K is for Kit

This year is already flying by so fast. I blinked and see that I am behind again in Lottie’s Finishing School challenges. This doesn’t mean I haven’t been conscious, every day, of all the things already learned in A to J. This challenge came at a perfect time for me too…. so what is the challenge?

K is for Kit … “Find a space which can be yours for your beauty routine. Obviously a dressing table is ideal but it can be anywhere else.  You can use a bathroom counter, a random table, a chest of drawers, a desk, anywhere where you can find a bit of space just for you.“

In our old house we had a really small bathroom that you could barely move in. Cupboard space was limited. I would carry my makeup into the bathroom, when I could be bothered (which was only when going into the office or going out), and then carry it back to the bedroom when done. Now I’m blessed with a bathroom where I have my own cupboards and even my own sink.

So if I have my own space already then why did this challenge come at a perfect time? I have a 12yo daughter!

This is a before shot of my cupboard where you can see things have been knocked over from where she has reached in to raid my make up. I also had some old makeup and lotions & potions that I needed to sort through and throw out.

We don’t have drawers so I have small trays that I use for different purposes like hair accessories, medications, and hair products. This is the after shot which is a lot more organized.

Christmas 09 Hub gave me a makeup caddy which I have now moved closer to the front. The great thing about the caddy is that I know exactly where everything is…. and when it’s missing!

Do you have a special place for your Kit? Or any tips to make your beauty routine easier?

Festive Friday – Gifts and Giving Week

Welcome to Festive Friday…. well it’s still Friday somewhere in the world. If you’re just joining in the fun we have been following the Christmas Countdown workshop by Organized Christmas. Last week was Reality Check week where we created more lists of what needed to be done around the home, started a shopping list, reviewed our budget etc. This week the gift preparations really start with Gifts and Giving week.

Day 14 – Decor De-clutter

• This was the day to put away knick-knacks, clear surfaces ready for holiday decorations. Thankfully, in a way, we haven’t completely unpacked all our dust collectors yet so there wasn’t much to clear off.
• Check everything you need to set the holiday table. I don’t have much in the way of Christmas linen so I have added it to the shopping list to keep an eye out for any bargains between now and Christmas. Since we’ll have a number of people over I might get some good quality “disposable” plates so that they can be washed and reused.
• Hair appointments are booked.

Day 15 – Gifts and Giving

• Refine the master gift list and begin purchasing 1/5 of the gifts. We have managed a few items throughout the week.
• Start organizing a list of gifts to make. I  have an idea of 1 gift to make which I can’t reveal on here, and also an idea of a little something extra to make for everyone as part of the gift tags. Watch this space in the coming weeks for a “how-to”.
• Stocking stuffers can be purchased throughout the year, and there’s a handy list to keep track of what you have on hand. However if your little ones are like mine then there’s no chance of keeping anything hidden for long.
• There’s a handy gift planner for when grandparents call to ask what to get for Christmas. I’m going to use this to mark down who’s giving what cause we always double up.
• Get the kids involved with the child’s gift list. Here they can not only write down what they would like, but also what they want to give to others.

Day 16 – Renegotiate Gift Exchanges

• We are still in negotiations with family on the guidelines for this year. Hopefully that will be sorted this weekend so I can catch up. Sometimes I think those negotiations can be the most stressful thing about Christmas. Some want to just give to kids but then some don’t have any kids, others still want to get something for everyone.

Day 17 – Get Organized for Catalog Shopping

• As much as we hate getting catalogs, now is the time to start flicking through them to get ideas.
• Don’t forget to start any internet orders. I have learned this week that while the AUD is great, the cost of postage is huge if you want your order to be here before Christmas.

Day 18 – Set up a Wrap and Mail Center

• Every year I get a sore back and/or legs from a marathon gift wrapping session on Christmas eve. This year I will take this advise and set up a place where I can wrap gifts as they are purchased.
• The wrap and mail checklist is a list of all the items you could ever need … tape, wrapping paper, gift bags, ribbons, tags, etc.

Day 19 – Simplify Hand Made Gifts

• Be realistic about how much time you have to make gifts.
• Write up a list of handmade gifts and start making 1/4 this week. I shall be getting supplies this weekend.

Day 20 – Status Check

• Wow! we are at the half way point. A lot has been planned but there is still a lot more to do.
• Today is all about preparing Thanksgiving dinner. Since we don’t celebrate here in Oz I will just review what needs to be done this weekend.

Week 4 is Get Cooking Week!

Time to think about what will be on the menu…. a traditional hot dinner or seafood and salad? Every year I dream of making rum balls, Christmas slice, coconut ice, gingerbread….and every year I don’t make any. Hopefully I can be organized enough so I have time to make a little something this year. My Mother-in-Law always makes a lovely pudding. I’m getting hungry just thinking about it!

Before I sign off, today I discovered Lisa’s blog Outside of the Box which is updated daily with some wonderful gift ideas.

Until next Friday…

 

 

 

 

 

Scaredy Cat Challenge #2 – done and dusted

Did you know I actually finished this Scaredy Cat Challenge nearly 2 weeks ago? I felt so miserable afterwards that I wasn’t sure how to write about it. This challenge was a monster for me. Check back here for a reminder on how it all started.

On Sat (18/07) while G was away at her Grans for the weekend I decided I was going to face it head on. I started by doing 45mins cleaning & unpacking with 15mins rest, reading Twilight. Then the 15mins reading grew as I couldn’t put the book down. I was even resetting the timer! I decided the only way I was going to finish her room, and enjoy my book, was to marathon clean first, read later.  

After over 11 hours I had cleaned her mess bedroom floor first, unpacked 12 boxes, thrown out 9 bags of rubbish, and made up 2 boxes to go to charity.

I worked myself until I could no longer stand up which I know is not the FlyLady way. But this was all or nothing. Either I sort all her things and organise it or she would have nothing left as it would all go in the rubbish.

When I finished I was really proud of myself and a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I thought G would be happy too but when she came home all she said was that she wanted the mess back the way it was….and the boxes may now be unpacked but the mess is slowly coming back. I’m now working on an agreement with her to make cleaning a daily routine…just for 2mins.