Write This Down

Is there anything that holds more promise than a new, yellow, legal pad?  I keep a legal pad and pen handy at home and on my office desk (actually they are letter size for easier filing).    On these pads I mostly write lists.  List making has become my cornerstone of organization.  I have filled these pads with lists of everything from daily errands and project to-do items, to my life masterplan.  Nothing is more fulfilling than crossing items off my lists!  It means I'm making progress, getting things done, mastering my universe, one line at a time!

Maybe this is a sign of old age.  When I was younger I prided myself on how much information I could keep in my head.  Now I find if I don't write it down the moment it occurs to me, it's liable to wander off into another room and crawl under the bed with the dust bunnies.  When I feel my world spinning out of control the act of making a list brings things back into perspective and all things seem possible again.

I love the idea of a large, framed chalkboard in a family kitchen. As opposed to the crazy quilt of magnets holding scraps of paper, calendars and crayon art on the refrigerator door (which, by the way, is the first area that has to be cleared when "de-personalizing" a house for sale), a chalkboard can be a fun and stylish way to keep track of family reminders and lists. Cork walls and french, upolstered memo boards work beautifully as well.

Like many of you, I have wonderful technology to help me function on a daily basis.  If I lost my iPhone or crashed my laptop....well, Houston we have a problem.  But, if God forbid, that should happen I still have my legal pad next to my bed with the really important list of things to do (not necessarily in this order):

1.  Travel
2.  Financial Freedom
3.  Health
4.  Entertain
5.  Relationship
6.  Joy
7.  Balance

Happy Organizing

The "Wait For Nate" Is Over!

This was the morning I've been waiting for all summer....the Nate Berkus Show premiered this morning at 9:00 am and it did not disappoint.  For those of you not in the know, Nate Berkus is the award winning decorator who came to national attention when he was pinned to Oprah as her show's decorating expert.  It goes without saying that Oprah is the producer of this new show.  Not only is Nate just downright precious, but his design work is wonderful.

The first show featured a terrific kitchen makeover followed by tips on decorating with "found" objects, how to choose a paint color, and more.  All delivered with that boyish enthusiasm and charm that has endeared him to me and his many, many other followers since Oprah first brought him into our living rooms.  I can see I will need to set my DVR to 9:00 am every weekday morning so I don't miss any shows due to annoying disstractions like work and clients (check http://www.thenateshow.com for showtimes in your area),.

I noticed that Nate's website and show have lots of organizing ideas and hints that I know I'll be interested in.  Nate's decorating inspirations are almost always function over form, and his spaces are wonderfully livable as well as beautiful.  I have always been particularily impressed with what he can do with small spaces that require unique, muliti-purpose furnishings and storage solutions.

I was disappointed to see Oprah announce that this would be her final season, but I thank her for leaving us Nate (it almost makes up for her saddling us with Dr. Phil...almost).

Happy Organizing