The BeSpoken Diary

Green is the New Cool...

2010-04-11T12:30:00.000-04:00

Hello All! Happy SPRING!!

Due to the mainstream "green movement" many of us have switched to reusable grocery bags and maybe even aluminum water bottles, but did you know that "going green" can save you money? Did you know devices plugged up to power sources ("Phantom Load") but not turned on STILL use power and are actually on stand-by?

With a few minor changes, you can save money on utility bills and home/office supplies!

Read below for a few tips to make your home/office more energy efficient!

Cleaning

Use old toothbrushes for scrubbing small areas--like the grout between tiles. Soak the toothbrush in vinegar first to disinfect.
Clean light bulbs to remove dust which reduces the brightness of the bulb.
Take shoes off at the door. You will spend less time cleaning and fewer allergens will be tracked in.
Use old shirts/cloth or reusable rags instead of paper towel for cleaning.

Heating/Cooling

Close shades or use heavier drapes in the summer to keep heat outside of the home.
Grill and plan dinners that create less heat inside the home. Your A/C will have to work harder when you use the oven.
Adjust your in-home clothes with the temperature. Wear more clothes in the winter and less in the summer.
Check doors for drafts. Use weather stripping to keep hot or cool air from seeping out.

Work

Print on the back of sheets.
Refrain from printing things that will be outdated soon.
Use natural light, in place of artificial, when possible.
Bring lunch in reusable containers.

Energy

Use more natural light, even if you must rearrange furniture. Use mirrors to reflect the light.
Purchase compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) or LED light bulbs, they last longer than the normal, incandescent bulb. A LED bulb lasts for 60,000 hours.
Use the sleep function on your computer instead of letting it stay on all night. Set it to "go to sleep" after 30 minutes or 1 hour of inactivity.
Eliminate "Phantom Load"/"Vampire Power" (electricity that is wasted by "standby" devices) by using a power strip and switching it "off" when the items plugged to it are not in use.

If you are interested in learning how to make YOUR home or office more energy efficient and eco-friendly, contact BeSpoken Spaces for a FREE consultation. We will assess your energy and resource consumption to help you create a more streamlined, "green", and efficient lifestyle/daily routine!

Until Next Time,

~Lauren

Spring Cleaning: A Green Issue Part 2: The Recipies

2010-03-15T16:35:00.001-04:00

Hello Readers!

As I mentioned in the last post, there are two ways to "go green" with your household cleaning habits: (1) purchase environmentally friendly products and (2) create your own!

So below I have included recipes for Soft Scrubber, Window Cleaner, Oven Cleaner, All-Purpose Spray Cleaner, Furniture Polish, Deodorizer, and a Mold Killer.

To make these cleaners, you will want to keep these key ingredients in your home: Baking Soda, Washing Soda, White Distilled Vinegar, Liquid Soap (use an eco-friendly one), 6 clean spray bottles, 2 glass jars.

1. Creamy Soft Scrubber
   1/2 cup of baking soda, add enough liquid detergent to make it thick like frosting. Scoop onto sponge, and
   wash the surface. Good for the bathtub. NOTE: add 1tsp of vegetable glycerin to the mixture and store in a
   sealed glass jar to keep the product moist. Otherwise make it as needed.

2. Window Cleaner
   1/4 to 1/2tsp of liquid detergent, 3tbsp of vinegar, 2 cups of water, and spray bottle. Put all ingredients in
   a spray bottle and shake it up as you would a commercial brand. The soap cuts the wax residue from the
   commercial brands you might have previously used.

3. Oven Cleaner
   1 cup or more of baking soda, water, a squirt or two of liquid detergent. Sprinkle water generously over
   the bottom of the oven then cover the grime with baking soda so that the surface is totally white. Sprinkle
   some more water over the top. Let the mixture set overnight. You can easily wipe up the grease the next
   morning because the grime will have loosened. After majority has been cleaned up, dab a bit of liquid
   detergent or soap on a sponge and wash the remaining residue from the oven.

4. All-Purpose Spray Cleaner
   1/2 tsp of washing soda, a dab of liquid soap, 2 cups of hot tap water. Combine ingredients in a spray
   bottle and shake until the washing soda has dissolved. Apply and wipe off with a sponge or rag.

5. Furniture Polish
   1/2 tsp of oil (olive oil or jojoba works best), 1/4 cup of vinegar or fresh lemon juice. Mix ingredients in a
   glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces. Cover that glass jar and store
   indefinitely.

6. Deodorizer
   Fill a spray bottle with straight 5% vinegar. Use it in your kitchen and bathroom for cleaning and
   deodorizing. The smell dissipates within a few hours. It is great for the toilet rim; just spray and wipe off.

7. Mold Killers
   Tea Tree Version: 2tsp of tea tree oil, 2 cups of water. Combine in a spray bottle, shake to blend, and
   spray on problem areas, do not rinse.
   Vinegar Version: Vinegar kills 82% of mold. Spray onto moldy area and let it sit without rinsing if you can
   put up with the smell. It will dissipate in a few hours.

There are many recipes out there, I found these on www.care2.com, if you have any cleaning recipes to share, please do so!

Thank you for reading!

Until next time...GET ORGANIZED (and healthy)!

~Lauren

Spring Cleaning: A Green Issue

2010-03-12T17:20:00.007-05:00

As the snow melts, many of us are reveling in the days where the sun greets us at 7am as opposed to driving to work in the dark. So as nature thaws and begins to renew itself, it's time for...

SPRING CLEANING!

The arsenal of cleaning products we grew up with definitely aided moms in scouring EVERY surface in the home, but as we evolve, grow, and learn (as every species should) so does our awareness and methodology.

So I'll keep this statement sweet and simple: the cleaning products we use today are (1) bad for the environment and (2) our health.

Don't believe me? Take a look at the back label of your cleaning products.The one pictured says: "Hazardous to Humans & Domestic Animals" AND there's a First Aid section. If I get this product on my clothes, I'm suggested to take them off immediately. If I get the product on my skin, I'm supposed to rinse it for 15-20 mins AND call the Poison Control Center.

But I clean my toilet seat with Lysol All Purpose Cleaner??

The harsh chemicals in our cleaners do not totally wash away. Many of them leave chemical traces. That means the cutting board I cleaned with bleach water still contains traces of bleach, which can be transferred to my food. Speaking of Bleach, aka Chlorine aka Hydrogen Chloride aka HYDROCHLORIC ACID, recent studies have found that women with Breast Cancer had 50-60% higher levels of organichlorines (chlorination byproducts) in their breast tissues than women without breast cancer.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is 2 to 5 times more contaminated than outdoor air. Check out the chart below:

Product type	Harmful Ingredients	Potential hazards
Air Freshener & Deodorizer	Formaldehyde	Toxic; carcinogen; irritant- eyes, nose, throat, skin may cause nausea, headaches, nosebleeds, dizziness, memory loss; shortness of breath.
Disinfectant	Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates/burns skin, eyes; may cause pulmonary edema or vomiting and coma if ingested.
Phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory, circulatory, or cardiac damage.
Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.
Drain Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed.

Floor Cleaner Wax	Diethylene glycol	Toxic; causes central nervous system depression & kidney and liver lesions.
Petroleum solvents	Highly flammable; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs.
Ammonia	Vapor irritation to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.
Furniture Polish	Petroleum distillates or mineral spirits	Highly flammable; moderately toxic; associated with skin and lung cancer; irritant to skin, eyes, nose, throat, lungs; entry into lungs may cause pulmonary edema.
Oven Cleaner	Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)	Caustic; irritant; inhibits reflexes; burns to skin, eyes; poisonous if swallowed due to severe tissue damage.
Spot Remover	Perchlorethylene or trichloroethane	Slow decomposition; liver and kidney damage; perchlorethylene is suspected carcinogen.
Ammonium hydroxide	Corrosive; vapor extremely irritable to skin, eyes, and respiratory passages; ingestion causes tissue burns.
Sodium hypochlorite	Corrosive; irritates skin, eyes, respiratory tract; may cause pulmonary edema and skin burns.
Toilet Bowl Cleaner	Sodium acid sulfate or oxalate or hypochloric acid	Corrosive; burns from skin contact or inhalation; ingestion may be fatal.
Chlorinated phenols	Flammable; very toxic; respiratory circulatory,or cardiac damage.
Window Cleaner	Diethylene glycol	Toxic; causes central nervous system depression and degenerative lesions in liver and kidneys.
Ammonia	Vapor irritating to eyes, respiratory tract, and skin; possible chronic irritation.

Product type

Harmful Ingredients

Potential hazards

Air Freshener & Deodorizer

Formaldehyde

Toxic; carcinogen; irritant-
eyes, nose, throat, skin
may cause nausea,
headaches, nosebleeds,
dizziness, memory loss;
shortness of breath.

Disinfectant

Sodium hypochlorite

Corrosive; irritates/burns
skin, eyes; may cause
pulmonary edema or
vomiting and coma
if ingested.

Phenols

Flammable; very toxic;
respiratory,
circulatory,
or cardiac damage.

Ammonia

Vapor irritating to eyes,
respiratory tract,
and skin; possible
chronic irritation.

Drain Cleaner

Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)

Caustic; irritant;
inhibits reflexes;
burns to skin,
eyes; poisonous
if swallowed.

Floor Cleaner Wax

Diethylene glycol

Toxic; causes central
nervous system
depression & kidney
and liver lesions.

Petroleum solvents

Highly flammable;
associated with skin
and lung cancer;
irritant to skin, eyes, nose,
throat, lungs.

Ammonia

Vapor irritation to
eyes, respiratory
tract, and skin;
possible chronic
irritation.

Furniture Polish

Petroleum distillates or mineral spirits

Highly flammable;
moderately toxic;
associated with skin
and lung cancer; irritant
to skin, eyes, nose,
throat, lungs; entry
into lungs may cause
pulmonary edema.

Oven Cleaner

Sodium or potassium hydroxide (lye)

Caustic; irritant;
inhibits reflexes;
burns to skin,
eyes; poisonous
if swallowed due
to severe tissue
damage.

Spot Remover

Perchlorethylene or trichloroethane

Slow decomposition;
liver and kidney
damage;
perchlorethylene
is suspected
carcinogen.

Ammonium hydroxide

Corrosive; vapor
extremely irritable
to skin, eyes, and
respiratory passages;
ingestion causes tissue
burns.

Sodium hypochlorite

Corrosive; irritates
skin, eyes, respiratory
tract; may cause
pulmonary edema
and skin burns.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Sodium acid sulfate or oxalate or hypochloric acid
Corrosive; burns
from skin contact
or inhalation; ingestion
may be fatal.

Chlorinated phenols

Flammable; very
toxic; respiratory
circulatory,or
cardiac damage.

Window Cleaner

Diethylene glycol

Toxic; causes central
nervous system
depression and
degenerative lesions
in liver and kidneys.

Ammonia

Vapor irritating to
eyes, respiratory
tract, and skin;
possible chronic
irritation.

So does this mean I can't clean my home anymore? Of course not! There are MANY eco/health conscious products you can use to clean your home. From the research I've done, there are two ways to clean your home the "green way": (1) make your own cleaning solvents or (2) purchase green brands.

Here are some of the "green brands" I suggest (click the name to visit their websites):

1. Seventh Generation

2. Planet (they specialize in detergents and washing liquid)

3. Sun & Earth

If any of you use other green cleaning products, do share.

You can find many of these products at major grocery chains, Trader Joes, or online for purchase.

I know some of these products cost much more than your regular cleaners, but keep in mind how much you are saving on medical bills and sick days by switching to products that are not as disruptive to your health or the environment.

Stay tuned for the next blog, I will give you recipes to create your own cleaners!

Until next time...STAY ORGANIZED (and healthy!),

~Lauren

BSS UPDATES!!

2010-03-12T16:11:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Well, it looks like Spring has sprung in Michigan and we are ALL happy about that!

As sure as the season is changing, BeSpoken Spaces is going through some GREAT changes as well! For those of you in the Northwest Detroit area, we will have our first ad in the Rosedale Tattler! So if you are ever near the Rosedale neighborhood in Detroit, pick up a community paper and tell us what you think!

In April, we will launch our new, and permanent website! I wish I could show it to you guys, but I must keep it a secret until then...alas, the suspense is killing me! But, I can say this: in conjunction with the site launch, we will have a really exciting opportunity for one lucky person. Those all the beans I can spill...

So follow us on Twitter and Facebook to be "in the know" at all times!

Don't forget about the Referral Program! Refer a client, earn $50!

We will have even more updates to come!

Until next time, STAY ORGANIZED!

~Lauren

How to pack for vacation

2010-02-11T12:40:00.002-05:00

Snow. Lots of it. Especially out East. For those of us who feel life is interrupted by droves of snow and need a reprieve, our solution is vacationing in a warmer climate.

During the winter, most of us have tendencies to "bulk up": we gain weight, we wear layers of clothes, we wear bulky coats, and lots of boots. However, we cannot take this mentality on the road to warmer climates. So let's look at ways to make packing for your vacation easier.

I am always anxious to reach my destination, and now, I hate paying for extra luggage (boo to you airlines!), so I have become the Queen of Carry-on Luggage. Here are tips to organize your packing and NOT forget your essential items...

1. Check the Weather: Most people check the weather, but be sure to look at the evening forecasts for your travel destination. If it is going to rain, be sure to pack a SMALL compact umbrella and maybe take a hat or outerwear with a hood for extra protection. Even if it's not supposed to rain, bring that umbrella.

2. Plan your Itinerary: If you are going to visit family or friends, find out what plans they have in mind. If you are vacationing somewhere without visiting locals, search online and read about your destination. Plan your activities ahead. As a personal rule of thumb, I always pack an evening dress (for dancing), walking shoes, and 2 tee-shirts (for leisure/pajamas).

3. Lay Out Your Wears: Now that you've done your research, lay out all the clothes you think you will bring on the trip. Now put half of them back. No seriously, you're probably over packing. Here's an example: unless you plan on wearing jeans everyday, you do not need more than 1 or 2 pairs. Bottoms can be worn more than once, so bring a few bottoms but more tops! Also, keep your clothing choices centered around 2 or 3 pair of shoes, of which, 1 of those pair you will wear on the plane.

4. Toiletries - Size Does Matter: TRAVEL SIZE IS YOUR FRIEND! You don't have to purchase travel size items any more, you can purchase little, clear, reusable containers and add you favorite lotions and soaps. Just label them so you don't confuse lotion for soap in the shower. When it comes to the makeup bag, pack makeup that compliments the clothes you are bringing along. You do not need every lip color you own on a 5-day trip.

5. Shoes, A Women's Best Friend, Packing's Worse Enemy: We love our shoes, but we can't bring every pair! If you are vacationing for 5 days, you could get away with 3 pair of shoes. Bring a sexy/super cute pair of heels for the "it" dress or outfit you are bringing for a night on the town, and 2 pair of comfortable, but cute shoes for walking and everyday wear. Ballerina flats, cute gym shoes, gladiator sandals, and Haviana's (my all-time favorite flip flop) are all great options. If you pick shoes that can be flattened, you may be able to squeeze in an extra pair!

6. Body Prep-Time: Get manis and pedis prior to your trip, or make that part of your plan, but DO NOT bring nail polish. If the top is not on tight enough, that could be a very bad situation. If you just have to bring polish, put it in a ziploc bag; if it leaks, it will not mess up other items. Shave legs and and get your hair done prior to the trip to eliminate extra items. Plan hairstyles ahead of time and bring lots of bobby pins, hair pins, and ponytail holders. You never know what may happen.

7. Lady Parts!: Now that you have picked out your outfits, be sure to bring the appropriate undergarments. Don't forget your strapless bra, from those special "numbers". I always bring extra underwear because I'd rather be safe than sorry.

8. Accessorize!: This is a hard one. The best advice I can give is to lay out each outfit and pick out jewelry that goes with each. Then, try to "cross" some of the jewelry by wearing some pieces more than once. Bring a few pairs of earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that match all of your outfits. DO NOT pack your fine jewelery. Wear it on the plane, you would rather be safe than sorry.

9. Don't Air Your Dirty Laundry: When I pack, I ALWAYS bring a dry-cleaning bag (or grocery bag) for my dirty clothes. This makes unpacking easier, and you do not have to worry about soiled clothes touching cleaner clothes. That's kinda gross.

10. Put It ALL Together: Now it's time to actually pack the clothes. I found some really neat ideas on Real Simple, so view the link below. There's a 3-minute video with techniques on packing without getting your clothes extra wrinkled. Take a look at the link below:

Real Simple's Guide to Packing Luggage

Happy Winter! :)

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How to go paperless (or near paperless)

2010-02-03T15:47:00.000-05:00

Happy February everyone!

I hope this year has been filled with as much productivity as possible.

While I have been working diligently at leading an organized life over the years, I realized my biggest problem was PAPER! School work, bills, magazines, and other papers were not only taking over my life but also accumulating at a steady pace. During my time with BeSpoken Spaces, I've realized that a lot of our clients have paper problems. Whether it's mail or small notes, there's paper tucked away in every room of our homes and offices.

So, while The New Year is still new, let's look at some ways to make a paperless (or near paperless) life possible!

Meet Online Statements, They are your friend: Almost any company you may have a relationship with has online statements. Cell phone companies, student loans, banking institutions, and everyone between has an option to go "paperless" and depending on the company, they will give you a cash incentive to do so! This does not mean you have to pay your bills online, you can still use whatever method you choose.
Use Those E-mail/Cell Phone Contacts!: If you are constantly checking your email on the phone, why not input all of the random business cards and slips of paper housing numbers in your email/cell phone contacts? Most, if not all, email systems have options to save phone numbers, addresses, and lots of other information under each contact. So save the number and toss the paper!
Love Magazines? Newspapers? Read them online!: Many of your favorite publications now offer online subscriptions! You can read Wall Street Journal or People Magazine online and without the hassle of accumulating periodicals.
Print When Your Life Depends Upon it!: Print a report for your boss if he will not accept an electronic copy. Don't print every interesting article you find on Essence.com. Need I explain more?
Recycle!: It's inevitable that we will encounter paper in life. If we don't create it, someone else will give it to us. Shred and recycle the papers you do not need. For the papers you accumulate that are VERY important, scan them onto your computer and keep them filed electronically. If you fear someone may hack your computer, use a USB drive!

Paper is an relentless foe, but YOU can overcome it! There is more to be discussed, but for brevity, I will leave that for another post!

DON'T FORGET to send your questions via Twitter, Facebook, or Email (lauren@BeSpokenSpaces.com)! Your questions will make future posts!

Until Next Time

~Lauren :)

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Reader Question: Tied up, tangled up

2010-01-07T14:23:00.001-05:00

Hello all!

One of the blog's faithful readers sent an organizing question via Twitter (www.twitter.com/LaurenOrganizes). Here's her question:

How can I keep cords for everyday things from getting tangled? Is it true if you wrap them u can cause a short in it?

Whether you are trying to conquer cords that are currently in use, or figure out what to do with cords that are not in use, there are lots of solutions! Let's look as some...

Twisty Ties!: Wrapping your cords in a figure-8 and then securing them with a twisty tie (read: trash ties) will keep small and wiry cords from tangling.
Toilet Paper Rolls!: Wrap the cord into a figure-8 and then slide it into the toilet paper roll. Next you can label the roll to signify which type of cord/wire/cable you have inside! Takes away the guess work.
Cable Ties!: We use these at home and they are my favorite for making the wires behind the TV stand, or computer desk, neat. Use the cable ties to group wires and then cut the excess off the tie to keep it nice and neat. Cable ties can also be used for cables/wires/cords that are not currently being used.
Rubber Band!: Oh the wonderful multi-purposed uses of the rubber band! For cords you use frequently (eg: flat irons and blow dryer), use a rubber band to secure cords. A lot of small appliances have an L-shaped cord (it's L-shaped where the cord and the appliance meet), so it would be best to wrap the cord, in a figure-8 until that section. Secure it with a rubber band.
Trouser Sock!: Use a trouser sock, or any sock, to keep cords neat! Cut the toe of the sock off and slip the sock around the cords to keep them all in one place!
Cassette Tape Case!: Yes, I know in this technological age, people don't use tapes, but for those of us who still have tape cases lying around, you can use them to store USB cords (think Ipod or camera) and earbuds.

There are also organizing solutions you can purchase to keep your cords in check. Take a look at this video on RealSimple! One of my favorite websites!

Real Simple's Guide to Eliminate Cord Clutter

After consulting with an electrician, excessive pulling, bending, stretching, and smashing is what causes shorts in cords. The actions have to be excessive and abrasive to break the delicate wires inside the cord. THIS is what causes electrical shorts wires. So, be careful and use the figure-8 when storing cords because it creates soft loops that are less damaging to the internal wires.

Let's get the cords under control!

Until Next Time...

www.bespokenspaces.com

www.twitter.com/LaurenOrganizes

Gifts Galore!

2010-01-04T09:50:00.001-05:00

Good Gifts! Bad Gifts! Small Gifts! Glad Gifts! What do we do with all those gifts?!

(Ok ok. I had a Dr. Seuss moment. Just indulge me for a second.)

I've been joking with my loved ones about how we "won" this year with our gift giving, everyone received things they really like, if not love. We didn't exchange many gifts, but all the ones received were wonderfully accepted. I guess the planets aligned and God smiled upon us, because that doesn't happen often.

So for all those who received itchy pajamas, a sweater 2 sizes too small with NO gift receipt or tag, or 5 new pairs of black shoes (YOU shouldn't complain...kidding) this post is for you...

As always, take inventory: I've realized, this is always in my top 3 organizing tips, but what can I say? It really helps us figure out what we should keep or not keep. First, sort the gifts according to what you like, dislike, and are on the fence about. Next, try on (if it's clothes) or ponder whether or not you really need/want/like the "on the fence" gifts. From there, they should be transferred to the like or dislike pile.
Pick 'em up, Put 'em down: For each duplicate, give something away. For instance, if you received two new sweaters this year, give away 1 or 2 older sweaters that you don't wear often to charity or a friend/family member in need. This keeps room in your closet/child's toy chest/other area for new items without clogging your space. Be a blessing to someone else.
White Elephant gift exchange!: You're never alone in receiving a bad gift. There is always someone else with a similar experience, but since one man's trash is another man's treasure, you can plan a White Elephant party where people bring one gift that they dislike in hopes of swapping it for something better. You can Google "White Elephant Gift Exchange" to find the rules.
Re-gift it!: This does not necessarily mean giving the gift back the way in which you received it. Sometimes we can just take certain parts of the gift and use them to create something new. As an example, you got a gift basket with yet another oversized coffee mug, and your cabinet cannot bear to house one more. So you can give the coffee mug along with a book to your friend as a birthday gift.
Re-gift...your things: As new items come into the house (through gifting or sweet holiday sales), let's view this new year as a time to purge and give. Purge your home of unnecessary excess and give to those who have a need/want. While you are being a blessing to others, you can receive tax deductions for the 2010 tax year!

So let's all start the New Year off right! Organized and ready for any challenge!

Have A Happy (and productive) 2010!

One Holiday down, one more to go...

2009-12-30T12:43:00.001-05:00

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, there is a sigh of relief on December 25 after the gifts have been opened and the holiday bird carved, but the next day, after the wrapping paper clears, the question is:

"What do I do with all this Christmas stuff?"

Many of us spend time seeking out the perfect ornaments or home trimmings only to misplace them before the next holiday season. So, here's few ideas on how to store your holiday decorations without breaking them, or the bank, next year.

Color coordinate!: If you can still find them, purchase those red and green containers to hold your wreath, garlands, and ornaments. Next year they'll be easy to find, because of the colors, in your attic or basement.
Take inventory: As always, find out what's broken, missing, or needs to be misplaced. Most likely you will be able to catch these things on sale between Christmas and New Years and who doesn't like discounts??
Untangle the lights!: This is part of the reason I like organizing things. Almost every year, our lights would need to be untangled because previous year we just threw them in a box. So, to avoid that, we began wrapping them around a tube of newspaper. Just roll the paper like a paper towel tube, and wrap the lights around it. They are easier to untangle that way, AND they are easier to put on the tree!
Do the laundry!: Before throwing all the holiday linens in a bag to banish until next year, take the time to wash them first! Any stains left to marinate for a year certainly cannot be good. Linens that are soiled beyond repair can be used as cleaning clothes instead.

These steps will definitely help you keep your holiday decor in top condition for the next year!

Enjoy the rest of the holiday season and be safe!

So You Like To Network Hunh?

2009-12-19T14:15:00.002-05:00

Entrepreneurs. Lawyers. Business(wo)men. Barbers. EVERYONE NETWORKS!

Or at least we should....

So the question is, "what do I do with all those business cards?"

I have a client that I have been working with for two weeks, well two days, one per week, and this is the very question we've been plagued with. Everywhere you turn, there are cards! As a matter of fact, once we finally wrangled them together (like wild cattle), there were enough business cards to fill a boot box. How do I know you ask? We put them in a boot box for the purposes of sorting through items in the office...

For those like me who dislike extra paper and don't have many business cards, here's what I suggest:

After you get the card, write on the back (1) where you met the person and (2) anything interesting from the conversation. This will come in handy when you try to contact the person later on.
Utilize Outlook/Gmail/That expensive cellphone: I put all of the business card information into my email contacts and include a note with the information from #1. This way I can access this information wherever I am, and I don't need the card.
Personally, I throw away the card. However, I know some people believe in keeping them "just in case". This is where personal preference comes in handy...

For professional networkers with LOTS of cards:

Decide which business cards you want and discard the others. Of course one can argue that you never know when you may need a specific service, but if you have the business card of your local Red Lobster’s General Manager from 10 years ago, it’s probably safe to toss it.
Decide the best way to organize the cards for you. They can be organized by service, business name, last name, or even date received.
If you are tactile person who would rather have the physical business card, using a card rolodex or binders with plastic business card inserts.
An Excel spreadsheet would be a great way to organize your business cards contacts as well. As more contacts are imputed, you can sort them to your liking.

4. © BeSpoken Spaces 2009

Party Time!

2009-12-09T11:30:00.001-05:00

It's holiday time!

For me, this includes lots of friends from college (Go BLUE!) coming in town and everyone scrambling to see as many people as possible. Needless to say, we usually end up at a nightclub.

Now that I've joined the "Quarter Century Club", I think something different is in order...

So this post is for all of my friends and other "twenty-somethings" who are planning their first Holiday Gatherings (aka get-togethers)...

1. When: Pick a date two-weeks in advance, this gives you time to plan and get everyone on the bandwagon.
2. Who's In?: We live in a hi-tech/social networking society. Twitter, Facebook, Text, LinkedIn are great tools, but a phone call is still the most personal.
3. The Pre-Clean: Clean the home prior to having people over. Put away "unmentionables" and all the fragile items you are afraid that your guests could possibly break. Pre-Cleaning makes it much easier to clean up after the party. Make sure all the dishes are clean and in their proper place. Then you have an empty dishwasher/sink to fill with party dishes.
4. Food: If you are doing potluck --(1) think long and hard about WHO you will ask and WHAT they should bring. If you know Sharon is always late, don't have her bring plates... (2) Remind friends a few days before of which dishes they are responsible for. If you are supplying all of the food, make sure you know everyone's dietary restrictions. Have SOMETHING there for the vegetarians.
5. Entertainment: There are three things that always work, (1) deck of cards, (2) Taboo, and (3) Wii...they never fail. Try to keep the conversation away from politics and religion if you know you invited friends with conflicting views.
6. To Drink or not to Drink?: If you want to serve alcoholic beverages, serve them early and put them away at least 45-60 minutes before you are ready for people to go home. Also monitor your friends, you know who's getting drunk and who's not. This will minimize the number of people who need to spend the night while maximizing safe, sober drives home.
7. Entertain while you work!: If you politely clean up (gather glasses/cups, condense food containers/trays) while entertaining, this will make your clean up A LOT easier after all the guests leave!
8. Plan B: If all else fails and you are absolutely exhausted, (1) pat your self on the back for throwing a great party, (2) have a glass of wine (or sparkling cider), (3) put up the food (if there is any) and leave the rest for the morning. Hey, we're all human right?

Again, have a SAFE, HAPPY, and BLESSED Holiday Season!

p.s. Don't forget to send your organizing questions to lauren@bespokenspaces.com! Your question may be the next post...

One for the Home Team: We have a website!

2009-12-07T13:55:00.002-05:00

After exploring many options and ideas, BeSpoken Spaces has an internet home!!

Visit us at www.BeSpokenSpaces.com

Click Here To VISIT the website!

As a matter of fact, you don't have to visit www.thebespokendiary.blogspot.com any more! You can actually visit the website to view the blog! How cool is that?!

And of course, it was not of my own volition, my WONDERFUL web designer did all of the coding and cool stuff I can't even imagine!

If you're looking for a web designer, contact Scott Friedman (sfriedman@adamsfifteen).

He started a web design company called Adam's Fifteen...cool name. :)

The website is a living organism, keep up with its metamorphosis by visiting every once in a while! Scott and I have some great things planned...

Here's YOUR assignment:

1. Read the Blog!: So I can help you "BeSpoke" your life!

2. Pass on the Website/Blog to EVERYONE!: So they can get "BeSpoken" too!

3. Follow Us!: We're on Twitter, and will soon be on Facebook! Then we can "BeSpoke" you on-the-go!

4. Do Something Nice for a Stranger Today: It will bless you more than them...and at BeSpoken Spaces, we care about you, inside and out...

Check back later this week, I have some organizing tips that will help you get THE MOST out of life!

Until Next Time...

Technology and Me: A wired loved story...

2009-12-03T19:35:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays!!

From one of your favorite bloggers :)

So, I've realized that the older you get, you still have toys. I've moved from Pottery Wheels and Game Boy to Electronics. During Thanksgiving week, I used some of my own advice (see the Black Friday post) and took advantage of those holiday sales. Here's how I faired.

#1. I acquired a netbook.

I like it actually. Its so cute and little. It reminds me of the Little Engine That Could, except mine has no problem performing. I purchased a cute little Gateway netbook that has a 10 inch screen. I've actually gotten used to the screen, it's comfy. Windows 7 is very nice, but Microsoft played me...netbooks come with the "Starter Edition" which means you have to pay $80 for the full Windows 7 experience.

I can't change my desktop background, for example...shame on you Microsoft!

#2. I have the cell phone of my technological dreams...

Introducing the Samsung Moment....cue the epic/superhero music! I use A LOT of Google products so this phone is a wonderful compliment. I can finally check my business email on the go (this was not an option on my Centro) and with the click of ONE button! The only downsides I have experienced are (1) the 5.5hr battery life (compared to my 8-12hr centro battery) and (2) it synced my phone contacts AND my Google contacts.

I had 870 contacts...sad times.

#3 I joined Twitter!

Honestly, I was staunchly against it. I didn't want to follow the trend, but, it's a great marketing tool and I can Twitter from anywhere! I thought my friends would judge me for joining, but come to find out, they were all hiding out on Twitter!!

And realized I am not as internet savvy as I always believed myself to be. It took me two days to figure out how to use Twitter.

So, FOLLOW ME! www.twitter.com/LaurenOrganizes

Other than that, business is off to a great start. I'll have a post VERY soon about the website launch! And I booked two clients over Thanksgiving Weekend. Oh Joy!

One last thing, I would love for YOU to get involved in the organizing movement! ANY questions you may have about organizing, contact me and I will write about them! No problem is too small or too big!

Until next time...

How to Shop for Black Friday Without Going Crazy

2009-11-25T13:15:00.002-05:00

Hello Readers!!

First and foremost, Happy Thanksgiving Eve! I hope everyday you are grateful for loved ones, but let's especially take some time this week.

So, besides turkey, dressing, and football, SHOPPING has become synonymous with Thanksgiving. And what better way to start the holiday season than with a blog about organized shopping!

"Black Friday", as they call it, fills me with nervous thoughts because I always think of mean pushy people fighting over the last Transformer or a $5 flat screen TV at 5:32am. My earliest memories of the day after Thanksgiving are those of not having the parents around all day because they're out shopping.

So, for all those parents who shop on Friday, I hope these tips help you get home early enough to spend time with your family.

1. Do Your Research!: Find out which stores have the Early Bird Specials, best sales, where they are , and what time the stores open. This will help you figure out step two. Also, you may strike gold and find online ordering deals. Think: less stuff to bring in the house later.

2. The-Set Up: Figure out PRIOR to shopping what you want to purchase for each loved one on your list. If you know you want to get Aunt Gina a dress, make sure you've found out her sizes beforehand, it's the worse when you get a gift you can't fit. After you figure out what you want to get each person, maybe think of a list of stores that may cater to what you are looking for. This will cut down on time.

3. Sneak Attack: If there are Early Bird specials that you REALLY need, then fine, get there early enough to secure that special Tickle Me Elmo little Rasheeda has been asking for, but other than that, pick stores all in one specific area (if possible) to cut down on travel time. If you can avoid going to Kohl's in Rochester and then Macy's in Novi, you've won half the battle.

4. B.Y.O.V.: Bring Your Own Vittles!: Bring snacks and water along so that you don't have to stop by the McDonald's outside the mall. It's going to be a looong wait, and they might run out of McNuggets. Save yourself the heartbreak.

5. Divide and Conquer: Find a willing comrade who loves the thrill of the hunt. This way one person can wait in the long line while the other grabs the quick items. Don't forget to synchronize shopping lists and watches!

6. B.Y.O.E: Bring Your Own Entertainment!: This is where that Ipod comes in handy. There are bound to be long lines, and if you bring a buddy to divide in conquer, you'll spend time in the trenches (i.e. cashier lines) alone. Unless you like striking up conversations, a little mood music may help. I suggest Eye Of The Tiger because this isn't for the faint of heart...

7. Start Early: Your kids love you. How many Fridays do they get to spend at home hanging out with their parents? Probably not many. Get out early so you can enjoy the rest of your day.

8. Prayer: Only Jesus and Temperance will stop you from blowing up on rude shoppers who push and shove.

9. Get something for the wonderful person that gave you this information: I'd like a Nintentdo DS or diamonds please. :)

Here's a few places to start your Research:
1. JCPenny (opens at 4am): http://www.jcpenny.com/jcp/default.aspx
2. Black Friday Deals website: http://bfads.net/
3. Target: weeklyad.target.com
4. Amazon.com (why wait in line?): http://www.amazon.com/b/?ie=UTF8&node=384082011&tag=googhydr-20&hvadid=4238437209&ref=pd_sl_835ann76u_b

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

At laaaast, my logo has come along...

2009-11-22T22:32:00.003-05:00

Etta James...hee hee...

Praise Jesus!

This blog thing actually works! After posting a blog about my frustration with finding the right logo, I received calls and emails from people who wanted to extend their services to me. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!

But, there can only be one logo...and one logo designer.

My long time friend, Paul Smith, offered some of his graphic design expertise. I chose his design because after our first conversation (where I explained to him the vision and mission of BeSpoken Spaces), he gave me designs that were on-target. Of course there were many drafts, but Paul was quick to respond and give me his spin on my ideas.

I recommend him to anyone who's looking to brand their company.

Paul Smith - PaulTheBeatSmith@gmail.com

Please take a look at BeSpoken Spaces's new logo!

I AM Dishwasher...an epic

2009-11-19T10:07:00.003-05:00

I remember asking my sister, as a teenager, if we could purchase a dishwasher. She kindly turned to me and said, "Oh Pop (family nickname...don't use it), we have one...you!". Not until my adulthood was I "blessed" with this wonderful box that magically made the dishes clean and steamy. Love that part. The steamy part.

After returning home for graduate school, we FINALLY acquired a dishwasher and the problems that come with it: do we rinse all the dishes? When do you choose to wash instead of load? HOW do you load the dishes?

We've had clean dirty dishes. You know, the clean ones with dried up chicken or pesto spots. We've also played the guessing game aptly titled, "Are those clean?" very frequently.

One day, while waiting for my boyfriend to finish his music lessons, I stumbled across a great article in Rachel Ray's magazine about dishwasher ettiqute and here's what she had to say. Oh yes, I added a few amendments to her list...

Always rinse/pre-wash first! Especially if there is sauce, grease, old food, sticky stuff, or anything of the like on the dishes. Nothing is worse than using the dishwasher and the dishes are STILL dirty!
Load silverware (in the basket) at random to prevent nesting.
Put knives in the washer blades up. This gets them cleaner. Keep sharp knives out of the dishwasher, it makes them grow dull faster.
Pots and pans with dried up mess should be put on the bottom rack, face down. This is where they can get the most intense and hottest blasts of water.
Avoid standing utencils in the silverware basket. Lay them down on the top rack.
Small bowls should stand at attention. Line them up in the top drawer and have the ones in the rear face forward and the ones in the front face the back. Then the center sprayer can reach them all.
Only start the washer when you have a full load. It uses the same amount of water and energy to wash a full or a small load of dishes.
Set a time to run the dishwasher. This will minimize guess work of whether or not the dishes are clean. I have some friends who used to write on their white dishwasher with a dry erase marker to notifiy the status of the washer.
Let dishes airdry. If you know you are not in a hurry to put the dishes up, let the dishes air dry in the washer instead of using the heated dry option. This will save money on your energy bill.

At the end of the day, I've realized that I prefer to wash dishes by hand. Unless we have a dinner party. It's just too many rules for me. If I have to pre-rinse, strategically place them in a washer, and STILL have to strategically place them in my cabinets, WHAT'S THE POINT?? My sister was right, I AM the dishwasher lol.

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

Purse Wars

2009-11-16T12:00:00.005-05:00

For most women, one of our favorite past times (as grueling as it may be) is accessorizing. And our two favorite things are...Shoes and Purses of course! Granted, I don't have an extensive arsenal of handbags, but I've realized this: the bigger the purse, the more trash it amasses. As a matter of fact, one of my close friends had a handbag clutch INSIDE her hobo, and YES, I laughed.

She knows it, and she loves me anyway. :)

Keeping your handbag organized not only keeps your bag clean, it also increases safety. Did you know that most women who get robbed or harassed are distracted? Looking for keys, talking on the phone, and/or rummaging in your purse can decrease your alterness and makes you a desirable target. So let's get organized!

TIPS:
1. Going to a party? Keep it simple! : Identification, Cash/Card, Lipstick, Cellphone (if necessary), keys (if you drove/did not valet), ponytail holder or bobby pins (if you love to dance...hard), and gum/mints (let's stay fresh!). And yes, all of that can fit in a clutch!

2. Monday - Friday Purse Power! : Instead of having items willy nilly in my purse, I use small makeup bags (great idea for those Clinique Bonus bags) to separate items. On a normal day I carry: (1) checkbook wallet, (2) cell phone, (3) planner, (4) cell phone charger (i refuse to buy a car charger for my horrible phone), and (5) keys. In a small cosmetic bag, I carry: (1) lipgloss/lipstick/lip balm, (2) gum/mints, (3) hand sanitizer (watch out for H1N1), (4) hand conditioner, (5) compact mirror, and any other small thing I need (like eye drops if I'm wearing contacts). This makes it easier to change between purses and minimize missing objects.

3. Keep pertinent objects where you can get to them quickly. : That's what the inside zipper pockets are made for. Utilize them!

4. Good things come in small packages. : A 32 oz jar of lotion has no place in your purse! Travel size toiletries are a great solution for your handbag. To make this solution more economical, I purchased an empty container and filled it with shea butter so I can condition my hands and any other rough spots on the go.

5. Clean Sweep: When changing handbags, dump out the trash! Receipts, coupons, candy wrappers, and other waste should be removed ASAP. Why keep trash in your Louis (Vuitton) bag?

Keep your nice purses clean and they'll happily carry you through life!

~Lauren
© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

Logo Loco

2009-11-11T13:21:00.001-05:00

Everyone who knows me, knows that I am not the most patient one in the bunch. Actually, I'm only patient when sleep...shame. I started a business, BeSpoken Spaces (yay!), and things are off to a slow, steady, and positive start, but my question is....WHY IS IT SO HARD TO CREATE A LOGO?!

Geez! Did McDonalds have this issue coming up with the Golden Arches? Was it a regular ole, "M" before?

I don't know, but I'm not enjoying this process. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely enjoying my permanent venture into entrepreneurship, but some things I wish would happen a little faster. In my mind, no logo = crappy business cards and crappy print material = bad business. And I know everyone doesn't rationalize the way I do, but I pass judgment on a crappy business card just like straight hair that needs a trim...not good.

But through it all, "mature" Lauren peeks out after "teenage" Lauren throws a fit.

Here's what I've realized: yes, it takes time to create a logo (or have one created), but in the grand scheme of things, I want one that I won't hate next year. I want a design that speaks to the integrity, quality, and value of the company, and what we stand for. And that is worth the wait.

I will order some better business cards this week and believe God that everything will happen at the right time.

So until then...does anyone know some good graphic designers?

**UPDATE** I wrote first part a couple days ago, but after working with a few designers and receiving designs that weren't quite what I am looking for, I began to tinker around with MS Word, to make a few visual guidelines...and now I'm thinking about getting my hands on a copy of Photoshop! :)

Yesterday's lesson was patience, today's lesson is: tap into your OWN pool of talent. You never know until you try. I learned that in elementary school, but the lesson is revisited annually. Granted, I'm not interested in designing other people's logos, but if I design my own, I get what I want, get it for free, and discover a new talent. And WHO doesn't love that??

I'm still accepting designs, but I will also try it out myself. Wish me luck, and I will be sure to post the finished product!

© BeSpoken Spaces 2009

Come Out The Closet!!!

2009-11-09T23:54:00.005-05:00

When I began my business, I KNEW without a shadow of doubt that this is what I wanted to do. I sent an email to friends and family (read: EVERYONE in my address book) to inform them of my career change, services provided, and so on.

Some responded with congratulations and well-wishes, and a few responded asking for my services, but I am grateful for both.

So, my second client happened to be a First Lady (NOT Michelle O., but a pastor's wife) whose closet needed to be baptized in the waters of organization.

They live in a beautiful home with tons of space and where painstaking detail is being utilized to decorate the home of their --no, probably HER--dreams. Let's be honest, most men don't care about duvet covers, valances, blinds, and Egyptian cotton. SONY, HDTV, BOSE, and Comcast/Direct TV/NFL packages are right up their alley.

After a full tour and a small catch-up conversation, she takes me to the space in question. When I saw the closet, I knew it would take a while. Everything that should AND shouldn't be in a closet was there: clothes, shoes, handbags, hats, house deed, financial papers, their adult children's clothes, checkstubs, DVDs, VHSs, CASSETTE TAPES (WHO owns those??), and three Bibles.

After her apologies, I reassured her that she's not the only one with a messy closet and I discussed my vision for it ("a closet for clothes and accessories only" how novel?). Now let's work! Standing in that closet room, I felt alone. I'm running cross country without Ipod or anyone else on on the road for miles. Since they have a flat screen in the bathroom (Thanks to her husband), Tyra, Oprah, and Wendy Williams kept me company...."how you doin??"

After 8 hours, 3 bags of trash, and 3 bags of clothes to donate to charity, Houston, we have a clean closet.

Tips:

Keep Non-Clothes Related Things Out The Closet: One acceptable item to keep in your closet is a safe.
Schedule Time to Put Up Clothes: If you are very busy, maybe pick one day/week to put the clothes away that you've worn in the past 7 days. In a utopian society, we would make our beds in the morning and put away our clothes after we wear them.
Purge: You know you don't wear stone washed jeans and unitards, so WHY are they still in your closet? Give them away.
Take Inventory: Assess your closet, see what you need and what you desire to make your clothing selection more fashionable and/or functional.
If You Store It, You Will Keep It: The better you store your clothes (think garment bags, hat boxes, shoe horns, shoe boxes), the longer they will last, and the MORE money you save.
NO MORE WIRE HANGERS!!!: Mommy Dearest said it best, but they really do compromise the integrity of your clothes. After picking up clothes from the cleaners, throw those hangers away! Ikea sells inexpensive wooden hangers. And The Container Store sells every kind of hanger your closet desires.

The BeSpoken Diary

Green is the New Cool...

Spring Cleaning: A Green Issue Part 2: The Recipies

Spring Cleaning: A Green Issue

**BSS UPDATES!!**

How to pack for vacation

How to go paperless (or near paperless)

Reader Question: Tied up, tangled up

Gifts Galore!

One Holiday down, one more to go...

So You Like To Network Hunh?

Party Time!

One for the Home Team: We have a website!

Technology and Me: A wired loved story...

How to Shop for Black Friday Without Going Crazy

At laaaast, my logo has come along...

I AM Dishwasher...an epic

Purse Wars

Logo Loco

Come Out The Closet!!!

BSS UPDATES!!