Tag Archives: organize

I’m a Moleskine Notebook Addict But Should I Consolidate Or Collect?

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Isn’t that frustrating?

And aren’t these beautiful?

Moleskine Notebooks
Moleskine Notebook Collection

If I had to say that I collect anything, it would be Moleskine notebooks.  They are not cheap to collect however and that makes me sort of a closet collector.   At Barnes and Noble or Target, a small and/or medium size Moleskine notebook is at least $10.     Compare that to another brand’s small notebook with 50 pages and about the same size, and you might experience sticker shock.  Moleskine’s larger notebooks are upwards of $20.  But they are worth it.

Here’s a comparison:

6X8" Greenroom Recycled Spiral Notebook
6X8" Spiral Notebook - $2.49 at Target

I asked myself this morning as I was admiring my Moleskine collection, why do I prefer Moleskine notebooks so much if I think they are too expensive?

The answer is because they are familiar to me, easy to find when I need a fix, and they are collectible because they are so darn good-looking.  Mostly it’s a comfort thing I think.  I am comfortable with Moleskine. I appreciate the consistency of the notebook design and page styles.  I can buy them on Amazon.com, at Barnes and Noble, and now at Target.  I like the different sizes and the colors are so fun!  I buy pink notebooks for my daughter, blue notebooks for my son, black for my husband, and I vary the colors that I buy for myself. I like to switch it up.

Why Moleskin?

Moleskine notebooks are strong, sturdy, and The Moleskine notebook is, in fact, the heir and successor to the legendary notebook used by artists and thinkers over the past two centuries: among them Vincent van Gogh, Pablo Picasso, Ernest Hemingway, and Bruce Chatwin.

I have my favorite Cross and Mercedes-Benz pens that I carry with me everywhere to use with my Moleskine notebooks.  they are a combo deal.  Cross and Moleskine = happy note taking.

Moleskine notebook addiction collection

Here’s the problem.  There is no rhyme or reason to how I use my Moleskine notebooks.  I don’t have a certain color for a certain topic.

I should/could have

  • one for The Mommy Insider work notes
  • one for Atlanta Moms work notes
  • one for the kids and to-do lists
  • one for travel notes
  • one for doodles (link to Moleskine Doodles collection at Target!)
  • you get it

But I don’t.  Instead what you’d see if you were to open one of my Moleskine notebooks, is a compilation of notes about both of my websites, the groceries I need to pick up this week, reminders about the kid’s school events, and so on.  That is why I feel very strongly that I need to start my Moleskine collection from scratch.

This is where I need help.  

Do I choose a different color notebook for each topic?

Do I use one notebook for everything and just use labels to section out a notebook?

Do I buy different sizes based on what the topic is or when/where I’m going to use that notebook?

What would you do?

 

In the grand scheme of things this is all very trivial, I know.  But since I am in the process of organizing and re-decorating my home office (for the first time in 8 years in this office!), getting my Moleskine notebook situation figured out seems like a natural step in the right direction.  And a bit of a distraction from the other stuff I suppose.

I was not compensated for this post in any way by anyone. I am sharing one of my passions with you.  Your opinions my differ but I know you’ll love Moleskine when you give them a try!  Some links in this post are affiliate links.

5 Products To Organize Your Child’s Closet

Organization, , , ,

I am having surgery next week and I swear I am going through a ‘nesting phase’ just like I did when I was pregnant with both of my kids.  I am cleaning and organizing like no one’s business.   If you don’t already know what the pregnancy nesting phase is, you can learn more about the nesting phase of pregnancy, here.  I’m scrubbing baseboards, cleaning the grout in the bathrooms, painting scuff marks on the walls, and more!

I am trying to get the kids closets organized before my surgery because besides my husband being in charge of getting the kids dressed for school in the morning, my mother and sister will be here to help with the kids in which case they will most likely be exposed to the chaos that is my kid’s closet’s and I’d prefer to know that their closets are clean and organized.
When not cleaning today, I have been looking at closet organizational products at The Organized Parent and below are a few that I love!

You can get 15% off these products and anything else at The Organized Parent by using promo code: OP069!

Closet Dividers Set by O.R.E. Originals

Closet Dividers Set by O.R.E. Originals

Cost: $5.99 – $11.99 for a pack of 5

What is if for?Seperateing clothes by size or by season, or you can even use them to seperate clothes to giveaway from clothes to keep.
A fun, award-winning way to keep your child’s closet organized by age range, clothing type, or day of the week. Set of 5.

Joey & Jane Days of the Week Organizer by Kangaroom

Joey & Jane Days of the Week Organizer by Kangaroom

Cost: $20.95

What is if for?

Help your kids get ready faster in the morning. These unique hanging shelves hang from any size closet rod and have five separate compartments for outfits for every day of the school week, after school activities and sports uniforms. They also have elastic side pockets for shoes, socks, underwear and accessories. Pre-printed days of the week labels, activity labels, and blank activity labels are included so each unit can be customized to fit your needs.

John Classic Filebox 6 Hanging Files by Bigso Box of Sweden

closet box for organizing children's art work

Cost: $25.95

What is if for?

You know, all the art and class work your child brings home for the first few years of her schooling career?  You keep it all!  I interviewed Lisa Loeb and asked her how she chooses which of her daughter’s art pieces to keep and she said that she keeps the pieces that are most original.  So, sort through your child’s school and art work after school every day and keep those that you feel your child will enjoy seeing the most when she’s older, slide them into this box and get them out years later.  You and your child will share smiles and laughs when you look back at her Kindergarten art work.

 

10-Shelf Hanging Bamboo Organizer by Honey Can Do

10-Shelf Hanging Bamboo Organizer by Honey Can Do

Cost: $27.95

What is if for?

Organize your child’s shoes!

This organizer has 10 reinforced shelves for great capacity and hangs easily from your child’s closet rod using two steel hooks.

This hanging organizer can also be used for small bags and accessories.

Large Laundry Bag by Buckhead Betties

Large Laundry Bag by Buckhead Betties

Cost: $12.59 – sale!

What is it for?

Children’s clothes are shorter than average.  So why do we use a traditional laundry basket that takes up so much floor space on the floor of our kids closets?  I’d rather have room for my daughter’s toy organizer, stuffed animals, etc than just one laundry basket.  Even large loads of laundry can fit in this bag. This durable cotton canvas tote protects your delicates from the elements with a coated interior.

 

 

This is not a sponsored post.  I just love The Organized Parent and want to share some of their great closet organizing products with you!

 

Organize Your Family With A NeuYear Poster Size Calendar + A Giveaway!

Contests, Giveaways, New posts, Organization, , , ,
NeuYear Academic Calendar - Horizontal
NeuYear Academic Calendar - Horizontal

Do you find yourself forgetting important dates like your child’s school Meet-and-Greet or Open House? What about your 6th grader’s first band concert?  No, I’m not speaking from experience, silly.

When you have multiple family members, it can difficult to remember important school dates, doctor appointments, what day each child’s extra-curricular activities are on, when the kids are supposed to bring their report cards home, when you need to renew your car tag, your best friend’s wedding, and tons of other important things.

Think about it.  Many of the dates that we need to remember, we think of months before hand, but because traditional calendars show only a month at a time, we aren’t able to plan ahead efficiently.

For example, my husband knew that a friend of his was getting married September 1st didn’t tell me.  I’m speaking hypothetically of course. 😉 Meanwhile, I planned on having my father in town to celebrate my son’s 13th birthday August 31st-September 3rd. I had the date marked on the calendar in July but because only July shows on our traditional wall calendar, my husband didn’t see that my family was going to be in town and therefor, accepted the wedding invitation for all four of us. If in July he would have been able to see August’s important dates/notes, he would have known that my family was going to be in town and would not have RSVP’d for the four of us to go to the wedding.

With the NeuYear wall calendar, we can see literally every day of the year right in front of us.  BAM! It’s all there!

My NeuYear calendar is on my office wall, right smack dab in front of my face.  My husband and son have one as well.  I’m on it this year!

There’s something not so sexy about constantly having to remind your husband about important school events, doctor’s appointments, and other important dates.  It’s not very wifely, I say.  I’d love for my husband to say to me one day “Alicia, Sebastian’s band concert is tomorrow night” or “the lawn service is coming this Wednesday”.  Whoa! That would be so awesome.  I just feel like always having to remind someone of what’s going on is a motherly function, not a wifely function.  Do you agree?

So, help yourself and/or your significant other get on the ball and have no more excuses for forgetting school events, dr appointments, etc..

NeuYear Wall Poster Academic Year Calendar
NeuYear Wall Poster Size Academic Year Calendar - Vertical

Go get a Neu Year calendar or two, put them on your kitchen wall, bathroom wall, and office wall and everyone in your house will know what’s up today, tomorrow, next week, and next month, without having to flip a page!

Mark these important dates on your child’s NeuYear calendar:

  • Important school events
  • Sports games and practices
  • School tests (CRCT’s, etc)
  • Doctor appointments
  • Spring Break
  • Winter Break
  • School vacation days

Mark these important dates or yours and your significant other’s NeuYear calendar:

  • School events
  • Sports games and practices
  • Doctor appointments
  • School vacation days
  • Tentative or potential family vacation dates
  • Family & friend birthdays
  • Spring Break
  • Winter Break
  • When his/her and your car tags are due
  • and more!

The Neu Year calendar is poster size.  There is a vertical calendar on one side and a horizontal calendar on the other side.  So, once you get your calendar(s) take your pick.    The Academic Neu Year calendar spans 12 months, August 2012 to July 2013.

The day boxes are larger than most calendars so there is plenty of room to write in them.  You’ll want to pick up a few colored fine-tip dry erase markers before your calendar arrives.
Oh, did I mention that you can get a laminated version of the calendar, so you can write on it with a dry-erase marker?  When your next annual checkup gets pushed back, just wipe it off and mark the new date.
Or, you can buy the uncoated version and use a pencil or a pen.  It’s up to you! Decisions, decisions!
A NeuYear calendar is a product that I consider a must-have for families.  With our increasingly busy schedules, it’s nice to know that everyone is on the same page when it comes to what’s going on and when.

NeuYear is offering our readers a coupon code for 30% off!

Get 30% off your order at NeuYear.net when you use coupon code MOMMYINSIDER.  This code expires December 31st, 2012.

We are giving 5 lucky readers a NeuYear calendar!

Entries accepted through September 15, 2012. Entrants must be 18+ and live in the U.S. No PO Boxes.  The company may send winners a laminated or uncoated calendar.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a NeuYear calendar for review purposes.  All opinions are 100% mine and were not influenced in any way.

Coupon Code: 5% Off Wood Stackable Sorters – Great For Kids Books and Magazines!

Coupon codes, Gifts, Organization, , , , ,
Wood Stackable Sorters

For a limited time The Mommy Insider readers can get 5% off of wood stackable sorters!  These are great for kids books, magazines, bills, you name it!

Use coupon code INSIDER to get 5% off.

This coupon code expires Sep 30, 2012.

Use this coupon code

The Tote Buddy – Reusable Shopping Bag Tote Review and Giveaway!

Contests, Eco-Friendly, Giveaways, Green, Organization, , ,

The Tote Buddy - reusable shopping bag organizer

Reusable bags have become very popular with environmentally conscious individuals, but in a busy family, keeping up with eco-friendly bags can be challenging. While an individual may only need a couple of bags to hold grocery purchases, the bustling household usually requires many bags. Inevitably, the bags are left in the vehicle, forgotten until the point of unloading a cart of groceries at a check stand. An organizer would make it so much easier to remember.

The Tote Buddy is the perfect solution for the shopper who wants to be a responsible member of the global community. The Tote Buddy provides an easy way to store your reusable shopping bags, making them easy to retrieve for your next shopping trip. The Tote Buddy folds open for removing or placing reusable bags. Folded bags stack nicely in The Tote Buddy, with the handle of just one bag placed outside of the Tote Buddy for use as the handle of the entire organizer. The Tote Buddy is folded closed and secured with the Velcro strap. Hang it on a door handle, store it in the vehicle, or keep it in another convenient place for taking along on your next shopping expedition.
I love that The Tote Buddy takes up minimal space in a grocery cart, is easy for the bagger to use, and is convenient to place inside one of the shopping bags after the transaction is completed.Concern for the environment is one of many motivations for purchasing reusable bags. It can be difficult to keep track of several reusable shopping bags, though, and many people give up on their use because of this. The Tote Buddy provides an excellent organizational approach for managing multiple bags.

Win a Tote Buddy!

We are giving a lucky reader a Floral Tote Buddy!  To enter leave a comment below telling us why you want to win.
Earn extra entries:
Entries accepted through 11:59pm February 15th 2012.  Open to U.S. residents, 18+.  No P.O. Boxes.

Connect with The Tote Buddy:

Disclosure: I was provided with a Tote Buddy for review purposes. All opinions are 100% my own.

Alicia Hagan, Editor