Photo Organizational System

Do you take tons of pictures on your digital camera, phone, or ipod in college?  It is hard to keep track of all the pictures you take on all of your devices.  Here is a great organizational system to keep track of the digital photos you take.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.



Raise your hand if you're like me and your downloaded photo files are a huge, unorganized, hot mess. Yeah, I thought so. Although the digital age has made it so convenient to capture all the moments in life that you want to remember, this also means that there are way more photos to organize and keep track of. So let's band together and start cleaning up the mess with these photo filing tips...
I would start with getting in the habit of downloading your images from your camera or phone on a regular basis. Depending on how many images you take, set up a schedule for once a week or once a month and then set an alarm to remind you. When the time comes, set up a file system to keep them tidy and organized once they are downloaded.

Image Archive Organization: you can try something like this...

• Start with a folder for the year.
• Then a folder for each month — you can even take out the current month and put it on your desktop to make it easier to download to, and then put it back in the year when the month is over.
• Make a few subject folders in the month that you already know you will have, like holidays, celebrations, vacations, etc.
• You can make subfolders if you need to.
• Then, as you download your files, create new subject folders in that month according to your images. At this point it would be good to delete any images you don't want to keep.

Photo Management Software:

• Managing your image library using software allows you to tag and search images with ease. Just tag your images in the program when you import them and never lose an image again. For instance, you can use tags like birthday and Matt, and find every birthday image of Matt that you have ever taken. Or get very specific and search Matt, birthday, 2013, 40th, party hat and get every image you took at Matt's 40th birthday when he was wearing his party hat.
• Some of the top retail management softwares that include import, review, and professional editing capabilites are Lightroom and Aperture.
• Some of the top free or cheap store and display applications are iPhoto, Picasa, Flickr, Shutterfly, Smug Mug, and Photobucket.

Secure Storage:
Ok, so you have all of your images organized and easy to find. Now let's talk about how to make sure they don't just disappear in some crazy computer meltdown. Yes, that means we are gonna talk about the dreaded subject of backing up. Losing precious images is one of my biggest fears. There are a few ways to go about it:

• You can get an external hard drive for a second secure copy. Also, leaving all of your images on your computer's hard drive will eat up a lot of space quickly.
• You can then make DVD's of important images as a secondary backup in case your hard drive crashes.
• OR you can put them in a cloud system online to make sure they are always available in case other systems fail. Here is a review of the best image cloud systems out there.
• And of course, you can always print out important images or create photo books of the year's best.

Three Steps to Clean Your Apartment

Do you have certain things that always end up laying around your apartment?  The "three things" rule can help you clean up your apartment and those pesky little objects that always find their way below the couch or in the chair.  You can learn more at apartment therapy.

1. When you get home, before you settle down to eat, read, or do whatever you do, put away 3 things. They can be anything from nail clippers to a Zappos box, as long as they are put where they belong. The rule to this rule is that these things must be in addition to your normal chores (example: in our house, putting away dishes is a daily chore, so a dish is not eligible as one of the "things").
   
2. If, after you have put your 3 things away, the urge to continue cleaning arises, don't fight it! But more importantly, don't feel pressured to continue when you want to stop. My fiancé got really excited on the first day and went on a cleaning spree, only to burn himself out almost immediately after. As I mentioned before, we are not a cleaning household.
   
3. Adjust your quota accordingly. For us, 3 things per person per day seems to keep us ahead of the clutter, but you may find that you need to increase that number. Just make sure not to overwhelm your chore-hating selves.
   
4. Don't limit yourself to putting things away. You can also include tasks as part of the rule. For instance, you might put away something, pay a bill, and finally package up that Zappos box for return (I'm a fan, can you tell?).

Your New Years DIY Organizational Tips

Are you looking for a new organizational system for the new year?  Buzzfeed has a list of 50 Clever DIY Organizational Ideas.  You can look below and check out Buzzfeed for the complete list.

1. Tea Shelf

Organize all your teas (or coffees or spices or what-have-yous) in this prettified champagne box by Sarah from Look What I Made.

Materials: an old wine or champagne box (you can get it at wine stores or even some delis), two pieces of the lid of the box (you’ll get it in pieces anyway since it breaks when opened), four screws, decorative paper (old wrappig paper will do the trick), and a screwdriver.

1. Take the box and fit the paper in the back. Just fold the edges in to get the right size. No need to glue it- adding the shelves will secure it in place.
2. Take the pieces of the lid and fit them in where you want the shelf to go. Screw them to the sides.
3. Once you have the pieces of the lid set and steady, the little shelf is finished.

2. Book Letter Holder

Don’t let your mail just pile up on the counter this year. Use this tutorial by Renee from Bulb to Blossom to turn an old book into an elegant letter holder.

Materials: a book (a smaller hardcover works nicely), craft glue, a sponge brush, a ruler, and a utility knife.

1. First, after separating the book into equal sections, apply glue to the inside of the seam.
2. Use the sponge brush to spread the glue evenly along the seam.
3. Roll the first section of the book inward and press it into the seam, and hold in place.
4. Continue this process for the remaining sections.
5. After the glue has dried, use your ruler and utility knife to score the cover of several times, removing the excess. Do this for the front and back cover.

3. Address Book

You meant to send out those thank you cards, mail that New Year letter, and just keep in touch in general. However when the “daunting” task of writing that letter, and penning 30+ addresses… sometimes best of intentions is as far as it goes. So create this zero effort address mailing book by Ursula from Homemade by Carmona that takes the scary out of the task! Perfect for Christmas cards, paying bills, sending out party invitations, or just your everyday letter.

Materials: binder, plastic divider pockets and/or sheet protectors, variety of address labels, and stationery materials (cards, envelopes, paper, stamps, stickers, and ribbon).
1. Create address labels. Using the template instructions included with the labels, type up addresses by category. Try categories such as His Side of the Family, Her Side of the Family, Friends of the Family, Business Associates, Church Friends, even Monthly Bills, etc. Don’t forget to create return address labels.
2. Print an address template on paper rather than directly onto labels. Addresses may change over time, and it is better to keep a paper template you can copy off of when you are ready to print your actual labels. Make any necessary changes on your computer and print up a new paper template rather than waste pre-printed labels. (The only exception is return address labels.)
3. Organize and stock the binder. Use pocket dividers or sheet protectors to organize address templates, a variety of label styles (same size), cute stationery, stickers, stamps, etc.
4. Use your address book often!! When it is time to plan that party or send those thank you notes, pull the appropriate address category, print your labels, adhere, and send.

4. Magnet Bowls

Via agirlandagluegun.com

Simply paint some magnetic bowls and use them to store all your metal necessities, such as pins, paper clips, jewelry, nuts and bolts. This simple tutorial shows you how.

5. Cubby Shelf Organizer

Via onceuponherdream.blogspot.com

This post shows you how to secure empty tape rolls to a glitter-covered tape roll to create a storage solution of jewelry and other odds and ends.

6. Screwdriver Coat Rack

Via homemade-modern.com

Turn painted screw drivers into the handles of a modern DIY coat hanger.

7. Six-pack Craft Caddy

Via craftfoxes.com

Easiest DIY ever- use six-pack beer box to store your craft supplies, such as knitting needles, tape measures, and yarn. This blog had the bright idea.

8. Makeup Brush Storage

Via irinascutebox.blogspot.com

This blogger shows you how to weave elastic through a sushi mat to make a nifty makeup brush storage solution.

9. Shoe Ladder

Via diydoctor.org.uk

Paint a wooden ladder and you’ve got yourself a new shoe rack! As seen here.

10. Wire and Hanging Spice Storage

Via freckledlaundry.com

Stacking spices in a cupboard just doesn’t work. But you can easily (and cheaply) make a pretty and practical spice display with small glass bottles, wire, a white Sharpie, and this tutorial.

11. Peg Board Yarn Holder

Via knitsforlife.com

Are you a knitter or crocheter? A peg board make for easy and artful yarn storage. Check out this post for details.

12. Color Block Mason Jars

Via girllovesglam.com

Chalkboard paint and mason jars won’t be going out of style in January 2014. Try this colorful variation to decorate your office odds and ends, as done here.

13. Etched Glass Kitchen Containers

Via marthastewart.com

But if you’re over the whole chalkboard thing, try etched glass instead. These instructions explain how to make glass kitchen containers for keeping your pantry sorted.

14. Wrapping Paper Holder

Via bettercraftideas.blogspot.com

Wrapping paper in disarray after the holidays? Use an wooden stool to organize it, as done here.

15. Earring Rack

Via morningcreativity.com

Simply secure chicken wire to the interior of an empty frame to make a lovely and functional earring rack. This tutorial shows you how.

16. Salt Dough Magnets

Organize your life with these handy little magnets made from flour, salt, and water. Use them to keep track of the dishes, your to-do lists, etc. Check out this recipe.

17. Colorful Hook Hanger

Via living.msn.com

Find a precut wooden base and screw in a jumble of differently colored perfect hooks. Store scarves, purses, keys, etc. by the door. Here are the details.

18. Scarf Hanger

Via gimmesomestyleblog.com

Use a sturdy wooden hanger and shower curtain rings to organize all your scarves. Follow this simple tutorial.

19. Cord Organizer

Via ourthriftyideas.com

Decorate some empty toilet paper rolls with washi tape and use them keep your cords untangled, as done here.

20. Knob Necklace Organizer

Via familyfoodandtravel.com

Screw a variety of door knobs onto a wooden board to make this necklace organizer.

21. Pen Holder

Via creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

Simply stick a bunch of empty toilet paper rolls inside a decorated shoe box to keep your pen stash neatly organized. As done here.

22. Kitchen Shutter Door Organizer

Via creatingreallyawesomefreethings.com

Spray paint an old shutter door, and use it to hang your kitchen goods. Check out these directions.

Benefits of Air Drying

Are you sick of drying many loads of clothes in the dryer?  There are some great benefits in air drying your clothes in the winter.  It adds moisture to the air, which can help with the dry air in your home.  There are other great benefits too.  Keep reading and check out apartment therapy.

• Air drying reduces static cling that can be really, really, bad in the dry winter air. No need for chemical fabric softeners.
• Air drying introduces moisture into the air, which is much needed during the dry winter months.
• I find that air drying in the winter can actually be quicker than running a load in the dryer. The dryer traps moisture inside and can take forever. Towels, especially, can benefit from an air drying and then a quick fluff on tumble dry to soften them up.

If you're sold, these are five collapsible racks that I love. I just received the second one as a gift and use it constantly:

OXO adjustable drying rack at Crate & Barrel, $69.95

1. OXO adjustable drying rack at Crate & Barrel, $69.95
2. Madison Mill wooden drying rack at Amazon, $40
3. Folding Umbrella Wall Clothes Drying Rack by Cottage Craft Works, $125
4. Mama wood drying rack at HipVilla, $366
5. 8-Dowel Drying Rack at The Container Store, $9.99

Do you air dry your clothing in the winter? Moreso than in the summer, even?