Hi Friends! We have had a sunny day here in Michigan! And it’s a Friday, to boot!That can mean only one thing! That the weekend is going to be fabulous!

It’s been a busy week here trying to squeeze in New Year’s celebrating and getting back to work. I’ve been trying to do my exercising in the morning too which I’m thinking will be a good plan. I generally choose walking for my exercising. Kasey my dog loves it because it’s something we can do together!

Speaking of exercise, for the ladies, if you haven’t heard, I am part of an online Facebook Group, called Sizzlers Challenge.

It’s a no pressure all encouragement group where ladies share when they get some exercise in and we cheer each other on. We have every level of fitness (I’m on the baseline of that group, hah!) but it is just really fun and inspiring. Totally free, not selling a thing! We are just trying to live a healthy lifestyle together! All I can say is, “It Works”.

2019 is a fresh new year, why not come and join us? If you would like to check it out, Click Here: Sizzlers Challenge

Pinterest fans– Now my blog has the Pinterest app on it, so you should be able to hover over pictures in the blog and “Pin It”. Hope this helps if you see something you want to pin!

Here are some Sales to kick your weekend off! Can I just say here how many times I get caught up in these sales as I type these in! I have items in online baskets all over the place! Self control!

Ann Taylor – 50% off tops and sweaters, use code TOPITOFF; 60% off sale styles!

Anthropologie – 25% off Home Decor; 40% off Sale!!  Yesss!

Banana Republic – 60%  off sale styles! Plus up to 40% off must have styles for her.

Bloomingdales – After Christmas Sale and Clearance. Save up to 75% on a large selection of items now through 1/6.

Chicos – Semi Annual Sale- Up to 70% off select styles.

Clarks  Save up to 50%, plus take an additional 20% off sale styles, use code: EXTRA20

Dick’s Sporting Goods – End of season sale. Up to 75% off select apparel, outerwear and footwear. 

DSW – Cheers! $10 of $49, $20 off $99 and $60 off $199! Use code MYYEAR

Gap – The Great Gap Sale- 40% off everything. Use code SALE. Up to 75% off markdowns.

Gap Factory – Up to 75% off almost everything! Plus an extra 20% off, use code GREATER

Henri Bendel – Entire store up to 60% off

JC Penney – The Big Winter Wrap Up Sale; No code needed, up to 70% off

JCrew – Extra 40% off final sale styles, use code BIGSALE

JCrew Factory – extra 60% off clearance, use code CLEAROUT

JJill – extra 40% off all sale styles, 20% off full priced “FIT STYLES”, use code 20FIT

Kohls – Everyone gets $10 Kohls Cash for every $50 spent! Plus several 50% off specials throughout the store!

Loft – 50% off sale styles

Lord & Taylor – 3 day specials, Up to 70% off! Plus 15% off reg and sale price items (some exclusions apply) use code NEWYEAR

Luckybrand – up to 75% off everything. Wow!

Macy’s – Can’t miss clearance up to 70% off, and shop over 25,000 “Deal of the Day” items

Nine West -50% off all boots and booties, use code BOOTS50

Old Navy – Epic Clearance Event, up to 75% off, no code needed. Today only, 40% off clearance, use code SURPRISE

Pier 1  – Semi Annual Furniture Clearance up to 60% off, no code needed.

Talbots – Red Hanger Sale- extra 40% off markdowns!

Target – Up to 25% off storage and organization essentials plus an extra 10% use code HOME – I’ll get my purse! Let’s Go!

White House Black Market – 50% off Sale Styles! 

Wow! There are some seriously good deals out there!

A Few of My Favorite Things

Awhile back I started a new component to bring in on my Friday blog posts, sharing some of the bloggers out there that I find exceptional and helpful. This week I am sharing one of my very favorite bloggers, Rebecca Phillips of RYouReadyToOrganize.

Rebecca Phillips is one of the most encouraging inspiring women I know. Rebecca is a home organizer, and her business is called, “RYouReadyToOrganize”.  She is so down to earth, and she puts you right at ease from the get go. She has excellent tips and can coach you through your toughest organizational issues. She is gifted at communication, and when you are learning from someone, that is a must. I’ve seen so many of Rebecca’s YouTube videos, and Facebook Lives, and she is so comfortable in that element, and can communicate so clearly, she puts you right at ease. And you know you are going to be able to prevail over all of your organizational challenges.

I sent Rebecca a list of questions for this interview, and she did such a lovely job answering them, and I am so excited to share this interview with  you.

1. Rebecca, you have such a fascinating story. Can you share with our readers a little about your story, where you are from, and how and when you gained your skills and passion for organization and taking excellent care of your household?

I am originally from a small town outside San Francisco. We moved to Oklahoma in 1980 where I went to OSU. I then went onto get my master’s degree in Social Work at Arizona State University. In 2005, I retired from a long career in social work. My specialty was program planning development and outcomes measurement. I helped non-profits, companies and governments organize their businesses. One the side, I helped my friends reorganize their homes. I loved it. So, it seemed very natural when I retired to start my own home organization business?

On a personal note, I have always been very organized. My father died when I was very young. So, my mom went to work and my two brothers and I stayed at home. We had a babysitter, but I still took on the cleaning and tidying up a lot. I even ironed my mom’s work clothes. Everyone started to notice my knack for organizing, and my love of it. I loved to help mom clear clutter and put things away. It was a great help to her as she worked very hard and didn’t always have the energy to clean up after us.

Below, Rebecca shares with her clients her “bottom up” approach to cleaning.

2. When did you actually decide you would take your skills and start your own business as a professional organizer?

Since our three children are grown and my oldest grandchild went to college this year (trying to catch my breath), I am blessed to be semi-retired and work at home with my two terriers (one is 17, blind and deaf, so need a lot of care) and build my new business. I love blogging, coaching and making new connections with others. It is a great fit and I love to plan and organize.

3. Rebecca, one of the things I love about you is your gentleness and positivity. Going into a new year, many of us dream of getting organized, but for some the task seems so overwhelming we may want to give up before we even start. What is the first thing you do when connecting with a client who feels overwhelmed like that?

Getting your home organized is not easy. It’s simple, but not easy. The “lion’s share of the work is decluttering. At least 80% of the work in organizing any home is decluttering. This is not a lovely task. It can be emotional and daunting. The key is to take one area or room, start with a section like a closet and pull out everything. This means making time up front. Sometimes hours or all day. But, once it is done and you have moved all the clutter from that area, keeping it up is just minutes a week. That is why most folks don’t start. The cluttering is tough, but totally doable.

4. How can getting organized help people as they enter the empty nest stage of life?

It is so important, once you have the home to yourself, to do a vast decluttering of the entire home. Don’t push that burden off on others. Reassess whether you need all that space and start to downsize. Waiting only shifts the hardship onto your family or friends. And, I would hope that we want control over what we keep and what is donated or tossed, rather than letting someone else decide for us.

The pictures below were from a couple that were downsizing.

“A place for every thing, and every thing in it’s place”.

5. Can you share a little about the emotional experience you’ve seen in women when they no longer have to face clutter, but now have a home that is organized?

It is like a breath of fresh air. What was piles of stuff is now tidy places where we can see and use the things we love. It is liberating, fresh and empowering. Such a heavy weight is lifted off of their shoulders.

6. What are some of the toughest areas people struggle with keeping organized?

The closets and drawers. Without a doubt. This is mostly from buying new garments and not decluttering or throwing away or better yet, donating the used ones. Tip: before you go shopping for new clothing, go through your closets and drawers and donate or discard items you haven’t worn in over a year.

Below, an organized closet.

7. Can you share a few strategies of places to start when making the decision to organize?

The closets and drawers. Free up space there and if there is clutter scattered about the home, you can then declutter it and move them to the empty (or near empty) drawers, closets and pantry.

8. Can you tell us one of your most rewarding stories of helping get people on track?

A client’s father died suddenly and her mother was not able to live alone. They lived in a seven-bedroom home for 45 years and never threw away anything. My client was the only capable person to move her to an assisted living facility and sell the home. On top of that, she had two disabled brothers and three teenagers and worked full-time. We got it done in a year and a half. Slowly and steadily…she did it.

Look how lovely this pantry looks! It almost looks like a decorator did it!

9. What are some of the places you go for inspiration, motivation and a pep talk when you need it? Do you have a favorite quote or mantra?

My personal mantra is “Just Start”. When we just start doing something that is truly needed, we build excitement and confidence in ourselves. That spreads to others and our lives change for the better.

My business mantra is “Home organization from the inside out”. Mindset is key to any successful venture. Before starting any major organization project, we have to think about where we are physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Getting a handle on these helps build for success.

Another great quote that I use and think of daily is “Progress always pushes us out of our comfort zone.” John Bobak

10. Tell us about your business, RYouReadytoOrganize. What services do you offer and who should be using them? Is it expensive to get the help of a professional organizer?

It is not expensive at all. Most of my services and info is free from my website and as a subscriber, folks get weekly tips and info free of charge via email. I coach starting at $45 per hour.

Check out these “pan racks”. How cool are these?

11. You have a special new program coming up in March, can you tell us about it and how people can take advantage of it?

How many of us make New Year’s resolutions?  I think most of us think about them. And some of us write them down. We all want our future to be a bit brighter and more joyful each year.

I like to think about resolutions as visions or dreams. What is your vision for the next year? Or even in the next few months. Part of making your vision a reality is to start fantasizing about it. Taking our visions and dreams and making them a reality for me is “happiness”.

So, now’s the perfect time to start fantasizing about your home for the next year! What will it look like? How will your home help bring you “happiness” and true comfort?

I want to challenge everyone to put 2019 home organization resolutions at the top of their list. Now is a perfect time plan to clear clutter and organize our home. To reboot and build that home you dream of.

What is coming in March is big! I am launching my One Room a Month Home Organization Reboot. This reboot will last from March to June, then resume in September through December. Sign up for this free reboot here.  We will start with the kitchen and then move to the bedrooms, and then throughout the house. I will have monthly organization calendars for each room and email short video assignments and prompts each month.

So, register on this page to enter. Current subscribers also need to register on this page to take part. Don’t miss out. This reboot is free for registered participants.

12. Once we are organized, do you have any tips or strategies to help keep us from getting into trouble again?

 After you get your home in shape, it is critical to make a daily declutter/weeding routing to keep things tidy. A weekly decluttering program of 1 hour is also key to keep from accumulating too much stuff again.

13. If you were to take a day to spoil yourself, what would it include?

A total spa day. I mean a whole day. Head to toe.

 

14. What are 3 bucket list items you want to include in your life story?

Home organization coaching-being a virtual coach and being relevant to others.

Traveling in our RV in retirement and riding to biker events on our Harley Davidson Trike.

Gardening! Where ever I am!

How People can find you on Social Media?

Website- http://ryoureadytoorganize.com/

Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/ryoureadytoorganize/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ryoureadytoorganize/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ryoureadytoorganize/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPbHByZMs5YgUe78ekUEHMw

Amazon Store – https://www.amazon.com/shop/ryoureadytoorganize?ref=ac_lc_hm_vp

Thank you so much, Rebecca for all your pointers and your positivity! You’ve made organization something non intimidating and totally doable!

I really encourage you to sign up for Rebecca’s Organization Reboot coming in March! I’ve signed up and am really looking forward to doing it in a group!

This time of year, many of us long to put our best foot forward in so many areas of our life. We look at things like our health and fitness. And we know we would feel so much better if we began to put just a little more effort into a healthy lifestyle. We look at our finances and think of ways we can maybe pay off some bills and work on our savings for the future. We look at our homes, and assess if we need to do some repairs or renovations, and we think about our household organizing. We know all of it will lead to a more peaceful life. We know that at this time next year it would feel so good to see some progress.

But sometimes it can feel overwhelming. Remember in the movie “Christmas Vacation” when Clark hands his son a giant wad of knotted up Christmas lights? Sometimes trying to get back on track can feel that daunting. I’ve been there… all of us have.  It’s ok. Whether its your health or finances or household or whatever it is, you are not alone. All of the goals and dreams we have are within our reach if we just take baby steps. Just start.with one thing. And once that one thing is accomplished, it will build your confidence to complete another thing, and another. And ultimately, we will get prevail! One foot in front of the other. It really is that simple.

Wishing you a wonderful weekend, my friend!

I’ll be back Tuesday with another Tasty Tuesday!

Love Always,

Amy

For every minute spent organizing, an hour is earned.    ~Benjamin Franklin