Annie Sloan Paint Giveaway!

I have fallen. Fallen completely in LOVE with Annie Sloan paints. If you haven't tried it yet, RUN...don't walk....and buy a can. It's the best thing EVER. Well...almost. Here's a giveaway for you to win a few free samples and try it yourself! Check it out!

http://paintstuckundermyfingernails.blogspot.com/2011/08/do-what-you-love-love-what-you-do.html?spref=fb

Need Help Organizing Your New Business?

It's funny the twists and turns life seems to take. When I first started In the Clear, I truly thought I'd be doing one thing...organizing. I had no idea how wrong that assumption would turn out to be. The thing about organizing is that there are so many different facets to it. So, I find myself once again adding yet another item to my list of services. For months now I've been helping small businesses get started. Meaning, I organize the start-up process and help manage it so it doesn't seem so overwhelming. Having been in their shoes before myself, and having not one person to ask "How'd you do that?", I want to share what I know. Getting to my point...promise. In the Clear will now offer small business start-up consulting. From stationery to blogs, to websites, to social media - we've got you covered. We will walk you through the process of navigating through the crazy task of getting your business, your dream, up and running as quickly as possible. Need a logo? Got you covered. Need someone to post to your blog, website, facebook page, and Twitter? We can do that for you too! Call today (336) 688-8184 for a FREE consultation and find out how In the Clear can turn your business dream into a reality!

Spring Cleaning Time!!!

Hello ITC Groupies!

It's that time of year again. Time for itchy, watery eyes, spring showers and yes....spring cleaning - oh joy! Well, if you're going to be stuck inside anyway, why not get to work decluttering and clearing out the winter funk from the homestead? No time like the present!

I visited the WFMY Good Morning Show yesterday (way too early - insert yawn) to give tips on getting motivated and staying focused while cleaning this season!

Here's the link to the video clip, enjoy!

http://www.digtriad.com/news/gms/article/168945/67/Effective-Spring-Cleaning-Starts-With-A-Plan

CRAFT/WORK ROOM SPECIAL

Are you tired of scrapbooking on your lap in front of the tv? Jealous of your husband's "man cave"? Want a space to call your own? We love crafting ourselves, so craft/work rooms are our favorite space to create

For the month of March, we are offering a CREATE YOUR SPACE discount! Get 25% off the purchase of 6 hrs of organizing services. Call for an appointment today! Spaces are filling up quickly!

I simply cannot believe it's February already! Where did January go? And, didn't I just take down the Christmas decorations for Pete's sake? Time seems to just fly by these days. The beginning of the year always seems to inspire me to purge. I don't know what it is. I go through my house with trash bags on a mission. I LOVE the feeling I get when I get rid of clutter. It's a rush! I know I'm not alone. The new year gives us a sense of starting out with a clean slate and who couldn't use that? This month there are many projects on my list of to-dos. I will be tackling my photos that I'm embarrassed to say have been neglected for some time now. I will take on my filing system and the garage - (better keep the Tylenol handy). All big projects that at first site, can be SO overwhelming. I will be sharing with you how I tackle these projects, step-by-step and show you how you can do the same! Stay tuned for ways that you too can get organized and feel the rush!

Until next time remember, Don't put it down, put it away!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas! I had such an amazing time with my family. My husband and I made the decision a few years ago NOT to travel on Christmas. We wanted our children to wake up in their own beds and have memories of our family traditions from the comfort of our own home. It has been one of the best decisions we've ever made truly. In the past, we've traveled to Boston and to Ohio to be with family and although it's wonderful to see everyone, it's such a major stressor as we usually get delayed by bad weather and end up wasting a lot of time in airports! Who needs that! The other nice thing about staying home for Christmas is the lack of running around from house to house frantically. It's just nice all around. I highly recommend it to anyone!

I want to thank all my clients this year, old and new, for their business. I hope that we are able to finish up all those projects in the upcoming year. My biggest wish for everyone is that they are able to simplify and get back to the basics in 2011. Stuff is just stuff. Place your value on the ones you love and those that love you back.

Until next time, Happy New Year and don't forget: "Don't put it down, put it AWAY"!!!!

Another In the Clear Transformation

In the Clear was on the scene today to help save a little boy from being engulfed by clutter in his bedroom. Check out the amazing transformation pictures.

Time Management

One of the most frequent questions I get asked by clients is "how do I manage my time better?" As a mother of two, business owner, and CEO of my household, I often struggle with how to answer that question. Speaking for myself, I find that 95% of the stress I have is self-provoked. I can't say no. I have no idea why. I would LOVE to say no. I just can't seem to do it. I've tried. I even practice saying it in the mirror. Alas, I simply can't. I have this desire, as most women, to be all things to all people. I don't want to say no because that might disappoint someone in need and I can't bare the thought of that. So, I try to navigate through the chaos that I have inflicted upon myself day after day, carefully checking off the items on my to-do list as if I were conquering the world but at the end of the day, the list keeps growing. So, how can we manage our time better? How can we add more hours to our day and still find time to work, be with our families, take care of ourselves, and enjoy life more? You have to say no. You have to prioritize your life as if it were your job to do so. Ask yourself what matters? What doesn't? What can wait? What can't? When you find yourself with a free moment, don't find something to fill it...go sit down. Hang out with your kids. Read a book. Exercise. Let the dishes sit in the sink overnight. The dirty dish police will not show up at your door, I promise. Enjoy your life. Believe you me, your life won't wait on you. It's walking on ahead of you. You have to be present and enjoy every single second. Our time is precious and fleeting.

***This post is dedicated to my best friend Kristin who past away 5 years ago at the age of 29 from breast cancer. Her last words to me were "live a good life." I honor her everyday by doing so. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. Early detection saves lives! In the Clear is a proud supporter of Breast Cancer Awareness.

I miss you everyday Kris.***

Until next time, "don't put it down...put it away."

Conquering Clutter

Hello Again!

It's funny. Most people that come to my house expect each closet to be color coded and alphabetized just because I work as a professional organizer. While it's true that on most days my house looks presentable, it's because I focus on keeping the main living areas tidy...like the living room and kitchen. It's also because I have systems in place that help me quickly put things away in the event that someone randomly knocks on the door! But, just like everyone else, I also have trouble areas. I have spots in my house that seem to magnetize clutter. And, I also have two small children that work against all my best efforts at keeping a "spotless" home. So, what is the answer? In my own experience, it's a combination of things. The first thing I had to learn was to let go! I had to let go of my "bk" tendencies (Before Kids) and realize that the time I was wasting making sure each seasoning bottle was properly aligned was time I could be playing with my children. I also had to learn to cut myself some slack. There simply aren't enough hours in the day to reach my goal of domestic perfection. Next, you have to put a system in place that works for you and your household. There is no cookie cutter approach to this, you just have to find the right type of organizing for you. And lastly, you have to tackle it every day. You can't wait until the pile is so large that you can't open the front door to tackle it. It has to be a daily effort.

Now, take a deep breath, tell yourself that you are a fantastic housekeeper and go do something fun!

Until next time remember, don't put it down...put it away!

Organizing the Family Schedule

Once school starts your head will spin trying to keep up with everyone's different schedules. Take charge now and get a system in place so you can keep track of all the comings and goings in your household!

Better Homes and Gardens offers a FREE tool called the Cozi Calendar. It's a great way to keep track of doctor appointments, to-do lists, grocery lists, homework, photos and so much more! It's free, easy and so very helpful!

Go check it out!!!!

https://secure.cozi.com/Cobrand-BHG-Signup.htm

Until next time, remember: "Don't put it down, put it away!"