I have a lot of drop-in surprise visitors at my house, and I mean a lot. One time last month we had people unexpectedly stop by our house four different times in one day. It was like a sit-com.

And honestly, I love it when people stop by.

The most important rule when someone comes to your house, whether their visit is a surprise or not, is that you never apologize for your mess.

Apologizing sends the message, “I’m embarrassed, and I wish you hadn’t come.” A little bit of a mess will help people feel more comfortable when you don’t let it bother you. Besides, you don’t know how their house looks, and you wouldn’t want to make them feel bad.

My kitchen table can look messy when people stop by. We use it, so it should. I always give myself a mental high-five if the breakfast dishes are washed and the counters are clear. I cringe a little if part of my home is really trashed, but I use it as motivation to clean things up more before the next guest comes.

All this brings me to the point that most guests will not see your whole house. If anything, they will notice the front entry, so it helps me to feel more confident when the front of our house looks orderly.

My favorite way to add order and style to a front entry is to place hooks on the wall. This little detail works no matter where I live. I prefer the hooks to be about 3.5 feet up from the floor, about kid-height. You want to leave a few hooks open for guests. (Don’t hang all of your coats and bags, most should go in the closet.) Hooks always give a feeling of organization.

My recent find at a consignment antique store is this old handmade cabinet. I was excited to have a place to put the pottery I made, and the lower cabinet contains media, puzzles, and games. I put my collection of pottery mostly on the upper shelves because I want to keep the first shelf open for guests to put their stuff and handbags on it. I can count on this space staying organized so it looks nice when people drop by.

See the comments for this post: Create a Good First Impression: Organize Your Front Entry

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First, I just want to tell you that the way my plates are lined up in rainbow order is purely a coincidence. I am not that weird.

A few months ago we replaced a really old dishwasher with a new modern one, and while I was mostly satisfied with it (It’s so quiet!), it sometimes seemed to be lacking in its ability to fully clean the dishes. I’d have to rewash or rinse them by hand, defeating the whole purpose in having a dishwasher.

I was almost to the point of having to accept that they don’t make things like they used to, and I was going to be spending even more time at the kitchen sink. I don’t mind washing dishes by hand actually, but there are a lot of them.

Fortunately I found the solution to my dishwasher dilemma, and it was an easy one to fix.

 Make your dishwasher more effective with these quick tips:

1. Check the sprayer arm. When I opened the dishwasher door during a wash cycle, I learned that some of my utensils are too tall, and they blocked the sprayer arm from rotating. Problem solved! Also look at the holes on the sprayer arm to make sure they are not clogged. Use a toothpick if you need to dislodge anything.

2. Check the drain. Look inside the bottom of the dishwasher and remove any food or objects from the filter. Run the garbage disposal to clear it out before turning on the dishwasher since they share the same drain.

3. Don’t overuse detergent. It’s a mistake to assume you should always fill up the detergent cup. Check the manual and your detergent. On mine, filling it to the first line (about a third) is enough. Too much detergent can leave residue and etch your glasses.

4. Check your water temperature. If it takes a long time for the hot water to reach your kitchen sink, that means the dishwasher isn’t getting enough hot water at the beginning either, and that makes it harder to wash away the food particles and grease. If you need to, turn on the dishwasher after you’ve used hot water at the kitchen sink.

5. Clean the inside of your dishwasher. Grease, detergent residue, and calcium deposits build up inside your dishwasher. You can use vinegar to wash them away. On a regular basis (every few months or so), run a wash cycle while your dishwasher is empty. Don’t use detergent, but turn on the dishwasher and let it run for a few minutes until water starts to fill up the bottom. Then add one or two cups of white vinegar to the water and let it finish the cycle.

Sometimes using a dishwasher is an experiment in finding the right combination for hard or soft water, the detergent, and a rinse aid.

See the comments for this post: 5 Tips to Improve Your Dishwasher

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“I’m failing. Failing. Why can’t I do better?”

Those words persist, but I would never say those words to someone else.

That’s what I’m unloading this week, and I’m willing to share about it so that someone else won’t feel so alone.

See the comments for this post: Ditch the Negative Self Talk

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My kitchen is in progress right now, but a few months ago when we bought our house it looked like this:

Untouched from 1970. Very dark with lots of harvest gold.

During our first week of home ownership we pulled down the upper cabinets that divided the food prep area from the eat-in area. My heart raced as I anxiously watched those heavy oak cabinets be pried off the ceiling and come crashing down. It was for the best, as it opened up the space.

We considered removing the lower cabinets and counter that divide the room as well, but I’m glad we didn’t. We noticed during that first week how often we piled our tools on the counter, and it was so useful. It is the main landing spot in the house.

The kitchen counter is our dumping ground for everything that we bring into the house: groceries, bags, and school papers. It’s the place where we temporarily set glasses, tools, and toys as we come in from other rooms. It’s where I wrap gifts, pack lunches, and serve up meals for family and guests.

The kitchen is the center for work and activity in the house, and having a clear counter to serve as a work surface is essential.

We often treat the kitchen counter as a storage space, but it’s supposed to be a work space. Storage can get in the way. We can put our stuff on the counter, but that doesn’t mean it should stay there. It needs to move out of the way for the next activity to happen.

Let’s work on clearing off the kitchen counter today.

I always have a dish drying rack next to the sink, but otherwise I try to keep the counters as clear as I can. When I set something down temporarily, it’s obvious and out of place. This gives me incentive to put things where they should go.

See the comments for this post: Clear Your Kitchen Counter (It’s a Work Space, Not a Storage Space)

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That’s a lot of receipts.

I think it’s time to clean out the clutter from my handbag. (It’s been a while.)

I also found a LEGO in there and the letter “Y” key that’s been missing from the keyboard.

(Two minutes later = much better.)

Bonus assignment: Use a tray for the things you need to stay organized as you walk out the door, so you’ll always know where to find your keys.

See the comments for this post: Clear the Clutter from Your Handbag

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When the new year comes, it takes me a couple of weeks to sift through all the aspirational goals to reach the point of, “Now this is what I’m really going to do.”

Goals have to be short and basic, not a long list. You have to be able to easily say your goals from memory, if you’re going to really do them.

I plan goals for my kids using a simple approach I learned from the book Desperate Households by Kathy Peel. It starts with the Bible verse, Luke 2:52 (NIV):

“And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.”

This one sentence focuses on growth in four essential areas: intellectual, physical, spiritual, and social.

I use it as a framework to purposely choose ways that I can encourage growth in each of these areas. Because it’s just one sentence, it’s easy for me to remember, and I can tailor my plans for each kid.

(It works for grown-ups, too.)

I made a printable if you want to do it too:

• Kids’ goals printable pdf

• Kids’ goals printable pdf (two on a page)

See the comments for this post: How I Make Goals for My Kids (Printable)

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This does not mean you have to go through all the rooms in your house to find a bunch of stuff to donate or sell. We’re going for big impact with little effort. I’m always impressed by how much space I get back when I can finally get rid of something big. If you sell it, that means someone is paying you to improve your home!

The motto for this is, “Remove to improve!”

My job this week is to sell my old TV stand. I sold the TV and the speakers long ago, so right now the stand is sitting in the garage, and we don’t need the storage.

You might have:

• an old couch or chair
• unused exercise equipment
• an old appliance or TV
• baby gear such as a swing or exersaucer

If you don’t want to go through the hassle of selling, some charities will come to your house with a truck to pick up furniture or appliances.

If your stuff is not in good-enough condition to donate to charity, put it on the curb with a “free” sign, or find what day the city will do a bulk-trash pickup.

I only sell something when I can get at least $20 for it. I donate most household items and clothes, but I do like to sell the big stuff.

Tips to Sell Your Stuff on Craigslist

Price: I generally price things at 40% of what it costs to buy it new, assuming it’s in good condition and something I bought in recent years. (I only sell things that would cost at least $50 new since I have a $20 resale minimum.) It makes me laugh when I see listings for “Custom drapes, gorgeous!” when they’re clearly from the 1980s. “Custom” means it suited the owner’s preference, but to me they’re just old drapes. Price accordingly. Check other listings to compare and estimate a good price.

Photo: Include a big, clear photo on your ad. Craigslist makes your photos look small with low resolution, so overcome that by following the instructions in this post: Craigslist Photo Tip: How to Show Big, Clear Photos So Your Stuff Sells.

Detail: Be descriptive in your title by naming it something like, “Sage Green Loveseat from Pottery Barn,” not “Couch.” Preempt questions by listing measurements and flaws. Also list your terms, such as, “Pick-up only, no delivery. Price is firm. Located near ___. Available evenings and weekends.”

See the comments for this post: Clear the Clutter: Sell or Donate One Big Thing

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I think you can tell a lot about a person’s interests by what they keep on their bookshelf. If you look at my small book collection, it’s obvious that I’ve always been a library girl. I take notes as I read and then return the books, leaving plenty of open space on the shelf for the next stack of books.

On my bookshelf you’ll see the favorite paperback novels that I saved from my childhood.

You’ll notice that I favor practical books and that I’ve saved some personal-development books.

You’ll find gardening books, but a lack of cookbooks.

You’ll discover I have very talented friends who wrote some of the books that I proudly keep on my bookshelf.

Last year I read some books that are such good resources if you are wanting to simplify and organize more.

Organized Simplicity: The Clutter-Free Approach to Intentional Living by Tsh Oxenreider

The first part of Organized Simplicity is like having a life coach to ask you thought-provoking questions. The second part is like having your really organized best friend come over to help you clean out your closet. Simple Mom readers will recognize her intentional style. You’ll start the book with a revived focus and finish the book with a good house makeover.

Desperate Households by Kathy Peel

First of all, I loved the encouraging tone of this book. It gives practical solutions for common family issues, but in a relatable way, not like a tip list you’ve already heard before. It covers topics such as getting family members to pitch in with less nagging from you, reducing stress in the morning, better marriage communication, time and priority management, and even keeping your house clean (but not so clean that all the fun vanishes from your family.) In one word, this book is: refreshing.

Simplify Your Time by Marcia Ramsland

I don’t think there is anything new that can be said about how to manage time, but still I read magazine articles and books to glean some reminders about what I should be doing. What I like about Simplify Your Time is the way it is organized into 30 short chapters, each one concentrating on a practical aspect of time management. This makes it easy for me to evaluate my own time management (making lists, using a calendar, saying “no” to irrelevant things…I’m doing well at those) and focus on what I need to improve (punctuality, taking downtime). It’s good for self evaluation with direction on the next steps to take.

The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year ebook by Rachel Jonat

Is buying a bunch of baby stuff supposed to make your life easier? That seems to be the common advice for new parents, but not in this guide. I contributed the Foreward for The Minimalist Mom’s Guide to Baby’s First Year, and here is part of what I wrote about it:

The must-have baby lists at the stores and in the catalogs are all written by marketing teams who want to sell you something you don’t really need. Rachel Jonat wants to give you something that every family needs…more time, more money, and more space. Her advice is a welcome relief from promises that the latest and greatest baby gear will keep your baby happy and give you more sleep.

In our consumer-driven society the word “minimalist” may sound extreme, but as Rachel describes it, honestly it means “conscious consumer.” There is a lot of freedom in that, as well as time and money.

Congratulations on becoming a new parent! It is the most awe-inspiring responsibility in the world with a wonderful mix of crazy and serene. A shopping list can’t fully prepare you for it, but the common-sense advice in this guide will definitely make it easier.

One Bite at a Time: 52 Projects for Making Life Simpler ebook by Tsh Oxenreider

From the book: “Sometimes it feels like simplifying is actually adding one more thing to that list, making it, ironically, another thing to stress over.” Oh my word, yes. If you need to simplify your life, but you don’t know where to start, then start here. One Bite at a Time is a rich resource; it takes all those ideas you know you should do and you’ve brainstormed about, and it gives you a blueprint to actually make them part of your life.

My ebook Simple Blogging: Less Computer Time, Better Blogging.

If you blog in your spare time like me, this book will show you how to make the most effective use of your time so you can grow your blog but still find balance. It will help you avoid blogging burnout and let the meaning and purpose in your blog remain.

This post contains affiliate links.

See the comments for this post: On My Bookshelf: Resources for the New Year

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If you want to make some real changes in your home, every Monday we’re going to take action on a trouble spot. It won’t be hard, but it will make a big impact. Are you with us?

Are you ready to make some changes? I sure am. The place we’re going to start is the pile of clothes in the bedroom, the one that’s beside your bed or on your chair.

Why start there? Because I know you usually clean your bedroom last.

We’re going to put away the clothes you took off before you collapsed into bed.

You probably wore them once and thought you might wear them again. They weren’t dirty enough to throw in the laundry, but since they’ve been sitting in a pile, you don’t know if they’re dirty or clean.

How to decide if clothes are dirty or clean:

1. Do a visual check for any dirt or stains.

2. Sniff your clothes to see if they smell clean. (Don’t check socks and underclothes! Always assume those are dirty.)

If your clothes look and smell clean, then they ARE clean, even if you’ve worn them. Hang them back up in your closet or stack them in your drawer with the rest of your clean clothes.

If you have lots of clothes in your pile, you can put them all in the laundry and give yourself a fresh start.

See the comments for this post: Clear the Clutter: The Pile of Clothes in Your Bedroom

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This week I shared styling tips for wavy hair, how I simplified my skin care, and today I want to wrap up Beauty Week with makeup. I thought we could look inside my makeup bag.

It’s a small collection because I do makeup the same way I do clothes: I have a few things that I love to use.

In my makeup bag:

1. Creamy Concealer by Bobbi Brown

2. Skin Foundation SPF 15 by Bobbi Brown

3. Old mascara wand for an eyebrow brush

4. Voluminous Mascara by Loreal – this is really great

5. Burt’s Bees lip gloss

6. Eye shadow by Urban Decay (color “Sin”) – it lasts all day. Urban Decay is known for eye shadow. (I avoid the glittery ones though.)

7. Cheek stain by Tarte – this is like a gel stick not a powder.

8. Lipstick by Bobbi Brown (Treatment Lip Shine SPF 15 in “Raspberry Pink”)

9. Tweezerman tweezers

See the comments for this post: Inside My Makeup Bag

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