Via Creative Commons. Click for original photo by Carl Wycoff
Thank you to all the soldiers that are no longer with us, as well as the friends and family that were left behind. It’s a beautiful sacrifice that not everyone is willing to make. Your valor and courage has not gone unnoticed.
Wishing everyone a fabulous Memorial Day!
I am SO excited to announce that I’m one of the new featured contributors with She Owns It, a wonderful website dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs reach their goals and dreams. I’ll be their “A Life Less Cluttered” expert. I’m currently working on my first piece for them that I’m really excited about. It’s about some of the organizing rules that I think are b.s. and better solutions for them. I’ll link to it here when it’s up. I’ve got some other great things in the works for them and I can’t wait to share!
(Some have asked and not to worry, I’ll still be posting regularly here. I love writing for this blog and couldn’t abandon it.)
This new position is the perfect example of when I tell you, my clients, friends and anyone who asks to just “go for it” whether it be getting rid of clutter or applying for a job with a fabulous company or taking steps towards starting your own business or making any changes for the better in your own life. Back in November, my very favorite Redhead Writing posted a link on Facebook to She Owns It’s request for applications to be a featured contributor. I clicked through and read the post. They didn’t ask for an organization expert but they did say to apply if you had some other field of expertise that would help others. Usually in situations like this I would think about it for a while, carefully craft an application and then send it in. Maybe. However this time I just typed away and sent it immediately. I don’t even remember what I told them! Whatever I told them, it was obviously exactly what they were looking for! The editor told me she LOVES what I do!! So if there’s something you really want but are dragging your feet then stop it! Get off your ass and go for it!
I’m so honored to be chosen as one of the new She Owns It contributors. I’m included in a really fantastic and impressive group of women. I hope you’ll check us out!
via Pinterest
Thanks to each and every one of you for a fabulous 2012. It is my wish that I have helped inspire and motivate you to take control over your clutter and home so that you can create the space for what you really want and LOVE. Now I am taking a little break to breathe, regroup and prepare to bring you more fabulous things in 2013.
And, of course, eat indulgent foods and drink champagne.
Naturally.
Have a FABULOUS holiday and see you in the New Year!!
The Fall/Winter cold season is pretty much upon us. I rarely get sick but I’ve been hit. Same for other friends of mine. If you haven’t been hit yet then HOORAY!!!
Just in case, prep yourself by clearing out your medicine cabinet.
The following makeover is part of what my client started calling the “reckonings.” I’ve already shown you the kitchen reckoning. Soon I’ll show you the amazing guest room reckoning. There were many, many little reckonings along the way as well.
Today it’s all about the medicine cabinet reckoning. 
We started, as usual, by removing EVERYTHING from the cabinet. Then we sorted everything by category – sniffles, pain, upset tummy, etc. Next up was checking expiration dates.
Pro tip: Just like when checking expiration dates on food, it’s quicker to check expiration dates on medications when you’re looking at similar meds since they’ll be in a similar location, thus saving you some “hunt” time.
Once all the old drugs were tossed – about 6 plastic grocery sacks in all – I started gathering each category into its own bin. This way when you had a particular issue, you could go straight to the relief. 
Drugs used most often are in the lower levels making them easier to get to. As we go further up, the less often the medicines are used.
Total time: 1 1/2 hours.
How does your medicine cabinet look? If it’s crazy and needs to be reckoned with, then hit it! Now. #noexcuses
Today's quick tip comes courtesy of an office/craft room that I've been working on. The room isn't finished yet, but I couldn't help but sneak preview this gift wrapping area we set up. All you need is some empty space in a spare closet and an over the door rack.
First, gather up all of your gift wrapping items. Then sort everything out by type - boxes, tissue paper, gift bags, ribbons, so on and so forth.
Hope everyone has a FABULOUS 4th of July holiday!
I’m always asked where I find my inspiration for ideas and about other products and things that I love. On Thursdays, I’ll share these things with you.
Sparkly shoes not necessary. Image via Creative Commons
For the first installment of Things I Love Thursday, I want to tell you about one of my favorite ways to work out – the Ballet Barre Fit class with Texas Ballet Theater.
TBT first offered this class as a boot camp last August. Boot camp is 1 1/2 hours a day for five days in a row. Developed by one of the members of the company to keep her in shape while recovering from an injury, this isn’t your grandmother’s ballet class. It’s a circuit training combo of barre work, cardio dance and pilates set to current, upbeat music.
And let me tell you, that’s a VERY sweaty hour and a half.
I decided to try the boot camp because it’d been 7 years and 35 gained pounds since I was a professional dancer. It’d been 15 years since a formal ballet class. I hadn’t been working out as consistently as I’d liked and needed something drastic to kick me in the tail.
I found it.
I love dance because it doesn’t feel like a workout and it’s one of the few things that can actually get me out of my own head for a while. (Yoga is another.) I also love how easily accessible this class is to all fitness levels. We have everyone from late teens and twenties to women upwards of around 60 or so and from professional dancers to no experience in dance whatsoever. Since boot camp, I’ve attended whenever I could and am currently participating in this week’s Boot Camp.
Yep, loved the torture so much that I’m doing it again. Day 4 is today and I’m feelin’ good.
(Added benefit to a major workout like this – when you push yourself through something like this, you feel like you can accomplish or push through ANYTHING! Major confidence booster!)
After boot camp, TBT will start their regular class schedule which you can find more about here.
If you’re looking for a good workout that is outside of the gym and outside of the norm, ballet fit classes are an excellent, full-body cardio and strength training workout. There are a few other places here in Fort Worth that I haven’t had the opportunity to try yet but intend to very soon. I bet there’s one near you as well! If you try it out or have done it before, let me know what you think in the comments.
Now where’s my tiara?
I’m taking a blogging break for the month of December to review, regroup and start creating new programs to introduce in 2012. I will, however, be posting cocktails each Friday for your holiday party pleasure. I wish you and yours the most fabulous of holiday seasons! Cheers, dears!
Hope you have a fabulous Labor Day!
Along with my family’s regular Massie Grilling of the Meats, I’ll be participating in the Labor Day Free Day of Yoga. If you’ve ever been interested in yoga, today is your day to check it out. Studios across the country are participating by offering free yoga classes throughout the day. If you’re in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, check out DFW Free Day of Yoga to find a studio near you. If you’re not, just google “free day of yoga” to find a participating studio near you.
The fifth annual StartupNation Home-Based 100 Competition is a ranking of outstanding home-based businesses and the amazing people behind them. Two years ago, I ran with my events company in the category of Most Glamorous and made the Top Ten. This year, I want to WIN! To do that, I need your help. Please vote for me every day (or as often as you remember.) There’s even a nifty functionality so you can get daily email reminders. If you feel so inclined, I’d also really appreciate it if you spread the word to your friends. As I say in my contestant profile, the before and during isn’t very glamorous, but the after sure is and love this award to show it. Thank you soooooo much!!
