Cool Product - Cable Turtle

Wires, wires, wires! They can be a mess!

How do you keep from tripping over, getting tangled in and hiding all those wires you have?

Use cable turtles.

What is a cable turtle you may ask? A cable turtle is a storage solution designed to hold and hide excess wire/cord/cable. It keeps an area tidy and free from the usual tangled mess that comes with today's technology.

I just started using one and I love it--I picked it up at my local Container Store. These cable turtles come in different colors and three sizes: Mini, Small, and Large. 

I am using the mini one for my iPhone wire. It keeps my desk neat and my toddler can't put the wire in his mouth as easily as he used to.

Look here for more ways to tame your wires. Whether it's a wire from a lamp, hairdryer, kitchen appliance or really long extension cord, there's a wire storage solution for you. You don't have to live with the spider web of cords anymore!

Spring is on it's Way!

Sunday, March 20th is the first day of Spring--yea! And it's going to hit 70 degrees on Friday--bigger yea!

Are you ready for Spring cleaning? Although the 70 degree temps aren't going to last long, it's still a good idea to start thinking about where and how you'll start your Spring cleaning. Closets? Basement? Garage?

Wherever you choose to start--just start. Pick a time when you're feeling good, throw on some motivating music and begin turning your home from winter wasteland to spring/summer spectacular!

I'm a Guest Blogger!

The most popular months for weddings are coming up soon! So, by now, you're deluged with tons of engagement gifts and bridal shower presents. Don't panic! Check out my latest guest blog post at DepositAGift.com called, 'Say Thank You the Organized Way.'

I offer brides and grooms a few thank you note writing organizing tips to help keep stress levels at a minimum. These tips can be used for anyone with a ton of people to thank--new parents, new graduates, etc.

Keep it organized and you'll be keeping the task under control!

Be an Organized Blogger

I started this blog a year and a half ago when my son began preschool. Since then, I've had another child and my busy days and exhausted evenings have left me little time for blogging. If a Professional Organizer doesn't have a lot of time for blogging but she really wants to blog--what should she do?

Get organized!

I knew that if I wasn't organized, weeks or months would go by without a posting. Why have a blog if you're not going to post to it?

I reviewed some basic organizing principles and applied them to blogging. Now I'm blogging at least once a week and I always know what I'm going to talk about when I sit in front of my computer.

Here's one of the many ways I stay organized while blogging:

Get rid of the clutter
Too many pictures, videos, or advertisements detract from what you’ve written. Keep the look of your blog simple and streamlined. You have to grab the reader’s attention within the first three seconds of their arrival at your blog. If they have to spend those three seconds looking for your latest blog post, they may not return out of frustration.

Find this tip  and other helpful advice in my article: Be a Better Blogger: Organizing Tips for Beginner Bloggers

Whether you already have a blog or you're thinking of starting one, being organized will help you achieve your blogging goals with less stress and more time for posting.

#2 Organizing Principle for Brides:Break it Down!

When was the last time you planned a party for tens or hundreds of people? Never? We'll--you're not alone. In fact, you're one of thousands of brides and grooms who are putting together their dream day without any past experience.

If you're overwhelmed with the thought of being in charge of all the planning for your wedding, then you need to utilize an important organizing principle: BREAK IT DOWN

What do I mean by BREAK IT DOWN? Any large task, such as planning a wedding has many components to it and many players--vendors, family, friends, retail stores, etc. Juggling all of the people and tasks associated with a wedding can be mind-blowing and send the most organized bride into fetal position. 'Breaking down' an overwhelming task enables the brain to 'chunk' information in small, easier to manage bits.

Don't have a breakdown! Follow these steps for 'breaking it down:'

List your tasks
Either on paper or on your computer, list all of your vendors and the tasks associated with them (phone calls, emails, face-to-face meetings, fittings, etc.)

Create a timeline/schedule
There are many bridal websites and magazines that offer wedding planning timelines. Compare them and apply the information to your own wedding needs.

Prioritize
Take your task list and your timeline and determine what tasks need to be done first and what can wait a month or two or until a few weeks before your wedding day.

Delegate (1st organizing principle)
Look at your task list. Determine which tasks you must be in charge of and which others can help you accomplish.

Cross it off
When the task is completed, cross it off your list. It's a great way to show you're one step closer to your goal and your big day.