How to Get Your Kitchen Clean and Organized

Is storage space at a premium in your kitchen?  Do you dread cleaning the kitchen?  Or, like I used to be – dread even cooking in your kitchen?  I will admit, I was all of these about 18 months ago.  We had a small galley kitchen in the condo so I had to try to use every nook and cranny for storage.  Sometimes I even forgot I had items because they were stored in the utility room on the lower floor.   Now, we are in our forever home, with a BIGGER kitchen, I have lots of cabinet space.  Does it mean, I am totally organized?  LOL!  Definitely not but I do have a cabinet or two that is empty.  I have lots more counter space and do love spending time cooking.

Here are some tips to help you get and stay organized in your kitchen – regardless of the size…

1. Use Magnets:  Are you using your cabinet doors as a clever way to give yourself additional storage? I honestly never remember this one.. I have LOTS of cabinets and even though there is lots of counter space, I would like to “hide” some of the kitchen utensils.  Cabinets are a great to store knives so you don’t have to use a knife block or take up counter space… just make sure you use a strong enough magnet to keep the knives in place.  I think this will be one of hubby’s next projects – to install some for me.

2. Labeling System:  Labels are a great way to help you organize your kitchen or for that matter any space in your home. It takes the guesswork out of where to put things when others want to help or are looking for something.  Labeled cubes have been the saving grace in our new house.  It allows hubby to look for things by me simply telling him which closet and which cube to look in.  Putting things away is easy for everyone when they can see where things are supposed to go. Your labeling system could be as simple as plastic storage containers with small a labels OR clear containers so people can see what is inside.  Maybe it is plastic crates with labels or even just a piece of tape to say what goes in it.

3. Add Storage By Hacking “Unopenable” Drawers:  We all have those “fronts” in our kitchen, right?  I had them in the condo and this would have been a great way to gain some counter space.  Unopenable drawers look like a drawer but don’t have a handle.  What if you could make use of those un-openable drawers beneath the sink or above a counter?  We have sink drawers in our new kitchen. I was surprised I actually use them and remember things are there.  LOL.  I keep the bottle brush and extra scrubbies.

  

 

 

4.  Use A Tension Rod To Hang Cleaning Products.  A tension rod can be a great way for storing and organizing spray bottles so you have additional space in an otherwise cramped under-sink cabinet.  I think I would put it a little further back in the closet so I had more space in the front.

5. Clean Your Blender Quickly.  Do you love smoothies but hate cleaning the blender?  Do you use your blender to chop up the garlic?  Here is a quick cleaning tip: pour warm water in it with a tiny bit of dish soap. Put the lid on the blender and turn it on. Now it’s all clean! Just be sure to give it a quick rinse after to get rid of the soap residue.

6. Clean Your Stainless Steel Appliances With Flour.  Tired of chemical in your cleaning products?  Here is a tip from Mother Nature Network. Just apply some dry flour onto a microfiber cloth and buff it into your stainless steel appliance, sink or counter. Then rinse it off and the surface should shine like new.  If you are looking to clean your stainless steel pans………try heating some water with vinegar in the pan.  Use a wood spoon or non-stick spatula to loosen the stuck on mess.  Let it cool and then wash as usual.  I hate to admit I use this trick more often than I want to.  LOL

What are some of YOUR best tips for keeping your kitchen clean and organized?  Share them with us.  Have an Epic day!

How to Spring Clean Your Closet

Show your closet some TLC

The birds are chirping, the sun is shining and it’s time to dust off those shorts – spring is here! You’ve spring cleaned your bathrooms, your pantry, your kitchen (pretty much every surface now smells lemony fresh and you’ve worked up a sweat), but there’s still one last space that needs a refresh: your clothes closet.

Giving your closet a good spring clean is the perfect way to declutter your wardrobe and go into the season with a fresh slate. Follow along with us as we take stock, make some small changes and get our closets spring ready.

Step 1: Clear everything out and clean your closet

Pile them on the bed, the floor, the desk – just get those clothes out so you can see what you’re working with. You’ll probably find that some non-clothing items have snuck their way into your closet, things like holiday decorations, books and knickknacks. If you have the space, store or display these elsewhere so your closet can be a one-stop getting dressed shop.

Once everything’s out, it’s time to clean. Wipe down shelves and drawers and use a broom or vacuum to sweep the floor. Most vacuums have a wand attachment that’s especially handy for reaching dusty corners, high and low.

Step 2: Put your winter wardrobe into hibernation

Those scarves, gloves and fuzzy hats have served you well, but the snow is long gone, and your sandals are just begging to be unboxed! It’s time to say goodbye to cold weather clothes to make room for spring essentials.

Start by going through all the clothes you took out of your closet. Things like heavy coats and sweaters can be folded up and stored in bins in the basement or hall closet for next season (a few Deluxe Utility Totes can handle the job). As you go, set aside anything that you didn’t wear or only wore once all winter. If these don’t fit or just don’t fit your style anymore, donate them or sell them to give them a second life.

Step 3: Take stock of your spring wardrobe

Time to repeat Step 2, but with your spring clothes. Take them out of storage (or from where they’ve been squished at the bottom of your dresser) and go through them. Set aside anything you didn’t get much wear out of last spring, that doesn’t fit or that’s a style you’ve outgrown. Add these to the donate and sell pile.

Step 4: Now for the fun part – organizing your closet!

The first step to getting your slimmed down spring wardrobe into your closet is figuring out what to hang and what to fold. This can vary depending on what clothes you have and your space, but here are some tips to start.

Hang things like blouses, dress pants, jackets, dresses and any pieces that wrinkle easily. You may also want to hang favorite items that you reach for frequently. For everything else, folding will do just fine. You can fold t-shirts, jeans, shorts and activewear. When organizing your hangers, pick a system that works best for you. You can organize your clothes by type, color or even by how dressy or casual they are.  

Another idea is when you hang your clothes, place the hangers in reverse or backwards.  Once you wear and wash an item, place it back in the closet with the hanger facing correctly.  Then at the end of the season, you will be able to which clothes you actually wore.  It will make cleaning out the closet easier each season.

 

Step 5: Bins are your best friends

A few good storage bins are all you need to pull off a mini closet makeover! Bins are helpful for separating clothes, storing folded items or organizing accessories. The Your Way^® Cube in canvas is the perfect roomy storage cube for jeans, t-shirts, pajamas, activewear and more. You can also find this bin in some fun neutral prints.

We love the Canvas Storage Caddy for accessories – its pockets make it perfect for sunglasses, belts and scarves – while the Felt Display Bin is a cute way to keep your purses and wallets all together. The finishing touch to any Thirty-One storage bin? Personalization! Add embroidered words to label what’s inside or go for a fun monogram or phrase. 

Step 6: Last but not least, upgrade your hamper 

When it comes to laundry hampers, choose one that’s large enough (to avoid clothes all over the floor) but not so big that it takes up valuable closet space. We like a soft-sided hamper like the Stand Tall Bin – interior metal rods add support and structure without being too rigid or bulky. Plus, the long straps make carrying heavy loads so much easier. This is another great place for personalization, so have fun with it!

Say hello to fresh starts

Spring cleaning doesn’t have to clean you out – just take it step by step. Soon your closet will be refreshed, full of clothes that bring you joy and so organized that getting dressed will feel like a total treat. For more bins and caddies to tackle your spring cleaning projects, check out our bestselling organizing styles.

Looking for the prefect solution to your organizing challenge?  Be sure to comment below or reach out to me.  Want to know how to get your #wishlist for FREE or at a deep discount? Let’s do a BINGO & Bags virtual social…..

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Home Organization Quick Hits

It’s easy to ignore the little spaces in your house when cleaning, after all, out of sight, out of mind, right? But in reality, clutter under your bathroom sinks, in your laundry room or in the trunk of your car can be resolved in minutes with the right combination and sizes of totes, bags, storage bins and caddies.

Check out these “quick hit” home organization solutions which only take a few minutes to complete. All you need are the right small space storage solutions, and we can help with that. Read on!

Shown: Double Duty^® Caddy in Tip Top Chevron; Your Way^®Rectangle in Tip Top ChevronQuick Fix: Bathroom Organization

Let’s start under the sink with cabinet clutter. Get everything out of there to start and separate the items into groups of how you use them. For example, put all your bath and shower products together, all your towels together, beauty and hair care, etc., then ask yourself:

 

• How many groups do you have?       
• How much of each group do you have? 
• What size containers will I need to hold these items?
• What type of containers do I need?
  • One with a handle for carrying?
  • One that makes it easy to see what’s inside?
  • One that will fit inside the space comfortably?

Once you have your answers, it’s time to find your storage solutions. We can help! In addition to the products shown above, we recommend:

• Your Way^® Cube for towels, toilet paper rolls, cleaning supplies
• Tiny Utility Tote for hair accessories, curlers, brushes
• Littles Carry-All^™ Caddy for small toiletries like toothpaste, eye drops, first aid supplies

 

Shown: Double Duty^® Caddy in Tip Top Chevron personalized with Background Initials in True Turquoise.

Next, let’s tackle the jumbled mess on top of the sink. Do you share a bathroom with a roommate, husband or kids? You might need to organize the drawers in your vanity or even the counter space around the sink. While it’s important to have easy access to things, you don’t have to sacrifice counter space to achieve it.

A couple of personalized Double Duty^®Caddies or Deluxe Double Duty^® Caddies not only help organize toiletries and cosmetics, they help you quickly identify what’s yours. Even if you share your bathroom, you can still have your personal space and belongings neatly organized.

Depending on the size of your counters and drawers, you might want to consider these recommended storage options, too:

• Clear Clip Pouch for toiletries or travel-size products
• Get Creative^™ Double Pouch for manicure/pedicure supplies or essential oils
• Glamour Case for cosmetics, accessories or skin care products

 

Shown: Large Utility Tote in Denim Distressed Pebble personalized with Headline Font in Navy Blue; Tiny Utility Tote in Denim Distressed PebbleQuick Fix: Laundry Room Organization

Laundry rooms can become a messy dumping ground for piles of clothes that need sorting. Instead of a family free-for-all of dirty laundry, why not get organized with storage solutions for clothes, detergents, and all your other laundry needs?

Our Large Utility Totes are way better than laundry bags or baskets, because after everything is washed and dried, clothes and be folded neatly, packed, and carried over the shoulder hands-free to their destination.

Need to organize your laundry supplies, too? Try a Tiny Utility Tote or a Medium Utility Tote if you need more space. Have to go somewhere outside your living space to do your laundry? Our unique laundry totes make transporting your clothes and laundry needs easy.

Depending on your needs, we have a bunch of other great laundry storage options for you and your family. Here are a few of our faves:

• Stand Tall Bin – makes a great easy-carry hamper for any bedroom or bathroom
• Move It All Bag – ideal for college students or anyone carrying clothes to a laundromat
• Your Way^® Cube – keeps all your laundry products together and easily accessible

 

Shown: Takealong Weekender in Vintage Slate personalized with Large Signature Initial in Caramel; Expanding Travel Case in Vintage Slate with Large Signature Initial in Caramel; Multi Bottle Thermal in Windowpane Plaid; Zipper Pouch in Windowpane Plaid personalized with Headline font in WhiteQuick Fix: Diaper Bag Organization

New moms know the importance of good diaper bags and baby totes. These essentials help keep you organized when you have errands to run and a baby to bring along. Instead of shoving everything you need into one large bag, separate items into small totes and then place those bags into a large tote for easy carrying.

We have a lot of great diaper bag and baby tote options to choose from. Consider these baby organizing solutions for your daily needs:

• Adventures Backpack – makes a great hands-free baby or diaper bag
• Away For The Weekender – shoulder bag with pockets for diapers, food, toys and wipes
• Around The Clock^® Thermal – easy, hands-free thermal bag for keeping baby food cool

 

Shown: Large Utility Tote in Charcoal Crosshatch personalized with Modern font in Black; Foldaway Tote in Off to Shop; Quick Cinch Thermal in Buffalo PlaidQuick Fix: Vehicle Trunk Organization

When you have kids who play sports, pets that love the park and lots of places to be, then your car, van, or SUV’s trunk may look like a disaster area. Never fear. We have ideal trunk storage solutions and trunk organizers for your car or SUV.

Our car storage totes help keep grocery bags from tipping over, sports equipment from rolling around and emergency supplies organized and ready for use. Have some other car storage needs in mind? Here are a few more recommendations to help you get organized:

• Deluxe Utility Tote – our biggest storage tote can handle tools, sporting goods, groceries and more
• Deluxe Double^® Duty Caddy – perfect for holding small tools, flashlights and other emergency needs
• Your Way^® Cube – keep pet toys, car washing supplies, or road trip necessities ready for action

Have questions or need help picking out the perfect organizing solution…… send me a message, I will be happy to help!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

Products shown are from Fall 2020 season, available from Sept 1, 2020 to Feb 28, 2021. For more information about product availability, contact your Consultant or go to mythirtyone.com

How To Marie Kondo Declutter Your Business

Have you heard of Marie Kondo? If not, you must be living under a rock.  LOL.  She is a Japanese tidying expert and author of the bestselling book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up“.   She has a Netflix show  called “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo” where she helps people clear the clutter from their homes—and their brains.

How about applying her approach of to your business?  So, instead of organizing what you  have, you focus on getting rid of what you don’t like and don’t need.  Then you are left being surrounded by only the things you love and use.  This system is all about getting your house in order, BUT is will also reduce stress, increase focus and give you more time to focus on what really matters.  Doesn’t this sound like a GREAT idea to get your home office in shape?

There are six basic principles in the KonMari method. Let’s see how we can apply them to our business.

1. Be committed.

In order for this to work, you need to be fully dedicated to doing this.  Ideally, the whole process is done over a series of days and although this may be difficult for businesses – you still need to commit to finishing what you start and working through each category completely before you stop. If you don’t, you will lose momentum. Set aside time to focus on files and documents so you can get it all done in one fell swoop.

2. Imagine your ideal life before you start.

Before you start the decluttering process, take some time to think about what you want your business and life to look like when you’re done. What do you want to achieve by decluttering? Do you want your business to be more efficient, more successful, more enjoyable, more appealing for employees?  Her method places LOTS of importance on being mindful, introspective and forward-looking. You need to know why you want to start this project before you start, and it will help you stay focused when you are decluttering.

3. Tidy by category, not location.

This is a though one for me.  I even had a hard time when I was tying to do the house.  Instead of starting with your desk or a file drawer, Marie Kondo wants you to declutter each category all at once. In the home, this means taking out all your clothing (from the closet, the dressers, the hall closet, the under-bed storage) and going through it all at once. For your business, it might mean going through all your equipment first, then all your paper documents, etc.  It doesn’t matter where they are located – files, desk, shelves – just pick one thing first!

4. Discard before you re-organize.

If you are like me, once you clear stuff out – you want to get organized, right?  Don’t! With this system, you are supposed to finish the decluttering process THEN you organize what’s left.

5. Do the easiest things first.

What’s the easiest thing for you to let do of?  Start decluttering there – a category easy to let go of.  In the home, the clothes are usually the first thing with sentimental items last, since these are the hardest to let go of.  Figure out what’s easiest for you to start with (like paper documents) before moving onto more difficult areas such as business processes. This helps you get used to the method and avoid getting sidetracked.  You know how easy it is to squirrel!

6. Keep what sparks joy.

This method of decluttering involves holding each item in your hands and asking yourself, “Does this spark joy?” Don’t overthink it: go with your first instinct.  YUP, not easy for me since I tend to overthink EVERYTHING.  Realistically, everything in your office will not spark joy (I’m looking at you, ream of printer paper). For those items, ask yourself if it’s necessary to help you accomplish a task. Don’t keep more than you need: if you have a whole drawer full of (necessary) file folders, keep the ones which spark joy, like the colorful, crisp ones and get rid of those that don’t spark joy, like the old, ratty Manila ones.

Now, there will be some things which will spark negative feelings.  If so, you need to figure out what’s really going on. Does it remind you of a task you hate doing in your business, maybe it is a a client/customer who drives you nuts, or a concern you don’t want to face. Is it a necessary item which doesn’t spark joy?  Is it hard to use or it really doesn’t do exactly what you want it to do? Get rid of it and find a replacement which is more joyful to use.

This is kind of where I am in my business right now…… Ask yourself these questions:The

What sparks joy in your business? Customers value authenticity, and when you’re passionate about something in your business, they’ll know it.   If you are in direct sales, find your passion product or set of products and share them like crazy!   Focus in your business on what brings you the most joy, and put more energy there.

What if there’s a component of your business which doesn’t spark joy? Maybe you added a new product, a new service, or maybe you are doing things “like everyone else” but your heart really isn’t in it.  If this is the case, it may be time to do some soul-searching.

Before tossing anything, Marie Kondo says, you need to thank it for its service to you. (Yes—even if you’re getting rid of an old stapler.) It is part of “letting go,”.  Why not thank the things you’re keeping as you clean out your business.  Take some time to appreciate all the things which help your business thrive. Once your business was just a dream—and now it’s reality. So let’s celebrate it.

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!

 

How To Get Organized

Is one of your New Year’s Resolutions to “declutter” or “get organized”? I take baby steps every year but never seem to get very far. Does that sound like you? Do you seem to take one step forward and two back? Starting in February, Club members will come together to help each other get organized.

I know you are wondering how, right? I found this an amazing book which is also a Netflix series and it is AMAZING! This system may not be right for you BUT there will be some great tips and tricks along the way to help you get organized in as little as 10 minutes at a time.  YES, it can be done.

From February through July, we will work on organizing different parts of our home. Will it be the only focus? Of course we will talk about all kinds of things but I will also be sure to add ways for you to organize a part of your home. How does that sound?

Do you LOVE everything in the catalog and have a wish list longer than your budget?

What if you could shop from the comfort of your home? I know the internet is full of things, right? What if I could help you with organizing and gift giving ideas to eliminate some of the stress in your life? I know, what’s the catch, right?

Have seen those “surprise box” clubs where you subscribe and you never know what you are going to get? Guess what? YOU will get to pick exactly what you want each month. Of course, you will always get a “surprise gift”‘ from me!

What is a Hostess of the Month Club?
You join a group of 6 ladies who agree to purchase (or gather from a friend) a $35 order by the 13th of every month from February  thru July..

Once during the “club” period – YOU will get to earn the hostess benefits. You can decide to do NOTHING and just collect the $25 in FREE product, 1 half price item and 1 hostess exclusive. OR you can have a party – home, Facebook, online, or fundraiser. When you combine one of these with the club member orders, your benefits JUMP! Every month, I will offer tips and tricks for each room in your house. In return, you will agree to spend a minimum of $35 per month.

What are the perks?

1. You get a gift box on your doorstep with all your catalogs, order forms, and everything you need to get started!  There were be TWO new seasonal guides as well as a NEW catalog during this time period.
2. You get a special gift just my way of saying THANK YOU
3. One of the months you will be the Hostess for your group and earn all hostess benefits
4. You will get VIP access to all Thirty-One information, specials, sales, and much more! You’ll know the goods before anyone else!

Here’s one of the FUN HOTM box!

Are you ready to get started?
Send me a message and you’ll be on your way!  I will send you a WELCOME party package to get you started.

Not interested in being part of the club… that’s okay. Join me in my VIP customer group on Facebook. CLICK HERE!

Have a ThirtyOne-derful day!