Cocktails and Containers

If something were to happen to you today, does your partner know your wishes? Do they know where important papers are? Do you have a plan for your kids and your money? Aye-yi-yi...yes, mamas! We are going deep this week to chat organizing all those areas that make us feel a little uncomfortable. I'm chatting with author Nine Nights: Your New Little Black Book for Personal Financial Empowerment and professional organizer Laurie Teal. Laurie has a mission to make sure couples and women are organized and prepared with the paperwork they need in case of financial emergency, medical emergency, or, to put it simply, death. She wants you to be able to care for or grieve your loved ones instead of trying to track down medical histories or trust documents. And her book will help you arrange it all step-by-step. With all this talk of death and paperwork, you'll definitely need a cocktail...which is why we are having a tasty pitcher cocktail featuring Laurie's favorite wine, the Riesling-Campari cocktail from Food and Wine. For links to Laurie, a copy of Laurie's book, today's cocktail recipe or to explore past episodes, visit our show notes at podcast.cocktailsandcontainers.com. Search for the Episode "Organizing Your Estate."

Minimalism and simplicity coach Rose Lounsbury is back to chat love and organizing in honor of Valentine's Day. This week, Rose and I will discuss how to introduce the idea of decluttering to your family and why it's important to teach your family organizing and decluttering skills. This episode partners perfectly with last week's chat where we discussed how to introduce organizing systems when you and your loved ones don't see eye to eye on decluttering strategies. And we introduce an unlikely and delicious combination...the Red Wine Milkshake from Delish. To connect with Rose, get today's cocktail recipe, or search past episodes, visit the show notes at podcast.cocktailsandcontainers.com. Search for the episode "Love and Organizing Part 2".

If you've resolved to make a budget, pay down debt or save more in 2020, I've got a guru for you. Today I'm chatting with Lauren Tucker of An Organized Life about her debt-free journey, where to start organizing your finances, and her favorite resources to help you along the way. And since coffee is one of Lauren's favorite beverages, we give you a delicious Austrian, coffee-based cocktail...the Café Maria-Theresia. To connect with Lauren, check out her resources, get today's cocktail recipe or search past episodes, visit our show notes at podcast.cocktailsandcontainers.com.  Join my Patreon community for monthly customizable organizing strategy worksheets, live community calls to help hold you accountable, exclusive step-by-step organizing checksheets, an eBook featuring the cocktail recipes, and a seasonal Book club featuring some of my favorite reads. To join and for more info, visit www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcontainers.

Raise your hand if you've got "get in shape" on your 2020 to-do list. (Now raise it 50 more times and switch sides 😉) This week we are talking to fitness trainer Allison Nelson of Live Real Fit about getting organized to get fit this year. We'll talk about the first steps to take in planning your routine, how to ease into a routine or new routine to prevent injury or burnout, and how to stay motivated when you want to throw in the gym towel. And we'll chat all this while sipping Skinny Blueberry Spritzers from Peanut Butter and Peppers. Find this week's cocktail recipe, links to our guest, and past episodes in our show notes at podcast.cocktailsandcontainers.com. Join my Patreon community for even more tips to organize and simplify your family. Visit www.patreon.com/cocktailsandcontainers to check out the benefits and join today.

Welcome to 2020 AND the kick-off to our January "Getting Organized to..." series. Today I'm talking to professional organizers Kelly Beutler of The Joyful Sort and Lori Cela of Time 4 Organizing about their steps to plan your project, start small, and stay motivated when it comes to your organizing projects this year. And they share their wealth of knowledge while we sip on delicious & warm Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate! For more information on today's episode and to connect with Lori and Kelly, visit the show notes for this episode at https://www.cocktailsandcontainers.com/getting-organized-to-get-organized. To search past episodes, visit podcast.cocktailsandcontainers.com.

Don't let a holiday gift deluge derail a year's worth of decluttering efforts. Today I'll give you some insight into why you would want to ask for or give clutter-free gifts this holiday season. And some of my favorite clutter-free gift options. All while sipping on the little bit sweet, little bit salty, and whole lot of delicious Salted Caramel White Russians. Today's episode features excerpts from my book "101 Clutter-Free Gifts: And Why You Want Them". You can pick up your copy at gifts.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.   For links to the gifts suggestions in the episode, today's cocktail recipe, or check out past episodes in the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

Looking to put your best face forward but overwhelmed by all the steps? Or maybe you think it would take too long? Never fear, beautiful mamas, my friend and beauty expert Stacie Hamilton from The Makeup Obsessed Mom is here to help. Stacie shares her tips for simple morning and evening skincare as well as steps for easy, beautiful, natural-looking makeup.  And she shares fantastic and fun gift ideas for the holidays. For more information on Stacie, links to her product suggestions, or today's cocktails recipe, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com. Pick up a copy of my book "101 Clutter-Free Gifts: And Why You Want Them" at gifts.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

What happens when the simple desires of minimalism crash with the holiday push of consumerism? This week we'll chat with mom-to-3 and host of the Minimalist Moms podcast, Diane Boden, about how she stays true to her minimalism during the holidays. Learn about Diane's journey to minimalism and her recommendations on where to start if you are interested in decluttering or minimalism. All this while we sip a delightful twist on the traditional mimosa...the Poinsettia (or Cranberry Mimosa). For more about Diane, today's cocktail recipe, and past episodes, visit podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

Food is such an important part of holiday celebrations. Now is the time to get your pantry and food storage in order so you can know exactly where what you need is when you need it. On today's episode, I'll take you step by step through the exact process I use when I organize pantries for clients. All while sipping an amazing bourbon based cocktail that warms you from the inside out...the Maple Cinnamon Old Fashioned. Here are links to additional episodes I mention today: How to Host a Cookie Exchange https://www.simplesolutionsorganizing.com/cookie-exchange/ Can You Over-Organize https://www.simplesolutionsorganizing.com/can-you-over-organize/ Be sure to check out my "12 Days of Christmas Prep" videos and checklist by visiting holidays.simplesolutionsorganizing.com. For more info, past epsiodes, and today's cocktail recipe, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com. 

The holiday season is fast approaching...have you started to schedule all your activities? If the thought of doing all the holiday things stresses you out, join me as I chat with Janet M. Taylor aka Organizer Janet about managing your time and setting priorities during the holidays. And we give you a holiday twist on sangria with a Mulled Wine Sangria from Delish.com. For more on today's guest, past episodes, or today's cocktail recipe, visit my show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

Looking for strategies to keep stress low during the upcoming holiday season? Today I kick off my holiday organizing series with Agile Home Strategist and Family Scrum Master, Yvonne Marcus. Yvonne helps families collaborate and moms delegate through agile systems that make your home run like a well-oiled machine. We discuss "progress over perfection" and her 3 tips to help you live your best #momlife over the holidays. All while sipping a delicious, seasonal Spiced Apple Margarita from Cookie and Kate. Don't miss my "12 Days of Christmas Prep" starting November 1st on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and in my Cocktails and Containers Facebook Group. There will be short videos each day to help you put more jolly in your holiday. And you can pick up a checklist to take notes and keep track of what you've done and what you need to do. For more information on today's guest or this week's cocktail recipe, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

Are you struggling to start your organizing projects because they won't be "Pinterest perfect" or "Instagram worthy"? Today we talk about what REALLY matters when it comes to organizing systems (hint: it isn't the bins) and how to start living your best, organized life right away rather than waiting until you have the time, money, or bins. And we give you a delicious fall cocktail...the Apple Gin Mule from Jen Meyering. To visit the show notes or see today's cocktail recipe, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com and search for the episode title.

Receiving a chronic illness diagnosis can be overwhelming and stressful for families. Today I am talking with organizing expert Rachel Rosenthal about her organizing strategies for living with a chronic disease. A busy mom of twins and entrepreneur, Rachel was diagnosed with Hashimoto's disease a few years back. Among other symptoms, Hashimoto's can cause brain fog and fatigue which means Rachel had to have her organizing skills on point to keep up with her research, medications, doctor's appointments and life in general. We discuss her strategies and make a delicious "mocktail" with ginger and turmeric, perfect to give you a warm feeling on a cool Autumn night. For more information on today's episode, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

If you struggle with what to keep and what to do with the papers in your home, this episode is for you. Paper organizing & decluttering is one of the most frequent topics I'm asked about as a professional organizer. Today I'm going to let you in on the 2 questions to ask yourself when trying to decide if you NEED a piece of paper, tips for filing what you do decide to keep, and how to stop to the influx of junk mail into your home. All this and a delicious Fall-inspired cocktail...the Maple Bourbon Smash courtesy of Food & Wine. Visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com for any links or recipes from today's episode.

Working for yourself can seem like an ideal employment choice for moms...set your own schedule, do something you love AND have time left to pick up and drop off from school, right? And yet mompreneurs often feel like there isn't enough time or that they are spinning their wheels. So much of it comes down to time management and clear priorities. That is what I am focusing on today as I chat with Barb Stauffer and Leah Monaghan from Root 23 Simple Syrups. With a thriving business and 5 middle school and high school students between them, Barb and Leah are busy with a capital "B". But we chat some ways to delegate and automate to make the most of the work time and family time. And all while sipping delicious Grapefruit Basil Palomas featuring Root 23 Simple Syrups. For more info and links mentioned in the show, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

What do you do if the power goes out for several days? Where does your family meet up if there is a fire? Is your I.C.E. contact programmed in your phone? So often, we don't consider our emergency plans until after the fact. That is why today, in honor of National Preparedness Month in September, I am chatting with professional organizer Heather K. Powers about how to start organizing your family in case of a natural disaster or serious accident in your community. We'll talk about how to get started, what you might include in your emergency kit, and websites for checklists and resources in your community. AND Heather shares a recipe for one of her favorite cocktails that can be served cold or hot. You can find out more about this episode in the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com. 

An estimated 50-70 million Americans suffer from sleep-related problems. Are you or a loved one affected? If so, I've got sleep consultants Lori and Sara Strong from Strong Little Sleepers to help. Lori and Sara help families develop custom sleep routines for families from newborns to adults. And today they are sharing their tips for creating a sleep routine for your family. And a recipe for a delicious Aperol Spritz. For links to products mentioned in today's episode or past episodes, visit the show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

Why would you hire a professional organizer??? Well, that is what I am going to do a deep dive into for you today. I have not one but seven reasons why anyone, no matter what their level of organizing skill, can benefit from hiring a professional organizer. My goal is that by the end you'll be saying "why wouldn't I hire a professional organizer?" I mean, I would! And I give you a fabulous recipe for a sweet, seasonal, and celebratory Apple Pie Champagne. Want more info or episodes? Check out my show notes at podcast.simplesolutionsorganizing.com.

We all get 24 hours in a day but it never seems like quite enough, does it? That’s why today’s guest, professional organizer and author Morgan Tyree, wants to help you take back your time with her proven time-management system. Morgan's new book Take Back Your Time debuts today and on top her professional organizing business Morganize with Me and writing books, Morgan is a mom-of-3 who has home schooled, lived abroad, AND teaches fitness classes. Sounds like an expert on time management to me, right? And we sip delicious Caipirinhas inspired by Morgan's three years abroad in Portugal.

If the thought of college visits, college applications, and moving out stresses you and your kids out, I’ve got you covered. Today I’m chatting with organizing expert AND college freshman mom Laurie Palau all about planning for post high school life. And she even sneaks a few general life lessons for all us parents.  Laurie is a professional organizer and founder of Simply B Organized and the SBO partner program which helps connect communities with professional organizers all over the Us and in Canada and Australia. She is also the host of the popular This Organized Life podcast And author of the book Hot Mess: A Practical Guide to Getting Organized.   If you'd like a copy of my Back-to-School Organizing Checklist, click HERE. If you have a back-to-school organizing questions, leave me at voicemail message at anchor.fm/cocktailsandcontainers.