Winter Chaos by xdfrog

These days it seems we’re all looking for a cleaner, greener way of handling even our most basic tasks.  And with the recent rash of snow storms, it’s no wonder that people are looking for alternatives to salting their driveways and walkways.

Did you know that you can use your leftover coffee grounds to de-ice?

Just save your used coffee grounds in a large container.  When the ice hits, you can then sprinkle the grounds just as you would the salt to prevent slipping.

If you’re looking for other uses for your leftover grounds, check out AltUse.

Let’s face it, there are myriad of ways to use many different everyday, household products other than the ways you may have originally thought.

More and more it is important that we focus on conserving our resources. In light of this being Earth Day and with our minds set on reusing and recycling, be sure to check out AltUse.com.  The founders of AltUse.com believe that a “radical overhaul in product usage is of extreme importance.”

The goal of AltUse.com is to tap into the collective intellectual capital of the world to provide a solution to this pressing issue.  AltUse.com will facilitate sharing of alternative use information to help consumers save money, minimize waste and maximize product value. We seek to be a catalyst for changing the way companies manufacture and market consumer goods by challenging the notion that products should be created for one specific purpose. Our proprietary ranking system accelerates access to the data.

So take a moment and poke around and see what you might be able to reuse or recycle in your home.  I know I’ll be reusing my leftover coffee grounds to make my own body scrub – mix leftover cooled grounds with a little brown sugar (4:1) and about a tablespoon of oil. The caffeine not only helps to revive the skin and break down cellulite (or so I’ve heard), but it also smells delicious.

Scott Pelley reports on the mortgage crisis that’s far from over, with a second wave of expected defaults on the way that could deepen the bottom of the U.S. recession. Whitney Tilson explains that sub prime mortgages are just the start of our foreclosure woes and we’re still only halfway through the bursting of the mortgage bubble. We still need to be concerned about the All-Day and Option Arm mortgages.

Have you ever lost one of your most cherished earrings? The ones you wear everyday. Mine happened to have my theme inscribed on them. The long silver rectangle with “live the life” held fast in my earlobe, but sometime during a festive summer event, its partner “you imagined,” was left behind.

“Live the Life you Imagined” was my most recent annual theme. I stopped making New Year resolutions when I realized they were just a burden on my psyche. I moved onto themes. Themes encompass my goals, dreams, and visions rather than the guilt ridden should-do list resolutions carry. Themes guide me, remind me, and allow me to grow into the person I want to become.

If you aren’t fully living your life, what theme could you find to inspire you and guide you? What is it that is holding you back? Are you overwhelmed by your to-do list, don’t have enough time to get things done, or just don’t know where to begin to get your space in order? Take a moment to reflect on what is holding you back. Then close your eyes and imagine your life without the hang-ups. Fabulous life isn’t it? You can have this life and grow into the person you want to become. The key is in making it happen.

I like to take a look at the big picture then break it down into manageable tasks. I prefer to first conquer the items + areas that rank the lowest on the emotional attachment scale while making a fabulous little impact on your daily life. For me that space is the bathroom. It’s simple to toss out old make up and hair products that you never liked or trash the deodorant that never worked. Try using the top drawer for your morning routine and the second drawer for your nightly routine. Keep all your hair products in one place along with your dryer and brush. Streamlining your routine will shave off plenty of time in the morning, allowing you time for your morning coffee. Most of us tend to be more productive during the day with a little boost from caffeine!

Another way to break down tasks is to create lists. When I was pregnant my belly grew increasingly uncomfortable and my memory shrunk to the size of a pea. I had to write everything down. Within weeks of conceiving, I had officially become my mother! Lists kept me sensible. I still love to cross off items, check mark them and make additions. When I have several projects going I grab some printer paper, place a project heading on the top of each one then go back and brainstorm all the to-dos for that project heading. I place all of the sheets on a clipboard to keep them tidy and accessible. Your list will never end… that’s the reality of life, but you will have a visual of what you completed and that is satisfying.

Decrease the clutter in your space and your mind by streamlining your routines and having a clear direction on what you need to accomplish. You will have a clearer picture of where you are going and what you can leave behind. Life is more manageable when it’s broken down into smaller pieces, leaving you more time to enjoy it.

My earring is nowhere to be found. Who cares?! It’s just an object, a pretty little thing. It’s the people, the places, and the moments that are important. The memories of that evening spent living life, that is what I cherish. The cocktails, the laughter, the dancing, the feeling of a warm summer night with those you care most about….indeed living the life I imagined.

Krista Colvin can’t live without three things: lipstick, a morning cup o’ joe and her fabulous girlfriends. As owner of Organize in Style llc, she helps women organize their homes and offices. As the creator of TheShebang.com, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Doing it All, she inspires women to get it + keep it together. Krista is the lifestyle expert for AM Northwest, & co host of The O Myth, a Blog Talk Radio show. She is a guest blogger for Working Mother Magazine and Online Organizing. Most importantly she is able to live the life she imagines as a mother, wife, and business owner.

photo by: mburpe

Shoulda. Coulda. Woulda. Is your life full of things you should do, could do and would do if… just if? Get over it girlfriend. Free yourself from those projects, objects, and dreams that just don’t fit into the present life you live. One of my favorite sayings is “Life isn’t a dress rehearsal.” You’ve got one shot at it and it shouldn’t be bogged down with unnecessary guilt.

Shoulda’s are the pressure you feel when you think you should do something. While teaching an organizing workshop, a woman running two of her own successful businesses posed a question “I have a brand new, beautiful copper bundt cake pan that my mother gave me. What should I do with it?” My reply was simply “do you want to bake a bundt cake?” She cared nothing for baking a budnt cake now or in the future. I gave her permission to lose the “shoulda” and she gave away the bundt cake pan. Amazing what a little permission can do for the soul.

Coulda’s are time consuming. I could refinish that old table and make it look fabulous. I could … of course you could girlfriend but do you really want to? Drop the could and it’s weight on your shoulders and revise your mental statement to I choose to… or choose not to. I personally have chosen to not take on any home décor objects that require me to make them what I really want them to be. Before kids, no problem. Now two small children, a husband and a business, I have chosen to purchase items that are already what I want them to be. Choose to live in the present.

Woulda’s are the would use this if…. Many homes are cluttered with objects that you are saving for “the beach house,” “the other me,” the other life that you don’t lead. It took me a while to part with the past and the future. Making sure my lovelies had wonderful new homes was the key. My single girlfriend loved the decorative plates I bought while in Puerto Vallarta. The colorful little plates just did not fit my current home décor- off they went. So did the old pottery barn crackle dishes, cute but they kept chipping. Also gone; many a clothing item that I would wear if I just dropped a few. Whew! What relief to live in the present.

As your personal organizer, I give you permission to lose the shoulda, coulda, woulda in your life. It’s not a dress rehearsal. Cheers!

Krista Colvin can’t live without three things: lipstick, a morning cup o’ joe and her fabulous girlfriends. As owner of Organize in Style llc, she helps women organize their homes and offices. As the creator of TheShebang.com, The Smart Woman’s Guide to Doing it All, she inspires women to get it + keep it together. Krista is the lifestyle expert for AM Northwest, & co host of The O Myth, a Blog Talk Radio show. She is a guest blogger for Working Mother Magazine and Online Organizing. Most importantly she is able to live the life she imagines as a mother, wife, and business owner.

Are the things that are taking up your time really what you want?

What is it that you want out of life right now? A successful business? A romantic partner? An organized home? A vacation?

Are you living a life that reflects what you want for yourself and what you value? Not sure? Try this:

Grab a piece of paper, a journal, or open up a new document on your computer. Ask yourself, “what’s taking up my time?” Make a list. Here is an example of things you might include: work, time with your spouse or kids, time with other family, time with friends, volunteer commitments, spiritual development, errands, home improvement, etc.

Examine your list. Your list reflects who you are – but is that who you want to be?

What do you want for your life? Do you wish you could adopt a dog, yet you have a schedule that keeps you away from home 18 hours a day? Do you share with your friends how much you want to have a “special someone” in your life and yet you don’t leave room for dating? Or maybe you are already in a relationship, but you aren’t taking the time to cultivate and nurture it with your partner?

Take time to carefully plan out what you can scale back on or cut out entirely so that you can create room in your life for the things that you want. Go to the next step: now that you have created the time, what else do you need to do to bring those things into you life?  Just because I took two weeks off from work does not mean that I have the resources to take a trip to Argentina. Most likely I’d need to put in more hours at work for a short time, curb any unnecessary spending, apply for a passport, and so on.

While it can be nice to fantasize, wouldn’t you love to turn those flights of fancy into reality? How can you turn these things you want into tangibles? How can you get your time to reflect your values and the things you really want?

• Decide what you really want.
• Figure out what you need to do to get what you want.
• Turn that list of things you need to do into goals and priorities.
• Create milestones and deadlines for your goals.
• Tell people you trust about what you want to create accountability and support for yourself.

You won’t get what you want by sitting around on your butt all day – unless what you want is more time to sit on your butt. Dream about it, but make sure you back those dreams up with actions. We’re given 24 hours in a day. Leverage your time and create the life you want.

Alaia Williams, founder of One Organized Life, began organizing out of a passion to help others feel better about their environments. She created One Organized Life out of a desire to help people get a handle on areas of their lives that were in chaos.  For more information or thoughts on the organization process, check out her blog.

Are you looking for a lifeline this Thanksgiving?  Let The Party Goddess help you out.  And if you need advice for a vegetarian-friendly Thanksgiving or for some last minute Thanksgiving preparations be sure to check out our past blog posts.

• Thanksgiving 1-2-3 - As usual, Martha Stewart rocks the house with her fabulous T-Day 1-2-3 plan. This year she’s featuring Herb Rubbed Turkey, White-Wine Gravy and Apple Crumb Pie, to name just a few!
• Complete Menu Ideas - For more than just great television, check out The Food Network. They have a terrific website that features 3 exciting menus plus planning ideas and tons of recipes.
• Thanksgiving On A Budget – In case times are tough in your house (according to my husband, times are always tough), you’ll want to check out these great menu ideas. Feed 8 for under $80. Hugh? I couldn’t even get one shoe for that price, but writer Regina Schrambling (on Epicurious) swears it’s so!
• The Ultimate Hotline - Totally freaked out? Don’t panic! My cell phone will be off but Martha’s got a hotline going from Monday, November 24 to Wednesday 26 on Martha Stewart Living Radio (Sirius 112 and XM 103) They will be taking your Thanksgiving questions on air! How cool is that?! Put in a good word to Martha for me!
• Food, Decor, Etc. - Rachael Ray to the rescue! Check out her blogs on decorating the table, what to serve, how to serve it, the works.
• Liquid Turkey - Well not really but that just sounded like a great name. My favorite part of any holiday is the booze. Check out Cheryl Charming’s fabulous website for all things cocktail related and knock one back for me!

These lifelines are brought to you by The Party Goddess! Hip, cool events from concept to completion. They’re L.A. based but always happy to travel.  Check out their blog for ideas that you can do at  home.

• a plastic bag takes 450 years to biodegrade.
• the production of paper bags causes 70% more pollution than plastic.
• when plastic “photo degrades” it ends up in our oceans. Incidentally, it appears much like a plankton, and is then consumed by fish. Fish eat it, and it winds up on your dinner table.
• the recipe for making paper bags starts with 1 part pulp, 400 parts WATER.
• the recycling of plastic emits heavy metals into the air causing extreme air pollution.
• an average person will use over 350 bags in a single year!
• in New York City, one less grocery bag per person would reduce waste by 5 million pounds and save $250,000 in disposal costs.
• in 1999 more than 14 million trees were cut down to produce 10 billion paper bags that were used by Americans that year.
• reusable bags save 700+ bags over the span of their lifetime!
• if we spread the word about the importance of reusing our grocery bags, work together, and somehow this movement catches on, the end up benefit to the Earth is going to be huge! We are talking millions of gallons of fresh water saved, millions of gallons of fuel saved, and hundreds of thousands of acres of forest land saved every year!

And the final reason, there are some darn cute bags that hold so much more than your average shopping bag, out there.  No more one item per bag at the grocery store.  Check out the selection at Delight.com.  Or just recycle those old canvas bags you get from all those promotions or business conferences.  What else are you going to do with them?

I keep a Mini-RuMe in my purse at all times.  It takes up no space, weighs next to nothing, and it holds quite a bit (just look at all it holds over there on the right).  It let’s me cut down on bags from all those planned and unplanned shopping trips since I have my own bag on me, not forgotten back in the car.  You know it’s always the unplanned trip or the forgotten bag that gets you nearly every time. And did I mention it’s so cute that I get tons of compliments on it?

Better TV shows you how to create an interesting and beautiful centerpiece for your table top this fall.

I read a lot of blogs and I’ve seen people on both sides of the productivity issue. Some people say “get as much done as possible.” Others have a “who cares about productivity?” or an anti-”life hack“attitude. Of course, there is everything in between.

The dictionary defines productive in the following ways:

pro·duc·tive
–adjective
1. having the power of producing; generative; creative: a productive effort.
2. producing readily or abundantly; fertile: a productive vineyard.
3. causing; bringing about (usually fol. by of): conditions productive of crime and sin.

(there were three other definitions that don’t relate to what I’m writing about)

It is not a bad thing to produce, to generate, to create. Most everything we have in life was produced – the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the movies we watch, the music we listen to. I’d be pretty let down if musicians stopped producing great music for me to listen to. I don’t plan on being a hunter or farmer any time soon, so I appreciate the productivity of people who help produce the food that is on my table.

While we often have to go the extra mile at work, or put in more time at certain points, don’t work yourself to death. Work is important – but if it kills you, what good is that? Step back for a minute if you feel overwhelmed. Take time for yourself. Relax. Have fun. Take a vacation – even if it means not leaving town, but just spending time at home with family and friends – or alone.

Once you adopt a healthy view of productivity, you will stop seeing it as the enemy. You won’t feel as pressured to always be in “go!” mode or to shun the idea entirely.

What is your view of productivity and how does it impact you?

Alaia Williams, founder of One Organized Life, began organizing out of a passion to help others feel better about their environments. She created One Organized Life out of a desire to help people get a handle on areas of their lives that were in chaos.  For more information or thoughts on the organization process, check out her blog.