Simply Stashed
September 29, 2011

I had the pleasure of meeting the mompreneur Christy Gibson Hicks who invented this product. They are stylish, eco-friendly (they meet the highest European standards for baby products), reusable, fun and they will not open doors.
Check out her line that includes mini products for seniors and children as well as a version for your garage.

This is one green organizing product you can feel good about purchasing! To receive 10% off use the code: Julie

http://www.christydesignsonline.com/

Zen Organization: Maintenance
September 19, 2011

Every July I do an annual purge of my entire home. Getting organized and purging what no I no longer need revives me mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally. I feel good knowing others will get good use of what no longer serves my present life. If I did not do an annual purge I would be disorganized and slowly overwhelmed by clutter. Even professional organizers need to organize!

ONCE YOU DO AN INITIAL PURGE AND GET SYSTEMS IN PLACE THAT WORK WITH YOUR NATURAL HABITS MAINTENANCE IS A BREEZE–BUT YOU STILL NEED
TO DO IT!

When doing maintenance remind yourself of what you are saving (money, time), creating (a peaceful or inspiring environment) and remember what being disorganization has cost you in the past.
What in organizing (or anything else for that matter) needs to the most maintenance for you right now?

Was it on Wiggo?
September 15, 2011

The family that calendars together, stays together! A fan on my Facebook like page told me about this site:

http://wiggio.com/

She writes, "It lets you set up a web based family calendar that you and your kids can access from anywhere. They post their own sleepovers, babysitting gigs, school performances, and we adults post our own obligations. They can look and… see if we already have plans for the weekend before they make plans. While at work, I can see in one spot what everyone else is doing after work and who needs a ride to where. It's not perfect but if they don't post their own stuff and then suddenly say, "but, I NEED a ride to the movie" we ask, was it on the Wiggio?" The site also allows you to host conferences, web meetings & chat rooms as well as a bunch of other really cool stuff. Check it out!

Green Kitchen Tips
Thursday, June 30, 2011

Small ways you can be green in the kitchen!

• Buy spices and grains from bulk bins
• Use green cleaners
• Use BPA free plastics
• Get a water purifier and ditch plastic bottles
• Bring Your Own Shopping Bags. Keep in your car.
• Reuse paper or plastic bags
• Avoid excess packaging. Buy large bottles of juice instead of boxes; get large sizes rather than individually wrapped ones (portion in reusable containers); and buy items in bulk.
• When you find yourself with boxes and plastic trays, recycle (if your recycler accepts).
• Avoid cans that cannot be recycled/reused: pressurized whipped cream and cooking-spray. Whip up cream fresh with your mixer, or use a product that comes in a recyclable container. Get some refillable metal or plastic oil sprayers from Misto or Pampered Chef.

The Joy of Sacks
Thursday, June 16, 2011

Just in time for Summer camp!

It is estimated that Americans use more than 20 million plastic sandwich bags–DAILY! Three smart moms created LunchSkins, bright, reusable dishwasher-safe sandwich and snack sacks. Save yourself money by investing in these bright sacks.

Help keep yourself organized by coordinating colors with your BPA free water bottle and for each child.

Check out here:

http://www.lunchskins.com/home.php

Breathe Easier
Thursday, April 21, 2011

The pollution of the environment outside is a growing concern, but so too is the air we breathe inside our homes. On average we spend up to 90% of our time indoors, and statistics from the EPA state that indoor air pollution is often 6-12times worse than outside. After decluttering for spring cleaning, consider going green with your cleaners.

Method cleaners are available at most stores and you can also make your own. Be sure to read labels as some products are greenwashing and not as green as they can be. Here are some on line resources.

http://www.greennest.com/

http://www.ourgreenhouse.com/

http://www.akeena.net/

http://www.seventhgeneration.com/

http://www.mrsmeyers.com/

http://www.methodhome.com/

http://www.simplegreen.com/

http://www.eco-me.com/

Easy Way to Improve Health & Be Green

Recycling and composting rates recovered 32.1 percent of MSW or 79 million tons. But this figure, you will recall, does not include hazardous, industrial, and construction waste. 32.1 percent is higher than before but still way too low.

Approximately 8,550 curbside recycling programs existed in 2005 throughout the United States, a lower figure than the 8,875 programs that existed in 2003

The other 2 R's of Eco-Organizing:

•Repurpose. Find creative ways to use what you have. Wine box can house ornaments (instead of buying a plastic container made specifically for ornaments!) ; a cake stand can be used to hold all your "get out the door quickly" essentials; a tissue box can hold plastic bags, etc.

•Recycle: Recycling isn't mandatory in Raleigh or in NC. Do your part, but encourage the legislature to pass laws. There is a program that offers incentives to people who recycle in form of gift cards. I sent in asking them to add Raleigh to the list. https://www.recyclebank.com/

Know your recycling guidelines! Consider setting up an organized recycling center in your home or business to make it as easy as possible to recycle.

Are you able to make a difference today? Remember every little bit counts!