There are lots of great reasons to treat your children (even your youngest kiddos) as accountable, active participants at home by giving them both family jobs and money earning jobs. Here are a few of our favorites: It gives them a sense of respect and awareness for their surroundings It instills in them a healthy relationship with "stuff" and stops entitlement in it's tracks It teaches work ethic It provides them with a sense of belonging that comes only through contributing It … [Read more...]
10 Best Ways To Organize Art Supplies
I recently mentioned my newly rekindled desire to set up a tinkering/creation station in our new house for the kids. So - of course - I had to put our resident professional organizer on the job to make sure I had all the resources I needed to get it done right. Here's Annie with her ideas on how to create a beautifully functional and organized art space for your kiddos. P.S. Creating a space like this is also IDEAL for using with our free summer B.O.R.E.D. printable. School's out for … [Read more...]
Strategies for Simplifying Household Laundry + Free Printable
Ugh, laundry - why does this one chore seem to take up my entire life?! And if I thought it was bad before, now that we're a family of five I feel like I'm swimming in dirty clothes. Luckily our resident professional organizer, Annie, is here today with 8 ideas on how to finally get it under control. Keeping your family in clean clothes can be easier than you think. Here are 8 easy tips you can implement immediately. 1. Make a schedule Rather than assuming you'll make time for laundry … [Read more...]
How to Organize Photos Like a Professional Organizer: POYEL
Our post on How to Store Your Digital Photos Like a Professional Photographer was so popular that we decided to follow it up with another Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life post on how to organize print photos from our resident professional organizer, Annie. She's got a fool-proof 5 part process you're sure to love! While the majority of us have shifted into the digital realm most households still have a stockpile of family pictures. Printed at the local drugstore some several years ago, … [Read more...]
Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life: Entryway Organization
(photo by ...love Megan, text added by MPMK) We're continuing our month-long pursuit of a better 2014 with another Project Organize Your ENTIRE Life post and more design tips from our in-house professional organizer, Annie. Last week she shared her Principles of an Organized Playroom and today she's divulging her three must-haves for entryway organization. (Don't forget to check out the end of this post for links to all of this month's helpful how-tos.) The importance of a well-organized … [Read more...]
POYEL: Organizing Children’s Books
Hi friends, I know I promised you a big eBook reveal today but, alas, technical difficulties have arisen. Hopefully all will be well and back on track soon. Until then - here's Annie with a new POYEL project! We know it can be difficult for many people (read: parents) to part with treasured children’s books, even if their kids have long since outgrown them. Children's books are one of the few instances in which I just can't condemn such sentimental attachments to material belongings; I have a … [Read more...]
How To Organize Sewing Kits & Spare Buttons (+ Free Printable)
MPMK's own professional organizer, Annie, is back today with our latest Project Organize Your Entire Life installment. Creating an orderly sewing repair kit probably isn't at the top of anyone's to-do list but it sure does come in handy when the button pops of your favorite fall coat. I'm loving Annie's clever tricks for keeping all those spare buttons and thread packs organized and accessible. There's even a free printable at the end, which is always a bonus. A good place to start with … [Read more...]
What To Do To Prepare For Travel Departure (with Free Printable)
Summer is the time of travel, which can be great, but also a bit trying. So over the next week or two, we'll be featuring ways to increase the fun, decrease the stress. Kicking us off today is Annie with tips for getting your home and life set for your return before you leave. Plus, there's a free printable - so be sure to read all the way to the end! There's a lot to think about when it comes to planning for travel. All too often, the focus is solely on packing for trips and travel … [Read more...]