Bneato

we've moved

2010-11-01T09:51:00.000-07:00

i am so very happy to announce that the bneato blog + website are now located in one spot! please follow this link to our new, happy home. it will be a few weeks before the pages are done but the blog is ready to go!

image; clever cupcakes

i spy...

2010-10-28T14:32:00.000-07:00

pegboard in my neighbors garage. i took a quick peek and pic of their soon to be organized tools? what else might they organize on the pegboard in their garage?!

15 minutes

2010-10-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

i know most of you have heard of the 15 minute rule... and if you haven't, it goes like this. set a timer for 15 minutes and get as much stuff accomplished as possible. could be folding laundry, doing the dishes, making the bed (whatever will make you feel accomplished). but sometimes we forget to set aside a specific amount of time and let the day start and stop without ever doing any chores. here are a few ways to build the tasks into your routine without setting a timer.

accomplish tasks when... you're waiting for the water to boil
instead of fast forwarding through the commercials in TiVo, use this time to get 'er done
i love to saddle up my bluetooth headset and talk to family and friends while doing chores
clean out your purse while waiting for your car to get cleaned at the car wash
when the operator puts you on hold, pay bills, send letters, file papers

what are your time saving tips to stay on top of chores at home?

image; * hiro008

to-do list tuesday

2010-10-26T10:04:00.000-07:00

that's marcia with blond hair on the left!

this to-do list comes from the computer of one marcia prentice. in addition to being a fellow apartment therapy blogger, she can be currently seen on the hgtv show, design school. (in my head, i always say 'design school' in tim gunn's voice).

"In my early teens, I started creating to-do lists and relying on a planner to get me though my day. I am the type who has to have everything organized and planned ahead of time. Throughout the years, I developed some tips to getting my tasks done more efficiently. Because I am on my computer most of the day, I decided to start putting my lists and schedule on Apple's electronic Stickies. To visually distinguish each day or different to-do list, I change the color of each Sticky note. I keep an overall to-do list for my personal life and for my Apartment Therapy posts. From my overall to-do lists I create a schedule and list for the next few days."

click to see larger

Overall To-Do Lists
Prioritize items with numbers
List every task no matter how small
Cross off item when finished

Daily Schedule/To-Do Lists
Keep the tasks to a reasonable amount
Schedule time for breaks and meals
Allot time slots for larger tasks
Leave an open time slot to complete many smaller tasks
Schedule e-mails and phone calls either first thing in the morning or in the evening
Update/Adjust to-do lists at the end of every day

"As we all know, we have the best intentions to cross off every item on our list. It is easy to get sidetracked with internet browsing, phone calls, and unexpected disruptions. My biggest challenge is to stay focused and not jump from task to task. I also want to complete the more enjoyable and easy items first; however, they may not be the highest priority. What helps me to stay focused is to schedule breaks; therefore, I have something to look forward to when I have to stay focused for hours. Staying efficient is very important to me and I am always looking for new and better ways to work."

mmmm. spices

2010-10-23T10:01:00.000-07:00

after dining at forage yesterday for lunch, i skipped over to the spice station since i hadn't been there since its opening last year. the shop owner was nice enough to let me snap one pic of the ginormous spice wall (made from reclaimed wood). i'm in love with the uniformity of the space and the rows of glass jars filled with fragrant spices. the combo of the dark wood in the cozy spot + the smell of spices made for the most fall-like atmosphere (love)!

the bomb

2010-10-21T13:36:00.000-07:00

tuesdays to-do list

avery clear note tab goes from page to page

new to-do list

i actually found this packet of clear note tabs in one of my unused binders (old schwag from the 2010 organizing awards). so i decided to put them to use in my one notebook that holds my daily to-do list. and while i update it every day, there are always a handful of items that don't require immediate attention but need to stay up front and center (otherwise, i'll forget about them). it is also important to note that these special tasks are always separated from my daily duties. so instead of re-writing them every day on the page, the clear post-it acts as a landing zone for these future items which i can move around with ease.

damn fear

2010-10-20T11:01:00.000-07:00

fear controls a lot of what we do in our lives. if we're afraid we won't be able to excel at something, we might not start the project altogether. i recently encountered a whole bunch of fear when i had to learn a new song for kissing cousins. i briefly spoke about it here but i really had no idea what i was getting into. i was honestly really scared that i wasn't going to be able to get this song down pat. i kept practicing and it just wasn't coming along. it was only about 3-4 weeks in that the parts started to gel and sound decent. and slowly, i noticed my fear wasn't as present and confidence took its place. i jotted down some of my initial thoughts and feelings that i experienced when i was first introduced my most challenging song as a drummer. for me, it's so interesting to look back at the journey and recognize the fear signals. so the next time when i'm presented with what seems like an insurmountable task, i can remember what i went through and gain a little control and peace from within.

do it yourself

2010-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

so the beau's rear blinker hasn't been working which means he was at risk for a fix-it ticket (no bueno). since i've changed my own cars headlights and tail lights before, i figured this would be an easy fix--and it was. after giving auto zone $6, the new blinker works like new. high five!

organizing acrylic paints and supplies

2010-10-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

melly kay (from cute stew) shows off her craft room--i've seen peg board used to organize tools and kitchenware but i'm loving this idea to keep acrylic paints and supplies orderly and easy to access. melly kay also shares peg board how-to here for creating your own at home.

this goes out to my peeps in west hollywood...

2010-10-15T11:00:00.000-07:00

i recently learned of another free shredding event in the los angeles area--west hollywood to be exact. the event isn't until saturday, november 13th but i'm telling you in advance so you can plan for it! in addition to shredding services from 9am - 3pm they are collecting electronic waste--you know your laptop from the early aughts is still sitting in your closet (just saying). full deets found here.

let's bump

2010-10-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

this brand new app is for just about anybody but i really think it's great for those of us in business who network. instead of exchanging business cards that eventually get lost, connect virtually and grab contact info instantly. once you download the free app, add any contact info that you'd feel safe sharing. the next time you're at an event and you're about to share information with another smart phone, simply bump your hand to theirs (while holding your phones). radical!

recycling shoes and other miscellany

2010-10-12T09:35:00.000-07:00

through email, i just overheard that the burbank recycling center has a program where you drop off your worn out shoes and they send 'em over to nike's oregon headquarters. There, they turn them into material for new sports fields.

which instantly reminded me of how much i loved my pink pumas (circa 2005). once they were worn out (pictured above) i sadly gave them the boot. if i knew back then what i knew now, they'd have a new life somewhere on a sports field. oh well. let's take a trip down memory lane.

this is me in january of 2006 wearing my brand new pink pumas. they didn't last long since i wear shoes out super fast (stems from wearing the same thing over until they're dunzo). but i sure look super happy wearing them! if only i knew the model of this puma shoe, i might be able to search for a vintage pair...

Bneato seen on YDT today!

2010-10-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

how to get organized this fall; 5 eco-friendly ways to get you started!

best reason to be seen with crocs...

2010-10-10T19:07:00.001-07:00

i spotted someone using a toddler sized croc to carrying their cell phone. she found the lone shoe in the middle of the street and instantly repurposed it. awesome!

on the mend

2010-10-07T13:52:00.000-07:00

i know this has happened to you before. you're trying on clothes, nothing is working--and then finally! the perfect outfit is created (only to find out you forgot about the hole on the front or the missing button that needs to be sewn on). and of course, you're already late (ughhhh)! my advice;

go to your closet right now
pull out all the clothes that need mending, buttons sewn on, etc.
maybe your favorite pair of black jeans needs a new dye job--pull those too!
separate those items that need the expert eye of a tailor and place them by the door
now, get to work! sew buttons, mend seams and feel accomplished
the next time you leave the house, grab the clothes that need to visit the tailor and place them in the car. when you're out running errands, you'll have them on hand to drop off.
repeat every season!

neighborhood tailors that i swear by;

Abaya Alterations

Therese (323) 913-9419

3235 W. Sunset. Blvd.

LA, CA 90026

Hollymont Cleaners

Maryanne (323) 664-8719

1759 Vermont Ave

LA, CA 90027

co-working

2010-10-06T09:54:00.000-07:00

in the wee hours of the morning on my flight back to los angeles, i picked up this month's copy of american way. i could barely focus to read anything on the plane so i carted the thin mag home after checking out the table of contents, an article on co-working caught my tired eyes. once home, i read the article and wanted to share it's interesting tid-bits. since i spend part of my time at home--and the rest, servicing clients, i can commiserate with the struggles of working from home. getting distracted with pets, the beau working in the other room and the daily upkeep of the house, it's often a struggle to keep it all balanced. currently, my go-to move is visiting a coffee house with free wireless to knock out a big project. for me, other folks typing away on their laptops makes me focus (and feel guilty about checking facebook) so i tend to get stuff done in the public arena. for others, it might be co-working; a public space where individuals usually carry a monthly or yearly membership. membership often includes access to communal tables and for a little extra, a spot of their own and access to the conference room. in los angeles, i've checked out where, meet mix mogul and blankspaces during networking events. and in santa monica, there's jelly la. they all have a different vibe which will suit just about everyone's working style.

the modern offices of blankspaces in central los angeles

where, meet mix mogul skews warm and eclectic in silver lake

santa monica's jelly la keeps it light and airy in their co-working headquarters

diy labels on the cheap

2010-10-05T08:23:00.001-07:00

my friend shannon forwarded me this awesome idea from readymade magazine... use glass etch to craft your own unique labels. in my home, i typically use standard labels from the label maker (which aren't cute but they get the job done). but if i had open shelving or needed to store/display my pantry items out in the open--this is the way to go. wanna try? check out these easy to follow steps here!

hey you guuuuys....

2010-10-04T15:51:00.000-07:00

so you probably noticed i was m.i.a. last week. i was lucky enough to be spending a week in hawaii with my best friends on the kona coast. we were there to attend a wedding and it was nothing short of amazing. i came back with a tan (i know) and lots of pics and memories that will last a life time (swimming with pods of dolphins, traipsing through the rain forest to a black sand beach and tons of r&r with my favorite peeps). anywhoodle, lots of bneato coming your way this week with blog posts, the bneato newsletter and other goodies--mahalo!

shred or go home... for realz

2010-09-24T08:38:00.000-07:00

i opened up my copy of westways yesterday from the auto club and was stoked to find out about their yearly shred-a-thon. taking place this year on october 2nd (to celebrate national crime prevention month) from 10am - 2pm at angel stadium. they encourage folks to bring no more than 5 storage boxes filled with paper that needs to be shredded (free). sweeet! more info found here.

ps; you must be a aaa member

image; nickpiggott

refuse services, extra capacity tags

2010-09-22T11:42:00.001-07:00

hooray! you've purged loads and loads of stuff, only your trash bin is full and you want to get the trash bags out stat! but you can't exactly just leave the bags out on the curb either (they all have to fit in the bin)! well, the bureau of sanitation has a low cost solution. make sure you do a little bit of advance prep and contact them to get a set of tags ($2 per tag, sold in multiples of 5). you're allowed up to 25 tags in one calendar year. once you've got your tags, attach to the bags of trash for the garbage collectors to haul away.

image; steve and sara

one more use for chalkboard wall

2010-09-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

so we're going on vacation next week... hip hip hooray! and to hawaii no less (never been and sooooo excited)!! anywhoodle, our friend travis will be house sitting and watching our brood of cats so i recently took to the chalkboard wall to organize the lay of the land. are you as crazy as i am when you go on vacation, leaving nothing to chance? do you leave list (after list) for the house sitter? i hate having to look for things so i like to label everything (along with instructions just in case there's any question on how to use something.) i even labeled the plastic container where we house the coffee grounds and gave directions on how to make the perfect cup of coffee in our bodum press. while my actions may read ocd, i want travis to feel comfy and right at home.

mac monday

2010-09-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

my old apartment window=oh.so.cozy!

quickly close the window you're working in with command w. great for when friends send you things that aren't safe for work (bad friends)! also, never having to click the red x button again=priceless.

product review: my new favorite label maker

2010-09-17T09:49:00.000-07:00

when i was initially asked to *review the new dymo 260p label maker, i thought to myself, does the world need another label maker? as a professional organizer, i already own 5 (and i couldn't imagine owning one more). luckily, i ended up saying yes (mainly to add more tools for attendees of my organizing boot camps), but mostly i found out that the world does need another label maker--especially this dymo which can perform some pretty awesome functions.

there were 4 functions that impressed me the most and without further stalling on my part, let's get to know the dymo 260p label maker, shall we?

impressive feature #1: rechargeable battery. seriously? this is amazing! while i'm usually as prepared as a bride on her wedding day when working with clients, there's always room for human error. like when i don't have back-up batteries for my label maker! the new dymo comes to the rescue with a charger so you won't leave your blank files hanging without a proper label.

impressive feature #2: for the ocd tendencies in all of us, you can create fixed length labels for your containers. this is especially helpful in instances when i'm labeling a client's workspace where the container has more than one category. now, all of the labels can line up beautifully for co-workers to see.

impressive feature #3: making copies. (i.am.in.heaven)! there are so many instances when i'm at a clients office and i have to print multiple labels of the same text. and while i could simply type out "to-do" five times and then press print, the label isn't formatted as nicely as one would like. not to mention, typing that out five times takes extra time! with dymo's new diva, you can select the number of copies you'd like to print and bam--you're done!

impressive feature #4: i rely on computers to tell me when i'm spelling something wrong (which is usually 99.9% of the time). wanna know something really cool? this dymo label maker comes with memory. in it's folders, i can store often misspelled words like memorabilia and maintenance and look like a spelling bee pro!

*note on product review: while i accepted this product for testing and to review, these are my honest thoughts and feelings towards the dymo 260p label maker. other than getting to keep the product, i received no further compensation for this blog post.

did you know?

2010-09-16T07:41:00.000-07:00

that you can convert a desk drawer into a filing cabinet? the drawer will have to allow for the height and length of a hanging file but all you need is something like this.

or this

book bling

2010-09-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

most folks have paper clutter but everyone has book clutter. what is it about books that have folks scared to get rid of them? i once read an organizing tip that said only hang onto hardback books (that would edit our books to a collection of none). but, what if there was a way to turn a book into bling?! enter little fly, literary jewels by jeremy may. he turns the pages of your book into something wearable (even carving out a home for the crafted piece to live).

via danielle davis

mac monday

2010-09-13T10:56:00.000-07:00

when my internet slows, the first button i reach to click is that little arrow (aka the reload button). of course there's a mac shortcut for that and it goes a little something like this; command R.

i can barely handle...

2010-09-10T12:30:00.000-07:00

how cute this website is. new and vintage office supplies that are really making me swoon over here at the home office. calling london their home, p&c is not to be missed. our first order might be a fun print or maybe a vintage stapler to spruce up our desk...

found magazine

2010-09-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

okay. just so we're clear, i'm not pushing for you guys to subscribe to found magazine (or even get caught up in reading it). i really just like the idea of these folks publishing found items for all to see. they rely on regular peeps (like you and i) to send in unusual and cool stuff we find. and i thought this idea might inspire you to go through your stuff and see what you might find! there are soooo many things hiding in our home--lost and misplaced items, money, keys.... the list could go on and on. and once you go through your stuff, you're bound to get rid of some things, right?! in the words of gwen steffani, "whatcha waiting for?"

love this thought

2010-09-07T10:46:00.000-07:00

"if i could get more space in my ______________, I'd give up my ______________."

--found on the container stores facebook page

"experience" gifts

2010-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

katy perry's infamous manicures (love)! via twitpic

this topic came up yesterday when i was having brunch with some friends. a newlywed couple at the table got married in their early 30s and already had a home stocked full of things. instead of doing a traditional registry, they instead requested donations that would go towards their honeymoon. if invitees chose this gift route, they were directed to a website set up for the happy twosome. guests could put funds toward a romantic dinner in italy or vespa rentals along the amalfi coast. to me, this feels much more memorable than any gift found at pottery barn. and experience gifts aren't just for weddings. i personally love to give mani/pedi gift certificates to my closest girlfriend--and who doesn't love a trip to the spa?! i also found this website super helpful for ideas and inspiration in experience gifting.

ps; life hacker also did an excellent post last year on this hot topic

it's been a while

2010-09-03T12:00:00.000-07:00

my drumming notes in hieroglyphic

okay, really it's only been about 3 days since my last post but much has happened (i'll catch you up).

while i'm staying on as a house tour contributer, my last daily post for apartment therapy was tuesday. it was a wonderful experience writing for them for 2+ years. it was a tough decision saying goodbye but Bneato has really taken off since our Daily Candy mention back in April. on a side note, not only did apartment therapy give me the structure and accountability to start this blog --to which i am very grateful for, i also met the most uh-mazing people that will be friends for a lifetime. and this week was me taking a big ole break:)
i broke my toe. not really a biggie since you can't do anything for a broken toe but if you feel like throwing any sympathy my way, i won't stop you.
i hosted my best friends birthday party at my pad on wednesday which meant a mucho day of cleaning. luckily, i had one of adam's awesome playlists to get me through it (craftily dubbed--casey kasem). it has loads of saxophone and lots of songs from the 80s.
and, i'm currently learning the hardest drum part ever. ever. lots of practicing but it's gonna rock if i get it down pat.

ps; i'll be back to normal, and organized post related content next week. oh, and happy labor day!!!

mac monday

2010-08-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

duuuuuude. i am loving this new shortcut i discovered over the weekend. command + d = new way to add a bookmark. i'm in love!

ps; later today at 3:30 PST you can view my weekend project on apartment therapy (sneak preview above)

pss; this little black elephant dress is all mine (scroll down)--thanks suzy!!!!

linkville, usa

2010-08-26T12:03:00.000-07:00

did you guys see this? the container store rocks out a narrow home office space in the september pages of real simple.

holy moly! adam received a batch of cookies + milk last week for his birthday from here. and how lovely, the milk was from broguiere's (glass bottles that you return when done).

oh yeah... Bneato Organizing Boot Camp will be featured on BloomSpot this Saturday.

did you know you can use your phone to deposit checks if you bank with chase? yep, there's an iphone app for that.

x marks the spot

2010-08-25T11:57:00.001-07:00

just the other day, i suggested to someone to use bookmarks on their laptop instead of keeping the paper article. this individual worried that if their computer was ever stolen, they'd loose all that important information. enter x marks. it's a free download to store your bookmarks on the world wide web. you can also easily email and share your bookmarks with friends. wicked!

image; indyprops

is it wrong...

2010-08-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

to be in love with a set of bookends?

found here.

mac monday

2010-08-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

you guys aren't going to believe me but in college, i always wanted to buy one of those cheesy stick shift kits to change out the stick shift knob that came with my car. it could have been an eight ball (or something equally awesome). the kits also came with really cool pedals to make your car look hot. the thing is, i'd probably still have fun with something like this to change up the Bneato mobile (lame, i know). anywhoodle, on to mac monday. this tip was sent in by my friend brandon hardy. rock steady drummer for the LA band, future ghost. brandon writes;

"beth! i just discovered a mac keyboard shortcut that has changed my life. it's command + option = shift (then L and R arrow keys to move back and forth between safari tabs)! learned it the other day and it's blown my mind."

ours too brandon, ours too!

image; ben spark

we carry a lot of stuff

2010-08-20T10:48:00.000-07:00

my friend frank of computica sent me this link to things people carry. my initial thought was, "oh my"--these folks carry a lot of stuff. and then i pulled out my camera (as well as all the contents of my purse) and took a pic. scroll down to see mine...

images: 1-3 acid cow; things that people carry

memories...

2010-08-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

even though i only met my beau 3 short years ago, i love watching his bar mitzvah video. and don't worry, i'm not obsessed--i've only seen it twice (the first time we watched it on VHS--he actually had a VHS player then). but when we moved recently, i made him take that jalopy to the safe recycling center. i'm glad the boyfriend had the video transferred to DVD format a little while back. so as part of date night, we watched it again last eve. things like this always help to remind me that easy access to precious memories is one of the best reasons to stay organized.

ps: happy birthday adam!!

new IKEA catalogue

2010-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

i flipped through my new IKEA catalogue at a rapid pace but did find these two ideas for home organization and overall awesomeness.

1. ekby jarpen / ekby bjarnum wall shelf positioned only a few inches off the ground and loaded with 3 nasum baskets. i love this idea for placing outgoing items by the door or for storing items in the mud room. this system keeps things looking neat while being a cinch to put away.

2. ekby alex / ekby valter shelf with drawers. this would be great for a home's entryway, a home office nook... what else could this be used for?

mac monday

2010-08-16T09:41:00.001-07:00

choose the way you view; it's as easy as one, two, three, four (just add command before each number when you're viewing your documents). rock steady!

p.s. i visited huntington gardens this weekend which is really just spectacular. you can check out the awesome scenery here (and while you're there, upload photos of your organized space to the Bneato flickr pool).

image; flying house studios

flickr friday

2010-08-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

old home with bold walls

new home; crisp, white walls

holy moly. how organized and awesome is this crafting zone. rashida (of i heart linen) created this highly efficient work zone for all things crafty. i love how she goes vertical and uses the asker wall organizers from IKEA for crafting supplies. small plastic drawers are perfect for storing larger items but also leaves them super accessible.

mini homes in japan

2010-08-11T11:44:00.000-07:00

all i can say is wow. one of these homes is only 40 feet wide--talk about maximizing vertical space. listen (or read) the entire story on NPR.

do this regularly

2010-08-10T12:57:00.000-07:00

you can't control all the junk mail that finds its way into your email inbox but you can regularly unsubscribe from newsletters and emails that you no longer wish to receive. you may have even signed up for the newsletter initially but have no time to keep up with all the content. i recommend that on a daily (or weekly) basis, unsubscribe from emails and newsletters that no longer serve you (aka inbox clutter). once you have deemed the email clutter, locate the unsubscribe button and click on it. follow the directions and you're on your way to a neater inbox. if there is no unsubscribe link, simply reply to the email and in the subject line type out--"please remove". usually works like a charm.

mac monday

2010-08-09T08:59:00.000-07:00

i have been living a very sheltered life because i sure didn't know about this mac shortcut. i always do command N for a new browser window (dunzo). command T--for a new tab is where it's at.

(image WilWheaton)

front porch make-over

2010-08-04T15:52:00.000-07:00

while outside, i decided to trim back our rose bush and bring a few inside to enjoy

a few weeks back (as i was prepping for the parental units visit to LA) i had given the front porch a once over. sweeping and rinsing the outdoor tiles-- i even managed a new paint job on the door step which brought it back to life. this past weekend, i decided to enhance our outdoor area a bit more with a hanging basket from home depot (and picked up a few succulents while i was there). the plant hanger was already at hand--i just moved it from one side of the porch to the other. i then decided to tackle the painted on house numbers--which had always bugged me (it was worn off in places and looked messy). so i forked over a few extra bucks and picked up some brass numbers to showcase our address. a few decorative white pots from ikea help cozy up the front porch--each for under $1 (score).

to-do list tuesday

2010-08-03T15:30:00.000-07:00

you guys! i'm going to hawaii in september. man alive do i need to get into fantastic shape. but my billy ocean chalkboard wall just wasn't motivation enough for me to get my butt into gear. so i'm taking a page out of my friend jeremy's to-do list for inspiration. each week, he notes what days he works out (trying to fill the page). for him, empty space on the page=bad. i'm doing something similar. each time i work out, i put a strike next to the item (with hopes that the chalkboard will be full by the end of each week). and i'll need to meditate to get me through all this working out...

mac monday

2010-08-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

this is the orion's belt of mac mondays. quickly align text (left, right or center) by selecting the text you'd like to align. next press;

command shift { (to align left)

command shift } (to align right)

command shift | (to center)

holy moly.

2010-07-30T17:04:00.000-07:00

the coolest space saving furniture ever.

happy thursday to me!

2010-07-29T12:13:00.000-07:00

kathy mcDonald gave me the heads up that bneato organizing boot camp was going to be included in the august issue of the los feliz ledger. so today, i ran around town trying to locate hard copies (and after stop 3, i found a stack). it's also online for you to read here. stoked!

purge your closet and make some extra cash

2010-07-28T13:52:00.000-07:00

after purging my closet of extra clothes (i mean, how many pairs of jeans does one girl need) i went down to crossroads trading company and sold them. they took everything but 2 items and i made $50 + dollars (fun)! i turned around and splurged on fresh flowers and nice bottle of cabernet. fresh flowers make my week not to mention make the house look extra nice. especially when they're displayed in the bedroom and i can enjoy seeing them when i wake in the morning. and not only did i free up drawer space in the dresser, i got rid of stuff i never wear. and all that extra stuff usually just gets in the way and hinders the getting ready process--so i'm saving time to boot.

here are a few other places to check out when you're looking to sell stuff and make a little cash in the process as some extra incentive.

crossroads trading company (clothes, shoes, accessories)

buffalo exchange (clothes, shoes, accessories)

ameoba music (cds, dvds, LPs, tapes, videos)

craigslist (sell anything from furniture to cars)

to-do list tuesday

2010-07-27T15:54:00.000-07:00

this to-do list is from one of my favorite bloggers, meredith (of penelope loves lists fame). she crafts honest and inspiring entries and hits the nail on the head every time. the topics are relatable and often have me saying, "oh yeah, i went through that--thanks for sharing and making me feel normal!" you can tell meredith really loves filling the big shoes over at penelope--and she's created quite a lovely community of folks over there. so without further ado, here is meredith's to-do list with tips and all!

One thing that works: the highlight system.

I list my 5 or so items for the day with highlight on those that absolutely HAVE to get done that day or are time-sensitive within the day. I focus on those first.

One thing that is a challenge: limiting myself to putting just 5 or so items on my list.

It's tough, there's always SO much to do. But, I find if I limit myself to the 5 or so most important items, I can focus on them and get them done, without getting distracted by the overwhelming weight of my overall task list. I wrote about this in more detail here.

mac monday

2010-07-26T10:19:00.000-07:00

now this is trippy. apparently, if certain keys are pressed at the same time, your computer will invert the colors or your screen will display black and white. if you're feeling venturesome this morning, press option-control-command-8 (without the hyphens). kinda neat, huh? press the same combo to get back to square one. this is a great mac shortcut if you ever find your screen in a psychedelic funk.

important text messages...

2010-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

have you ever noticed how some important text messages that get sent to you end up getting lost in the shuffle? because i get email on my phone, a text message can quickly go to the bottom of the days list of items. and because text messages stay only on my phone, it's a good bet that i won't catch them later when i'm back on my laptop (yeah--make that a definite). and while you can't stop friends from sending you important dates or things to respond to via text, what you can do is email that info to yourself immediately--that way, you're bound to see it later when you're back in front of your computer. and as a word of caution, how about emailing that important bit of info to a friend rather than texting it. this tip does not apply to our friends who only respond to text messages (you know who you are).

image; dpstyles™

to-do list tuesday

2010-07-20T10:29:00.000-07:00

there are a couple of things on my to-do list that are always on there (things like "exercise" and "blog today" or "meditate"). you'd be surprised at how easily i can forget to do something if it isn't written down. but i've found a few links recently that make some items on my to-do list a little easier to tackle.

meditation

for the past 6 months, i've tried meditating on a regular basis to no avail. to me, the benefits are apparent immediately but because it's self guided, i usually write it off. although i find that if i meditate exactly when it crosses my mind to do so (instead of putting it off til later in the day) it usually gets done. then a friend forwarded me this very helpful link for guided meditations. i find that the taped meditations offer a hint of accountability because of the pre-determined time length and the soothing voice leading the way.

yoga

almost 3 years ago, i ran my first marathon. the training was super intense and by the end of the marathon i was like, "i never have to do that again." i pretty much quit exercising and chilled out for a while. fast forward to now and you can find me sporadically attending classes at all about you wellness boot camp and still yoga (while rotating in a long run for good measure). unfortunately, when i get super busy with work, i hate leaving the house to exercise. i calculate the time it takes to look presentable, add up the minutes for the drive to and from the class and determine that i'm wasting time (even though exercise helps keep me sane). and then 2 weeks ago, my friend ric told me about yogaglo. for only $18/month, you can stream yoga classes into the comfort of your own home. yesterday, when i was at ric's house (borrowing her internet) she did a yoga class in her living room. the cool thing is, you can pick classes based on level, teacher, what part of the body you'd like to work on... and the classes are continually being updated so nothing gets stale. and while i don't think yogaglo will replace my yoga classes in silver lake, they're a great addition to my exercise routine.

image; pauldeveto

mac monday

2010-07-19T18:37:00.000-07:00

no internet means no mac monday. boo. please send your concerns and frustrations to at&t. apparently the heat had something to do with it. my friend, ric renae was kind enough to let me use her internet this late afternoon to catch up on work. see you tomorrow (hopefully)!

image; vintagecat

tackle this now

2010-07-16T08:44:00.000-07:00

random lids (and one container without a lid--goodbye!)

organize your plastic containers (there's bound to be a handful without their lid). it will take all of 5-10 minutes (seriously). the bright side? it will save you tons of time when you're in the kitchen and looking for the right lid. plus, you'll probably stack them all nicely when you're done which will look (and feel) wonderful.

i'm in heaven...

2010-07-14T16:31:00.000-07:00

...with my new trash can and recycling system. the two trash cans used to take up prime floor space in the kitchen. now--they tuck neatly underneath the sink and pull out with ease. thank you IKEA!

to-do list tuesday

2010-07-13T13:54:00.000-07:00

ok. i'm super ashamed to admit it but as of yesterday, i had something on my to-do list for almost 8 months (yikes)! the check engine light (and 2 other ones that were always questionable) started randomly going on and off for the last year. it caused me concern initially but my mechanic said it was probably just a rogue sensor and he could reset it (but in the near future i should bring the car in and he'll take a look at it). so of course i went in for my car's routine maintenance a few months back and totally forgot to have him look at it. at the time, the light wasn't on and i plum forgot (damn).

fast forward to yesterday. my parents are coming into town this weekend (which entails me driving us around) and i didn't want the check engine light going on and off. so i made an appointment to take my scion xb in today. to make a really long story short, the cam shaft gear had malfunctioned (apparently the model of my car is known to do this). and it needed to be replaced (double damn). at the tune of $600--and that was just for the part and did not include labor (we're going straight to quadruple damn). anywhoodle, my uh-mazing mechanic (seriously love this guy) decides to call the dealership to see if my car is still under warranty for this part (which i totally didn't think to do--partly because it's almost 5 years old). turns out, it is! the kicker? it's a 60,000 mile warranty. wanna know what my odometer read this morning?! 59,943!!!!! um, yeah. basically if i had not taken my car in today, i would be $1,000 out of pocket. huge lesson learned. do not put off till tomorrow what you can do today.

mac monday

2010-07-12T23:20:00.000-07:00

holy z (of course i totally needed this mac shortcut yesterday). sunday afternoon, i was working on an apartment therapy post and i used the mac shortcut, "command z" (which undoes what you just did). the only problem with command z is when you think you're only undoing a word of text and it takes away all the text! if this has happened to you before, you know exactly the frustration i felt. but there's a solution--shift, command z (it undoes your undo). perfect.

image: dps

container store shopping trip

2010-07-09T09:36:00.000-07:00

yes. i have to admit it. i love the container store. but don't get any wild ideas that i just go in their and aimlessly buy crap (i'm usually shopping for clients from a specific list). but today... i'm shopping for me! since moving into the new pad with "the beau" we have yet to get the closets organized. i've been so busy getting the rest of the place in tip-top shape that our closets have been left to their own devices (there isn't a shoe rack to be found in our home and our hamper storage doesn't suit our new closet dimensions). and lucky me, the container store is having a sale!

expandable shoe rack

mesh + chrome laundry stand

oh yeah, our dvds are a mess too. i love these woven containers for keeping them searchable!

and down the road, you can always repurpose them to store something else

i'm not buying this but if i had a proper vanity area, it would be rad. mad scientist meets organization.

michael graves closetMAX system

2010-07-07T10:56:00.000-07:00

i'm not sure how i feel about this new michael graves for target closetMAX system. wait a second, yes i do--i think this is the perfect closet system for those of us who have 10 items of clothing or live in a nunnery. in other words, this closet system doesn't appear to be for folks like us (lots of clothes, shoes, sweaters) with about 3-4 feet of closet space to store them in. so i picked out my fave pieces (they sell them separately).

closetMAX 16 compartment shoe organizer

this would be perfect for a kids room (doesn't even have to live in the closet). or for a big entryway or in the garage if it's a "no shoes" house.

closetMAX over the door 5 basket organizer

i like this for storing toiletries and/or accessories in the bathroom. it's much cleaner looking than the clear, over the door shoe rack (which is usually repurposed).

closetMAX expandable hanging bar

i love using these in closets when you just have to maximize every square inch. it also expands for those of you who have bigger closets (jealous).

to-do list tuesday

2010-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

To-Do List

maureen and i met by happenstance. she uploaded some uh-mazing pics of her organized home to one of the flickr group pools i often frequent. from there i went to her blog, notes on a visual life (inspiration galore) and decided to follow her blog. turns out--we're from the same place in sc (well almost the same place). we decided to meet up for coffee in the big city of LA since we're both transplants and the rest is history. maureen graciously shared her to-do list with us, which will be history as soon as she crosses stuff off (i couldn't help myself)!

My biggest challenge when it comes to my to-do's would be initial motivation. I can be a bit of a procrastinator when it comes to tasks where I haven't done a particular thing before or there is some chance that I'm going to fail. Those are the tasks I'll be most likely to put off for a long time (i.e. going to the DMV to get my CA license and registration).

If the tasks are home based (cleaning, organizing, computer-y, etc...) I will put on a favorite podcast for some funny background noise (The Ricky Gervais podcast is a go to!) and I will just keep thinking, "Do it now!" Once I'm up and moving, I'll be unstoppable. Also, another trick for when I CAN'T get in the mood to clean or organize: go to YouTube and watch a segment from the British show "How Clean Is Your House." If you're like me, you'll be in a cleaning frenzy in NO TIME. This may sound silly but if you find something that can help to motivate you visually, put it somewhere in your space! I found a lovely print that actually says "Do it Now." I framed it and put it in my kitchen and it does work for me as a good reminder. But it's true that the longer you wait to tackle something, the more psychologically difficult it becomes.

I am a list maker through and through so I always have a To-Do list on hand. If I'm feeling super motivated and fancy, I will categorize items by importance through ink color. I think it's best to avoid an overly ambitious to-do list as you'll probably never complete it (or it will take ages) and you won't get that rewarding sense of completion which may inspire you to tackle more of your to-do baggage. I try to keep mine realistic. It's also a good idea to make your entries singular and precise rather than one entry that includes LOADS of steps and tasks. But, everyone is different and as my dad would say, "If everyone liked vanilla they wouldn't make chocolate." Find whatever works for you and knock it out of the park.

flickr friday

2010-07-02T14:02:00.000-07:00

you guys remember this ad from citigroup a couple of years ago, right? at the time, i didn't really cook and i thought--genius idea. i'm all about repurposing a space so it functions for your specific needs.

and yesterday, i spotted this pic on flickr titled, "mediaeater." it took me right back to the citigroup ad. the photo caption goes on to read, "i re-organize my kitchen to better suit my activities." rock steady.

second image; jm3

john baldessari kind of rocks

2010-06-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

i was listening to 89.3 in the car yesterday while larry mantle was interviewing LA artist, john baldessari. lacma is currently hosting a retrospective of baldessari's work and he's quite the interesting fella. in the interview larry mantle asked mr. b about his "cremation project" and my ears perked up (not really sure why, they just did). anywhoodle, i've attempted to type out what mr. b reveals about his cremation project not only because it's fascinating--but it directly relates to organizing and letting go of possessions.

baldessari says the parameters of the cremation project were to burn everything he had in his possession (re; paintings) since he started painting. he goes on to say "i had no sentimentality attached to my paintings and i had a backlog of paintings and i figured if i went on with this for the rest of my life, that i would be suffocated by my own work. so somehow i had to be reductive and edit my work and i decided to reduce them to ashes. it's also amplified by the fact that one's work is a body of work, so they're synonymous. so i decided to have them cremated in a real crematorium."

larry mantle then asks do you have any regrets?

mr. b says that "it's necessary. i've never been possessive of my own work. it's more about the act of doing it. i have a memory of it, a photograph of it and that's all i need."

freaking brilliant (bneato).

--listen to the entire airtalk interview here (you'll have to fast forward to the middle).

image; seanbonner

to-do list tuesday and 300th post!!

2010-06-29T17:51:00.000-07:00

old notebook... dunzo!

fresh, new notebook (love)!

when i started my own biz, i decided to go digital when it comes to my calendar (it.was.not.easy and i went kicking.and.screaming). but when it comes to my to-do list, paper is where it's at for me. like i said, i use one notebook and rewrite my list (almost) daily. i also transfer any client notes and important memos to my phone, calendar or computer. and when the notebook has no pages left, it's time to get a new shiny one--which kinda feels like i get to start over (in a good way).

mac monday

2010-06-28T08:51:00.000-07:00

this mac shortcut is extremely useful (for me anyway). command R. ever heard of it? it's uh-mazing. reloads the webpage you're currently on. genius. freaking genius!

image; kreg.steppe

flickr friday... on saturday!

2010-06-26T10:01:00.000-07:00

i soooooo wanted to post this yesterday! i've been watching a lot of larry king live recently and one of his guests this week was joan rivers. i'm dying to see her documentary but of equal fascination is how joan rivers organizes her jokes! a wall of card cabinet file drawers with labels. the larry king interview only briefly highlighted this (see my transcript below) but i'm curious to know if she still does this. insane and lovely.

starts at the 5:59 minute mark

Larry King: The files you keep

Joan Rivers: Yeah

LK: Jokes

JR: Yeah

LK: [Milton] Berle used to do that

JR: Also Bob Hope. Someone told me that he had a joke room. Isn't that amazing? You'd walk into a room and there's nothing but file cabinets and you... balloons?! Got it over here under B! And so I started to keep every joke I could.

inspiration from pottery barn

2010-06-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

it's been a little bananas over at bneato basecamp this week. out-of-town visitors, mt. weddings and lots of work has kept me from keeping you posted. here's a little inspiration that always seems to inspire me to get organized (or at least find a home for everything). while these photos are highly styled and showcase every product, i like to pick and choose my fav elements (hooks, chalkboard walls and corkboard--lots of it)!

images; pottery barn

to-do list tuesday

2010-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

no. paper. needed (found here).

mac monday

2010-06-21T11:38:00.000-07:00

i am always dipping into my applications folder for one reason or another. here's a super duper fast way to get in there without all the extra work. shift / command / a

image; dougbelshaw

flickr friday

2010-06-18T08:12:00.001-07:00

an over the door shoe organizer isn't just for organizing shoes. this gent repurposes the organizer for "on the go" items. and if you click here, you can find out exactly what is stored.

clean out your purse...

2010-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

yesterday, i got my car vacuumed and washed (like any good little angelino). and while i was waiting the 15 to 20 minutes for my car to be finished, i cleaned out my purse. change went back in its proper container, all the pens in their place and trash thrown away. when you find yourself waiting (and waiting) get to it! take the time to give your purse (or your wallet) a good cleaning.

image; omar omar

to-do list tuesday

2010-06-15T10:13:00.001-07:00

laure is the creative head over at "at home at home." it's a blog that showcases her many talents (writing, photography, culinary delights) mainly, making the home a wonderful place to be. today, she has graciously shared her to-do list in all its glory.

the deets
Working freelance in three different capacities: photographer, writer and stylist, my to-do lists tend to be entirely unrealistic or I give up on them and keep them in my head (bad idea). When I'm good, I review my week on sunday night so that I make sure I know of any appointments that are coming up and then I make a list of all the things I want to get done. I add these to my iCal as I think of them so that I see the week as a whole. On paper, I write out my daily to-do's at the start of each day and I add an A, B, or C for priority, this way I can see quickly which things need to get done first. It might sound confusing, but this system works great for me since I'm easily sucked into perfectionism. This keeps me moving onto things that are important.

Important vs. Urgent
I took a Franklin Covey time management workshop when I worked for a small company years ago and the best thing I learned was discerning between those things that are Important and those things that are Urgent. Especially working freelance it can be too easy to fill my day with busy work: rearranging my desk, organizing my emails, etc. all in the name of efficiency and not get to the important things like refining my website or taking time to reach out to new clients (because I can always do it later) or even the importance of a day off lollygagging with friends in the sun. So before I get bogged down in the minutiae of the day, I try to identify 3 things I can do in the day that will move me forward on what's important to me in my life. Today it's:

1) talking to grace about moving my blog over to wordpress and vamping it up in time for some press I know will be coming out in November.

2) scheduling a day to go to the Westside to take care of returns, seeing my dad (remember Important not Urgent), picking up some plants I have at his place (so that I can use them for a terrarium building party I want to throw) and picking up a slide scanner so I can archive my grandmother's slides. (this is a classic item that I seem to never have time to do even though I am largely the master of my own schedule).

3) make sure that EJ and I talk about summer schedule so that I know what trips we want to do and when we want to do them so that I can plan my work schedule and budget for the next 3 months. As long as this is unfinished, I keep putting a bunch of decisions on the backburner, which drives me nuts.

One minute or Less
I think I got this from Gretchen at the Happiness Project, but if there's ever a task on my list or a task that presents itself throughout the day that would take a minute or less to take care of, I DO IT NOW. I don't put it off. Surprisingly there are a lot of tasks that take almost no time and yet I want to procrastinate: waiting on sending that pitch until it's perfect, not reloading the stapler or the ink cartridges because it seems like a pain, etc., not stopping to drink water or take a step outside to take a break, etc.

mac monday skip

2010-06-14T08:52:00.000-07:00

between clients, organizing boot camp and staying pretty busy this weekend, i caught this clip from high fidelity. serendipity.

flickr friday

2010-06-11T10:18:00.001-07:00

first of all, if you haven't started indulging in online magazines, get to it! this image is from by fryd and the content is really great (easy to breeze through too). my other fave is lonny mag (june/july issue is out now). anywhoodles, i spotted this side table in the "pages" of by fryd and wanted to share. if you aren't already using open bins and baskets to store stuff--what the heck are you waiting for?! i use open bins for shoes in the closet (unconventional but it works for me). just make sure your bin or open container doesn't become a catchall. you can prevent it from being a miscellaneous pile by adding a tag with a label. that way, the whole family is on board and knows what should (and shouldn't be stored in the bin). i also like how the homeowner in the pic above is utilizing every inch of the side table--storing open containers on both levels.

share pics of your organized space by uploading them to the bneato flickr pool

news, news, newsletter

2010-06-10T09:14:00.000-07:00

june newsletter has arrived. read it.

image: okinawa soba

DIY this

2010-06-09T17:12:00.000-07:00

make your own bookshelves... using books! click here to find out how. (via Real Simple)

image: paul watson

to-do list tuesday

2010-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

the always busy becky making burgers

this to-do list comes all the way from south carolina. my mom contributed her to-do list from a recent party (she's mad organized... i wonder where i get it from)

this to do list was created to help me stay focused in preparing for a party that i was giving at my home on may 22nd (saturday). i started out by assigning tasks to each day of the week leading up to my party. everything went pretty well until thursday. that's when the "grocery store" task went by the wayside due to unforeseen problems. as it turned out, my husband was unable to complete one of the tasks assigned to him... which was mowing the grass. so you know who had to re-organize her task list to include yet another duty. thursday was already a busy day, so the grocery store had to wait until friday. i had planned on cleaning the boat on friday, but re-assigned that to the hubby, since he bailed the previous day. friday became quite busy and i realized i wished i had made time for the grocery store the day before.

challenge; when preparing for the party, it seems that there are too many things that have to wait until the day before the party. for instance, you can't prepare the flower arrangements too far ahead because they won't look so fresh. also, some of the cooking just can't be done until the day before. same goes for house cleaning. if you clean too early, it will just get messed up and you'll have to do it all over again.

what works; it's important to study your to do list through-out the project. you'll find yourself adding/re-organizing the list as the days go by. when the list gets too messy, i just start a fresh one with the tasks that still remain. one thing is for sure, a to do list is a must for me.

mac monday

2010-06-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

create your own mac shortcuts because sometimes, there just isn't one assigned for what you want to do

first, go to system preferences and find the keyboard mouse icon.
then click on the tab labeled "keyboard shortcuts"
the little plus icon on the bottom left is the button you're after to create your own
make sure to pick the application you are after with the drop down menu bar

what will your first original shortcut be?

flickr friday

2010-06-04T09:01:00.000-07:00

these organized drawers come from maureen's house. a recent transplant to los angeles, she's busy making her home an awesome one. stop by her blog (notes on a visual life) for a looksy and say hi!

share pics of your organized space by uploading them to the bneato flickr pool

i almost forgot...

2010-06-03T09:26:00.000-07:00

to tell you guys. i interviewed peter walsh for apartment therapy a few weeks back. he was such a sweetheart and very down to earth--full post here.

ps; found the most uhmazing vintage scalloped lampshade yesterday for next to nothing. swwwweeeeet.

categorized under: don't need but want

2010-06-02T11:33:00.000-07:00

set of 6 for $7.50 (file names added by yours truly). kate's paperie

to-do list tuesdays

2010-06-01T09:40:00.000-07:00

ric's short but sweet to-do list style...

challenge; remembering to actually write a to-do list
what works; telling myself that if I accomplish half of what's on my to-do list, I can go shopping.

patience

2010-06-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

the paint choice the 1st time around

kate spade's home was the inspiration for the new color choice

same room, completely different look

when i'm working with clients, i'm the most patient individual you've ever met. but when it comes to things like painting, and working on my home, patience seems to hop right out the window. take for instance our home office space (rather, the beau's office). since moving into our new home in february i've wanted to get everything done all at once. so instead of picking out a paint color that suited the masculine office i wanted to create for adam, i used a paint color i already had (noooooooo). what looked great in my previous apartment suddenly looked like blue cotton candy painted walls (eeeek). after about a month or so of hating the office and trying to "make it work" as tim gunn would do, i decided to repaint the entire space--again. this time, i used a pic from kate spade's home as my inspiration. unfortunately, instead of being patient and purchasing a small amount of paint to test on the walls--i fork over $40 for paint that i picked from a paint swatch. did i learn my lesson? apparently not. so yesterday, after the first coat went up, i wanted to cry. the color was bad (and by bad, i mean jewel tone 1980s bad). thank god i plowed through and applied 2 more coats because i am more than pleased with the results. and even though i wasn't burned by my lack of patience this time it's bound to happen again. lesson learned--i swear!

flickr friday

2010-05-28T10:27:00.000-07:00

if you haven't already, introduce yourself to command hooks (they're kinda awesome). some holding up to 5lbs of weight, i've used them twice recently to display clients necklaces for easy access. they're also a great solution for renters as they don't damage the walls surface and are a cinch to remove. i find mine at the container store and home depot but i'm guessing they probably have them at target as well.

russell brand hosts clothing swap

2010-05-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

for my LA peeps--russell brand is hosting an event this thursday at the beverly center. he's calling it "buy love here" and wants folks to bring their stuff and trade it for other stuff (no money needed). if you get our newsletter, you know how we love a good clothing swap! let us know if you plan on attending... more deets found here.

kid's to-do list

2010-05-25T14:00:00.000-07:00

o.m.g. spotted this adorable to-do list written by a kiddo on huffington post (via tumblrisforlulz).

to-do list tuesday

2010-05-25T09:29:00.000-07:00

this to do-list hails from one of my favorite bloggers, miss grace hsui--a previous editor for apartment therapy; los angeles (where we met). she recently left AT but lucky for us, didn't leave without penning a farewell message. currently, you can find her on the popular and witty blog, of course, of course. so you can imagine my delight when she offered up her to-do list and explanation(s).

My to-do lists had humble beginnings--usually scrawled on the back of envelopes or written on my right hand--but since then, I've graduated to not only putting my to-do list on proper note paper, but they even have a spot! On my fridge! Well, the side of it, since that's the only part that's magnetic. Anyway, I update my to-do lists about once a week, give or take, depending on how very productive I'm feeling. This week, I've nailed about 5 out of 9, which (for me) is not too shabby.

1. Challenge: You mean, besides actually doing all of these tasks within a reasonable time frame? I'd say my biggest challenge is getting motivated to do certain tasks that I dread or don't think I have the time for. I try to order my list so there's some connectivity; i.e., if I have to mop the kitchen floor, I'll put that after "Sanding down wood cutting board" That way, since I'm already in the kitchen, there's a better chance of both tasks being completed. The other big challenge is meeting Ryan Gosling or LL Cool J, although I came really, really close a few weekends ago--LL Cool J was signing autographs at Vroman's for his new book, but the line was too insane to rationalize marking that off my to-do list.

2. Sure Thing: If I know I'm going to have a big task I'm dreading, I'll pad my to-do list with smaller, easier tasks. That way, when I get into the groove of crossing things off my list, I'm much less likely to hem and haw and put it off. It's sort of how I feel like when I'm exercising: If I'm really dragging my feet, I'll tell myself, "OK, just ten minutes, and then if I still don't feel like, at least I gave it a shot." Nine time out of ten, after the ten minute mark, I'm thinking, "Eh. Already started. Might as well finish a full workout and then I can eat some pie!"

3. Make An Appointment: A tried-and-true trick for me to getting stuff done is to turn it into an appointment. It's really easy for me to get caught up in work and push things off (sometimes for days...or weeks). Like the time when I kept pushing off sending out my car registration to the DMV, and then my tags expired; which then landed me in line at the DMV on a Friday afternoon, cursing myself for not taking the 5 minutes it would have been to just send out my damn registration in the mail. Since then, I have learned my lesson: When I'm really busy but know I have certain things that need attention, I'll set aside an hour during my day to, as my dad would say, "button shit up." This includes anything from hitting up Target (it goes without saying how easy it is to shop at Target on a Tuesday afternoon, then say, Saturday morning) to sorting and shredding a pile of junk mail that has been sitting in a box by the trash can for a few weeks.

mac monday

2010-05-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

sometimes, i hate scanning pics and text all the way to the bottom of a loooooong webpage. wanna know an easier way to scroll? hit the space bar to scroll down while "shift plus space bar" will take you back up. priceless.

*and while we're talking keys, here's a quick and easy way to clean your mac from penelope loves lists

(image; georgia.g)

flickr friday

2010-05-21T10:16:00.001-07:00

have i been living under a rock not to have known about IKEA's rationell line? IKEA says it best, "a series of interior fittings that help make better use of kitchen space." i couldn't agree more. since moving, our trash can has been in limbo living everywhere from beside the oven (hate) to in the laundry room (double hate). the perfect spot? underneath the sink. a way to make that option sing? --this product from the rationell line.

share pics of your organized space by uploading them to the bneato flickr pool

(images; litlnemo)

as seen on the web...

2010-05-19T10:40:00.000-07:00

i'm finally getting around to crossing some items off my "home decorating" to-do list and found this amazing artist on etsy. (thank.freakin.goodness). her name is kathryn diLego and her line drawings are uh-mazing. i picked up this little guy last eve between watching tv and working.

a little late to the game on this one... found another great resource for recycling old cell phones. verizon will take unwanted cell phones (from any service provider) and turns them into support for victims of domestic violence

i was reminded this week of franklin covey's great line of products and while i was there, stumbled onto sarah pinto's fun and chic designs

because you're not "feeling the filing" today--these file folders will be sure to make a statement with your active paperwork (or at least put a smile on your face).

dude. that's a lot of used post-its taped to every horizontal surface in your office. why not give the ceramic memo board a whirl?

did you know that golf balls can be recycled? stop tossing items and check in with earth911's 5 odd but recyclable plastics!

casting in los angeles...

2010-05-18T11:48:00.000-07:00

calling on all my peeps with a clutter challenge. peter walsh is partnering up with the oprah winfrey network for a new television show (say wha?!). here's a brief description of the show, what they're looking for and contact info. just got off the phone with natalie who's in charge of casting--these are good hands to be in when you're facing what seems to be an uphill battle.

"If you are tired of struggling with the life you’re living and think that your clutter or disorganization is holding you back, we want to hear your story! Let Organizational expert, Peter Walsh, help you achieve your goals with your home and your life! A show For OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network is now seeking Los Angeles area residents who are ready to dig deep and change their lives! To be considered for the show, email a brief paragraph about your situation & how it got to be that way, a recent photo of yourself and your clutter and contact information to: bigfishcasting@mac.com.

image; peter walsh design

to-do list tuesday

2010-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

this week, we're rockin to-do list tuesday with one of my favorite peeps, miss dyana valentine (of dyana valentine.com). she is a super star when it comes to helping others get things done and today, she shares with us, one of her to-do lists.

I created this the day after an amaaaazing workshop by Brooks Palmer (of Clutter Busting). I had been to a clutterbusting workshop in January this year and come home to donate BOTH of my couches, a variety of small furniture, 4 bags of clothes and 6 boxes of books. Then, just a week ago, he came to LA again and after THAT clutterbusting workshop, I went even deeper into the recesses of my clutter and got rid of even more stuff--including 18 years (you read that right) of photographs (I labeled and kept the negatives); more books, more clothes, collectibles that I didn't want any more, and more clothes! I am slowly but surely getting to the place where my home feels like a "sanctuary."

1. Challenge: Keeping a list of to-do's (well, really shame-styled "shoulds") in my head and not on paper.
2. Sure Thing: The thing that always works is keeping my to do list taped to my front door (I see it several times/day and I feel SO good when I cross something off), and keeping each task on the list to 15-30 minutes in scope--even when that means breaking something down into 3-5 tasks.
3. Accountability: I usually make a public announcement--even if only to one other person (or on your blog!)--of what I want to FEEEL after doing an activity. I also tie my to-do's to a bigger goal--you can see that my list has "NEXT on Freedom!" at the bottom. That is the WHY of this current list. If you have to-do's that don't resonate with a larger goal--scrap them!

mac monday

2010-05-17T10:25:00.000-07:00

annoying sounds--my alarm clock, birds chirping at night when i'm trying to fall asleep, and the volume button on my laptop. i can't do anything about the first two but i've got the last one in the bag. pressing shift when you increase or decrease the volume on your mac = sweet silence.

ps; i really want one of these hand made plates found here

flickr friday

2010-05-14T10:35:00.000-07:00

i'm no garden maven (i count myself lucky to keep succulents alive). but i do know a good system when i see one. check out this grand idea--cutting down regular sized file folders to fit perfectly in a small tin. labeled and neat, now the seeds are searchable--which prevents ordering seeds you may already have (raise your hand if you've ever done that before)!

share pics of your organized home by uploading them to the bneato flickr pool.

(images; chiot's run)

o.m.g.

2010-05-12T18:58:00.000-07:00

say goodbye to sandwich baggies for life. these reusable sandwich bags are from a company called lunchskins (adorable)!! each bag is around $8 (give or take a $1) and are good for the planet. made in the u-s-of a and are food and dishwasher safe. and these reusable baggies don't have to hold just sandwiches--get creative and go green!

to-do list tuesday

2010-05-11T09:40:00.000-07:00

the first time i shared my to-do list was back in june (as you can see, the format is pretty much the same). you would think a professional organizer might have better handwriting--apparently not so. the to-do list is ever changing and if i spent extra time making it perfect, i'd never get a thing done.

this to-do list gets updated once/day (usually when i'm waiting--in the car, on the phone, etc.)

on the next page one will find a long-term bneato to-do list. when i have room on the daily to-do list, items from this list migrate on over.

bneato boot camp to-do checklist (things i always bring to boot camp--the list rarely changes so i keep a copy in the back of my notebook).

long term items (biz and personal) that i don't want to forget about but don't need to see everyday. this list stays on the last page of my notebook. on occasion, i'll check in with it and see what i can move over to the daily to-do list. if items are still here once my notebook is used up, i'll consider taking items off--for good!

things that help me accomplish my to-do's

instead of prioritizing items by writing them in order, i'll star items that i need/want to get done that day. usually, i just want to write items on paper as they come to me (and i don't want to get bogged down or worried about writing things down in the correct order). starring items helps visually locate the important to-do's of the day in an instant
always cross items off (if i have a highlighter handy, i'll use that instead). crossing tasks off makes me feel accomplished--and gives me the motivation to keep going.
get the big things done first. it's so easy to procrastinate and then rationalize your tasks--essentially leaving them to get done the next day (or never). i find that these tasks end up being a big distraction through out the day/week until i get them done. save yourself a whole lot of headache by getting it done-asap!

new series!

2010-05-11T09:11:00.000-07:00

starting today (tune in later) we're adding a new series to the Bneato Blog called to-do list tuesdays. it will join our other fun and popular series, mac mondays and flickr fridays. not sure i can explain my obsession with alliteration but just go with me folks:) to-do list tuesdays will indulge your inner nosy-nancy and give you a sneak peek into the lives of others. some will be purely fun, while most will be great examples, showing us why to-do lists rock. turn your to-do list into a "to-did" list and join us on tuesdays starting in may.

ps; if you have a to-do list you'd like to share, contact us

image; apartment therapy

mac monday

2010-05-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

oldie but a goodie--force quit for when a computer application is acting up. just hit command option escape.

happy mother's day (a little early)

2010-05-06T06:29:00.000-07:00

i skipped my post yesterday--for good reason. instead of scheduling one (or two) posts ahead of time like a good organizer/blogger, i was busy prepping for my quick trip out of town. i decided a while back to fly home to SC to surprise my mom for mother's day. that's her pictured above in complete shock. an extra special thanks to my dad and brother who managed to keep the surprise a secret (even though it was really really difficult for them:). happy mother's day!