Stacie Rife Bailey's Bliss

10 foolproof ways to reduce clutter from idreamofclean.net

Found this information originally on Pinterest, which came from idreamofclean.net

I am sure there are several other great tips on this website to help organize! I found the following tips very useful and hope to put them to use ASAP!

Here are 10 foolproof ways to Evaluate, Eliminate, and Reduce Clutter:

1. Don’t keep it just because it’s sentimental.

If it’s sentimental but not useful, take a picture, showcase it in a beautiful frame and get rid of it! You and others can actually admire it on a daily basis rather than keeping the item tucked away in a closet.

2. Donate on a regular basis.

Keep a giveaway box at all times and then find a donation center to utilize. I’ve previously mentioned 10 ways you can sell or donate items to clean out your house and simplify your life.

3. Sell things you don’t need and make some extra cash in the process.

The link above lists a few avenues for making money on those little things cluttering up your home.

4. Don’t go shopping.

Seriously. Just don’t!

Easier said than done, right?!

There are certainly items that we really do need. If you are honest with yourself, though, the majority of purchases you make are probably unnecessary. You may shop for leisure. You might want to upgrade and get the latest and greatest gadget. You just have to buy that cute outfit because it’s a good deal!! I like shopping as much as the next person, but when I refrain, my house thanks me!

5. Use what you have.

This can be applied to so many aspects of our life (cooking, clothing, etc.) but let’s focus on home decor for the moment.

• Instead of buying new home decor, consider moving your furniture, knickknacks, blankets, etc. to a new location in your home.
• Use paint to bring new life to old furniture.
• Think up creative ways to re-purpose what you already have.

Sometimes a new arrangement can completely transform the look of a room.

6. Implement a trial period mentality.

We are in the process of putting our home on the market and one of the greatest (and hardest) things we’ve had to do is pack up some of our belongings for storage. We only kept the things we use on a daily basis. It’s surprising how many things I’ve been keeping around “just in case”. I’ve come to realize that I don’t need, want, or love any of those things.

If there’s something you’re hesitant about getting rid of, consider storing it in a special place for a specific time period. If you haven’t needed it by the end of that time, sell or donate it.

7. Keep a gift list.

If you’re family gives gifts at birthdays, Christmas, etc. and celebrating in an alternative way is not an option, keep a list of items you’d like to get as a gift. You know you’ll be receiving a gift at some point during the year so make sure that item is useful to you. If you buy everything that you want or need, the gift giver may struggle to find something for you and there’s a high probability that you’ll receive something that will just clutter your life and home. Have an ongoing list for when that special someone asks you what you want.

8. One thing in, One thing out.

This advise has been given time and time again. It seems so simple, yet it can easily be overlooked “just this once!” The things is, “just this once” becomes the norm rather than the exception.

You must be intentional about removing an item every time you bring something new into you home.

Keep a box or bag somewhere in your home to put items you no longer need. When the box is full, drive to the donation center or stick it in the yard sale corner of the garage. When you get a new black shirt, get rid of the old faded shirt. When your kids get a new toy, help them pick out a toy that they’ve outgrown. Be intentional.

9. See your “valuables” through someone else’s eyes.

Have a trusted friend come over to help you see your home as they do. Ask them what stands out and doesn’t look great in your home. Ask them to be honest and then TAKE their advise. If it doesn’t add value, give it away or sell it.

It may be hard, but you’ll be glad when the clutter is gone.

10. Get a new perspective.

Visit a homeless shelter, spend time with someone who’s been down on their luck, or even visit a third world country. When we personally invest in the life of someone who’s struggling for food, water and shelter on a daily basis, our “stuff” suddenly becomes less important and much easier to eliminate.

 

XOXO, Stacie

Very Touching

I am putting this post under the category of INSPIRATION... which is what it is...

please take a look at this clip...

I caught an interview with this remarkable man on TV last night.

It touched me so much.. not only what he has to say.. but the fact that he is dying from the same disease that took my Aunt.

He wrote a book "the last lecture"... one of which I have ordered and can't wait to read.

He talks about living our own dream.. AND...ENABLING OTHERS DREAMS.. I like that

Last night.. Diane Sawyer asked him..."will you want them to make a movie of your life?" He replied... "there is no one pretty enough to play my wife"

Teal Treats

A wonderful experience

There is so much I have wanted to write about,, but as you can tell from my previous post.. I just have so much going on...

What I have been wanting to share for quite some time now is an experience I recently had...

Almost a year ago a wonderful gal,Kristen Moffett contacted me after seeing my spread in Home Companion Magainze. She is in Seattle (local to me) and asked if I would be willing to help with a project at her children's school. Over the past year I have met with her and we made plans.

Her children attend St Alphonsus Catholic School in Ballard (Seattle) WA. As I also attended a catholic school growing up I felt an instant connection to this project. Every year they put on an auction to raise money for their school. In the auction each grade creates a project that is then auctioned off. (along with SEVERAL other items).

So a few months ago I came to their school, and taught the second graders an "art class" in which the project we created would be their auction project.

I went to the school prepared to teach them collage/mixed media with a twist on how we can use several things in everyday life by recycling them and using them in our own artwork. I taught them they are ALL artists.. in their own way, and there is NO right or wrong in collage. I brought them each their own little packet (which kids really dig this) filled with different things we could use for layers and textures.

Granted.. I had NEVER taught a class before in my life let alone teaching children.. but I came prepared and created the project before hand step by step to show them how each piece would look. All I can say is it was so worth the time & effort I put into it. They were so intrigued, and SO excited it was probably the best experience I've had. I have to say that I even impressed myself on my teaching abilities--especially with kids... it seems all you need to do is give them positive energy that they are doing a spectacular job and their faces light up and they are SO pleased with what they are creating! At even a second grade level they don't have all those preconceived notions that what they are doing "isn't good enough".. each student was so impressed with what they created! Something you can't buy was the look on their faces for each step we did!!! They loved it!

We created our SEVERAL (probably 6+) layer collage piece, and then each student drew their very own individual  angel that we printed onto transparency paper to adhere to the top of their finished collage piece.

Kristen had the pieces of work framed, and it was then ready for the auction block. She was such a doll, and bought tickets to the auction for my husband and I which was last weekend. It was SOOOOO well put together, I was absolutely amazed.  It was a nice sit down dinner with the entire placed decorated to the hilt, and also included a real live auctioneer (which I had never experienced before). There were so many items on the auction block! One of the items included ... something I would have never expected...

It was a BABY (12 wk old) Golden Retriever ... talk about MELTING MY HEART!!!!! My husband and I would have bid in a heartbeat if it would have been a girl (to get along better w/Scout) I guess lucky for us it was a boy doggie.

Here are pictures of the second graders final piece

The 2nd grade piece was near the end of the Auction, and since I had a part of it I was on the edge of my seat when it came up for auction. To my surprise my husband raised his bidding # to bid on the piece. He was IN AWE on the piece of ARTWORK it had turned out to be. I would have displayed it proudly in my living room without a doubt! To my ABSOLUTE surprise... the bidding went up over $500 (with my husband STILL bidding on it).. he had to stop his bidding at around $1,100 though..

GET THIS...

GOING ONCE..GOING TWICE... SOLDDDDD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER OF $2,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I could NOT believe it! and was sooooo proud of those kids!!!! The second graders got THE MOST for their created auction piece of all the grades.. even including the upper 7th and 8th grades!!!!! WE DID WELL, and I was so glad to be able to be there to see the final results!

It was such a great experience for me, 1-to work with the kids.. they were so great! 2-to use my "art" to benefit something great, 3-to be proud of what we created!

A few days ago I got an envelope in the mail, and it was filled with letters from the children.. it about brought me to tears... absolutely adorable....Each and every one of the children made me a "thank you" letter!!! I posted a few of them here,, but not all. They were just too cute, and SO thoughtful!

Not only that but their art teacher wrote me a nice little thank you, included photos, and also sent me a few Starbucks gift certificates (SO not necessary, but SO nice!!!!!)

I have already talked to Kristen about hopefully participating next year as well. It was such a wonderful experience that I would jump at the chance of doing it again!!!!

PEOPLE with PASSION and COM-PASSION

There is a gal I indirectly work with in my corporate day job.Her name is Bonnie Scriba. I have always been intrigued by her PASSION/COMPASSION for fighting for Breast Cancer. At first I thought possibly it was because she/herself was a survivor.. but I was wrong..

After getting to know her, she is one of the lucky ones whom breast cancer hadn't affected her life.. but in the same sentance.. it HAS affected her life.. only because she has allowed it to.. She devotes most of her spare time fighting for a cure for this widespread disease.

She is a wonderful woman,,, with a sense about her that would light up ANY room.. why??? Because she is PASSIONATE!

She is PASSIONATE about something..something that helps people....She participates in every Breast Cancer Event she can, while doing her OWN things to help the cause. Her most recent endeavor was the Seattle 3-Day Breast Cancer Walk.

Here is a picture of her on the 3-Day walk fundraiser in her supporting garb.

If you would like to see more pictures from the Seattle 3-Day Breast Cancer walk.. CLICK HERE

She also wrote a song for the occasion! (see below)

Download the_greatest_walkers_i_have_known.doc

When you have a conversation with her re:her cause.. she lights up! She is a woman who was somehow someway called upon. If you are a victum of Breast Cancer you are LUCKY to have her on your team! I know I would! :)

LETS GIVE IT UP for people WITH PASSION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Her compassion, passion, and energy is an inspiration to everyone who comes in contact with her.

Blueprint

I subscribed to Martha Stewart magazine for years (actually a gift subscription from my Grandmother).. although I really loved the magazine,(mostly the beautiful pictures) the recipes always seemed to call for an ingredient that I couldn't pronounce let alone even know where to find it in the grocery store or what the heck it was..so I failed to renew...

I recently have fell in love with her new publication BLUEPRINT, 

this is definitely one that I want a subscription to! The articles are ones I can relate to , the pictures and graphics are fabulous, and most of the ~how to~ articles are realistic (for me)

Here is a recent how to on making a scarf into a little purse

I really like this magazine, and would highly recommend picking it up and taking a peek!

Art and Life

I have a few subscriptions to magazines I get on a regular basis.. all of which I pull them out of the mail box and set them on the dining room table until I have a moment to browse through them. All except for ONE subscription called Art & Life published by the incredibly talented Teesha Moore

I cannot tell  you how much I look forward to this publication arriving at my doorstep. When Art & Life arrives I carry it and read it from front to back within a few hours devouring every page, every piece of art, and every word written! AND THEN.. read it all over again. I carry it everywhere I go for at least a week after receiving it and then it goes on the shelf with the other Art & Life Zines until it is grabbed again for reference,inspiration, or a dose of reality. Never to be thrown away.. or loaned out! (sorry friends)

Although there are wonderful contributions from other artists, I ESPECIALLY love Teesha's articles. They are SOOOOOO enlightening, and she writes in a way that totally makes sense... and makes me think.

She reminds me.. that WE are in control of our lives, our art, and what we choose to do with our spare time. NOTHING in life is easy and we have to work hard for what we want. For some people it may come easier than other's but if we try and try and TRY again, and pick ourselves back up when we fall.. we will succeed with PASSION backing us! This is what I get from Teesha's articles. Not only do they pertain to art, but everyday life. The title ART & LIFE truly represents itself.

In a recent article I recited to my husband.. word for word what Teesha had written. I swore.. what she had written.. she was talking about MY LIFE. But then I read it again... and then thought she is talking about MY Husband's LIFE---then again----OUR LIFE TOGETHER....

  Not only is Teesha an incredibly talented artist, but she speaks/writes in a way that relates to SO much, and to SO MANY PEOPLE!

Thank you Art & Life... and Thank you Teesha Moore.

If you don't have this publication.. I HIGHLY suggest it! I would never be without it!