by Katherine DiGiovanni | Oct 12, 2020 | Amazon, Closet Organization, Cosmetic Organization, Family Organization, Garage Organization, Kids Organization, Kitchen Organization, Neatnik Favorites, Time Management
It’s that time of year again! It’s Amazon Prime Day(s)! Neatnik has a few products to recommend. Check them out and let us know how they work for you!
We use sturdy metal shelves like these all the time for our clients. They work beautifully in a garage, utility rooms, sheds, or other storage spaces. They’re durable, don’t rust, and won’t break. You can store so many bins and boxes on them and stack things in endless configurations. You will always use these shelves!
Neatnik sees a lot of gift wrap situations and many of them are not in good shape. You have so many different types of products – rolls of wrap, gift bags, ribbons, etc. – and it can be challenging to keep them in order. For most people, a simple, inexpensive gift wrap organizer is all that’s needed to solve this problem. It can be hung in a closet or somewhere close to where you wrap your gifts. We highly recommend!
Water bottle storage seems to be a problem in every kitchen. They’re big, not a uniform size, often have lot of parts, and tip over easily. It hard to find a perfect solution. We have found these water bottle racks work very well in pantries and kitchen cabinets. Give them a try and let us know if they work in your space!
Where to begin with these hangers? They allow you to hang more in your closet, fit everything and help you achieve a uniform, sleek look. Everyone needs these hangers in their lives. And they come in different colors and metal finishes. What more could you ask for?
We love these little stackable containers for all the little bibs and bobs. These are great for craft supplies, toys, sewing supplies, small items in a linen closet or medicine cabinet, etc. And the clear acrylic is perfect for you to always see what you have.
The turntable organizer is a game changer for people with deep cabinets and shelves. Gone are the days when you forgot a bottle of vinegar in the back of the cabinet – put all your bottles on the turntable and always be able to see exactly what you have!
This caddy is perfect for craft supplies or other collections of items around the house. It looks nice on a shelf or can be moved around to use where needed. It has a sturdy handle so it’s perfect for kids. During these dog days of distance learning, it’s nice to have a place for all of the supplies to easily get put away!
by Katherine DiGiovanni | Mar 17, 2020 | Family Organization, Pantry, Project of the Day, Time Management, Uncategorized
With the dynamic situation in the world and all of our collective overwhelm at what’s happening, if your house is anything like mine, it’s gotten a little out of control. Lots of things have been taken out, played with, and used and not many things have been put away. It always makes me feel better – calmer and more under control – when I’ve taken a little bit of time to declutter.
If you live alone or have a full house with a family, this simple, yet effective practice will have you feeling calm, cool, and collected in no time. Nicole and I call this the #Neatnik15 or the #Family15. If you have a family, this is a great way to pull together as a team and to teach your children a feeling of responsibility and empowerment.
Here’s how it works:
Set a timer on your phone or the stove for 15 minutes. Everyone in the family does as much as they can for 15 minutes cleaning up, putting away, and decluttering. You can assign areas of the house or categories to each person or you can keep it more freewheeling. You would be amazed at how much you can accomplish in 15 minutes! If you don’t get it all done in 15 minutes, no problem. If you want to keep going, set the timer for another 15 minutes. If not, you’ve gotten a lot done and can do it again tomorrow or another time. Make this a regular part of your routine and your house will be well-organized in no time! (Share your experiences with this technique on social media using #Neatnik15 or #Family15 and tag us at @NeatnikDC!)
My family and I swear by these short, but effective clean up sessions. Try it and see how you feel. Please let us know about your experiences!
by Katherine DiGiovanni | Mar 13, 2020 | Family Organization, Kids Organization, Time Management
Our new reality is starting to settle in: They just closed schools here in Bethesda, Maryland for two weeks, and cancelled all events in the state with more than 250 people. We’re encouraged to practice social distancing (here’s a great article that explains that), and it looks like we’re all going to be spending a lot of time at home with our families.
The good news is that it gives us a lot of time to perhaps tackle some home projects that you’ve been neglecting. Neatnik will be rolling out organizing and spring cleaning projects that you can be working on at home over this period of time. Stay tuned to this blog and our social media for that.
The not-so-good news is that many of us are facing a long period of unstructured time at home with our children without having had much time to plan for it. And for parents and children, anxiety about this pandemic is very understandable. So, what can we do?
In this uneasy and unpredictable time, I find focusing on what we can control helps us and our children. Things like our to-do lists and daily schedules at home are things we have control over. So I’m getting my family – my children especially – focused on thinking about their days and things they want to do each day. This can be a great way to mitigate our anxieties, fears, and feelings of a lack of control over the general situation.
Here are a few things I’ve picked up to try to manage this unexpected time at home with my children:
(Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links and Neatnik will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. We have experience with all of the products listed below and recommend them based on that experience. Please let us know if you have any questions about anything linked below!)
Mini White Boards
I think having a little contained space for your child or family to help schedule or manage their days can be really helpful. These can be used for a daily schedule, a to-do list, or a list of things they want to do. Having no structure to your or their days can be unsettling.
Dry Erase Markers
I like these because they have magnets in the caps that will stick to the white boards or the metal part of a clip board.
Clip Boards
You might also like to develop lists of things and place them on a special clip board for each child.
Let me know if you try these ideas and how they work for you. Let’s support each other with ways we can all organize and manage our time in the near future. Hang in there!
My son with his new white board!
