Checkbook Please

Have you ever heard of the of the website Pinterest? I absolutely love it!!

For those of you who don't know I'll explain. Pinterest is an invitation only virtual bulletin board website where you can pin your favorite ideas, pictures, quotes and anything else your heart desires.

 It becomes extremely addicting, and serves as a great way to network when trying out DIY projects.

Because of this website I have become interested in antique and secondhand furniture that I can redesign and reupholster. Unfortunately Murphy's Law always applies when I find a piece of furniture I like. I am unprepared to measure the dimensions and become hesitant to buy something because of the size. Today's tip will help measure when in a quick bind.

Tip #43: Checkbook Please!!
All checkbooks are roughly six inches long, so the next time you are somewhere and see a fabulous must-have piece of furniture, pullout your checkbook and start measuring.

Hopefully your DIY fabulous furniture find will be the next big pin on Pinterest!

We Remember!

Good Morning Everyone!! I am so sorry I have fallen behind on my Tips of the Day! Creative Concierge Services has been busy with some major organizing projects that have left me exhausted by the day's end. With that being said I would like to take a moment to thank all the men and women who serve in our armed forces and have laid down their lives to protect ours. It's days like this that get me thinking about the history of this holiday and how important it is to remember the struggle and sacrifices many of our friends, family, and fellow citizens have endured to keep this beautiful country protected and free.   Tip #40 Honor Those Who Have Honored Our Country: Veterans Day formerly known as Armistice Day is celebrated every November 11th. Originally called Armistice, it commemorates the signing of the Armistice between Allies of World War I and Germany in Compiegne, France for the abeyance of hostilities on the Western Front. All of this took effect on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918. This date was declared a national holiday in most allied countries to remember and honor the many members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. After World War II the United States changed the name to Veterans Day in order to honor those who were veterans of other wars.  In 1953 a man named Alvin King from Emporia, Kansas campaigned to his idea of changing the name from Armistice Day to Veterans Day to celebrate all veterans, not just the ones who died in World War I. On June 1, 1954 Congress amended the act of replacing the name "Armistice" with "Veterans".  In 1971 Congress chose to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday in October to conform to the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Many people were upset and adamant about celebrating and honoring those on the day and hour when hostilities ceased. In 1978, Congress reversed the decision and changed Veterans day back to November 11th. Which brings me to what I will be doing today...At 11am  I will be pausing for a moment of silence to remember the many men and women who have dedicated and sacrificed their lives to protect mine. I am fortunate to be surrounded by friends and family who are veterans of various wars. I thank every one of you and love you for the many things you did and do for this great country of ours!  Today when I run my many errands I will stand a little prouder, smile a little more, and be more gracious and thankful for the many individuals who put others and me before themselves....Do something selfless today...Buy a veteran a cup of coffee, donate time, service, or money to one of the many VA organizations, and say thank you for the protection they offer us and our country. I find it very interesting that Veterans Day and Thanksgiving are in the same month..Do You?

Shoes Shoes Everywhere!!

This past week I was hired to organize several closets. One of the biggest problems my clients have is organizing their shoes. Most closets have a limited amount of space, or they have shelves that are not so accommodating for items such as shoes. As a professional organizer I am often thinking and creating innovative, easy, and convenient ways for people to keep their homes organized and clutter free. 

Tip #35 Shoes Shoes Everywhere!!

One of my most popular requests is my shoe box technique. This is extremely easy to do and will cut time in your morning rush when looking for your shoes.

There are several different ways to create a new home for your kicks. 

You can purchase clear plastic boxes from the container store, purchase fabric boxes from the container store specifically designed for your shoes, or reuse the original boxes your shoes came in. The box method helps keep your shoes from getting mixed up in a huge pile, and worse getting scuffed up, as well as keeping your closet clutter free.
If you choose to use the original boxes you can add simple embellishments to dress up the box that can help easily identify a specific pair of shoes. This is also a great DIY art/organizing project that you can do with the kids.
If you choose to use plastic containers, all you will need is a camera photos of the shoes, and some tape or a glue stick.

If you choose to use the original paper box containers you will need a camera, photos of the shoes, large piece of light colored fabric, scrapbooking paper, glue stick or tape.
You will first need to gather up all your shoes, and take a picture of each set of shoes in a well lit area on the light piece of colored fabric.
You will then need to upload the photos, and have them developed. You will then place photo corners around the picture.
Once you have done all of this you can kick your crafty side into overdrive by decorating your shoes new home with the scrapbooking paper.
Then adhere each picture with the tape or glue stick on the front of each designated shoe box.

You now can start stacking your shoes.
I know this sounds complicated, but it's really not, and once it's done it adds a little pep to your closet, and shows off your creative side!

Waste Not Want Not

Have you ever been asked why you enjoy things that you do. Sometimes this may be your occupation, other times it may be a hobby you love. Personally I enjoy what once was a hobby which I turned into an occupation. People often ask me why I love to organize...I guess my answer would be a two parter..My first reason would be because it relaxes me. I'm naturally a high strung person who gets stressed out rather quickly. To help me calm down I usually organize and clean. Some people call it OCD, I call it de-stressing. The second reason is that I get to organize other people's homes. Organizing allows me to tap into my creative side and come up with easy, time saving creative ways to live . With that being said I am challenging you the reader to be creative in your own home..

Tip #32 Waste Not Want Not:

The challenge is called The Box Test...Go into your kitchen and open all the drawers. If you notice that several of your drawers are overflowing with cooking gadgets and other items that you absolutely cannot part with, then try the box test for a month. Empty the contents of each one of your drawers that is overflowing. Place these items neatly in a box. For one month, only put back utensils and gadgets that you use into the drawer that you have taken from the box and used. At the end of the month seriously consider discarding the contents left in the box. 

You will learn what the meaning Waste Not Want Not truly means....