Thursday, April 8, 2010

10 Things...You Can Organize in Less Than 15 Minutes & A GIVEAWAY


Get Organized in 15 minutes or less?

You bet! By focusing on one small area at a time, you can be organized in no time!

Ready? Set your timer..... Let's go!!

1) Purse -- Enter receipts into your checkbook. Throw out gum & candy wrappers. Write reminder dates (from the business card you got today from the hair stylist, doctor, etc.) on the calendar. Put all miscellaneous items (read: your kids' stuff) that inevitably end up at the bottom of the purse where they should go. Put the essentials back in & you're ready to go!

2) Coat Closet -- Hang coats facing the same way, adult coats together & kids coats together. Give each family member a basket or bin to hold personal items like scarves, gloves, ball caps, purse, etc. Put the shoes that are currently just tossed on the floor into another big basket or line them up on a large old baking/cookie sheet (with sides to prevent wet, muddy shoes from messing up the floor), and put extra shoes where they go in the bedrooms.

3) Junk Drawer -- Pull everything out. Put in an adjustable utensil organizer. Throw out the real junk & trash, and file the papers you need to keep where they should go. Put similar items into one "space" in the organizer...pencils & pens together, tape & scissors & glue stick together, paper clips in one space, sticky note pads in another. Close the Junk Drawer, you're done!

4) Pet Items -- Give your pet a basket or bin with dividers to hold all of their things. Place toys, scarves or sweaters, treats, shampoo, & brush inside. Hang a hook to hold your pet's leash near the door where you take them "out".

5) Magazines -- Start with last month's issues. Chances are that you don't need to keep the entire issue, so just pull out the pages with ideas that inspire you. (Hint: When reading a magazine if you think you may want to reference a page again for a recipe or decorating inspiration then fold down the corner of that page. Then it's super easy to find & tear out that page when going through your magazines!) File in your recipe box or inspiration folder, and recycle the rest of the magazine! Do this every month when your new issue arrives!

6) Car Console/Glovebox -- Throw out the trash & add in some needed items: Your car's manual, tissues, wipes/hand sanitizer, maps, breath mints, extra napkins you get from the drive thru, a plastic bag (for messes), and whatever else your family needs.

7) Paper Pile -- We all have one...the dreaded pile on the kitchen counter! Think about what ends up in this pile the most. Kids school papers? Create an in-box for each child. Dates or events you need to remember? Write them on your calendar, or post on a small bulletin board. Coupons go in a small envelope/file. Create a folder for take-out menus. When you create a place for the papers to easily go for future reference, then the paper pile disappears and you get your counter back!

8) Under the Kitchen Sink -- Pull everything out & wipe down the inside of the cabinet. Place dish soap, scrubbies, and cleaners in a plastic bucket or bin to minimize the mess of spills. Spray & wipe out your trash can and put a clean trash bag inside. If you keep a dish towel under there then hang a hook or rod inside to hang the towel on to dry better. Put an extra roll of paper towels underneath, and you're done!

9) Entry Table -- This tends to be another "dumping ground" for most families. Make it a pretty spot & you'll be less likely to want to see it full of clutter! Make a place for keys -- either a hook by the door, or a pretty dish on the entry table to toss them onto. Remember, "A place for everything, and everything in it's place"! Have a specific spot for your keys & never go searching for them again! Sort mail right away, tossing/recycling the junk mail and putting bills, magazines, and invitations where they belong. Shine up the mirror or glass on your artwork & put some fresh flowers there to enjoy!

10) Powder Room
-- Place extra rolls of TP under the sink or in a pretty basket. Put extra trash can liners at the bottom of the trash can so it can easily be emptied and replaced with a new liner. Hang a clean hand towel, and put some new soaps in a dish. Keep sink cleanser and paper towels or a rag in the cabinet (if you don't have young children) to quickly wipe down the sink and counter. A fresh flower in a little vase is a lovely extra touch!


There you go! A more organized space in only 15 Minutes!!!

Here's a little something to get you inspired:



A GIVEAWAY!



How do you enter?
Leave a comment on THIS post by this Saturday at Midnight (central time)
!

and you are entered to win:
"BHG's Secrets of Getting Organized" Magazine
my favorite shopping list of all time from Real Simple
&
a set of 6 chalkboard tags for fun labelling!

That's it! :) Easy-peasy!!
Good Luck!

62 comments:

Unknown said...

Very cool giveaway. I can really stand to be better organized. Thanks for the tips!

Nancy

amy jupin said...

perfect timing! i need to do each one of these, especially the dreaded paper pile! great ideas.

Karen said...

I'm just coming out of survival mode after having another baby. I'm on a mission to get organized again and stay that way. I'd love to win. Thanks.

Unknown said...

Excellent ideas! I'd like to share it on my Saturday Shout Outs this week.

Heather said...

Thanks for this list. Going to print it out and look at it every day.

Angie said...

I guess I need to tackle the junk drawer! Thanks for the reminder!

Elizabeth said...

Thanks for the great organizing ideas & I'd love to win the giveaway.

Melanie said...

Wonderful ideas! Thanks SO much for sharing all of the great tips! I love the "15 minute" philosophy I first learned from FlyLady, helps projects not get so overwhelming or side-tracked!
Looks like another fun giveaway...I wanted to comment on the post, but please don't enter me in the drawing since I won the last one, which I am enjoying immensely! Thanks!!

Wendy said...

Oh, I bet I could get my purse under control in 15 minutes!! What great tips!

Darlene said...

Great ideas for organization. I would LOVE to be entered in the giveaway!

Unknown said...

Even though my kids are grown (almost!), I still need organizational help at home!

Jen said...

Great, simple ideas. I am feeling such an urge to have a clean slate around here. Wonderful timing on this post!

~Kristen~ said...

These are great tips! I think I could easily handle doing each of these at different times! And fabulous giveaway, too! :-)

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Oh, how I need to organize closets, but it will take way more than 15 minutes. It will take days.lol Thanks for stopping by.

Laurel @ Ducks in a Row said...

Very cool - I'm off to clean out my purse! And hang up the clothes in my closet!

JStacie said...

Spring has gotten me in the organizing mood. That and starting to clean out my grandmother's basement after she died! Too much junk!

Anonymous said...

Oooh, oooh, oooh! I love this giveaway! I am in a major organizational mood!

Richella Parham said...

These are great ideas, and the idea of taking baby steps to getting organized is especially good.

Thank you for the giveaway! How nice of you. . . and how useful that prize would be!

Amanda @ Serenity Now said...

I would love to win this Giveaway!! Saw that issue on the stands, but had to pass it up. I definitely agree with your magazine organizing strategies. I fold down pages that I want to rip out...makes organizing so much easier. My problem is finding the time to sit down and READ the mags. ;)

Terri Cole said...

I need reminders like this on a daily basis. I feel overwhelmed by the really big projects that need organizing. I need to start with these to feel like I've started the "attack" mode. Thanks -

Sally said...

Great ideas! I have begun cleaning and organizing one room at a time.......top to bottom! Hope it lasts!

Sherri said...

Great ideas! I've been working on a closet at a time. And yes, the piles and piles of paper. Where does it all come from ?

Melissa Miller said...

Stacey what wonderful organizational ideas! Your giveaway is fantastic for this spring time of year. It just plain feels better and more relaxing to be organized in our homes.

Have a blessed week. ~Melissa :)

Whitney said...

When we moved into our new home in February, I vowed to keep our home organized and these are all very good tips. Thank!

Shanade said...

Thanks for the suggestions and the great giveaway.

Bethany @ Our 4 Sons Plus 1...Super Cute Girly Girl said...

Great post! I've just started to get ready...to get ready for my big spring clean, and this was just the boost I needed to tackle some smaller, simpler jobs first- thanks!

Thanks so much for the nice comment you left on my blog, too!

And great giveaway!

Unknown said...

Sounds like you have been spying in my home!! All of those mentioned, need some tlc! Im slowly getting through them, thanks for the tips!

Anonymous said...

Would love to win this one! Those are all things that are very simple...we just don't seem to think about it. :) Love the ideas!!!

Jenny said...

So fun! Add me in! I love that list from Real Simple, but there is no space (at least on the one I have now) for shampoo, or bathroom related items. I am hoping they update them!!

Renae said...

Wow, I need this! Such a great giveaway. Thanks!!

Unknown said...

Just did some of these today! Love the tips and great giveaway!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cara said...

Would love to win! My paper pile is growing rapidly and beginning to take over the dining table! Thanks for the great ideas.

Anonymous said...

I could use help in the organizing department!
thanks for the opportunity!

Kayla R. said...

Very awesome giveaway! I love your tips and I plan to use some of them tomorrow and Saturday as I do my weekly cleaning routine. It would be great to be a winner!!!!

HouseMama said...

Thanks for the great reminder! I'd love to be included in your giveaway.

Musings Of A Gem said...

I love organisation! Isn't it funny that everyone has a junk drawer :D

Great tips!

Love Gemma X

http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/

Susan said...

Great giveaway! I could definitely use some help in the organization department!

Christy said...

Great ideas! Thanks :)

Sharon said...

All great ideas! We will be moving soon, so a great time to become better organized.

Heather said...

Love the giveaway! And everyone knows I need a little organization!

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Awesome tips! We all need more ways to stay organized with our busy lives!

Judy@cutest-little-things

tigerchick said...

What a great giveaway. I struggle with organization so I am always looking for little things that might help. Great post about the 15 minutes. So true!

Catherine Wiggins said...

I so needed to read this post! It's amazing what 15 minutes can do.

Leanne Helums said...

Great giveaway! Wonderful quick tips.

skooter8 said...

I try so hard to live by these tips even when I feel rushed and the day is getting away from me. Today I tackled my makeup drawer, throwing out and washing all my brushes. Thanks for the great ideas.

Kim

Svr said...

AWESOME! I am mom to six wonderful kids between the ages of 4 to 17 and I work outside the home too.... organization? I try, but...

simplymilk-n-honey said...

Great tips on organizing. It is amazing how little time it actually takes to do something when you time yourself. I love your blog.

Manuela@A Cultivated Nest said...

Those are all great tips! I love having things organized.

Manuela

sandyandcosmo said...

Great tips, great giveaway! And the perfect time of year for it.

Melissa Lester said...

Taking a break from cleaning today and would love to win this giveaway. Believe me, I need help in the organization department!

Jackie said...

would love the help!

Peg Graham said...

Love BHG's magazine! I'm an Organizational Junkie!!!!

Angela said...

Loved your simple tips!

RN and OSHP said...

Saw this magazine @ Lowe's tonight and was just thinking... that's what I need.....

Heidi said...

Love the idea of getting more organized and a reminder of some of the simple places to start.

Gigi said...

This makes me think it really is possible to get the little spaces organized! Thank you.

Seizing My Day said...

I bought that magazine the day it hit the shelf I am sure!! =) I am usually very good at spring cleaning & organizing... but with a puppy in the house... and homeschooling... and blogging... It has been very challenging!! ;) I have been slowly doing 15 minute chunks this year... it is not enough!! I need more!! lol! must take it one day at a time, huh?! =)

Donna said...

Please enter me in your fab giveaway! Thank you!

ham1299 said...

Great post. Please enter me in your giveaway!

I love your blog! The design is beautiful!

Julie said...

I need help organizing!!!! Please enter me in your give away.

Unknown said...

After 14 years of homeschooling, 3 kids underfoot 24/7, co-leading our homeschool group, holding multiple positions throughout the years at church including VBS coordinator, Children's program leader, Sunday school and Wednesday night teacher...yada, yada, yada, my house has become a hovel...well, not exactly, but it needs help! I am on mission this year to take back my home and make it the cozy nest it should be!