Simplifying the Gift Front

We're all for spending less and keeping it simple around the tree. A few years ago we heard of someone who uses this system for gift giving with each of her kids:

Something to Wear.
Something to Play.
Something to Read.

Three gifts.

Pretty genius.

Check out this link for some prize winnning reads for kids.

Airplane Essentials

Having just stepped off a plane for a short trip to Edmonton, (more on that later), I wanted to post a couple of ideas for the next time you're traveling by plane.

A few things to keep in a medium sized ziplock:

- Your own earphones
- sanitizer & chapstick inside a smaller ziplock
- granola bars
- oatmeal cereal packages and a plastic spoon, (because you can always find a cup of hot water if you get really stuck and starving in an airport.)
- a pen for filling out immigration forms

Anyone have any other ideas? Post 'em in the comments!

Happy Travels!

T minus 44 days...

Christmas is coming! Hard to believe it's here again already.

For all of you crafty types, check out this cute handmade Christmas planner





found at Miller's Ink

organizing the world,

one closet at a time...





A little peek at a recent job we just completed.

We Love Puppies

We do. It's true.

And I recently came across a really great little invention, created by a local gal who happened to be one of the fabulous Ortho techs responsible for my new, gorgeous smile!


Take a look at GRAB BAGS FOR PETS for a really great way to keep poop-bags, (that is the technical term, right?) on your leash. They work really well and there are loads of different looks to choose from. Support a local lady entrepreneur and pick up a functional and fun gift for you or someone on your list.

Branching Out

As most of you know, Cheryl and I have become closet designers! We work with a distributor for Stor-X Organizing systems. We've been having SOOOO much fun working with this Canadian product. If anyone is interested in some design ideas and a quick, free quote, we'd be happy to chat with you.

Here's a quick little video to give you an idea of this great, simple closet system.

64 Days

... until Christmas that is!

Between now and then we'd like to offer a few ideas to keep the chaos down in those last few days! Christmas should be about everything but stress and pressure.

So, for starters... we suggest a conversation with the fam.

We know that many families, for many reasons, are looking to keep this Christmas less expensive. We're all for it! Start the conversation now with the kids and the extended family and whoever else is involved in your goings-on. Don't be afraid to be the first one to say, "What if we scaled back a bit this year?" We'll bet that others in your Christmas huddle are thinking the same thing. Draw names, give to a charity, set reasonable limits... just do something to lessen the financial burden and the focus on "stuff".

Enjoy the freedom that a fresh approach to the season might bring and let us be the first to wish you a Merry Christmas!