supplies such as shelves, pot racks, closet systems, etc. Purchase these before you start to unpack. Not doing so will make unpacking more complicated.

3. If you need assistance in getting unpacked contact a professional organizer. They will help you determine the best organizational systems for your new home, have them installed, and unpack your possessions using the systems. Get settled in your new home the right way!

4. Use labels and/or sticky notes to help everyone locate items in the kitchen cabinets or pantry. This will alleviate questions and frustration when trying to find items in their new locations.

5. Allow kids to help unpack their room. If possible, allow them to decide where their bed will go, where they want their play area to be located, etc. This allows them to make the new room their own.

6. Have a sleepover your first night in your new home. Set up air mattresses, play cards, or if you have the capability, watch a movie on a laptop or portable DVD player. Bring flashlights and snacks for the family. Spending your first night all together in one room helps kids with the new creaks and noises associated with a new home.

7. Unpack every box.  Even if you are not using everything in your new home, you should unpack everything to look for any missing or damaged items. Insurance often limits the amount of time you have to file a claim for missing or damaged items.

8. Call welcome or newcomer services in your area. They will often provide you with a basket or package of coupons and offers for your new area. You will probably be eating out for a little while, so you might as well save some money!

9. If you do eat out a few times be sure to ask for menus, coupons, and business cards. Create a three ring binder with the menus of the places you like, and make sure to circle the items your family enjoyed. This will come in handy on those busy nights when you just aren’t sure what to eat.

10. After you have been in your new home for about a month, re-evaluate your organizational systems. What is working for your family and what is not? Are you still missing items? Are the items you use in your daily routine hard to find or use? If you did not hire a professional organizer when you first moved in, now is a great time to do so.

I’m planning a long weekend coming up and while I love going away, I don’t love the time away from work.  (Yes I just said that.)  However, I find that making a list of everything I need to accomplish personally and professionally before I leave for vacation calms my mind.  By doing this I know that nothing will fall between the cracks.

For example, if you need to check in with your clients before you leave, write that on the list, then divide it between the days you have remaining before you leave.  If you need to put on an out of office reply, put that on your calendar so you don’t forget it.  Also, its a great idea to change your outgoing voicemail message to let people know you will be out of the office. This will help avoid duplicate emails and angry clients who are waiting for a return call.  This is especially important if you are travling to a location without cell phone service (like I am.)

If someone is covering your desk while you are away, its a great idea to leave them a list of important items that may need attention.  If a difficult customer may call in, let the person covering your desk know.  By making it as easy as possible for the person covering, you are making it easier for them to be successful, for your clients to be treated well and for you to return to a calm and well cared for desk.

This is an except from the May 2011 issue of Consumer Report’s Magazine:

Here’s our review of the top-performing products for your home’s exterior and interior, for yourkitchen, and for laundry and cleaning from more than a thousand tested over the last year. In the Best & Worst sections we’ve included many of our best-value everyday products, such as lightbulbs and laundry detergents, so you’ll know what to buy and what to avoid. And don’t miss our look back at some of the biggest busts from 75 years of product testing, which you’ll find in The Way We Were. (Click on each product category below to access the Ratings chart.)

Home exterior & interior

These products will help you get your home, both inside and out, in shape and even help you save time and money. Also check out our look back at a 2005 report on air purifiers. (All links below are available to subscribers.)

Compact fluorescent lightbulbs

Dim bulbs aren’t a bargain, no matter how efficient they are. A 60-watt incandescent gives off roughly 850 lumens (the measure of brightness). Pick a replacement CFL that offers comparable output. Many of our picks match the soft-white light of traditional bulbs.

Decking materials

After a year outdoors, these decking products were holding up well, with little sign of sagging, flexing, and mildew. Color change was worst with wood, though treating the surface with one of our recommended deck stains helps. Color can vary by batch, so buy materials from one lot. Buy wood in 16-foot lengths to avoid extra joints that invite rot.

Dehumidifiers

Pulling moisture from indoor air is simple enough. These dehumidifiers do that task using less energy than the others we tested. Large-capacity models (60 to 70 pints per day) remove moisture more quickly than models with a 25- to 40-pint capacity. The fans on the Danby models remain on until the water tank is filled, which some users might find annoying.

Exterior paints & stains

A long-lasting finish is a must for exterior paints and stains. But to make this list, products must also resist dirt and mildew. Valspar’s DuraMax Satin paint also saves time by eliminating the need to prime bare surfaces, and the aptly named California paint is good for surfaces that receive a lot of sun. The stains below are solid and always last longer than semi-transparent or clear formulas.

Gas grills

A sturdy grill that cooks evenly will deliver years of service, without any skillets to scrub come cleanup time. Our top picks allow you to go from high-powered searing to low-temperature grilling across all burners. Coated cast-iron or stainless-steel grates help keep heat levels constant, while electronic igniters are easy to fire up.

Gutter guards

Got leaves? These systems can help keep your gutters flowing, eliminating the potential for expensive home repairs. Pro-installed systems usually include free service calls but cost much more and couldn’t fully contain severe downpours in our tests. Homeowner-installed screens save you thousands and were impressive at shedding debris and handling heavy rainfall.

Interior paints

These paints proved impressive in many ways, such as one-coat coverage, smoothness, and stain resistance. Just don’t be blinded by brand loyalty: Performance often varied among a brand’s lines and finishes. Love a hue from Brand X? Brand Y’s color-matching technology can often make it.

As you all well know by now, my husband and I adopted a dog a few months ago.  While I was very prepared for all of the dog’s needs in the house, I found that on the go was a whole other story.

I travel a lot for business.  We have a Joyful Organizer branch in Maine and we are up there quite frequently.  We did a lot of research before we got Roxy to make sure we would be able to take her just about everywhere we go.  And so, she comes on all of our business trips to Maine.

I very quickly found out that a dog’s needs on the go are a little different.  Our first trip was a little rough around the edges but since then I’ve created a doggie system that can go with us very quickly.

The first thing I did was establish two bags to be hers.  They are canvas bags and they have zippers on the top.  One is for food and supplies and the other is for toys and treats.  I put these bags with our luggage so we can grab them on the go very quickly.

In order to be able to feed her on the go, I purchased a weekend food bag like the one seen here:

I then put a small inexpensive measuring cup inside it so I have no problems measuring out food when the time comes.  In order to be able to feed her on the go, I threw in a two in one water and food bowl like this one:

So, now having her food taken care of, I turned to other supplies.  I threw in an extra leash into the travel kit.  I never want to be without one and most of us have at least one extra tossing around.  I also threw in some waste disposal bags.  Rest stops all have different types of rules.  Never knowing what I’m going to encounter, I wanted to be prepared.

Finally, I put in some styptic powder for first aid.  I also make sure to grab out tick kit when we travel.  (Its not part of her travel kit but I do have a small plastic container with a tick remover, rubber gloves, treats and antiseptic spray ready in case we need to remove a tick.)

While we have been able to stay at some of our old hotels, we have had to find some new ones that take dogs without a large extra fee.  I’ve used this site a couple of times and been quite happy with it:

http://www.bringfido.com/

Finally, I have a s mall crate that I can carry into a hotel very easily.  It allows her a place to sleep at night and some hotels even require your dog be in a crate in the room if you are not with them.  A crate like this is inexpensive, easy to travel with and gives you all peace of mind.  Just make sure that your dog tests it out BEFORE your trip!

The other bag is filled when we leave home.  I throw in some treats, some toys and we are ready to go!  I want to purchase a book like this one to help me find more and more places to take our Roxy so we can all have fun together.

Reusable tote bags are all the rage now…but how cute are the ones you are carrying around?  This Mother’s Day, make some creative and beautiful creations for just dollars and a little time.

Craft stores have simple, plain canvas tote bags.  Usually these are just a dollar or less.  Buy some bags and some cloth markers or paint and let you kids make the bag their own creation.  These make great Mother’s Day gifts for mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, etc.  They also make great kids’ bags.  Have your kids decorate a bag for their library books, gym clothes, etc and label each as such.

You can also spruce up a simple canvas bag with an iron on monogram. These too can be purchased at just about every craft store.  Consider adding on a floral iron on as well.

Some photo stores will make your favorite picture into an iron on as well.  What’s better than a personalized gift that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg?  Be creative and green this Mother’s Day!

I was recently sent a Keozo stones bracelet and I just had to share it with you.  I’m normally not a big fan of jewelry.  I’m so busy and I use my hands all day that many times jewelry gets in the way.  Keozo’s bracelet is beautiful and easy to wear!

I was sent the Amethyst bracelet.  When it arrived I was stunned at how stunning it is.  The stones are natural and polished and really eye catching.  Its a simple bracelet by design but the high quality of stones used really makes this a high quality piece of jewelry.

I wore the bracelet both on its own and with other bracelets and it does double duty.  It compliments my other silver bracelets and it looked great on its own.  I found that I just forgot to take the bracelet off and I wore it to run, to hot yoga, to shower, etc.  I’m sure you’re supposed to take it off and not put the bracelet through all that stress but mine is still in great shape and I’m still wearing it every day.

Most importantly, this bracelet is comfortable.  You don’t even know you have it on.  You could easily wear a few of these at once and I think the appearance would be amazing.

Keozo emphasizes that we are all connected to the Earth and the stones used in their bracelets are meant to heal our troubles and strife.  For example, the Amethyst stone is meant to boost the immune system and heal rattled nerves.

These bracelets would make an amazing Mother’s Day gift!  They come in 12 different stones.  You can purchase both bracelets and necklaces in both silver and gold.  And they are very reasonably priced.

Take a look at their whole collection here:

http://keozostones.com/collection.html

Spring-cleaning doesn’t just mean washing the windows and cleaning the floors.  Spring is the best time of year to clear out the clutter and get organized once and for all.  When you start, make a list of everything you’d like to accomplish.  From there, break the tasks down.  For example, if you want to clean out your kitchen, some of your tasks may be to get rid of old appliances, reline drawers with non-slip liners, and throw away old spices.  By breaking things down, you make a large task manageable.  You can even schedule each task on your calendar to make sure it gets attended to.

Getting organized can help you live a happier, less stressful, and more productive life.  One of my favorite organizing tools is the binder.  Bindertek’s super durable and stylish binders LINK: http://www.bindertek.com can play a big role in organization.  Bindertek also offers an affordable Build-a-Custom-Binder Kit, LINK: http://www.bindertek.com/bab-main.html which includes your own custom tab set plus a binder of your choice. Here are just a few uses for their binders.

1. Menu guide – Gather all those menus that are hanging around the kitchen and put them into a binder.  Include a few dollar bills and you have a takeout guide ready for those busy nights where a homemade meal isn’t possible.
2. Home Guide – If you built your home, or have redone parts of it over the years, chances are you have information, paint chips, and inspiration photos.  Hole punch all of these items and slip them into a binder.  Having all of your information in one place is helpful if you sell your home, or just want to put a fresh coat of paint on the walls.
3. Kid’s care guide – If you have kids who visit a preschool, babysitter, or even a grandparent from time to time, create a kid care folder.  Insert medication information and instructions, allergies and a list of even activities they love to do.  By putting it all in a binder, you are making it easy to bring along and to amend as your child grows older.
4. School Portfolio – It is important to keep track of your child’s progress at school.  Keeping track of tests, papers and artwork isn’t an easy task.  Punch holes in them and put them into a binder.  At the end of the year you can either empty out the binder, or simply store it and start another binder for the following year.  These binders are also easy to take to parent teacher conferences.
5. Coupon binder- If you are a coupon cutter, you know how difficult they are to wrangle and get to the store.  Use a binder to house sales flyers, coupons and lists.  You can easily insert things into it from your workstation and from there you can grab it and go to the store.
6. Recipe Binder – Most people have lots of cookbooks.  However, they don’t make a lot of the recipes in each book.  Make copies of the recipes you do make and place them all in one binder.  Group them by ethnicity, meal, or whatever system works for you.  By putting them all in a binder, they are easy to find and use, and if you spill on a page, you haven’t ruined a whole book.
7. Medical Binder – We all have lots of medical bills and records.  Give each member of your family their  his or her own binder and put everything in one place. This way, it’s ready in case you need to access it to see a specialist, speak with the insurance company, etc.  Divide the binder by type of doctor.
8. Special Event Binder – Weddings, anniversary parties, or even birthday parties produce a lot of paperwork.  Putting everything in one place can help simplify your planning process and can help you make sure you have covered everything.  Once the event is over, get rid of the contents or save it on your shelf for future planning reference.
9. Inspiration binder – A lot of people have slips of paper, lists, and photos floating around.  They don’t want to get rid of them because they are “someday” items.  They may want to make those cookies someday or knit that scarf.  Give all of these inspiration ideas a place to live.  By putting them in a binder you are giving them a home, and they aren’t just lying on your desk.
10. Daily Planner – Using a three ring binder as a daily planner may seem cumbersome at first.  However, ask yourself how many additional pieces of paper and calendars you carry in addition to your daily planner.  Most people have a few “planners” because it doesn’t all fit into one.  Use a printable calendar in the front of your binder to manage appointments and then use page protectors and tab dividers to keep all of the sections of your life in order: family, work, home, etc.

image is courtesy of Bindertek.com

Binders are easily stored and take up very little space.  They allow your home to maintain a clean and organized appearance.  By labeling the spines clearly, you will know exactly what’s inside.  Being able to access information quickly and easily will make your time more effective.  And when you can be more effective, you can spend more time doing the things you love!

I want to start this review by telling you that Elizabeth Hagen, the author a dear friend and peer of mine.  However, that did not influence my opinion of the book.

This book is about more than confidence, its about seizing the day.  Its about stopping the excuses and living your best life today.

I’m an organizer and I consider myself successful and happy.  However, I could identify with a lot of the excuses in the book.  I could see myself in some of the stories.  I was uncomfortable when reading those things, but then I realized I could make a change TODAY and feel better and be more productive tomorrow.

The book is broken down into small, manageable chunks.  Its easy to read and easy to digest.  I will admit, I read the book quickly.  It was hard to put down.  That’s something you don’t often say about a book in this genre.

Elizabeth shares some very personal stories with the reader in order to get her point across.  The result isn’t preachy or dull like it is in some books.  The result is a poignant story that you can identify with.  You feel as if you are having a conversation with Elizabeth and she is giving you advice personally.

At the end of every section there is a place to reflect and take notes.  I suggest using this.  Write down your thoughts after the chapter and see where those notes take you.  I was able to come up with some wonderful brainstorm ideas and some personal inspirations.

Confidence, Now is Your Time is a great book for any woman in your life.  I suggest getting a copy for friends for birthdays, special events, Mother’s Day or even “just because”.  Give the gift of caring and confidence!

You can purchase the book by visiting her website here:

http://elizabethhagen.com/book/