Appleshine on Gilt City

Hey there, Appleshiners!  Just wanted to let you know about this awesome deal just in time for the Holidays.

Save up to 60% on Appleshine services with our Gilt City offer:

You can purchase a two, three or four-hour organizing session to help prepare for holiday guests, tackle  a new year's resolution or even gift to a friend-in-organizing-need.  

Enjoy the savings!!

Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad

This weekend, there was an article in the NY Times about overindulgence.  It states that "buying more, and buying for ourselves — are ineffective at turning money into happiness".  So think about it: the more you buy (for yourself), the less happy you are AND the more clutter you have.  

According to this article, "people are happier when they spend money on others rather than on themselves".  Save yourself space and money buy purchasing only what you really need and donating the excess to others.  

Tell me, Appleshiners, what could you buy less of to save space and money?

Also, remember this article about technology and productivity in the office?

(Photo by Brock Davis)

My IKEA Kitchen

When I moved into my apartment (7 years ago!), I immediately got to work on kitchen solutions.  I knew I needed to make the most of my wall space because, frankly, that's all this eat-in kitchen had other than 3 upper and lower cabinets plus one drawer.  So I went to IKEA and bought myself a kitchen.  

Fortunately, they had a plethora of wall storage.  (Plethora- fun word, right?)  I grabbed a couple of these rods with these hooks and this basket.  And I really liked this spice rack, too.

I added a few other pieces like a hanging produce basket and a butcher's block where I keep my 'garage bin', a cloth basket full of tools, batteries, flashlights and other miscellaneous items.  All in all, I'm pretty happy with my kitchen space; it's functional and organized.  Just how I like it.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what tricks do you have for an organized kitchen?

Also, remember this loft kitchen that I unpacked and Appleshined?  I had cabinet envy soooo bad; look how well it turned out.

Notability

 

You know I love making notes and lists to stay organized.  How psyched was I to find out about the Notability App for the iPad?  It lets you take notes whenever, wherever on whatever subject you'd like.  And you even get to use an old-school stylus.  How great is that?

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you like to take notes?

Nifty Wallet Trick

Happy Monday, friends!  I took full advantage of summer's first official weekend.  Hope you did, too.

I was all over town.  And you know what made it so easy to skip around?  My Metrocard.  And you know how I keep it close at hand?  My nifty little wallet.

I keep it in the side pocket of my purse so I can grab it easily while I'm running for the bus.  Cause that's about the only time I ever move quickly in the city: to catch the bus.  Otherwise, I'm a bit of a saunter-er.

Isn't it great, though?  I love my recycled-bottled-water-label wallet.  The family I used to babysit for made it.  Creative little kids.  Heck of a lot better than my paper-towel-tube-telescope.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what nifty wallet trick do you have?

Lists and Notepads

I'm always talking about making lists.  And I want you to use to lists efficiently rather than let them end up as more paper clutter.  So here are good notepads to keep on hand that let you scribble down things for your to do list and keep you on track without overtaking your desk:

I love my Moleskine notebook.  This tiny pocket size fits neatly into my purse side pocket, making it easy to grab when I need to quickly write something down.

These Post-It notes are lined; perfect for making lists.  And then you can stick them where you need them (if you're running errands for the day, stick it to the front door so you can double check everything before you leave) and toss them when you're done.

Very self explanatory, these notepads will keep you on track. 

This classic spiral notebook (with a cute little cover, I might add) is easy to tote around. I just ask that you use it consistently and consecutively and toss it when you're done.  Don't switch back and forth between pads, leaving a collection of half used notebooks.  That just adds to your piles of clutter!

Tell me, Appleshiners, what type of notepads do you prefer to use?

Back in the Big Apple

Appleshine is back in the Big Apple!  After traveling in and out to Southampton and DC in the last week, the blog has been a lil' slim.  I promise to make it up to you with some good before/after pics next week.

In the meantime, I've noticed quite an online buzz on babies lately.  (Does spring fever = baby fever??)  Here are some great articles on organizing everything from nurseries to toy boxes:

Some tried-and-true tips for organizing toys from A Cup of Jo's Joanna Goddard, pulled from the book Simplicity Parenting.

My friend, Marcela Barraza, is the queen of green cleaning.  Ok, I kinda just made up that title but she is so passionate about green cleaning and its benefits.  She spoke at The Pregnant New Yorker event about the importance of using safe cleaning products around babies and young children.

And if you need some inspiration for organizing the older kids' rooms, check out this before/after of a girl's bedroom, playroom or a boy's playroom.


Tell me, Appleshiners, what tips do you have for balancing babies and organization?