Posts Tagged ‘organization’

Holiday Stress Getting You Down?

Friday, December 10th, 2010

It is that time of year again, where people are busy busy busy. I know I sometimes lose sight of what this time of year should feel like and signify. For me, on a Friday afternoon, I just want some fun and family.  Simply put, I am going to have an Elf-ishly good time using the program elf yourself with photos of my family and I. Yes, it is exactly how it sounds – you can place your photo along with photos of others, on elf bodies. On top of that, the bodies sign and dance. Oh yes, it gets even better, you can send your personalized elf video to your friends and family for their amusement.

So, If you are feeling bogged down with stress, remember to laugh and make time for fun and family, whether direct of indirect. It is nice to know that someone out there is thinking of you, and these videos are little reminders of that. If you are feeling overwhelmed with all that is going on around you, try to get organized and make sure to make time for fun. Some of our organizational planners and calendars may just be the perfect item for you to spoil yourself with this holiday year, or a special woman as busy as you.

Oh, and did I forget to mention, you can even ELF your pet?!

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What's For Dinner?

Wednesday, June 16th, 2010

Monthly Weekly Calendar

For those of us with families, “what’s for dinner?” is a question that looms over us almost every day as we frantically look for answers in the supermarket, in the fridge and freezer, or worse, at the nearest fast food joint.

One way to eat healthier, save money, and get home cooked meals on the table more often is to plan ahead each week. Consider using a menu planner! This way, you can streamline your grocery shopping and meal preparations.  It only takes a few minutes to create a meal plan once a week and ultimately, you’ll save a load of time (and stress) during the week.

Tips for Creating a Meal Plan

Monthly Weekly Calendar

Get Inspired. Comb through your cookbooks, take out the recipes you’ve torn from magazines, and check websites to print out recipes you’d like to try.  This Week of Menus blog has some great recipe options that look delicious! After a bit of research, pick your favorites and use them to help create your menu for the week (remember to consider which recipes will have leftovers!)

Use what you have. When doing your planning, think of meals that can be made with ingredients you already have in the house. We all have a staple of food items that are always in the fridge or pantry, usually for meals and recipes we’re most familiar with. Keep this is mind: It’s helpful to use your tried-and-true dinner recipes on busy nights, and save the fancy meal for a day when you’ll have more time to be creative and adventurous with your cooking.

Plan for the entire week. Sit down one day on the weekend, and plan the entire week’s worth of meals. Our Eat Well! Monthly/Weekly Meal Planning Calendar is a great option for this, because it comes with a standard monthly grid, as well as a weekly pad for meal planning. The pad has space for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner, as well as a perforated shopping list! Fill in the meals for the week ahead and post it on the fridge for the whole family to see.

Recycle! Consider saving a successful weekly menu plan for future use. File them away (these accordion folders would do the trick!) and revisit them in the future.

Remember, menu plans are not written in stone. Write it out in pencil and give your permission to erase or alter the plan as circumstances change.

Comment below and let us know what’s on your menu for the week!

(Photos Courtesy of Weekofmenus.blogspot.com)

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How to Brighten Your Space on a Budget

Wednesday, April 21st, 2010

Whether it’s a cubicle, office, or room in your home, there’s no better time than spring to start brightening your space. You should feel inspired and rejuvenated by the places you inhabit –vibrant colors and pretty blooms chase away the doldrums even on rainy days.

It’s easier (and cheaper!) than you think…

1. Get it Together

Office Organization

You can’t expect to live well in any space without a little organization. Yeah, we know, organizing sounds like a bummer. But you can make it fun by using bright and lively organization tools, like these humorous Knock Knock file folders. Once everything has a spot, give your space a good scrubbing.. It’s important to feel like you’re starting from a fresh canvas. Then move to step 2.

2. Art from Anywhere

Vintage Art Poster

Adding artwork to your walls makes a big impact and if you’re creative, barely dents your bank account. Rummage through your favorite local second-hand store for vintage posters—you never know what you might find! You can also cut out images from your favorite calendar and pick up inexpensive frames from an arts and crafts store and voila! You’ve got fancy pictures on your walls, on a starving artist’s budget.

Looking for something a little more personal? Try having your favorite travel photos made into 8×10 or 11×14 prints (an 8×10 from Snapfish.com is just $2.99!). Then you have art, a memory, and a story waiting to be told…all on your wall!

3. Get Natural

Office Plants

Of course plants are easy on the eyes, but bringing nature into your space has many other benefits. Plants are shown to reduce stress, enhance attitudes, and improve air quality. Their continuous conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen will have you, and everyone around you, breathing easier.

Comment below with your own budget decorating tips!

(Photos Courtesy of Weheartit.com)

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