You’re finally cleaning out under the bathroom sink (yay, you!) and you come across a bunch of old makeup, lotions, and other products. Should you keep or toss them? The first question is, “will I use them in the very near future?” If not, go ahead and throw them away. The next question, the tricky one, is “How old is this thing?” You probably have no idea, so from here on out, try this trick: Keep a Sharpie easily accessible …
The #1 thing you can do to cut down on time running from room to room and also keep stuff from piling up where it doesn’t belong is to store items where you use them. Place your clothes hamper where you get undressed (not tucked away somewhere), keep your makeup where you put it on, and have a cup for pens wherever you end up writing. I’ve solved major trash/clutter issues for clients simply by moving a trash can near …
How many times have you been told to “look on the bright side” or “think positively” or “stop stealing my fries when I’m not looking” (that last one might just be to me)? The general consensus seems to be that it’s better to focus on all the good things that the future is sure to bring than the bad things that are happening right now. Problem is, if you’re always planning for and looking to the future, you forget that you’re …
Instead of letting menus clog a useful kitchen drawer, create a menu binder! Use dividers for different types of cuisine, or make a “frequently ordered” section to keep certain menus extra handy. Slip menus into clear sheet protectors for easy visibility. Use the same technique to organize all those recipes you’ve printed or torn out of magazines. Divide according to food/beverage type, and hole punch the pages or use sheet protectors to protect them from splatters. When I made my organized recipe binder, I …
I already shared my recipe for Chocolate Pecan Bourbon Mini Pies, and here’s another chocolate-based clutter free gift that’s ridiculously easy to make. Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix 8 cups powdered milk 7 cups Nestle Quick 1 16oz jar Coffeemate That’s it. Mix them all together (a 2 gallon Ziploc bag works great) and you’re done. Store the mix in an airtight container or in the freezer. Use 1/3 cup mix to 6oz boiling water, curl up, and chuckle to yourself …
If your workspace is cluttered and chaotic, many people may assume that you’re inefficient and ineffective (not true!). Clear your workspace of anything that you don’t use on a daily basis. Extra office supplies should be out of sight, with only a few pens, post-its, or paperclips in easy reach on your desk. Set up a contained inbox and action item system for papers so they don’t take over and give the wrong impression about your capabilities. Related posts: Organize …
Start taking note of where you naturally drop things like your keys, cell phone, and the mail. Instead of letting it all pile up or get lost under other stuff, simply add an open container, like a tray or bin, to that spot. The visual boundary of the container will help you notice before stuff gets out of hand. If you tend to take your jewelry off in the bathroom and let it pile up on the counter (while your …
We tend to focus on the big, looming projects in our homes, but sometimes it’s actually the little random things that don’t have a home that are driving you nuts. Tiny frustrations add up. In addition to annoying you, these little things can be a big block to keeping your space clean. Change scattered on the floor means you’re less likely to sweep up because there’s now an extra step. Pens on your counter tops or coffee table make it …
