Guest Post: You might be unorganized if...

Since I am by all obvious reasons, A very Organized Person... I sometimes forget what it feels like to be unorganized.  I recently had the oppertunity to work with Laurie as she reviewed our Virtual Organizing Services and her witty comments on what might make you disorganized just had to be shared!  I asked her to write today's post because I am sure that many of you can relate, so without further ado...

You Might Be Unorganized If....

Organization, now there's a funny word. As a matter of fact, I pretty much laugh anytime I hear it spoken. I haven't been "organized" since well, I can't even think back that far.


I recently looked around my house and decided to put down in writing a few of the ways to know if you might be disorganized. Here are the things to look for.:

• If your couch seats four and you can only seat one from all the clutter, you might be disorganized.

• If you are pulling newborn size clothes out of your six year old's closet, you might be disorganized.

• If your silverware drawer is beginning to fear being taken over by your junk drawers, you might be disorganized.

• If your kitchen counter-tops are longing to see the light of day, you might be disorganized.

• If you filed something in your "To Do" folder in 1999 and you just completed it in 2010, you might be disorganized.

• If you have your garage door open and your neighbor says, "Hey, I didn't realize you were moving?", you might be disorganized.

• If the piles of paper on your desk look more like reams of paper, you might be disorganized.

• If your kitchen cabinets need to be marked with yellow caution tape, you might be disorganized.

And my personal favorite...

• If your child dumps all his toys out of his toybin and says, "Look mommy, now my room looks like your office," you might be disorganized.

If you read any of these and thought, " Oh my goodness, that is definitely me," then call for back-up! It is never to late to start to organize your life. I know for me, it reduces my stress levels so much to accomplish even the smallest of tasks when it comes to organization.

There will be a Twitter party on May 5th from 8:30-9:30pm EST. #GetOrganized. If you would like to learn tips and ideas on getting organized, this is the place to be! RSVP today by going to:

http://momof2boyswifeof1.blogspot.com/2010/04/join-product-review-place-and-simply.html


I recently had the opportunity to work with Christie Love of Simple Organized Sanity. We did a Virtual Organizing Session on organizing my home office. If you are at the Twitter party, you will be the first to see my AFTER pictures of the NEW and IMPROVED home office. Hope to see you there!

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Laurie is a 38 year old mom of two small children that keep her feeling like life may never be organized again. Though there is nowhere in her life she would rather be than where she is at right now.  She says, "My children have shown me that even when my life isn't perfect, it's perfect for me."  Please take a moment to Visit  Laurie's Blog Guessing All The Way.

Professional Tips on Preparing for Pictures

Professional photographer, Amy Pennington caught my eye recently as I was looking at her blog.  She specializes in working with children and families and has an amazing gift for creating BEAUTIFUL pictures and capturing amazing memories on film for parents.  I asked Amy some questions recently about tips on how to plan ahead and prepare for the best photography session possible, check out our interview below:


Q: When it comes to planning outfits for the pictures, do you suggest that parents dress them at home, in the studio, how many extra sets should they bring, etc…

I think this depends on the age of the child. Children under 18 months dress them at the studio. Children above 18 months, put them in picture appropriate clothing. It is a shock to some children to take them in a strange place and start removing their clothing which could make them upset. Bring as many clothing changes, fun hats, toys, etc. We will prioritize them and see how far we make it.

Q: Are there certain colors or fabrics that take better pictures than others?

Details in white or black clothing can get lost; also satin items do not photograph well. I always suggest bright fun colors for children.

Q: I always recommend that parents schedule pictures in the morning when child is awake and alert or right after nap in the afternoon… both times when they are well rested and not too hungry, would this be consistent with your advice for parents?

Absolutely, I'm always willing to wake up extra early for an early riser to get the best shots. I suggest just enough time to get up, get dressed and eat. I find that if your child is going to miss a nap it's going to be on picture day.

Q:  Are there any favorite tips you have for parents that have worked to get a great shot of their kiddo? Bring special toys or other items?

I do recommend bringing special toys, blankets, comfort items, snacks (fruit snacks work great), and a drink. If they are overstimulated giving them a little break always makes them happy.

Q:  As far as family pictures go… what tips do you have about choosing outfits, poses, etc…

I recommend wearing clothing that would be normal for your family to wear, as if you are dressing for a nice but casual outing. You wouldn't all get up and dress in exactly the same colors. I like to keep clothing simple with little pops of color here and there.

Q:  Do most parents come in with an idea of what they want or do they let you be creative?

Almost all families leave the creativity to me. I sort of get a feel for what the family is like and go from there. Some will have seen a shot that I did with another family and want a similar shot.
This is fine, but I will make sure it is personalized for them.

Q:  How long should you plan to have your child’s session last to get good picture choices.

This really depends on the child and how well they know me. With some children I've got the perfect shots within the first five minutes and the rest is just a bonus. Others will take a warming up period. At least 30-45 minutes.

Q:  Are there any big NO-NOs that you would share with parents about planning pictures?

Bringing a child in when they aren't feeling well, and scheduling close to nap time.

Q: What is your favorite time of the year to get great pictures?

Summer, morning or sunset.

Q:  Many picture sessions I have done with my children… it is like organized chaos. What tips do you have to make the session go smoother?

I would say to relax and have fun, if the children are acting up it's much easier to play along with them than discipline them. Those are the best true to life candid family shots.


I hope that these tips from the talented Amy Pennington help you and your family prepare for the best possible pictures.  If you are in the Springfield, Missouri area I highly recommend that you consider using Amy and her studio to get some amazing pictures of your family! 

Visit Amy's Website and Blog by clicking on the links.

New Spring Trends for your Kid's Room

We talk a great deal on this blog about ideas to organize kids rooms and toys... but today I wanted to go in a little different direction with our discussion. We all want are kids rooms to not only be organized but also a fun and comfortable space for them that is uniquly theirs.

Recently, I had the oppertunity to visit with Kim Gellman is the owner of Artisticsensations.com, a fun and hip website that sells kids furniture, bedding, and room decor from baby to college age kids. Kim is the mother of two boys and prides herself on enjoying every moment of life and all its adventures.

This is what Kim had to say of her own personal organization tendencies, "Being organized helps me plan and schedule my day in my business and makes me feel I have some control. I think its essential for success. I also feel I am setting an example for my kids as a role model that you can accomplish a lot in life when you are organized and a planner."

Kim is my kind of mom!  So I also asked if she could share with our readers some budget friendly ideas for creating a great space for kids with the new, hot trends for spring.

So take it away Kim...

"Spring is upon us and many of our clients are looking for change in their home accents but want to stay within a budget. Some inexpensive ways to update a room and add a subtle change is pillows, a lamp or even a rug. You can take a neutral room and add a shaggy raggy rug in yellow or orange, both popular choices for this spring. A colorful lamp in royal blue and reds will make a wow statement.

Pillows in our best friend’s collection in black and white toile and yellow polka dots or stripes are a trendy way to change up a sofa or a bedding set. Put a throw blanket in red and white harlequin and voila, a redo!


Pinks, oranges and greens are everywhere and we are placing many wall stickies in rooms for just a slight change of color. Wall stickies in florals, trees and even modern with circles or squares and a first initial are a terrific statement.


Plain canvases in all pink with orange scrolls and electric blue with neon green dots will take a room from drab to fab. Or adding a splash of hot pink, bright orange or neon greens and yellows with some animal print pillows in pink and black or orange and white and green and white.

A chair is also a fun way to spice up a room and a great place for a child to sit and read, study or lounge. Mod chairs are comfortable and easy to move around to different places in the child’s room and can also be used in playrooms, living rooms and family rooms.

Looking for fun way to throw some color in a teen room or for a gift? Try one of our sleeping bags in a pink, green and black polka dot or peace signs in red, another trendy choice.
Whatever bright colors you choose for your child's room, playroom or family room, spring is in the air, so get ready!"

Kim's Company ArtisticSensations also has a some great choices in toy storage and organizing products for your kids rooms. I have never been a big fan of toy benches or boxes; however, as cute as these are they would be worth including in a room... just be careful not to overfill them with toys because they can quickly become a clutter trap.

As you can see from some of these pictures Kim's Company Artisticsensations.com has some VERY cute products!  I am excited to share with you that Kim is going to be giving away an adorable polka dotted sleeping bag to one of our lucky readers this month!

Here are the rules to enter:

1.  Comment on this post for one entry.

3. Visit Kim's Website at Artisticsensations.com and include your thoughts of her site in your comment for a second entry.

3. Be a Follower of our SOS Organize Blog for one entry.

4. Be following us on Twitter for one entry.

5.  Be a Fan of Simple Organized Sanity on Facebook for one entry.

The winner will be announced on our Facebook Page, our Twitter Page, and here on the Blog on 

Friday, April 2nd 2010 at 2pm CST!

Good luck everyone and Thank You Kim for the great tips and this fun giveaway and the great spring decorating tips!

Be a Role Model: Follow Your Dreams!

Guest Post By Britt Michaelian, M.A.

There’s no doubt about it. The love a mother feels for her children is profound, but in this incredibly beautiful experience of motherhood, many moms also disconnect from their dreams. With constant demands on our time, energy and attention, it is easy to see how some moms can get lost in the very role of being the mother. Now, take a moment to acknowledge the power a mother holds when she has her own personal goals and takes active steps to follow them. By having ambition and taking an active role in her destiny, she is showing her children how to follow their dreams! Mothers are role models and children do as we do, not as we say. Right?

The reality is that when everything in a mother’s life becomes about her children, her own needs, wants and desires get lost in the shuffle. In addition, children can see this lack of self-care as an unconscious example to follow. Ask yourself this question: Do you want your children to follow their dreams or live a life that consists of fulfilling their obligations? The majority of moms want their children to be happy which means the answer to this question is that you want your children to spend their lives pursuing their dreams!

So, just as the flight attendants demonstrate on airplanes, we must remember we cannot truly encourage and support our children in their efforts unless we put our own oxygen masks on first! This act of self-care is not selfish, it is necessary for own survival and happiness.

As our own interests may sometimes fall second or third in line to the duties that are required to raise our families, we cannot forget to take the time we need to focus on what makes us happy. The truth is that we need to feel good about and show love to ourselves regularly so that we can show our children how to love, value and respect themselves. We must remind ourselves that everything we do as moms reflects on our children and plays a large role on their future.

What You Can Do Now:

If you are ready to follow your dreams (or if you are feeling out of touch with your inner passions) here are some things you can do to get back on track and reconnect with yourself.

First, take a deep breath and release all of your feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. You deserve to have a passion, purpose and personal goals. Everyone does! Letting go of the idea that you can’t have your own interests because you are a mom is a self-limiting belief that will not serve you or your children well. Leave these false beliefs behind and move forward with the understanding that by giving yourself your dreams back, you will be happier, more fulfilled and a better mom!

Second, start writing down a list of all of the dreams that you have had throughout your life, even things from childhood that you never thought could be achieved. No dream is out of reach. Some may take more creativity to achieve than others, so if you catch yourself saying that something is impossible remind yourself that there was a day when no one could fly! Now, it’s your turn to spread your wings and soar!

Third, choose your top three dreams and write down 3 to 5 action steps you can take this week to achieve them. Yes, this week! Then, commit to and continue with those action steps until you have reached your goals. Baby steps add up into massive growth very quickly!

Most importantly, enjoy every moment of this process and surround yourself with people who support your dreams. You really can do whatever you set your mind to. And when you do, your children will have proof that by taking decisive action dreams really can come true!

Bio: Britt Michaelian, M.A. is a mompreneur with multiple business and a new 12 week coaching program for moms who are ready to take the leap and start a lifestyle business. To sign up for a FREE Smart Start Up Teleseminar and newsletter go to http://brittmichaelian.com/