May Madness (& my favorite time management tips!)

Happy month of May friends!  Who else out there has a FULL calendar this time of year???  It’s such a wonderful time of year but can easily feel stressful with sooo many activities & special events all at once.  It’s kind of like Christmas time in my world.  Super special & fun but I have to be really intentional about scheduling my day so I can keep calm and happy and healthy!  #ifmommaain’thappynobodyhappy #amiright?

Here’s what I have rockin’ right now… school programs, field trips, chess club, running club, sports practices/games, graduations, weddings, clients, birthday parties, planning our summer, PTO commitments, working, etc!  And that’s on top of normal day-to-day stuff…homework, keeping food in the fridge, laundry, etc!  #allgoodthings  #iloveitall

Sound familiar???  Can you relate???

I LOVE to hear how others manage their time and I LOVE to learn new tips & tricks for being more productive (& maintaining your sanity!) so I thought I’d share a few I’ve picked up along the way in case you like to learn about that, too!

1.  Write it down

I make a “to do” list everyday – either right before bedtime or first thing in the morning with my cup of coffee.  Then I number them in order of importance.  I typically tackle the hardest and/or most important task first because it sets the tone for the day and ensures I get the most pressing thing done.  I still keep a paper planner and carry it everywhere with me!

2. Reward yourself

I like to makes deals with myself… e.g. If I rock out the laundry and clean the kitchen and wrap the birthday presents, then I get to go to Starbucks and take an hour to browse my favorite antique store.  Or if update my website and send client thank you notes then I get an hour to walk outside with a friend.  This does two things… it motivates me so I get everything done AND I get to do the fun things that really energize me and fill my cup.

3.  Get enough sleep

 

 

During extra busy times I make an extra effort to get to bed on time.  I like to read at night and can easily stay up too late with a good book, but I cut myself off after a chapter or two.  A good night of sleep makes everything better.  Period.

4.  Make chores fun

I’ve found that lighting a candle and listening to upbeat music while cleaning makes the cleaning more enjoyable, and I’m pretty sure the music makes me finish my chores faster.  #countryandpoparemyjams    When my kiddos and I are picking up together we like the jams turned up loud… I think the music puts us all in a good mood and then we’re too busy singing to whine.  😉

5.  Schedule down time/fun

When life is extra crazy I find that I need down time and time with friends/loved ones more than ever.  While scheduling a lunch or shopping trip with a friend could easily seem like one more thing to add to the chaos, I find that it actually grounds me and makes me more productive.  Maybe it’s because it puts everything in perspective?  Or simply spending time with a good friend and laughing energizes me?  Scheduling time to connect during crazy times always helps me!  #sothankfulforyoufriend  And scheduling a few hours of down time to do something relaxing always helps, too…wake up early to take a bath in peace?  Sit in the sun with a good book for 30 minutes?  Yes.  Yes.

6.  Organized home

During busy seasons of life are when I notice that I most benefit from having an organized home.  We’re all busy and we need our homes to work hard for us…if everything has a place and a system it helps me feel in control even when I feel like I could use more than 24 hours in a day.  Being organized saves tons of time & my sanity.

7.  Prepare ahead

Lastly, I like to do anything ahead of schedule that I can.  I often purchase birthday presents months early because I want to avoid feeling stressed at the last minute.  I like to buy cloths on clearance for the next year because I like to save money but more importantly I like to know my boys have winter coats in their size when the temps start to drop.  Anything I can do early to avoid a stressed and rushed feeling I do.  This also keeps me caught up so I can say “Yes!” when a client calls.  Organizing jobs are often urgent needs/time sensitive needs and if I’m caught up then I’m available!  #organizingismyfavorite  #professionalorganizer  #fillsmycup

That’s it!  Those are my tried & true tips to saving my sanity & getting everything done when life is especially crazy.  What are your secrets to time management???  I’d love to hear!!!

P.S.  I just have to say ‘Thank You’ to my readers and my clients and my booth shoppers… if it wasn’t for you guys I wouldn’t be having the time of my life chalk painting and organizing and decorating… I LOVE MY JOBS and am so extremely thankful for all of you!!!                                                                                                                    ♥ – Sarah

 

 

 

Less options makes for more

Hello from My Happy Place blog! ♥   How are you guys???  Has Spring sprung where you are?  I’ve decorated for Spring and I’ve bought a new swimming suit… those are my efforts to make Spring come sooner than later!  Think it’ll work?  Ha!  It was 70 and sunny yesterday but I saw snow in the forecast for next week!  #doh!

I’ve learned so much this year you guys… through my studies of organizing & time management, and through my hands on experiences with clients.  What’s so so cool is applying what I’ve learned to a client project, and then hearing their follow-up story… e.g. I organize a kitchen and then my client finds she has rekindled her passion for cooking and baking and those things bring her so much joy!  #yessssss #timeforjoy    Even though I understand the power be organized can have on one’s life I’m still blown away each & every time.   #organizingchangeslives #iswear #ilovemyjob

 

 

A repeating trend I’ve noticed in my own life and in my clients is that having less of something can actually feel like & BE MORE.  What?!  I know… sounds goofy.  Imagine having 30 sweaters to choose from on a cold morning… which one do you wear?  You may have 20+ thoughts before you can even choose a darn sweater!  This sweater makes me itch, this sweater shows my love handles, this sweater never looks right, this one has a stain,  why did I even buy that one… etc., etc.  Finally you’ll make a choice… it’s likely a sweater you love and reach for often.  Imagine having only 6 sweaters that you freaking love and cannot wait to wear.   No decision/stress/time/thoughts necessary…it’s a win win.  You know you’ll look & feel amazing in any sweater you grab!  Boom.

Life is crazy busy these days… we’re all confronted with endless decisions everyday.  If you can eliminate some decisions for yourself it can decrease stress and save time, and increase contentment.   Less can really feel like more!  I’ve learned that it’s easier and much more fun to have 4 pairs of jeans that make me feel amazing compared to 10+ that are a mix of problems/inadequacies.

I think this is why I love Aldi so much.  There’s one ketchup to choose from and it’s a good price – no thought required – put it in the cart.  At other grocery stores I have to do math with each purchase… e.g. I usually buy the generic but today the name brand is on sale… which is a better deal?  And I can’t find the rice chex among the 300 cereal options at other stores so I have to go up and down the aisle twice!  I don’t have time for that!  I’d rather be at home playing outside with my kiddos.  At Aldi there are 8 cereals – no thought required – put it in the cart.  #aldirocks #aldiforlife

Here’s a less is more pantry I recently organized.  Here’s a “before” shot…

And here’s the “after”…

In this case less became more in that we removed appliances that weren’t being used so that the ones on repeat were easy to grab and go.  And we kept the favorite water bottles & lunch totes for each kiddo and donated the rest… less to choose from now and all choices are a win.  ♥

I never force my clients to get rid of anything that they want to keep or just aren’t ready to get rid of.  If having 30 sweaters brings you joy that’s awesome!  Maybe fashion is your jam!  I totally get it.  (And I’ll help you create a fabulous closet system for them!)  But for some of us having too much and having to make more decisions in a day is stressful.  I want to be as efficient at daily tasks/chores/obligations as possible so I have more time to do what I LOVE… spending time with my family… reading a book… going for a walk… having a glass of wine with my hubby.

Have you guys read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin?  It was published in 2009 and I remember reading about it.  I’m finally reading it and am halfway through.  It’s a wonderful read… it’s about making little tweaks to your life to increase your happiness even if you’re already happy.  Why not take it to another level?!  And not surprisingly she found that having less was more for her!  I highly recommend this book!

How many decisions do you think you make in 1 day?  Are there any areas in your life that could be simplified to eliminate decisions?  If you surround yourself with ONLY things you seriously LOVE and USE it can save time and money and stress.  For realz!  Who’s with me???  🙂

P.S.  Spring has sprung in My Happy Place booth, too!

Have a wonderful weekend friends!!!                                   ♥ – Sarah

 

Giving back gives me all the feels

Hi guys!  How are you?!  How is it February 1st?!  Did anyone make a New Year resolution?  I didn’t but I picked a word for 2018…last year I chose ENERGY and this year I’m going with JOY.  Just saying that brings me joy!  #ha! #truth

I’m thankful for opportunities to bring others joy…  through my work as a nurse and as a professional organizer… and as a mommy, wife, friend, etc.  Bringing others joy is what brings me joy!  It’s one of my love languages.  I’m going to be intentional about carving time out this year to continue to give back & give JOY.  You guys… I have to share this personal “Mission Statement” I came across recently.  I wrote this at a Nursing Leadership Workshop like 8 years ago.  And it still rings true!

I remember writing it and feeling like mine was too simple compared to those around me.  I wasn’t aspiring to be a CEO.  It’s simple.  It’s about my relationships with those in my world and that’s always been what has driven me and mattered to me most.  #justownit #beyou

A few months ago I had the opportunity to give back to the lovely lady who gave me my start with “My Happy Place” booth.  The store was going through the process of moving things around… moving the check out area was no small feat.  She reached out to hire me to organize the new area behind the cash register… receipts, price tags, extra office supplies, etc.   I wouldn’t let her hire me and I was so thrilled to do it for her!

Here are some “before” shots…

 And here are some “after” shots…

It was such a pleasure working on this space.

And then this week I got to help our school nurse with the school clothes closet!  So fun!  My little ones have benefited from the extra clothes on more than one occasion so it felt extra good to say thank you in this way.  I hope it brings the nurse, staff, & kiddos joy!

Here’s the “before”…

And here are the “after” shots…

And speaking of giving back… did you guys see ‘Fixer Upper’ this week?  Chip & Jo partnered with the Tim Tebow Foundation to remodel a home to fit the needs of a family with two sweet little boys in wheelchairs.  The home is now wheelchair friendly in every way and even has a race track in their backyard! #inserttears #beautiful

As always thanks for reading my little blog!  Have a joyful day!  ♥ – Sarah

Holiday happenings & Professional Organizing is more than just organizing

Happy Holidays from Spring Hill, KS!  Hi friends!  How are you???  I hope you’re well and enjoying the countdown to Christmas!  Just “3 more sleeps!” to go according to my 5 year old.   #throughtheeyesofachild  #magicalmoments

I didn’t take pictures of the entire house decked out (remember…bad blogger!), but I do have a few to share!  Enjoy!

I didn’t take a picture of the tree!  Ha!

In my organizing world I’ve been busy you guys!  #grateful  #pinchme

The organizing itself is awesome… solving a problem… creating a system that maintains itself with ease… using the creative side of my brain… I love all of that.  But of the long & growing list of reasons I’m loving Professional Organizing… the #1 reason is the relationships I form with my clients you guys. It’s truly such an honor every time I’m invited into someone’s home.  I just love people and getting to be a small part of their story is so special to me.

Did you see my most recent “before & after” on Instagram?  I rocked out a pantry this week, and I’m also working on a home office/master suite!  Here’s a “before”…

And here’s an “after”…

And then we added these custom labels!

Thank you for reading my little blog!  Blessings, love and peace to you this Christmas!

♥ – Sarah

Blogging is hard y’all

Friends!  I am the worst blogger ever!  I need an assistant to take my thoughts & ideas, my pictures (from my camera & my phone), and my hashtags… and magically move them from my brain to the computer in blog post form…  #thestruggleisreal

I’m way better at Instagram!  It’s quick and easy, and it gives a little glimpse of what I’m up to!  Be sure to follow me because that’s where I’m sharing projects in real time these days!  I’m @ myhappyplace_springhill                                                             #goodatInstagram #badatblogging  #2018goal=blogmore

Okay… last month recap… want to see some pictures of my home decorated for Fall?  I know they’re way overdue!  Come on in!  #atleastitsstillNovember

I’ll let the pictures do the talking.  Grab your coffee!  Or wine!  #Fridaynight #TGIF

Better late than never, right?!   🙂

And since we’re talking holiday decorating… want to see the sweet Christmas tree stand I found today?!  It’s an old metal milk box… I just removed the lid.  I was on the hunt for a basket or a bucket, and when I found this square metal box painted green I knew she’d be amazing!  And yes… I put up my tree tonight!  #November10 #bcitsfreezingout #feelslikexmas #canthelpmyself

I’ve been busy painting & stocking the booth… here’s a peek at some sprinklings of Christmas in my booth…

And I had fun trying my hand at milk paint for the first time!  Have you ever tried it?  It’s like magic!  It gave me a beautiful aged finish.  The only downside is that it comes in a powder form so you have to mix it with water – getting the exact consistency you’re after is a little tricky.  Here’s a before & after of a special chair…  it’s a family chair that I’m so honored to have!

The color is ‘Luckett’s Green’ by Miss Mustard Seed.  For you local peeps I bought it at Bella B in Overland Park – they carry Annie Sloan chalk paint and Miss Mustard Seed milk paint there!  I’m currently working on a ‘Luckett’s Green’ bench and an insanely awesome organizer for the booth.  #staytuned

I also gave my little mudroom hallway an update recently.  The baskets holding our shoes were looking rough.  I forgot to take a “before” shot – just picture falling apart plain brown baskets and dirty woodwork.  Here’s the “after” –

Ahhh… clean.  And I’m obsessed with those number plates!

In my Professional Organizing world I’ve been busy!  I seriously have to pinch myself with each job… I feel so fortunate to be doing something I’m so passionate about!  Helping clients achieve an organized and happy space that fixes an annoyance or trouble spot in their homes is so much fun and so rewarding!  Organizing changes lives you guys!  I recently rocked out a pantry, an office, & am preparing to help a school nurse with her storage areas.  #pinchme  #organizingismyjam #iheartmyjob

Did you see I’m running an Organize My Happy Place, LLC Holiday Special?  Between now and the end of the year… purchase 3 hours and get 1 hour FREE!  4 hours can rock out a kitchen, a playroom, a few closets… a TON can be accomplished in 4 hours with a Professional Organizer!  You can purchase a Gift Certificate during the special and use it after the New Year as well… this would be a lovely gift from Santa for yourself or loved ones!  😉  Check out my website for more details @  organizemyhappyplace.com

After I organized a client pantry recently I was inspired to give my own an upgrade.  #pantryenvy   This could be an entire post but since I’m blogging once a month we’ll just have to squeeze in some highlights!  I wiped down all of the shelves and made myself some new labels!

Labels are such a fun way to customize your space!

Alright…it’s past my bedtime!  Curious… when do you decorate for Christmas???  I’m usually the weekend before Thanksgiving kinda girl but this year I just can’t fight it!  We’ll see what my mood brings tomorrow but I have a feeling we’ll be listening to xmas tunes and decorating after the soccer game.  #hohoho  #44daystilxmas

Have a wonderful weekend guys!  And go follow me on Instagram!  😉          ♥ – Sarah

 

Magnet making & MHP delivery!

Hi guys!  Have you ever made magnets like these?

A super sweet ‘My Happy Place’ booth customer reached out to me about creating a school nook for her 3 kiddos.  We came up with a fun plan for a large magnet board to post important reminders, the school lunch calendar, etc.  So she needed cute magnets!  She has red & teal throughout her home so these are the custom magnets I created for her!  #ilovemyjob #grateful

I chose some paper from my stash in her color palette and these are the 4 she chose.  #shehasgreattaste

Here’s what you need…

… a glue gun, mod podge, a foam brush, & a circle punch.  That circle punch is the 1.5″ diameter size.

You also need pretty paper, magnets, & round glass pieces with a flat side.  I get my glass pieces at Michaels, but I’ve also seen them at Joanne Fabrics & Wal-Mart.

First, you punch out circles from your pretty paper.  Then using the foam brush you coat the flat side of a glass piece with mod podge, and then center and place a paper circle face down on the mod podge.  Once that’s dry you add a layer of mod podge on top of the paper to seal it on.  I always do 2 coats to be safe.  It’s important to get the sides of the paper flush with the glass.  I use my fingers to press the edges & any stubborn areas flat.  #messy

Here’s what they look like after sealing them with 2 coats.

Once they’re completely dry you can hot glue your magnets on.  Finally, I use a Magic Eraser to remove any bits of mod podge that may have snuck onto the glass during the messy steps.   And then you’re done!  #boom

What I love most about them is that they’re one-of-a-kind.  #whichisthebestkind    I’ve made college ones, baby ones, holiday ones… I love a good magnet.  #custom #fungiftidea

I’m making another batch for the booth but if you ever want some custom ones made just for you let me know!  #takingorders #xmasiscoming   My email is myhappyplace.springhill@gmail.com.

 

 

I hope that short & sweet tutorial made sense!  If you have any questions let me know!  🙂

And speaking of the booth… I have a huge delivery scheduled for tomorrow morning!  Fall goodies mixed with classic pieces… lots of texture and good greenery happening… I love decorating this time of year!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a great week!    ♥ – Sarah

Indigo Blue for the win

Happy (official) Fall guys!  Are you as excited as I am?  The chilly temps are just around the corner and I can hardly wait!  #sweatersandjeansplease  #pumpkinpiebagelplease

I finally decorated for Fall this weekend.  Did you see this picture on Instagram?

I think I need some more pumpkins.  #justjoking #pumpkinsfordays   My seasonal decor blends with my year round decor because I pretty much stay within the same color palette.  #canthelpmyself    I naturally gravitate towards muted shades of blues and greens.  Do you love the different textures in that picture as much as I do?  Yum-o… porcelain… velvet… nature… burlap… flannel…  Any guesses on my 3 “go to” colors?  I’m still smitten with duck egg blue and chateau gray (which is actually a soft green) and now I’m bringing indigo blue to the party.  If you’ve been following my blog for awhile you already knew this, but I just made an Indigo Blue chalk paint you guys!

I had a few treasures waiting for some love via paint, so this weekend I had some fun with my Indigo Blue chalk paint.  I didn’t have any Indigo Blue paint on hand so I made a custom color by mixing navy blue, teal, chateau gray, & black.  #art101 #colorwheel #mixingpaintisfun

I found this darling scale last week for $6 and knew she’d be amazing painted!  Here’s the “Before”…

And here she is posing for her “After”…

And here’s another treasure that got some love.  “Before”…

And “After”…

That grouping of goodies was delivered to ‘My Happy Place’ booth yesterday!

Here’s a few sneak peek pics of my Fall decorating…  are you in Fall mode, too?

More Fall pics coming soon!

Do you like the Indigo Blue?  What’s your favorite shade of blue?!  Happy Monday friends!  xoxo

Recent treasure hunting finds

Hi friends!  Did everyone survive the 1st full week of school?!  We made it!  #inserthappydance   My “baby”, who is 5, all of the sudden seems soooo big you guys…  he’s one of the big kids now!

I really think that subconsciously I opened my booth and then started following my decorating/organizing passions because I knew my little ones wouldn’t need me 24/7 for much longer!  I would have a serious case of “empty nesting” if I didn’t have this super fun small biz stuff happening!  It’s all good… they’re happy and I’m happy… it’s just a new chapter!  #passthekleenex

I made a few laps around my favorite antique malls recently and came home with a few new treasures.  Here they are!

 

I’m still loving this shade of blue clearly!  Totes love.  I love that blues can so often be a neutral… AND they look good with fall palettes and holiday palettes!  And I love that the wood tone of the antique ice cream maker handle goes with the wood knobs of the old drawers.  #mademelaugh

The ice cream maker was a fun find… I’ve swooned over them for years but never stumbled across one with the right color and the right price.  This one was only $30 and I had a $10 coupon!  I couldn’t get it to the counter fast enough.

 

Hello little drawers that are decorative AND functional… the organizer in me LOVES you!

 

And this little guy… vintage organizer just waiting for stamps and return address labels… or bobby pins and hair ties… can you see it?  Fab & functional for the win.  I hoard unique organizers like this for myself and for my clients…  I like to have a stash of them on hand.

 

Oh!  And I almost forgot!  Check out this show stopper…

I know… gorg!  And she’s magnetic.  I always carry a magnet in my purse so I can do the magnet test on metal items that could potentially be a magnet board.  Wouldn’t she be amazing in a mudroom/command center?  Or in a kid room/homework room to showcase special artwork?  I could see this piece in just about every space of the home and she’d be amazing…

In other news, did you see my 1st Instagram Story?!  I dropped a bunch of Fall goodies off at my booth yesterday and made an 8 second video on a whim…  if you need a giggle check it out.  🙂  I only did 1 take so be kind!  #crackmeup

Be sure to follow me on Instagram  @myhappyplace_springhill !

P. S.  I’m working on a ‘My Happy Place’ GIVEAWAY!  Stay tuned!  🙂

Simple system for saving school memories

Hi guys!  How are you?!  It’s T-3 days until my baby starts Kindergarten…  WHAT?!  I’m trying hard to embrace this new phase you guys…  it’ll be good, right?  He’s stoked…  he’s got this.   #wheresthekleenex

My 3rd grader and I recently went through his bin of 2nd grade treasures… report cards, tests, artwork, awards, drawings/special cards from friends, etc.  It’s fresh in my brain and I thought it’d be fun to share our simple system for saving school memories since it’s that time of year again!  I started this system 3 years ago and it’s been great.  It’s EASY and requires no effort throughout the year.  #boom

Each boy has a file tote with lid, and inside are labeled hanging files – one for each year.  I chose this tote because it’s super durable and has a fitted lid – the contents stay clean and the lid is easily wipeable.  I opted for a solid color tote to make it visually quiet.  There are tons of cute hanging file options out there – we went with a royal blue.  #GoRoyals

This is the best part… I don’t do anything with any of their school papers during the year.  Each boy has a plastic Sterilite bin in their closet that we toss everything into – nothing fancy – any basket or bin would do.  Daily homework or papers that definitely won’t make the cut to keep get recycled when we clean out backpacks everyday.  The stuff that’s more special – a good grade, a report card, a story your child wrote, artwork, something your child is especially proud of… those things get tossed into their closet bin.  It’s a no stress process – if you know it’s garbage then recycle it immediately.  If you’re not sure or you know it’s a “keep” then toss it into their closet bin.  No overthinking allowed.  🙂

Then just once a year during the summer we go through their bin together.  It’s fun to reminisce and see how much they’ve accomplished that school year!   It takes just 30-60 minutes to purge and decide what to officially keep, and did I mention it’s fun?!  #tripdownmemorylane   My boys make decisions about their “keeps” and their “recycles” – but if they’re about to recycle something I’m especially proud of I chime in.  I think we’re all better about letting things go after the year is over – we’d be more inclined to keep everything in the moment.  That’s another cool thing about the bin – you don’t have to make big decisions constantly!  Throw it in the bin and think about it just ONCE during the summer.  And then you’ll realize you saved 12 spelling tests and maybe you just need 1 or 2?

I bought 2 bins per boy so we have room to grow.  Their files start with Toddler, Pre-K, Kindergarten and go through 12th grade….  finger paintings all the way up to research papers.  #needmorekleenex

And of course they have my signature labels!  #canthelpmyself

That’s it!  Toss everything you might want to keep into a bin or basket throughout the year, and then purge & file just once in the summer!  It’s a super easy system that takes little effort and in the end you’ll have the most special keepsakes all in one place!  I’ve attached the links to the tote and the files I used in case you want to start a similar system for your kiddos!

ADVANTUS File Tote with Lid, 19 x 15.5 x 11 Inches, Black (34052)

Pendaflex Essentials Hanging Folders, Letter Size, Blue, 25 per Box (81603)

Happy school year to all the kiddos out there!  And hugs to all the parents buying kleenex in bulk like me!  We got this.

I have a website!

Whoa.  What?!  Yup – I made my August 1st deadline that I set for myself. I have a Professional Organizing website you guys!  It’s official – I just hit “post” on Facebook to share the news. Once it’s on Facebook it’s for realz official right?  Eeek!

I’m so excited you guys!  I don’t consider myself “tech savvy” but somehow I figured out how to purchase a domain and put this thing together.  It may have taken me all summer but it’s all good!

The long story made short… what’s on my heart right now… I’m just so thankful to have found another career that satisfies a different part of my brain and complements my mommy life and part-time nurse life.  It’s so creative – and my brain loves that.  But it’s still all about helping people and forming relationships… the same reasons I love being a nurse.

Thanks so much for reading and for being my cheerleaders… I couldn’t do this without my tribe! Here she is! Check her out!      ♥ – Sarah

http://www.organizemyhappyplace.com