Lots to do and such little time

So this evening I was planning to write some Christmas cards as Henry received some for school and then realise I won't be able to give one back as I will be there doing the drop off and is my sons last day of term to then finish for the Christmas holidays. 

WHEN IT COMES TO CHRISTMAS I CAN NEVER CATCH UP ON TIME!

I have tried different ways like planning from January to December and see that I do still do this in some way but I get the presents but forget the cards. WHAT AM I LIKE? Am I looking for an answer if you have an idea. 

Should I write my Christmas cards in January? Or should do a real plan where I count the days.

In me doing that I know this will stress me out, and so yes I bought Christmas cards tonight and realised shoot, it's too late, but in saying that there are always the neighbours where I used to live and where my son lives when not with me, so won't be a complete waste of money. 

Thankfully I don't have to cook the food for Christmas and that is a Godsend, and so really I don't have an excuse, I JUST CAN'T A CHRISTMAS CARD IF IT BIT ME IN THE BOTTOM.

Should this be something I need to address to the world? Well here it is. 

So I suppose it will be another set written but not sent, but nevermind saves a Postman a job, so there is method with my madness,

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Use what you no longer need to those that do/storage ideas

 Christmas is a time to give gifts and a good way to declutter your home whilst you decorate for the festive season. 

Hand creams is a good item for the winter as my hands always get sore and chapped if I don't use hand cream and so is an essential item, but try natural products and not items that have too many added unwanted ingredients in them. 

These make good presents but it all depends on that person's skin but are a nice item that has not been used and still brand new. 

If you have books that you have read why not pass them on or if you to re-read it create a shelf to do that and have a books in section "To be read again", but if you haven't touched them over a year and forget "One day" pick on up or pass it on. 

Give items back like books back to charity shops as it helps them earn money again for the charity and a good way of passing the book on for someone else to get pleasure out of it. 

Have a lucky dip for your kids instead of an advent calendar, or to help prep for Christmas and can be decorations for the tree for them to hang, have personalised barbles and use Christmas as a way to use up your bakery ingredients stored and then make way for other food for Christmas, and reduces waste, making sure they are okay to use up. Check the label of the item or if stored in a jar put a label on it from when it was originally put in the jar with the expiring date or best before dates.

Use up chocolate bars to make into a cake for Christmas, like Oreo cup cakes or digestives bashed made into crumbs to make a base for a cheesecake, including chocolate digestives or bourbans is nice and makes the cheese super rich but great as a change, and so worth it. 

If you have a someone with a birthday close by Christmas then it can be difficult knowing what to buy them separates their birthday and Christmas by having kids in fancy dress of their favourite books and use clothes you already have or handmedowns, always welcomed and make custumes out of paper. My mum did this once when we would holiday in Clacton and the holiday camp there would have fancy dress competitions and not about Christmas or have a birthday party in the morning and Christmas in the evening. 

Have a birthday breakfast party and then have Christmas feast and do picky bits of different foods, depending on your budget and have sibling or any one who volunteers their help. 

It is all about loving the festive season and doing what makes bring smiles and creating everlasting memories. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

My first mince pie and Christmas coffee/Let's get festive

Hello and welcome to a new post. 

This time of year once the first 4 birthdays on this side of the year of my family, have passed I will start prepping for Christmas, and start to get ideas of gifts to buy and have a theme, and not gonna say what theme it will be this year as those I buy for, may read this blog, but you might find this helpful to help you plan for Christmas.

I always set a day in December, to do my Christmas shopping, and I do write a list and have a dedicated folder to help me too and a notebook, to prep and, already had a mince pie and a Christmas coffee. The one I always have is the Blackforest Hot Chocolate from Costas.

I like personal items like Jewellery, gift sets and gift cards. 

When planning for Christmas I do budget but I do go extra when it comes to buying items for children in the family, my son and nieces, and this year instead of putting items into a box or gift bag, I am going to buy some pillowcases and use this for gifts, or a tote bag, as they can use these aswell. 

I like to do different things, and I am gonna make some Christmas cards, and do a bit of decor if I can and one item I am gonna get is small Christmas tree to have in Henry's room where he lives with his dad, and going to buy advent calendars this year rather than make one and when it comes to hosting Christmas, I have no idea as not sure where I will be, but I would like to do that again and I like seeing family and seeing those I don't get to see during the year, at Christmas too.

For kids it for me is for Kids and allowing then to enjoy being a kid, and creating magical memories. I used to love a Christmas party and would have a lots of these this time of the year when I worked up in London, and living in a housing estate. They were all funtimes. 

I want it to be different to last years and not go too mad, but do little things I buy some more mince pies, buy selection boxes, read a Christmas book and buy some Advent Calendars. 

I hope this blog gives you some inspiration and go and get yourself or make a nice Christmas drink and lets get festive. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

 

Organizing for half term/How to organize birthdays this time of the year

Hello, so last week and this week kids have had, in the UK half term, and some get one week and others get two weeks, which is currently it for me, but because I co-parent with his father, Henry is spending time with him at the moment, and then back with me on Wednesday which is tomorow as I write this blot post. 

His, my son birthday next week and it can be tricky to get him bits, but I have picked up some and want to take him out on his birthday but he is back at school then, so gonna use the weekend instead, either before his birthday or after, and trying to get tickets to take him to a football match. Also the rugby is on so thinking we could do a rugby or a visit to Bockets Farm. They do, do birthday celebrations, and my niece had hers there. 

You don't have to worry about food they do it all for you. and when it comes to gifts always have a table if they can provide it to put the gifts together. It has an indoor play area and outdoor, so you aren't stuck when it is raining outside. 

My son loves Thomas the tank engine and has actually been on this train, and so check out out, as that is a great day out, and I have bought him a pop up book from Whsmiths and a big thomas tank engine train from Amazon. I want to get him or making him a writing set as he started to lots more of this now.

Going on this theme colouring books are great and making your own by the power of the internet can be even better for them and no cost at all, and kids are not worried about price but on how it will make them feel and good to get useful things rather than all toys. 

If they are having a load of kids together then it is good to set a meeting area, and have them play first and some venues will have it where the kids get to play for an hour and then have birthday party once they have had time to explore, if you want to organize something like visiting a zoo or a farm. 

When is their birthday near or during half term then plan ahead and book ahead, as places like Bocketts farm have many families booking and so you do have to get in early or you can end up missing your chance, and do forget Christmas parties will begin too at such places, and so plan ahead. 

Do a prep and check list and I often use just my notepad and often will put it on my phone aswell as I have got my ideas together and gone through what I have booked and still do get. 

So I hope this helps you and if it is your's or your childrens birthday then best wishes to you.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

How to help remember tasks each day when there is so much to remember

Hello and welcome to a new organization blog. So going through what I did when I started this post, yesterday when I had an appointment in the morning, and then in the afternoon/evening went to my son's school parents evening, and worked on books, and going through things that have been done and then remembered that I needed to pick up my prescription and sort out getting an upgrade on my phone. I did since writing this blog, and give myself less to do, to make space to do more, and doing a weekly reset to help me, and taken a break from blogging, to concentrate on unfinished tasks.

So to help me remember I now use my diary that my son bought for my birthday, my Filofax to plan my writing, manage my finances and keep tabs on steps of the week and words on a new book I am creating.

I did set alerts on my phone too, but kept clogging up my email, but use the calendar on my phone to remember appointments and events.

For me its about getting in done and making sure I schedule time for myself too, and taking time out from the everyday grind that will help my memory, and get things done.

The other thing is to listening to music, or reading a book, especially when travelling and I get anxious over appointments, I give myself a good amount of time and always see if there is somewhere, where I can have a coffee whilst I wait to do a bit of writing and I am making it a habit to have a coffee and read a good mag, and I did this today, now finishing this blog on Friday, the start of my son's half term break, and now its making time so I can take Henry out to places, and are affordable, and have time to still write and complete tasks. I brain dump and if I have an idea of a book, blog or video I keep note of it in my Filofax, OneNote and Notes app on my phone as I do have an over reactive mind.

Soon my son will be in as he's finishing school early, so gonna end this blog, but more blogs will still be published, but be pre-scheduled, and so have a good half term everyone, and if you want to read more content that I write about, then please visit my Pinterest site:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/thetypicalLondongal/ 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

Keeping the home safe and preparing for the colder weather

 A lot of hazardous can accumilate in the home and we often forget about home safety as we just go about our days living. 

Yet keeping the home safe is a must and should be remembered. 

So to begin, the first tip is: Don't put candles on appliances like TV's, near curtains and near baby and not put on low surfaces kids can reach. Fires can wreck a home and one of my colleagues I used to work with had a home fire. Never thiink this can't happen in your home, because it can so be safe when purchasing candles.

The second tip is keeping dirty sponges on surfaces or in the sink. They can be covered in bacteria and can be harmful. If you have kids, they will at tiny to child age put things into their mouths and the last thing you want them to touch is the used sponge and so have them wash up but supervised, until they stop putting things in their mouths and stay at bay of illnesses caused by dirty water. 

If you have a used sponge replace and keep them dry as possible, but in easy reach for yourself to use when kids aren't nearby. 

The third is. Keep coats clean and wash regularly emptying pockets in case of used tissues and near the front door, not to high reach from your kids so they know where their coat belongs when they come home and they know where to put when dirty. Jacket accumilate outdoor germs so wash and dry hygiencially.

Keep hobs and cookers clean and store cleaning chemicals in a locked up cupboard and know before hand how to use them. Some of these cleaners are toxic and when working in a industrial kitchen you'd wear a mask when cleaning an oven or a grill.

Never play on the steps and that kids are supervised when a child uses the stairs and have bare banisters so they have something to hold on, making sure doors and banisters are cleaned safely too. 

When it comes to ourselves we are all guilty of spreading germs and we can easily do that when walking around in barefeet and so when walking around your home, make sure you clean all floors, carpteted, wooden floors and rugs. These can have lots of bacteria if not and make sure you feet are clean too. Any veruccas are cleared and treated as they can spread and wear socks in the winter and good unworn shoes and these should be cleaned regulary also when walking around on different surfaces outdoors.  

During fireworks night never store in a warm room and should be in a darkened room in a garage not in other rooms as heat can cause devestation.

Any dogs or cats, make sure they are cleaned up and their fur is picked up. Make sure that they keep indoors in the warm in the winter and in hot weather they are in the shade and can burn their paws.

I hope these tips help you and many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

Being a keeper not a hoarder or is it the same thing?

Hello and welcome! So yes I am a hoarder and I am not afraid to admit it, but I do have regular clear outs to help me and if you to are a hoarder then I call it myself "A Keeper" of item that do bring me pleasure. Like example notepads. I love them and I do buy them a lot but that is because I do use them and won't by many its certain times. 

I write so I hoard those items because they a special to me and I like flipping through my notebooks to measure my life and how it has changed and altered. 

Yet I haven't kept things like my school books because I just wanted my school days to be over and what difficult time of my life and I felt like I couldn't get to grips with it, but taking part in plays and dancing did give a sense of purpose. 

I have kept my dancing trophies because I am proud of them and being "A Keeper" is it the same thing? You tell me. As I think many people would have different views on that so I am gonna leave it up to you.

What I like is longlastting items and still wear items I bought ten years ago if they still fit and in good condition. I do value things and clothes most definitely. I choose items which have a character about them, and I with clothes I tend to go for patterned or printed tops and plain leggins and jeans for the bottom half of me. It is what ever your style is. 

For me I like items that a different from the norm, I used to love markets and would regulary take a train to Petticoat Lane in London or Wembley market on Sundays, and find some real hidden treasures and I miss those. 

The biggest one is the one in Skegness if it is still there and could have shopped all day. When I lived in the South Coast they would have a regular market at the weekend and when it was the summer season, and Chichester is a brilliant place to go shopping and have many different shops and definitely one to pay a visit too, and so have bought different items from them, yet I can hold onto money and wait until I have the money to invest. 

When it comes to sales I am cautious and only spend if it is worth the deal, and I do like going into stores again rather than shopping online as this can be addictive and I am an  amazon fan and love shopping on there. 

I don't buy everything I can see in fact I keep a few things in my basket but don't actually buy it. I go through it and ask how important is that item to me? Often I will put items in "Save for later list" and I recommend doing that and creating wish lists. 

I have spoken about this a lot, but that is how I control my hoarding and remind me I am "A Keeper" and will get longevity items, things tha will last a life time and it has helped me save and to gain control and "Keep what serves a purpose". Are you the same? Let me know. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

  

 

Organize your clothes so you always have something to wear/Having a functional wardrobe

Hello, and I hope you aren't rushed off your feet. This blog is about Organize your clothes so you always have something to wear. 

Rotate your clothes and go through items you want to add to your wardrobe, I like having a sort through and it helps in terms I can mix and match. I plan my wardrobe for the year, adding and taking away items from it. I go through, items I no longer need, doesn't fit or does not give me any joy anymore. I like Kon Marie she is a woman of organizing and I follow her, on items that bring me joy. 

I go through the staple items I love to wear and want to bring into my wardrobe and I do this by regularly sorting through, and seeing what I am missing from it, that will complete my wardrobe, and not buying items all the time. 

I like having no spending weeks, and only buying what I need, and this helps with making sure I go through and wear all the clothes I have. 

Example: I own at the moment,two pairs of jeans, blue and black, my usual colours and once worn then I replace, but I don't need 25 of them, just one blue and one black. 

I do have a fashion blog on wordpress, where on Mondays and Thursdays, I do a look book, so check it out if you would like:

https://carriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com 

I do have items I stock up on though like, tights, leggins, jumpers and t-shirts. 

When it comes to bags and jewellery I could have 100s as I am a bag and shoe girl, but know I don't need that much, so stick to a good suffiicient number, 5. 

With jewellery I like having a packs with many different earrings included, and I like to treat myself to them, but again I do hold myself back and dont' buy too many. One or two a year, is not gonna damage my purse, but keep my fashion and accessories to continue to love these items. 

So how do you organize your clothes? Do you have a house full of clothes but nothing goes together? 

You can comment below.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

How to organize without spending any money "use what you already have"

Can we organuze without spending money?

Here are some tips to answer this question:

Yes! "Use what you already have":

1. Any boxes that can be used from deliveries, use them and then when you know what needs to put togeher then look for, and it can help decide what storage ways will be good for long term storage. This can be a bin or even a bucket, I have used my sons bucket to store kitchen cleaning items, and stored up high so my son to get hold of it.

2. With recycled I think its being misconstrude as coffee cups you get made out of cardboard are not recyclable and if you check the bins outside you have two options, general rubbish, and recycle, NO DISPOSABLE COFFEE SHOP CUPS. Yet it is good to use reusable and when I tried to reuse a cup from a shop the coffee I made in it did not taste nice. You can empty them out and be used as a desk organizer for pens and stationary such as paper clips and if you want to get office supplies on sale, this is the time to shop, as they will be a load of sales as in the UK all schools all re-open. The other time is around the new year and then July when academic planners go on sale. The school year in the UK is from September to July.

3. If you have are on the moving and order items online keep the boxes and they started many retailer, using reusable bags which are handy for packing clothes, books, make up as I am using that to store in a storage bin and have a cleaning caddie for my toiletries and are great for packing if you already have any and separate your makeup from your toiletries and use clothing labels as labels for your boxes and storage containers.

4. In the kitchen, have items stored of what you use the most at the front, and others that you don't at the back. You don't need a Lazy susan, use plates that you don't often use and I used a microwave tray when I lived in my old home in Epsom and plates. 

5. Knives, forks and spoons are great stored on the counter top in a cutlery holder, rather than a draw, but if you got kids store these out of reach and you can use again bowls to store mugs too. 

I hope you find these tips helpful and there will be more blogs to follow as we move from Summertime to Autumn and get nearer...wait for it...birthdays and Christmas. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X  

 

Organizing Queen I am not but wait until my room looks sorry for itself

If you know me, you will see that I watch a lot of Youtube and the videos that grab my eye are Organization ones, and it was watching a video now about Organization that I thought of this blog. 

I am functional but I look at my desk and see that it could be better and as I began this post I found that I have just organized a Caddie I have that is my make up caddy, which was actually a cleaning caddy from TK Maxx and have another with all my toiletries and some jewellery, from Robert Dyas.

I then looked around my room to see what else I could clear and did. I need to be inspired to organize, as the word for me is one I battle with. Do I enjoy it? Or not? Answer it depends on the day and how my room looks, if it looking sorry for itself. 

As a kid I shuved things in draws so system involved and was nagged regularly about my room and now I am back living with my mum for a bit, it is more or less the same, yet I do get it done, organizing and tidying. I have to be in the mood. 

Looking at my workbase it does need a good thorough clean again, so gonna jot it down to clean it, so it gets done. 

So gonna see what items I can take back with me from my old home to here, that will also keep my room tidy and trust me when I have a new place, it will be different, but often you have to work on what you have. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Organizing the summer holidays with a 7 year old/why I love spending summer with my son

Hello and welcome to a new blog. So, it is the school holidays and only week one and it has been a testing time but that is kids. You can't tell what they are thinking and often will strop and we have had some of that, like yesterday wanted to get a bus every time we got off one and walked for a bit and not his favourite thing but for me it is important for him to have some form of exercise.

He was fine though in the end but kids get be very indecisive and I like to involve him when it comes to planning activities as it gives him the sense of responsibility cause that is important for when they get older. I do write a blog called The Parenting Adventures Tips and Tricks on Wordpress.com so more content there and on my Youtube channel do a regular video called Truth About parenting if you wanted to check this out.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDFIqjVKLy7NhtcR6Hy0Tg

I do love the kisses and hugs I get and he is when we together always wants me to be with him and very clingy still. I think it is because I share him with his Dad and we aren't together anymore, and it is a adjustment, it was when my own parents got divorced, but overrall he has been fine and we my son and I, are closer than we have ever been. 

Kids when they get tired and hungry can play up, so good to have snacks on you and have some kind of plan, but I never have things set in stone. 

Do what makes you both happy and still have boundaries and rules in place, so they respect other people you may have to share the days out with, and group activities are great and now Lockdown has finished there are playdates to be held and seeing more family. 

BBQ's perhaps not as it set to rain a lot here in the UK, but still cinemas and theatres, visiting museums and a movie day or dress up and play day. I loved fancy dress as a kid and my brother and I was always entered, so why not do a home fancy dress. 

When it is sunny again why not take them to seaside and have old fashioned seaside fish 'n' chips, Candyfloss ans sticks of rock. 

I love taking my son on trips and I am lucky that I do have family who live near the English Seaside and so do visit every year if we can.

So, I will be posting more about the summer holidays and want to write an EBook to help parents during school holidays. I have a new parenting book I am writing and so this will be available shortly. I will let you know.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Shopping ideas/buying for kids/how to save on kid clothes

When it comes to kids they grow all the time and with Henry I was at one time clearing out his wardrobe and chest of draws everyday no lie as they grow at such a rate that it is difficult to catch up. 

Second hand clothes saved me so much money on clothes for him and if you know someone who has had kids and want to hand you down some kids clothes always take them up on it, and honestly it saves time and money, and what one child doesn't wear and you have other kids then it suits them instead, have them and go through and separate them into different ages, example 0 to 4 months, 4 to 6 months, 5 - 7 years. 

Have a system where you rotate the clothes worn and what is not to keep tabs on their clothes. Invest in some good hangers and if you can have beds that come with storage as these are always a great investment in storing kids clothes and toys then they are a game changer.

If they share rooms dedicate a draw to them and segrigatte the wardrobe by putting names with the clothes stored and who they are for. 

When it comes to cuddly toys check Charity shops and Car Boot sales, as they always have good items for kids, and great if you keep change and have a low budget. 

Keep a budget on the money spent for them and have them have their own bank accounts that you can help manage and I used to love it when I kept pennies and would pay them in, it is something I have always done and have an emergency tin of money for those last minute purchases that needs to grabbed, like need new shirts for school, nappies and if the store you got to have a points card and you use them regularly and school themes like if they need a certain coloured top or fancy dress.

Teach thema about money and how to count it and save. Teach them about budgeting and shop wisely and have them create wish lists.

I wrote more blogs on parenting on my site: https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com  

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Days when I feel super tired and just needs sleep

Hello and welcome! I am writing this post on Sunday when I feel super tired and I just need to sleep. It means listening to my body and get an early night in. 

When you actually read this it will be Monday and tomorrow I am dropping my son off at school and then come back here to then do some errands and do at least one walk today, and do more for the rest of the week.

It is good to organize some walking and staying in shape, I feel so much better for it and it makes more of an effort to do extra training indoors and I want to finish my current book I am reading so I can read my others. It is good to organize some reading as a fellow writer it inspires me and I love a good book.

Taking my son to school made his day and mine, then I hope to see him again on other days or at the weekend.

It breaks up my days when I have my little dude with me and he is at that age where he is happy to play on his own, but likes me to be sitting in the same room as I think it reassures him that I am there. 

Come Monday now I am finishing this blog post have come to realise is that breaking up my days where I give myself time to chill helps me to take time away and recuperate. I can get lost in my world of writing blogs and books, and doing videos but I have to go outdoors again and hope there is no more lockdowns and I can travel up to central London without bother and walk up there whenever I can. 

Organizing my time is important and give myself TV breaks too catch up on some TV helps and write notes to then get back to creating further content. 

I want to have a life of adventure and fun, so getting myself to rest and sleep being super tired always is the top of my list now and keeping busy and exercising makes more time and have more energy. 

When Super tired it means rest rest and rest, never overwork yourself as it can cause burnout and it important to restore my energy.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

How I now manage my life/Using A5 notebook/Other books to create ideas for my books

Hello and welcome! This is a new Organize4thebetter blog where I share a video I did about How I am currently managing my life, using an A5 notebook to plan for the next day to on the day of what needs to be done. 

I love a notepad which I am showing in this video, and bought this from Sainsbury's and it is good to use it, and keeping all notes near me as much as possible, and I do I will go through all of them to create further content. 

I hope you enjoy

Many thanks

Carrie X

Organizing your money/Save and invest/no more over spending/use what i have

I set myself a goal of saving £100 a month, and it has been a insight in that I had spent to much money on coffees, so I have used what I have at home. I have a coffee machine where I live and a jar of coffee I leave in Epsom, which I have when waiting for my son to come back from school. I no longer hide away from my bank balance and have put money into my savings. 

As a kid I was always saving the money I had and was how I bought my first TV I owned as I saved my pocket money to pay for it. That girl had disappeared, when I began to start work, once I had enough with school and wanted a job. 

At first I was managing my money well, but it went downhill shortly after. It has taken a lot to pull back from spending money, and would buy items from Avon each month, before I became a rep myself for Avon, I would shopping from Amazon a lot, but recently now in 2022, my bank account got hacked and now I am wary of what I spend online and make sure it is a real retailer.

I keep record again of my money, and try to spend money in cash rather than debit all of the time. 

I prioritize when it comes to money, and make sure I have enough to travel each week, food, personal care and bills. 

I have to have a mobile with me, because of Henry being at school, and you never know when they may call if my son becomes unwell, like he couple of weeks ago had chickenpox, so I need to make sure I have money to pay for my mobile. 

So it making sure I have money for the items I need, and to budget. I budget on each item I buy, like I hate having to pay for milk if it is more than two pounds, and so I am consciously making sure I can save on what I buy. 

I am making sure I use what I have, and limit the items I want and what I need first.

I am paying to much on my mobile at the moment than I want and so going to get this sorted out, and it is good to shop around. 

When it comes to shopping stores own brands, I always check and they often are made from the same place a premium products, and can be a lot healthier. I limit myself on snacks. I have had type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, so this has helped me when it comes to food. I do have fresh cooked meals, and I have not bought any more takeaways, and this has made a huge difference. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

 

Packing and unpacking for a holiday/always have a checked list

So summer is coming up and means School Summer Holidays and not sure if I will be going on holiday this year, but would love to take a trip to the seaside, and means packing items and in the best way, that I don't end up taking my entire wardrobe with me, but items I can mix 'n' match. 

I like to pack in a way that I have the items I need first out of my suitcase last to pack. It is a system I have done since a kid and because that was advice that my mum gave me, and because it works, and I do this when I pack now, but need to work on sorting out my handbag, that I use Monday to Friday and then I change to my bumbag for the weekend, to carry less.

Bumbags are great to carry away with you as you put around your waste and I always invest in them. 

I tend to order mine from Amazon, rather in store as you get more options. 

I do a list, not everyday, but when packing for a holiday. It is important to have personal documents in a bag that the items packed can be easily taken out and check before travelling aboard mainly, of what documents you need before going on holiday. This includes food, as many countries have custom regulations. The same with toiletries and so I pack these in a case rather than hand luggage, and this isn't to hide anything, but just to helps lower the load that I need to carry in my hand luggage. 

I do get anxious when it comes to holidays especially abroad as I have this fear of missing a flight, and so make sure I leave home in plenty of time. 

Also check what shops the airports have, so if you do forget anything you can pick it up at the airport and the same when travelling to a resort for example of what they have, like shops in case you need nappies, for example and if you go self catering, what facilities you will have, before you travel. This helps you in knowing not to carry so much. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie 

Hoarding/mental health/how to be an organized hoarder

So before I begin this blog, I want you to answer this question, When you see the word hoarder, what does it mean to you, and are you really a hoarder?

I hold my hands up as I am a hoarder, but I do have it under control. So in that, I go through parts of the year not buying anything, and then get the urge to spend money, but it is always planned and set out, and this helps me control the things I have and not buying items just for the sake of it, which is a sign you could be a hoarder, if you always go into a shop like TK Maxx and have to come out with a purchase, and really was in impulse you are feeding your hoarding. When you don't you know you have it under control. 

I am watching a show that was on TV about Hoarders but the extreme kind where they can't even get into their home easily as they have a house full of stuff. Its often sentimental value, wanting to recycle everything and feeling they have to keep stuff "Because its just in case" factor. 

How do you get it under control?

For me its "Will I ever use it" and "Have I used it?" and "How long I have had that item?".

If it is "No I haven't used it since it was bought", I don't see place for it at the moment and its been sitting there for a year. This can mean, it is time to let go of it, and I do the one in and one out, system. So if I buy new clothes I will have a sort through to see if there are items I have that I can donate, sell or give to someone else. 

Is it something you inherit?

Well my nan on my mum's side of the family, always had a lot of items in her home, because my grandad would collect items, like keeping newspapers. My grandad on my mum's side, loved horse racing and so would mark down who won, who got second, but yet it was organised. 

I loved my nan's studio flat they had and it will still big enough for when family came down to visit, room for them to stay for a couple of nights or so. 

For me I like to have a collection of items, and it is comfort over commonsense a lot of the time.  

Can it take over your life?

Yes it can, and when you can hardly see the floor you know soon or later you'll being tripping over the stuff in your room or house, so the things I would suggest to keep hold of, is shoe boxes as these are great to keep documents in, and envelopes by gluing them together and will lower the spend on a filing system or temporary until you can buy a better filing system to keep letters and bank statements in. 

If you can go paperless take it, as if you need a statement you can print off your transactions and deposits, from doing home banking. 

Things like Gas bills still go with paper statements as they can stitch you up with the bill and also keep tabs on your Gas Meters yourself as this will help make sure, they don't charge you more going on your meter reading. 

Also these are great for when you need to change your name of accounts or open new bank accounts and also when going for new employment they now often ask for these items to prove you are a UK resident. 

The other items that are good to keep hold off, is jars as they are great if you keep buttons off from clothing, make up brushes, pens and pencils and washed out and for snacks. 

What is good hoarding?

Buying items in bulk, but to a limit too, but things that you use regularly and that you easily run out of, like Washing detergent, dishwasher tablet, toilet paper, kitchen roll and reusable cleaning cloths. Even make up items I will by extras of like my regular Nivea face cream and body sprays. 

Just to say this blog is not being sponsored.

Item that aren't gonna clutter, but be used without having to spend money on more, and often you can save money by buying items in bulk. 

It is good to have if you have a house with many floors is having cleaning items around the house, upstairs and down as it saves so much time, when tidying and cleaning. So having spares of cleaning cloths, sponges, toothbrush to cleaning tiles and plug holes, and shower heads. 

I have before used natural products to clean so lemon and table salt, is the great to descale areas around the house. Like I am near Mrs Hinch, I sometimes wish, but its the effort and what I'd rather do, to that has to be done at some point.

Can passed experiences turn you into a hoarder?

Going on myself yes, as I remember once my mum asking my brother to go into my room when I lived in London, Hammersmith and clear it out, and so I am very protective over my belongings, but it has in a way worked in reverse in that I try not to have too much of every item I own, only on items I like to wear and use all the time, like writing materials, and leggins. 

I have got it under control, and seeing the TV shows about hoarding it has made me more aware of having loads of everything, and having items I know will definitely use and its does it have any relevance in my life any more. It can happen due to a loss of a loved one or a end of a relationship, it isn't something you are born with it is things that has triggered this behaviour of having loads of stuff. 

How can hoarding effect your mental health?

The question is, "Do you always want to live with something that is an eye sore?" and it can make us feel stuck in a rut, and that we haven't got out life together when we live in mess, so even though I don't like cleaning seeing my desk in a chaotic mess makes me feel Gosh that is too much, so for me yes. When I have a functional way I find life is less stressful and that I have my life in order. 

It can make you not want to get out of bed, when you see that you have too much stuff that you can handle, then it means you mind is full of seeing the amount you have, so needs to be cleared to feel "Yes now I have my life in order". So it does, it makes us feel "Everything is okay with the world again". 

So if you hoard it is okay just learn how to manage it is the key. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Finding a Good working pattern

Having a good work balance is important but if you find your work is beginning to sink then it means that the pattern that you follow needs to be changed, it can often be that you've given yourself too much to do. We find we can't get it all done. You need to change the pattern so you can. 

I do like my work pattern as I am ticking off a lot rather than drawing a cross because I haven't. I do think my work pattern needs to be tweaked, I do think if I had a calendar in view I can use that to set challenges and deadlines, but I like working when things aren't set in stone so I work on the blogs I want to each day. I am not good with repetition, so I like to mix my work up. I do have a routine, because of the pattern of my work has helped me, but I have pattern where I will listen to a Youtube video and then bit by bit work on a blog post or work on a book I am writing. 

Often if you have so many ideas you can end up with lots of projects that are finished and then this destroys the energy to actually wanting to finish anything.Change the pattern. Spend the mornings just going over what needs to be done, and check how each project you have completed the response and STOP MULTITASKING! I was someone who did believe in this, but now when I focus on one item at a time easier, and when we do that, our attention to detail is better and you naturally start to prioritize. 

If I have any outside appointments then these may be at various times and days. So I will manage my other work either before the time of this appointment or after. If a book is due out and I see that I am getting behind I have a pattern where I can get videos and blogs scheduled and written in bulk. I can then have a pattern of then working on my books and focus on these as I have videos and blogs already set up. 

A good work pattern is not constantly working all day but where I do take more breaks than work. Yes I may still work late some days but rest and recuperation is important too and having a work pattern so you can spend time with family. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X 

Ways in which you can recycle/sorting my life out

I love to recycle and today tried to make a Kanban board with a piece of card, but it wouldn't stay on the wall and just looked I could have added it to my white board planner, so I will try again, and it was back cover of a notebook I am using that I take out with me. 

I have used shoe boxes to organize items and had one beside my bed, now I use storage bins but have a shoe box where I keep my stickers for my planners. I keep my plastic bags and use these to reuse when I visit the shops. I need to get more bin liners as I am guiltily using plastic bags from when I go shopping so I going to do this. However there is a box I can put items like can drinks into to make sure I help save the environment. 

If I can use a tote bag, and reusable bag, then I do. Not saying I am perfect, and still need to be more careful it comes to things like gum. I used to chew this a lot, but now I don't. When I do, I don't like to drop on to pavements and gutters, but if I can use a tissue when I have gum now and then, and put it into a general waste bin. 

This week as I update this blog, have been having a sort out of my items I have and includes what is on my laptop, and making sure I have clothes tidy and would like to have more hanging and clear out my plastic draw units to store other items and have been going through my planners, journals and is part of a challenge I like to set for myself and this month (June 2022), to clear and sort one item a day. 

It seems to be helping to clear the head and reset. 

I am a girl who likes to let go of the passed to focus on the now and the days to come. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

Managing My Work Load/Having a Simple system

Hello and welcome to another Organize4thebetter blog and I have created a new video for this weeks post, showing the new Notebook I have developed in a more functional system. 

I use a basic A4 notebook and have plenty of pages to Map out my work, schedule in blogs already drafted and scheduled to go live and have pages where I can Brainstorm. 

A Notebook is a functional system that keeps managing my workload Simple and not having to search through to find items and notes I have written. 

Managing my work is important as it helps me to not do too much but felt like I haven't wasted a day and I love my notebooks. 

So I hope this blog has been helpful, and many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Brain Storming and how it helps me keep my work some how organised

So I am someone who gives myself too much to do. So I do have to rein myself in to stop doing so and just take a deep breath now and then, and practice a bit of mindfulness. 

Writing blogs, books, online courses and creating video content, I have to manage my workload so it still gets done but I don't get overloaded with stuff to do each day. 

The one thing I do on a regular basis in Brainstorm, because then it helps keep my content original and relevant to keep my readers entertained but help them at the same time. See picture of an example:

I don't clean my desk everyday or brainstorm everyday but do it when I feel I am needing some more inspiration and more fresh new content that is from my own experience aswell as sharing tips that have worked for me too, from other videos and blog content. 

I have one main notebook that I use when I am at my desk, and have others to take out with me of different sizes. 

I love my writing and helps me everyday and reaching out to people who are like minded and enjoy being part of online community.  

So do brainstorm. It doesn't have to be in one go, do some research to help you and doing other things can help you add things to it and then you be surprised with other ideas that come your way. 

You can even get a magnetic wipe away white board to brain storm and some use a Kanban board to brain storm with sticky notes for a project, example a blog series that I often do and other ideas you want to add to your content or projects. 

Also some use a IPad to brainstorm and Pinterest to create board of project ideas in, and even create one using Word, Publisher or Notepad onto your phone, tablet or IPad.

So keep going and do what I do watch a video or a audiobook whilst you brainstorm and helps with new fresh ideas for reaching out to you my audience

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Functioning Work Base Personally for you

Hello and welcome to a new blogpost. In this post I am talking about having a functioning working Space personally to you. 

So my desk is a dressing table/work desk and is where I put my make up on, do my skincare routines and work on my blogs, books, planned online courses and many of my videos. 

Your space needs to be one where you can spend time doing the things you love aswell as the things you got to do. 

Now, my desk right now AS I WRITE THIS POST, is jam packed and so I do pick a day to clean it and reorganise but to my personal structure. So I have my make up and skincare bags I use everyday, items to add to my breakfast in the morning, a tin with my Jewellery, journals and planners and my notebooks I use for planning my schedule each day and what I use to plan out my books I am currently working on. 

 

See pictures of my Functioning work base looks like. This is how often it looks unlike now. 

I am not super tidy, and do put off cleaning it a lot, but doesn't mean I don't get it done, its just when I am in work mode I just get stuck in and forget about the crumbs that build up, and having a day to tidy it, does do the trick and I do feel less cluttered in my mind. I just am not a happy cleaner. 

There are four things that are important to me and that is:

- Easy access to my daily items 

- Have my notes and lists ready for the day

- Got my essentials. My glasses, a drink and snacks to hand if I feel peckish. 

- All my programmes I use daily on my laptop which is charged up daily without hesitation.

If you live in a tiny space then you can still make it living proof and your own. 

If you need inspiration on organization then do check out my other posts on this site and go over to Youtube as there are loads of Content Creators on there that do Organization videos and blogs too. 

It is about making it doable and having items you can just grab so you don't become distracted, and can continue to function to do your work.

This again is a day in this picture when my desk was tidied and when I look at these pictures helps motivate me to clean and clear it again. 

I will put my hand ups, WHEN IT COMES TO CLEANING I AM ONE LAZY GIRL!

So this is my list of work structured essentials:

- One main daily Notebook and stationary

- Planners and Journals

- Chargers and cables

So that is it, and I am someone who tries to make life less complicated. I hated life when it becomes headache and a burden. 

Many thanks for reading,

Carrie X

Parenting without a Fuss/Things you can do to have fun with your kids in the Pandemic

So it is Friday and almost the weekend and even though my son spends a lot of time with his dad I do still get to see him on some days and I like to spend time with my boy without too much fuss. I don't mind if he wants a bit of chocolate as I do think of him when I do my weekly shop and it is in moderation, I don't mind him watching his favourite show, tipping point and I don't mind him watching his tablet for a bit.

What is important to me is that my son is content and this blog is about parenting without a fuss:

If you know you are going to see your son or daughter in advance plan the day ahead

I like to take Henry up London, swimming (in the school holiday's) and so I do plan, and I also like playing football, going on walks along our local river and just getting out. My son has become a homebody, but staying indoors all the time is not good, so I plan ahead and make sure there are toilets near boy or he goes before we leave, and take changes of clothes, wipes and a few snacks depending how far and where we are going and items should the weather be sceptical. 

Do a chart and go over with them of the different things you have planned and let them have a choice of what they would like to do

Kids love it when they can decide what to play, so have some set activities and then have a choice hour of different items you have pre-listed that they would like to do. 

Also if you have autistic children they often like a routine and know what is going to happen so go through it with them. 

Do a list of activities on a list or a chart and have them tick and choose which one they would like to do and you can do these when asking children to help with home tasks

So if you have a load of kids around your ankles because they are bored with what to do, create a list for each child whether by hand or by computer and have them tick which task or activity they would like to do, or another way is have them pick out of a hat and a hack you could do this with some paper and an empty tissue box. 

Have your kids draw a schedule out for themselves for the week and again have them tick of items they want to do and make homeschooling fun by using games like toy bricks or wall charts to help with learning letters and numbers for example.

Teaching kids time management is brilliant for their independence and doesn't have to be strict learning, but if they have drawn a schedule for themselves there is a more of a chance they will follow it through.

Parenting can often feel like a hard task but it doesn't have to be, and I believe allowing kids to be free is a better way to support them and encourage pretend play like shops. This is a good game that teaches them about money and one of my nieces would use a mat and pretend it was a boat. 

Kids love games where they can use their imagination and so why not,

Have them put on a show for you and relatives and film it to send to all their Aunties and Uncles. A great way for them to see that you are okay in the Pandemic and thinking of them at the same time. 

Me and my Friend who I grew up with did this when she stayed with me at my Aunties house as kids and was going to do this for my Nan and Grandad, to say thank you for looking after us, and it is great for them to wear different costumes and be comical, sing and even do a dance routine, and even read a poem. 

Let kids be kids and be as creative as they like. 

I loved dressing up as a kid and would be entered into many Fancy Dress competitions, when we would go to a holiday camp or there was a school fete. 

Have a kids Fancy Dress party and have a competition and you can make party food and play games like pass the parcel it doesn't necessarily have to be a birthday just having fun and making the most of the time you have together. 

Kids want interaction and this pandemic can effect them in the fact they aren't seeing their friends but you could do a Zoom Kids Fancy dress party and they then still get to have that interaction. 

Put out all the stops as they say, and have as much fun as possible. 

See you in the next post.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

P.S: If you would like to read more of my parenting blogs and I have video content to, please go to:

https://theparentingadventurestipsandtricks.wordpress.com

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/carriesblognetwork/the-parenting-adventures/

https://twitter.com/carrie82434764?lang=en-gb

https://www.facebook.com/carriesblognetwork

How I don't organize and when I do/Choose your own time and day

So Here is my work space and you wouldn’t believe it but I know where everything is….and if you look close enough you’ll find my brain in there somewhere too….Good luck….now let me think where did I just put down my coffee?...oh its there where all the other mugs are….that is why I don’t organize. FUNNY THAT!

 

I like to have things in place, but doesn't mean I am super tidy. Let me tell you I AM NOT! I'd love to be Martha Stewart, but who knows, she could be like Monica from Friends and has a secret cupboard piled up with Stationary. That is my dream if she has. 

As I look at my desk now I see crumbs, my skincare products, including make up remover I never use, because I think hot water and a flannel or in the mornings, use my face wash, are enough, and then have pens and many a notebook. 

I have had to cut back on what I keep and buy, but it hasn't stopped me from buying new items I just don't need everything I see. 

I have a super noodle pot for my bens and small scissors and a box that I have used for storing little bits and so recycling too. 

Then there is my camera I use for filming and jewellery. I do like jewellery and when it is not out I do forget to wear it so keeping on my desk reminds to put some on. 

It is all about what you are going to use and making my working set up functional.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X 

How I Live In My Notebook/First Organization Video of Jan 2021

Hello and Welcome to a new Organize4thebetter blog post. Here I share a video I have done on Youtube to show how I live In My Notebook. I do have others but I have one main one and I prefer using a A4 Notepad and use it to organize my work and schedule my entire life. 

I am not super organized by any means and lots of the work I do is off the cuff as they say, but this notebook system I have into play really helps me stay on track and make sure my work doesn't leave me behind, being a Writer and so please see my video below:

I love Notebooks that has a slogan at the front and I do have others I use for my books to character reference and plot but have a main one and is something I have always done. 

It keeps me from getting overwhelmed and note down what I have done each day.

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X

Doing a Seasonal Clean up/Clear everything including you mobile and laptop,

Hello and welcome to another Organize4thebetter post, which is dedicated to helping you become organised and in the process helps me stay on track too. 

This time of year, aswell as Spring and autumn I like to have a clean up, and that includes going through my wardrobe, going through items in my room that I no longer need and also includes clearing items off my phone and on my Laptop. 

Often laptops and mobiles phone can be clogged up with photos, notes and APPs that it then comes up with a message to tell you, your storage is full. 

The best way to store photos is to add them to your Google Photos and then they will always be there, to go back to and then they won't use up your memory.

I have been doing that in the last weeks, and I even make sure that I regularly go through my Pinterest Boards, and today I am going to go through more of my Google photos to have them sorted out too. 

Having a clear out, really helps with your mood and mind. 

Also changing up your wardrobe and put some outfits together and create a Pinterest board for your own personal fashion and outfits. 

I like to do this for my weekly Look Book Blog I write see link :https://carrriesversitilefashion.wordpress.com

I like to organize toiletries from what is the oldest to the newest. If there are items that I don't like, then get rid of them and then keep the ones I do like.

I will often go through my make up, if there are pallets I never use or have not used recently and didn't like them, then disposed of them. The same with Perfumes and even jewellery I never wear. I just clear away and like to update these items with new products, and it just makes me feel relieved letting some items go. 

There are a lot of people who like to do a reset and so do I, even though didn't realise, I do. 

It is good to have a clear out and you'll be surprised of what you find that you do still like but has been buried under other things, that you don't like. 

So lets get decluttering and in with the new and out with the old. 

Many thanks for reading, 

Carrie X