BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY SHOPPING LIST

We just made a quick run out to Walmart for couple of goggles for the upcoming pool party and noticed they had put out school supplies. Knowing me, I dove right in. I had a whole list prepared, but left it home...so I got whatever I could think of that was on the list and a school calendar for yours truly that I just couldn't resist. My kids are going into grade 2 and 3, so the list was pretty basic and some items we already have from our last years stock. Here are some pictures of our purchases and a basic list for what you might need. The list varies from school to school. If you haven't gotten a list at the end of the school year, you most likely will in September.

Happy Shopping Friends
Kristina :)

GRADES 1-8 

BACKPACK

LUNCH BAG

HEADPHONES (in a zippered bag, labelled with your child's name to be used on the computers)

INDOOR RUNNING SHOES

PROPER GYM CLOTHES 

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COLORED MARKERS (washable)

PENCILS

COLORED PENCILS
CRAYONS 

HIGHLIGHTERS (for older grades)

BLUE PENS (for older grades)

RED PENS (for older grades)

ERASERS

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GLUE STICKS

SCISSORS

RULER

GEOMETRY SET (for older grades)

CALCULATOR

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3 HOLE LINED PAPER

DUOTANGS/BINDERS (depends on what the school requires)

 

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CLEANING TIPS FOR THE KITCHEN

-EASY CLEANING FOR MICROWAVE: In a microwave-safe bowl mix a cup of water and a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice. Put it into the microwave for 5 minutes on high. When done, give the microwave a quick wipe. Your microwave will be sparkling and smelling fresh.

-Pour some baking soda into your sink and down the drain, wipe the sink with a damp cloth, then rinse. Baking soda will help you get rid of stains and it will help you reduce odors.

-Refresh your wood cabinets with a cup of warm water, a tablespoon of olive oil, and a couple of tablespoons of vinegar. Mix all contents in a container that can be sealed, give it a few shakes, and your ready to wipe the counters down with a clean rag, after a few minutes, go over it with a dry rag.

-I personally prefer antibacterial surface cleaners for my counter tops, fridge and stove handles, drawer handles, light switch, and of course the garbage can. Now, if you run out, or it’s too pricey to buy, a simple solution is mild dish soap and water on a clean rag, wash it all down, and then just wipe it with a clean damp rag so the soap doesn’t get transferred onto your food.

-For spills in the oven, try sprinkling a little bit of salt over the spill to help loosen it up a bit, so it’s easier for you to clean it up after the oven had cooled.

-To get rid of odor on your cutting boards, wipe the board with a lemon wedge.

Well my friends, I hope I covered most of it. Once you’re done all of this, don’t forget to breathe and pour your self a nice tall drink! ;)

Care to share your tips for this yummy room? Feel free to post your tips and comments to help others get over their kitchen nightmares!

Val

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Friday's Quick Organizing Tip

Freeze soups and sauces flat in zippered bags and stand them in a plastic bin as if they were files. Write contents on each bag with  a permanent marker; loop a luggage tag to label the entire container.

Storage Magazine - Spring 2012

Source: blogs.babble.com 

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ORGANIZING THE MASTER BEDROOM

-First thing I do when organizing/cleaning my master bedroom is to strip my bed and throw my sheets into the washer.

-I empty the drawers that contain items other than clothing.

-With 3 baskets ready, labeled: keep, donate/give away, toss...I decide whether to keep or get rid of each item, putting each item into the basket accordingly.

-Items you are keeping put away neatly in an organized manner back into the drawers. If they don't belong in the room, put them away.

-The items you decided to toss, throw into a garbage bag or recycle.

-The items you are donating/giving away put into a separate box. I put this box into my foyer so it's ready when I leave the house.

-Next, empty the rest of your drawers and closet.

-Look over each article of clothing and again decide whether you are going to keep, donate/giveaway or toss.

-If you haven't worn something for over a year, or doesn't fit...get rid of it.

-Clothes that need repairing, put in a separate basket. Tend to them as soon as you can...or get rid of them.

-Keep only items that you love and wear.

-Out of season clothing, put away on either on a top shelf, or put in plastic bins. Put it somewhere where it won't get in your way.

-Clothing that you wear sort by category (pants, skirts, blouses etc.)

-Each category sort by style, length and color.

Source: honeywerehome.blogspot.com via Kristina on Pinterest

-Garments you wear together, (eg. suits) keep together.

-I also like to arrange my clothing by activity (work, casual, workout wear, formal)

Source: myhomeideas.com via JoAnn on Pinterest

-Keep the items you wear frequently in most accessible places.

-Put clothes in hamper or hang at the end of each day.

-Every time you add an article of clothing, remove an old one.

You don't have to do all this organizing every week.  You can also break the room into different zones and tackle one zone each week until it is fully organized. I like to organize my clothes seasonally to weed out clothing I no longer wear, but I deep clean the room every week.


Happy Organizing,

 

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CLEANING THE MASTER BEDROOM

When it comes to cleaning the master bedroom I do the following 

Daily: 

Make the bed

Put clothes away or into the hamper after each use

Clear and declutter surfaces

Weekly:

Polish furniture

Clean Mirrors

Mop/Vacuum floors, baseboards and window sills

Launder the sheets

Monthly:

Launder duvet and pillow protectors and mattress pads
Wash windows

Seasonally:

Launder pillows

Turn mattress

Vacuum mattress, box springs and bed frames

Organize closet

Happy Cleaning,

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FRIDGE COASTER GIVEAWAY

HEY GUYS,

Just came from A Bowl Full of Lemons where I had entered into a Fridge Coaster Giveaway!!!!

Head over there and enter to win so you don't miss out on this great prize!

Source: abowlfulloflemons.blogspot.com via Love on Pinterest

Good luck to you all, 

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Friday's Quick Organizing Tip

Bathroom Tip:

-Display Cotton Balls and Q-Tips in glass canisters. It is not only easy access, but it is pleasing to the eye!!!

Source: monogramsandmasonjars.tumblr.com      Source: marthastewart.com 

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Just dropping by to say hello!!! The kids and hubs are in bed and I just bought the newest edition of my fave magazine BHG Special Interest Publications and made myself a steaming cup of coffee. So I am off to drool over it til bedtime. 

Enjoy your evening,

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FIRST AID KIT MUST HAVES FOR CAMPING, BACKPACKING OR DAY TRIPS

No one really anticipates injuries, and as for myself, I hate even thinking of a possibility of an accident. My kids are big klutzes and we have a bloody knee or elbow on a daily basis.

A first aid kit should be prepared on probability of all possible injuries, accidents, or incidents.  Whilst in the “great outdoors”  you have bigger chances of cuts and scrapes from falls, insect or animal bites or stings, contact with poison ivy, cactus or other plants, burns, hypothermia, etc.


As per the Canadian Red Cross a first aid kit should include all of the following:

• Sterile gauze pads (dressings) in small and large squares to place over wounds
• Adhesive tape
• Roller and triangular bandages to hold dressings in place or to make an arm sling
• Adhesive bandages in assorted sizes
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Safety pins
• Instant ice packs
• Disposable non-latex gloves, such as surgical or examination gloves
• Flashlight, with extra batteries in a separate bag
• Antiseptic wipes or soap
• Pencil and pad
• Emergency blanket
• Eye patches
• Thermometer
• Barrier devices, such as a pocket mask or face shield
• Coins for pay phone
• Canadian Red Cross first aid manual

Along with this list I also pack:

• Antibacterial ointment or no sting barrier film spray
• Hydrocortisone Cream
• Pain relievers such as Acetaminophen
• Burn relief ointment or spray
• Antihistamines 

Always store your first aid kit in a dry and cool place and make sure that you replace used or outdated contents on a regular basis.


Hope this list helps.  Have loads of fun and play safe!!
Val :)
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DAILY SPEED CLEANING - 30 MINUTES TOPS!!!

Every day, I set the timer for 30 minutes and do a quick cleanup and spend an hour cleaning and organizing my "Room of the Day". My husband dubbed me a "Super Mom," because I zoom through the place ;) ...He finds it quite comical.

My daily speed cleaning consists of the following:

KITCHEN:

-Spray antibacterial cleanser into the sink and let it soak.
-In the meantime I sanitize the counter tops, and wipe the front of the cupboards and the fridge (don't forget the door handles).
-Return to the sink, scrub it, rinse it, dry it. Pay special attention to shining the faucets.
-Wipe inside and outside of the microwave.
-Surface clean the canisters and appliances.

Time-Saving Tip:

-Make sure you wash the dishes and put them away as they enter the sink area. With the sink empty, you already look organized.
-Clean spills as they happen, it's a faster cleanup when the spill is still fresh.

BATHROOM:

-Spray antibacterial cleanser into the sink and it's fixtures, let it soak. 
-Wipe the outside edges of bathtub and it's fixtures (I use disposable antibacterial wipes), wipe the fixtures, making sure they are smudge free and shiny. I wipe inside the tub after each use, and spend extra time cleaning it once a week (room of the day).
-Wipe the toilet seat, then the toilet exterior...grab a brush and scrub the inside of the bowl, flush...I keep soap in my toilet brush dish as a time saving tip.
-Return to the sink, wipe it, rinse it, dry the fixtures first (making sure you remove all the smudges and they come out nice and shiny) and then dry the sink. 
-Clean the mirrors with a damp microfiber cloth.

LIVING ROOM:

-The first thing I do when I enter my living room is remove all visible clutter. I have a basket for the kids stuff and a basket for our stuff.
-Dust/wipe all visible surfaces (I do a deep cleaning once a week where I remove everything off the surfaces and dust the entire area)
-Tidy up all the accessories...make sure everything looks neat.
-Grab a damp microfiber cloth and wipe down TV screen (every day I find my kids fingerprints on it)

Time-Saving Tip:

-Every time you leave the room, remove items that doesn't belong in the space.

BEDROOMS:

-Remove visible clutter, again basket in hand.
-Make beds
-Dust/wipe visible surfaces
-Clean mirrors

Time-Saving Tip:

-Make your bed first thing in the morning.
-Hang the clothes that you'll wear again on a hook.
-Throw dirty clothes into the hamper.

FLOORS:

-Freshen the floors up by giving them a quick sweep and mop/vacuum.

VISIBLE CLUTTER (Remember the Baskets?):

-Put everything away in their respectful places...DONE!!! :-)

The "Room of the Day" is a different room I schedule to deep-clean/organize each day of the week. (For example Mondays I do the bathroom, Tuesday the Kitchen etc). I will spend anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour deep-cleaning/organizing the space, depending how messy or disorganized it is. The better you get, the less time it will take. If you have more to do, you might want to set the timer into 15 minute segments and speed clean, then take a break. Or if you feel like you don't have 15 minutes to devote to cleaning, set your timer for 5 minutes a few times a day (or during commercial breaks), but you have to do something! Attack one drawer at a time at your maximum speed weeding out things you have no use for and getting rid of it. The less clutter you have the easier life gets...TRUST ME!!! And the more time you will have to devote to things you really enjoy.

I find that this system really works the best for me. Its quick and easy...I don't have to spend my whole day cleaning. I also found that, the more I do this, the less time I have to spend on cleaning, because your house is already clean, you're just maintaining it.

UPDATE: For my Cleaning Chore Chart free download visit the following link

What do you find that works best for you? Do you have a system? I would love to hear any feedback!

Happy Cleaning,

 3FE94WWG7XVT

Linking up at: http://www.thethriftyhome.com/

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Friday's Quick Organizing Tip

Pin up important notes, coupons, reminders, invitations, and magnetic spice canisters on magnetic strips or cork boards mounted inside cabinet doors, out of sight.

Source: an-organized-abode.blogspot.com

                                                                                             Source: thriftyandfabuless.blogspot.com  on Pinterest

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WHAT TO BRING CAMPING

Save Yourself Some Drama with the “YOU FORGOT MY…”

Hello my fellow campers,

Camping season has officially begun! My husband and I are avid campers, in fact we met while camping with friends. The following time we met up on a camping trip, we fell in love and the rest is history! Since then I went camping pregnant five times, and we have been taking our beautiful children camping a few times every year. So if you want to talk camping, I’m your girl!

Every one needs a little organization when planning a camping trip with kids, I’m sure you alone can survive without a few things, but with children, it is complete chaos if you forget one single thing.

So, first things first. A week before you go, write out a “my kid can’t live without” list so you WILL NOT forget the little important things. At the very end, grab a small backpack and have your child pick “indoor” toys that he/she wants to take, in case you need to stay inside the tent (rain or for settling down at bedtime). These toys should stay in the tent at all times. Once you have that set, we can move on to the basics.

The basics are: Shelter, Bedding, Tools, Cooking Supplies, Clothing, Toiletries, and Miscellaneous items that you might need to bring.

THE BASICS

SHELTER AND BEDDING

1. Tent
• Include extra pegs
2. Tarps
• You are better off putting tarps up all around your site, or just over your tent and fire pit, in case it rains, you can still cook!
• A small one to put in front of your tent to prevent you from bringing dirt in
3. ROPES!
• There’s never enough, especially if you are hanging tarps, clothes line, etc.
4. Sleeping bags
5. Extra pillows and blankets
• Sometimes it gets really chilly at night
6. Air mattresses or cots
• For those who don’t like to rough it!
• DON’T FORGET THE AIR PUMP!

TOOLS

1. Axe and hammer for chopping firewood and pounding tent pegs
2. A knife or scissors to help cut rope
3. Repair kits for both the air mattresses and tents
4. And also bring miscellaneous tools, that you think might come in handy

COOKING SUPPLIES

1. Cooler, thermos
2. Water bucket
3. Food, water
4. Stove, campfire or BBQ grill
• Fuel or propane. Don’t forget a lighter/matches and all the other supplies you need for your stove ex. Fire starters, extra propane, newspapers, charcoal, etc.
5. Tablecloths, plates, bowls, cups, glasses, cutlery, cooking utensils, and Tupperware for left over food storage.
• DON’T FORGET A KNIFE! And of course a cutting board, and the can opener. They all come in very handy!
6. Paper towels, garbage bags, aluminum foil, plastic wrap, zipper bags, napkins, dish rags.
7. Oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, sugar, any other condiments
8. Dish soap, a container/bowl to do dishes in, Brillo pads
9. Laundry detergent, dryer sheets or fabric softener, clothes pins
• If the campground has a laundry facility, bring your own supplies, because they overcharge for a cup of detergent, and if you have little ones, YOU HAVE LAUNDRY!

CLOTHES AND TOILETRIES

1. The clothes you should pick according to the season, climate and weather forecast.
2. Make sure you bring extra t-shirtsand sweaters “just in case”
3. Don’t forget your rain gear (including umbrellas), swim suit, towels, pajamas, and hats
4. As far as toiletries, you know what you use and what you need.
• Don’t forget:
• Lip balm, sun block, toilet paper, bug repellent, medication
• If no shower facilities available, take a camping shower.

MISCELLANEOUS (The Big One)

1. Lantern, candles, flashlights, extra batteries and bulbs, lantern fuel
2. Compass, whistle, binoculars
3. Water filters, or treatment tablets
4. Maps, directions, reservation information and your confirmation, note pad and pen
5. Form of communication: Cell phone (with charger, or extra batteries), walkie-talkies or 2-way radio phones.
6. Ropes, straps, tape (you never know when you’ll need it)
7. Folding chairs, table, hammock
• Most campgrounds have picnic tables at each site.

Well those were some of the more important miscellaneous, as far as the rest goes, you decide what you wish to bring, whether it’s fishing gear, cards, radios etc.

My husband and I have three large plastic containers that we pack our basics in, (excluding our clothing and food). It makes packing a breeze and we know exactly where everything is. Color code your boxes, each color box is for a different thing. Example, we have a large navy blue box for all of your cooking supplies. Our big black box is for the miscellaneous items, tools, and everything other than the tents from the "Shelter and Bedding list." The third box is red, and is for our kids' stuff, like outdoor toys (shovels, pails, etc.), their camping chairs, flashlights, and the “little things” that matter the most.

DON’T FORGET A FIRST AID KIT AND HEALTH COVERAGE INFORMATION

Accidents happen, be prepared!

Now that I have you guys all packed nicely, ENJOY!

Would you care to share your favorite camping moments, blunders, or “MOM, YOU FORGOT” dramas?! Please feel free to post anything you wish, or tips I might have missed.

I wish you all the best of luck for the camping season 2012! Have loads of fun, and don’t forget your camera for the little Kodak moments.

Have Fun!

Val

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Must Have Cleaning Supplies

Here is a list of the MUST HAVE cleaning supplies to get your home into a tip-top shape. Most, if not all, you already have right in your kitchen.

1. Mop and Bucket

2. Broom

3. Vacuum with attachments

4. Sponges

5. Disposable Cloths

6. Microfiber Cloth

7. Spray Bottles

8. Vinegar

9. Baking Soda

10.Tea Tree Oil

11. Lemon

12. Olive Oil

13. Mild Dish Soap

Come back next Monday to see how to put them to work.

I have designated Mondays to be our "Cleaning post" days.

Source: mint.com 

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Friday's Quick Organizing Tip

File frequently referenced papers in three-ring binders. Designate one for each person or activity.

Storage Magazine - Spring 2012 

Source: jennasuedesign.blogspot.com

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MEDICINE CABINET: How long to keep makeup and personal items?

Have you ever wondered how long my make-up and razors are good for? With a little research, this is what I have found. Use it as a rule of thumb.

1. Mascara-good for 3 months after you first open it. If there is clumping on the brush, it's expired.

2. Foundation-good for 6-12 months. If you notice separation or bad odor, it has expired.

3. Powder-is good for up to 2 years.

4. Lipstick-some websites say 1-2 years, others up to 4. If it smells bad, it probably is.

5. Concealer-is usually good up to a year.

6. Razors-they are a breeding ground for bacteria. Use it only 5 times, then toss.

7. Medicine-The expiry date should be printed on the bottle. You should NOT keep medicine in the bathroom. The moisture and humidity makes medicine deteriorate faster.

Source: marthastewart.com

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Hello Ladies and Gents,

My name is Kristina, formerly know as one half of the "Neat and Tidy Mommies" team. I have decided to start anew on this blog. I am absolutely positively Mad About Organizing, hence the name of the blog. It is my passion. I love decluttering, purging, organizing and inventing new ways and systems that will serve my purpose better. I can read and stare at organizing pictures for hours. They fascinate me. Living in a small apartment it is one of my challenges to find better ways to effectively organize a small space. And here I am at the beginning of a brand new journey, where I will share my inspirations, my goals, my projects, network and hopefully form new, lasting friendships. It is my hope that I will motivate and inspire you to become organized with me, one project at a time.

Till next time,

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