Best Life NOW! Blog

I am so excited to be teaching these groups! This is something that I have had on my mind for a year now. I really enjoy teaching my one on one clients how to de-clutter and organize. I felt that there was a need to reach many more in the community with de-cluttering and organizing tools - basically dealing with the "stuff" that we all get buried with. There will be more locations added for the De-Clutter Support Groups throughout this year. Some locations include Valparaiso, New Carlisle, South Bend, New Buffalo. I am looking forward to meeting every single one of you that register for these groups. I cannot wait to hear your stories - and to help. I want to give you the Top 5 Reasons to attend this group: 1.  It will be fun! 2.  You will learn valuable organizational information. 3.  Value.  We will meet for a total of 6 hours.       If you were to purchase 6 hours with me, it would cost over $300.00. 4.  You will meet oth...

I just perused The Container Store website for holiday storage ideas. So many great ideas that I wanted to share just a few with you. Another storage option for ornaments.  I love the fact that the bottom is clear.  Very visually appealing!  This option is nice because it folds up and can be hung in the closet when not in use.  Storage for fragile ornaments.  And it is lovely! The ultimate gift wrap organizer/wrapping station. Great option for under the bed storage.  Here they also use the small, clear accessory boxes to organize ribbon, tape, etc.

Throughout this past year, have you been thinking these thoughts - "I want to use this room as a guestroom, but there is so much clutter," or "I have so many books that I would like to be able to sit down and read - but they are so scattered, I can't find the one I want to read," or "I would like to enjoy my family photos but they are scattered everywhere and dis-organized." If you have had those thoughts or similar ones throughout this past year, now is the time to change.  The new year always brings a fresh start and a new beginning.  Now is the time to start planning for the new year - and for your new start. You can begin the process by making a list of what you want to do over the next year.  Write everything down - no matter how silly you may think it is.  I'll give you an example: 1.   Paint the house. 2.   Learn to water ski. 3.   Go to the movies once a month. 4.   Clear the spare bedroom of clutter. Now gi...

I am in the midst of preparing a 10 minute speech for Wednesday about organizing for the holidays.  I will be speaking to the Business Women United - Chesterton Alliance . I thought I would post the tips here so that everyone can benefit.  Or mock them.  Whichever. 1.   Store all of your gifts in one place.  Along with those gifts, keep your gift wrap and accessories.       That way, everything will be together.  Easier to wrap and no gift will be forgotten. 2.   Holiday products and bundles.       They are so attractive, right?  Everyone from Dove bath products to Dove chocolate has a "special" holiday package full of extras.  This is great if you actually use the product.  If you do not and are enticed by the beautiful packaging, you may end up regretting that purchase and it will probably turn in to clutter.  It is not a bargain if you don't already use and love...

This holiday season, use your credit card points to purchase gift cards for those on your gift list.  You have the points, now use them!  It may make purchasing gifts just a little less painful. The other benefit of purchasing gift cards?  You are giving a clutter free gift.  Plus, you don't have to wrap anything.  Simply place the gift card into a Christmas card, sign your name and you are done.  Some ideas for clutter free gift cards: Gas card Restaurant card Itunes (my personal gift of choice!) Now, go check your points balance with your credit cards and get those gift cards ordered.  Christmas will be here before you know it!

Okay, I will admit it.   I have begun decorating for Christmas.  I could not help myself. In the process of taking the decorations from storage, I decided to let some of them go.  Here is my criteria for what went: 1.  I no longer liked it.       Our tastes change over the months and  years. 2.  It was a gift from someone and I never liked it.      It really is the thought that counts.......enough said. 3.  I no longer wanted to store it, maintain it or go all out decorating.      You only have the space you have.  I am not willing to take up as much room storing my Christmas items as I have in the past.   I used to really go all out and decorate to the point where it looked like Christmas threw up in our home.  At this point, I just don't have the time or quite honestly the energy to go all out.  Simple is so much better! I will be...

Anyone out there a germ-a-phobe like me in public bathrooms? Do any of you flush the toilet with your foot? You know, hit the silver bar with your foot so the toilet flushes? So let me set up this little scenario for you. My husband and I are at the York Train meet in York, PA held at the fairgrounds. Now, the women’s bathrooms inside the buildings are staffed by women who are continually cleaning the stalls, mirrors, floors, spraying air freshener, making sure the toilet paper and paper towels are stocked, selecting a radio station (not kidding), etc. Weirdest thing I’ve ever seen but then again, I won’t turn my nose up at a clean public restroom. So, there are signs posted that they work for tips so please be generous. Okeydokey. So, I go to flush with my foot and I manage to flush but I also…………….lost my balance and my foot slipped. Yep, right into the still flushing toilet. Oh yeah, and did I mention that at this time it was just me and the bathroom attendant present at the t...