Tiny Tidy: Your Home's Landing Strip Area

Where you come home from a long, hard day, there is GREAT temptation to just toss your stuff any old place, crack open a bottle of wine and put your feet up…But what if you could get to the fun part after you quickly get organized for the next day? That’s what a perfectly functioning Landing Strip in your home should do for you (and your family): Get you good & ready for the next day’s activities/work.

So! With those thoughts in mind, let’s get to it!

1. Do you have a Landing Strip in your home, a spot where you and/or your family plunks everything down? This could be a bench near the front door, a shelf, an alcove with a shallow table, a space that’s unobtrusive yet works for this purpose. (You can also identify part of something else in your home for this purpose-for me, it’s part of my kitchen table and a nearby chair.)

2. Once you have identified where it is, take a good, hard look: Does it make you feel … well..anxious? Or does it make you feel calm and okay? (We want to go for calm and okay!) If it does NOT make you feel good, try to identify where and how you could change it.

3. If you have it, but it needs some changing, make a small list, or see if you have any items at hand that could make it function better: For example, do you have some hooks you could place over the bench for the kid’s jackets and backpacks? Or a few large, pretty baskets to toss shoes into? Try to re-purpose what’s around your house for this Tiny Tidy, and see what you can find…

4. If you don’t need to change it, but want to, try to see where you naturally gravitate towards when you arrive home. If it’s your bedroom, maybe your Landing Strip is a chair where you can place your bag and computer easily at hand, and can set-up a charging station for your devices near there, too. If you have a large family, maybe you can march everyone into the laundry room, and use a part of that space to keep clutter at a minimum, or clean out a hall closet to stash backpacks, shoes, and sports bags for their other, random stuff. Make it a ritual with the kiddos, and make them responsible for their own stuff from now on! No more running to the car to get their homework, etc. (They will thank you later for this, believe me!)

5. If you have a Landing Strip area that you like to use, then see if you can make it better: I love the Marie Kondo of putting her day bag in a drawer, so it’s out of site, and she does this as soon as she walks in the door. Maybe your Landing Strip area is in a few spots: You can maybe try stashing everything in a closet when you arrive home, and just have a charging station for your laptop and phone that’s equally out of the way, but convenient.

6. Try setting up a mail processing space in the Landing Strip area, too: I know this sounds ridiculous, because so few of use get tons of mail anymore, but make it a habit to keep any bills or parking tickets that are not automated and still arrive via the mail nearby, and RECYCLE everything and anything you don’t need IMMEDIATELY! As you know , a few days of junk mail build-up and make it seem like you have heaps of mail to go through. You don’t. And you won’t, if you recycle it all right away…!

7. De-clutter anything that really doesn’t belong there, including above-said old mail, invites, fliers for expired events, whatever else you have hanging around there

8. Enjoy your new, clutter-free Landing Strip area-you are DONE! xo

   Check out these sleek, chic & so cute bamboo baskets from my friends at Target:

Tiny Tidy: Your Linen Closet!

This is either quite a tragic task for you, or very easy, depending on how many people are using the linen closet, how many family members you have, and how large your home is, bedroom & bathroom-wise. Get ready to turn some old sheets and towels into something more useful, and let’s get BUSY…

Things you will need:

A nice microfiber cloth and your fave natural cleanser, and a garbage bag and a cloth tote

1. Take a look at the linen closet. Closely.

2. Put a towel or sheet on top of a nearby bed.

3. Take everything out, and place on the bed.

4. Wipe down the inside and outside of your linen cabinet or closet with your cleanser and cloth.

5. Go and take a good, hard look at what’s on the bed.

6. Pick out any old or really mismatched sheets and towels…(Do you still have twin sheet sets from when your kids were little, or even from college? Ugly, patterned towels you have always really, well, hated?)

7. Are there any you can use for drop cloths, car wash towels or rags? If so, place in cloth tote bag.

8. If anything is really bad, you can also choose to toss in garbage bag. (But try not to do so, if they can, in fact, be reclaimed.)

9. Fold everything you are keeping back up as nicely as possible.

10. Figure out if you want to switch up the way yo had things before, or not: I like to put table cloths in back of the shelf I have my sheet sets on, and the towels below them.

11. I also like to store folded, little washcloths and for-delicates dryer bags in a small, wicker box. It looks super cute, and keeps them from toppling over.

12. Lean back, and admire your work! You are DONE!

Good job! xo

TINY TIDY: Pick A Drawer, ANY Drawer...

I just want to state again that the entire concept of these little Tiny Tidys, and the "Home" aspect of House & Mind, is to allow for the realization that not only is the idea of perfection not desirable, it's not even an option. It simply doesn't EXIST. (Phew!) By keeping your home clean and organized at YOUR level and your own pace, you will find your life to become endlessly more satisfying and just...feeling a bit more together. It's really true! I promise. If you are happy with things a little messier, and it keeps your life and more richer and more creative, keep it that way! If it's messy, and your life is out of hand, and you feel perennially on the run, chasing after things and out-of- control,  maybe start a little slower, but take a stab at cleaning things up. That is what these TINY TIDYS are for, and with THAT in mind-I'd like you now to...Pick a drawer in your bedroom, kid's room kitchen or bathroom...ANY drawer! 

Get READY...

1. Gather up: A rag and your fave natural cleanser.

2. Place a towel on your bed or nearby counter.

3. Find & gather up the bottom of some smaller, empty boxes-think iPhone old boxes, shoe boxes, stationary boxes, so you have some different width, depth and length options.

4. Walk around your home, and figure out which drawer you are going to focus on. Do NOT over think this, please! I mean it! Just pick ONE drawer.

5. Once you have figured it out, take everything OUT of the drawer (just do it!) and put it on the towel-covered bed, or counter-top.

6. Spritz the drawer lightly with cleanser, and dust it off/clean the drawer off.

7. When you are done physically cleaning the drawer, turn and look at your stuff you have place on the counter...

8. It's probably a jumbled mess. That is okay!

9. Basically-THIS part is the "real" juicy part of this process-NOT how you are going to reorganize all of this crap. I know your throat may be clenching up and your heart could be racing-what with looking at what could possibly be a real mess. But it's alright. Take it easy.

10. If this is a junk drawer you are doing, start tossing! Recycle or put in the give-away bag ANY old cords or random things hanging around...Just be ruthless. The stuff has been sitting in there, most likely, forever.

11. If you are doing, say, a lingerie drawer, inspect each and every article of clothing. Get rid of or put in a give away bag ANY thing you do not like, looks worn to you, or somehow, gives you the shivers. Do this quickly.

12. Depending on if you have clothing, accessories or junk drawer items. start looking at your new organizing system-those boxes and lids! Place some in the empty drawer. Start putting things back in the boxes, in a way that you'd really like them to be from now on. Play around with them. The lids are excellent to use for this, and act as little trays. I use them EVERYWHERE. They organize toiletries and junk drawer things really beautifully.

13. Futz around until you feel that "click," and get the drawer the way you like it.

14. YAY! LOOK at how easy that was- Congrats! You just tidied a random drawer in no time! #itsthelittlethings :)

These boxes and lids have been my main take away from that whole Kondo-craze- the lovely idea that you do NOT spend more money on more stuff to organize, just use the stuff you have!

I really do love that. If you feel like it, KEEP going! (Ha! My little strategy today, to be honest.)

And have a great weekend! xo

Tiny Tidy: Your Bookshelves!

This one takes a bit more concentration than most other Tiny Tidys, but its well worth it!  You can still do this even if you have adapted to mostly using a Kindle, and your bookcases are used to mostly house knick-knacks, plants and the like. 

PICK ONE BOOKCASE/SET OF SHELVES YOU'D LIKE TO TIDY THE MOST, AND LET'S GET TO IT!

(GATHER A FEW EMPTY SHOPPING BAGS,  SOME RAGS AND YOUR FAVE ALL-PURPOSE CLEANSER:)

1. TAKE A GOOOD LOOK! What do you NOT like about your current bookshelf organization? Are the shelves too crammed, too minimalist, or simply not being used properly? Do you have just loads of books you have not yet read, and, if you're honest, have no real intention of doing so? Take note of how you want the bookcase to look and feel...
2. TAKE EVERYTHING OFF OF THE SHELVES.
3. Wipe down the shelves, top and bottom. 
4. Start with the books. This is where we DO totally follow the Kondo method: Pick up/look at each book: Do you REALLY love it? If you've read it, would you like to keep it to re-read, or pass on to someone else?  Decide now!
5. Place in a pile in your shopping bags the books that are NOT staying. 
6. Look at the ones that are staying, and think about how you'd like to organize them.
7. I like to start with a shelf of books that are old favorites, another filled with new ones, then one for biographies, memoirs, self-help or psyche books, and on and on.  Dust these off lightly, and...
8.  Arrange the books you are keeping as you have decided.    
9. Fill in with any knick-knacks, plants or photos that you'd like, dusting off the knick-knacks and frames lightly as you do so...
10. Take this time to decide if there are any little knick-knacks or photos that could be added/taken away, etc.
11. Now, you are almost done. Those books you are giving away: Who would like them? I personally almost monthly give books away (and take some, too!) from my local Little Free Library, which are run by neighbors, and are beyond adorable, useful and amazing. Make a point to put those books in your car, to drop off to friends, your regular or Little Library. 
12. And...Dude , good job, you are DONE!   

NOT SO BAD, right?! Now, you can start on another one, you bad-ass, if you really feel like it, have more than one! #yay! xo                

Tiny Tidy: Your Fridge (Ugh!)

I know, this one is not so "tiny." In fact, the electricity went out in my apartment for about six hours when I wasn't home this week.  I literally had to throw practically everything went, as, I found out the hard way, a few things spoiled! Ick.

(It's a pain to do this one. I totally get it.)

But! Summer is sadly, soon, coming to an end. You have had probably had more fresh fruit and produce in the fridge than usual. Now is a great time to get rid of these old left-overs, condiments that have seen better days, and, well, YOU know! All that good (and gross!) fridge stuff. You CAN do this in 45 minutes or less. It's just going to take a little bit of planning: 

So, let's GO! (get excited): 

Plan on tossing and cleaning out food items and produce that are old, expired and, well,  just done and over. You will want to rinse and keep, or rinse and recycle (please) plastic containers and glass jars, if at all possible. Have a recycle bag ready and waiting, and please make sure your sink is clean and ready. We will be dumping the old stuff and containers and expired condiments in there, first!

1. Start by getting: A sponge (or even better-Magic Eraser) your favorite natural cleanser, a rag, a bag for recycling containers, and a little note pad and pen.

2. Okay. Get ready! Open up that fridge.

3. Take a look in there. What is going ON, honestly? Take a really good look.

4. Now, start going through the obvious first-the shelves that are in view.

5. Go shelf buy shelf.

6. Put the "keep" items on the counter.

7. Place what you are tossing in the sink, just for now.

8. Now, you can choose to either wipe down the shelves as you go, using your sponge or Magic Eraser for the really gunge-y parts, or wait and wipe down all at once. Your choice!

9. Now-hit the side door shelves-the egg and butter compartments. Be thorough.

10. LOOK at those condiments. If the date has been scratched off check them out, but my guess is, they may have to go. Things like Apple Cider Vinegar, however, which I like to keep in the fridge. Just use your best judgement. (And your nose. ;)

11. Start making a list of what you want/need to replace, or even add. Here a few, healthy swap-out ideas: Coconut Aminos (you can buy at Trader Joe's.) in place of soy sauce. Plain Greek yogurt instead of sour cream; Any "organic" varieties of things like ketchup, jam and almond or peanut butter are just great. (Trader Joe's also has some wonderful and expensive options. Often their organic products are cheaper than "regular" items in a mainstream grocery store.) We are not an affiliate of TJs, by the way! Just enormous fans.

12. Okay. NOW-hit the veggie and fruit drawers. (I know. I feel you. Believe me.)

13. Throw the produce up on the counter.

14. Take a look. Can you cook/freeze/prepare any of it that is about to spoil? Plan on doing so now. You can throw veggies that are about to turn in an omelette or frittatas, make a quick salad. or even compose a strangely delicious new smoothie combination.

15. OKay! Hit those drawers. Pull them out real quick. Clean them as best you can. (You can do this!) I know, it's almost the worst. Just do it, though! You will feel lots better when it is DONE.

16. Now, take a break. (Just for a minute, though.)

17. Wipe down anything little spots you missed. (They are there!)

18. Now, look at the stuff on the counter. Start starting/tossing/recycling "old" food and condiments you have placed in the sink. Clean out the containers if you can-to clean and save, or to recycle. It is SO tempting to be lazy and skip this step. DON'T DO THAT.

19. Put everything back- all the food items, produce, condiments-that you plan on keeping.

20. Extra points if you want throw the lunch meat in an open plastic container to organize it better, or arrange the healthy foods shelf by shelf, so they are more accessible. You can be as cute as want. Roommates and family member swill have to deal. YOU CLEANED IT OUT! So there. Take that, bossy whoever.

AND YAY! YOU JUST CLEANED OUT YOUR FRIDGE! Now-it's time for a little treat! Whatever that means to you...Or, you can choose to cook a nice meal for yourself,  your sweetie or your kids, with what you didn't know was still good, fresh and lurking in that fridge of yours...

Have a good one! xo

TINY TIDY : Your Cell Phone!

This is a "Digital Version!" (Special thanks to Mick Kubiak for this great idea!) 

Have you ever scrolled through your contacts, and your heart lurches, because you forgot to delete the number of the guy who ghosted you five years ago (or vice-versa!) or it pricks up and races when you see the number for that tutor you never called for your kid's advanced math class!? Today, we are getting rid of all that shame, stress and blah-ness that comes from looking at a device that may be filled with contacts and apps that do not express or reflect the good and juicy and interesting life you are living right now...

GRAB YOUR PHONE or IPAD, and LET'S GET GOING! 

1. Find a quiet, relatively stress-free one in which to do this, and promise yourself a little treat afterwards! Grab a sheet of paper and pen to make a small to-do list, coming straight from contacts you forgot to hit back. (Literally, just “Call the new neighbor Joan to set-up playdate.” Easy! BUT: This can be a teensy bit emotionally taxing, strangely yet also, very understandable. So go slow and do take it easy. 
2. Start with the A's. Start scrolling. If you're like me, you have contacts from different life periods, projects, volunteer gigs and various jobs. Be careful, but then, start hitting DELETE, DELETE, DELETE! 
3. When you are done, take a small, little break. Then, start skimming, again! I guarantee it,  you missed a bunch before. 
4. Jot down anyone you have to reach out to, but have been neglecting for a minute. (Even if "a minute" is, in actuality,  six months, or maybe even more!)
5. MERGE any multiple contacts and emails, as well.
6. Now…on to the Apps!
7. Open phone or iPad or Tablet up to your Home Screen.
8. DELETE any App that: You Never Use,  Does Not Serve Your Life Right Now, and/or Is a MAJOR Time-Sucker (G'bye, Candy Crush!)
9. GO TO THE PODCAST APP, and start downloading some NEW podcasts to replace those time-sucking apps. Podcasts I love: The Lively Show,  Optimal Living Daily,  Happier, and, full-disclosure, My Favorite Murder (I just love those girls! Warning: The subject matter is intense, but they are hilarious.)
10. Start contacting a few of those people on your list who you really do need to get back to, if you want, or schedule a time in your week to do just that.  
11. YOU ARE DONE! NOW…GO and TREAT YOURSELF!

#youdeserveitalways xo

Tiny Tidy: Your First-Aid Stuff!

This is an EASY-peasy one, and also allows you a guilt-free excuse to go to/shop at Target! (Yes!) 

GO to the space/place/drawer/cabinet in your home where you keep things like: Antibiotic ointments, band-aids, anti-itch creams, summer bug spray, as well as products like cough syrup, cold and flu medicine, Tylenol, and the like. 

TIP: Get this stuff the heck out of your medicine cabinet, if it's in there, taking up precious real-estate, and move it!  It is life-changing, believe me...To steal a great tip from Marie Kondo, even a clean shoe box or two works great for this type of storage, or if you feel like it, get some nice small plastic bins or pretty baskets on your next Target jaunt. Being able to see everything, easily and sort of all at once, and making it accessible when you are injured and/or sick, is the key, here...

1. Sort items into two piles: First aid stuff first, and then, the other one is anything vaguely "medicine" related. 
2. Go through it!
3. Check outage expiration dates. Toss, toss, toss. Especially the expired, old ointments. (You want those to really work!)
4. Start making a list of what you need to replace. 
5. Put back what you are keeping, right back in place in its new home. 

Now: Here is a List to Take to Target, or order online, below:

HOME FIRST-AID LIST:

• Antibiotic Ointment
• Band-Aids
• Anti-Itch Cream
• Cold Packs/Hot Packs
• Cough Syrup
• Cough Drops
• TUMS (why not? ;) 
• Tylenol or Advil
• Cold medicine (Boiron's Oscillococcinum is amazing if you're feel flu-ish, and is 100% homeopathic. It actually works, too!) 
• Allergy medicine (if you are prone, but it never hurts to have on-hand, especially you have a pet, and someone visiting is allergic to Fluffy or Fido!)
• You can also get crazy with gauze, if you like, but getting to the Urgent Care is probably a better bet if you or someone at your home gets accidentally sliced. But why not have a roll on hand, if it makes you feel better?
• Fabric wrap for tendon injury (Again, seek professional help, but...? Maybe for little runner's or work-out injury, nice to have around, just in case.)
• Aloe Vera Gel (Lifesaver in the summer months, no matter HOW careful you think you are in the sun.) 
• Pepto Bismol, or something similar. (Because we ALL have those nights)
• Anything else you'd like to add!

That is it, and you are DONE!  (And I rarely say this, but-Happy Shopping!)   xo

Tiny Tidy: Your Everyday Bag/Purse!

This, admittedly, will be easy for some of us-and absolute hell for others. Choose which bag you'd like to conquer today- your tote bag for work, your everyday purse, your computer bag-whichever functions as your go-to, everyday-type-of-situation bag.

OKAY! HERE WE GO!

1. Grab your bag.
2. Go and sit somewhere comfortably that also has some nice space to spread out the goods-maybe the couch near a coffee table, or your kitchen table (if the table is clear enough!)
3. Open that bag.
4. Peer in!
5. What is your first feeling? Alarm? Distress? Anxiety at the twisted receipts and ratty hair ties lying at the bottom? Or maybe-calm, soothed and relaxed? (you little bitch! ;) 
6. Yes, you truly want to go for that feeling of being calm and organized every time you glance in there. Your money, phone, keys, planner, maybe your iPad or laptop- whatever you keep in there- it's... your life! This is important stuff. Pay attention to how you want to feel about these things, every single day. Focus. 
7. Take out your wallet/checkbook/where you stash your receipts (if you do that.) 
8. How do you feel? Anxious? Sort through your wallet-pulling out anything extraneous-slips/receipts/stubs, etc.
9. DECIDE THIS: Sort it/stash it/trash it! Then do that!
10. Put aside your wallet and checkbook, on the table.
11. Pull out anything cosmetic-hand lotion, hand sanitizer,  lip balm, make-up in a case. Go through it. Wipe it down with a damp paper towel or baby wipe. 
12. Put these cosmetics and similar items aside.
13. Go through whatever the hell else is in there. Have a comb or hairbrush? Go rinse them out in the bathroom sink, and set them on the sill to dry.
14. DECIDE THIS AGAIN: Sort it/stash it/trash- any junk YOU DO NOT NEED/USE EVERYDAY, or is basically nonessential.
15. Put anything you essential you want to keep on the table. 
16. Grab a baby wipe or damp paper towel or rag, and clean that bag-inside & out! (NOTE: Empty out your bag in the sink first, before cleaning.)
17. Look at everything you- ahem- set out on the table...Just relax. We will get through it.
18. What would make you feel more "together," day-to-day? A new app on your phone? Maybe you are secretly analogue and old-school, and want to get a pretty, new Day-Planner? Perhaps it's some new lipstick, or (in my case) a way to keep a mini-version of your everyday make-up routine in your very small clutch. Whatever it is! Make a note of it, and try to make these purchases (or pull from your own home) this very week.
19. Put everything BACK in your everyday bag/purse.
20. Breathe sigh of great relief!

YOU DID IT! Great job...

The OG organizing tool, from Filofax...Grab it, below.

Tiny Tidy: Your Spice Cabinet!

Okay! Let's be honest, here:  When was the last time you checked the dates on those spice jars and tins you have lurking (in maybe more than one place!) in your kitchen? That little bottle of ancient bay leaves you haven't used for ages? The three cans of Kosher Salt saved in the very back? C'mon! We are going to hit this baby, and hit it fast and easy…

Let's Get Started!

1. Make some room on the counter, cabinet or drawer space near where you house your spice collection. 
2. Place a rag or dish towel over this space, and keep an extra, damp rag handy to wipe off any grimy/dusty jars.
3. First, start taking out each little bottle, jar and/or tin of spices. Look at the expiration date (most actually have these, even though we think they last forever.)
4. Separate what you are going to toss and recycle (container-wise.)
5. Now, have a post-it note or small piece of paper handy. Pretend it is Thanksgiving, Passover, brunch day, date night- and you are cooking away, at YOUR house. What the hell did you forget? Thyme? Tumeric? That special salt rub you are famous for on that rib roast? Mark these babies down, if you realize you are out of 'em...
6. Wipe off what you are keeping. 
7. I am NOT suggesting you (God forbid!) alphabetize your spices, but do yourself a favor here, and place back those spices you use the very least- in the way back of the drawer, cabinet or counter space where your spices live. 
8. Put everything back in, as you wish it to look.
9. Dump all old spices out of bottles and tins; recycle their old containers (or take off labels to jars and wash them.) They are cute! You can save them for storage, or to keep fresh spices in the fridge. 
10. You are done! See that! EASY-peezy! Now, add any fun, new spices you wish to aquire (now is the time to think creatively of your future cooking plans!) to your grocery list! OR:

:))) Have a great weekend...xo

Tiny Tidy: Your Medicine Cabinet!

This one, for some reason, seems to strike a note of dread in many-but-much like the Make-Up Bag Tiny Tidy from last week, can actually, dare I say, be "fun." You can discover some new stuff that has been hiding, give away what you're not using, and make room and way for some new treats! 

Now, full disclosure, I also have a few, roomy drawers under my linen closet- which I use to store first-aid stuff, extra medicine like cough syrup and the like, as well as spare make-up, hairbrushes and sewing supplies, as well as some extra toiletries. I do keep these pretty organized, and because of this fact-my medicine cabinet never really gets too out-of-control. 

Okay, ready-or-not-here we GO!: 

What You Need:

-Magic Eraser

-Fave natural cleanser

-A rag or two

-New Con-Tact Paper (if you're feeling super ambitious) for the little shelves and sides and far "wall" of your medicine cabinet

WHAT TO DO: 

• Make a clear, clean space, maybe lined with a towel, where you can literally dump everything into (or line your sink with a handtowel-and conveniently use that space.)
• Dump everything out!
• Wipe down the gunked-up shelves and inside of the medicine cabinet. Use the cleanser and Magic Eraser, and really get in there!
• Wipe  down even more with the rags, even pulling out the little shelves, if you can.
• Look at all of the stuff you dumped out. Take a very CLOSE look.
• What is old/icky/expired? What?! Be ruthless. (You can do it.) Go through any meds, hair ties, lotions, potions, hair stuff, make-up in there- whatever it is! 
• Separate the products and things that you are tossing or maybe giving away, if some things are still in good shape, but sadly unused. That's okay! Someone else will love & appreciate that Leave-In Hair Conditioner or fancy soap you never use, and has been just gathering dust and sitting in there for awhile.
• If extra ambitious-cut and use the new Con-Tact Paper here-on the shelves and/or interior of your medicine cabinet.
• Start carefully putting things back, but be strategic about it! Don't just toss the stuff back in. 
• What do you reach for the very most, twice a day (or more???) Cleanser? Moisturizer? Toothbrush and toothpaste? Put what you use the most in the most accessible, easy-to-reach-for area of your medicine cabinet. 
• Some More Tips: Keep the nail polish and serums and things you use on a more sporadic basis on your  tippy-top shelves. 
• Get creative-group like things with like, and then even group by color-just for fun!
• Make a little list of things you need and maybe WANT! Hey, a new nail polish can do wonders for both one's psych, peace of mind, and anxiety level. Especially when you open that cabinet, and feel a ray of soothing, calm organized sunshine, instead of getting hit by an errant bottle of nail polish remover!

Have a great weekend! xo

Restock the fun and affordable way, thorugh our friends at Target below: 

Tiny Tidy: Your Make-Up Bag!

This one is pretty fun, I have to say, because you get to chuck all of the old stuff, and dream about some pretty new things to refresh that ole' make-up bag of yours...

If you have a drawer/shelf AND a make-up bag, just pick one, or do both, if you're feeling extra-ambitious today...Okay...GET ready to...

CLEAN OUT YOUR MAKE-UP BAG!

1. Get a small bowl of warm, soapy water ready and some rags
2. Lay some fresh rags down on the surface you want to use
3. Get out your bag & dump everything out right now!
4. Scan it, check things...
5. TOSS: Mascara older than 3 months, according to the word on the street. Eye pencils that are worn down to nubs. Eye shadow that has change color from mixing with other colors (6 months if cream shadow) Lipstick & gloss-2 years, actually, if kept well! (In my book, depending on your wear of them...)
6. Place your make-up brushes in the warm, soapy bowl of water, and RINSE GENTLY, and several times (until they rinse clean.) Blot with a clean wash cloth delicately. Lay brushes out to dry on windowsill, on top of a clean cloth. 
7. Wipe off what you're keeping, making a mental (or physical!) list of what you need/long for/want to add to your make-up bag, including sunscreen for the coming season.
8. Put everything back in your bag, in drawer, on shelf. Feel better? No? Look and go through, and toss some more.
9. Surprisingly, albeit in a smaller way, make-up can have that same hold some aspirational clothing purchases do: That expensive, crazy-red lipstick when you when out on a date with THAT guy, the sparkly green eye shadow for the Mardi Gras party...Give it to your niece or kid to play with, or toss it! 
10. Go and replenish & restock with some great (clean) beauty finds at: 

(But only if necessary ;) Yay! You are DONE! xoxo

Tiny Tidy: The Cutlery Drawer

Okay, this was one is easer than it seems, I think-even if you have bunch of sh*t in those (that?) drawer that does not belong! Get ready to clear out, wipe down, and get some quick tidying satisfaction!

What You Need: 

• Two paper garbage bags-one for "give-aways/sell," one for trashed or unusable items
• A rag and your fave natural cleanser
• A place on the counter to put everything when you wipe out the drawers, and also, a place for things you will "re-position"
• A good "get rid of this thing!" mind set

Okay, ready? Here we go

1. Take a good look at those drawers. Now, ask yourself:  What is IN there? (Good question, right?)
2. Toss, toss, toss! And by that, I mean, sure, put those ten bottle openers and wine stoppers from places like Margaritaville and your cousin's wedding fifteen years ago and your last trip to Cabo in the give-away bag. SAME THING with the cheap plastic "spiralizer" that honestly NEVER gets used  (never worked?!) Say bye-bye to ANYTHING that does not make cooking, preparing or even nuking your food more fun and more delightful. 
3. Pull EVERYTHING else out, and place it on the counter. 
4. Decide where to put larger items or utensils that you like, but don't use often. For instance, if you only bake occasionally-put those whisks and baking utensils in a cute jar, and maybe store where you have your vases and other jars. 
5. Wipe down the insides of drawer with your rag and cleanser. Get in there good! (But don't take more than a few minutes to do this!) Unless you are a complete, raving slob, (JK!) a few minutes should do it. 
6. As the drawers dry to their pristine splendor, go through the stuff on the counter AGAIN, i.e.-what you haven't tossed! Look through it again! And again! C'mon!  You can do it! 
7. Let's face it. Most of us are NOT Julia Child or Ina Garten. The most genius tool in my cutlery drawer is one of those silicone spoon/batter-stir long spoon things, which I implement when cooking just about EVERYTHING. It's seriously one of the only cooking tools I use. What do YOU use the most? Give away the utensils and cooking implements that make opening that drawer a real drag.
8. Okay! Now! Put the "give-away" bag in your car. Right now. (Just do it!) Come back in.
9. Put everything back. RESIST the urge to go out and buy some new organizing tools, unless you really need them. (See our suggestions, below.) But seriously ONLY if you really need them. (The clean tops of shoe boxes work great to separate things out.)
10. Admire your work!

Do NOT think you need to be perfect-just get it done! xo

YOU ARE DONE! Yay! Congrats! xo

 

 

 

 

Some Fun  Shopping To Try: 

Tiny Tidy: Your Freezer (Brrr!)

As the seasons are beginning to turn, I bet you have LOTS of containers of frozen soup, winter stews and meats that may be way past their due date, or at the very least, need to be organized in there a bit better! This one is easy and fun, and not a full-scale commitment at all (such as the ENTIRE fridge, which we will be addressing in this week's Spring Clean post). 

For the Tiny Tidy Freezer Clean-Out....You'll need: 

• A Magic Eraser or Microfiber Cloth
• Your fave natural cleanser (or a white vinegar and baking soda combo will work great here)
• Some labels or masking tape
• A Sharpie or a grease pencil
• Garbage bag for food you're tossing

Let's get to it!

1. Get your trash bag ready.
2. Start going through your frozen goods-things you have personally cooked prepared, stored and frozen. Put anything you want to defrost for meals this week in your fridge. 
3. Put the things you want to eventually toss in the sink to defrost (To be cleaned out from their containers and tossed a little bit later)
4. Now toss any expired bags of frozen veggies, ice cream cartons, other foods, etc. which are past their prime. 
5. Figure out which foods stay in there. 
6. Take whatever is staying in-OUT. ALL of it-ice packs and ice cube trays, all boxes and containers of food stuffs-OUT-on a nearby kitchen counter. 
7. As quickly as you can, WIPE DOWN the entire inside of the freezer, using your cleanser of the baking soda/vinegar combo. If there are any frozen bits, nudge them out with a butter knife. 
8.  WIPE INSIDE OF FREEZER DOWN AGAIN, this time, with a dry cloth. 
9. Put all the food stuffs and containers back, labeling anything you want/need to more specifically. 
10. When things in sink have defrosted, toss out the insides and clean out or recycle the containers. 

YAY! You did it! And please remember, Tiny Tidys are not about Martha Stewart perfection! They are about remembering how easy and and simple it is to keep your space clean and organized, without it becoming overwhelming, and feeling a quick, swift sense of easy-peasy accomplishment. 

Now...you have our permission go go and heat up something yummy for dinner! Mmmm. 

Tiny Tidy: Your (ahem!) Nightstand Drawer

Today, we will be cleaning out our nightstand drawer(s)! We don't mean to be cheeky. But whether you store some saucy stuff in there, or not, it is completely refreshing to do this, especially if, like us, you love to lounge, eat, read, work and do tons of other fun things in bed...OKAY! Here we go:

1. Open each bedside, night table drawer, one by one. How do you feel? Are you anxious? Do you have a few journals in there you started, but never finished? Does something in there remind you of the sex you are currently having or not having (and both thoughts fill you with dread?) Take note! We are going to fix a few things, here.

2. Find a cloth bag or large, pretty make-up bag you can repurpose. Put all of your sexy time USA stuff in here. (Note to Self: Those satiny Sephora gift bags, which they give out free over the holiday with any purchase, are perfect for this!)

3. If you have no sexy stuff to chicly store, than use this bag for any daily meds, headphones, body cream you have. Just capture anything you may use nightly (or morningly) in this pretty bag.

4. Take everything out of the drawer, one drawer at a time. Still anxious? That's right. It's because you won't read those books that have been hiding in there! So, go file them back on the bookshelf. #feelnoguilt. Now, this is not about the PILE of books on nightstand you're currently reading. That is a totally different story!

5. I know this will really bother some people, but please recycle any old journals stored here, (even with a few blank pages left) that cause you to feel any amount of psychic pain. Trust me, this is an AWESOME way to make way for the new. If you had a crappy few months, or year, and were sort of trying to journal your way through it, recycle those babies (Unless there was anything remotely creative in there you may need for a future project). Please. I promise! It's really okay.

6. Take TEN MINUTES ONLY to put things in other places-bits of jewelry, workout clothes, your ten pens, lingerie, etc. Don't get stuck here!

7. Old letters, momentos, concert stubs, birthday cards? Put them in a file for a now and store on or in a desk or cabinet. We will be dealing with those things later on this month.

8. Find a pretty, deep bowl, and place it INSIDE the top drawer. Put your hand and body cream or essential oil in here, ONE pen, and a NEW journal or notebook (if you use one) here.

9. Add a few "lucky charms" or crystals to the bowl, for fun, if you wish!

10. Anything else-try to store in your closet or bookshelves, if you can...

Remember, we are NOT aiming for Pinterest perfection, here. Just whatever is soothing, and feels right, to you. Here's mine:

AND...you're DONE! YAYAYAYAY! xo