Is Your Patio For The Birds?

I love birds!  I really do.  All year long we have an abundance of birds in our backyard.  Blue Jays, Cardinals, Doves, Mocking birds, Robins, Humming birds, finches and………

……..SPARROWS.

A few years ago we added a patio cover on the back of the house by the pool.  We chose the standard metal type with the corrugated roof.  It is wonderful.  We enjoy being out there year round but especially in the summer when all the grand kids come swimming.

Soon after the cover went up we noticed a tremendous increase of sparrows in the back yard.  Hundreds of them!  I felt like I was in an Alfred Hitchcock movie.  They were attracted to all of the little openings in the corrugated roof.  These openings gave them full access to the insides of our gutters.  The perfect breeding ground for these little buggers.  The first year, we probably had at least 5 active nests at any given time, splattering poop all over the place.  And y’all I’m kind of a germ-a-phobe so this was not cool. Read the rest of this entry

Tweet

0e0499c612b8fba0f40dcce24ebc0651

Clutter happens!

Cutting Clutter 101

Definition of clutter:  A number of things scattered in disorder, jumbled.  

As I have said in other post, we all have the potential to collect clutter.  Whether it is your whole house or just your kitchen table, there is a way to rid yourself of the clutter and reclaim your space. Read the rest of this entry

Tweet

ace9d8bc66d49ca655564e2377b5d9ee

Don’t throw it away just yet….

Organizing and re-purposing what you have!

I am constantly on the lookout for all the latest and greatest ideas.

Read the rest of this entry

Tweet

e49d868faaf4777c89392419665e4a3b

Teaching Organization To A 6 Year Old???

Yes that is right, teaching organization to this wild and crazy 6 yr. old with video to prove it! Read the rest of this entry

Tweet

e6f77c1ef62f8e3240ba1e22e046922e

How To Make The Perfect Sewing Table

Here is a trick of the trade, for those of you that have a dedicated craft/sewing room. For the ultimate sewing table:   Go to your local hardware store and purchase a sheet (or half sheet) of black board. It is usually around 1” thick. (This black board is what you see at construction sites. They put it on houses before they put siding up) It is very inexpensive and it is just like a cork board when covered. Place the black board onto a sheet of plywood and cover it with black-out drapery lining. With a staple gun, neatly staple it to the underside of plywood. Place on top of table or saw horses. With your new white sewing table top you will be able to pin your projects directly to the table while you work. It also allows for you to iron as you work without the need for an ironing board. I love my sewing table. Since I don’t have room for my 8 ft table anymore, I made a smaller one that I can pull out whenever I want.

This is also a perfect sewing table for making draperies. Hope you enjoy!

Also see:  CRAFT STORAGE & SEWING ROOM ORGANIZATION

If you build this sewing table please let me know.  I would love to hear from you!

Tweet

b8a43e1516703d2b5efb866c46574974

Did you know that the 3 dirtiest things in your house are…… Read the rest of this entry

Tweet

3fb5ae75292763ec5aa11946c11cfb1a

Newsletter:  May 18, 2012

Spring is Here

And Summer is Near!!

It is time for us to start thinking about getting ready for summer.  Many of you will be going on vacations and some of you will have a “Staycation.”  What ever your plans, I’m sure it involves being outside and soaking in the sun with your family and friends.

Here at “Let’s Get Organized,” I want to help simplify things for you so you can be prepared for any adventure that comes along.  I have put together  a list of various products that you will be needing fo make the summer perfect!

ORGANIZE YOUR PLANS FOR SUMMER

Plan ahead now for those backyard barbeques, swimming parties, or a trip with your family.  Who wants to wait till the last minute to go buy the necessary seasonal products only to discover the stores have sold out or theyhas a poor selection.  Be ready with the best and latest products so you can have an organized summer.

The following are special links that take you to specific categories, to make your shopping easier.

Looking for a great summer read?  Don’t forget, if you have not read my new novel “Small Wonders,” you can order it directly from my site.  You can also download ANY book you want from MY Amazon”s link below.

Shop My Amazon Links Below:

books

outdoor storage benches

Outdoor storage boxes

Decorative water hose holders

garden carts

Potting work bench

Outdoor furniture

Outdoor Rugs

Outdoor decor

Outdoor Trellis

Flower pots

gardening tools

Outdoor lighting

Swimming toys and floatsSwing sets & Forts

Play houses

Grills

Grilling utensils

Lawn chairs

lawn games

Water sprinklers

Kiddie pools

Lawn mowers

Lawn edgers

Weed eaters

Leaf blowers

Electric hedge trimmers

Wheel barrows

Potting soil

Fertilizers

Bird feeders

bird houses

Bird Food

Flower seeds

Vegetable seeds

Lawn irrigation

Outdoor stereos

outdoor security

Bug repellent

Beach bags

Women’s swimwear

Men’s swimwear

Children’s swimwear

Beach towels

Have a Happy Summer

God Bless,

Susie Brown

Let’s Get Organized

www.simplify-organize.com

Tweet

f2a4537536aa47be49c1e21ebdc941e4

Label Maker

Let’s face it!  Getting organized is a process, physically and mentally.  Everyone has their own setting on how long it takes to finish a project and how they go about it.  So many give up  because the rest of their family is not helping in the “keeping it organized” part of the process.   Many family members do not care or even notice your efforts and this can be deflating.  Or it could be that they do not know where you want things to go.  Because we need help in keeping everything organized, it is in my opinion, essential that every home have a label maker.  They are very inexpensive and it takes the guess work out of where things belong for husbands and children alike.

A label maker is the first thing you need when you start getting organized.  No matter how small your project is, you need to get one of these guys.  I love mine and I use it all the time, I’m actually addicted to it.  It is so much fun to use!

 You know those heavy boxes and containers that are on top of your closet?  With a label maker, you don’t have to  get them down to dig through them when you can see from where you are standing the list of what’s inside?  And because this machine prints in a large font makes it very easy to see.

I am an storage container and label maker junkie!  

Especially in my kitchen as well as my sewing & craft supplies.  Reason being, I like to find what I am looking for quickly.  I have a cabinet in my kitchen that is dedicated as a medicine cabinet.  I keep small storage containers in there that separate categories.  For example:  Cold and allergy products in one that is clearly labeled.  One for basic first aid, ointments, thermometers (yes I have several kinds), stomach upset, etc.  A larger container is at the top that contains ace bandages, slings, braces, etc for the occasional sprain.

Why do I do this?  If one of my grandchildren gets a boo boo and I need to doctor it quickly, as soon as I open this cabinet I see exactly what I need.  No time for foraging through allergy & stomach products when all I need is basic first aid.  It also works great when a visitor is helping me and goes to look for a band aid.  Once I tell them where the correct cabinet is, I don’t have to explain where the band aids are.  They know exactly where they are as soon as they open the cabinet door.

The same goes for craft & sewing supplies:  My label maker is the absolute main tool I use to get my crafty stuff categorized as well.  For example:  Paints and Paint Brushes, ribbons, trims, glue gun and glue sticks, pompoms,  pipe cleaners, etc.  So if I have a quick project I want to do, why would I want to dig through all of my scrapbooking stuff and everything else, when all I need is some glitter?  If the container is labeled “Glitter and Glue”  it is instantly in your hand!

Using a label maker not only helps you find things quickly, but it also gives everything a very cohesive and organized look with it’s easy to read professionally printed fonts.  Plus it just makes you feel good!  :)

Is my house perfect?  Absolutely not!!!  If you ask me where something is, will I be able to tell you or get it for you immediately?   Absolutely YES!!!!

However, I am considering getting this pink label maker here Brother P-touch Label Maker Pt-128af because simply because my husband likes to use mine in the garage.  I am glad he is using the label maker out there, because it really makes it easy to find things, but It is very rarely put back into “My” tool kit.

“People can last a day or two without food and water,

but no one can live without a label maker!” – Adam Glassman in the Declutter issue of O Magazine, March 2012

“I’m an organizational freak. My label maker is my best friend.” 

Singer Christina Aguilera
Source: USA Weekend

Simplify your life…..

Are you a label maker junkie like me?  

Tweet

4b930892962174060c094890992fd39c

 Patio Storage And Outdoor Living

Patio storage and organization  is crucial if you want a tranquil outdoor living space.

I Love spring!  Everything is coming back to life and it recharges my batteries to shake off my winter hibernation.  My favorite thing is to go outside in the mornings to drink my coffee under the covered patio and watch the humming birds fighting for their rights to the many feeders my husband and I put out.  The pool is now uncovered and my Knock out roses are bursting with blooms.  Ahh, I could live out here.  

Did you know that you’re patio or deck is actually an extension of your home?  Let’s make it inviting and organized.  A well put together outdoor living space, screams family time!   However with my large family (9 grandchildren), even the most peaceful environment can become chaotic and messy, if their is not a plan for patio storage.  Examples of my patio storage:  Pool toys are a major contributor to creating a mess.  We have a iron bakers rack to house some of our patio storage.  The bottom shelf has a large plastic bin with holes on the sides and bottom which house the small outdoor toys.  The holes help them to air dry properly between use.  On another shelf I have a pretty water proof container that holds sunscreen & lotions.  I try to get everyone to bring their own towel when they come, however I will supply a few neatly folded on a shelf just in case one is needed.  As simple as this seems, just this small amount of patio storage and organization, lets your visitors know that you appreciate any effort they make to keep it that way.

At Gammy’s and Poppy’s house, our children and grandchildren know to pick everything up and put everything back in it’s place before leaving.  We never have to say a word, they just know.  Train ‘em early

For pool float storage check out this great selection of products.  For a huge selection of floats and toys see the attached page “Pool Floats and Toys.”

If you desire to create  organized patio storage that is practical and attractive, you have come to the right place.

In order to determine the best patio storage for you, use the same strategies as we do with an indoors  see ORGANIZING BASICS and let’s get it cleaned and uncluttered.  You need some comfortable yet outdoor friendly furniture that is inviting.  Using dual purpose pieces such as patio storage boxes that can double as a coffee table or extra seating, is a great way to cut down on clutter.  Designate patio storage for toys,  Grilling supplies, pool floats, etc.  Just as inside your house, everything outside needs to have a place too.   Don’t forget to put your style into the mix like an outdoor rug and some colorful potted plants.

I will leave you with this thought:  Our front yard reflects how we want others to see us (Public image).  However, our back yard reflects our inner self.  Now go fix up your back yard and plant some flowers that only you can see.

Important note:  Let’s Get Organized is not like the other blogs.  I am very up front about selling products on my site.  I work from home helping you!  I am a professional organizer with a heart to help others, by blogging about what I know.  Most blogs hide what they are selling to make it look like they are not trying to sell it.  That is not me and there are no secrets here.  

Here you will find patio storage and outdoor living products

patio storage benches	Patio storage boxes	Decorative water hose holders	garden carts	Outdoor furniture	Potting work bench
Outdoor Rugs	Outdoor decor	Outdoor Trellis	Flower pots	gardening tools	Outdoor lighting
Swimming toys and floats	Swing sets & Forts	Play houses	Grills	Grilling utensils	Lawn chairs
lawn games	Water sprinklers	Kiddie pools	Lawn mowers	Lawn edgers	Weed eaters
Leaf blowers	Electric hedge trimmers	Wheel barrows	Potting soil	Fertilizers	-Bird feeders
bird houses	Bird Food		Outdoor stereos	outdoor security	Greenhouses
Bug repellent	sunscreen	Beach bags	Women’s swimwear	Men’s swimwear	Children’s swimwear
Beach towels	Outdoor Fans	Electric Foggers	Bug Zappers	Flower seeds	Vegetable seeds

What is your favorite patio storage product!  Email me some before and after pictures and yours might get posted on this page.

Tweet

d5231e76560f4817e26b8f0f9044c8af

Pool Floats And Toys

Get the outdoor fun started!!!!

Also see:  PATIO STORAGE AND OUTDOOR LIVING

Huge selection of pool floats and more.  

Nothing Says Fun In The Pool Like Colorful Pool Floats

Linens & Things

Check out this amazing selection MORE  BABY pool floats!!!

Tweet

65fde50d7c1617d4a7d37101a3f5dfc9