I help two working mums find an extra hour in their day.  You can do it too! Read the article here

If you’ve read my book you’ll know what I think of containers.  Often, we feel that by purchasing containers (boxes, plastic tubs etc) we’ll get on top of our possessions.  Wrong!  you have to deal with you ’stuff’ first.  Containerization comes later.  First, you must declutter, refine, audit and reassess the items in your space.

Having said all that (!)  I am so in love with these fruit and vegetable shaped storage containers for the kitchen.  They are a fun way to store cut (often smelly)  items and they do seem to help stop the contents from spoiling so quickly.  Another benefit- thanks to the container reflecting the contents- is that you know exactly what’s in there!  No more opening a crusty old bit of al foil and saying “oh, there’s another cut onion going off…..”

Of course, do clear the fridge out on a regular basis!  Then containerize what matters

I confess, I have the entire set and my friend, Liz, squealed with delight when I bought them for her too.  We love to cook, so they are a very practical item.  Both of us use them daily, so  they’ve been a good investment.

You might find them in your local kitchenware shop, (one manufacturer is Hutzler) but you can definitely find them on line – click on the links below and you’ll be taken to the range at www.amazon.com.

Garlic Saver

Tomato Saver

Onion Saver

Lemon/lime Saver

I found these words at another blog and they struck me a great conversation topic.  I don’t think we’re usually tuned in when we’re at the checkout armed with a credit card!  Or are we?

What’s your spending style ? Are you aware of your shopping habits and quite disciplined and on budget, or do you find retail therapy exactly that: a convenient tonic for a busy and stressful life.  (Besides, it’s not the same as smoking crystal meth now is it?)

Looks hot, don't you think?

You will find a great new product called Fregie Bags… suitable for 101 uses!  They are one of the simplest, loveliest new products around.  I love using my Fregies for fruit and vegies (hence the name Fr+egies).  They are locally made in Melbourne by Two Girls.  I think they should be Two Clever Girls though!

More products coming in the new year.  The boot boxes and Let’s Haggle book are both on sale and we have limited stock, so get in early for the last of these two products.

We’re all too busy, too tired, too what-EVA to do what-eva!  Sara Getzkin, Superhero organizer, (and fellow LA Organizing Awards nominee) inspired me with her recent Facebook post “I urge you to insert your excuse here.”

Go for it!  Tell me your excuse!

A great story in The Age today about special frocks.

It begs the question: do you have a significant frock?  Tattered and torn, lost forever or carefully preserved? Spill!

Very exciting news – my book, SORTED! the ultimate guide to organising your life – once and for all has been nominated for an award at the 2010 Los Angeles Organising Awards.

Like to vote for my book? Go to http://www.napola.org and click on “cast your votes now through December 15th.”

You don’t need to be a member to vote, but you will neeed to register your email address to vote (one vote per email address).

Some other folk you may wish to consider voting for:

• Ready Made Magazine (Best Publication featuring organizing) – I love this mag!
  
• Jeri Dansky Blog  (Best Organizing website or blog) – this is truly a great blog
• Sara Getzkin / Hands on! Organizing services (Most ecofriendly Organizing service)
• Harold Taylor Time Consultants Ltd (Best Time management expert)
  
• Dorothy Breininger / Delphi Centre of Organization (Philanthropy Award)

Thanking you in advance!!

Two great things for sale:

1.  4 drawer filing cabinet, on wheelsexcellent condition, $100 SOLD

2.  Dymo LabelWriter 400 Turbo -this is the kind you plug into your computer and it spits out a snazzy label for you.  Comes with all the software and cables etc.  Has printed less than 20 labels in it’s lifetime!!

up to $250 new, asking $100.

SOLD

What do you think of these shredding scissors from www.usefulthings.com?  Are they a fun, handy tool?  Or…. a pain in the arse?

http://usefulthings.com/shop/office/shredding-scissors.php

I went to IKEA the other day and decided to use the self checkout.  BIG mistake!  I don’t know if it’s because we’re not practiced at using this kind of system, but it took much longer to execute and was pretty much a pain in the arse.  When there was an error (first caused by me but then complicated by a staff member) and I needed to be credited, correcting it involved leaving the checkout and visiting another part of the store to be refunded.  Quite protracted.

What’s been your experience?  Are self service checkouts are time waster or a time saver?