I’ve been green since I was about 17, long before it became fashionable to reuse and recycle.

This translates into me reusing every bit of paper or cardboard – I use them for lists (!), my husband has a stack for shopping lists, etc.

I’d cut some cardboard for my mini-scrapbook and there were strips of cardboard about 5 – 6 cm long.

I decided they’d make the perfect mini-cards for gift tags or to just leave a random note on someone’s desk.

I LOVE simplicity and non-fussiness so all I added was a piece of fabric tape with thank you on it.

Done!

In about 15 minutes I cut, folded and stuck the tape and then I had a set of 10 gift tags.

This would also be a lovely little gift to give someone.

You could punch a small hole in the corner, string some baker’s twine or ribbon and package 6 together (why are all cards in packs of 6?) in a cellophane bag.

A lovely, thoughtful present.

What would you have used these cards for?

PS isn’t it crazy I’ve already posted 10 of these crafty posts?! Click the label “Marcia gets crafty” to see them all and pin if you want to do them too

I haven’t mentioned The Book for awhile because, quite honestly, it was sapping my energy.

So many things out of my control at this point ….. and to be 100% honest, this part is really not fun for me – the getting it from Word doc to print. You need the patience of a saint.

But I have some updates that I thought I’d share with you:

1. Last week I finally got my proof copy.

If I have to say so myself, it looks GORGEOUS. Very “me”, don’t you think?

Of course, being a proof, I picked up a number of things I wanted to correct. Which is now in progress.

2. I’ve also handed the book over to someone who is “Kindle-ising” it for me. She sent me the file with some things she wants me to change so that it reads easier on the Kindle, and told me how to put it on my Kindle to view it.

Despite being non-techno savvy, I actually managed to do it!

Do you know how excited I got to see MY book under MY name pop up on my Kindle as “new”.

( I was so excited I squealed like a girl)

Do you have a Kindle?

3. And then, last but not least, I’m busy getting a website up with special downloads for the purchasers of the book, whether print or Kindle versions.

I’m busy thinking of something fun to put together to entice all of you to buy the book for yourself or someone else when it’s available.

So get ready….

Have you ever thought of writing a book?

Did you know that writing a book is on most people’s life lists?!

PS do you have any fun ideas to promote the book?

I coached a client recently through the Financial Freedom e-course and I was like, “wow, A, this stuff is really good” I’d forgotten how sound that e-course was/ is because I wrote it 5 years ago but the lessons are all sound financial principles.  The financial freedom e-course is FREE when you get Organise your Home and no joke, you’ll make your money back in less than a month!

Taken at 5:02 one evening as I left work - so glad I stopped to take it

A few weeks ago there was an article in The Star that said the cost of living in Johannesburg’s risen by 15,9 % in the last 4 months.

Wow!

That’s kind of scary, isn’t it?

And yet, reading that didn’t make me think, “no! never!” because I do know that it costs us more to buy groceries, fill up with petrol, etc. than it used to.

I just thought I was being irresponsible with money.

I believe in working very smart with my/ our money but not freaking out too much as I don’t want to develop a mindset of lack.

Stay with me…

I’ve always thought that the way to approach these things is not to say, “I can’t afford ___” but “how can I afford ___?”

Mostly this approach has worked for me.

And yes, some of that will mean cutting out x and y, but my question takes me from feeling helpless to empowered.

I’ll share a few things I’m being a little more conscious about doing:

1. I make a menu plan and only put items on the shopping list I don’t have in my pantry… which means I check the pantry every week
2. I’m also trying to get creative and use up everything in the fridge or pantry
3. wait a day or two before doing online shopping – if I really want it I can still go buy it, but it takes away the impulse shopping

Have you felt the cost of living increases in South Africa and especially in Jhb?

Are you just taking it in your stride or how are you dealing with it?

Share a tip or five with me

A friend asked me a few weeks ago what I thought of getting a skip (dumpster) to do a big declutter.

I said to her that while that would work for some people, it wouldn’t work for me.

1) I don’t have that much junk

2) I prefer things to leave my house a bag or two at a time because I’m a baby steps person.

I thought of that when I decided to simplify my make-up.

My secret organising fantasy is to have just one lipstick that looks good with all my clothes and wear only that.

Well, until that time comes, I’m simplifying my make-up very, very slowly. Baby steps.

Before I got to the before pic, I threw out about 3 – 4 lipsticks.

It was time to go through it again. I don’t make a big deal about organising/ decluttering/ simplifying – I wait until things feel like they need a tweak or until I get a bee in my bonnet and then I just have at it.

That’s what happened one Saturday evening after we got home and put the kids to bed (that’s why the pics are this strange shade) – on this particular night I tossed another 2.

BEFORE

AFTER – the stuff I use every day in the pink candle-holder and the rest on the other side

this plastic container with my eyeshadow rests on the top

this is what I use every day – lipliner, lipstick and an eyeliner and most days, some eyeshadow on my (very light) eyebrows

dental floss, blemish stick,brush, night cream and some other lipsticks and some lipliners

So… I want to know from you

Are you the type who gets the dumpster or do you declutter a bag or two at a time?
And.. do you wear the same shade of lipstick every day?

PS thanks to Chloe for giving me the idea of keeping the everyday make-up together. I love it

It’s hard to be productive when your space is not only a mess, but also disorganised.

60% of people are visual (I am too!) so clutter and “stuff” strewn all over the place will just drive you up the wall!

 Before we start, let’s get ready:

(a) put on some upbeat music (not slow love songs – fast music!)
(b) make sure you have a BIG wastepaper basket
(c) get another plastic basket for items that belong in another room
So what do you need to do?

1. Back up your files

Do NOT open your email programme, Twitter or Facebook before you start or you’ll get sidetracked!

DO put a recurring reminder in Outlook to do this on a monthly basis, or more frequently than that.

I lost EVERYTHING on my flash drive once but it only translated to about 2 hours’ work because I’d backed up my computer a few weeks before that.

Now, while your computer is backing up…

2. Clean off your desk

You can do this in 30 seconds (that’s why you have the upbeat music). Yes, really. Play a game with yourself and say, “by the end of this song, my desk is going to be clean”. Works for me

Put all items belonging in another room in the plastic basket. Don’t go to the actual room to put away – you don’t want to get sidetracked!

Throw any cooldrink cans, sweet papers, etc. in the wastepaper basket. Put all the little notes inside your desk notebook (you do have ONE desk notebook, don’t you?) and set to one side.

If you don’t use the item on a DAILY basis, it shouldn’t be on your desk. By the same token, if you use something every day, make a place for it within arm’s reach.

E.g. My headset for Skype calls is on a hook on the wall above my desk – near enough that I can just reach for it, but not taking up valuable real estate on the desk.

See? 30 seconds and you’re done!

I *do* know this is the Quick & Easy way – if you want ALL the detail, check out the organise your office system.

3. Sort out the paper

Take out the desk notebook with all the little notes. I use a spiral-bound notebook with a lovely, bright yellow and lime-green cover because it makes me happy to write my notes in a beautiful notebook

Write down all those bits and pieces – your internet provider’s helpline, website addresses, people to look up on Facebook, etc.

Throw away all the junk mail and paper you don’t need (and take it to your recycling bin later).

Put all the filing in ONE pile – you can do this in front of the TV later!

Now doesn’t that feel better? A nice, neat and organised office!

 Can you work with a desk full of paper?

I can’t but when I only have a few minutes, I push all the paper to one side, focus and get it done

Okay, today’s your turn.

There’s a little organisational nightmare going on in my house.

To be fair, I’m being just a tad dramatic because at least it’s working about 50%.

I’m talking about my little Kendra’s hair accessories. This is one of those times I thank God I’m not a girly girl (although I do like hot pink!) and don’t actually buy this stuff from choice because there’d be three times the amount of “pretty”. Everything she owns is mostly practical (I know, some of you are thinking, poor kid!)

I have long hair but I have about six stretchy scrunchies and they live inside my bedside table drawer in an upcycled formula can.

We have a few headbands (the stretchy ones), Alice bands, a few clips/ grips/ barrettes (I think that’s what you call them) and then, my nemesis, a gazillion ponytail holders.

In theory I love this idea… it’s attractive, has nice, clean lines and is very organised.Very, very nice but too fancy for me.

but this is more my style because I’m a very lazy organiser … toss in and hope for the best.

We currently use a small, 3-drawer plastic system – one for the ponytail holders, one for the headbands and one for grips and it’s okay.

But I find these things lying around all over the house, taunting me.

As I’ve been writing I think my system is actually the best for me. Open the drawer and toss in – that’s it.

I just need to bribe train Kendra to collect all those things and return them to her wardrobe.

Tell me, how do you store your hair accessories?

Quick question – do any of you have a slash life where you’re a something/ something else? Like I’m in financial services/ time management coach

Thing is I always thought I was a little bit odd but there’s actually a book out on this very thing called One Person Multiple Careers and I’m keen to explore it more by writing about it on the blog. Just a little bit.

Are you interested?

Tell me about all the “slashers” you know

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I have no idea what happened but while I was away on holiday with my family, but it suddenly got unseasonably warm in Jhb.

While I relish the cooler weather, this has actually been lovely, especially because we’re catching up on laundry and my default is always line drying over tumble drying.

The only thing is I’ve been scrambling to find clothes for the kids to wear because I’d already packed the summer clothes away.

The one time I felt just a tad annoyed with myself for being a bit too fast.

Then again, I would do it exactly the same next time because having both seasons out drives me a little bit more batty every day.

Fortunately, I keep exactly 3 sets of in between clothes out while we’re transitioning

From summer to winter that means leggings plus a normal t-shirt (not sleeveless) for Kendra and some capri pants in the surf shorts material plus t-shirts for Connor.

I have no problem with my clothes because they now (after about 3 decluttering sessions over the last 2 years) all fit very comfortably in my ONE cupboard.

top

bottom – see all the free space

enough for a little boy to play hide-and-seek

Do you have a seasonal wardrobe switcharound routine?

Do you keep out some transition clothes for yourself or your kids?

I do a monthly goals review before I set goals for the month ahead and when I was doing my April review last night, I thought that I’d share the questions (and some answers) with you in case you want to walk through it with me.

Four months of the year are past and technically speaking, we should be a good way into getting wherever we wanted to get.

Right?

Hmmm.

Well, I know it’s not that simple or straightforward.

I even talk about navigating obstacles in the goals section of the Organise your Time system.

But go through these questions with me and answer them honestly. I’ve put (some of) my own answers below to help you along.

1. When I think about the last 4 months, what do I feel? Am I excited, disappointed, apathetic, etc?

I feel mostly excited like I’m making good progress but being me, I’ll always feel like I’m not moving fast enough

2. Which areas of my life are working well, which are neutral and which not so well?

Well – Family, Fun, Personal, Friendship
Neutral – Work (day job) and Business
Not so well – Health and Fitness

3. Why? Or why not?

I’m excited by our family goals – we’re ahead of where we wanted to be – but a little bit disappointed by my business goals. My income is not where I wanted it to be and the book is taking longer than I’d like to be DONE. However, I have great clients and I’ve had two media interviews over the last few months.

I’m doing really great in the personal areas – I have plenty of “me” time to create, read, play with my camera and chase the kids around the garden – and on my friendships.

4. What do I need to let go of or are there places I need to lower my expectations of myself?

Hmmm, I need to let go of unrealistic expectations about getting this book out in print.

I also need to let go of focussing on the numbers so much and just focus on the joy.

5. What can I do differently to make sure the next four months move me closer to my goals?

Do something every day, no matter how small, to move me towards that book being out and successful.

Stop comparing myself to others!

And a bonus question…

6. How am I living out my word of the year?

I’m doing great on this. I’m really living intentionally and creating memories, fun times, and also enjoying the process of living creatively.

Washi tape, anyone?

A heads-up for those of you who have been thinking of working with me. My coaching fees will be increasing on 1 June.

Book your Success Strategy Session or monthly sessions with me now.

Even if you haven’t set any goals, how is 2012 going for you thus far?

PS We also have our own Facebook page – please click here and “like” it

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Organising-Queen

Today is Freedom Day in South Africa.

I just love that we have a public holiday celebrating my number 1 value

What does freedom mean to you?

For me, it means the time to pursue the things I’m passionate about I want that for you too.

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Guess what? My US visa was approved last Friday.

I’m officially going to the She Speaks conference in Concord, North Carolina. Yay!

I haven’t booked flights or hotels yet and here’s where I need your help.

You see, I’m not sure how much time to leave for tourism in Charlotte, NC and in NYC.

What are your must-see suggestions of things to do, to eat and to take photos of?

As you read this, I’m on a mini-break with my family. Dion and I celebrate 17 years of marriage on Sunday, and we’ve always gone away for a holiday.

However, we made the rookie mistake of telling the kids we’re going to Sabie and that’s all we’ve been hearing the whole week.

“Mummy, when are we going to Sabie?” “Are you going to the shops in Sabie?” (the answer to that last question is most definitely!)

And last but not least, I am still LOVING the online photography class. I think I’ve always (mostly) looked for the beauty but this is teaching me to stop and take some pics of the beauty even if it’s not convenient.

You should have seen me pull over on a random street the other morning to take some pics of wet autumn leaves

Can you guess what kind of photos we’re practising this week?

I’ll be taking TONS of pics while we’re away and can’t wait to share some of those with you next week.

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Last but not least, a heads-up for those of you who have been thinking of working with me. I noticed that I haven’t increased my fees for about 18 months so my coaching fees will be increasing on 1 June. Book your Success Strategy Session or monthly sessions with me now at current rates.

And, as always, have a wonderful weekend!

teal frame

I saw this frame at the Crazy Store and fell in love with the colour.

What colour is it, by the way? Do you call it turquoise/ teal/ what?

You see, I’d seen something on a blog where they used a similar frame to organise their lives – the person used the three sections for To do, a shopping list and something else (maybe her weekly menu plan).

And yes, their frame was probably a bit bigger than mine but still, same concept.

I hadn’t got to this project yet when I found another makeshift dry erase board I made last year.

For that project, the photo frame broke but I kept the glass, printed a cute background (you could use scrapbook paper or gift wrap) to put in between, and used two big binder clips to hold it all together. I then hung ribbon from the binder clips.

It worked aesthetically but it felt too messy for my study.

All that writing and erasing and re-writing

Yet I forgot that when I saw the idea on the blog.

How often do we do that?

We see something cute and think that it will work for us without stopping to think about our preferences or our family’s needs.

So for me, no dry erase in my study.

A plain old notebook still works best for me. Actually, I have two.

One for my business goals for the week – Beth and I chat every week and I write down (yes, with a real pen and paper) both our goals in a notebook which stays open on a corner of my desk.

And then in front of my computer I have a scrap notebook for my scribblings.

What works for you? dry erase boards, your electronic device of choice or a good old pen and paper?

PS that gorgeous frame will not go to waste – I plan to either use it as a photo frame or to frame my monthly, quarterly and annual goals.

What would you use it for?