Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

Summer is Here! What's On Your Patio?

It’s Summer in the South! Time to dust off those patio chairs, grab a glass of sweet tea, and transform your outdoor space into a cozy haven where the good times roll. Keep it simple and clutter-free with these tips!

Y'all, can you feel that warm breeze? Hear those birds chirpin' and see those fireflies twinkle at dusk? That's right—it's summer in the South! Time to dust off those patio chairs, grab a glass of sweet tea and transform your outdoor space into a cozy haven where the good times roll. Whether you're a seasoned porch sitter or a patio party enthusiast, we've got all the inspiration you need to make your summer simple and clutter-free. So, put on your favorite pair of flip-flops, and let's get this patio party started!

One of the best ways to create a clutter-free patio is to keep it cozy. Add a comfy sofa or set of chairs with fluffy cushions. Consider investing in versatile pieces that can easily adapt to different occasions. Choose materials that are low maintenance and weather-resistant, ensuring durability and longevity for years to come. 

Clutter can take away from the serenity of your patio. To keep your outdoor space clutter free incorporate multi-functional furniture with hidden compartments such as benches or coffee tables. Use stylish storage bins or baskets to stow away cushions, blankets, and other outdoor items when they’re not in use. Having designated storage spots allows you to maintain a clutter-free environment and be ready to relax at a moment’s notice.

Greenery is a must-have for any outdoor space if you don’t have enough already. Add some Southern charm to your patio with potted plants or hanging baskets. You could also add a trellis for climbing plants with ivy or jasmine for a natural privacy screen. For the finishing touch add lanterns or string lights to create a magical atmosphere for a cocktail or two in the evening.

Above everything else less is more, keeping it simple and clutter-free allows you to sip your sweet tea without a care in the world. Cheers to a summer filled with fun and relaxing memories!

WHAT DOES YOUR PATIO LOOK LIKE?


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Stress Solutions Martha Carol Stewart

How Your Clutter is Affecting Your Mental Health

Is it really that terrible to have a messy home?

Psychology Today reports:

“Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, distracts us, makes it more difficult to relax, makes us anxious, signals our brains that our work is never done, creates feelings of guilt, inhibits productivity, and frustrates us.”

Is it really that terrible to have a messy home?

Psychology Today reports:

“Clutter bombards our minds with excessive stimuli, distracts us, makes it more difficult to relax, makes us anxious, signals our brains that our work is never done, creates feelings of guilt, inhibits productivity, and frustrates us.”

  1. It distracts us.

    You want to focus on doing one task, but see the clutter from the corner of your eye, calling for your attention… Next thing you know you’re cleaning up instead of doing the task you wanted to do.

    DO THIS: Clean your space after every use so you start a new day, clutter-free!

  2. It makes it difficult to relax.

    Our environment affects our mood. Clutter is not conducive to a relaxing environment. This frustrates us and stresses us out because we have a visual reminder that our home is not the way we want it to be.

    DO THIS: Designate your room of relaxation as a clutter-free zone. Make a house rule that any other room can get messy except for this one.

  3. It makes us anxious.

    Clutter can make you feel like you’ve lost control of your home because you’ve “let things get away from you,” and now there’s this huge pile of things out of place. It would have been easier to sort through a few items here and there over time, but now you have one giant pile haunting you.

    DO THIS: Ask someone for help to categorize the clutter into groups that you can tackle one by one.

  4. It creates feelings of guilt.

    Do you often criticize yourself and think, “I should be more organized?” That’s the guilt talking. Not everyone is born with the gift or taught the skill of organizing so you can’t expect to magically be organized without first developing the skill.

    DO THIS: Allow yourself to improve your organization skills over time, and to create an organized system for one room at a time.

  5. It inhibits productivity.

    Instead of getting through our to-do lists, we add clutter to the list and create more work for ourselves.

    DO THIS: Give your items a home and be sure to put things back in their homes after use so you don’t waste time looking for them or putting them back at a later time.

If you feel like your clutter has been affecting your mental health, let’s have a conversation.


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Notes from Martha-Carol Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol Martha Carol Stewart

The Benefits of Bins

The O in the Chaos Organizing Method Acronym means ORGANIZE! And the best way to organize is using BINS!! Why? Here are a few reasons.

The benefits of organizing bins:

The O in the Chaos Organizing Method Acronym means ORGANIZE! And the best way to organize is using BINS!!! 

Why? Here are a few reasons:

•   Bins gives items a home. Yes, a home where people will know exactly where to find the item when needed saving one from wasting time and having added frustration! Well, that is if it gets put away in said home.

•   Bins create boundaries! If you have a bin of pens and that bin is overflowing and spilling, then you know it’s time to purge or reassess the home for pens.  This is the same for shoes, t-shirts, earrings, handbags, coozies, snacks or anything else you have in your home.

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•   Bins can be pretty. Bins can be used to hide unsightly clutter that you don’t want people to see. Baskets for throw blankets, pretty containers for cords or remotes, colored bins for  personal hygiene items in a bathroom are all great examples of bins hiding items that we don’t necessarily want guests to notice.

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•   Clear bins cut down on wasted time. They are helpful because you can see when items need replenishing. I particularly like to use clear bins in my pantry, so I can quickly assess what I need to add to my grocery list.

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•   Bins with air tight lids can keep your food products away from bug infestation. All of my dry goods are in air tight containers

•   There are bins specifically made to weather proof items, so your garage can be organized too! No dust or moisture will penetrate these bins and your items will be safe.

We hope that some of our favorite bins make your Spring Cleaning Amazon List!


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart

The Art of Pantry Organization

Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste.

A well-organized pantry is a key ingredient for a successful kitchen. It is one of the most essential aspects of kitchen organization that is often overlooked. Not only does it make meal prep easier, but it also saves time and money by preventing food waste and overbuying. A well-organized pantry ensures that you can easily find what you need and that nothing goes to waste. However, keeping your pantry organized can be daunting, especially if you have limited space. Let’s explore three essential tips for pantry organization that will help streamline your kitchen and make your life easier.

Group Similar Items Together

The first step in pantry organization is to group similar items. This means keeping all canned goods in one spot, all baking supplies in another, etc. This method makes it easy to find what you need and helps you keep track of what you have. When you can easily see all your canned goods in one place, you'll be less likely to buy duplicates, saving you money. Win-Win. For example, you could use baskets or bins to corral items that don't stack well, like snacks or spices. And make sure you use labels!

Utilize Vertical Space

Another key to pantry organization is utilizing vertical space. Most pantries have shelves that are too far apart, wasting valuable storage space. Consider adding additional shelves by purchasing shelf risers or installing adjustable shelving. This will allow you to store smaller items, like spices or snacks, on the top shelf and more oversized items, like cereal boxes or canned goods, on the bottom. You can even use the back of your pantry door to hang a spice rack or over-the-door organizer for additional storage. It's a great way to maximize your space and make the most out of your pantry.

Rotate Your Stock

Finally, you must rotate your stock regularly to prevent food waste. This means putting newly purchased items in the back of your pantry and moving older items to the front. Doing this will ensure that you use older items before they expire and prevent them from getting lost in the back of your pantry. Additionally, consider keeping a running list of pantry staples so you know what you need to purchase before you run out. This will help you avoid overbuying and ensure you always have what you need.

Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste. With a little effort, you can transform your pantry into a well-organized space that will make your life easier in the long run. Remember, a well-organized pantry is not only aesthetically pleasing but will also save you time and money in the long run. So, take the time to organize your pantry today and reap the benefits for years to come or at least until you buy more groceries.


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart

ORGANIZING YOUR HOME OFFICE

Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter

ORGANIZE YOUR HOME OFFICE

Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter. When we work from home, we tend to accumulate things, and if we're not careful, our home office can quickly become a mess. Let’s Use the C.H.A.O.S. Method to get you started!

Categorize

Categorize your paper work: medical bills, electric bills, invoices, receipts, etc. Put it in stacks in categories. If it’s junk mail, why is it in your office? Chuck it.

Helpful or Hurtful

Decide what you need to keep, what can be tossed and what can be filed. Keep, Toss, File. Pick One.

Action

Put your items in their respective new home. Pro tip-Keep things you need access to nearby so you don’t have to go hunting for it later.

Organize

Make sure everything is labeled.

Simplify

Set a timer each day for 5-10 minutes to go through your papers and your desk will stay organized.

Decluttering your home office can be daunting, but it's well worth the effort. By starting small, using storage solutions, and creating a system, you can transform your workspace into a clean, organized, and functional environment.

Take the time to declutter your ho


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