This time next year, many will be walking down that aisle and saying "I DO".   But how do you get to that special day?  You plan, you organize.  There are so many factors involved in planning a wedding that it requires careful preparation to avoid any problems.  You should begin preparing, if possible, a year ahead of time.

Here are some suggestions to help:

TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE -

• Proudly announce your engagement to family and friends so they can share this special occasion right along with you.
• Work on a budget to determine how much you can afford to spend.  In order to avoid over-spending, this is critical.
• Choose a location (whether it's a house of worship, reception hall or on an island). 
• Begin to compile a preliminary guest list to give you a basic idea of who you would like to invite. 
• Decide who you would like to have participate in your Wedding.  (brides maids, maid or matron of honor, groomsmen, best man (or men), ring bearer, flower girl, etc.)  Who will be escorting you down the aisle?  It doesn't have to be traditional.  It's your wedding; you can plan it however you chose.
• Begin shopping for your wedding gown.  Buy some wedding magazines to get an idea about what style of gown you would like.  Then, go to the store and try some on just to get an idea what looks best on you.  (Bring your best friend for a second opinion and make an afternoon of it!)
• Purchase a wedding planner/journal.  This will help you plan out the following year and keep pertinent information at your fingertips.  If you'd like, use a basic calendar to keep track of important dates and appointments.  (photographer, fittings, florist, etc.)

In the coming weeks, I will provide you with additional tips to help you plan and organize that special day right up to the day of the Wedding.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help.

Now that school is in full swing, the kids are already bringing home the artwork that they created in school.  Especially in the early school years, these activities will stimulate your children and help them grow.

No matter how simple or complex, usually these "masterpieces" are brought home and proudly displayed on the fridge or the walls.  However, how do you handle all of it when it starts to take over the home?

Here are some suggestions:

NO NEED TO KEEP EVERY "MASTERPIECE" - Once a month, sit down with your child and ask him or her to choose the one they like the best from that month's collection.  By the end of the school year, you should only have about 10 pieces.  You can take those 10 and narrow it down even further.  This will keep the artwork under control and will still provide the ability to save their creations to look back on in the future. 

PRESERVE THOSE MEMORIES IN A SCRAPBOOK - Take photographs of some of the larger pieces of artwork or the three-D pieces and keep them in a scrap book.  Even if the actual piece of artwork is disgarded, the memory remains intact.

CREATE A MEMORY BOX - I find that more often than not, it's the parents who want to hold onto those pieces of artwork, more so than the kids.  An easy way to keep them dust free and in good condition is to store them in a clear plastic container with a lid that is clearly labeled.  The container should not be too large but reasonably sized to hold the "collection".  By keeping them in a container, you are also providing boundaries for how much is kept.  It should not exceed the size of the box.  Remember, if you keep every piece of artwork that comes through the door for the next dozen or more years, your house will be overflowing with it.  So, keep a lid on it!

FRAME IT - For some of those very special pieces, why not create a small art gallery to display them in a frame on the wall.  This idea can provide some personality to a kid's bedroom, a playroom, a hallway or stairwell.  Once in a while, change them for variety. 

ALL THOSE SUPPLIES - If the kids love to create at school, chances are they like to create at home.  This involves have a supply of crayons, markers, glue, paper and other art supplies in the home.  Purchase a portable file box with a handle that they can easily transport from one room to the other or into the car which contains sandwich bags of the various supplies.  This will keep everything organized and easy for them to find what they want.

GIFTING -What proud grandmom, grandpop or favorite aunt would not treasure a personalized gift from your child! Encourage your little artist to give a "masterpiece" as a special gift to that special someone on their birthday or Grandparents Day or any other special occasion as opposed to buying something for your child to give to them.

With these easy suggestions, you will find that the flow of artwork coming through the door and created in your home will become much more manageable.  Remember, you can't keep it all, so be selective.

If you have any questions or comments about this topic or any other organizing issue you may have, feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help.

Have a great week!