Holiday Organizing Ideas: Storing Ornaments Safely

Holiday clean-up is a chore many of us dread and can't ignore. Packing and storing Christmas tree ornaments is a project that takes some planning and time. There are several storage options to help you pack away ornaments neatly and safely until next year.

Up for doing-it-yourself? Martha Stewart uses corrugated cardboard, paper cups and egg cartons to covert a standard plastic storage bin into a container perfect for housing our most fragile ornaments.

Who said storage can't be stylish? The beautifully patterned jacquard fabric of the Jubilee Ornament Storage Chests makes them easy to spot when it comes time to trim the tree.

This space-saving holiday storage box consists of three stackable trays with adjustable dividers to accommodate as many as 48 ornaments. I like that the clear body of this Christmas storage box allows you view the contents easily.

These Archival Ornament Storage Boxes provide secure storage and protect your holiday treasures from damage due to ultraviolet light and migrant acid.

Now that you have organized your Christmas ornaments, are you still buried in ribbons and gift wrap? If you need ideas on storing holiday gift wrap, go here. For more DIY ideas, go here.

Happy holidays, happy organizing!

New Year's Resolutions and Goal Setting Tips

As we ring in the new year, many are setting resolutions. Some of the most common new year’s resolutions are to lose weight, get in shape, eat healthier, save/make more money or my favorites, get organized and give back.

Most statistics state that by February, you will have broken more than 90%t of the resolutions you made. While it may not be easy or overnight, here are some helpful steps to make it easier for you to reach your goal and stick with it:

Be Specific – Describe what you want to accomplish in detail and write it down. Many studies have proven that the simple act of writing your goals down greatly improves your chances of accomplishing them. Also, let your friends and family know your goals. They can help support you during rough times.

Be Realistic – Set goals you are capable of achieving. Instead of setting ten new year’s resolutions, you may want to limit it to two t o three that are attainable.

Be Disciplined – Understand that it may take energy, sacrifice and plain old hard work to obtain your goal. Breaking up a larger goal into smaller tasks can help keep you motivated and on track.

Be On Time – Establish a timeline and set completion dates for your goals and tasks. This should also be written down and will help you to stay focused.

Be Rewarded - Give yourself a small reward after accomplishing a goal. Celebrating your success will keep you motivated and will help you keep those new year resolutions.

Happy, healthy 2010!

*images courtesy of Countdown Entertainment LLC, photo.net, Southern Living

Winter White Interior Design & The Snow Man

The Snow Man

One must have a mind of winter
To regard the frost and the boughs
Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time
To behold the junipers shagged with ice,
The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think
Of any misery in the sound of the wind,
In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land
Full of the same wind
That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,
And, nothing himself, beholds
Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

~ Wallace Stevens

* images courtesy of Veranda, House Beautiful and Simplified Bee

And the Downtown Chic Book Giveaway Winner...

The winner of the Downtown Chic giveaway by Sixx Design is Alexandrea. She was lucky comment #10 selected by random.org. Congratulations Alexandrea! Enjoy this inspirational book.

Tribute to Turquoise - 2010 Pantone Color of the Year

Three cheers for turquoise! Pantone 15-5519 {aka turquoise} was recently declared the 2010 color of the year - here's the press release.

{turquoise jewelry via Veranda}

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

To celebrate the news, here are a few images showcasing my favorite color, turquoise. And a big thank you to fellow blogger and turquoise lover, Erin from House of Turquoise for her endless inspiration.

{Suzanne Kasler}

{Katie Ridder}

{Catalonia Small Chandelier - Shine}

{Kelly Wearstler}

{Veranda and Nathan Turner}

{Horchow}

{Paulette Lamp in Aqua Cased Glass - Doxa Home}

{Veranda and Elizabeth Dinkel}

{Blue Links Needlepoint Pillow - Pieces}

{Atmosphere Home Essentials}

{Turqouise Foo Dogs - Pieces}

{via House of Turquoise}

DIY - Inexpensive, Handmade Gift Wrap Ideas

Handmade wrapping paper is beautiful, but can be expensive. Here are some inexpensive, do-it-yourself gift wrap ideas that look fabulous, but won't put a dent in your wallet this holiday season.

A repeated holiday phrase in a script font becomes elegant packaging for small gifts. It's simple, inexpensive and can be easily done at home with your computer and printer. Thanks Better Homes & Gardens!

Blogger, Creature Comforts created this darling gift wrap using celery {yep, the veggie} as a stamping tool. Here's the step-by-step.

Here is another clever stamped gift wrap idea using buttons. To create a button stamp, Martha Stewart suggests affixing button to a cork with double-sided tape. Top the present with a pretty button tied on with baker's twine.

This spray painted lace wrapping paper by Eddie Ross is gorgeous and is a fraction of what hand block wrapping paper costs. Love the batik look.

Martha Stewart's nature inspired wood grain wrapping paper is one of my favorite this year. Here is the how to.

Whether it be in satin, velvet or grosgrain a beautiful bow always puts the finishing touch on your gift. Need a refresher on how to tie a bow or square knot?

But, it's the thought that counts right? Here is a picture of the gifts my little girls wrapped for one another. My five year old has no idea that the heart she put on her sister's gift reads, "hot babe." Too funny!

And now to organize all that wrapping paper neatly away - here's five gift wrap storage solutions for you to consider. Happy holidays!

Lad & Lass: Simple, Modern Baby Nursery Decor

Clean, simple and modern. That's what I love about nursery decor from Etsy store, Lad & Lass. This delightful Australian made and designed collection of lighting, limited edition prints and made to order wallpapers would add wonderful color to any gender neutral nursery.

Love this giant Animal Alphabet canvas. It's educational too!

The Animal Alphabet Pendant adds a touch of whimsy to this modern nursery.

Here's a darling Forest Family Lampshade {left} and an adorable Animal Alphabet Limited Edition Print {right}.

However, my favorite item is the Forest Family Pedigree Tree. It is a sweet family tree that branches out to four generations and accommodates up to four children. Wouldn't it make a great baby shower gift?

Thank you Project Nursery for sharing this wonderful store with us!

*images from Lad & Lass

Our Christmas Fireplace Mantel

After giving ideas on decorating a fireplace mantel for Christmas, I have decided to share images of my own mantel dressed up for the holidays. It's an eclectic look, but I love it.

The beautiful oil painting of the turquoise Imperial Horse {by my grandmother} is displayed year-around. Live pine and fir garland is hung around the fireplace to balance the look.

Festive red ornaments and winter berries are added to branches.

Pinecones, vintage clowns, miniature trees and tea lights line the mantel.

A golden bird ornament perched on pine branches mirrors the bird on the Chinese vase.

What do you have displayed on your mantel for the holidays?

*images from Simplified Bee

Sixx Design & Downtown Chic Book Giveaway

Through the process of renovating a derelict town house in New York City over a decade ago, husband and wife team Robert and Cortney Novogratz realized they had a knack for interior design. Soon after their ambitious house project, they founded Sixx Design and have been turning funky spaces into fabulous ever since. Being parents of seven children, the Norogratz designs are not only stylish, they are kid-friendly and budget conscious.

I particularly like how the design couple decorates with both inexpensive flea market finds and high-end designer splurges. The bedside table above was $25 at a yard sale.

Sixx Design's new book Downtown Chic is a practical guide as well as inspirational source on building and decorating your dream home. There are tons of before and after images documenting several gut renovations.

Sixx Design would like to give you a copy of this gorgeous hardcover book. One lucky Simplified Bee reader will win a copy. Here's how to enter Simplified Bee's Sixx Design Book giveaway:

• Leave a comment (include email if you are not a blogger).
• Extra Entry - become a new Follower of Simplified Bee™ Blog (by adding yourself to the follower group on the sidebar).
• Extra Entry - mention this giveaway in a blog post or tweet with a link back and leave a comment letting me know you've done so.
• Please post a separate comment for each extra entry.
• Entry period closes at midnight PST, Sunday, December 20, 2009 and the winner will be announced Monday, December 21, 2009.

**Note: The winner will be drawn randomly using Random.org, notified directly via email and listed back at this post using first name only.

* images courtesy of Sixx Design