I’m a big fan of all the productivity wired inside those tiny smart phones. We are regulars at our local Walgreens and their new app just makes everything so much easier. Refilling prescriptions, ordering photos right from your phone, coupons, weekly sales etc. When your items are ready, you receive a text or email to let you know– It’s just amazing! There are smart phone apps popping up for many pharmacy’s including Walgreens, Rite Aid and CVS, all available for iPhone & Android. Check the app store for your local pharmacy and add a little efficiency to your day!
Here’s a cool app for iPhone or iPad called Sincerely Ink Cards. You can create a card, choosing from a variety of different layouts, pop in your custom photo and send the card! No more deliberating on which card looks remotely personal from the grocery store aisle, now you can make it personal and unique with your own photo and message on a beautiful looking card. Check out Sincerely Ink Cards in the iTunes App store!
My personal Friday Favorite is without a doubt, the iPhone. Although the list of new and creative apps are never ending, there are some very basic applications that are an important part of my own daily routine. Here are the top ten reasons why I love my iPhone:
- iCal helps keep my entire family on schedule with frequent reminders to upcoming events.
- Mobile Me keeps all contacts and calendars perfectly synced with my computer.
- Alarm clock not only wakes me every day, but the timer keeps me on task for many things.
- Weather always gives me my morning update so I’ll be prepared for the day.
- Social Media tools allow me to post my daily organizing tips and status updates on the go.
- I love having family photos handy to take and share with great quality.
- I rely heavily on Maps because I’m navigationally challenged.
- Games keep my kids occupied when we’re out and waiting on something.
- The Find My iPhone app helps find my lost treasure on GPS or by signal to the couch!
- Did I mention it’s also my phone–hello!
The Holi-daze are in full swing, and this time of year more than ever, working off of a list is a must. We have card lists, gift lists, invitation lists, and to-do lists that seem never ending. So how do we manage all of these lists and what’s the best solution?
Try as I may to keep lists on the computer or phone, there’s something about that paper list! A mini spiral memo book works great as a continuous to-do list. You can also keep track of past items here by simply checking them off the list. Avoid using sticky notes; they fall off and are a constant source of clutter.
I do recommend keeping shopping/gift lists on your cell phone. I use an iPhone and notes or the free application called To-Do’s to keep a detailed list of what I plan to give each person on the list. When the item has been purchased, I put an x next to it to remind myself not to buy it again.
My best list-making time is early in the morning, late at night, or in the middle of the night (this is when I prefer to use my phone as a flashlight rather than a list-maker). When the day begins, I take the list and prioritize, sometimes rewriting it onto the computer or phone, but more often than not, I have that paper to-do list in my pocket.
As you can see, I remember nothing without my lists! It doesn’t matter what type you keep, just that you do keep track of what needs to get done, what your going to give, who your going to invite, etc… The more you rely on your lists, the less you’ll have to remember on your own!
By now most kids are back in school, or just getting ready to start. This is the time of year when organizational systems are put to the test. For my family, school started this past week and the deluge of papers and mail is amazing! I’m a professional organizer and it’s hard for me to keep up with it all, I can imagine what chaos must ensue when there aren’t systems in place. Here are some steps to keep the “flow” in your household:
Backpack/School Stuff Storage: Having a convenient place for kids to store backpacks, book bags and transient school stuff is a must. A closet shelf or cubby is best. Hooks for coats, bags etc. are also a necessity. If you want your entry to be functional, you must have places to store these items. In my last house, I had a small entryway with stairs to the basement right at the back door. Since there was no room right nearby, I created a “school stuff room” at the bottom of the stairs. It was complete with bench, hooks, bulletin board, shelving, even a homework table. Once the kids got in the habit of walking down the stairs to unpack, my back door was no longer a traffic jam.
School Year Files: Create a file at the start of each year for your child’s current grade. Keep all important papers in the file, adding new papers at the back of the folder. At the end of the year, sit with your child and go through the papers determining what to hold on to and what to get rid of. Then put the file in a bankers size keepsake box. Over time, you will have a nice organized keepsake box of each school year.
Family Calendar: This time of the year there’s a million dates to add to the calendar. Sports and clubs are starting and the school usually comes out with dates for the entire year. Spend some time inputting all of these dates into your family calendar (I use iCal and my iPhone, it’s awesome to be able to sync our phones and computers so everyone can see the same schedule, and be reminded of upcoming events).
Bulletin Board:A centrally placed bulletin board with important messages and events is also a great way to keep everyone in the household informed as to what the day’s activities are.
Now is the perfect time to get systems in place and routines created to have an organized year ahead!
