Taking Care of YOU » XOXOrganizing

How to Delegate Your Duties

August 3, 2015 by XOXOblog in General Organizing, Taking Care of YOU

Moms can’t be expected to do everything and still have time to themselves. One of the secrets to staying organized is delegating some of your duties to your kids. I’ve heard excuses as to why not to delegate:

“It’s faster to do it myself.”

“They don’t do it the right way.”

“I end up doing the rest of it myself.”

Those are good reasons not to delegate, however, along with academics, kids should learn how to organize and clean up after themselves. Remember, you’re preparing them for adulthood. Let’s show our little ones how a little help here and there can be good for everyone. Here are a few duties you can delegate to your kids so you can squirrel away a little time for yourself each day:

Put dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter next to the sink (age 5 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Take clothes out of the dryer and lay them flat on top of the dryer until you find time to fold them (age 5 and up) time saved: 7 minutes
Take clothes out of the dryer, fold them and leave them on the dryer (age 9 and up) time saved: 15 minutes
Take clothes out of the dryer, fold them and distribute to each room (age 10 and up) time saved: 20 minutes
Load the dishwasher (age 6 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Unload the dishwasher and put dishes away (age 8 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Toss expired pantry items (age 9 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Pick up toys from common areas (age 3 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Take out the trash (age 6 and up) time saved: 2 minutes
Set the table (age 5 and up) time saved: 4 minutes
Clear the table (age 5 and up) time saved: 7 minutes
Clear the table and put all food away in containers (age 10 and up) time saved: 15 minutes
Vacuum (age 6 and up) time saved: 2 minutes (per room)
Wipe down all counter tops (age 6 and up) time saved: 3 minutes
Give the dog a bath (age 10 and up) time saved: 15 minutes
File away paid bills (age 10 and up) time saved: 2 minutes
Shred old documents (age 7 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Clean mirrors (age 7 and up) time saved: 5 minutes
Water outdoor plants (age 5 and up) time saved: 5 minutes

Download our free printable chore chart here. Encourage your chore chart program with XOXO Daddy Dollars and XOXO Mommy Money.

How to Get Rid of Clutter Forever

July 20, 2015 by XOXOblog in General Organizing, Taking Care of YOU

Where does clutter come from and why doesn’t it go away?

If you ask me, clutter happens when you can’t/don’t have time to decide where to keep an item in your home. So… you set it down somewhere-TEMPORARILY. Then, you come across something else you’re not sure about and so you set that down somewhere-TEMPORARILY. Then, you come across something else you’re not sure about…you get the picture.

To be a clutter killer (hahaha) you must find a PERMANENT place for everything in your home. Trust me when I say, “finding a place for each and every item is not an easy task to take on alone!” I think it’s because you’re emotionally attached to almost everything in your home. Sometimes organizing can be beneficial- and dare I say more fun– when you have a friend organizing with you. It’s more fun to organize with someone else. You get to brainstorm and laugh about certain things-together. It certainly helps the time go by faster.

If you find yourself in a pattern of assigning TEMPORARY storage solutions to items, but don’t have a friend to help you organize-XOXO can help! We’ll work together to make each room in your home functional and clutter free in no time! I love organizing and if you don’t share that sentiment, then we already make a great team! xo

Your Calendar is Your Personal Assistant

May 25, 2015 by XOXOblog in General Organizing, Self Organization, Taking Care of YOU

Many of us use a calendar to record appointments, deadlines, travel plans, etc. Our lives get busy and it’s helpful to have a pocket-sized reminder of what’s on the agenda.

I use my calendar like a personal assistant and I’d like you to practice doing the same. Anything you want to remember must be “told” to your personal assistant or he/she won’t be able to remind you about it later. That includes everything that’s on your mind- no matter how small or insignificant it seems. Here are examples of what you may want to tell your personal assistant:

-Trash day- toss old food from the fridge

-Street sweeper- move my car

-Call fridge repair man

-Target coupon expires in 7 days

-Blow dry hair for event tomorrow

-Confirm play date with Susie’s mom

-Take black dress to the tailor/take my button

-Return Nordstrom sweater

-Buy wedding gift and card

XOXO says, “If you want to remember it, write it down.”

Need a little help with your calendar? Sign-up for our private, in-home Calendar Course.

What’s in Your Gym Bag?: 10 Workout Essentials Under $20

May 11, 2015 by XOXOblog in 10 Things, Taking Care of YOU, Tips

10 workout essentials under 20 v2

Shop these items: 1. J.Crew Water Bottle $19.50 2. Sephora Express Cleansing Wipes $4 3. BAGGU Nylon Toiletry Bag $10 4. Gaiam Thirsty Hand Towel $9.27 5. No Regrets Just Results Tank $12.99 6. Newman’s Own Organics Mints 6-pack, $11.92 7. Forever 21 Phone Arm Band $10.90 8. Cyndibands Hair Ties Arm Candy 3-pack, $4.95 9. Forever 21 Caged Cami Sports Bra $12.90 10. Forever 21 Yoga Mat $9.90

Q&A with Sara: My Fitness Routine

May 4, 2015 by XOXOblog in Taking Care of YOU

1. What’s your go-to workout?
My go-to workout is a 30-minute Jillian Michaels Cardio Kickstart DVD. I got it at Target for $10. I love that I don’t have to drive to the gym when my time is limited! I can do my 30 minute workout in my backyard and then get on with the rest of my day. (OMG- I’m so serious in this picture! Hahaha!)

2. How do you find time to organize homes and still workout consistently?
Organizing is so much fun and I love it, but it can be exhausting at times. Scheduling my workouts in advance is key for me. I try to workout in the mornings if I can because sometimes trying to workout after a long day of organizing is too hard for me.

3. How much time do you devote to exercise each week?
I would say I workout 3-4 times each week. I use the XOXO Workout Log like a contest with my girlfriend. We agree to workout a certain amount of times each month. Whoever doesn’t meet that number owes the other one money at the end of the month. It’s been keeping me on track for sure! I won $50 last month! I told her, “I don’t want to take your money…but I will!” Hahaha! She was a good sport about it. I’m on track this month too. Working out is the hardest task to cross of on my to-do list.

4. What do you wear when you workout?
I don’t spend too much money on my workout clothes because sometimes, in order to feel more motivated, I like to purchase new items. I try to keep my workout apparel under $20. XOXO has a workout style post on 10 Workout Essentials for Under $20!

5. Do you listen to music while you workout?
I MUST listen to music while I workout! It keeps my mind distracted- as if my body wouldn’t notice I was working up a sweat or something- Hahaha! Sometimes, I run around my neighborhood for 30 minutes or so- that’s when I need my iPod. I forgot to charge my iPod once- and halfway down the street, it shut off on me! I was a wreck! I didn’t want to turn around so I kept on running, but it wasn’t as fun as when I have music.