Thursday, 25 July 2013

Joyful and Grateful in July

Summer fun has gotten the best of me and July has already come and gone.  And although I can't even begin to imagine how that happened, it is already that time to reflect and say THANK YOU to those that have kept the blog lights on for the other twenty plus posts this month.


My sponsors keep this blog alive and I am forever grateful that they support my daily posts, projects, blog expenses and time.  Today I am giving them my gratitude and thanks for keeping this little ol' dream of mine alive.

They are each amazing for endless reasons and many are offering up special promos and discounts to you lovely friends as well, so enjoy!




  • Kiwi Crate offers fun and engaging arts, crafts, and science projects for kids
  • Designed by parents, approved by child experts, and, most importantly, tested by kids!
  • Receive a crate filled with projects and activities every month






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IHeart Organizing readers can receive $10 off + Free Shipping on the Summer Discovery Pack!  No Code Required, expires 7/30/13.
 
 
  • Alejandra released her brand new video series that shows you 3 e-a-s-yyyy things to do tonight, that when applied, will leave you feeling more organized tomorrow when you wake up.  How's that for starting the day off right?!  You can sign up to watch the free videos here.


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    • Yes, we are busy but we can still have fun and we can still express our individuality. That is why See Jane Work was born.
    • See Jane Work appreciates your business, so much so that they have created Jane's Rewards; a way for you to earn points doing what you love... shopping at seejanework.com.
    • The new See Jane Work line is now available at Office Depot.





    • Wishy Washi Tape is your one stop shop for all things washi tape.
    • They carry all of the top Japanese lines but also carry some super budget friendly options as well.
    • They don't just stop with washi tape though.  They also carry multiple sizes of baker's twine, rubber stamps, floral paper straws and cute little stationery items.



    All current Wishy Washi Tape promotions can be found on their website here.









      
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    IHeart Organizing readers can save 10% off two or more custom mood board service with code TLMULTI10.  Expires 8/3/13.


    • Enjoy free premEAR concierge service!
    • Mousetales Travel does all the work, you have all the fun!
    • If Disney announces a promotion for your dates after you've booked your vacation with Mouse Tales Travel, they will apply the promotion to your reservation without you doing anything!
     
     




    • If you regularly read organizing books, newsletters and blogs but still struggle to create the organization you are after, simplify 101 has the perfect solution for you - choose from self-paced workshops, expert guided online workshops, and one-on-one coaching.
    • Simplify 101's workshops take the guess-work out of getting organized, giving you simple, step-by-step plans so you can discover - and put into action - the organizing solutions that are just right for you.
    • Whether you want to organize your closet, create new habits and routines, organize a craft work space, or create an organizing game-plan for your whole home, simplify 101's online courses and e-books give you bite-sized action steps that make it simple to take action without getting overwhelmed.



    Simplify101 makes getting organized simple, fast and {best of all} fun, so you can cut clutter and reduce stress - giving you more time for what matters most to you!  IHeart Organizing readers can get 15% off their expert guided online classes and instant downloads by entering code HRT15JUL13 during checkout through August 1st, 2013.  This coupon excludes instant downloads and may  not be combined with any other offers.  {Pssst!  Right now, simplify 101 is offering an even bigger discount on The FUNdamentals of Getting Organized and Organize Your Creative Space!  Register by the August 1st early bird deadline to save 20%!}


    • SugarSNAP designs smart, stylish solutions to help parents get and stay organized.  They were formed by mom's of twins, so they know from personal experience the endless stuff that goes along with being a parent can be overwhelming, so they set out to create a truly innovative way to organize your diaper bag!
    • Hey sugar, sugarSNAP is thrilled to announce their popular Wyatt colorway will soon be back in stock!
    • Due to popular demand, they're relaunching the gorgeous black and white combo that goes with any diaper bag or work tote.
    • Check their site later this summer to see the Wyatt and their NEW set, the Lily, a beautiful pink with olive accents!



    • Fridge Coasters are super absorbent "liners" {made of wood pulp board} that come in different sizes to fit all high traffic areas of your refrigerator = no more scrubbing!
    • Place under produce in the crisper bins to keep your veggies fresh longer, or under milk and salad dressing in the door bins to absorb drips.
    • Made 100% in the USA of 30% {or more} post-consumer product.  Please recycle when finished!



    Save 10% on all orders ALL the time with code IHEART10!



    • It's time to get stylish and sassy with Sassy Aprons!
    • Whether being used for gardening, in the kitchen, at the salon or at a restaurant, you will be sure to find one that fits your personality and needs.
    •  Sassy Aprons are original designs, handmade, unique, created to flatter the body and the ties are long and adjustable to fit almost any figure.  A win win for all!





    • Uppercase Living allows you to express your unique style with adorable, customizable vinyl decals.
    • The new Fall/Winter catalog is LIVE!
    • Now featuring Uppercase INK, which has the capability to create multi-colored subway-style art at a fraction of the cost of traditional custom vinyl.
    • Until the end of July, the cost to sign up as a new demonstrator is only $49.95.





    •  The Spring Cleaning mini-boot camp, offered at $14.95, will automatically send you daily task emails, delivered right into your inbox for 30-days that follow the plan to get your home sparkling {$45 value}.
    • Full access member support as you follow through on your spring cleaning with your private Buttoned Up Spring Clean Facebook Group {$67 value}
    • Bonus: Free Printable 30-day plan that you can print out the tasks and follow along with - or better yet, cross them off - in the analog world {$10 value} 
     
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      • Did you know that will the help of Michelle over at 5 Dinners in 1 Hour, you can have a week's worth of meals prepared for your family, within only ONE hour!?
      •  All the menu plans offered have family friendly meals that feed 4-6 people and no, they are not all casseroles and they are fresh, not frozen. 
      • Each week you are able to download a detailed meal plan and correlating grocery list, saving you time and money each week!  Not to mention, less stress over that dreaded "What's for dinner?" question.



      Right now Michelle is offering half off 6 months subscriptions!  To receive this great deal check out her site here!


      My appreciation spreads wide from my sponsors to you sweet readers!  Thank you for bringing me joy each and every day!


      Pssssst!  More to come shortly!  Contributor Serena is stopping in next!

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      Wednesday, 24 July 2013

      Reader Space: Organized Gift Wrap Goodness!

      I have featured a few different gift wrap organization solutions, however, no single solution always works for everyone.  Variety is key when it comes to organization since we all work differently, so I am excited to share with you how one reader is stashing away her gift wrapping supplies, in a super functional {and absolutely adorable} way!


      Abby is a darling gal who runs a blog titled Just a Girl and Her Blog.  She shares her daily sweetness and home projects with the world wide web, and recently revealed her beautiful master bedroom makeover.  Although there is endless goodness in her room update, you know my heart did back flips for one part in particular.  The concealed gift wrap organization.  It's fan-freaking-tastic!!!


      What is the main function of the project?

      "This trunk that we use for gift wrapping supplies resides in our newly-refreshed bedroom! Because we live in a small-ish townhouse, many of our pieces of furniture do double or triple duty. The trunk provides a seating area for putting on shoes, a resting place for the laundry basket while I'm putting away clothes, and now has the additional responsibility of corralling all of our wrapping paper, gift bags, gift boxes, and bows so that we always know where to find exactly what we need."



      Any superstar tips for keeping it organized?

      "Everything has a specific place {with a label!}.  It can be really tempting to throw everything in the trunk and just close the lid, but when everything has its own little area, it's easy to return things to their rightful 'home' and keep it organized. I really tried to use the sides of the trunk and maximize the usage of vertical space so that everything wasn't laying on top of each other, which helps too."
      What items were essential when working on this project?

      "The tension rod made it super easy to corral the gift bags and boxes and Command strips and hooks really helped with the hanging storage. I am definitely a fan of baskets and bins and incorporating them into this space to hold ribbons and bows was a no-brainer! And, as always, labels, labels, labels!


      In addition to printing and laminating labels for each section of storage, I used washi tape and my label maker to label my greeting card organizer. The little pops of color make me smile every time I open it!"


       

      What did you do to go the extra mile and "Make it Pretty"?

      "Even though I knew it would be underneath the wrapping paper and other supplies, I lined the bottom with pretty chevron shelf liner that I picked up at T.J. Maxx. Every once in a while I'll catch a glimpse of it peeking through, and it makes me smile! Plus it helps to protect the trunk a little bit.


      The other colorful accessories also helped to prettify this little beauty--labels and various baskets and bins complimented the already colorful wrapping paper, gift bags and boxes, and ribbons and bows."



      What items did you DIY to stay on a budget?

      "I was making over the rest of the room, so this trunk needed some major love while I was at it! It started out pretty rough.


      The paint made a huge difference. This was my first project using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint, which was really fun. I loved that it helped me to take an old, worn out hand-me-down piece and give it new life again. It gives the room more of a personal touch instead of going out and buying something off the shelf.


      Once the trunk was painted, the organizational systems just fell into place. I used an inexpensive tension rod, wire bin, and expandable file from Target and the little green bins are from Dollar Tree--4 for $1! Holla!"


       How has this project impacted your life for the better?

      "I have always loved making gifts look extra special with pretty paper and bows, but I was so not motivated when I had to look through a big pile of crunched up, unorganized materials to try to find what I needed. 

      Our new system makes it so easy to find what I need quickly and then just pop it back into its place. Everyone is going to be getting the cutest wrapped gifts from us!"


      And since we all love a good before and after:



      How can you not want to organize your gift wrap after a story like that?  So much about this project to crush on!

      • The trunk makeover alone is beautiful!  I love how the paint transformed her outdated storage.
      • Lining anything with bright and pretty paper is sure to bring a smile to your face. 
      • The card organizer was functional from the start, but the addition of pretty washi labels really makes it sing!  And I love that she selected an accordion organizer for her cards.  Smart girly!
      • The tension rod really adds oodles of storage along the edge of the trunk, I love that gift bags and boxes can be easily stored in a compact way.
      • Abby added hooks for her scissors and supplies, right on the walls of the trunk.  Another great use of space and they will always be easy peasy to find.
      • The use of a small dowel for her ribbon within the basket is another great tip!  It is simple to swap out ribbon, and to quickly pull some in the middle of a wrapping job.
      • She put baskets inside of baskets!  They act as great dividers for her bows and gift toppers.
      • This project was all done on a budget and with inexpensive solutions from Target and the dollar store.  Yet it looks like a million buckaroos!

      A HUGE thank you to Abby for submitting her darling project and giving me a little extra inspiration to get my wrapping supplies under control.  Seriously, mine look far worse than her before image... it isn't a pretty picture.

      Were you able to snag some ideas and inspiration from this wonderful feature as well?  Where do you store your wrapping essentials?


      ATTENTION!!  Want to be featured in a Reader Space edition?  Have an awesome organizing story to share?  I am looking for projects that have made a positive impact to your life.  Please submit your story and photos here and I would heart to feature them right here, on the blog!!  Photos should be high resolution and unedited.  Please include a description of the project, including any costs, inspiration, and how it has changed your life and routine for the better!  Oh, and no worries my friends, we will NEVER judge "before" pictures because that just wouldn't be nice!  Only love goes on at this blog!
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