Tag Archives: organize

May2

Get Organized For A Summer At Home

Posted on by
Standard
Get Organized For A Summer At Home

Summer is fast approaching and that means now is the perfect time to get yourself organized and ensure that you and your home are ready for the sunny season, and all of the fun and joy it brings. Here are a few key things to get you started so that you’ll be ready when summer comes and you can simply sit back, relax and enjoy it:

Take Stock of It All:

Before you do anything else, you are going to want to take some time to wander around your home and take stock of anything that needs doing to get the place ready for summer. This could be the garden, which needs trimming down so you have a nice clear view of your surroundings or your kitchen which could benefit from a good clean, so you can hang out and make frozen cocktails with friends. Note down everything that needs doing and prioritize the most necessary jobs first.

Declutter to Destress:

Clutter is summer’s secret enemy. Piles of papers, abandoned flip-flops, and that stack of unopened mail whisper “chaos” every time you pass by. Embrace the three-box method: One for keepers, one for trash and one for “maybe later.” Go through your stuff with ruthless kindness. If you haven’t used it since last July, it probably won’t suddenly become precious this year. Clearing visual clutter will make your home feel calmer, and it might even spark joy, à la that famous organizational guru you all admire.

Command the Calendar:

When life feels unstructured, put it on the calendar. Block out time for work, relaxation, home projects and social calls. Color-code like a pro: Blue for focus hours, yellow for fun, green for errands, and red for “urgent but boring.” Seeing your entire summer laid out helps you seize the day without losing track of deadlines or dentist appointments. Plus, sharing your color-coded calendar with housemates or family can prevent those “Why didn’t you tell me” moments.

Automate the Annoying Stuff:

Bill reminders, subscription renewals, and routine home maintenance can slip your mind when the poolside calls. Automate online payments, set up digital reminders for filter changes, and subscribe to a lawn care service app that pings you before it’s too late to sharpen the blades. Automation isn’t cheating; It’s smart management.

Get the Garden Tools in Shape:

In summer, many of us spend a whole lot of time in the garden, which means we want it to look as good as possible, right? This means that we need to sort out that lawn mower repair, sharpen our garden shears, and oil those all-important garden tools so they are all in good working order and we can keep the garden in similar shape, with as little effort as possible.

Clean the Garden Furniture:

Now is also the perfect time to clean and patch up the garden furniture so that it is in perfect condition for sitting and enjoying the hard work you’ve put in to get summer ready at home. Comfy, inviting garden furniture is a must for get togethers, bonfires, and cookouts!

Summer? Bring it on!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar29

5 Areas Of Your Business You May Need To Streamline

Posted on by
Standard
5 Areas Of Your Business You May Need To Streamline

Streamlining involves making tasks simpler and more efficient by reducing the amount of elements that you have to work with. It can be important to streamline various aspects of your business in order to make them easier to manage. Below are just five examples of areas that you can benefit from streamlining:

Suppliers:

Are you working with too many suppliers? While using many different suppliers can allow you to shop around for prices, it can mean having to keep track of multiple orders and payments. This can make it easier to overlook delays with orders or accidentally miss payments. A great way to streamline this area of business is to find a wholesaler to order all of your supplies from. Once you have an idea of how often you will need to reorder supplies, you can often schedule shipments from wholesalers so you never have to worry about running out of something you need.

Alternatively, you can look into supply chain management platforms that allow you to order everything from one place. For example, if you’re a dentist, there are ordering systems out there such as this one that can allow you to get the best possible prices on labs and supplies while only having to shop in one place.

Software:

Many modern companies use a myriad of different software applications to handle various processes like accounting, HR, marketing, appointment scheduling, and data management – businesses can even make use of Customizable Balanced Scorecard Software as part of their strategic planning. Using lots of different programs from lots of different developers can result in more costs to keep track of. On top of this, you could be creating more work for yourself by not being able to easily transfer data between them and by having to train employees on how to use each individual program.

Finding an all-in-one software option could make everything a lot more organized. To begin finding experts who can handle all of your software needs, simply enter a search for “custom software in ohio” (or your local area). From there, you can narrow down your options until you find the right fit for you that specializes in your requirements. You could also consider sticking to multiple programs from a single developer to allow easy interaction between all of them. Just make sure this developer offer programs that contain all of the features you need.

When it comes to the software that your business is using, there is a lot that can go wrong. These bugs and issues can be dangerous for your business and you will want them solved in real time. Using programs that take advantage of AI can quickly provide solutions as time is money. To tackle data quality issues, AI is used on this Data Observability Platform and resolves problems directly in code. These tools can be crucial in the success and efficiency of your business and should be considered to avoid major delays.

Debts:

Are you having to keep track of multiple debts to different lenders? As debts accumulate, it can become much harder to keep track of how much debt you have and how much you owe each lender. This is why many companies find it beneficial to look into debt consolidation – this involves taking out one big loan to pay off all of your debts. This could be worth doing if you’ve got unpaid invoices, arrears, credit card bills, and numerous loans to pay off. Just make sure to compare debt consolidation loan interest fees first.

Products/services:

Providing too many products and services can stretch your talents and resources thin. In some cases, it can even put off clients. A classic example is offering a menu in a restaurant that has too many options. Not only does this mean more dishes for your chefs to learn and more ingredients to stock, but it can also intimidate some customers. Focus on a few things at a time and add new products and services as needed. Furthermore, working with professionals through Mantralis interim project manager services could be a great way to manage complex projects during periods of transition or resource shortages. This approach can help refine your offerings and make processes more efficient.

Social media:

Some marketers will tell you that you need to be active on every social media platform in order to have a successful online presence. However, this is typically a lot more time-consuming and can often mean creating weaker content on each platform just to make sure that each site is covered. If you’re strapped for time, it’s better to focus all of your attention on one platform so that you can master it. This should ideally be the social media platform that is most relevant to your audience in order to get the most engagements. Only try to cover every social media site if you have designated staff members to do this for you.

Work smarter not harder by streamlining for a more organized and less stressful way of running your business!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May5

Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

Posted on by
Standard
Don’t Forget These Essentials For Your First Day At Work

Is there anything more exciting yet nerve racking than starting a new job? It is important to start as you mean to go on, so having a good first day is crucial for your confidence and the impression you create on others. The last thing you want to do is get to your job and realize that you have forgotten something important. With that in mind, read on to discover the essentials you need for your new job.

Office stationery:

It is highly likely that your office will have its own supplies, but there is no harm in coming prepared. It means you won’t have to ask anyone to point you in the direction of a stapler or some pens. It is a good idea to buy a container so that you can keep all of your stationery organized on your desk. There is no need to go all out and spend too much when starting your new job, but a few basic essentials will come in handy.

Business backpack:

Of course, you are going to need a stylish bag to keep all of your belongings in. A smart business backpack is a good choice. You will have more than enough space for all of your essentials, and different compartments so that you can keep things organized.

Water bottle:

Keeping hydrated throughout the day is so important. If you are lacking hydration, your brain won’t be able to focus properly, and this will result in a sub-par performance on your first day. By having a filled water bottle on your desk, you will instinctively drink without even thinking about it.

Deodorant:

Your first day is bound to be a bit stressful and nerve racking. When feeling stressed, the body responds by sweating. The last thing you want to do is feel uncomfortable and sticky all day long. Take some deodorant in your bag with you.

Hand sanitizer:

We have all had to have at least one Covid test over the past couple of years. Keeping safe and healthy is important, so it makes sense to put some antibacterial hand gel in your bag too.

Lunch:

It is always a good idea to take lunch with you on your first day. You don’t know how your breaks are going to be split up during the day, and you may not have anywhere to buy lunch nearby. Of course, if you do, and your co-workers invite you for lunch, do take them up on it so you can get to know everyone.

Come prepared with these essentials on your first day of work for one less thing to stress about!

Featured Image By: Freestockphotos

Apr12

How To Make Your Home Look Bigger & Better Than Ever

Posted on by
Standard
How To Make Your Home Look Bigger & Better Than Ever

We all wish that we could live in bigger properties, especially after being stuck inside for so long during the pandemic. In reality, moving to a new home isn’t on the agenda for most people. On a brighter note, though, it is possible to make your home feel bigger and better. You simply need the right plan of action.

Here are some ideas that you can take on over the months to come. While you might not use them all, the relevant projects will have a telling impact on the look and feel of your home:

Clean & Declutter:

Nothing makes a home feel cramped quite like clutter. Therefore, the first job you should look to complete is a simple clean and declutter. A thorough spring clean will change the atmosphere of the home. You can also use this as an opportunity to adopt greener cleaning with eco-friendly materials.

Before completing the deep clean, though, you may wish to declutter. Selling your unwanted possessions can create extra space throughout the home. The fact that it’ll also generate some extra money will put you in an even better position as you make further updates.

Opt For Lighter Color Schemes:

When first entering a room, you naturally respond to the color schemes. It alters your perception of size while also influencing your emotional response. Understanding the meaning of color with the Lush Home guide to feng shui is useful. When you want to make the most of the space, lighter color schemes are better.

Opting for white and off white schemes will reflect the light to maximize the space. Of course, this doesn’t mean that you have to have a room void of color. Feature walls, furniture, and decor can all help to add personality.

Embrace More Light:

As touched upon in the point above, lighting will play a significant role in building a better home environment. Replacing outdated windows with double glazing can work wonders for your energy efficiency. Moreover, letting more light into the home makes it look larger, cleaner, and full of energy.

In addition to new windows, blinds and drapes can be used to achieve greater control over lighting and privacy. Furthermore, you can use strategically placed mirrors, LED lamps, and ceiling lights to achieve great results. It’s a simple concept but has a telling impact.

better1

Pixabay Image

Do More With External Spaces:

Your love of the home doesn’t begin and end with what’s inside the four walls. Giving some much needed TLC to the backyard can transform the whole home. It adds a new dimension that also makes your living spaces far bigger and better. Sliding doors onto the patio can be very useful as it combines inside and outside areas.

Experts like NightScenes landscape lighting professionals can extend the fun into the evening. Better still, the right lighting can alter the atmosphere. When you make sure that the garden’s function is suited to your family’s requirements, it’ll be the best upgrade of all.

Revamp The Guest Room:

Keeping a guest room is one of the most common mistakes made by modern homeowners. While it’s nice to have a dedicated space for your friends and relatives to sleep, the average guest room is used for fewer than ten nights per year. That means you are sacrificing a huge space for less than three percent of your year.

It makes far more sense to transform this room into a games room, home office, or gym. Alternatively, it can be an art studio or a place to meditate. The options are limitless. As long as you give it a function that your household will genuinely benefit from, success is assured.

Convert The Basement:

If you have the funds or can get a loan, an attic conversion can work wonders. It saves you the hassle and costs of moving while literally adding liveable space. It also adds a lot of value to the property to counteract some of the costs. However, if you can’t afford to change the structure of your attic, the basement is an option.

Many households find that the basement needs less work, especially if your plans for it are less demanding than bedrooms and lounges. It is a good candidate for adding a gym. Alternatively, you can make a better storage space, which will remove pressure elsewhere.

better2

Pixabay Image

Think About Furniture Choices:

Even a larger room can be made to look small when the interior design and layout choices are wrong. Experts at Cable TV can teach you to add a wall-mounted TV bracket. When combined with wall-mounted shelving, you can remove the need for bulky coffee tables or units. Meanwhile, extendable tables are a great addition.

Some furniture pieces can be fold-up solutions too. It might take out ten seconds of your day to store them when not in use, but you’ll claw back valuable space. Another option is to use high cabin beds in a child’s room to make the space work smarter. You could also add a science table to your child’s room for extra drawers and a homework space too.

Find Extra Storage:

Getting rooms under control is one thing, but it counts for very little if you do not have the storage space to back it up. Even if you have decluttered and cleaned, you will have a need for storage. You can create extra spaces behind doors, under the stairs, or by adding shelves above the clothes hanging spaces within the wardrobe.

Unless your family is getting bigger due to the addition of kids or a partner moving in, you probably don’t need to upsize your home. You simply need to do more with the space that’s currently available in your property. If you’ve grown tired of seeing the same four walls due to the pandemic, now is the perfect time to act!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

 

Apr11

Make Moving Easier With These Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Make Moving Easier With These Tips

Are you moving house soon? If so, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to manage it! Moving can seem like a daunting task, but it can be a lot easier with a bit of organization and preparation than you think. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on making your move as smooth and stress free as possible. Let’s get started:

Organize and Declutter:

One of the first things you should do when preparing to move is to have a good declutter. This will make packing easier, but it will also save you money on moving costs. If you don’t need it, get rid of it! Have a garage sale, donate items to charity, or sell them online. This will also allow you to get rid of any unwanted furniture or appliances that you don’t want to take with you.

Start Packing Early:

Don’t leave packing until the last minute! Instead, start packing up non-essential items a few weeks in advance. This will make the process a lot less daunting and will help to keep you organized. Make sure to label all of your boxes to know where everything is going. This will set you up for a stress free move and give you time to do more research on places to explore in your new location. You can simply look up “best things to do in Huntsville AL” or wherever you are moving to so you can find the must see attractions in your new city.

Hire a Professional Moving Company:

If you want to make your move as easy as possible, hire a professional moving company. They will handle all of the heavy lifting and transport your belongings safely to your new home. This will take a lot of the stress out of moving. A majority of moving companies offer packing services too, which can also be a huge help in eliminating the stress of moving. This is an especially good option to consider if you have a lot of precious or breakable items. To find a trusted company, simply enter a search for “local movers in Buffalo, NY” (or in your area) and don’t leave scheduling till the last minute.

Use a Portable Moving Container:

If you’re not hiring a professional moving company, you may consider using a portable moving container. This is an excellent option if you’re on a budget or have a lot of belongings. You can pack up your container at your own pace and then deliver it to your new home.

Pack Your Essentials Separately:

When you’re packing for your move, pack a separate bag or box of essential items that you will need on the first day in your new home. This should include toiletries, clothes, bedding, and kitchen supplies. This will make it easier to find everything you need when you first arrive at your new house. It’ll also stop the experts giving you help with moving home packing all your underwear and other essentials into boxes that might not make it to the house until a while after you do!

Notify Important Contacts Of Your Move In Advance:

Notify your bank, doctor, and other important contacts of when you’re moving in advance. This will ensure that you don’t have any disruptions to your service.

Change Your Address:

Don’t forget to change your address at the post office! You can do this online or in person so you can continue to receive your mail at your new address.

Packing Hacks:

  • Use old newspapers or bubble wrap to protect your belongings when packing.
  • Put heavy items in small boxes and lighter items in larger boxes.
  • Fill up any empty spaces in your boxes with clothes or towels to prevent them from moving around during transport.

Following these tips will help to make your move as easy and painless as possible. Moving house doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. With a bit of planning and preparation, it can be a breeze! Happy moving!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Mar15

Spring Cleaning? Check Out These Tips!

Posted on by
Standard
Spring Cleaning? Check Out These Tips!

Spring is the perfect time to start fresh and get rid of all the clutter with some good old fashioned spring cleaning. Spring cleaning is not just about getting rid of clutter from your home but it’s also about organizing everything you have, from the garden to the car. With these tips, you’ll be able to declutter your house and life in no time:

What Not to do When Spring Cleaning Your Home:

There are many things that you can do to clean your home. However, there are some things that you should not do. Here is a list of things that you should avoid when cleaning your home:

  • Don’t use bleach or ammonia on hardwood floors
  • Don’t use ammonia on a toilet bowl
  • Don’t clean with hot water and don’t scrub with abrasive cleaners

Instead, it helps to try and use more natural options to protect your home and your health.

Tips for Getting Started with Spring Cleaning:

Spring is the ideal time to give your home a thorough cleaning. It’s a great way to get rid of the winter blues and start fresh. Some of the best ways to approach it include:

  • Start with high traffic areas such as the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
  • Make sure you have enough trash bags, boxes, and containers on hand to take out all of your old stuff.
  • Start with the floor and work your way up. Vacuum or sweep before mopping or dusting.
  • Don’t forget about windows and furniture! Wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth or towel.

Tips for Cleaning & Sprucing Your Car at This Time of Year:

Many people are taking the opportunity of spring cleaning to clean out their cars and spruce them up for the summer too. It could even be the time to make some upgrades. Maybe you want to add XXR Wheels or make other improvements to your ride? But first, the cleaning!

To get started, you’ll want to check your car thoroughly for any leftover items from last year. These could be old receipts, food wrappers, or even forgotten items like sunglasses or a favorite hat. Then, use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of any dust or dirt on your seats and in your car’s nooks and crannies. You can also use a damp cloth to wipe down your dashboard (although this may not be sufficient if you have spilled coffee or other liquids on it).

Signs To Start Your Cleaning:

Spring cleaning is an important process of organizing your life and getting rid of those things that are weighing you down or taking up space in your home. It’s not always easy to know when to start spring cleaning, but there are some signs that indicate it might be time to do so:

  • You have been feeling overwhelmed by clutter
  • You have been feeling as though you have too much on your plate
  • You feel like the clutter in your home has been affecting how you feel

So get started today and enjoy a calmer mind and cleaner environment!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Feb25

Lil Red’s Spring Cleaning Pro Tips

Posted on by
Standard
Lil Red’s Spring Cleaning Pro Tips

Howdy!! In about two months, Johnny and I are possibly moving into a three bedroom apartment which means that we need to get our place in tip top shape to prove ourselves worthy. The timing is perfect because it coincides exactly with spring cleaning! Slowly but surely, we have been tackling this task and it’s not as bad as I thought, especially when following these tips:

Declutter:

A true deep cleaning of your home can’t happen without a good decluttering session first. Johnny and I are still on this phase in several areas of our apartment but I can already see a big improvement. I knew that we both have a lot of stuff but I don’t think I realized just how much until we began going through everything piece by piece.

When decluttering be sure to organize like so:

  • Throw away: Anything that is damaged beyond minor issues, garbage, and don’t forget anything past its expiration date in the pantry!
  • Donate: Items still in fair condition that are no longer needed including clothing, electronics, home goods, even dishes! Johnny and I have SO. Many. Glasses. which I definitely plan on downsizing.
  • Hand Me Downs: If you have close friends or siblings that might be interested in any of your donate items, feel free to pass them on. I know my sister will want a peek at any of my clothing or accessories that I no longer need!
  • Buy, Sell, Trade Groups: Facebook Marketplace and the like are a great way to make some extra cash for unneeded things. This is especially good for more expensive items or larger ones that you could see someone else wanting. You can use your new funds for more cleaning supplies. 😀

Deep Clean:

Once your unwanted items are out of the way, it will make a good deep clean so much easier. This is when you pull out all of the stops – dusting, sweeping, disinfecting, and so on. Prior to your cleaning session, just make sure you have all of the products that you need to accomplish it. Once you have motivation to complete this task, a run to the store can burst that bubble really quickly!

Remember that you will need specific products for different types of cleaning and some things might require more care than others. For a really good deep clean, it can help to call the experts in. For example, a company like Hydra Clean NW (or a similar one in your local area) would be a good idea to call for tough stains in upholstery and carpets. You will be amazed at the difference it will make once those unsightly stains are gone for good!

Work In Sections:

No one says that spring cleaning has to be done in just one day! Sectioning off your cleaning and working in small bursts will help decrease the stress of such a big chore. I try to work in half hour or so increments every other day and always feel pleased with my progress afterwards.

During my cleaning, I have been working on the easy stuff first while slowly pecking away at the bigger projects. My kitchen and bathroom are small so those were the best places to start whereas my living room will need a lot more effort. Long story short, sectioning off is the way to go when spring cleaning!

Delegate Tasks:

I am a huge fan of organizing and I don’t mind cleaning all that much so those are the chores that I have been working on. However, there are things that require heavy lifting or a lot of elbow grease that I’m just not capable of and will be Johnny’s assignments. If you have kids, a chore chart will be helpful and you can throw a pizza or ice cream party when the work is done to celebrate your nice, clean house.

If you live alone and could use some extra help, invite some friends over and have them lend a hand. Pizza and ice cream also goes a long way for adults! Also, there is no shame in hiring someone to clean, either. Johnny and I are going to take care of a majority of the work but when we move out, we will be hiring my sister’s friend to make the apartment look the best it can and get my security deposit back lol.

Entertainment:

When I am cleaning, I can’t stand to work in silence and will put on my favorite music or something that I have already seen on Netflix. The key words being “something that I have already seen” because nothing kills motivation quicker than getting way too into whatever is on TV! Once your tunes are on or you’re laughing along to your favorite scenes from The Office, the task at hand doesn’t feel so bad.

Reward Yourself:

No one wants to spend their weekend or evening after work cleaning when they could be relaxing. I sure don’t! After I complete my cleaning burst, I try and do something that I enjoy like reading, playing Animal Crossing, or settling down with a movie. But it could be anything! You could treat yourself to some take out or have a nice, hot bath. You so deserve it!

Cleaning is a necessary part of life in your home and while it isn’t the most fun thing, it doesn’t have to be completely miserable, either. Use the tips above and soon your place will be as fresh and clean as a spring day!

What is your least favorite chore? What are some of your spring cleaning tips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan2

New & Improved Beauty Hoard

Posted on by
Standard
New & Improved Beauty Hoard

Hello! Saying that mine and Johnny’s refrigerator/pantry situation was getting cluttered was a severe understatement. So, I took it upon myself during winter break to rectify this. But, I didn’t stop there and I cleared enough pantry space to incorporate my beauty hoard into it. Originally, my stock pile was just a big Amazon box filled with products. Now, it looks like this:

image_50367745image_50406401image_50423041(1)

From Bath & Body Works freebies to semi annual sale hauls, I don’t think I realized just how much I had in my hoard until seeing it all set out in front of me. I knew that I was a product pack rat prior to but damn lol. Sifting through my stock pile was very enlightening, to say the least, and I also found the face masks that I thought I misplaced and an extra bottle of Tree Of Life serum. 😀

My new stock pile set up is something that I am very pleased with and it will also help me save some money. Normally, when I am restocking supplies, I just get a little bit of everything regardless of if I actually need it or not. Now, I can see clearly what I need to buy more of and what I can hold off on. For example, I always seem to be buying more micellar water but it turns out I have four bottles of it!

Not only is this new set up handy but it is also very visually pleasing to me. It’s like my own little beauty shop right in my pantry. Now that I have my hoard all nice and organized, I can’t believe it was ever stowed away like it was. GREAT SUCCESS!

This was a little project but it made a big difference and I vow to never do my hoard the disservice of an Amazon box again. 😀

What is in your beauty hoard? Where do you stow your stock pile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep13

Better Early Than Never!

Posted on by
Standard
Better Early Than Never!

Hello!!! Question: How early is too early to be thinking about Christmas?! If the answer is the first week of September, then WHOOPS because I have already started my Christmas shopping lol. With over fifteen people that I need to buy prezzies for, I always like to get a jump on my shopping so I am not stuck with one huge bill come December. It is also so nice to be done with holiday shopping early because then I can just sit back and enjoy the season. 🙂

Are you looking to get a head start on your holiday shopping too? Then follow these tips:

Make A List:

I always suggest this but it is so true! I would be nowhere without my “to buy” list and have a Word document that I consult while I online shop. On my list, I name off everyone to shop for with multiple gift ideas per person. Once I have bought the presents for someone on my list, I simply delete their space and there is nothing more satisfying than that! Not only does my list keep me organized but it also assists me with budgeting to help me stay in my comfort zone.

Better Early Than Never:

This is probably the earliest I have ever began my shopping and I’m glad for it. Due to the pandemic, there is no telling how long certain items will take to ship and I like knowing that I will have everything ready to go come Christmas day. There is nothing worse than the anxiety of if something will show up before the holiday and early shopping helps nip that fear in the bud.

If you are planning a customized or commissioned present for someone, I can’t recommend consulting with the business now enough. Local artists and Etsy shops are going to be slammed during the holiday season and they might not have the time to create your gift if you wait too long.

Get Inspired:

When I lack inspiration for gift ideas, I like to think back to what hobbies the person has and what they might need to enjoy it even more. For example, one of my giftees is a grill master so I purchased a wood smoking kit for him to experiment with. Do you know someone with a green thumb? A raised planter box is a great idea so they have even more space to garden with. Is there a coffee enthusiast in your life? How about a customized mug?

I love giving hobby specific gifts because I know that my giftee is going to be able to use it. Once you start thinking in terms of what they like to do in their free time, the present possibilities are endless!

Plan Accordingly:

Getting your holiday shopping done early is great. However, it is smart to look into the return and exchange policies of where you are buying from. If your giftee happens to not like their present, you might not be able to do anything about it once the holiday is over. If the website you’re purchasing from has a return policy that won’t work a couple of months away, try finding the item in store instead. Create a back up plan too in case you can’t find it in store and it gets sold out online.

Also, don’t forget to keep your receipts and gift receipts in a safe space and especially don’t forget where you put them! 😀

It’s not even close to Halloween yet but that doesn’t mean that you can’t think a couple of holidays ahead! Follow the tips above to get an awesome head start on your holiday shopping. 🙂

Are you an early or last minute holiday shopper? What is your favorite holiday? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug17

A Force Of Habit

Posted on by
Standard
A Force Of Habit

Hello! In case you haven’t realized by now, I am the type of gal who loves organizing, planning, check lists, and schedules. I thrive on structure. Meanwhile, Johnny is definitely more spontaneous so the combination balances out nicely! I run two businesses, which means that my days need to run like a fine tuned machine so that I can get everything done with time to relax in the evening.

While it takes an average of sixty-six days for a person to form a new habit, it probably takes me a week or less because I take a lot of pleasure in penciling things into my schedule. There is also nothing better than a super long streak of doing something daily! There are a handful of habits that I have formed that I truly don’t think I could live without now. In fact, it pains me to think of not doing the following every day:

Skin Care Routine:

My days start and end with a skin care routine that I have customized to best fit my skin type. With the stresses that sometimes come with being self employed, self care is extremely important to me. Sometimes, this takes form in trying out a new face mask but it mostly means using products on my face and body that make me feel good. This includes using a delicious smelling body wash from Bath & Body Works, a refreshing gel moisturizer, Vitamin C serum, and body lotion every day.

Writing:

Once I have completed my morning hygiene routine, it is time to write! My fast approaching 1,000 post streak of daily writing would probably not be possible if I didn’t get up extra early every day to complete this task before I need to leave for work. While I always enjoy adding new things to my schedule, I like checking them off of my mental to do list even more! I feel amazing every time I finish a new blog post and my countdown gets one day closer to 1,000.

Practice Learning Languages:

Other than reading, learning new languages is one of my favorite hobbies. I am currently on a three hundred day streak on Duolingo for practicing French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Czech every day. Whenever I get asked what I would want my super power to be if I had one, I always reply with being fluent in every language in the world. Unfortunately, I am not going to get bit by a super learned spider for this to happen automatically so I try to do it myself. It makes me proud to learn new words and phrases every day and I have made an insane amount of progress from practicing these five different languages daily.

Push Ups:

When Johnny and I first started dating almost two years ago, we were hit head on by a car. It was so scary and I actually ended up being hospitalized for injuries to my cervical spine. I was left with a lot of nerve damage in my upper body from the accident, which resulted in my arms and torso becoming weaker than it already was!

To help ease the nerve pain that I was experiencing at the end of every day, I began to do push ups to tone and strengthen my upper body several months ago. I started out with only doing twenty-five, which was really hard. However, I graduated to now doing fifty! If I’m feeling saucy, I sometimes do fifty more. These daily mini workouts have made a noticeable improvement in the upper body pain that I have to deal with and I am excited to continue increasing how many push ups I do. 🙂

All of the above have become a true force of habit for me and my day would not feel complete without doing them. Here’s to continuing to check all of them off my mental to do list every day!

What is something your day wouldn’t be complete without? How long does it take for something to become a habit for you? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah