Multitasking made easy!

Multitasking is a good thing when it’s kept simple.  My friend Miranda, has a great way of maximising her time and getting lots done.

Kids in the bath + wiping surfaces and mirror in bathroom.

Two jobs completed in one!

My worktime favourite:  

On hold (speaker phone) to Optus + sorting paperwork or data entry

What are some of your successful multitasking tips?  What’s been good and what’s been a disaster?

Super simple wine storage

How good is this wine rack? So simple!  Pretty affordable too.

Try www.crateandbarrel.com or www.shoppingsquare.com.au

Wedge wine rack

Great organising products at IKEA

Slatthult decoration stickers - $19.95

I love these! They’re self adhesive and easy to stick on your wall. I would put a few photos inside (sticking directly to the wall using double sided tape) dry surfaces, or simply use them as frames for notes…. eg quotes you like, or aspirations you have.  Better than having special words lost in the fray of your notebook clutter!

designer:

Slatthult

Rationell/Variera box - $7.95

I love this transparent container; makes it easy to see what is inside. It has a handle and I can see these looking very sexy in the fridge for small jars of condiments.

Rationell/Varieria box

Last, my favourite space saver EVER.

Rationall/Variera shelf insert - $7.95 for the large
and $4.95 for the small.

I call these a “shelf split” and they are GREAT for maximising space - particularly within a cupboard - eg your pantry. The version shown in my book, SORTED! is no longer created - they have replacead it with a pretty white version. They come in two sizes and are stackable. Long live Variera!

I need more storage systems!

I enjoyed watching the Australian TV series, Love my way, over the weekend.  There was a spectacular bit
when a trip was taken to IKEA by a late thirties couple with new baby.  Female character says “I have a 4 week old baby.  I’m so tired.. I’m so bloody tired… I know people are dying in friggin’ Palestine or whatever but I need storage systems.  Charlie, I know, that’s why we’re here. Everything will be OK if I have more storage systems!  And a front loading washing machine and more bench
space….

Well, I laughed. I laughed at the fatigue of the new parents. I laughed at them caught in the flow of one way IKEA traffic and I laughed at the notion that with more storage, life is somehow better. What do you think? Would your life be better with more storage? or with less storage? And what the hell is a “storage system”? I think storage and system are two different things aren’t they? Or do you always say “storage system” in the same breath? Tell me your innermost thoughts….

How a Professional Organiser packs to move

Monica Ricci, U.S. organising (organizing!) guru just made a great comment on her blog regarding moving house:

7. Even Professional Organizers need a Professional Organizer to help them make decisions about what to donate versus what to take to the new place.

So true!  Love it!

Aby Garvey’s Scrapbooking book

I was lucky enough to meet the gorgeous Aby Garvey who runs Simplify 101 at the NAPO conference in Reno. She generously donated me a signed copy of her book “the organized and inspired scrapper’ - which I know will make many of you creative scrappers jealous! Thanks Aby!

Overwhelmed by creative clutter? With 26 years of combined experience, professional scrapbooker Wendy Smedley of Simple Scrapbooks and professional organizer Aby Garvey of simplify 101 will guide you through the process of creating your very own organized and inspired workspace. Overflowing with tips, quizzes, projects, and inspired scrapbook spaces, The Organized & Inspired Scrapbooker will help you define your scrapbooking approach and discover how to organize your stash in ways that support your hobby. Plus, you will learn from the beautiful spaces of Stacy Julian, Renee Pearson, and other inspiring scrapbookers

Organized scrapper

Co-written with Wendy Smedley, this book is a visual treat for scrappers around the world and has some points that resonate with me. In “getting inspired” they say:

“A key component to organising is being intentional to what you bring into your space and life. “ (page 19) I agree - think hard about what you bring into your life…. wether it’s scrapbooking related or not!

Another great tip that I resonate with: “regardless of your scrapbooking approach be sure to include a final step: clean up. Getting your space back in shape after each project ensures that your workspace is always ready and waiting for you whenerver you’re inspired to create. “ (page 29)

I know some of you have completion issues - but this cleaning up stage should be part of your creative process.

But this is the most golden wisdom:
“Not convinced about paring your photos down? This about this: if you have 5,000 photos, scrapbooking them all would mean making 714 spreads (if each spread included seven photos), investing $3,570 (if each spread ost $5) and spending 1,428 hours to complete them (if each spread required two hours of work). You can’t possibly scrapbook every photo you caurrently have, not to mention those yet taken.” (page 37)

ouch! that’s it, I’m chucking half my photos!

Finally, “determine what’s working and what’s not” (page 59) is a key philosophy of mine: if it works, even if it feels less than perfect, leave it well alone.

For more scrapping wisdom, check out Aby’s blog: http://www.creativeorganizing.typepad.com/

The language of decluttering

I love the language of decluttering….. some of my favourites are:

• gone baby, gone!
• chucked
• piffed
• gone to god
• send out to the universe
• kiss it goodbye
• let go
• relinquished
• demoted
• done and dusted

I’m sure there’s more ways to say goodbye…… what are some of your faves?

Author Talk in Melbourne

Come join me at my author talk at Preston library on August 12th - 266 Gower St, Preston. Bookings are essential; call 1300 655 355 http://www.darebin-libraries.vic.gov.au

Peter Walsh on Oprah

Declutter guru Peter Walsh will be on Oprah this Friday the 27th June - Channel 10 at 1pm… just thought you’d like to know!

The Morning Show

Just giving you the heads up for some free tips on organising and time management. I’ve been asked to be a guest on Channel 7’s The Morning Show this Monday the 23rd June to talk about finding more time in your day. The show is from 9-11am with Larry Emdur and Kylie Gillies, so I hope you can tune in!