Conquering Clutter!

One of my New Year's Resolutions is to declutter my bedroom. I started becoming very lazy and unorganized since I got a night shift job. 

If you enter my room, you would see my dresser in a big mess with my jewelry, facial creams, cotton balls, lotion, sanitary napkins, pantyliner, and other accessories, small plastic containers for little things, vitamins, among others. If mom happens to see my dresser, (she is a very organized person), she'd probably tell me that it  looks like it's been hit by tsunami. What a shame!

I need motivation so I looked for something that would help me reach my goal this year and I stumbled upon this  article that I thought would help me conquering my clutter and I want to share it with you. It is excerpted from Martha Clouse, the founder of "Organized For Life" which is professional organizing company.

Tips for clearing clutter:

Sort one small spot- next, choose one specific pocket of bulging clutter-the junk drawer, desk drawer, one closet shelf or under the kitchen sink. 

Take everything out and sort the items in the following categories: 
 Keep- it stays here
 Move-goes somewhere else
 Give-away
 Sell
 Trash

Re-use- thinking outside the box can result in creative storage containers or alternative uses for belongings. For example: check books boxes as drawer dividers. 

Recycle- saves the natural resources that were expended to make the product.
Give- a grateful friend, relative, or neighbor who has a need for the item gets to use for FREE
Donate- the same as gift, except you do not see happiness you bring to someone else. 

Are you catching a vision of all the positive benefits for your, for others, for the environment as a result of letting go? Once you know that trimming down possessions is a good thing, it becomes much easier. The result for you is a simple,organized, and sustainable lifestyle... priceless!

Action Steps- Box up and deliver the Give and Donate items to their new owners within the week. Move the things that are needed elsewhere to their new  homes. Put only the Keep pile back together into the drawer or closet. use appropriate containers to corral smaller items so they stay together. Now that you know where these things live, you can quickly put them back after use 

Scheduled Maintenance - the most important step is to schedule to maintain your new found order. spending 15 minutes a day on clutter control will make profound difference in your home! Set aside pocket of time either morning or night. When do you check your email, brush your teeth? Use a regular activity as an anchor until you have a new habit. 

        

Let's all be tidy! Let's conquer clutter!

Carmex for Keeps

When my kids and I arrived in this foreign land two years ago, our common  first impression  was that there is no way we can ever live here because the place is too damned cold. We arrived here during Spring time and the wind blew so hard.

After two days, I noticed that my lips got dry and getting drier everyday. They got roughed, redden and chapped eventually. I can't even put lipstick because it gave me pain. I even cried when they bled.  I have tried different kinds of lip balms but to no avail so I shared this dilemna with a Filipina friend who lives in Ohio and she recommended Carmex. 

Before I bought one, I searched it online first. I needed to know what are the causes of chapped lips aside from the cold temperatures and I needed to read reviews on this kind of thing. I didn't want to spend anything for less anymore. So I found out that lips get chapped because they’re too dry, usually because of exposure to the elements. The usual suspect are dry air, wind, sun, and even dust. I also found out that Carmex has Menthol that kills germs and relieves discomfort, has Camphor that alleviates pain, has Phenol that kills germs, exfoliates and anesthetizes, has Lanolin that softens, lubricates and protects, has Cocoa Butter that moisturizes and protects, Salicylic Acid that exfoliates and relieves pain, has Aloe Butter that helps heal and soothe, has Vitamin E that reduces damaging free radicals, has Shea Butter that prevents dry, cracked lips and last but not the least, it has Petrolatum, a moisturizing barrier that protects the lips.

Wow, too many effective ingredients, huh?

The first time I used Carmex, it tingled! I reckoned  it as a bad sign. But after a few minutes, I felt that my lips get moisturized. Carmex worked for me! Now, wherever I go, I always have Carmex in my purse.

Try it! Don't worry if it tingles, tingle tells you its working!

  

My New Cool Digital Camera

It is Nikon L100. I got it as Christmas gift from hubby. It came with different accessories. I could have used it during my stepson's gig last New Year's night but it came very late since he bought it online. But it's better late than never!

I am so glad that I have it. It is very nice and user friendly. It is great for a beginner like me.

Now I can take cool pictures as many as I want!

Thank you Mahal, I love you, mwah!