Where is my pink sparkly barrette?

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When is it prime time to come up with an organizing solution? Often when you find you're painstakingly spending time searching for something on a fairly regularly basis.

This recently came to be with my 4-year old's hair accessories. How many hair accessories does a 4-year old need? In Amanda's case, lots!

So this past weekend, I stopped at Shopko and picked up a scrapbooking embellishment organizer to get those hair accessories under control and organized.

The results:

a) Amanda loves looking through the organizer each morning and picking the perfect accessories.

b) Mom and Dad are relieved that we don't have to waste time searching for the pink sparkly star barrette in a disorganized pile.

c) Everyone is happy . . . and that's what being organized is all about!

My Son Doesn't Want My Scrapbooks!

READER QUESTION:

Maria, I'm so glad your daughter loves your scrapbooks. Your 'Little Gym' layout is so cute!

I need your advice. I have made quite a few scrapbooks over the years. Probably two shelves on one large bookcase are housing scrapbooks.

Now my 12-year-old son, my only child, says he really doesn't want to haul scrapbooks around after I'm gone and 'couldn't you just put all the photos on a thumb drive and hand it to me, Mom?'

Well, needless to say, that sort of took the wind out of my scrapbooking sails!

I don't know what to do. Try electronic scrapbooking? Just give it up and save the photos on CDs? I really enjoyed this hobby for years, but it is taking up a LOT of room.

Your thoughts? Thanks!

Kathy

RESPONSE:

Kathy, Don't give up! There are precious memories in both the photos AND the scrapbooks you put together with your own hands and creative imagination. These are an important part of your heritage.

You can certainly take photos of your scrapbook layouts, or the actual photos alone, and put those on an electronic storage device for your son if he wishes. But, as you likely already know, kids change their minds all the time. What your son feels now at the age of 12, could be completely different by the time he's 20 or even 30. He may decide he wants those scrapbooks later.

If he marries when he's older, it is highly likely his wife, kids or grandkids would love the actual scrapbooks. Oh, if I could only have more photos of my parents and grandparents, how overjoyed I would be...and my husband feels the same way about his family members (guy perspective)!

I know they take up lots of room, but if you hold your scrapbooks dear to your heart, I would recommend you keep them forever...or until one of your loved ones requests them. These are treasures you can never replace.

Do you try digital scrapbooking now? Why not? Then, you'll have a great collection of both hard copy, and digital!

Scrapbook Layout: The Little Gym

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If you're one of the people who has been asking if I'm still scrapbooking, the answer is a big YES! I generally do one to two layouts each weekend. It's so relaxing for me, and helps me unwind after a long week.

My latest layout is one of my daughter, Amanda, and her friends at a nearby dance and gym studio. It's one of my busier layouts, but I'm so happy with the results. It illustrates lots of movement, which is exactly what the mood of these weekly dance and gym sessions have been.

Think: Mega-Energy!

Last night, Amanda asked if she could go through my scrapbooks. To say the least, I was thrilled. We spent over an hour browsing through layouts and she had so many questions and comments about each photo. Really makes this hobby so worthwhile when you have family members and friends who truly appreciate what you do!

Eat, Pray, Love

If you've been reading my blog for awhile, you already know I'm involved in a monthly book chat. I just finished this month's read, 'Eat, Pray, Love.'

Sadly, although it rates very high on the reader review list on Amazon, this was not one of my favorite books. I struggled to get through it, and basically had to force myself to complete it. (Probably not the best use of my time, but I do like to complete my book chat reads, so I know what I'm talking about at the actual chats.)

It will be interesting tonight, to hear what the other book chat members thought.

There is a BIG saving grace though. For anyone who has read this book, the main character travels from Italy, to India to Indonesia. One of our book chat members had a most delightful idea--all attendees are to bring an Italian treat to pass.

Here are some of the dishes on tonight's agenda:

Artichoke Grantinata
Crispy Pancetta and Spinach
Mozzarella Fondue
Garlic bread
Mushroom Parmesan
Tomato and Mozzarella Salad
Roasted Pears with Ice Cream
Gelato and canolli
Wine

Yum! I can't wait!

Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Sanctuary

What is so appealing about a spa? For most people, it's the promise of relaxation. You too can turn your bathroom into a relaxing spa-like sanctuary in 4 easy steps-- sort, purge, clean and beautify.

SORT everything in the room into like piles. For example, put all medicines together, as well as medicinal items such as cough drops and aspirin. Do the same for everything from bandaids to towels.

I have pretty lined baskets under my sink that keep similar items together, such as all bath care products in one basket, all cosmetics in another and all manicure and pedicure products in yet another.

This is especially important for things such as cosmetics. Consider corralling and containerizing such like items as nail polishes, hair accessories and grooming items.

When planning your organization and storage of items, keep in mind that it is highly recommended that you find another location besides the bathroom for most prescription and over the counter medications. They tend to be adversely affected by the heat and humidity of the average bathroom.

PURGE. Once you have all items sorted, you can begin to purge. Take each pile of items and first look for anything that is obviously trash. When dealing with your medicinal items, toss any products that are expired or that you have opened more than 12 months ago.

I glance through my baskets, medicine cabinet and towel closet once each week to be sure everything is current and will be used.

Look through your items such as towels. Are they nearing the end of their life span? Frayed towels aren't very spa-like. Consider treating yourself to a new set of matching bath linens. If you feel guilty about getting rid of the old ones, you might donate them to a local animal shelter where there is always a need for old towels.

CLEAN. Give the room a top to bottom cleaning. Nothing will help add to your feeling of relaxation more than having a clean, organized space.

Once you've done this, keeping everything clean is as easy as wiping down the bathroom counter and toilet every single night before you go to sleep. Shine those faucets. This always gives a clean, sharp appearance. In addition, the last person to take a shower each day should wipe down the shower tiles.

BEAUTIFY. Add beautiful items that make your bathroom feel spa-like. I have some lovely artwork (inexpensive, but pretty) hanging on my bathroom walls. Include pretty containers of bath beads, powders and soaps on soaker tub ledges. Strategically place some pretty candles in appropriate places. Install a few shelves (ours are glass) to hold pretty colognes and perfumes.

Pretty touches like those mentioned can transform an ordinary bathroom into a peaceful retreat--where you can unwind and relax in spa-like comfort.