SUPER BOWL!!!

SUPER BOWL SAVINGS:

 

 

Hey Organizers this week is The Super Bowl; whether you like watching for the game or the commercials, follow a few money saving rules to organize the best party ever!

Rule One: Do not buy dishware that has the Super Bowl branded logo's on them. They are marked up between 40-60% higher because of that logo! Stick to Red (49ers) and Purple (Raven's) colored dishware, because in the end nobody is going to see the logo; it will be covered in your food!

Rule Two: This is a bad time to shop for deals on the end caps/ends of aisles. Retailers know that is where we go for good discounts and for big events; Brand Companies will pay extra to have their product featured. Always go into the aisles to see if there is a better deal.

Rule Three: Cut your own Veggies! It is easy to get a veggie and fruit platter, but stores will mark up platters this time of year because they know you will pay more for precut veggies. (As much as 30% cheaper to do it yourself)

Rule Four: Stick to the staple items for the party. Dont overdue your menu because then you will miss the game because you are constantly trying to refill food, but you will also kill your food budget because each recipe needs its own group of ingredients and it is easy to get carried away. Don't be afraid to FB your menu to guests and invite them to provied a party favor to compliment the menu!

Good luck Party Planners and for me and my household we say, "Go Niners!"

 

 

5 Days- Top to Bottom Home Organize

 

This is what an Professional Organizer can do in just 5 days to an entire home by themselves.

 

Before:

 

 

After

Burnt Popcorn

That is right Burnt Popcorn. Two reasons why I bring this up;

First- I burnt popcorn in my microwave 3 days ago and the smell is lingering like crazy! Everytime we microwave something it comes back! The whole house is infested with that blah smell! I have since done some online research and I have found out that the Coffee and Vinager tricks work and now my kitchen is back to normal. But because I found myself thinking, "Oh, It will just go away after a day or two once I wipe down the inside." WRONG! That smell gets into the deepest darkest places a microwave has, and it just keeped filling my home with that stench.

 

Second- Same concept goes with your attitude towards organizing and any other goal in your life. If you make a mistake and let something go, (say a garage, closet, or even something as huge as a relationship) Everytime you go into that room, or into that closet or see that person your stress builds, you may have anxiety, you can be unpleasent to be around, you may even lose money because of it.


This time of year is a time of resolution and putting your foot down and saying, "Enought is Enough!" There are a million tips and tricks out there which I try to share via my website, Facebook, Blog, and even my professional help hands-on; but it is up to you to say, "I have had enough being scared. I don't want this to bother me anymore, because I have a life to enjoy!" That mess is not just going to one day not be there. Take action and take your space back just like in a small way I took my microwave back. I know a microwave is small compared to a room, house, or something as huge as a relationship, but in the end it took action to solve the issue!



 

If you need help with organizing or staging feel free to reach out to me or hit us up on our Facebook www.facebook.com/organizedbydwight. If it is something bigger, I always reccomend your local Pastor who if they cannot help, they have a vast amount of resources that can!

My God truely have his blessings on you today! And try not to burn the Popcorn next time!!!

Prepping for that New Bathroom

So my wife and I are getting ready to close on a new house that fit all of our needs; a little land, move in ready, but has some projects for me to work on. The big one is a bathroom in the basement that is studs, a concrete floor and some pvc pipes. I have all of these ideas but unless I were a designer or paid big bucks to have someone do it all for me, I may not know where to get started.

By doing the prep work ahead of time you save designer expense and the headache of not getting what you wanted.

First step is think about the type of bathroom you want: Executive, spa style, family friendly, etc. Do you want a jet tub tiled shower, bowl sink, rain shower head? What function will this bathroom fulfill?
For me and my wife this will be the man cave bathroom, and one day be used by guests when our second upstairs bathroom is taken over by kids. Therefore, we have decided to turn it into an Executive Bathroom. Toilet, bowl sink, tile floor, no tub, walk in tile shower with half wall and glass to the ceiling. Now that we know how we want it to function we are ready to move to the next step.

Second step is steal some ideas; Google Image bathrooms, or go to Pintrest and look for ideas. No idea is too big because you are just looking for ideas, color schemes, shower heads, toilets, sinks, wood flooring, layout, etc.  Here are a few stolen ideas I like.

It's in the basement so we like the lighter color to give the illusion of a bigger space.

I really like the fact that the shower head is on one side and the faucet handle is just as you walk in. That way you don't have to stand under the shower head while turning on the shower. You can adjust the temp of the water before you immerse yourself. I also like the half wall with the glass to the ceiling. It lets more light flow through the room.

 

Very big fan of the rain shower head with the seperate hosed shower head. I also like the textured walls in this shower.

 

Because it is a bathroom that is for guests, we can be a little artsy with things like the sink and fixtures with small amount of storage.

 

 

Now that we know what direction we want to go with the space, and we have ideas of how we want to do it, we can start to bring it together. Over the next couple of weeks I will keep you posted on how things come together.

 

Here is our current before: Stay tuned

 



 

 

Never Too Much Christmas

CHRISTMAS RANT AND RAVE

I over heard someone talking at a coffee shop the other day about how "Tacky" some people's Christmas decor is in their home. Let me be the first to say, "WHO CARES?"

Unless they are staging their house to sell; it is their house and if they want to put blow up figures out in their lawn, paint their walls red and green, pick out a tree that doesn't fit in their living rooms, decorate the outside of their house with a billion lights, make snicker doodles every day of the week, or wear ugly sweaters until December 25th: WHO CARES?

I respect people who get involded in a season. I am sure there are decor experts out there saying that I am off my rocker and that what is "IN" for Christmas this year is the only way it should be, but when it all comes down to it; it's not your fancy pants memories that they are putting up. It is not your kids they are trying to have fun with, it is not your home that you have to see everyday.

The funny thing is that designers might get a few people to talk about how clever and fashionable their decor items is, (which I probably wont buy), but I will still take the long way home once every year just to drive by that guys house with the rediculous amount of lights and blow up lawn furniture just because it makes me smile to know that there are people who are not affraid to love something so much that they make themselves a little undignified in the eyes of other people to show it.

May you dance like David with the joy of the Lord this season. May you show the world your love of the holidays, may you wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and may you never ever care that someone else thinks your Christmas Spirit is "Tacky."



Sometimes it's easier to borrow other's ideas instead of trying to type it all yourself.

I have to admit I read this and I was like, "bingo!"  I love reading other professionals newsletters.  Some really understand how to liven up a room on a budget!       10 Easy Ways to Change the Look of Your Room Bored with a room? Before switching furniture around or spending your paycheck, try a few of these:   1. Add some light. Big mirrors are a great way to change a room. Pick one up at a thrift store and paint the frame for your own look and style. Adding a mirror nearly doubles the sunlight coming into the room - it's like adding a window.   2. Make shelves fun. Painting the inside of shelves or cabinets a vibrant color is an easy way to lift a room. Instead of cluttered shelves, organize books by color. Leave some of them upright while stacking others and placing decorative objects between, on, or behind them.   3. Move it. Moving around your art will make you notice them again. Just moving one piece from one end of the room to the other can make a huge impact.   4. Spa Treatment.   Give your bathroom a spa look by switching to white. Swap towels, your  shower curtain, even your bath mats for a refreshing look. Add a bamboo tray for storage and you're in spa heaven.   5. Easy Organizing. Grab a serving tray and use it for mail, remotes, or magazines. It adds an instant organized look to any room.   6. Cozy up. Make your fireplace a part of the room even in the summer by using pillar candles or a potted plant in a vibrant pot.   7. Sleep tight.   Swapping the comforter, pillow cases, coverlet, or throw on your bed will add an instant new look to the bedroom. It's easy enough to give your bedroom a new look every season.   8. First impressions. Focus attention on the main hallway to your home. If you don't have a hallway - go for the main door. A small table and a rug with a few objects will create an instant style before guests even get inside.   9. All the small things. Small things can make a big difference. Add a new trash can in the kitchen, or a new soap dish and matching toothbrush holder ($1 each at Dollar Tree!) in the bathroom.   10. Go green. Cut small branches from shrubs or trees and put them in a large vase. It lasts much longer than flowers and brings an entirely different look to a room.

BLACK FRIDAY ORGANIZE

That's right it is that time of year... The Black Friday Marathon... How to organize your mad dash!

Prep before hand

Step 1: Have your Christmas list already created with what you want to get each person.
Step 2: Collect your doorbuster catalogs. Know which stores are doing staggered releases of items, and what time those staggers are at. Also know the layout of the store. This will come in handy if there is a limited number of a door buster, if you go the wrong direction when you enter the door, it could mean the difference between getting the door buster or not.
Step 3: Pick the one item you are willing to wait in line for. (know the stores policies as to how many of a certain door buster you can get at one time.)
Step 4: Plan your route of stores based on the above collection of information.
Step 5: If there are multiple items you want released at the same time, tag team and drop someone off in one place while you are in another.
Step 6: Fill up the gas tank ahead of time.
Step 7: Check the weather so you can dress accordingly.
Step 8: Pack food and coffee... Most people think they are going to be able to just grab a Cup of Joe, or a snack while they are out. BIG MISTAKE, those lines are just as long as retail stores are while shopping. Prep ahead and have a thurmose with coffee, and pack a lunch. Avoid the turkey as it can make you a little lethargic. When you are done, then celebrate at a food joint.
Step 9: Charge your cell phone... communication is key to getting the most of your must have items.
Step 10: Go to bed early Wednesday night, as TG day you may not get enough sleep and Friday you will be running on adrenaline.



FRIDAY MORNING

Step 1: Put your game face on!!!
Step 2: Eat a big breakfast, but make sure it is something that will give you energy without a crash!
Step 3: Stretch; thats right it will help wake you up and it will help you from being stiff while waiting in line.
Step 4: Tip your driver. Finding a parking spot is the most stressful job to partake in on Black Friday. While you are in dashing for presents, they are fighting the crazies in the parking lot.
Step 5: ALWAYS get a gift reciept even if it is a gift for yourself. Way easier to return if it doesn't work out.
Step 5: Execute the plan!

GOOD LUCK- BE SAFE - HAVE FUN - REALIZE YOU WILL MOST LIKELY NOT GET EVERYTHING YOU WANTED - IF YOU RUN INTO A JERK, DON'T BE ONE BACK BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!! YOU WILL BE BLESSED BY NOT RETURNING ANGER AT SOMEONE WHO IS BELIGERANT.