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Gifts for Neat Freaks

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Christmas, Gifts — No Comments ↓

Gifts for Neat Freaks

It’s that time of year again when I share my favorite gifts for people like me – neat freaks! I’m sure you have a friend or crazy aunt who has a mild obsession with being neat and organized. If you do, this list is for you. This year I focus on functional gifts. These are gifts your organized friends might not have thought of. These are also gifts that might be good for friends or family who are a bit disorganized. Hey, it never hurts to nudge them in the right direction!

  1. Furniture floor protectors – Furniture that wreaks havoc on hardwood floors can drive a neat person nuts! I recently helped a client of mine install these and I love them. They are so easy to install and they will last longer than other types.
  1. Fujitsu ScanSnap s1100 – I love my portable scanner! You can connect to it wirelessly or through a USB, and it scans multiple pages in minutes. Convenient to store and use – a win-win!
  1. thingCharger – Ahh, this gift is amazing and a must for anyone like me. It charges nearly any phone, tablet, or reader from any brand, and 2 or 3 at a time. You have to check it out.
  1. Armoire Makeup Organizer – Mirror, mirror! This is more than a mirror, but a storage gold mine. You can hang this unit over the door or directly on your wall. Now you have a place to store cosmetics, and a place to see how it looks!
  1. Flipfold – Perfectly folded shirts are a neat freak’s dream. With this gift, your friend or family member won’t have to work hard to get that perfect fold.

I hope this list helps find gifts for all of the neat freaks in your life. There are only days left until Christmas – go ahead, get your shop on!

Photo: Amazon

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Thanksgiving — No Comments ↓

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

I wrote about giving thanks a couple of days ago, and now I want to thank you on this wonderful Thanksgiving day! Thank you to my clients and those who read my blog. Because of you I’m able to do what I love, and make a difference in so many lives. Know that I appreciate you, and enjoy your day with family, friends, and loved ones!

Photo: freepik.com

It’s Time to Give Thanks

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Thanksgiving — No Comments ↓

It’s Time to Give Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving week! Wow, I can’t believe Thanksgiving is just a couple of days away. I’m sure you’re busy putting your Thanksgiving Day menu together, cleaning the house and putting up festive decorations. But there is something you’re forgetting. Have you remembered to take the time to give thanks?

Showing gratitude cannot only make another person feel good, but there is strong correlation between giving thanks and your personal well-being. This Harvard Medical School article notes studies that have found this correlation.

As we near Thanksgiving, what are some ways that you can give thanks to the people closest to you? Here are a few suggestions to help you on your way.

  1. Send a handwritten note. When was the last time you sent one? Do you remember how you felt when you last received one? In our fast-paced, electronic driven world, the handwritten note is a novelty. Why not make someone’s day by sending a note thanking him or her for a way in which they helped you this year?
  1. Reflect on who you are grateful. Take some time to meditate or reflect on your life. This is an important step to your overall happiness and feeling of thankfulness. We are not alone in this crazy world, and focusing on those people who have helped you along the way can be beneficial for your overall wellbeing.
  1. Pay it forward. – Why not surprise someone like a helpful neighbor or work buddy with a homemade meal or flowers? Sending unexpected gratitude to a friend can go a long way. I also love the idea of showing kindness to a stranger. Whether it is buying a cup of coffee for the person behind you, or simply helping someone in need during the day. Kindness and gratitude can make the world a better place.

Photo: Oh My Handmade

National Fridge Clean Out Day

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Kitchen — No Comments ↓

National Fridge Clean Out Day

Your fridge is a very important part of the holiday season. It’s the keeper of food and drinks, and what’s more important than food and drink during the holidays? Okay, family and friends are more important, but food and drink is a close second.

It’s time to get that fridge in order! Today is National Fridge Clean Out Day, and the timing couldn’t be better as Thanksgiving is next Thursday. You are going to need your fridge space to hold those delicious Thanksgiving Day fixings.

The first step is to PURGE any expired items. That means old condiments, those leftovers lurking in the back, and anything you haven’t used for a while. After you remove these items and clean the inside of your refrigerator, it’s time to get organized. Below are a few fridge organization products that may help you.

  1. Fridge Bins – Sometimes smaller items can create clutter in the fridge. Contain these items with storage bins. Store all your yogurts, juice packs, meats, cheese, etc. in bins to keep like with like. Not only are your items more contained, but also now it is easier to grab and go.
  1. Fridge Shelf Liner – Oh my goodness, I can’t imagine life without these fridge shelf liners! I love that it makes for a smooth surface for pulling items in and out of the shelf. What a genius invention!
  1. Fruit Life Extender Liner – Want to save money by reducing food spoilage? These fruit life extender liners really work! They allow air to circulate around your fruit and keep it crisper longer.

There are many other fridge organization tips and tricks to ensure a clean and clutter-free fridge. This older infographic is helpful and shows you where you should store different food items. Additionally, this article features several fridge organization hacks!

What are your go-to fridge organization tips?

Photo: Buzz Feed

Do or Don’t – Wall Mounted Utility Holder

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in DIY, Garage, Mudroom, Products, Storage — No Comments ↓

Do or Don’t - Wall Mounted Utility Holder

Cleaning products like brooms and mops are a must, but most of the time these can take up valuable space in a storage closet. They can also look sloppy sitting in a corner. Instead of using the horizontal space on the ground, it’s time to use the vertical space on the wall!

Enter the wall mounted utility holder. This is a wall organizer for brooms and mops that hangs these products on the wall. This is a tool that I do love as it nicely corrals your cleaning tools in one place. The only thing that you need is wall space to hang it!

This mop and broom holder on Amazon is great, as your cleaning supplies simply snap in position. In addition to being able to hang five different items, there are six additional hooks you can use to get other items off the floor.

This organizer could be used in many different rooms of your home. Aside from using it in the utility closet, you can use this in the garage to hold rakes and shovels, and even sporting equipment like hockey sticks and baseball bats.

This nifty item is definitely a DO in my book. Where in your home would you use this product?

Photo: Amazon

Happy Halloween!

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Holidays — No Comments ↓

Happy Halloween!

I hope everyone has fun Halloween plans! It the spirit of the spookiness that the season brings, I want to ask you one question: what scares you the most as you look around your house?

It’s Halloween and you shouldn’t be scared to look around your home unless you are planning a Halloween party. Halloween is a great time to look around your house and make a list of organizing projects you want to tackle before the holidays. After all, we have less than one month until Thanksgiving! Now, make a list of appointments in your calendar and plan to tackle these tasks. Have a spooktacular Halloween!

A Checklist for Prepping Your Home Exterior for Winter

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Garage, Winter — No Comments ↓

A Checklist for Prepping Your Home Exterior for Winter

This time of year is bittersweet. The warm weather is gone. The barbecues have come to an end. Your garden is slowly dwindling away. The good news is this time of year is festive, and oh-so fun!

With November a few short days away, I am hoping you have started to look at your home and determine what needs to be done to get your house ready for winter. There are a number of tasks that need to be completed to make sure the seasonal preparation has begun.

Here are some tasks to consider to prep your home for winter:

  1. Outdoor patio furniture – If you have space in a shed, garage or basement, move your furniture out of the elements. This will preserve your furniture for the upcoming season. If you don’t have storage space, invest in covers to protect them during the harsh winter months.
  1. Gutters – Have you made an appointment with someone to come clean out your gutters before the snow falls? Having clear gutters will help eliminate ice dams from forming.
  1. Garage – If you have a garage, take advantage of it as a shelter from the snowstorms! The question is, in its current state, can your car fit in your garage? Take the time now to get it organized so you can save yourself from having to scrape off your car. If you are struggling to fit your car into your garage, think about the vertical space around your garage. Research garage shelving systems, and get items off the garage floor!
  1. Lighting – Now is the time to make sure your outside lights are in good working order before it is freezing outside and you aren’t able to get your lights in working order. The days are shorter, and outdoor lighting is crucial during these upcoming winter months.

It’s best if these tasks are done in the next few weeks, before Thanksgiving hits and life gets a bit too crazy.

What other outdoor prep do you typically take on before the winter months?

Photo: Bob Vila

3 Tips to Clean Up Your Computer Desktop

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Computer — No Comments ↓

3 Tips to Clean Up Your Computer Desktop

Okay, fess up. If I looked at your computer desktop right now, how many of you have a desktop littered with so many files that you can hardly see your background image? I see it all the time, and I also get it. It is much easier to save a file to the desktop, than saving it to its proper home.

I have always told my clients that your computer is an electronic filing cabinet. Just like your paper system, your computer also needs to have a filing system. How you set it up needs to make sense to you so you can find the file when you need it.

Below are three tips to organizing your computer desktop:

  1. Create a file system that works for you. Under your “My Documents” folder, create folders that fit into your lifestyle. A simple lineup of folders includes Financial Documents, Photos, and Family Records. Within each folder, create subfolders with the given year, then within that, the given month. By doing this, it’s easier to hunt down your files in the future.
  1. Rework Your Downloads Folder. Typically your Downloads folder can get cluttered quickly with downloads from the internet. Instead of directing downloads to your desktop, create a folder within your My Documents folder that houses these downloads. Also, when downloading and given the option of where to store the file, redirect the file so it goes to its proper home. It’s also a good idea to clear old downloads you don’t need every month so you don’t take up valuable memory on your computer.
  1. Use the Desktop Cleanup Wizard. Right click, or go to your computer settings, to cleanup your desktop files. It will take the files you haven’t used in a certain period of time, and move them to an archive folder. You can also right click and aesthetically organize the files on your desktop so they are lined up, and easier to view and manage.

The last thing you want to see when you turn on your computer is a screen plastered with icons. That can add to the stress you feel. Instead, download a beautiful desktop wallpaper and picture turning on your computer and seeing a photo of something that makes you calm and happy. That should be your goal.

Photo: Business Insider

We’re Loving – Baskets for the Fall

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Fall, Mudroom, Storage — No Comments ↓

We’re Loving - Baskets for the Fall

When I think of fall and winter, I think of cozying up the home. I think of the L.L. Bean catalogs featuring slippers, blankets and flannel EVERYTHING. It’s a warm feeling, and a feeling unlike any other. As we start to pull out our favorite fall items, a big question comes to mind – where do you store everything? The answer is simple – a basket.

There are many wire, wooden and wicker baskets that can beautifully store these items. Baskets come in all shapes and sizes. Some have handles, which can be helpful if you need to move the items from one place to another. Some have lids if you need to protect your gloves from your dog that just loves to play – and chew – them up.

Below are three ways to use these baskets:

  1. Winter gloves, hats, and scarves – In New England, these items are a necessity, but they can easily cause clutter, or get lost. (Everyone has fallen victim to losing one glove, and that is just no fun!) Snag a small basket for each member of the family, or create separate baskets to hold each similar items.
  1. Pet Items – Your pet has his or her own wardrobe and accessories, and baskets are a great way to organize these items. Corral their leashes, poop bags, toys and treats in a basket, and opt for one with a lid if your pup will get into trouble.
  1. Healthy Snacks – The cooler months mean more warm, cozy food. Who doesn’t love pumpkin muffins, hearty stews and pies? Help yourself and your family eat healthier by putting a basket on the counter of healthy snacks. By keeping these snacks out in the open, it encourages family to grab for healthier snacks like nuts, granola bars, fruit, or other items that encourage less sugar and salt.

What are other items you and your family store in baskets?

Photo: Decor Pad

Budgeting for an Event

Posted on by Dawn Link Posted in Budget, Finances, Holidays — No Comments ↓

Photograph 070 by Ashley Schweitzer found on minimography.com

 

October begins tomorrow. Enter fall. Enter the beginning of the holiday season. And enter the many family gatherings and holiday parties. Hosting a party or event is a fun part of the fall and winter season. Planning a party can be expensive and hard work, especially if you don’t have the funds to hire an event planner. Budgeting for an event is an important part of the entire process, especially amid the holidays when you are spending more than usual.

If you get overwhelmed with the thought of budgeting for a party, this blog post is for you!

Below are 3 party budgeting tips to keep in mind when planning your upcoming shindig:

  1. Start with the end date and work backwards – Whenever you need to plan an event, I recommend starting with the end date and setting goals and deadlines leading up to that date. The date of the event is not going to change so all activities leading up to that date need to coordinate together.
  1. Use a spreadsheet – This may seem obvious, but believe me, most people have a slight aversion to spreadsheets! Spreadsheets are great for organizing your to-dos, major expenses, and listing out actual budgetary expenses to ensure you’re not going over budget. Whether you have Microsoft Excel, Apple’s version of Numbers, or even Google’s version of Sheets, use one of these tools to start getting organized. I love that there are separate tabs within the one spreadsheet so you can custom tailor to suit your needs.
  1. Allocate for miscellaneous expenses – Party planning involves many moving pieces – catering, decor, invitations and more! But there are also minor expenses – that you likely haven’t anticipated – that can add up. Examples include stamps for invitations, party favors or tips for vendors. Set aside a small amount of money for these items to ensure you have a slight cushion in your budget.

There are many free budgeting tools you can use to help you along your way. In doing a quick Google search, I found 7 Simple and Free Budgeting Tools. A few of these are really more geared towards general budgeting, but you can take and leave the features that will help you budget for your event.

The important part of any planning process is to stick to your end goal and budget, and keep referring back to your spreadsheet to ensure you’re on track.

And remember, this should be fun! It is a party, after all.

What is your favorite event budgeting tool? I’d love to see your tips below!

Photo: ASHLEY SCHWEITZER, minimography.com

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