shorter designs

Work Smarter-Not Harder

Establishing systems to simplify your life only work if they’re easy to adopt and truly make a difference in your daily life. Here are some tips to make your kitchen easier–and more enjoyable–to use.

• By taking a few extra minutes each time you come home from the grocery store, you will save yourself a lot of time later in the week. Organize your food in the pantry and fridge by groupings. For example, put your canned veggies in one spot, group soups together, store all dessert ingredients near each other, etc.

A Little Planning Goes a Long Way

The first thing you need to do is commit yourself to having the closet you really want. Think about what it’s like now, then dream about what it could be. Think about how your life would be simplified, how much time and money you would save, and how good you will feel once the job is complete.

Next think about the closets you want organized. When you determine which one makes you most stressed, start with that one.

Few things in life come without compromise. You may have to give up a few items in order to make your closet the best it can be.

Greetings from Shorter Designs! As some of you know, I am from Winston-Salem
originally. My husband and I moved back about 2 years ago after being gone for
11 years. One thing I have noticed since being back is how it does not snow as
much as it used to when I was a kid growing up. I used to enjoy throwing
snowballs, eating snow cream, and hearing the crunch of snow under my feet. The
last two winters there hasn’t been a chance to do this with the little dustings
we have had. It’s been really disappointing!

Greetings from Shorter Designs! February is a wonderful time to stay inside and keep warm. While you are cooped up take advantage of organizing items on your computer. We often forget that email, desk icons, and digital pictures can be a source of major clutter. There are a lot of ideas to consider. Listed below are just a few:

Greetings from Shorter Designs! The other day I was thinking back over several of my clients, and one common theme they all shared was not being able to keep a handle on laundry. There were piles of dirty clothes all over the house, clothes piled up by the washing machine, a few baskets full of clean clothes that needed to be folded, and folded clothes not yet put away. Perhaps you can relate.

There are a few ways to tackle laundry problems. The first is just to start. Go put a load in the washer right now! Now that you are back, read on!

Greetings from Shorter Designs! This is the second part of a two-part holiday newsletter.

After doing the ideas from November’s newsletter, consider what type of ambiance you would like to have at your gathering. For instance, do you prefer childlike fun or adult elegance? Once you have decided what feel you would like your home to have, flip through holiday magazines to get ideas for centerpieces and other decorations. Make a list of the items you need to buy for your decorations.