Moms Stand Strong

What? Get Rid of My Old Makeup?!

2013-01-14T22:02:00.002-05:00

As I reached into my makeup drawer today, and lifted out my new mascara, I saw something that I subconsciously realized I had done. I did not throw out my old mascara. (I know, I know, insert theatrical suspenseful music here).

I bought the new one because I knew the one that I had was getting old. But why had I held onto the old one. It should be an automatic reflex for me, when I bring in the new out goes the old. But it didn't happen that way. Why? Well I will admit to myself and to all reading I do know why. I was afraid I wasn't going to like my new mascara and was afraid of letting go of the old one, just in case. Now I've been using the new mascara for a few weeks, and though I don't love it as much as the other brand I was using I knew what I needed to do. It made it into the trash with a small thud. I know the stories and the information in regards to old makeup and the germs they hold, so it had to be done. But it just shows you that it's so easy to hold onto even the small things in life because well, just in case. Even for an organizer as myself.

I am happy to share this insightful and funny article http://radiantbeautyworks.wordpress.com/2013/01/13/make-up-whore-der/ with you from www.radiantbeautyworks.wordpress.com. It reminded me of not only our makeup but a few other things in our makeup drawer we need to take a look at! "Like" her site, you'll be updated with great tips and reviews on skin products that can be found locally.

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Being Organized for the Holidays

2012-12-12T19:34:00.000-05:00

"Oh the weather outside is frightful"...but the holidays don't need to be!

Some Organizing tips to get you through the season:

1. Plan your menus early. If you are making cookies or other baked items, prepare ahead of time and freeze. It's an easy fix to pull out cookies when an unexpected guest arrives.

2. Make a list (s) - Santa does it!

- For gifts, list item, who its for, and where you plan on purchasing it.
Keep the list once you are done and place it with the packages until you are
ready to wrap. When it's time to wrap you will have a handy list to remember
who you bought which gift for.

- Grocery shopping - For your holiday menu, potlucks, and any other parties

3. Use a calendar and plan to do a little of your tasks each day. Don't get overwhelmed and try to finish everything in one day.

4. Ask for help. Ask guest to bring a dish or other family members to help wrap.

5. Set your table early. The day before is great. One week before take out linens and iron if necessary. If you need more seating but don't have enough, reach out early and ask guests to bring some.

6. If you receive greeting cards or invitations respond right away. This is an easy task that can be taken off your to do list (or not even make it to the list).

Happy Holidays!

November/December 2012 Book Club Selection

2012-11-07T12:54:00.003-05:00

Wild

From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail

Written By Cheryl Strayed

This months selection is a Non-Fiction adventure. After the author had faced family loss and personal life changes the author made a decision to hike the Pacific Crest Trail, alone.

Join me in reading and giving your thoughts on this two month book club selection.

What to Do With Leftover Halloween Candy

2012-10-31T13:33:00.000-04:00

Do your children come home with bags overflowing with Halloween candy? Maybe you didn't have as many trick or treaters this year visiting your house and you still have a large bowl full of candy.

If you're like me there is always a small pile of candy sitting around our house usually the kind that my children either don't like or are too hard on their teeth. Try these leftover Halloween candy tips.

Tips for using up leftover Halloween Candy

1. Check with your dentist. There are many that offer buy back, and give a surprise for candy. They will even send the leftover candy to our troops overseas.

2. Offer a trade. Let them purchase one large candy bar in exchange for the gummy candies that the dentist don't recommend.

2. Use hard & sticky colorful candies for decorating your gingerbread houses or gingerbread people for Christmas.

3. Use them in your desert recipes. Add M&Ms to your cookies. Combined Snickers, MilkyWays & Malted Milk balls to your ice cream for a surprise treat

4. Do you make an Advent calendar? Use pieces for your daily surprise.

Coffee House

2012-10-13T16:30:00.000-04:00

Book Club

October 2012

"Gilded Age" by Claire McMillan

A first novel from the author

Do You Have Monsters Under Your Bed?

2012-10-12T16:13:00.000-04:00

Halloween is upon us. It’s so much fun to pick out, or make costumes for our children. We decorate our homes and watch spooky, or as in my house, not so spooky Halloween movies.

But for some reason I think my children hear more creaks and strange noises from our old house this time of year than in other months. So when my daughter thought she heard a noise under her bed I of course needed to oblige and checked for any strange monsters who may have decided to make it their home for Halloween.

And to my surprise I think there has been one living under her bed. This one loves scraps of paper, old drawings (the ones I thought I secretly put in the recycling bin), a rock collection, old dress up princess gloves, twelve silly bands, three plastic rings, a few other little collections and one missing snuggle doggie.

Though I don’t think any of these things have been searched for at least in the last few weeks, she cannot bear to part with any of them. So after a little debate we decided on a compromise. We would place a small basket under her bed. This would be the catch all basket. Instead of these items getting dropped on the floor at the end of the day and then ultimately “accidently” swept under or scooped under the bed from our little bed monster, she would place them in the basket. I felt once the basket filled up I could reach in the bottom for the older items that never got used and quietly discard them.

For the old princess gloves, I searched for the matching costume and proceeded to collect last year’s costumes for the rest of the family. They don’t fit this year, so it’s time to pass down to nieces and nephews or donate. Another option that I highly recommend when it comes to costumes that have little wear on them is to consign them. Consignment shops love getting them, usually in mid-late September, but will usually take them throughout October if they are short on a good selection, and you may make a few dollars.

For now the creaking sounds in my home have quieted; I think it’s time to enjoy a monster marathon on TV. But maybe first I should take one look inside their closets for any monsters that may be hiding in there.

Kristin Gallant is a Professional Organizer working with individuals and families and small businesses creating organized spaces in their homes and offices. She also works with seniors who are downsizing. For more information please visit www.livingorganizedhealthy.com or email kristin.gallant@livingorganizedhealthy.com.

Storing you Fresh Summer Herbs

2012-10-08T14:13:00.003-04:00

Basil, Oregano, Thyme oh My! So many herbs in my garden. If you are like me, having fresh herbs in your garden bring those wonderful final flavor touches to those summer dishes. But why should it end there. As the cold months approach my herbs are still flourishing, or they will be until that first frost takes over.
So it's time to bring those flavors in and store them for the winter. There are a few things you can do.

1) Dig up those herbs and replant them in an indoor container. If you have the space for this, this can be a great option. But just remember to check for insects on the plant and roots before doing this. There is nothing like bringing unwanted pests into your kitchen.

2) Clip them and store your fresh herbs in a glass on the counter or in your refrigerator. Just be careful that your refrigerator is not too cold, you're basil and other softer herbs can get a little frostbite in there and spoil quickly.

3) You can dry them. Wash the herbs and dry them well. I then take my herbs and put them in bunches and tie them by the stem, & hang them upside down. I have a hanging fruit/veggie basket that I like to tie mine to. But if you don't have that, take a wire hanger, use a piece of string or other fastener and attach to the hanger. You can place your hanger on a curtain rod, or if you have a hanging pot rack. For the time they are hanging they add great decor and smell wonderful. Once dry, for herbs like Rosemary or Thyme place them in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush the leaves off of the stem. If you dry oregano or other leafy herbs just crush them by hand.

Once crushed you can place them in a mason jar, or an old herb container. Just take off the old label & mark with the date. I also like using reusable glass herb containers. I paint the top lid with chalkboard paint write the herb name on top and date it. They look great and keep my cabinet organized.

Great way to organize and save your summer herbs and save some money in the meantime.

Thank you for visiting. I know this can sometimes feel overwhelming. It's ok to call an expert and friend to help. Getting organized takes time, energy and sometimes money to get to where you want or need to be. Having a 3rd party involved in this process will help it move along. Yes it might mean spending money to hire a professional but you will be able to see your goals attained in a more resourceful way.
visit me at www.livingorganizedhealthy.com or email me at: kristin.gallant@livingorganizedhealthy.com

Summer Organizing

2012-06-08T13:49:00.005-04:00

The Summer is coming, we're opening our windows here in the North East. Isn't it time to get our spaces in order? I know my children will be out of school soon. There is little time to dig under the kitchen sink, pantry, or bedroom closet and to straighten things out when you have little ones wanting your attention, never mind the warm sunny weather outside calling me.

So beginning these projects always start out as a small project, but then you notice the mess in the cabinet next to the one your working on, and then on top of the refrigerator and before you know it everything is pulled out, and 3 hours later you feel rushed to put everything back so not to have a mess before dinner or heading out!

Where to start?

1) Choose a small area, even if it is in a large room. Stick with that area, keep a box near by for items to relocate. And try to keep focused on that area only, it is easy to wander.

2) Don't be afraid to throw things out. Do you have a stash of dry herbs that are 3 years old, its time. Don't let the guilt get to you on how much you spent for that one spice that you used only once and the chances you'll use again are slim. You will feel much better when your area is organized. Remove the guilt.

You can do this! Just start small. If you still feel overwhelmed maybe it's time to ask for outside help. It's an easy way to make good progress and you don't have to do alone. A professional can help guide you and give you ideas that you may not have thought of before. Check out my website for additional information, www.livingorganizedhealthy.com

January 2012 Book Club Selection

2011-12-22T19:28:00.001-05:00

Shockaholic - Author: Carrie Fisher

Best Invention Ever - Towel Warmer

2011-11-17T12:33:00.003-05:00

You bet! There is nothing like getting out of a shower and having a warm towel to wrap around your body.

Like the good mother I try to be I would throw the towels in the dryer to warm them up for my little pumpkins but by the time I came up the stairs they would have cooled off. Or I would hang them in front of the fireplace which seemed to work, but then I started thinking hey what about me will anyone warm a towel for me? And then when I exit the shower would they come running with a warm piece of heaven to wrap my aging sagging body in (It does need more care then normal lately). No the towels never came.

Ah ha! So when I saw a towel warmer listed in a Brookstones catalogue I asked Santa right away for one. I pictured that this addition to my slightly larger than 5'x5' bathroom would transform the room to an elite spa (I could practically hear the slight dripping of the waterfalls in the distance). So it was to my dismay that Santa did not deliver one (I secretly think he thought it was a great idea himself so deciding to keep it, him and the misses Clause are enjoying my gift?)

I decided after that my husband needed to take the family for a nice visit to the outlets the week after Christmas. To my delight in the Brookstone's outlet, there right in front of my eyes, were towel warmers! And what a savings almost 50% off. These were ones that were returned, I still cannot fathom why anyone would return such a piece of the future. But still I was going home with one and with a great savings. So I picked the one that I thought had everything it needed in the package, and the box looked great. Got home and plugged it in, one problem no directions. Well how hard can this be, an on and off button. Easy. I threw a towel in and waited. The light clicked off I pulled it out and wa-la the right and left corners of the towel were warm as a hot bun in the oven, but that was it.
Ok, I seriously had a problem, how do I fold the towel so that I get warmth all over. I tried folding it this way and that, I piled in multiple towels. I even made animals shapes like they do in some hotels, though mine looked more like rodents, but no luck. My last attempt was to leave the towel open unravelled and placed gently in. I found this to be the best option. Warmth now meets me getting out of the shower in the cold New England days.

Now that it has been almost a year later since I bought the towel warmer, I once again cannot wait to dust it off and be transported back to my Venetian spa trance like state, even if it does only last for 1 minute 30seconds after it touches your body. It is one item I will not want to go without.

(if you have a better way of improving the towel crumpling so it warms more effectively, or if you have the directions on one, I would love to hear from you)

Super Coupon-ing - My Effort To Save Some Money (Bulk Shopping Stores)

2011-11-17T11:50:00.001-05:00

My Trial Run:
Ok, so you've heard about the Super Coupon-ers who buy a $1000's worth of food and get $.01 back. Sounds great right?! So I thought why can't I do this, I mean you can never have too many antacids, or cans of petrified meat that never expires.

So I did a little planning.
I decided where I wanted to shop, a local grocery store and then a large bulk chain, BJ's. I looked over their weekly ad for specials and any extra coupons. And decided what I needed to buy.

Then it was time to look for the coupons. I bought the local paper, but a little disappointed with only a couple of fliers, and mostly adds for designer checks and back supporting bras. So I clipped the few coupons that I thought would be worth the purchase.

Then I joined a flurry of coupon sites on-line, to find out that they all have the same online coupons that are available.

Next it was onto the manufactures sites directly. This I found to be pretty tedious and time consuming. But the sites that did offer coupons I felt excited and a rush to continue looking.

After hours of preparing, over two days I was ready to shop. I could tell at this point I wasn't going to be getting any money back from the stores, but I was hopeful that I would be saving quite a bit of money.

So I decided to try BJs, bought items I mostly needed, added a few extra I may not have normally bought, to qualify for some of the coupons you need to purchase multiple items.
Total amount at register $300 - coupons $91 = $209 amount paid. Ok so not a super shopper but I felt great about the savings.
The thing to remember about this chain is that they will take a manufacturer's coupon in addition to their coupons that they put out. BJs coupons are sent out monthly to members and can also be found online in their website.
One of the better ways to save here is when they put out their coupon magazine, inside some of the manufacturers come out with the Buy 5 items save $10. And then on top of that savings I also add at least one coupon for each item, so their could be at least 5 additional $1.00 coupons on top of that for a total savings of $15 for buy 5 items. This is almost like buying 2 items get 3 free.

Couple of other tips I found, you do need to know your prices just because it is bulk doesn't mean it is a better price. You may have a coupon to save $1.00 when you buy one, but the item may run $6.00 for the larger bulk size so you pay $5.00. But if you were to use the same coupon at a grocery store the smaller item may only be $2.50 and you only pay $1.50, and then use 2 coupons for buying two of the same item you may be at the bulk size and have only spent $3.00 rather than $5.00

Also when you start searching for coupons and deals it might be a good choice to have a separate email address for all the Junk email to go to. Then you only need to check it when you are ready to shop and won't bog down your regular email.

So are there savings to be had, absolutely, will I be saving $1000s of dollars? Maybe not next month, but I will be getting ready for my next trip to the grocery store to see how much I can save. Wish me luck!

From Working Mom to Stay at Home Mom - The Journey Begins

2011-11-10T14:07:00.002-05:00

The Economy... don't you just love hearing about it everyday?! You want to reach for the remote to turn the channel but you have that small glimmer of hope that the one time you turn the channel it will be good news.

Its had it's effect on us all in different and similar ways. For me a full time working mother with two children in grade school to now a full time stay at home mom.

I would like to say that this was by choice, but it wasn't. Boy did I daydream about all the things I could and would do if I was only a stay at home mother. Make handcrafted presents, have a lush garden, be the mother bringing the kids to after school events and parties, and of course working out every day.

Of course I always felt some guilt for working. I always felt I needed to be there more for my children. Though secretly I think I need them more than they need me. This is not to say that being a working mother does not have its advantages, you have a career and if you are so lucky to have a job that you love well its not just "a job" but part of what makes you, you. I had no choice in my situation. My husband works full time but to make ends meet I needed to also work. So now being thrown into a "stay at home mom" situation (at least temporarily), and not so secretly loving it, I have a challenge.

The Challenge:
To do all the stay at home mom things I always thought I would do if I wasn't working.

The Issues:
1. Not working there is not as much (or nearly any) money to do all the things I was hoping to do. So one of my many tasks will to try all of the money saving tips I see and hear about everywhere. Look for the bargains.

2. Staying motivated & stay on track. I can see the pile of papers collecting now (I'm sure there is something better I could be doing instead of going through 10 years of old bills like cleaning out the lint of the dryer hose....it's a fire hazard right?)

The Advantages:
I have the time...right?? We'll see.......

November 2011 Book Club & Book Reviews

2011-11-10T14:03:00.002-05:00

Book discussions/reviews:

The Dovekeepers - By Alice Hoffman

Lets Get Healthy

2011-11-09T15:29:00.002-05:00

Join me on a personal challenge to get healthier.

Watch our Fitness counter at the bottom of the page, long term goal spring 2012.

I find it there is always an excuse for myself not to get out and exercise. One of my many challenges is to finally get in shape and feel healthier. Weekly I will post what activities I will do to get me closer to my goal.
Leave your comments below on ways you plan on getting healthier and share your ideas with everyone.

Lets work together to reach our own goals.

Goal : 14 days 2 lbs....why not go slow, besides the holidays are coming (you noticed I didn't say lose 2lbs, I just hope I don't gain 2lbs)

Re-arrange, Stain, Paint & Renovate the house

2011-11-08T21:14:00.000-05:00

Day 1:
Sounds motivational to me, right? To start on all the projects I usually walk by and say "ughhh, tomorrow I'll have to get to that." Painting & fixing furniture, hanging pictures, moving that chair 1 foot to the left so I no longer bump into it when I walk through the door!
But one problem, where to start? Maybe it's better to sleep on it and get started first thing tomorrow?