I like to plan my week on a Sunday night. I make myself a cup of tea and get out my diary plus a note pad and pen. Since I prefer to clean my house and grocery shop on a Monday, this planning on a Sunday night really helps set up my week. Depending on the weather, and how may afternoon/evening activities we have, I decide what meals I have time to make fresh on the day and what really needs to be prepped in advance.

As I work from home, I first look at the appointments already scheduled in and then plan what work commitments need to be achieved this week. The spaces around these days and times usually get filled in with errands or kids activities. If I have a crazy busy week, my meal planning is based around those busy days. Then leftovers meals or made ahead meals mean I save time in the kitchen. I do enjoy cooking but some days when I arrive home late, it’s just not preferable to be in the kitchen any longer than I have to.

Why plan your week?

With the hectic lifestyles we currently have, it seems like each week is coming and going at lightning speed. We are just so busy doing our usual routine that we forget the extras that need to be done from time to time. Like arranging a costume for your child for book week (eek!). Or that dentist appointment that you meant to book 4 months ago.

How to plan your week.

Firstly you will need to look at your calendar or diary to see what work commitments, deadlines, appointments, task and activities you already have booked in.

Then jot down the tasks that you need to complete this week (and any leftover from last week) and see where you can schedule them in. Making sure you prioritise them in order of importance.

Then you can decide whether any meals need to be planned in advance for those days where you are getting home too late to prepare anything from scratch.

And lastly some tips.

* Be flexible if things don’t always go to plan to avoid any extra stress.
* Check your schedule the night before so you can make sure your alarm is set early (if needed) or uniforms/clothing/school lunches are prepared in advance.
* Be realistic on time frames and make allowances for delays such as appointments running over time or traffic issues.
* Group tasks together if they are in similar locations to avoid time wasted in traffic.

And most importantly, plan in family time or down time to make sure you get some much needed rest!

See you next time!

Mei x

For helpful tips, advice, humour and inspiration on getting organised, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media – click on the links below.

[ninja_form id=10]

Do you regularly plan your week? Send me a comment as I’d love to hear from you 🙂

Do you have one of those wardrobes where the coat hangers range from wire to flimsy plastic and everything in between? Have your coat hangers snapped or bent out of shape when a heavy coat has hung for too long? Do they get stuck together making a tangled mess?

There is a better way.

Finding one coat hanger that can take all your different types of clothes, will not only keep your clothes hanging nicely, but keep them in good condition too. A hanger that offers non slip ends to stop clothing falling off, rounded shoulders to keep clothing in good shape and hooks to hold strappy tops in place is definitely the way to go. Having the ability to hang skirt and trousers is an extra bonus. But I know it’s difficult to find that one ideal coat hanger for every type of clothing (and budget). So using specialised hangers for skirts and trousers, or wooden hangers for your heavy items, will keep them at their best and is money well spent.

Look after your clothing.

When you think of how much money you pay for your clothing, you want to ensure that these items stay in the best possible condition for as long as possible. Hanging them right can avoid pulls in fabric, stretching out of shape and tears and holes from wire coat hangers poking through. But most importantly, hanging them all together (hopefully organised by clothing type/colour etc) helps you see all those beautiful items you love to wear. Making getting ready each morning that little bit easier.

I find that most clothing can hang from a good quality plastic hanger without being overly expensive. This is a simple job that can be done in a couple hours over the weekend plus you can sort and de-clutter at the same time. Or why not get your girlfriends together for a glass of wine and a fashion parade. Pull everything out of your wardrobe, decide what clothing to keep & then hang it right.

Storing your clothing together with the same hangers will make your wardrobe look so much more organised plus it’s a real space saver too.

See you next time!

Mei x

For helpful tips, advice, humour and inspiration on getting organised, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media – click on the links below.

[ninja_form id=10]

Is your wardrobe in need of matching coat hangers – or a delutter? Send me a comment as I’d love to hear from you 🙂

The statements on the Original Space Bags packaging promises so much:

‘Store 4x more that in boxes and bins!’        ‘Airtight, waterproof, reusable’         

‘Protects against insects, dirt, mildew and odours’

‘Compress, protect, organise’          ‘Easy to store and stack!’

This is why space bags are so popular and why I love to use them. There will always be a need to store items that aren’t used all the time. Like extra bedding for when guests arrive. Or hand me down clothing from one sibling to another when they aren’t quite at the right size yet.

Simple to use.

The instructions aren’t that difficult to follow although two people are sometimes needed to secure the zip in those large space bags that store doona’s and pillows. But the space they save is truly amazing. And it can be quite satisfying when a large bag shrinks down to a quarter of its size in the blink of an eye. My trick is to fill and close the bag as instructed, then place it into the tub or area it will be stored in. This way, when you vacuum the air out, you can press it into the edges of the space to ensure it fits perfectly within, with no wasted space. I’ve stored baby clothes this way and made the initial mistake of trying to fit an already compressed bag into a storage tub – don’t do it.

Different space bags.

The larger bags are great for doona’s and pillows. The medium and large sized are best for winter jumpers and seasonal clothing while not in use. The hanging space bags are ideal for suits, coats or dresses. Then there are the travel space bags which are my favourites. We are a family of pillow travellers and don’t really go anywhere without them. The travel space bags don’t need a vacuum as they easily roll up to get rid of the excess air. They aren’t just great for pillows though, they are perfect for saving space in your suitcase. Take them along on your next holiday to ensure you have room for those purchases you want to bring home.

Their strong air tight seal helps prevent damage to your items while they are being stored. With them being reusable, they are well worth the investment!

See you next time!

Mei x

For helpful tips, advice, humour and inspiration on getting organised, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media – click on the links below.

[ninja_form id=10]

Do you use space bags in your home? Send me a comment as I’d love to hear from you 🙂

Well it’s that time of the year again. Love it or loathe it, spring cleaning is a task that will definitely make you feel better as you clean away the dust and grime that has built up. While you’re at it, why not de-clutter and get rid of those things you haven’t used since last spring?

Do it right.

Spring cleaning doesn’t mean endless hours of more cleaning. There are certainly jobs that can be done in stages. Or some that can be added to your weekly clean without you even noticing… much. Or do it room by room if you don’t have the time to get it all done in a weekend.

Effective Cleaning.

In my Effective Cleaning workshops, I discuss four different types of cleaning. There is your weekly clean which will leave your home neat, tidy and organised. The quick clean is great for when you only have 20 min to tidy up. The seasonal clean is perfect for the change of each season (or during school holidays and getting the kids to help). And the annual clean is something that should be done to prevent that unsightly build up of dirt and dust.

WEEKLY CLEAN: set your oven timer or digital timer & get started –
• grab a laundry basket & collect all items laying around, returning them to where they should be
• load & start the dishwasher & washing machine
• spray all countertops, surfaces & toilets & leave it to soak in
• start in the first room dusting from top to bottom, wipe surfaces, make bed or straighten furniture then vacuum (check out my last blog post about How a Vacuum Cleaner Extension Cord Can Help You)
• move onto next room & repeat
• mop all floor surfaces

QUICK CLEAN: for when guests are coming over without much notice –
• grab a laundry basket & collect all the items laying around
• apply toilet cleaner to the toilet bowl & give a quick scrub
• wipe down bathroom bench tops & get rid of streaks on mirrors
• wipe down kitchen countertops
• vacuum high traffic areas
• wipe over visible stains on floors with damp towel
• straighten sofa cushions & books or magazines
• open some windows to give your home a fresh clean smell

SEASONAL CLEAN: school holidays is a great reminder to do some seasonal cleaning…why not get the kids to help?
• clean windows
• clean oven
• clean under fridge
• clean under lounge chairs
• sort & clean pantry (do this just before bin collection day)
• sort & clean fridge & freezer (do this just before bin collection day)
• sort & clean cabinets
• clean bins
• general de-clutter (check out my blog post How To De-clutter Everything)
• wash pillows & blankets
• wipe over skirting boards
• wipe off grubby wall marks

ANNUAL CLEAN: for those jobs that just need to be done –
• upholstery treatments (hire someone to do this if you can)
• steam clean carpets (hire someone to do this if you can)
• wash curtains
• clean exhaust fans & range hood

The jobs in the checklists above aren’t too in depth (no cleaning silver or waxing furniture) as I like to keep it simple and realistic. With the way life is at the moment I know most people struggle with a weekly clean let alone a spring clean.

But, getting these jobs done throughout the year will help keep your home and possessions in good condition.

See you next time!

Mei x

For helpful tips, advice, humour and inspiration on getting organised, subscribe to my newsletter or follow me on social media – click on the links below.

[ninja_form id=10]

Do you regularly spring clean your home? Send me a comment as I’d love to hear from you 🙂