Buttoned Up » Holidays

Join in the February #GetButtonedUp Challenge!

Sarah — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 17:50:10 +0000

It’s time to get your love buttoned up!

February is all about the heart. Not only does Valentine’s Day fall smack, dab in the middle of the month, but it’s also “American Heart Month” and therefore time to take care of that all important organ. With this theme in mind, we’ve put together another great monthly challenge for you!

By the end of this challenge, you will:

Actually have enjoyed Valentine’s Day because you were prepared for it!
Be ready to remember every important day (birthdays, anniversaries, etc) in the lives of your loved ones in 2012.
Have taken concrete steps to care for your health.
Actually have figured out how to carve out (and enjoy) some me time.

And much, much more!

How the February #GetButtonedUp Challenge Will Work

Each day during the month of February we have a specific organizational task for you to complete. Download the 29 day calendar by clicking on the link below.

Get Buttoned Up Challenge – February

When you complete the task, let the buttoned up team know your status by commenting on the Facebook check-in post for that day and either email or Tweet the picture of your completed task. We will enter anyone who has completed all 29 days of the challenge successfully into a grand prize drawing. All winners will be selected using random.org.

Participating in the #GetButtonedUp Challenge is as easy as 1-2-3:

Let us know you’re in by commenting on this post below AND by heading over to Facebook to comment under the post about being a part of the February Challenge.
Letting us know you completed your daily task by commenting on the Facebook GetButtonedUp Challenge Check-In post each day
Sending a picture of your completed task to Sarah – via email sarah @ getbuttonedup dot com OR via TwitPic to @SarahButtonedUp & using the #getbuttonedup hashtag.

Grand Prize

Grand Prize: $100 donation to the charity of your choice in your name
2 Runner Up Prizes: $50 donation to the charity of your choice in your name

Join In By Commenting Below!

NOTE: All are welcome to join in the challenge.

Tutorial: Create Knockout Valentine’s Gifts Using Our Free Printables

Sarah — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:08:30 +0000

These Valentine’s Day Cards are cute enough to stand on their own, but if you’ve got time, you can easily embellish them.

How? By gluing each card on to a colorful piece of construction paper and attaching some candy, or punching 2 holes in the card and slipping in a lollipop. You can even tape or glue the cards onto candy heart boxes. See below for some inspiration!

Click here to download the first set of cards seen below.

Click here to download the second set of cards seen below.

Have a HAPPY Valentine’s Day!

Tool: Free Printable Valentine’s Day Cards

Sarah — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 14:00:29 +0000

Deliver smiles this Valentine’s Day without spending a dime.

Download and print these adorable cards on premium paper stock, cut them out and voilá—you (and your kids) are ready for the big day. They’re cute enough to stand on their own, but if you’ve got time, you can easily embellish them by gluing each card on to a colorful piece of construction paper and attaching a lollipop (come back tomorrow for a tutorial on this!)

Click here to download the first set seen below.

Click here to download the second set seen below.

Have a HAPPY Valentine’s Day!

15 cures for your toy hangover

Sarah — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:16:38 +0000

As I settled back into my routines this week, I had a fleeting thought: did the holidays even happen this year?

One glance at the playroom confirms it most certainly did. And good GAWD, this momma needs to learn restraint! The onslaught of toys has completely overwhelmed our rather simple organization system consisting of two bins. Time to upgrade.

I went looking and found 15 organizational tools and hacks that would help any overwhelmed parent deal with their toy tsunami & thought I’d share.

What about you, Did you go a little overboard on the Holiday gifts without having done a little toy purging in advance? What’s your favorite trick for corralling the toys?

{Feature Photo Credit}

23 tips for starting fresh in 2012

Sarah — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:34:11 +0000

The statistics on setting New Year’s resolutions are pretty dismal. Most people won’t make it to the end of the month, let alone the end of the year. In fact, we’ve heard that as few as 2% of resolution-setters actually achieve their goals by year’s-end. Making a change stick is hard work. But it is possible.

No matter what your goals are for the year ahead, we want to help you achieve them. Organize yourself for success with these helpful tips.

1. Take time to evaluate 2011.

Consider the things that went well for you last year as well as the things that didn’t. Make a list of each. Take a moment or two to consider why you were successful or not. In addition, take a moment to celebrate your successes.

2. Ask yourself: “what lessons can I extract from my previous failures?”

I recently posted about the power of a failure wall. As one reader commented on Facebook, “often what we consider huge failures in our minds actually were great learning experiences and have brought us to where we are today – almost a backwards confidence booster.” Take the time to articulate the lessons learned from the stumbles you took last year. The wisdom you gained from making them will serve you well in the year ahead.

3. Get a notebook and write down your goals.

When you physically write something down, the few minutes that it takes for you to review and think about what you are trying to learn is the minimum length of time that neuroscientists believe is necessary to allow thought to go into a lasting, more easily retrievable memory. It also helps you focus your attention and keep track of where you are. Cement your goals by writing them down.

4. Forget about yesterday, last week, last year.

All that matters is what you do in this moment. Don’t paint yourself into a corner as a “failure,” because it is not a permanent state.

5. Start each day with a commitment to your goal(s).

Keep your goals in a spot where you can see and review them at the start of every day. I like to keep a laminated copy taped to the inside front of my to-do notebook, which I look at as soon as I sit down at my desk each day. I know Alicia keeps hers in the drawer of her bedside table and goes over her goals before she even gets out of bed for the day.

6. Script your moves for the first 30 days.

Shifting momentum is often the most difficult part of making a fresh start. Make it easier on yourself by assigning one to-do for each day of the first month so all you have to do is follow the path you’ve already charted.

7. Start small.

As Jonatan Martensson said, “Success will never be a big step in the future, success is a small step taken just now.” Even if it’s just exercising or decluttering for 5 minutes, the important thing is that you start.

8. Make one goal for each week.

Break your big goal into 4 weekly goals for each month. Then forget about the big goal and simply focus on the bite-sized one you need to achieve this week.

9. Plan to Fail.

That sounds depressing, but it’s not. Nobody is perfect. The key to success is expecting failure…and planning ways to bounce back from it. Consider your “weak spots,” like getting out of a warm and cozy bed early. Then brainstorm ways to overcome them, such as going to bed in your workout clothes or investing in a Clocky (that alarm clock that runs away from you).

10. Try some if/then statements.

Psychology researchers from NYU have verified the power of simple if/then statements in getting people to follow through on their intentions. For example, if weight loss is your goal, repeat a statement like, “if I go to a restaurant tonight for dinner, then I will order a salad,” to yourself. You might just surprise yourself when you order a salad as if on autopilot.

11. Stoke your emotional attachment to your goals.

Cut out quotes and images, keep a Pinboard (if you need an invite, just email sarah at getbuttonedup dot com and she will get you one). Keep them handy so that when you are tempted, you can look at something and immediately feel a strong sense of connection to your end goal.

12. Measure your progress.

Pick one or two metrics to measure and keep track of your progress every, single day. Look back at your progress each week and month and celebrate!

13. Make a public statement.

There’s nothing like committing to a goal publicly to keep you honest. Post on your facebook wall, send an email to friends and family, or tell all of your colleagues what you are going to accomplish, by when. Encourage them to check in on you and heckle you if you are not living up to your end of the bargain.

14. Get an accountability buddy or community.

We all need one person who can hold our feet to the fire. If all of your friends and family are pushovers, hire a coach or trainer instead. Or consider joining or creating a Meetup group that will accomplish the same thing.

15. Keep a daily gratitude list.

When you are filled with appreciation for what you have, your mental state shifts dramatically in a positive direction. Start each day by noting all the people and things in your life you are grateful for and take note of how the tone of your days improves.

16. Pat yourself on the back once a week.

It can be easy to get swept up in busyness. But celebrating your progress each week is critical to staying on track. Take 5 minutes every Friday afternoon or Sunday evening and write down at least 3 things you did (or learned) that brought you closer to your intended goal.

17. Reframe what it means to fail.

A teacher once told Sarah that the only way to fail was not to learn. It transformed how she looked at her progress. If you fall down, pick yourself up and ask yourself what you can learn from the experience. Learn how you can prevent the same thing from happening in the future.

18. Stop the comparisons.

Goals are personal. Don’t compare yourself or your rate of progress to anyone else. Focus instead on doing the best you can do today.

19. Sign up for a challenge.

There is something about working towards a big challenge that keeps you focused and on track. Find a relevant one to you and sign up.

20. Reward your self-control.

Keep a little sticker or star chart going for yourself on an index card you can keep your wallet. Every time you exercise self-control as it relates to your goal, give yourself a star. Each time you hit a certain number of stars, say 10, reward yourself with something like a manicure or a yummy smoothie.

21. Find someone successful to imitate.

As Anthony Robbins says, “success leaves clues.” You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Speed up your progress by modeling the program of someone who has been successful in the area in which you wish to succeed.

22. Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Repeating tasks is the way to mastery. You should repeat one or two of the same tasks that are crucial to the change you want to make each and every week. Before you know it you will be able to do them on autopilot.

23. Be still once a day.

If you have had a good day, consider this an opportunity to energize yourself and tap into your insight and creativity. If you haven’t had a good day, a quiet moment serves as a fresh start. Clear your mind, clean your slate, and begin again.

What are you committed to changing this year? In what ways do you like to start fresh?

Organizing your thank you notes

Sarah — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 12:01:06 +0000

I am always surprised when we hear grown people shrug off thank you notes. No, it doesn’t matter if grandma was sitting with you as you opened the gift from her; you still owe her a formal thank you note. An email won’t do either. And yes, even if you have horrible handwriting, you must still sit down and hand-write a card to each person who was kind enough to give you a gift this season.

With all of that said, I do understand that the thought of writing thank you cards can be daunting, especially if received a lot of gifts. But there’s really no reason to become paralyzed. Here are four simple tips that will help you organize yourself so that you get yours done before the week is out, and without breaking a sweat.

1. Keep a List.

It sounds simple, but it’s amazing how often this little thing is overlooked. Keep a pad and pencil handy as you and your family open gifts. Document who got what from whom and then when it comes time to write your thank you notes, there won’t be any confusion about who gave what to whom.

2. Set Up a Stationery Stash.

You must have a stash of thank you stationery and some stamps on hand before you can get to writing. Shopping for stationery is the fun part. We recommend going with a classic design you like rather than something funky because the funky option might not be appropriate for everyone, and you don’t want to have to buy multiple sets. Stay away from full sheets of paper, as you don’t want your thoughtful note overshadowed by lots of blank space. Note cards are ideal, and if you prefer postcards, there is nothing wrong with using them either.

3. Use the rule of 3.

There are generally three components to a well-written thank you note. The first is a simple statement of thanks, such as “Thank you for the lovely flowers.” Don’t worry if it sounds too simple, that’s the point of a note like this – it’s supposed to be a simple expression of your gratitude. Second, note how you have used or will use the gift. Again, keep this statement brief; it’s nice for the giver to know how you intent to use their gift, but they don’t need a whole paragraph about it. In addition, avoid the temptation to lie here. Even if you received a gift you truly dislike, like a pair of wool socks, there is always something to appreciate, like the color or the fact that the wool keeps cold toes warm. Finally, wrap up the note with a final statement of thanks, and if appropriate, a nod to when you will see them again. For example, “Thanks again for such a thoughtful gift – I can’t wait to see you at Johnny’s graduation.”

4. Write three notes a day.

While sitting down to write twenty notes may seem overwhelming, if you set aside twenty minutes every evening for the next week, and dash off three notes in each sitting – you’ll have crossed this to-do off of your list in good time and without suffering. Don’t turn on the TV or go to bed without having at least written three notes a day until you are done.

{feature photo credit: Paper Source}

Do you believe in thank you notes like we do? How do you organize yourself to get them done in a timely fashion?

Join the January #GetButtonedUp Challenge!

Sarah — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:00:34 +0000

Get Organized in 2012

Hoping to turn over a new, organized leaf in the New Year? If so we’re excited for you and here to help. We have just put the finishing touches on our first ever Get Buttoned Up Challenge. What is it exactly? Well, it’s one part “get organized boot camp,” one part cheerleading squad, and best of all, a serious accountability system that will ensure you follow through on your good intention.

How the January #GetButtonedUp Challenge Will Work

Each day during the month of January we have a specific organizational task for you to complete. Download 31 day calendar by clicking on the link below.

Get Buttoned Up Challenge – January

When you complete the task, let the buttoned up team know your status by commenting on the Facebook check-in post for that day and either email or Tweet the picture of your completed task. Each week participants who successfully complete all 7 of their daily tasks will be entered into a drawing for a prize.

We’ll also enter anyone who has completed all 31 days of the challenge successfully into a grand prize drawing. All winners will be selected using random.org.

Participating in the #GetButtonedUp Challenge is as easy as 1-2-3:

Let us know you’re in by commenting on this post below. Be sure to tell us your Facebook name in your comment!
Letting us know you completed your daily task by commenting on the Facebook GetButtonedUp Challenge Check-In post each day
Sending a picture of your completed task to Sarah – via email sarah @ getbuttonedup dot com OR via TwitPic to @SarahButtonedUp & using the #getbuttonedup hashtag.

Weekly prizes will be awarded to a participant who has completed all of the previous week’s tasks successfully and let us know by checking in on Facebook and with pictures.

Weekly & Grand Prizes

Week 1 Prize: Signed copy of Pretty Neat
Week 2 Prize: Weekly.agenda + Greetings.stash
Week 3 Prize: $20 Target Gift Card
Week 4 Prize: $20 Walmart Gift Card
Grand Prize: Hoover Max Extract 60 Pressure Pro
2 Runner Up Grand Prizes: Hoover Presto 2-in-1 Cordless Stick Vacuum

Join In By Commenting Below!

NOTE: All are welcome to join in the challenge, but all prizes except Buttoned Up products are for US participants only.

Holiday fire safety tips

Sarah — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:50:35 +0000

The Holidays are full of fire hazards. It’s important to be aware of what they are and organize yourself in a way that minimizes your risk. That’s why we were thrilled when the folks at Liberty Mutual enabled us to pose a few questions for fire safety expert and volunteer firefighter Tom Harned. He kindly responded to our questions in video format. Have a watch.

Question 1: Safety Rules for Christmas Trees Near the Fireplace

Question 2: Safety Rules for Extension Cords

6 Holiday Dinner shortcuts

Sarah — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 12:59:56 +0000

There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a big celebratory dinner with family and good friends during the Christmas Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa seasons. But all too often the chef ends up slaving in the kitchen and missing out on quality time with everyone else. The key to avoiding this fate is a little bit of organization. We’ve put together some simple shortcuts that will minimize your time in the kitchen on the big day so you spend more time with your guests.

1. Serve cold appetizers.

There is no need to add to the cook’s already heightened stress levels by having a hot appetizer on the menu. Instead, choose items that can be served “cold,” like a shrimp cocktail, deviled eggs, cheese plates, and vegetable dips. Not only will this keep the ovens and stovetop free for what’s really important but you can prepare these kinds of dishes well ahead of time too.
[image via: mel’s kitchen cafe}

2. Get the potatoes right.

There’s always one dish that, if you get it right, will make your guests forget any other shortcomings. For Sarah, that’s the roast potatoes. For Alicia, it’s the latkes. So we both put lots of attention on getting those potato dishes done beautifully – and at just the right moment. Everything else we do our best, but don’t waste a moment’s energy worrying about getting “perfect.” {image via: “Point-less” Meals Blogspot}

3. Prep veggies the night before.

There is quite a bit of prep work that you can do the night before so that all your vegetables are ready to be cooked on the big day. We recommend cutting up your vegetables the day before and storing them in Ziploc bags or in sealed glass containers so that they stay fresh. This is the one task that takes the most amount of time, so the more you do the day before, the more time you actually have to spend with your gests rather than slaving in the kitchen.

4. Put dirty plates and pans outside until you can deal with them.

When you’re whipping up a large dinner with many side dishes, the pots and pans can quickly accumulate. Rather than stopping what you’re doing to get the mess under control (and get your counter space back), consider putting the trays, pots and pans, and any other baking dishes you’re done with out in the back yard, or on a porch, until you have the time to deal with them.

5. Cook your turkey so it is done 1 hour before dinner.

Organize your time so that the turkey is finished cooking one hour before you serve dinner. When it’s done, cover it in tin foil and let it rest. Not only will it be juicier, but it will also free up precious oven space right when you need it most.

6. Measure ingredients ahead of time.

You might be shocked to see how much time you save by measuring out all the ingredients you’ll need ahead of time. So, rather than measuring out the dry ingredients you need for that zucchini bread on the big day, do it the day before. Sift them if the recipe calls for it. Then store it in a Ziploc bag so that all you have to do on the big day is dump it in the mixer with the wet ingredients. This trick works for everything from the milk and cheese for your mac & cheese dish to baked goods and eggnog. {Fish measuring spoons by Anthropologie}

How about you? What are your best shortcuts for preparing your holiday meals, whether it’s a Christmas dinner or Hanukkah celebration?

Five tips on gift giving etiquette

Sarah — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:21:18 +0000

The holidays bring about their own set of challenges when it comes to gift-giving etiquette. There are many things to consider when getting or giving gifts. While the overall sentiment of thoughtfulness is a wonderful guide, it might be a little too vague to be truly useful. To help you organize your gift giving efforts this year, we’ve put together five tips to help you navigate it without stepping on any toes.

1. Just say thank you.

Have you ever received a gift from someone that you did not buy a gift for? Avoid the urge to fall all over yourself apologizing for the fact that you don’t have anything for them and simply say a heartfelt, “thank you.” There is no rule that you have to buy a gift for everyone. Another way to avoid the guilt: make a few batches of cookies and put them in small decorative tins that you can give as impromptu gifts. {image via: Sunset}

2. Wrap well.

Wrapping a gift well doesn’t take any longer than wrapping one sloppily. And a well-wrapped gift sends the message that you put thought and effort into picking out something special just for them. If you’re challenged in this department, get a few boxes made out of recycled paper, like these from the Container Store, and invest in some brightly colored ribbon. “Wrap” the gift by tying the ribbon only. If you have kids (and therefore the ten tons of artwork that come home with them), use their canvases to wrap gifts for family members.{image via: vtwonen}

3. Only re-gift if you can do it with meaning.

We all have one or two items cluttering up our spaces that would be perfect…for someone else. Re-gifting is a wonderful way to finally put that gift in the right hands. But tread carefully. The last thing you want to do is make the gift someone else’s clutter problem. Be clear that the person on the receiving end would actually use it. And of course, you need to be sure you’re not re-gifting an item back to the person who originally gave it to you. If you can’t remember who gave you an item, it’s better to bring to Goodwill than to risk giving it back to the giver.

4. Avoid gag gifts.

Period. This rule especially holds true at work. The danger lies in the fact that the joke may be missed, or worse misinterpreted. Instead, go with gifts that are personalized in a positive way. Worry less about finding the “perfect” gift, if you think they will like it, chances are they will.

5. If you’re stumped, ask for a hint.

If you have absolutely no idea what to give someone, rather than giving a generic gift card or gift, ask them what’s on their wish list this year. If everything on their list is over your price limit, you can always get them a gift card to the store where they can get it for a dollar amount that is within your range.