The holidays are quickly approaching and so are those social events.  You want to look your best and you want to make sure that the products you are applying have not expired.  The last thing you want during this busy season is a reaction to a bad/expired product.

Do a quick check in your bathroom and I am sure you will find face cream you never use, the remnants of your favorite powder blush and that tube of lip stick you need to dig out with a lip brush to get anything out of.

Products that are unused or down to the last drop are just taking up shelf space and cluttering your make-up bag which you could be using for the fresh products you want to keep and have readily available.

Unopened products can remain stable for a couple of years at room temperature.  But once you bring home a product and open it, the clock starts running.  Every time you touch the product, you are transferring germs to them and to your face.  Heat and humidity play a roll in promoting the growth of mold and yeast as well. 

Believe it or not, bathrooms are not the ideal spot to store cosmetics, although it tends to be the most convenient.  A cool, dry linen closet is best.

Since labeling regulations in the United States do not require an expiration date on most cosmetics, here are some Quick Tips in deciding what to keep and what to toss: 

Face Makeup - six months for liquids; two years for powders.

Mascara - three months.

Eyeliner and Eye Shadow - three months for liquid eyeliners; six months for cream eye shadows; two years for pencil eyeliners and powder eye shadows.

Lipstick and Lipliner - two years for lipstick and gloss; two years or more for lipliner.

Nail Polish - one to two years depending on when the consistency turns gooey or stringy.  Avoid storing them in the bathroom as they are especially sensitive to temperature extremes.

Skin Care Products include moisterizers, eye creams, cleansers, serums, peels, etc.  Acne creams and other over-the-counter products that contain drugs are FDA regulated and usually carry expiration dates.  However, cosmeceuticals (products claiming to have anti-aging and skin-changing benefits) are not regulated.  Once they are opened, they should not be kept longer than 6 months.  If in a pump bottle, they can last a year.

Sun Screen - six months.

Hair Products - one year.

Fragrance - two years or more.  You will know because it tends to turn dark and has a stronger smell than when it's fresh.

In summary, you should toss your mascara and liquid liner every season, toss your skin-care regimen, sunscreens and liquid foundations every six months, toss your hair products (except hair spray) once a year and toss your powder-based cosmetic (pressed powder and shadows), lipsticks and nail polishes every two years.

Best bet is to date your products with a small sticker when you purchase and open them so you will not have to guess as to when they were purchased, guaranteeing they will always be safe to use. 

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.

Enjoy this wonderful holiday season!

Whew!  You've gotten this far and only have one more week to go.  There are still some details that must be attended to.  Here are some suggestions:

• Write out the final checks for your officient, photographer, videographer, disc jockey, musicians, etc.
• Pick up your wedding gown.  Try it on to make sure everything is exactly the way it should be.  Make sure you (or your maid of honor) knows how to bustle your gown following the wedding if applicable.
• Confirm your limo or other transportation reservations for all members of the wedding party.
• Treat yourself to a spa day - you deserve it!  My maid of honor surprised me with a massage at the spa.  What a great way to relax before the wedding day!  You might not realize how stressed you feel until you get that wonderful massage.  The results will get you through the rest of the week.

The day before the wedding should be spent relaxing and getting plenty of rest.  All the details should be in place by this point.  And remember, you did your very best to make it a perfect day.  From this point on, whatever happens, go with the flow.  Don't stress over any minor details that were missed.  No one will notice but you.

On the day of your wedding, wake up early to provide plenty of time to relax and get ready.  Eat a healthy breakfast to provide you with plenty of energy for your big, long day.

Most importantly, ENJOY!  You have worked hard to get to this day.  The whole point of planning this event in such detail was to be able to just walk down that aisle, see the person you love most in life at the other end of the aisle, knowing you will be spending the rest of your life with this special person and have a good time. 

The day is finally here.  Don't worry.  Everything will be wonderful.  Congratulations and best wishes for a long and happy life together!

If, after you settle into your new home with your spouse, you find that you need to get organized, contact A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help you make your place a better space!

Have a great week!

Where does the time go?  Now that there is only a month left to go before your wedding day, are you up to date with your "To Do" list?  Make sure you are and then following these steps two to four weeks before the wedding:

• Create a seating chart for the reception and rehearsal dinner.   Take some time to think about who should be sitting with whom.  Do your best to avoid those sticky situations where Aunt So-And-So doesn't speak with Cousin You-Know-Who.  You can reduce potential tensions by paying attention to these details.  Discuss the seating arrangements with the caterer so you know how the tables will be set and numbered.  This will make this task a lot easier to complete.
• Create place cards for both the rehearsal dinner and reception.  You can have a caligrapher make up the place cards for a more professional look, if you wish.
• Print out a time line of events for your wedding party and vendors, including contact information and telephone numbers.
• Meet with your photographer and florist to finalize the details.
• Finalize your ceremony and reception music and song list and supply it to the appropriate persons.  Make sure, if you are having a disc jockey, that they will have all the tunes you want on hand that day.  If you are having a band, make sure they can play the particular songs you want to hear and dance to.
• This is the time to place a wedding announcement in your local newspaper.
• Pick up your wedding bands from the jeweler and make sure they fit properly and are engraved correctly.  Allow time for any corrections, if need be.
• Schedule your final fitting for the gown and make sure the brides maids do the same.  Talk to each of your brides maids to make sure they have the proper accessories to accompany their gown - shoes, purse, hair adornments, etc.
• Write your rehearsal dinner toasts.
• Remember that every wedding is unique and special.  Some details are unique to your particular situation, so be sure to incorporate them into your checklist so the details are not forgotten.

Check back soon for more tips you can use.  Next time, we will discuss what to do in the final week before the wedding. 

If you have any organizing questions or tips you would like to discuss, please contact A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to hear from you.

In the meantime, have a great week!

Time is winding down!  You only have a couple months to go.  This is the time you should be doing the following...

• Mail out your wedding invitations eight weeks prior to the wedding.  You will need this much time to get the responses you are looking for from the large amount of people you are inviting.  (You will still need to follow up with some, but most will respond in sufficient time.  Give them one month to respond.)
• Have your ceremony programs printed.  Print plenty of extras to have on hand.
• Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessories.  A.C. Moore and other similar locations have a large choice to pick from. 
• Select your hair and make-up stylists and schedule a practice appointment for at least a week prior to the big day.  If you wait too long, you might not get the day or the stylist you want.  Consider scheduling appointments for your bridal party as well.  It was a really special time when I had my matron of honor with me to have our hair and make-up done together.
• Plan a bridal luncheon for your bridesmaids.  It's a nice way for all to get to know each other and be more comfortable with each other on the wedding day. 

Check back next time for more tips you can use to plan for that special day.  It's all about the details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like to have addressed.  I am glad to help.

Have a great week!

The wedding day is quickly approaching.  So now your wedding day is about two to four months away.  What should you be doing during this time?

Here are some suggestions:

• Find out what your state's requirements are for obtaining a marriage license.  Get your future spouse on board and get the ball rolling.
• Select and order the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen, including the ring bearer and father of the bride.
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony details.  Are you going to be reading your own vows or is the officiant preparing something to read?  Determine what will be said.  You can always make changes to already prepared content.  If you are preparing your own vows, start getting them prepared and get a courtesy copy to the officiant when they are completed.
• Order your wedding cake if you have not already done so directly with the caterer.  Make sure to arrange delivery of the cake, if need be, so it arrives well in advance of the wedding reception.
• Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants.  There are specialty shops that will engrave items if you wish.  I purchased a necklace with a stone that complemented the gown the bridesmaids and flower girl were wearing on the day of the wedding.  My husband purchased watches for the groomsmen and ring bearer to wear that day as well.  We purchased handkerchiefs for my parents which we had engraved with their initials, because we knew the day would bring them to (happy) tears.
• Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be.  This is optional.  Since my husband and I were paying for the wedding ourselves, we decided not to do this.  We were giving the wedding as a gift to each other instead.  The choice is yours.  Just make sure you are both on the same page!
• Select and purchase your wedding bands.  They can either match or not, depending upon your taste.  My wedding band matches my engagement ring instead of my husband's wedding band.  It's completely up to you and your future spouse.
• Prepare for and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner.  Make a list of intended guests to determine the number who are invited so that you can comfortably accommodate all.  This can either be a large affair or something more intimate with just the immediate family members from both sides and the attendants. 

There is plenty to do and time is moving quickly.  Do your best to keep up with the deadlines so that you don't get caught behind the 8 ball as your wedding day arrives.

Check back for more tips so you can plan the wedding of your dreams and not leave out any important details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address and I will be glad to help. 

Have a great week!

So now you are about four to six months before your wedding.  What should you be doing?

Here are some suggestions:

• Select and order your wedding invitations, envelopes and thank-you cards.  Make sure you order extra to be sure you will have enough.  It's better to have too much than not enough.  You can order them from various places including catalogs, party stores, card stores such as Hallmark, etc.  Price out various options to see what best fits your budget.
• Select and purchase wedding favors.  You can choose from specially wrapped candy bars, chocolate kisses, candy coated almonds, ceramics, small Teddy bears, etc.  Be creative! 
• Book your honeymoon and verify that you have the necessary travel documents if you are going out of the United States.  Passports can take a couple of months to obtain so don't wait too long.  Some destinations will accept a drivers license and original birth certificate.  Check with your travel agent for details.
• Book accommodations for any out-of-town guests.  Select a place that is conveniently located near the weekend activities to make their stay less stressful.  Arrange transportation to and from the airport if applicable, as well.  Have something special placed in their room to make them feel welcome when they arrive.  Keep children in mind as well.  They need to feel special.
• Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards to make sure that everyone who will be invited knows well in advance not to schedule anything else on that day.
• Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for your guests.  Make sure they are included in your invitations when they are sent out.
• Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party to and from the wedding.  This can be in the form of a limousine, van, bus, trolley, carriage, etc. 

More tips are coming your way so check back regularly so that you can plan and organize that special day right up to the very last moment!

In the meantime, as always, 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. 

Continuing with the information I provided in my last blog, I am providing you with an ongoing checklist to prepare for your wedding day:

Here are some suggestions to help:

SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE -

• Choose one or more bridal gift registries.  This will help your friends and family purchase items for you that you really need and want.  Carefully consider the items you wish to have when you begin your new life with your future husband.  Go through the various rooms in a home and make a general list.  Common choices are bed linens, bathroom accessories, items for the kitchen such as pots and pans, dishes, glassware, silverware, placemats and oven mits, small appliances, cookware, etc.  Don't forget the vacuum cleaner and other tools to keep your home clean and neat.
• Order your wedding gown and bridal accessories as soon as possible to make sure everything will be ready on time for your special day.  You will need time for alterations later so don't wait til the last minute to get this important detail taken care of.
• Begin shopping for your bridesmails dresses.  Consider the time of year and what type of gown would look good on various body shapes.  I personally purchased my bridesmaids gowns on line through a clothing catalog and was able to match the flower girl's gown with the bridesmaids at a very reasonable cost.  The bridesmaids appreciated that I took their budgets into consideration when making my choice.
• Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony, whether you are interested in a religious ceremony or a more non-traditional ceremony, it is important to contact that person as soon as possible to make sure that they are available.
• Select and book the band or disc jockey, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist.  Get recommendations from those you trust.  You are investing a lot of money in their services and you want to make sure they will meet your expectations.  When you contract with them, read the contract carefully and make sure you understand every aspect of it.  Be specific about what it is you are looking for.  Discuss the type of music you wish to hear, the particular photos and video you want to have taken, the type of food you wish to have served and the type of floral arrangements and bouquets you want to have created.  Stay in contact with those you've hired on a monthly basis to make sure they are clear as to the arrangements you have made.  DO NOT PAY THEM IN FULL UNTIL THE DAY OF THE WEDDING OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  This is important to protect yourself from possible fraud.

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.

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! 

August is drawing to a close this coming weekend.  If your children haven't started school yet, they will soon. 

Why not start the school year off right with these Quick Tips for A Better Space!!!

Keep your family organized by placing a wall-mounted calendar in a common area, such as the kitchen or family room. Include every family member's schedule and chore list for the week or month. Use different colors to code each family member's entries. At a glance, each person will know everyone else's schedule, resulting in less confusion about whose soccer game is on Saturday and who won't be available to babysit on Friday.

Items like book bags, shoes, umbrellas, jackets – even sports equipment – inevitably pile up right next to the door that everyone in the family enters. Add a shelving solution to corral all of those items and keep the entryway clutter free. Add a hanging rod for coats and jackets and hooks for umbrellas and backpacks. Setting up a system like this near your main door will also help reduce clutter spreading to other areas of the home.

Finally, as more and more students are spending more and more time surfing the Web, doing research, downloading homework assignments, etc., it's helpful to create a computing station that all family members can easily access.   Shelving solutions are now available in all different styles and finishes to complement your home's décor and you can create a highly efficient, space-saving station which includes a desk surface and more.  Just look up!  Think vertically.   Don't forget to use some shelves above that desk space for storage of school supplies, books and can be kept in decorative boxes and magazine holders to provide an organized, functional and attractive space in which to get that homework done!

I hope these tips help you create A BETTER SPACE for your home. 

If you have any comments or questons about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to help.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!