Organize in Style

The BIG Christmas Un-Do

2009-12-27T11:57:56-08:00

Oh me oh my-O.... How do such beautiful decorations turn into such dread? Seriously... it all looked so festive + merry and now it seems to be SO chaotic + messy.

I feel this way every year.... so mark my own words here's how I deal with it. The following was a lil' diddy I wrote in December '07. Cheers!

OK.. I can do this, I can do this, I can do this. I've poured myself a cup of coffee, farmed out one kid to a neighbor, garnered two more to play with one in her room and I have just settled in to write out my to do list.

You see, I've been spinning my wheels all morning feeling anxious about the toys everywhere-and I mean everywhere, the holiday decorations are bugging me, and the dishes and treats are all over the kitchen island. Then I paused, sipped a cup of joe, and got back to my roots. I'm a list maker. I am in control when I've got a list to follow. A plan, a simple little plan. Here goes...

farm out kids
put on some music
pick up trash + recycling throughout house
start in the kitchen: wash + put away all dishes + holiday dishes + holiday place mats
tackle holiday wrap- gather ribbons to save for next year, flatten boxes, store away
put away my gifts + my husbands (kids have to do their own tonight)
grab a shopping bag or box and place "replaced" items in box to donate- (like my old blow dryer and sheets)
Bring the holiday totes inside, place one in each room. Gather up keepers. Place cast-offs in the donation bag. Return to garage + await husband's return to put backup on shelving.
Tempt the little girls with a treat if they help take down the ornaments and place in the boxes.
When girls get bored, join them for a treat then return to the tree project.
Get bored working on the tree project and call husband to find out when he'll be home.
Call husband and ask him how to make that great little holiday cocktail he poured me while wrapping all the presents.
Make cocktail, call girlfriend to tempt with holiday cocktail if she'll help finish the tree project or watch me finish the tree project

VOTE for The Shebang! Best Time Management Expert [she's not like the others :) ]

2009-12-14T11:09:36-08:00

The Shebang isn't like the other Time Management Plans... She may be a finalist for the Los Angeles Organizing Awards with the likes of David Allen, Franklin Covey, and Julie Morgenstern but she marches to her own beat in a pair of cute shoes!

In fact she doesn't really consider herself a Time Management Expert... She's more of a Lifestyle Expert. She's talks you off the perfection cliff, tells you to simmer down and take it one month at a time. She professes people over perfection, and to slow down + enjoy the journey. But the description fits, so she's going with the flow.

Best Time Management Expert*: An individual organizer or organizing firm primarily devoted to helping others effectively streamline and prioritize projects, tasks and responsibilities.

And that description is what The Shebang! lifestyle management plan is all about girlfriend.

With Shebang 101 you prioritize your daily, weekly, + monthly routines.
The She Monthly Project is based on tackling Self, Home + Endeavor projects on a rotating monthly basis, while taking a break every quarter to revisit your Shebang 101 routines + tackle your Seasonal Shift List. Because you CAN DO IT ALL... just not in 1 day or month!
And Maintain the Shebang simple keeps you sane!

The Shebang! would love your support as Best Time Management Expert... She's quite the underdog but she's a sassy lil' bugger that knows a girlfriend just needs a plan + swift kick in the spanx now + then!

To Cast Your VOTE click here and look for:

Best Time Management Expert:
Krista Colvin, Organize in Style

p.s. You'll be asked for your email, if you would like to avoid being on their mailing list be sure to click no on the bottom of the screen.

Thanks Chica!

Monday on AMNW: Organizing your Holiday Projects [aka Christmas clutter]

2009-12-05T19:47:17-08:00

I hope you can join me live on AM Northwest as I share my tips for organizing all your holiday clutter. From Gift Wrap to Cookie Sprinkles... I've got you covered + in control!

Tune in Monday, December 7th 9am, KATU2

For those of you outside of the Portland area I'll most definitely post a link right here on my blog as soon as it's up. And voila here it is.... click here to view the segment

In the mean time... you may need this tip:

THE BEST hiding place for Christmas presents! click here

Thanksgiving.... tips to keep it simple + sane

2009-11-19T09:02:53-08:00

This Post is from Last year... I hope it inspires you to create a simple + sane Thanksgiving! Cheers~

Thanksgiving is by far my favorite holiday as she really seems to have her priorities straight ;). Keeping it simple helps keep the focus on what's important. This morning on AMNW I shared my favorite tips. Take a peek!

WATCH THE SEGMENT NOW! click here

The Menu

keep it simple- stick to the tried + true favorites!
create a section for holiday recipes in your recipe binder
try one new dish each year, but get the post-meal review..thumbs up or down?

The Table

Set table the night or days before
use beverage tags on glasses
have serving dishes ready to go (make a post-it for what goes in each dish)

Lose Control! I double dog dare you ;)

accept help
create a "why yes you can help me" bowl (see above pic)

Focus on Family

Photo albums (have grandkids/kids place current year pics in album for you)

Get out the family movies
"I'm Thankful for..." Have everyone write + share their thoughts during the meal.

Party on my Facebook Fan Page!

2009-11-16T13:03:17-08:00

My head is always spinning with ideas... and here's my latest! I'm having a "party" on my Facebook Fan Page for my local Chicaritas... of course you are welcome to crash the party! We'll be chatting about "Favorite Things" [think spas + home decor + organizing] and THERE WILL be party favors right here after the party!

Here are the details...

When: Monday, November 16th 8-9pm PST
Where: www.facebook.com/kristacolvin.lifestyle
Who: Local Chicas... Camas + Vancouver + Portland
Special Guests: Jamie of Bloom Organic Body + Andrea of Uppercase Living

Log on to Facebook + visit my fan page Monday at 8pm. You'll see the convo... join in by leaving a comment. That simple. When the party is over we'll head back here to wrap it up + make sure the local chicas get their party favors!

You can pop in anytime, take a break to tuck in the kids or refill your wine glass ;)

If you'd like to do a little prefunk...
Fan Me: kristacolvin.lifestyle
Fan Jamie: Bloom Organic Body
Fan Andrea: Uppercase Living Andrea McCarty check out her site too!

For Your Party Favors!
. Visit Jamie to get.... are you ready for this... Hot Stone Neck + Shoulder Therapy!!!!! YES... that's right... loddy doddy we know how to partay! click here She'll personally contact you + send you your party favor details! [tell her you met her at Krista's party!]

. For Andrea's Prize... Leave a comment on her fan page about the coolio UL Photo Prints - what photo would you have printed? What questions do you have about UL Photo Prints? Who could you give a UL Photo Print to for Christmas??

. Can you say CABO... Donate $5 to the Gal to Gal Foundation where your money will help grant wishes to women with stage IV breast cancer + you'll be entered to win a trip to CABO. click here to donate When they ask for your team... enter The Whole Shebang!