Everyday Celebrating

Org Tip: the down and dirty of my lists

A few days ago I told you about how I keep my correspondence items organized:  the mini photo album!

But how do I keep my daily life organized?

I am a huge list person. 
My brain is usually a swirl of lists and other randomness. Constant thoughts of new things to do, how to improve, necessary things that HAVE to be done, etc. I'm the type of person that can't JUST watch tv.  That's why a laptop is so perfect for me.  I can be doing at least 5 things at a time on it.  I'm a major multi-tasker.  I like productivity and progress.

For the craziness that circles "inside my head" I use an online note/list maker called Backpackit.
I don't use Backpackit for even 1/10th of what it's capable of, but it's super user friendly and since it's web based, I can access it anywhere from the internet.  With the free plan you get 5 free pages.  On each page you can create endless lists, notes, journals, calendars, etc.  Here's a screenshot of just the very top of my first page:

 

On just ONE page, I have about twelve lists.  Things like you see here which are ideas of fun things to do with my son this summer, progress I want to make on my blog, to things I want to make, etc.  A HUGE list I have are future blog post ideas - probably 50 items in there.  Other lists are things I want to do for Xmas 2009 and general to do lists, etc.  I keep this page up on my browser all the time.  At work and at home.  Anytime something pops into my head that I want to do, look at, create or research, I put it on this page.

I have a separate page that I share with my husband.  This has a list of household to dos.  Things that need to be done around the house, etc.   I also have some future planning on there.  Our son is 2 and I have plotted out what year he'll start pre-K as well as when he'll graduate high school (Class of 2026!) :)

On shared pages, you and the people you share with can all make revisions to the pages and make notes, etc.  Great for a committee or group of people working on one project.

I also have a separate page that is a tickler of special occassion dates to remember.  Birthdays, anniversaries, my friend's children's birthdays, etc. 

So that's how my personal life and thoughts are kept straight.  What about work?

At work, it's less high tech LOL.  Kinda backwards, huh?
Even though my husband bought me a PDA, I just couldn't get into it.  Not sure why other than these two reasons:  1) for some reason at work, I like to write things down and 2) I like to cross things off my list.   For work, I use a small notebook.  It looks like this. It's 5X7 size.

I have one notebook at a time and I write everything work related in it.  All my notes, all my lists go in this one book.  It's small enough to fit in my purse and I only use one.

After I finish a task, I highlight it instead of crossing it off.  Why?  Because with a highlighter, I can still see what the task was that I did instead of wondering if it got done.  If there is a task that needs further information or is a question for someone else, I usually go back in another color and write in the answer.  That let's me know that I got an answer or that I still need something to finish it - progress made.

More than you needed to know, right? 
I always love finding out how others stay organized.  In fact, I learned about Backpackit from another friend and I began using it immediately.   Who knows... someone may read this on a day they really need it. 

If not.. call me crazy and we'll move on.  LOL

Org tip: The mini photo album

You may not gather it from my posts, but those that know me personally know that I'm big on cards and written correspondence in general.  Remember that scene in the movie Cocktail where the guy says he can bet that Tom Cruise has at least one get-rich-quick book under the bar?  Well, that's me with cards and stationary.  LOL  You can bet that if I have a bag nearby or a drawer, I have SOMETHING with me. Whether it be stationary, cards, return labels, stickers, etc.  And usually all of the above.

Recently, someone complimented me on how I always remember and acknowledge important days in other's lives.  And they phrased it within the context of "how do you be a mom, work full time, run two blogs.. and still manage to do it all on time?"  Well, I don't.  At least not all of the time.

But..you ready?  I'm sharing one of my "behind the curtain" secrets.

Enter the mini photo album.

This is mine.  (I apologize in advance for the notsogreat photo of it.) 
This is your typical photo album that you can buy anywhere.  Fits your standard 4X6 photo.
(That's my hubby and son, btw. :) ) 

This album lives in my purse.  And here's a bit of what I keep in it:

Stickers, which I use mainly as envelope seals.  The ones on the right are ones that are especially for my online community friends who mostly know me by my screen name.

Address labels.  Lots of address labels.  I heart address labels.  I love them so much that my son, Keaton (2 years old) has his OWN labels for his correspondence.  See?

Also (at the upper right) - stamps!

I keep other things in there too like sometimes coupons or appt cards from doctor's offices, etc.

As far as addresses, I'm old fashioned in that I don't keep a PDA or cell phone book. I have a super mini address book I keep that matches the album here.  (Anal, much?)  LOL   For some reason, I love writing in new addresses and seeing the old ones marked out when someone moves.

I also wanted to point out this great blog I recently found that features not only how to write thank notes, but also photos of the actual notes.  Great wording inspiration!  And I love her handwriting!

Soon I'll put up another post about the online site I use for organizing the thoughts in my head and all the to do lists that fill my life!

DIY/Tutorial: Easy Etched Glass

photo credit:  marthastewart.com

Have you noticed that organization is "in" now?
Having your home not only organized, but beautifully presented is in... somewhat thanks to Martha Stewart.

And here she goes again with an easy tutorial on how to etch glass like the jars above.

All you need is etching cream, vinyl letters, painter's tape and a paintbrush.

Here's how you do it:

1. Clean and dry the glass. Using painter's tape, mark off the area you want to etch. Attach vinyl stick-on letters and decorative tape; press hard to ensure they are attached firmly. 

2. Cover work surfaces (be sure to work in a well-ventilated area). Put on protective gloves and an old shirt with long sleeves. Paint an even layer of etching cream onto glass. Let stand for amount of time indicated by manufacturer's instructions. 

3. Rinse with warm water in a stainless steel sink. (Avoid porcelain sinks; the cream damages glazed surfaces.) Remove letters and tape.

A set of jars would be a great housewarming or wedding gift!  The same instructions can be used to make a pretty monogram on a glass platter or wine glasses, etc. for a personalized gift!

Fun with chalkboard paint and a plea for ideas

I'm seriously considering turning a walk-in closet in my home into an office/craft room.
I have tons of stuff and literally no home for it.  I'm not a scrapbooker or even an everyday crafter, but still...every crafty person needs a space, like a man's garage to wrangle their stuff and call home.

Anyway, in thinking about that I ran across this chalkboard wall calendar that was originally an idea of Martha Stewart.  This calendar is made with various shades of chalkboard paint.   Very inspiring!

So I need ideas for closet conversions.  If anyone has recently run across anything like this, please post a comment!  I need inspiration to push me over the edge.  LOL

Seating planning made easy - online!

As someone who doesn't draw the nicest circles and can never draw a room proportionally or constantly run out of room before tables... the Toptableplanner is perfect!

Toptableplanner is a web-based program used for doing just that - planning your tabletops.
It has several prominent features including:

• Different sizes and types of table - round or rectangular.
• Print tableplans, place cards and escort cards.
• Edit your table plan wherever you're online.
• Save different versions to see what works best.
• Easily import guest names from Word or Excel files.

If you have access to the internet, you have access to your layouts.  Going to meet with your wedding planner or reception venue and want to show them what you had in mind?  Just pull up to their computer or bring your laptop with wifi and log in!  It's interactive and your planner or venues will love you for it!

I suggest taking the interactive tour!

Use toptableplanner for corporate functions, fundraising events, banquets, bar mitzvahs, etc.  Not just for weddings!

$20 for a 6 month sub to the site.  Well worth it in helping to fight the headaches of seating charts!

I "shutter" to think....

.... of how much stuff I'd have to throw away to be uber organized.
Thought this shutter idea from Family Circle was cute.  Of course, it wouldn't fit in with all decor, but it's a cute idea and would look lovely in a shabby chic type setting. 

I'm already thinking of cleaning out excess junk of the holidays to start the new year so I thought I'd pass this along!

A simple display.

Ahhhh. West Elm.
There's something about West Elm that makes my heart smile.  I love their modern simplicity and clean lines.  And how it's chic, but not over the top.  And it's doable, ya know?  You don't necessarily have to have their products to create the look. (Don't tell them I said that.)

Perusing through the recent West Elm catalog, besides loving this look, I noticed the single length of ribbon in the upper right.  And having JUST received my very first holiday card of the season that very day, it was perfect timing to find reminder of a subtle way to display cards.  One single length of ribbon that matches your already existing DECOR... and not the holiday season.   I like it!

Leave it to West Elm to keep celebrating simple.

Just in time for the holiday wrapping frenzy....

Found this great little idea over at Little Birdie Secrets!
As everyone knows, I love ribbon and I have spools of it everywhere!  Tres' annoying.
And I'm forever saying "I don't need to buy more ribbon. I KNOW I have some of that color... SOMEWHERE!"  And then off I go scrambling to find it... and rarely succeeding, I might add.

This was made out of a pants hanger!  Ya know, the kind that accommodates several pairs?
Hop on over to Little Birdie Secrets and read all about it.  She also shows how to make a ribbon storage box!

There's hope for me yet.

Sidenote:  This would also make a great gift idea.  Have a friend that loves ribbon?  Buy a hanger and load it up with a rainbow array of ribbon!  Believe me, she'll love it!  Michaels has those great bins with $1 rolls of ribbon... just sayin'.  LOL