So I got my craft on this past weekend. Say what?  As you know I’m so not crafty, in fact I use to be a scrapbooker person just so I could organize all the supplies. So not kidding.  Anyway once I realized that all those supplies took up way more space than the time I ever spent with them I needed to rethink things and said bye bye to most of those supplies.

So when the makers of the MyMemories Scrapbook software asked me to review their product, I was like um no thank you.  Well actually I wasn’t even that polite, I may or may not have just deleted the email “by accident”.  Then one night I was blog surfing and stumbled across one site where the blog master was offering up a pretty free printable to her readers.  She’d made this printable using, you guessed it, the MyMemories software.  Well who knew you could do that?  Anybody that knows me knows I have a HUGE fascination with printables.  Love them!

Lucky for me, the owners of MyMemories emailed me again and I decided I would be brave enough to try it despite the fact that technology likes to mock me consistently and stick it’s tongue out at me for being so stupid for not understanding how it works.  This totally happens to me….time and time again.

So after downloading the software to my computer I started playing around.  I never read manuals or instructions, which could so be why I never understand what I’m doing but whatever.  Anyway after a few hiccups that might have involved a few grunts and groans, I did indeed figured it out and made a very awesome printable (if I do say so myself!) for anyone planning on participating in Org Junkie’s 29 Day Organizational Challenge starting tomorrow.  Check out this calendar I created, hola!

Download Feb Calendar here

So here is what I know.  Playing around creating this calendar was fun.  I really enjoyed myself and am pretty happy with the result.  The software itself only comes with basic backgrounds and embellishments but you have MANY options to purchase various kits and templates on their website.  In other words it could get as addictive and expensive as traditional scrapbooking (however no clutter which makes me very happy!).  Just something to keep in mind.  The embellishments I used to create my calendar I did purchase separately.  Will I make more printables?  Yes I definitely will!

If you are interested in checking out the MyMemories Digital Scrapbooking software for yourself, the company has given me a special code that will give you a $10 discount off the purchase of the MyMemories Suite software plus you also get a $10.00 coupon to use at the MyMemories.com store – a $20.00 value!  The code is STMMMS32191 (copy and paste it to make it easier)

Giveaway:

I also have a copy of the software to giveaway as well.  If you would like the chance to win the MyMemories Suite software simply leave a comment on this post, prior to Monday, February 6th at 6:00 pm PST, telling me whether or not you’ve ever ventured into digital scrapbooking before.

For more info on MyMemories and to be informed of future giveaways you can also follow them here:

Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

Good luck everyone!

MyMemories Software Giveaway + free calendar printable! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Today’s giveaway is for a Travel Jewelry Case from Clos-ette Too.

Features of this travel jewelry case include:

• It is discreet in its packaging; only you will know what valuables you have stowed.
• The snap-on individual pages are ideal for traveling light. Insert additional pages when you need extra jewelry storage.
• All pages fit into 8.5”x11” drawers for storage outside the case.
• Delicate faux-suede interior pages are divided into 2×2 and 4×4 pockets ideal for all types of jewelry.
• The case also features a ring holder and an earring holder.
• Each page is covered in plastic with an individual zipper for careful handling.
• Each page attaches and detaches to its sister pages for keeping things together.
• Three page inserts are included in your purchase.
• Each page has different combinations on it so that you can carry a complete jewelry wardrobe in your case if needed.

Winner will have their choice of selecting either an orange or green case.

To enter this giveaway for a Clos-ette Too Travel Jewelry Case simply leave a comment on this post prior to Monday, January 23, 2012 at 6:00 pm PST.  Winner will be selected at random.  Open to US residents only.

For more information about Clos-ette Too and their other organizational products you can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Please note that this is not a review as I have not personally used this product myself.

Travel Jewelry Case Giveaway (closed) is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this time of year and all the attention that organization gets.  Everywhere you look people are talking about it, blogs are fired up about it, stores are featuring bins and baskets galore and of course every magazine has something about organizing on it’s cover.

I live in a pretty small town in Alberta, Canada that has a population of about 9000 people.  The closest we have to a store carrying organizing supplies is Wal-mart but after seeing Jen’s post yesterday, Wal-mart doesn’t even come close to the organizing bliss that Target carries, wah.  Although I guess that may be a blessing for my bank account because I could be in trouble otherwise!  Jen showed much more restraint than I ever could I’ll tell you that much.

Hello, my name is Laura and I’m addicted to organizing.

So how do I get my must have organizing fix you ask?  Magazines!  Magazines with oodles of pictures for me to drool over.  I’ve got my hands on three right now that are just scrumptious (not in an eating way though, I don’t eat my magazines, that would be weird but I do drool all over them just like I would if I really were eating something scrumptious).

This first one came in the mail.  Remember a little while ago I told you about a brand new organizing magazine on the market called Getting Organized Magazine?  Well my first issue finally arrived just yesterday, whoot!  It’s only 38 pages long but I’m sure it will grow as they get going.  Love their tag line:  treat yourself to some sanity.  Why thank you, don’t mind if I do :)

You can find out more about this magazine by clicking the button below and when you subscribe you get a FREE ebook as well!

Then while at the drug store the newest edition of Storage (Spring 2012) hit the racks so of course it found it’s way into my basket.

Then while there my eye caught the word organize again, this time on another magazine.  I had to take it home, I can’t help myself!

This particular picture inside caught my eye because of the happy face mugs in the top corner.  Ahhhh

I got all excited about it because guess who got a happy face mug for Christmas?  Me!  My daughter knows that next to organizing I am crazy about happy faces so she bought it for me.  What does that have to do with organizing?  Not much, I’m just a strange cat and the littlest things amuse me :)

Giveaway Time:

So I didn’t forget about you my lovely readers.  You know I always pick up an extra Storage magazine when I see it to giveaway. And in honor of January and the organizing bliss all around I thought I’d throw in a copy of my book, Clutter Rehab, too.  So one person will win both.  To enter just leave a comment on this post telling me what your #1 spot to organize this month in your home is.  Just a reminder though that if you’ve got a room that needs a whole lot of TLC don’t forget to take before pictures before you get started.  You’ll be able to use it for my 29 Day Organizational Challenge coming in February.  Yay!

Comments must be left by Saturday, January 14th at 2:00 pm PST to be eligible.  Winner chosen at random.

See ya!

Storage and Organizing Magazines – Oh My! + giveaway! (closed) is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

It’s a proven fact that, every single year, getting organized makes the list of Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions.

So at the start of every January, millions of people around the world resolve that this year is the year that they will finally get organized. But by the end of every January, many of those same people have already given up all hope of ever reaching their organizing goals.

This may even sound like a New Year’s Resolution in your own life! If it does, you are not alone.

In fact, it’s fairly common that…

You do a lot, but at the end of the day, you never feel like you’ve gotten anything done.

You try to balance work and home, but when you get caught up with one, the other falls short.

You keep things tidy on the outside, but end up hiding clutter behind doors and inside of drawers.

You try to organize, but the kids come right behind you to mess things up.

You feel frustrated because you seem to be doing everything while your family relaxes or doesn’t seem to care.

You have so much “stuff” in your home, that there is little room left for “people.”

You try to set up organizing systems, but have little to no energy after work and family responsibilities to actually implement them.

You want to catch up with friends and neighbors, but you would rather ask people to meet at a restaurant than to meet in your home because it’s too cluttery.

You spend so much time doing for others that you have zero time left to spend on you.

If you can relate to any of the above points then today’s giveaway is for you!  Professional Organizer, Carmen Coker has created a program called the 21-Day Clutter Cleanse that begins next week on January 10th and is designed to help you find the root cause behind your clutter issues.  And it goes well beyond the clutter in your space to tackle clutter from a whole-person perspective, so that you can FINALLY CONQUER CLUTTER FOR GOOD!

This cleanse includes the following:

A professionally-packaged spiral-bound “Daily Guidance Journal,” consisting of a short, enlightening read for each day that will help you discover a whole, new organized world! New for 2012!

A pack of 21 “Daily Guidance Cards” to inspire you to new heights, motivate you when you need a gentle push, or remind you to follow your dreams.

A beautiful organza draw-string bag to organize your “Daily Guidance Cards” and keep them safe.

A “Daily Guidance Audio Recording” to accompany the journal entry for each day, so that you can listen on-the-go or when your schedule suits.

An all-inclusive disc with the complete set of audios so you can neatly store and easily access the materials in your personal library forever!

A  specially-made DVD pocket to protect and store your disc.

Plus these bonuses:

An 11″ x 17″ full-color “My *Best* Life Blueprint” poster ($17 value), outlining your new step-by-step plan to transform your life from clutter-filled to CLUTTER-FREE – fast! New for 2012!

A “Clutter Cleanse VIP Backstage Pass” ($97 value) giving you full access to an exclusive email address to ask me any organizing question(s) you have – without the VIP price tag. New for 2012!

Not one, but TWO 30-minute “Maximize Your Cleanse” Q & A teleconference calls ($147 value) where I will personally answer your question(s), providing you invaluable insights and personalized solutions to your “clutter situation.” New for 2012!

Each morning of the 21-day period, you will receive your “Daily Guidance Journal” entry and “Daily Guidance Audio Recording” via email in digital form. Carmen will be there with you, step-by-step, along the way! After the 21 days complete, you will receive your physical product in its entirety.

More detailed information about this 21-Day Clutter Cleanse can be found here.

Also Carmen offers a FREE clutter cleanse video series available to everyone and you can sign up for that here if interested.

Giveaway:

To enter to win a seat in this 21-Day Clutter Cleanse program simply leave a comment on this post, prior to Friday, January 6th at 2:00 pm PST, telling me how getting organized in 2012 will help you live a better life?  Giveaway open to everyone and winner will be selected at random.

Good luck everyone!

21-Day Clutter Cleanse Giveaway! (closed) is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Planning for the holidays can be a little stressful with all there is to do to get ready for it.  It doesn’t have to be though we a little advanced planning.  As I find resources to help you with this I’ll be sharing them here and on my Facebook page.

Today’s resource is an 84 page ebook written by the folks over at Get Self Sufficient called Thanksgiving on a Budget available for instant download for $6.95.   I really liked this one because it includes everything you need to host a stress free, budget friendly AND yummy Thanksgiving dinner.  Plus you’ll also receive 7 printable planning sheets in both pdf and as a word document to really keep you organized and on track.

These are some of the things you’ll find in the book:

• Budget Traditional Turkey Menu complete with super easy cranberry sauce and stuffings
• Prepare ahead Turkey Lasagna Menu
• Complete Vegetarian Menu
• All your favorite desserts – Apple Pie, Pecan Pie, Pumpkin Pie and more
• Family tested recipes for using up your leftovers
• Heaps of worksheets to help you with your planning
• Help planning your budget and budget planning workshop
• Menu planning and shopping list worksheets
• Pot luck planner worksheet
• Guest list planner and tracker worksheet
• Thanksgiving task planner worksheet

Today I’ve got THREE copies of this ebook, Thanksgiving on a Budget, to giveaway to three lucky readers.  Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite holiday dish is.  Comments need to be received prior to Friday, November 11th to be eligible.  Open to everyone and winners will be selected at random.  Thanks and good luck!

Planning For Thanksgiving On A Budget + Giveaway! (now closed) is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Have you heard of Snapware?  I hadn’t until a couple of weeks ago when the company sent me a very nice gift package in the mail (read on to find out how you can win one too!).

One of the products included made my day because it helped solved a regular annoyance for me.  When my husband is working day shift he gets home after the rest of us have had dinner.  I always make up a plate of food for him to heat up when he gets home but keeping it covered in the fridge was a pain.  I used to use a microwave cover but it doesn’t fit my plates properly and the seal wasn’t that great plus I really try to avoid using cling type wrap as much as I can.  I prefer to use re-useable where possible.

Snapware recently launched a product called 360 Serve that is an oven-safe ceramic dinner plate with airtight and leakproof lid that is ideal for storing leftovers.  It is also microwave and dishwasher safe plus BPA free.

Love, love, love it for leftovers!  It can go right from the fridge to the microwave.  Easy.

And of course what’s not to love about their Snap ‘N Stack line?  Umm hello, can we say versatility!  This portable organizer can be used in so many different ways.

Two layers snap together allowing room for storing things like craft supplies or a homework station.  I’m also going to use mine to transport cupcakes/baking to and from school and church when needed.

Want to know what else I really loved in this gift pack?  The re-useable Chico Bag.  I’ve had other compact re-useable bags that have to be folded in such a specific way that you want to poke your eyes out trying to figure it out.  The Chico Bag is the first one I’ve seen that doesn’t need to be folded, it just gets shoved into the small attached bag.  PLUS it includes a carabiner and you know how I love my carabiner clips!!

Want to win a similar gift pack for yourself?  Here is what will be included:

•  NEW Snapware® 360Serve™ Dinnerware

•  Snapware® Snap ‘N Stack™ Home Storage Essentials

•  A $25 Target gift card to purchase afterschool snacks, groceries or household supplies

•  A reusable tote bag for everyday items—from groceries to workout gear

•  A daily planner to keep you organized while on-the-go

•  A copy of Real Simple’s “Dinner Tonight: Done!” to provide you with 189 dinner solutions for hectic weeknights

Simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite thing about FALL is.  Comments must be received prior to Monday, November 7th at 2:00 pm PST to be eligible.  That’s it!!

Since Snapware is only supplying the gift packs and not an actual sponsor of this post, they had no expectations of me to talk about their products in any way which I totally wouldn’t have if I thought they were crap.  However I couldn’t help myself, I really did like them :) 

Snapware Fall Solutions Giveaway! – now closed is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Happy Halloween friends!  So this week I’ve got no food pictures at all for you, how lame is that?  Such a bad blogger, what’s a blog post without pictures??  It’s just not right, here let me make it up to you.

Hahahaha!  Gosh I love that picture.  Me and my alter ego go way back.  Can’t wait to scare a bunch more kids wearing it again this year…muwahahahaha.  Do you dress up along with your kids?

So if that beautiful picture wasn’t enough for you (and I can’t imagine why not) how about a giveaway instead?!  Oh ya baby.  Ziplist, a menu planning and grocery shopping resource,  is back again this week to give away another $75.00 visa card to one lucky menu planner.  How sweet is that!!  All you have to do is be a menu planning ninja.  Okay, okay, you don’t have to be a ninja, but you do have to plan a menu for the week.  Post it on your blog and link up to the list below.  I’ll choose a random winner from the linky list but you’ll need to link up by Friday, November 4th at 2:00 pm PST to be entered.  No comment required.  Whoot!

Alrighty, keeping this short and sweet, here’s what we’ll be eating this week:

Monday:  California Chicken Wraps

Tuesday:  Apple Maple Pork Tenderloin

Wednesday:  Pepperoni Pasta Bake

Thursday:  Leftover buffet

Friday:  Have It Your Way Tacos

Saturday:  Tortellini, Bean and Pesto Soup served with Bread Machine Garlic Bread

Simple Supper Sunday

Menu Plan Guidelines, banner selections and recipe helpers are here.

Please visit this week’s MPM Sponsor:

Want to save any of your Menu Plan Monday recipe favorites? Just drag the ZipList Recipe Clipper to your browser toolbar. Click through to a favorite recipe, then click the ZipList Recipe Clipper in your toolbar to save it to your online recipe box and shopping list. (Note: for food sites not in the hRecipe format, you may need to copy/paste the title and ingredients to save the recipe).

Food bloggers, let your readers save your recipes to an online recipe box and shopping list with one click. Explore ZipList’s free WordPress recipe plugin and more ways to make your recipes more findable.

Menu Plan Monday – Oct 31/11 + Giveaway! (now closed) is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

If you are new to 52 Weeks of Organizing, catch up here!

So today I thought we’d do something a little differently.  Since you have been working so hard following along week after week I thought it was time we had a giveaway.  This giveaway is a giveaway that I hope will keep on giving.  What do I mean by that you ask?

Well to enter to win I’m going to ask you to leave a comment telling me in one sentence the best organizing advice you’ve ever received.  You get a chance to win fantastic prizes PLUS you get to help someone else out by sharing your fabulous organizing wisdom.  Cool right?  Oh and I should mention that you don’t necessarily have to share advice I’ve given you (although I will be flattered if you do :) ).  Maybe it came from your mom or your best friend or neighbor down the street.  Wherever its come from, now is the time to share it.  Think how motivating and encouraging this could be to others, I love it! :)

Oh and what will you win?  So glad you asked!

One of you will win a copy of two of my favorite magazines:

plus

a signed copy of my book!

All sorts of organizing tips for you in this combination of organizing bliss :)

So let me start you off by sharing the best organizing advice that I ever received.  Not sure where I first heard it (my mother more than likely) but here it is:

You can only keep what you have the space to store up off the floor!!

One sentence comment entries must be in on this post prior to Thursday, October 20th at 2:00 pm PST.  Winner will be selected at random from comments received.  Open to everyone.  Good luck!

Also please feel free to link up your organizing projects today as usual.

************

Please feel free to share your organizing journey and encourage one another in the comments. You are also invited to link up to the linky below with any posts related to your 52 weeks of organizing participation or to any post of an organizing nature that you feel will inspire and encourage others in their quest to get organized. Please remember to link back to here though so we can reach out to as many people as possible in need of some inspiration.

One other thing to consider: by including your link below you, you are giving me permission to use parts of your post including pictures as a spotlight in future 52 Weeks of Organizing posts. Proper credit and links will of course be provided. If you are not okay with this please do not link up. Thanks!

52 Weeks: #41 Best Organizing Advice + Giveaway! is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

Wouldn’t you love to:

• Get things done without even thinking about them?

• Stay on top of your everyday tasks?

• Have time in your day to do the things you love?

• Feel good about yourself and your habits?

• Let go of habits that make you feel guilty?

If you said “yes” to any of these questions, then you’re ready to start enjoying a simpler life by creating some terrific habits and routines.

The folks at simplify 101 are giving away a free spot in their upcoming workshop, Simplify Your Life with Habits + Routines – a $59 value.   When you create habits and incorporate them into routines, you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish on a regular basis. When parts of your life are automated so that you’re staying on top of things that are important to you, you free yourself of that nagging voice telling you what you should be doing.

By creating habits and routines for the little chores of daily life, you actually free yourself to pursue things you love to do. No more missing out on fun excursions because you feel you should stay home and “get organized.” It may seem paradoxical, but habits and routines actually free you to live spontaneously!

Certified Professional Organizer Janine Adams will help you explore your current habits and routines, so you can get a feel for what’s working well and what you’d like to change. You’ll discover how to build on the things you are already doing automatically to incorporate new, positive habits into your life. Whether you want to create better eating habits, better financial habits or habits that will help you keep your home clutter-free—the ideas in this workshop are for you.  More information on this exciting workshop can be found here.

Giveaway:

To enter to win a spot in the upcoming Simplify Your Life with Habits + Routines workshop simply leave a comment on this post prior to Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at 2:00 pm.  Open to everyone and winner will be selected at random from the comments on this post.

Extra Entries:

1. Mention this giveaway on Facebook or Twitter, then leave a comment letting me know you did.
2. Sign up to receive the free Mini Guide for creating a command central binder, then leave a comment letting me know you did.

Discount:

Bonus: simplify 101 is offering the readers of OrgJunkie 15% off enrollment in their upcoming workshops – Organizing 101 and Get Organized for the Holidays.  In Organizing 101, you’ll learn a simple approach for de-cluttering your home. Plus, you’ll find out how to organize and store all the things you keep, so they’re easy to use (and put away when you’re finished!) Get Organized for the Holidays is the ultimate holiday planning workshop. Get simple tips and ideas so you stay energized and joyful all season long!  To take advantage of this offer, enter ORGJUNKIESAVE15 during checkout. This offer is good from 9/15/11 through 9/21/11 and can’t be combined with any other offer. (Get Organized for the Holidays is on early bird discount –20% off– through Sep. 22!)

If you’d like more tips on organizing your home or office top to bottom, sign up for Simplify 101’s organizing newsletter right here ! You can also follow the blog to get even more daily tips and as well find them on Facebook.

Simplify Your Life with Habits + Routines Giveaway Closed is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie

The Girls Day Planner is back!  Some of you may remember I did a giveaway last year around this time of this beautiful planner designed especially for Tween/Teen girls.   Today I’ll be giving away TWO copies of the newly updated 2011/2012 planner.

Corri, the lovely Canadian gal that designed this planner along with her popular Womans Day Planner, sent a copy of the Girls Planner to me for my daughter to try out.  Who better to give the scoop on whether or not this planner is a hit or not than a teenage girl herself.  Well I have to tell you my 14 year old daughter LOVES this planner.   The first thing she said as she started flipping through it was “wow this is cool”.  Pretty high praise from a teenager :)

I asked her to give me her top five favorite features and this is what she had to say:

1. The fun design
2. The fun page at the beginning of every month
3. The journalling ideas provided every month
4. The Bible facts at the end are cool
5. The note to teenagers at the beginning is funny and interesting

I of course am just so happy to see her planning her days and being organized…whoot!

What’s Inside:

The planner is compiled into an 8×10 coil book, small enough to carry yet big enough to track your life and the memories along the way.

• In between each month there is a full budgeting page, complete with a spot to chart your long term savings goals!

• There is also a full color social page with room for goals, priorities, journalling, etc.

• Your day is set up to ‘hold it all’, from the top priority for the day, homework planning and evening plans.  At the end of each week you have spots designated for ‘assignment updates and deadlines’, ‘need to get done list’, and what you can’t forget for that week.

• The rest of the planner consists of room for notes, ‘did you know facts’, math help formulas, contacts etc.

Available for purchase online for $22.95.

For more detailed information on this planner please visit the Chaos Simplified website and their Facebook page.

Giveaway:

To enter to win one of these lovely Girls Planners simply leave a comment on this post prior to Thursday, September 15, 2011 at 2:00 pm PST.  Two winners will be selected at random.  Open to everyone.

Good luck!!

Day by Day…Refined ~ Girls Day Planner Giveaway Closed is a post from: I'm an Organizing Junkie