Gifts Galore!

Good Gifts! Bad Gifts! Small Gifts! Glad Gifts! What do we do with all those gifts?!

(Ok ok. I had a Dr. Seuss moment. Just indulge me for a second.)

I've been joking with my loved ones about how we "won" this year with our gift giving, everyone received things they really like, if not love. We didn't exchange many gifts, but all the ones received were wonderfully accepted. I guess the planets aligned and God smiled upon us, because that doesn't happen often.

So for all those who received itchy pajamas, a sweater 2 sizes too small with NO gift receipt or tag, or 5 new pairs of black shoes (YOU shouldn't complain...kidding) this post is for you...

1. As always, take inventory: I've realized, this is always in my top 3 organizing tips,  but what can I say? It really helps us figure out what we should keep or not keep. First, sort the gifts according to what you like, dislike, and are on the fence about. Next, try on (if it's clothes) or ponder whether or not you really need/want/like the "on the fence" gifts. From there, they should be transferred to the like or dislike pile. 
2. Pick 'em up, Put 'em down: For each duplicate, give something away. For instance, if you received two new sweaters this year, give away 1 or 2 older sweaters that you don't wear often to charity or a friend/family member in need. This keeps room in your closet/child's toy chest/other area for new items without clogging your space. Be a blessing to someone else. 
3. White Elephant gift exchange!: You're never alone in receiving a bad gift. There is always someone else with a similar experience, but since one man's trash is another man's treasure, you can plan a White Elephant party where people bring one gift that they dislike in hopes of swapping it for something better. You can Google "White Elephant Gift Exchange" to find the rules. 
4. Re-gift it!: This does not necessarily mean giving the gift back the way in which you received it. Sometimes we can just take certain parts of the gift and use them to create something new. As an example, you got a gift basket with yet another oversized coffee mug, and your cabinet cannot bear to house one more. So you can give the coffee mug along with a book to your friend as a birthday gift. 
5. Re-gift...your things: As new items come into the house (through gifting or sweet holiday sales), let's view this new year as a time to purge and give. Purge your home of unnecessary excess and give to those who have a need/want. While you are being a blessing to others, you can receive tax deductions for the 2010 tax year!

 So let's all start the New Year off right! Organized and ready for any challenge!

Have A Happy (and productive) 2010!

© BeSpoken Spaces 2010

One Holiday down, one more to go...

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, there is a sigh of relief on December 25 after the gifts have been opened and the holiday bird carved, but the next day, after the wrapping paper clears, the question is:

"What do I do with all this Christmas stuff?"

Many of us spend time seeking out the perfect ornaments or home trimmings only to misplace them before the next holiday season. So, here's few ideas on how to store your holiday decorations without breaking them, or the bank, next year.

1. Color coordinate!: If you can still find them, purchase those red and green containers to hold your wreath, garlands, and ornaments. Next year they'll be easy to find, because of the colors, in your attic or basement.
2. Take inventory: As always, find out what's broken, missing, or needs to be misplaced. Most likely you will be able to catch these things on sale between Christmas and New Years and who doesn't like discounts??
3. Untangle the lights!: This is part of the reason I like organizing things. Almost every year, our lights would need to be untangled because previous year we just threw them in a box. So, to avoid that, we began wrapping them around a tube of newspaper. Just roll the paper like a paper towel tube, and wrap the lights around it. They are easier to untangle that way, AND they are easier to put on the tree! 
4. Do the laundry!: Before throwing all the holiday linens in a bag to banish until next year, take the time to wash them first! Any stains left to marinate for a year certainly cannot be good. Linens that are soiled beyond repair can be used as cleaning clothes instead. 

These steps will definitely help you keep your holiday decor in top condition for the next year!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and be safe!

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

So You Like To Network Hunh?

Entrepreneurs. Lawyers. Business(wo)men. Barbers. EVERYONE NETWORKS!

Or at least we should....

So the question is, "what do I do with all those business cards?"

I have a client that I have been working with for two weeks, well two days, one per week, and this is the very question we've been plagued with.  Everywhere you turn, there are cards! As a matter of fact, once we finally wrangled them together (like wild cattle), there were enough business cards to fill a boot box. How do I know you ask? We put them in a boot box for the purposes of sorting through items in the office...


For those like me who dislike extra paper and don't have many business cards, here's what I suggest:

1. After you get the card, write on the back (1) where you met the person and (2) anything interesting from the conversation. This will come in handy when you try to contact the person later on. 
2. Utilize Outlook/Gmail/That expensive cellphone: I put all of the business card information into my email contacts and include a note with the information from #1.  This way I can access this information wherever I am, and I don't need the card. 
3. Personally, I throw away the card. However, I know some people believe in keeping them "just in case". This is where personal preference comes in handy...

For professional networkers with LOTS of cards:

1.             Decide which business cards you want and discard the others. Of course one can argue that you never know when you may need a specific service, but if you have the business card of your local Red Lobster’s General Manager from 10 years ago, it’s probably safe to toss it.
2.       Decide the best way to organize the cards for you. They can be organized by service, business name, last name, or even date received.
3.       If you are tactile person who would rather have the physical business card, using a card rolodex or binders with plastic business card inserts.
4.       An Excel spreadsheet would be a great way to organize your business cards contacts as well. As more contacts are imputed, you can sort them to your liking. 

3.    

4.     © BeSpoken Spaces 2009

Party Time!

It's holiday time!

For me, this includes lots of friends from college (Go BLUE!) coming in town and everyone scrambling to see as many people as possible. Needless to say, we usually end up at a nightclub.

Now that I've joined the "Quarter Century Club", I think something different is in order...

So this post is for all of my friends and other "twenty-somethings" who are planning their first Holiday Gatherings (aka get-togethers)...

1. When: Pick a date two-weeks in advance, this gives you time to plan and get everyone on the bandwagon.
2. Who's In?: We live in a hi-tech/social networking society. Twitter, Facebook, Text, LinkedIn are great tools, but a phone call is still the most personal.
3. The Pre-Clean: Clean the home prior to having people over. Put away "unmentionables" and all the fragile items you are afraid that your guests could possibly break. Pre-Cleaning makes it much easier to clean up after the party. Make sure all the dishes are clean and in their proper place. Then you have an empty dishwasher/sink to fill with party dishes.
4. Food: If you are doing potluck --(1) think long and hard about WHO you will ask and WHAT they should bring. If you know Sharon is always late, don't have her bring plates... (2) Remind friends a few days before of which dishes they are responsible for. If you are supplying all of the food, make sure you know everyone's dietary restrictions. Have SOMETHING there for the vegetarians.
5. Entertainment: There are three things that always work, (1) deck of cards, (2) Taboo, and (3) Wii...they never fail.  Try to keep the conversation away from politics and religion if you know you invited friends with conflicting views.
6. To Drink or not to Drink?: If you want to serve alcoholic beverages, serve them early and put them away at least 45-60 minutes before you are ready for people to go home. Also monitor your friends, you know who's getting drunk and who's not. This will minimize the number of people who need to spend the night while maximizing safe, sober drives home.
7. Entertain while you work!: If you politely clean up (gather glasses/cups, condense food containers/trays) while entertaining, this will make your clean up A LOT easier after all the guests leave!
8. Plan B: If all else fails and you are absolutely exhausted, (1) pat your self on the back for throwing a great party, (2) have a glass of wine (or sparkling cider), (3) put up the food (if there is any) and leave the rest for the morning. Hey, we're all human right?

Again, have a SAFE, HAPPY, and BLESSED Holiday Season!

p.s. Don't forget to send your organizing questions to lauren@bespokenspaces.com! Your question may be the next post...

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

One for the Home Team: We have a website!

After exploring many options and ideas, BeSpoken Spaces has an internet home!!

Visit us at www.BeSpokenSpaces.com

Click Here To VISIT the website!

As a matter of fact, you don't have to visit www.thebespokendiary.blogspot.com any more! You can actually visit the website to view the blog! How cool is that?!

And of course, it was not of my own volition, my WONDERFUL web designer did all of the coding and cool stuff I can't even imagine!

If you're looking for a web designer, contact Scott Friedman (sfriedman@adamsfifteen).

He started a web design company called Adam's Fifteen...cool name. :)

The website is a living organism, keep up with its metamorphosis by visiting every once in a while! Scott and I have some great things planned...

Here's YOUR assignment:

1. Read the Blog!: So I can help you "BeSpoke" your life!

2. Pass on the Website/Blog to EVERYONE!: So they can get "BeSpoken" too!

3. Follow Us!: We're on Twitter, and will soon be on Facebook! Then we can "BeSpoke" you on-the-go!

4. Do Something Nice for a Stranger Today: It will bless you more than them...and at BeSpoken Spaces, we care about you, inside and out...

Check back later this week, I have some organizing tips that will help you get THE MOST out of life!

Until Next Time...

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009  

Technology and Me: A wired loved story...

Happy Holidays!!

From one of your favorite bloggers :) 

So, I've realized that the older you get, you still have toys. I've moved from Pottery Wheels and Game Boy to Electronics. During Thanksgiving week, I used some of my own advice (see the Black Friday post) and took advantage of those holiday sales. Here's how I faired.

#1. I acquired a netbook.

I like it actually. Its so cute and little. It reminds me of the Little Engine That Could, except mine has no problem performing. I purchased a cute little Gateway netbook that has a 10 inch screen. I've actually gotten used to the screen, it's comfy. Windows 7 is very nice, but Microsoft played me...netbooks come with the "Starter Edition" which means you have to pay $80 for the full Windows 7 experience.

I can't change my desktop background, for example...shame on you Microsoft!

#2. I have the cell phone of my technological dreams...

Introducing the Samsung Moment....cue the epic/superhero music! I use A LOT of Google products so this phone is a wonderful compliment. I can finally check my business email on the go (this was not an option on my Centro) and with the click of ONE button! The only downsides I have experienced are (1) the 5.5hr battery life (compared to my 8-12hr centro battery) and (2) it synced my phone contacts AND my Google contacts.

I had 870 contacts...sad times.

#3 I joined Twitter!

Honestly, I was staunchly against it. I didn't want to follow the trend, but, it's a great marketing tool and I can Twitter from anywhere! I thought my friends would judge me for joining, but come to find out, they were all hiding out on Twitter!!

And realized I am not as internet savvy as I always believed myself to be. It took me two days to figure out how to use Twitter.

So, FOLLOW ME! www.twitter.com/LaurenOrganizes

Other than that, business is off to a great start. I'll have a post VERY soon about the website launch! And I booked two clients over Thanksgiving Weekend. Oh Joy!

One last thing, I would love for YOU to get involved in the organizing movement! ANY questions you may have about organizing, contact me and I will write about them! No problem is too small or too big!

Until next time...

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

How to Shop for Black Friday Without Going Crazy

Hello Readers!!

First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I hope everyday you are grateful for loved ones, but let's especially take some time this week.

So, besides turkey, dressing, and football, SHOPPING has become synonymous with Thanksgiving. And what better way to start the holiday season than with a blog about organized shopping!

"Black Friday", as they call it, fills me with nervous thoughts because I always think of mean pushy people fighting over the last Transformer or a $5 flat screen TV at 5:32am. My earliest memories of the day after Thanksgiving are those of not having the parents around all day because they're out shopping.

So, for all those parents who shop on Friday, I hope these tips help you get home early enough to spend time with your family.

1. Do Your Research!: Find out which stores have the Early Bird Specials, best sales, where they are , and what time the stores open. This will help you figure out step two. Also, you may strike gold and find online ordering deals. Think: less stuff to bring in the house later.

2. The-Set Up: Figure out PRIOR to shopping what you want to purchase for each loved one on your list. If you know you want to get Aunt Gina a dress, make sure you've found out her sizes beforehand, it's the worse when you get a gift you can't fit. After you figure out what you want to get each person, maybe think of a list of stores that may cater to what you are looking for. This will cut down on time.

3. Sneak Attack: If there are Early Bird specials that you REALLY need, then fine, get there early enough to secure that special Tickle Me Elmo little Rasheeda has been asking for, but other than that, pick stores all in one specific area (if possible) to cut down on travel time. If you can avoid going to Kohl's in Rochester and then Macy's in Novi, you've won half the battle.

4. B.Y.O.V.: Bring Your Own Vittles!: Bring snacks and water along so that you don't have to stop by the McDonald's outside the mall. It's going to be a looong wait, and they might run out of McNuggets.  Save yourself the heartbreak.

5. Divide and Conquer: Find a willing comrade who loves the thrill of the hunt. This way one person can wait in the long line while the other grabs the quick items. Don't forget to synchronize shopping lists and watches!

6. B.Y.O.E: Bring Your Own Entertainment!: This is where that Ipod comes in handy. There are bound to be long lines, and if you bring a buddy to divide in conquer, you'll spend time in the trenches (i.e. cashier lines) alone. Unless you like striking up conversations, a little mood music may help. I suggest Eye Of The Tiger because this isn't for the faint of heart...

7. Start Early: Your kids love you. How many Fridays do they get to spend at home hanging out with their parents? Probably not many. Get out early so you can enjoy the rest of your day.

8. Prayer: Only Jesus and Temperance will stop you from blowing up on rude shoppers who push and shove.

9. Get something for the wonderful person that gave you this information: I'd like a Nintentdo DS or diamonds please. :) 

Here's a few places to start your Research:
1. JCPenny (opens at 4am): http://www.jcpenny.com/jcp/default.aspx
2.  Black Friday Deals website: http://bfads.net/
3. Target: weeklyad.target.com
4. Amazon.com (why wait in line?): http://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=384082011&tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4238437209&ref=pd_sl_835ann76u_b

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009