Winter is the season for hot chocolate and marshmallows, relaxing with some red wine in front of the fireplace, snuggles, early nights, spending time indoors and lots of layers of clothing.
Being winter ready means different things for different countries. In South Africa we don't have snowfall in our residential areas, so we don't have to get our homes and cars ready for heavy snowfalls.
I will therefore give a few pointers on your clothing, bedding, fireplace and the outside gutters and downpipes of your house.

1. Unpack the electric blankets, let them air, make sure they still work. If not, replace them.
2. Take out the normal blankets from storage and take it to the dry cleaners.
3. Check whether your winter bedding is still in a good condition. If not, buy new ones.
4. Unpack your winter jackets and take it to the dry cleaners.
5 Check whether your winter pajamas, gowns and slippers are still in a good condition and that it still fits. If not, buy new ones.
6. Stock up on either gas or wood for your fireplace. And don't forget the red wine.
7. Check the down pipes and gutters that it is not blocked. In the event of heavy rainfalls, it will cause overflow of water if it is blocked.

Winter is not my favourite season. It is just too cold for me, but I love the fireplace and the electric blankets. Few things beat that feeling of getting into a warm bed on a cold night.
Happy organizing!

Simple Steps to Stay Organized

1. If you get it out - put it back.
2. If you open it - close it.
3. If you try it on - hang it up.
4. If you get it dirty - wash it.
5. If you don't use it - get rid of it.
6. If it doesn't fit - donate it.
7. If it is expired - dump it.
8. If it is junk - throw it out.
9. It it is a bill - pay it.
10. If you schedule it - write it down.

1. Turn off the notifications - it is disruptive and impact your train of thought.
2. Have allocated times during the day where you check your emails.

1. Inbox
2. Sent box
3. Spam folder
4. Trash folder

Hello my fellow organizers. 


So today I have a free download for you all. Its a spreadsheet that you can use to get your things in order so that you can be ready in the event of...

To download this FREE Printable click HERE and be sure to Subscribe to my YouTube channel if you haven't yet.

If you haven't checked out my video on the topic, you can check it out right here.





Happy Organizing!

Seven sunday habits to reset yourself for the upcoming week and to be better prepared.



1. No-technology Sunday
A big ask, most definitely!
However, once you are in the habit of doing this, you will realise that spending time with your loved-ones are much better than being on wifi. At 6pm you can go back into the virtual world.

2. Write a to-do-list for the week
This will give you a clear vision of what's to come. You will also realise what is important, urgent and not relevant.

3. Schedule things in your planner
After writing your to-do-list, grab your planner and write down the important dates and activities.

4. Meal prep
I plan my meals for the upcoming week. I will go through recipes and ask the people in the household, what they would like to eat. I cook my meals during the week.
If you don't have time in the week, then prepping your meals on a Sunday, will save you time, stress and money.

5. Plan your outfits
This will save you time and worries in the morning. You will also have extra 5 minutes to snooze.

6. Make time for self-care
Sundays are best to relax and do things that is good for your soul and for your body.

7. Go to bed early
It is important to have a good night of sleep so you can have enough energy to tackle the week ahead.

Happy organizing!

Goal setting is important to focus on what you want to achieve and on the things that matter. Remember to revisit your goals at least annually to check that they are still in line with your short-term and long-term vision.

There are 5 keys to goal setting:
1. Decide on a system, e.g. SMART goals
2. Your goals must be in writing.
3. Create an action plan to achieve your goals. Break it down into measurable actions.
4. Schedule these actions into your planner and to-do-list.
5. Stick with your goals. Remember why you set them.


I use the SMART-system when setting goals:
1. S = Specific
Goals must be clear and specific. Know what it is and how you can break it down into actions.
2. M = Measurable
You must allocate a measurement to your goals to monitor progress.
3. A = Attainable
Your goals must be achievable. If you cannot achieve it, you set yourself up for failure.
4. R = Relevant
Your goals must send you in the direction of achieving your vision. Therefore, the goals must be relevant to the vision.
5. T = Time-bound
A timeline must be allocated to your goals in order for you to measure whether you are on track with achieving your goals.

May you achieve your dreams and goals this year. Wishing you an amazing 2018.
Happy organizing!

Nice to have tools
1.       Surgical or plastic gloves to keep your hands protected and clean.
1.       Before going on a trip, get your car checked or where necessary, have it serviced.
1.       Be aware of your surroundings. Make sure it is safe.
1.       Get all your gear from the back of the car.

• Get the tyre block in place or place a heavy object against the front or back tyres to block possible vehicle movement forward or backwards.
• There is usually a mark behind the front wheels or in front of the rear wheels where the jack must be placed. Check that the jack is in contact with the metal portion of your car's frame.
• Raise the jack until it is supporting (but not lifting) the car. The jack should be firmly in place against the underside of the vehicle. 
• Loosen the lug nuts (counter-clockwise), but don’t remove them just yet.

  

• Lift the car with the jack. Use fluid, even strokes when lifting the car.
• You need to lift it high enough to remove the flat tyre and replace it with a spare.
• As you lift, make sure that the car is stable. If you notice any instability, lower the jack and fix the problem before fully lifting the car.
  
• Never put your body underneath a car lifted by a car jack in case the vehicle slips off.
  
  

Removing the tyre

• Take off the loosened lug nuts and put them to the side. Secure them safely so they will not scatter and roll away, especially in the dark.
  
• Remove the flat tyre. Do so slowly using both hands, lifting the wheel (on or off) with your hands in a 'ten minutes to four' position (or 'ten minutes past eight' if left-handed).
  
• Never place your hands directly under the wheel, or put your leg or any part of your body under the car while it's jacked up.
  
• Place the flat tyre under the vehicle so in the event of a jack failure the vehicle will fall on the old wheel, hopefully preventing injury.
  
• This will also ensure that the tyre doesn't roll away from you.
  
  

Fitting the spare tyre

• Glide the spare tyre onto the tyre bolts, pushing it back as far as it can go.
  
• Take care to align the rim of the spare tyre with the wheel bolts, and then put on the lug nuts.
  
• Tighten the nuts by hand as much as you can until they are all snug. 
  
• Put the lug nuts back on the tyre bolts in an alternating star pattern.
  
• Using the wrench, tighten the nuts as much as possible using a star pattern. To ensure the tyre is balanced, don't completely tighten the nuts one at a time. Going in a star pattern around the tire, one nut across from another, give each nut a full turn until they are equally tight.
  

Lowering the vehicle

• Remove the flat tyre from underneath the car.
  
• Slowly lower the vehicle and remove the jack.
  
• With the car back on the ground, you can now tighten the lug nuts.
  
• Rather than tightening them one by one in order, start with one lug nut, tighten it about 50%, move to the opposite nut (across the circle) and tighten that one about the same amount.
  
• Keep tightening opposite lug nuts gradually in turn until each lug nut is as tight as it can be.
  
• Press on the end of the wrench for the best leverage. You can even use your foot, but make sure to keep your balance and steady yourself against the car.
  
  

Clearing the scene

• Once the lug nuts are tightened, put your flat tyre and tools back in your trunk.
  
• Make sure you don't leave anything on the side of the road.
  
• Collect your emergency triangle or traffic cones.
  

I would highly recommend that you do a trial run on changing a tyre. Pick good weather and a good service when doing this. Changing a tyre for the first time is tricky and even more so when you are stressed about your safety while changing it. Be sure that you have all the tools, that you are safe and that you know what to do.

1.       Vacuum storage bags
2.       Vacuum cleaner
3.       Paper and pen if you don’t have a printer
The vacuum storage bags are excellent to keep bedding and clothes clean and in a good condition. It is a brilliant space saver.

Instructions:
1.       Add all the blankets, electric blankets and seasonal clothing to the vacuum storage bags.
2.       Write or print on the paper what is in the bag and add the paper to the storage bag.
4.       Store accordingly.



Happy organizing!