What can I use the Zip-Top Organizing Utility Tote for?

Got this from the organizing blog I like…

Create a Valentine card mini-zone.

Gather all your essential supplies like card stock, Valentine-themed paper, envelopes, glue stick, googly eyes (obviously), scissors, paper punches. (Or, do what I like to do and open the box of pre-made cards from the store.) Next collect pens, markers, stickers, the class list (or your address book), postage stamps, and so on, and corral them into a bucket, bin or tray. Use small drinking cups, pails or pots to keep scissors, pens and markers upright and easily accessible. I’ll give each of my daughters a mini zone so that they can keep their work together. The best part about this is that when we need to stop creating and eat dinner, it’s easy to sweep their work into the mini-zone and move it off the table.

(Use the tote instead of the bucket)

Here is a link to her blog: http://www.simplify101.com/organizing-blog/

February Special

I know it has been a little while since my last post!! Sorry, friends! I do want to tell you what the February Special is - the ZIP-TOP ORGANIZING UTILITY TOTE. How great is this tote?!?!?! This is a great - take with you everywhere type of bag with SUPER cute patterns. There are lots of different ways to use this tote - diaper bag, fitness bag or your office on the go! 

What do you think? Cute, huh?!?! Get yours today - www.mythirtyone.com/laurabodine.

Hope you are having a glorious day!

Your girl on the go go-to person,
Laura

10 daily habits for a well run home

Found this cute (and informative) blog on Pinterest. Good information for all of us, I think.

10 daily habits for a well run home

1. Wake up early. I know this one stinks, but it is the best way to get a jump on your day. Otherwise, the day seems to be in control rather than you controlling the day.

2. Waking up early starts with going to bed earlier. I know that you like the time after the kids have gone to bed for yourself, or for working on projects, or even for trying to catch up on housework. The fact is, shutting down and turning in earlier will make for a better morning and you will likely be more productive. This may not be accurate for the true night owls out there, but I urge you to give it a try.

3. Evening preparations. Make sure everything that is needed to leave the house in the morning is prepped and where it should be. Teach your children this habit as soon as you possibly can, it can make your life easier.

4. Institute meal-planning. Whether you have every meal for the week planned out, or you have 6 dinners to pick from each day, find a way to make meal planning work for you. I love Pinterest for ideas for meals! Look at your meal plan the evening before and see if you need to do any prep like take something out of the freezer, or prepare the crock pot.

5. Do one complete load of laundry a day. From start to finish. Build a habit of grabbing everyone’s clothes after bathtime and tossing in wash. and then toss in dryer before bed. Or in the morning when you get up. Take 5-10 minutes to fold and put away that load (or have your kids do it!) One load a day may or may not be enough for your family, but doing at least one load every day will help you stay on top of the pile.

6. Do your best to get your dishes done in the evening before going to bed. I know this can be hard sometimes, but think how much better it feels in the morning to come down to a clean sink. Build this habit and you will appreciate it. Again, if your kids are old enough to do the dishes or at least help, then let them! See: My strategy for getting the dishes done

7. Take 5 minutes and buzz through the bathrooms with a damp cloth. Straighten, wipe, and keep a toilet brush handy for swishing the toilet. Take any dirty towels and clothes to laundry room. Some days use a paper towel with windex to shine things up, including the mirror.

8. A place for everything and everything in its place. We have heard this our whole lives and it is true, it makes life a lot easier. One problem is that we have accumulated too much stuff so that we have a difficult time keeping things in their places. Work on clearing clutter and designating homes for regularly used items. And teach your children this as well. I know well how discouraging it can be to walk into a room and multiple things are sitting out. On the reverse, think how calming it is to walk into a room where everything is tidy and orderly. (notice I didn’t say spotless) See: How to magically make your house cleaner

9. Have a bedtime routine that includes putting away toys, books, dishes, trash, etc and picking out clothes for tomorrow. Having this routine in place will help your kids learn responsibility and know what is expected of them. We are their mom, not their maid.

10. Do not say YES immediately to new requests. Come up with a response, such as “Let me check my calendar and get back with you.” Or if you know you need to say NO, get it over with. And don’t feel like you have to explain why. A simple, “Due to other obligations, I won’t be able to ________”.  See: You know you say YES too much if…

Okay, before you go feeling like a total failure, and wondering how will I ever be able to do all these things, listen to me.

Baby steps.

What habits do you want to work on first?
Pick 1 or 2 things to start working on today.

Do them consistently and teach your family to do the same. Once they become habit, add 2 more things. Keep at it slowly and you will be surprised at how doing these little things will help relieve some of your stress, and lighten that burden that moms always seem to be carrying on their shoulders.

http://thestressedmom.com/2012/03/10-habits-for-a-well-run-home/

Spring '14 Catalog

So, 2013 is almost over (thank you, Jesus!) and we are starting to think about the upcoming Spring. Here are some quick pics of a new pattern and cute new products Thirty-One is premiering!

(this one I think is my favorite and…I am not a huge pink fan)

And I can't wait to see this tote in person!!

I know this is a little pink heavy but it is so cute! There are 21 new products and 13 new prints!

Click here to take a look at the new catalog!!

As always, thank you for your support!
Laura

Organizing for the Holidays: Handy Storage Products to Keep You Organized All Year Round

If you’re like us, gift-buying is only part of the shopping we do this time of year. Since the holidays typically involve entertaining, houseguest, or travel, now is a great time to think through anything that can help us stay more organized. Plus, there are some outstanding ideas to be found! We took a gander through Amazon and spotted some awesome organizing product finds.

1.  Seagrass baskets.

These seagrass-reed baskets have so many uses that we don’t even know where to begin. Place one in the guest bedroom or bathroom to hold extra toiletries and towels for house guests. Or use them to hold holiday books or catalogs and magazines. Or, who wouldn’t love a gift basket where the basket is actually part of the gift? This one is by thirty one (Very You Basket).

2. Hanging gift wrap organizer.

Establishing a gift wrap center keeps all your supplies together, and this hanging organizer makes it super portable, too! This one is also from thirty one (Room for Two Utility Tote)! 

3. Coat rack with umbrella stand.

If you lack extra space for guests’ coats, a coat rack in the entry way helps welcome guests and allows them to grab their own coats when it’s time to leave.

4. Bench with cushion seat.

This bench seat has great storage space and extra seating. It would work great in a mudroom or entry way, but would also work great in a kids’ room, play room, craft room… anywhere you could use extra storage and seating!

5. Over door hooks.

In the closet, guest bedroom or bathroom, give your overnight visitors ample space to hang towels, coats and clothes. Over door hooks are an attractive temporary solution!

6. Luggage rack.

If you’ve got overnight guests coming this holiday season, placing a luggage rack in the spare bedroom or guestroom is a simple, welcoming touch to help them stash and access their luggage during their visit.

7. K-cup storage.

This K-cup organizer would be great year round but especially when you have guests. Since it serves as the base of your coffee maker, it doesn’t take up much counter space. Plus visitors can easily serve themselves without having to root through kitchen cabinets.

8. Chalkboard labels.

Labels help everyone know what goes where, and when they’re as cute as these chalkboard labels, the possibilities are endless! Use them as drink markers or gift tags, or to label leftovers or kitchen canisters.

9 . Hanging cosmetic bag.

For travel over the holidays or anytime of the year, the see-through compartments of thishanging cosmetic bag let you keep your cosmetics organized and easily accessible. The smart design means it takes up less space in your suitcase and the bathroom counter. This one is by thirty one too (the Deluxe Beauty Bag!)

10. Over-seat organizer.

If your holiday plans include a road trip, keep the essentials organized and in-reach with this organizer from thirty one. 

Click here to go to her blog.

Also, guys, I know I mentioned this before but this is awesome - DOUBLE HOSTESS GIFTS! I would love to help you with a party and you earn this! How great would that be?!?! Plus, we would have a great time!!

Thanks again for your support,

Laura

White Weekend - CAUTION: Debbie Downer moment

Happy white Monday! Holy cow…are we all suffering from some form of cabin fever yet? I am in my office at home, looking out into our backyard and all I see is WHITE! ICE! ICE! ICE! ICE! ICE! Yes, it is cool to be stranded at home, watching movies, drinking hot chocolate - on the first night…maybe the second. But when you are going on the FOURTH day of this..it gets old. VERY QUICKLY.

Ok, so I thought I would come to you guys with a product I think would have come in handy this weekend - the About Town Blanket. Sure I have blankets at home but I honestly don't have one in my car. And heaven forbid, something happen and I need a blanket in my car. A friend of mine got one and it is SO CUTE! I know, we don't want to think of accidents and what not but that is what I do for a living so you ALWAYS need a Plan B. Yes, a Plan B! CAUTION - Said Debbie Downer moment: So, what if you get stuck in your car and you need to stay warm…you need a blanket. You need this blanket!! (said with big eyes and weird hypnotizing music)

You can use it for happy things too…like picnics or putting cute babies on them outside …WHEN THE WEATHER COOPERATES! It has a slick bottom so said cute babies won't get stickers or other such nonsense on them.

Here are a couple of photos (who says "photos" anymore?!? Me, apparently.):

outside:

one side is fuzzy and soft and the other side is slick:

See?!?! CUTE, right?!?! And it does not take up too much space. Here are the patterns this handy dandy blanket comes in:

Let me know if you have any questions and as always, thank you for your support!

Talk to you soon,
Laura

Hostess and Customer Specials - OH MY!

Hey there, everyone! Happy Friday…Black Friday to those of you who dared to muster up the courage to deal with the cold and well, other people. I salute you because I could not do it.

I just wanted to put it on here too (because I put it on Facebook too) the hostess AND customer specials between now and the 20th of December!!

Also, wanted to note that the last day to order will be the 10th of December if you want to get it BEFORE Christmas!!

Ok, the hostess special - if you have a $200 party (or more), you get an Organizing Utility Tote for FREE! This tote is the 2nd most popular item for thirty-one!! It has 5 cloth pockets (2 in the front and 3 in the back) and 2 side mesh pockets.

(front)

(back)

(personalization….love it!!)

The Customer Special is with every $35 you spend, you can get one of the following items for $5!! How sweet is that?!?! Here they are:

(Leash)

(Perfect Bottle Thermal)

(Littles Carry All Caddy - great as Teacher Gifts)

(Tote A Tablet)

(Wristlet)

Thanks again for all of your support! Let me know if you need anything or have any questions.

Laura