The Posh Blog

 Greetings to everyone during this last week of January.  As the first month of 2008 has already gone by like a high speed train I want to take a moment to talk about my personal choice for a planner this year.  Choosing the right planner or calendaring system is not always an easy decision.  I like to try different ones so I can let you know what I think about them.  I have tried the paper and electronic systems from Franklin Covey, the Levenger Circa system, Microsoft Outlook, and a few different Microsoft based PDA’s. 

This year I decided to try the Planner Pad.  This unique product works like a funnel capturing your weekly “to do list” for each project or area of your life in the top section, your daily to do list in the next section, followed by your daily schedule in the bottom section.  This system helps you see everything that needs to get done and then integrates the high priority items into your day (calendar). 

I really like the way the Planner Pad breaks down your tasks into groups.  This has helped me so much.  Sometimes personal items can get lost among the work items and with this system you can create any section you want and you can change it by the week or as you complete a project.

The Planner Pad is available in three sizes, spiral bound or for a three ring binder, and multiple covers are available.  I am using the medium, or Executive size and would recommend that size.  I think the smaller size may be limiting in the amount you can write for each task.  I also like the spiral bound system because it is still slim enough to carry along with me just about anywhere.

For me I like to see things on paper and so this system has really been easy to use and a great motivator.  Are you are using a planner or calendaring system that you love?  I’d love to hear about it. 

Checking a task off your to do list…now that’s the good life!

Enjoy the good life,

Angela

Photo from Planner Pad.

 Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.  

   “One less bag a day keeps clutter away”.  If you are like many households you are losing the battle of the bags!  From shopping bags to grocery bags they seem to multiply over night and are easily one of the most common causes of clutter.   

One way to dramatically reduce the number of bags coming into your home is by purchasing reusable shopping bags.  Whether you’re a tree hugger or not these bags are great for many reasons.  Using reusable bags versus plastic bags cuts down on the plastic bags in your home.  I know that may sound obvious, but I was shocked at the result in my own home.  It’s great!  I used to have a wad of plastic grocery bags that lived in our laundry room awaiting our next trip to the grocery store so we could recycle them.  Now, we typically can get all our groceries in 5-6 bags instead of 10-15 plastic bags and we don’t end up with more plastic bags cluttering our space.  These bags are also easier on the hands when you are carrying them, they are extremely sturdy, and can hold a ton.  Did I mention these bags can be used for more than just groceries?  We know one person who used them to move!   Once you have emptied your reusable shopping bags, don’t forget to take them back to the car for your next trip. 

The bags seen in the photo above can be purchased at Whole Foods Grocery Stores and H-E-B Grocery Stores for about $0.99.  The Container Store also has reusable bags available.  The reusable bag is the MUST have item for 2008!  If those are not good enough reasons, just think of all the bags you are preventing from entering the landfill.  There is definitely a “Green Movement” going on and what could be better than helping the environment and keeping the clutter down in your house. 

Enjoy the good life,

Angela Ploetz 

I just did the home show last weekend and I met lots of great people.  One thing these types of shows or conventions remind me of is all the “Free” clutter; I mean stuff that people are giving away.  It may be a pen, a stress ball, a highlighter, or a magnet and you see it and say, “great a free pen” and you add it to your bag and bring it into your home.  The problem is that if you do this every time you see a “free” pen then you can end up with pens taking over your house.  I have worked with several clients who end up with shoe boxes or gallon size zip top bags full of pens.   

Managing these pens takes time, your time.  It also takes up space in your home.  Many times the pens are filling up drawers and spread over many surfaces.  So now you have to deal with the pens.  You have to gather them together, test them to see which ones work, toss out the ones that don’t work, donate some, and find a place to put the ones you are keeping.  This once “free” pen has now cost you hours managing it and all its multiplying friends.   

A big part of managing clutter is stopping it at the door.  The next time you see a free pen, magnet, note pad, or stress ball, get into the habit of asking yourself if you really need it before it comes into your home.  Your time is valuable and you are worth it!

Enjoy the good life,

Angela Ploetz

 Is clearing out your closet on your list of New Year’s resolutions?  If it is you may run into the problem that you have some old athletic shoes that need to go.  If you have “run” your shoes into the ground and don’t think ANYONE would want to stick a toe in them, there is another option besides the trash.  Recycling! 

Yes that’s right Nike has an outstanding program that collects used athletic shoes, grinds them up, and then makes different parts of sports surfaces around the world.  Check out Let Me Play to find out where you can drop off shoes in your community.  If you’re in the Austin area the Nike Outlet in San Marcos accepts shoes.

Clearing your clutter in an eco-friendly way, that’s gotta feel good!

Enjoy the good life,

Angela

If you’re clearing out your pantry as part of your New Year’s Resolution to get organized, keep this in mind.  Spices do have a shelf life.  Typically, ground spices are only good for about 2-3 years and spice blends will typically last about 1-2 years.  Visit the McCormick’s web-site to learn more about how long spices last. 

Here’s one that will really get you…if you have a McCormick’s tin in your cupboard with ANY spice in it (EXCEPT for black pepper) like the one pictured above, it is at least 15 years old.  WOW!!!  SOOOO you know what that means; it’s time to toss out those old spices because they really aren’t going to pack much of a punch in any recipe.  Next time you need that celery seed, or what ever obscure spice you’ve been saving just in case, then you can buy a nice fresh bottle and savor the flavor!   

M’m’, good food full of flavor…now that’s the good life. 

Enjoy,

Angela

Happy New Year! So we just made it through a major gift giving season and everyone is now recovering their houses from the in-laws, the out-laws, the gifts, and the gift wrap.  No wonder getting organized is on most people’s list of New Year’s resolutions!   

As you put 2007 behind you I would like to ask you to take a moment to think of the things you accomplished this year.  It’s easy to forget or simply not even acknowledge what we have achieved in a years time.  Big or small take the time to celebrate, acknowledge, and pay respect to what you have achieved this year.  I did this recently and I was amazed at all the things I had done this year alone!  I made a list of my accomplishments and it was so gratifying to see how long it was.  Pictured above, you can see one of the best things that happened to me this year, the birth of my second child.  I’ll talk more about some of my other goals in a later post.   

My request to you is to make a list of your 2007 accomplishments by the end of this week.  Now, as you begin to focus on your goals for 2008 you will be able to see what you have done in 2007 and get an idea of what is possible.  Your list may also inspire you to choose new and exciting goals for 2008.  My second request to you…you guessed it, is to make a list of your 2008 goals.  These should include things you can do to live your personal style of the good life.  Don’t we all deserve the good life?  You bet!  So write it down and post your list in a place that you can see it everyday.  You won’t be sorry you did! 

I hope you enjoyed the picture of my Baby New Year.  I have had requests from several clients to see the baby. 

So here you go. 

Enjoy the good life,

Angela