Confronting My Clutter: How I Spent My Weekend

There comes a time in every shopaholic’s life when they must confront their demons.

For me, it was reading this article about clutter from The New York Times last week, and recognizing that a lot of the stress in my life was coming from years and years of collecting stuff.

I am a lover of things. I have many passions, a variety of crafts, books, magazines, baking, dressing my three dogs in adorable outfits, holiday decorations, home decor, gardening, tech gadgets, make-up.

However, all that passion leads to a shady part of town that everyone wants to avoid, Clutter City. It’s just two blocks up from Hoarder Town, a place I never want to live.

Clutter is like having a baby grand piano swinging on fraying ropes over your head.  It’s always there…adding one more layer of stress to your already stressful life.

Warning signs that you may have a clutter problem:

• You have to move things off the table to sit down and eat a meal.
• You open a kitchen cabinet and a sauce pan falls directly on your big toe.
• You open the medicine closet and face creams, make-up remover, Band-Aids and cotton balls tumble out.
• You spend a half hour or more each week hunting for something you put away just a day or two ago.
• You have 7 pairs of scissors, but can never find one when you need one.
• You cannot see the floor of your walk-in closet.

Luckily for me, the winter cold, and the fact that my husband was out of town for the weekend, gave me the perfect opportunity to undertake an organizational project of this magnitude. It took me all day Saturday and half the day Sunday to get the job done.

The areas I tackled were my craft room, my spare closet (where everything that doesn’t have a home elsewhere is hidden from view,) built-in bookshelves, and my holiday/winter decorations. I’d done my bedroom, linen closet and kitchen last month. The make-up drawer and medicine cabinet are still an unspeakable mess, but I’m saving those for another day. Don’t try to do the whole house at once.

First I gather up my tubs, something else I hoard, plastic tubs of all shapes and sizes, with locking lids.  That’s another blog in itself, my addiction to organizational tubs.  I also use garbage bags, standard, and heavy-duty contractor grade bags.

The best way to get started is to make things worse before they can get better, by taking everything out of the closets, drawers, or cupboards, whether it’s your underwear drawer or the dreaded utensil jumble in the kitchen.

Then it’s time to take a fearless inventory, and make some critical life decisions.  What will stay and what will go?

I create piles. First a pile of like items.

For instance, in my craft room,  all my scrapbooking, card-making, papercraft stuff, like stickers, various papers, stamps, colored-pencils, stamp pads, go into a pile.

Then I have a doo-dad pile, pipe cleaners, buttons, ribbon, etc.

Adhesives are lined up on a counter…I have 8 different kinds of glue and glue sticks. Wood glue, fabric glue, archival scrapbook glue stick, Super glue, Tacky glue, it goes on.  You see my problem clearly now, right?

Then I sort through the individual pile, and I sub-sort by color, holiday, purpose, etc. This is actually fun. I love rediscovering things I’d forgotten (hoarder trait.) At this point gather the stuff that’s squirreled away in random spots all over your house that goes into these piles, from the bedroom to the kitchen counter. I can usually cull a few pile-worthy items, lessening the clutter throughout my home.

Then there’s the stuff that I realize, if I’m honest with myself (hence the fearless inventory,)  I will never use. These things go into a separate pile, the stuff that needs to go.

The stuff that needs to go, can go to several places (in order of requiring the most work to least):

• Garage sale
• Consignment shop
• eBay
• Craig’s List
• Goodwill or thrift store
• Charity that will pick up bags and boxes of donated items from your doorstep
• As a last resort, the garbage. This is typically where damaged things I had a sentimental attachment to, or space-hogging packaging materials, end up.

Be sure to write down everything you donate and store in a file for taxes (you have one, right?) Here’s a link on how to value the items you donate. Then wrap breakables, and pile them with non-breakables, clothing, towels, etc, into your heavy-duty contractor bags, and move to the basement for selling, garage for pick-up, or directly to your car for drop-off.

After taking care of what must go, I place my “now-neatly-sorted items” into my clear plastic tubs (I should own stock in Sterilite and Rubbermaid) and label the container with my label maker (okay, I can’t find the batteries,) or masking tape and a Sharpie. The smaller things, like buttons, or my husband’s nuts and bolts, go into canning jars, upcycled spaghetti or baby food jars,  tackle boxes, or anything that can be put neatly back into my cupboards, or stacked with the labels facing out.

You might think, why would I want to waste an entire precious day off decluttering? Well, because I don’t know about you, but for me, removing the piano looming over my head, threatening to crush me like a grape, is a huge incentive.  I get an enormous feeling of accomplishment, and relief that I got that out of the way for another year, (assuming I keep it up, maybe 6 months…we’ll see.) And sitting down to an organized house is like staying at a fancy hotel, no worries, everything is in its place. It’s a fabulous feeling.

For more organizing tips from an expert, look to the new Smart Perks website coming soon.  It’s a gold mine of helpful information for saving your sanity and money, too.

-MB

When she’s not blogging for Smart Perks, Melanie is staring glassy-eyed at Pinterest, her Pin It finger splinted from overuse. Besides crafting, gardening, shopping and cupcakes, the loves of her life are her three naughty terrier pups, the smartest and best-looking dogs in the world, and her husband.

 

Seed Starting for Newbies – Greetings from Zone 4!

Greetings from Zone 4? No, that is not the title of a science fiction novel.

Zone 4 is the plant hardiness zone for Smart Perks headquarters in Minnesnowdah. But regardless of where you live in the U.S., with spring right around the corner, it’s a good time to start thinking about seed-starting for your vegetable garden.

I’ve started seeds indoors for over a decade now. It’s a great way to save money by avoiding nursery prices, and I typically have more than enough plants leftover after mine are in the ground, to share with friends and family.

Have you seen the price of a grocery store tomato lately? You shouldn’t have to make a choice between a child’s college education and a tomato! Besides the savings, starting seeds indoors will bring a little summertime to your home during a cool, damp March.

To get started, you need to decide which veggies you want to plant, depending on your personal tastes and growing space. If you live in apartment, a lot of plants can be grown in a couple big pots on a deck or outside your front door.

I usually like to start cucumbers, tomatoes, and beans indoors. Herbs, especially chives and basil, are easy and fun to grow, because they smell DELICIOUS as soon as they sprout. You can dry them and use them throughout the year. Fresh herbs are the best, and you really can taste the difference in your recipes!   

Then head to your local hardware, discount store or nursery and pick out your seeds. Check the back of your seed packets for the zone hardiness of the plant, and how much time you’ll need to allow if you’re starting indoors, as well as time until harvest. The typical amount of time for indoor growing is 6-8 weeks. Here in Zone 4 we shouldn’t put our plants in the ground until after May 15th, when the danger of a killing frost is USUALLY passed.

I usually start my seeds around St. Patrick’s Day or during the NCAA Final Four. I remember in previous years, sitting on my kitchen floor, with seed starter soil everywhere, listening to a tournament game, while trying to get wet soil out of my grout. That was before I wised up and started using peat pellets.

While some hardier veggies like lettuce and radishes can be sown directly in the ground in early spring, others have to wait until the ground warms up. Tomatoes, for instance, thrive in heat. If the temps are too cold, or the weather too cloudy, their growth can be stunted. Tomatoes are an excellent plant to start indoors.

Then you’ll need a tray that will allow adequate drainage and a clear, vented cover. I recommend investing in a multi-square version like the Jiffy Starter Kit if you’re a newbie. It has everything you’ll need, except the seeds, light and water, and will cost approximately $10 or less. Plus the tray can be used again next year.

You can buy the growing medium loose, or in a little mesh-covered peat pellet. Trust me…the peat pellet is the way to go to avoid a mess! You soak them in hot water for about 5 minutes and voilá…they expand to just the right size. It’s pretty cool to watch. Kids will love this, too.

There’s even a little hole in the top of the mesh to place your seeds in. So all you have to worry about is checking the back of your package for seed-planting depth, and how many seeds to plant in each pellet. It can take anywhere from 4 to 14 days for seedlings to emerge.

The three most important words of wisdom I can give you, after years of making every mistake imaginable, are to separate, ventilate, and rotate!

1. Separate. You’ll typically plant multiple seeds in a peat pod, because all the seeds may not sprout. However, sometimes they will and you’ll need to separate or thin out the young sprouts. If you don’t, once they start to leaf, they’ll crowd each other out, competing for space and nutrients. Your plants won’t thrive, and when it comes time to plant, you’ll have a bunch of tangled, thin, and gangly plants.
2. Rotate. Placement of your seeds is key. You need a warm, sunny place that gets the most light over the course of the day. Seeds need warmth to germinate. So a window near a heat vent is optimal.  You can buy a small grow light and warming mat on which to place your seed tray for around $30-$40. Although I never have. Remember these investments sound like a lot, but once you have the right equipment, you’ll have it forever. When the seeds have sprouted, you’ll need to rotate the tray at least once a day or more, so that neither side has to lean toward the sun. Optimally you want light coming from directly above, so that your young seedlings will grow straight up and have strong healthy stems. Believe me, I’ve had many years, where I’ve ended up with spindly, sideways tomato plants, that have eventually borne fruit, but it certainly wasn’t easy to put a tomato cage on a horizontal plant.
3. Ventilate. As I mentioned, seeds to stay covered and warm in the first several weeks, hot and moist like a greenhouse with minimal ventilation. But once they have sprouted, you’ll want to keep the soil moist, but not drowning, and ventilate or you’ll have moldy soil. Once the plants are touching the lid, you can remove the lid completely.

You’ll want to watch the bottom of your mesh peat pods for exposed roots, transplanting them to larger pots filled with regular potting soil until it’s time to put them in the ground. Always refer to the back of your seed packs for more specifics, like when to pinch the first leaves from the stems.

And when you’re ready to put your seeds in the ground, remember, the plants need to be gradually acclimated to the direct sun outdoors, and other elements. So you can take them out for a couple of hours each day. This is called hardening off your plants, and you can read more about the process online.

Starting seeds indoors has been one of the best experiences I’ve had as a novice gardener, and I’ve learned so much from my mistakes, without reading stacks of books, or spending a fortune. The results have been great savings, and the greatest rewards…FRESH VEGGIES and the satisfaction of knowing I grew them myself. Have your own tips or experiences with seed starting? Please share in the comments!

-MB

When she’s not blogging for Smart Perks, Melanie is staring glassy-eyed at Pinterest, her Pin It finger splinted from overuse. Besides crafting, gardening, shopping and cupcakes, the loves of her life are her three naughty terrier pups, the smartest and best-looking dogs in the world, and her husband.

Valentine’s Day – What Can I Do In Five Days?

Five days.

Valentine’s Day is five days away…and I haven’t even thought about getting the kids their Valentines cards for their classmates yet. Gulp!

I mean, I was busy. Work, grocery shopping, taxes, dog-grooming , the Grammy Awards! Well, okay, maybe not the Grammys. But you know what I mean. Life…it’s so LIFEY!

And Valentine’s Day falls on Saturday this year. That means a whole day to plan super fantastic, creative, outrageously fun, festive and fabulous food, activities, cards and small gifts for the whole family…including the dogs.

What can I do in five days that doesn’t involve outrageous shipping fees, a degree from Martha Stewart University, or blowing my diet, and my Valentine’s diet, too?

Worried? Who me? No way. My best friend Pinterest has my back.

I just spent an hour or so scouring the boards of some of my favorite Pinners, and came up with everything I need to create an awesome day for everyone: friends, the kids, my husband, mom, sister, and our dogs, Bacon & Beanie.

I found FREE printables for cards, crafts and games! Even if it’s a snow day (Hello New England!) there are plenty of activities to keep everybody busy. Take a look at this darling free printable from quitetheoccasionevents.com.

Check out the Smart Perks Valentine’s board on Pinterest for dozens of great ideas, like Valentine’s lasagne. Or strawberry pancakes. Or White Chocolate Krispie Hearts. (drool)

You’ll love the ideas for a day of crafting with your best girlfriends, too.

https://www.pinterest.com/smartperks/simple-valentines-ideas/

I feel better already. I can do this.

I hope you have a wonderful, stress-free Valentine’s Day!

CHEERS!

-MB

When she’s not blogging for Smart Perks, Melanie is staring glassy-eyed at Pinterest, her Pin It finger splinted from overuse. Besides crafting, gardening, shopping and cupcakes, the loves of her life are her three naughty terrier pups, the smartest and best-looking dogs in the world, and her husband.

It’s Time for a Fresh New Perspective

February is here.  It’s the time of year when Winter starts to feel a little stale. The doldrums have set in, and if you’ve got the slightest case of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD, it’s a real thing,) it can begin to feel like Spring will never come.

You need a little pick-me-up. Or maybe a big pick-me-up.

First things first, flowers and a cupcake!

It’s indoor “watch em grow” bulb garden season. The grocery stores and nurseries are full of them. Tulips, daffodils, the delicious smell of grape hyacinth…instant mood-booster!

Next, a visit to your local bakery or cupcakery. A cupcake is a little party you throw for yourself. Just thinking about a bakery case filled with red velvet cakes, cream cheese frosting, rich chocolate ganache, heavenly buttercream, coconut, and sprinkles in bright, happy colors can give you a rush of endorphins.

Thirdly, visit the paint aisle at the local home-improvement store. Did you know there are literally hundreds of shades of white? Not only will a fresh coat of paint, in even one room of your home, brighten your surroundings, it will give you a positive sense of accomplishment when you’re done.

You can do it!

Want to double your “feel good?” Choose a bold paint color! Like sunshiny yellow for your guest bedroom, or tranquil seafoam green or blue for your bathroom walls. Be daring. Shop your circulars for sales on paint, and do it yourself, and you can afford to start over if you don’t like the color.

Something else to look forward to – the new Smart Perks mailing is coming soon. It features dozens of great discount offers, including some amazing savings on blinds for that freshly painted room!

And to coincide with the new Spring Smart Perks mailing, the Smart Perks web site has a fresh new look that’s bright, cheerful, and most importantly full of great savings and expert advice on saving you time and money. Look for more tips on paint selections, and interior painting for beginners. Until then, here’s a peek at the new Smart Perks site. Enjoy!

– MB

When she’s not blogging for Smart Perks, Melanie is staring glassy-eyed at Pinterest, her Pin It finger splinted from overuse. Besides crafting, gardening, shopping and cupcakes, the loves of her life are her three naughty terrier pups, the smartest and best-looking dogs in the world, and her husband.