There are a lot of people who believe the Seven Dwarfs were onto something—whistling while they worked. Music has a strong effect on us. It can lift our spirits, get us dancing to the beat, or even cause serious reflection. So is music a good way to improve your work and your outlook? Sure it …
Celebrate National Book Month
October 1, 2012It’s National Book Month. Treat yourself with a new book and rediscover your love for reading. You may even consider cracking open that old favorite and reading it to a child. See if they love it as much as you do. You’ll be surprised how little it takes to open minds, broaden understanding, and encourage …
Autumn Onset – Chores
September 24, 2012Getting your home ready for the winter takes some time, with several small things that can add up quickly. Putting these tasks on your calendar in advance can help you get them done in order, letting you enjoy autumn without paying for it with an emergency chore weekend when winter weather hits. Here are some …
Paperwork Organization
September 17, 2012With the start of school, suddenly we have to dig out required documents and paperwork again, searching through our filing systems for birth certificates and immunization records. If your filing system makes this a challenge, start simple. Add some colored file folders to your cabinet, and use a specific color for each category. For example, …
Scheduling Family Dinner
September 3, 2012With all the distractions of today’s busy families, it can be difficult to schedule time for family dinner. But if possible, set aside a half-hour together as a family for eating and talking about the day. As you do, remember to keep it positive – if it turns into an airing of grievances, your kids …
Study Space
August 27, 2012With so many aspects of life interconnected and crisscrossed with distractions, making a dedicated study space can help you focus on learning. Select a well-lit quiet corner of your home, then stock it with everything you need for studying – pencils, notepads, highlighters, etc. If you don’t have space at your home, you can put …
Healthy Lunch
August 20, 2012If you’re thinking of eating healthier and saving money, lunch is a great place to start. The site Accounting Principals surveyed 1,000 people and found that each year, the average American spends $1,092 on morning coffee and $1,924 on going out to lunch. That’s more than $3,000 – think of the groceries that you could …
Locker Organization
August 13, 2012With so many students crammed into today’s schools, there’s a premium on limited locker space, even when doubled up. So instead of piling up books and digging through them for each class, think magnetic. Putting a Magnetic Bin on the inside of the locker door gives you a space to store small things like pens, …
Note-Taking
August 6, 2012In the age of Google and smart phones, we have seemingly limitless information at our fingertips. But when it’s test time and the phone goes away, then we have to rely on what we have stored in our own brains. Taking notes during class lectures not only helps you prepare your brain through further study, …
Battery Back-Up
July 30, 2012Whether you’re going out for a full day of school or heading home for the weekend, keeping the batteries charged in your devices can make all the difference in your day. But rather than carrying around a coiled charger cord, there are several other options for keeping things powered. Using battery pack cases can more than …
Write It Down
July 23, 2012If you find that you’re going through one hectic day after another, switching between email, calendars, work software, and the internet so often that you forget where you are – it might be time to use a day planner. Having your schedule separate from your screen can help refresh your attention as you go through …
Travel Light
July 16, 2012If you’re heading home from college for the weekend, make it easy on yourself and pack light. First, take all of your unneeded schoolwork and supplies out of your backpack to make room for your Hanging Toiletry Kit. Then plan ahead – select your outfits for the time you’ll be down there, fold them nicely, and …
Laundry in the Dorm
July 9, 2012Life is different when you have to share washing machines. When heading down to the laundry room, take your clothes, washing machine supplies, and room key (you don’t want to be locked out). Sort your clothes and pre-treat any stains, then check the soap and bleach dispensers before you load and start the machine – if …
Cookbook Organization
July 2, 2012Recipes can be a mess sometimes, especially if the non-cook tries to take over when the cook is out of action and messes up the filing system. Help keep that from happening with Avery binders and file organizers. Simply fill a 1” Binder with all of your recipes – you can punch holes in full-sized paper recipes, …
Party Favors
June 25, 2012Summer is full of parties – barbecues, family reunions, weddings, bridal and baby showers, bachelor parties, you name it. Before you head off to your latest shindig, consider a small gift for your host from among our most affordable organizing options: The Nantucket Pen– a stylish writing instrument Inspirational Quote Magnet– perfect for milestone events …
Get More Out of Your Travel
June 18, 2012With the right preparation, your travel time can be easier to enjoy. You can breeze through airport security by wearing shoes that are easy to remove and put on. Keep your laptop where it’s easy to access so you can get it out and replace it quickly. (The right travel bag can make that easier.) …
Organizing Your Small Spaces
June 11, 2012Keeping small spaces orderly can be a real challenge. The trick is to decide what must be there and establish places for each thing. Creating zones for each item or category makes the space feel much larger. If your recipe books and organizers are always in the same place with bookends to keep them from …
Selecting a Father’s Day Gift
June 4, 2012When it comes to selecting a Father’s Day gift, one of the first tests is whether the gift is practical. That’s why the necktie has such staying power – for generations, everyone knew that Dad needed a necktie to wear to the office. Now, of course, workplaces have moved beyond the necktie, and it’s time …
Alternate Food Packaging
May 30, 2012Buying food in bulk can lead to some great deals. But then you have a different challenge: do you put the huge box of Lucky Charms on your desk, or just take one floppy plastic bag at a time? Luckily, just because your food comes in a box, it doesn’t mean it has to stay …
Lunch Break Ideas
May 28, 2012If you feel like your work tasks are swirling around inside your skull, there’s a simple solution – take an actual lunch break. Get up from your desk, grab your lunch, and take it outside to eat in the sunshine. Taking the time away from the electronic stimulation of your computer can give your brain …
