The key to decluttering with success is to first plan your attack otherwise you run the risk of being overwhelmed. When we jump in without a plan, we start decluttering with enthusiasm and vigour and then the excitement wears off and we often find ourselves in a worse position than when we started because we have a job half done and stuff all over the place.
A helpful step to organizing and de cluttering is to look at that piece of paper and ask “yourself “Am I really going to use this again. Organizing and de cluttering is a process that often challenges our emotional and physical connection to our possessions, but results in the ability to manage our space, paper and time more effectively than ever before. Over time our homes, especially if they are smaller homes, have a tendency to accumulate and collect all kinds of treasures, gems and keepsakes, otherwise referred to as "junk". Now we all know that one person's trash is another person's treasures, but our homes can only hold so much!!!
So just how do we plan our declutter project? What do we need to do?
Firstly decide what area/room you would like to declutter. But what do you do when your whole house needs to be sorted? It’s a bit like the joke: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time. If you tried to declutter your whole house in one go, chances are you would give up in exhaustion and frustration well before the job was completed. To maximize your success, take bite size chunks and select one room at a time
1. Cupboards - Go through all you kitchen cupboards, one at a time of course, and you will be amazed at what you find that can be thrown out. When I cleaned mine out not too long ago, I had three electric knives of which two I had not even used! I also found spices that were about 7 years old!!
2. Bedroom Wardrobes - The saying goes - If you haven't worn it in a year, get rid of it. I am not sure I agree with that statement totally, but it is a good guideline to follow. I am always amazed at the clothes I get rid of (and how many I still have) when I clean out my wardrobe!
3. Bookcases - Now, I don't know about you, but I have a tendency to gather books. I looked them all over and got rid of the ones that didn't sound interesting. Also, go through knickknacks, papers, magazines, or anything else filling up those bookcases.
4. Kids Room - This is something that needs to be done about twice a year in my opinion in the first week of school holidays. Get your children to go through their clothes, toys, video games, etc and out goes anything they are no longer interested in.
5. Bathroom - We know how cluttered and overflowing those vanities and medicine cupboards can get. Go through all those goodies and if it has hardened, softened or changed colour, get rid of it!
6. Linen Closets - Towels, sheets, curtains, etc, are also things that need to be periodically sorted and tossed. I just recently discovered that I had almost 50 towels! Who knew?? I removed all the semi worn out ones and was left with about 20 or so. That should suffice.
7. Under the Bed - This part of the de cluttering can be quite scary. Proceed with caution and always have a weapon, such as broom, vacuum cleaner or bug spray with you! Who the heck knows what you will find under there, but I can bet a lot of it can go.
8. Organize - There are so many great products these days that hold everything. Get some inexpensive plastic boxes and neatly store all your items that are not in display or not used daily. You can get small ones in the $2 shops to organize your CDs, use them in your pantry or cupboards, store odd and ends, letters, papers, you name it!
9. Throw Out the Old - One thing you must absolutely remember when de cluttering is you have to THROW AWAY the NOT USED or WANTED. DO NOT just take everything out and rearrange!!! That is a temporary solution and is not sufficient!!!!!
10. Everything in its Place - Once you have everything de cluttered and organized, get everyone to keep everything in its place and your home will remain organized and clutter free forever! Nice dream, but I am sure we all realise that if we maintain this attitude next time round we will not experience as near as emotional or exhausting time as this first one.
De cluttering and organizing gives me a sense of control and achievement. This might not mean much to some people, but think a moment...if you can get control over this part of your life, maybe taking control of the big things will not be so hard!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Inside Santas Sack: Dress Up Your Table for a Festive Feel
Just in time for Christmas is our shimmery striped Christmas Placemats! Designed to make a statement on your Christmas table setting, these placemats are made from easy care polyester cotton. There are endless uses for these placemats at Christmas time. How about joining two or three together and using them as a table runner? Another fantastic idea is mounting 4 or all 6 them on canvases and using them as wall hangings in two rows. These look stunning when combined with your Christmas colour scheme and at $18.00 for a pack of 6, you are getting a beautiful art piece at a bargain price!Something for the kids...Santa's Sack!
This large Santa Sack is ideal for surprising the kids on Christmas morning with a sack full of presents. Complete with Santa applique, this sack is large enough to fit even the most generous of gifts.From all of us here at SugarSpiceNice Homewares, we wish our wonderful readers a safe and joyous Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Spring Has Sprung! Let the Party Begin with a Free Bottle of Champagne!
Take a peek at this stylish idea for entertaining with this month's Spicy Special. These handy Galvanised Buckets has many uses inside and out, but we here at SugarSpiceNice just love to keep our champagne icy cold when entertaining friends outdoors. This month when you order one of the Galvanised Buckets for the special price of $29.95 plus shipping, you will receive a FREE bottle of champagne to help you get the party started too! The buckets are available in red, gun-metal and white, so they are sure to blend seamlessly with any colour scheme.IDEA:
The white bucket would look beautiful in a Federation, French Provincial or Traditional themed home. Use in the laundry for clothes or outside in the garden to plant your favourite rose or petunia. Made of galvanised steel, they will not rust and are sure to bring many years of joy.
Christmas is just around the corner!
Yes, that's right, it's time to start thinking about Christmas entertaining, table settings and decorations. This stunning Eucalyptus and Red Berry Centrepiece has two tealight holders set in jeweled and frosted glass which gives off a soft glow, looking sensational at any evening party. Team this with the Jacquard Red Tablecloth and the Comet Xmas Napery Set for a table that will shout WOW! and provide that special Christmas spirit.To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Penny Pen Gift Certificate and FREE Spending Money!
Gift Certificates are a great way of having your cake and eating it too. At SugarSpiceNice, we can take the stress and hassle of choosing the perfect gift for the person who has everything, and let them purchase their own gift from our beautiful range. The Penny Pen Gift Certificate can be used online at SugarSpiceNice and as an extra spicy special, purchase a $20 gift card and receive an extra $10 spending money FREE!
TIPS FOR USING YOUR $30 IN THE SUGARSPICENICE STORE:
The Large Seagrass Plate is a beautiful feature piece, retailing for $24.95, ideal for the centrepiece for your dining table. Any of our decorative accessories such as the Powder Coated Metal Fruit or the Decorative Woven Apples would look fantastic placed on the plate.
The Iris Table Runner for $14.95 is also ideal for the dining table, adding colour and contrast. Why not buy 2 with your gift voucher and still have one for the table when the other is in the wash! These are just some of the ideas available for purchase with your Penny Pen Gift Certificate in the SugarSpiceNice online store, so be sure to purchase now to take advantage of the FREE spending money and make a difference to someones living room, kitchen or even bedroom!
To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Monday, August 11, 2008
Cushy Koosh Cushions
These decadent Silk Cushions make a stunning addition to any living room. Made from 100% Indian silk, the cushions are gently patterned and team well with the Plain Silk Cushions in coordinating colours to create a designer look with ease. Being silk, cushion covers are dryclean only to preserve the quality of the fabric.
Cushions are a great way of updating a room on a budget and can be changed seasonally to reflect the colour and mood changes of the seasons. For example, in winter, the Choc Purple Silk Cushion would sit perfectly next to the Designer Silk Cushion in Beige Twig.
In summer, the Designer Cushions in Deco Dot Lime teamed with the Cream Frost Silk Cushions lighten and brighten the room to to give it a summery feel.
Cushion Tip:
Rotate your cushions weekly to ensure even wear. Our cushions contain high quality Tonine filling which will not lose its plumpness as other inferior fillings do, which means less maintenance and a longer lasting comfort.
To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Friday, July 18, 2008
Be Bowled Over by the Ute Bowlboard
The latest addition to the SugarSpiceNice range is the Ute Bowlboard which combines functionality with beauty. The carbonized bamboo provides a mould resistant surface on which to prepare meals and the four food grade melamine bowls are conveniently located within the board itself. This feature ensures less handling of food in the preparation phase, and the high grade melamine will not corrode or become brittle as regular melamine often does.Not only can this bowl be used in food preparation, but would look equally good when serving a tapas style entree. Toasted Turkish bread with a selection of dips is always a hit when entertaining, and with the Ute Bowlboard, the food is hygienically and beautifully presented.
HOT TIP FOR A CHILLY NIGHT:
Curling up on the couch with a good book or movie is so comforting in the winter months. For a stylish and warming addition to your sofa, the Lancaster Throw Rug in chocolate is the perfect companion to a neutral theme. This throw adds contrast in winter colours to any scheme and is great for adding dimension in winter when the look of added volume is desired.
To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Special Promotion! - Christmas in July Table Linen
Now is the time to set the table for your mid year Festive Season and enjoy beautiful HOT roast dinners and of course the traditional plum pudding with custard and cream !
This month, Sugarspicenice is offering customers the chance to purchase a beautiful red table cloth at a great price of $19.95 which includes postage and handling - thats a huge saving of $10.00!
Prefer placemats with matching serviettes? Then look at our range of either cream or red sets which include napkins rings as well again priced at a fabulous $19.95 which includes postage and handling!
And don't forget to check out a pack of 3 Christmas Tea Towels as well.
Christmas Style Tip:
For a stylish ambience to your Christmas in July celebrations, co-ordinating table linen, tableware and table accessories is essential. Forget tacky decor that was bought 20 years ago! Update your Chrismas look with contemporary themed accessories with complimentary colours including red and cream or green and cream. How about a cream placemat with a large red dinner plate on top, followed by a medium cream dinner plate. Co-ordinate this with a red napkin, silver or chrome cutlery and a centrepiece including cream, red and silver. Keep all of your tableware within this simple theme and your guests are sure to be impressed with your elegant Christmas style!
To sign up for our monthly newsletter including latest products as well as decor hints and tips, visit our website
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
