Keeping Life Organized: Family Media Database

I've got a ton of books and movies, and my friends and family know it.  They love to come and browse the "library" and borrow a title or two every now and then.  I needed a simple and easy way to keep track of who I've loaned items out to and to just keep a visual inventory of what I do have.

Keep Your Life Organized: Family Media Database

My inner geek came out and I had a marvelous idea: a family media database.  Microsoft Access is a database management program that uses a graphical user interface to make things a bit easier on the user.  Even less tech savvy people can use this program and make their own database.  I had the advantage of taking a college course on Access (as it is a requirement for my major), but Microsoft has some helpful training videos and articles for beginners readily available here (Link applies to the new 2013 edition of Access).

In this post, I'll show you what I've done to create my personalized media database.  I've taken screen snippets from my database to show what I've done.

Here, you can see the tables I've created that hold the records for the database.  Creating the links between related tables is very important in order to create queries to customize the information you see.  Be sure to create relationships for the tables that need them!

For each book in the books table, I enter a unique ID number beginning with B (for book, obviously!) and the book's title, author, and genre.  I also indicate what format the book is in (paperback, hardcover, or e-book), whether it is part of a series, and the series name (if applicable).

The movies table is much like the books table.  Each movie has its own unique ID number beginning with M (for movie - I'm so clever!), the movie's title, year made, genre, and rating.  I also indicate the format the movie is in (DVD, Blu-Ray, or Digital), any distinctive notes about the movie, and whether it is a 3D movie or not.

As I mentioned earlier, relationships are very important in my media database.  Without the relationship links, these queries I have created wouldn't work.  I'm not going to go into how to create the queries (you can find that information yourself in the training documents I mentioned above) but I will tell you why to create the queries.  Each query is run when you open it, meaning any records that apply to the query will be shown, even if they have been added since you created the query.  I've set up a few queries to show me different sets of information: which 3D movies we have, which movies are Blu-Ray, which movies are on DVD, which books are parts of a series, list of any duplicate movies (owned in two different formats), and which books or movies have been loaned out.

This database makes keeping track of things so much easier.  I can find the information I'm looking for with the click of a mouse rather than searching through shelves and boxes.  You don't have to stop with media, you can keep a database of whatever information you'd like to keep organized - use your imagination!

Let me know what kinds of things you use a personal database for!

xo,

C

Keeping Life Organized: Going Paperless

Keep Your Life Organized:
Going Paperless

What is the key to creating a more organized space?  Having less stuff to organize.  One of the things I hate the most is paper clutter.  This is for two reasons.  First, because it seems that the inflow of random, needless papers is never ending.  Secondly, it is such a waste.  I'm not an environmental activist or anything, but I just can't see the point in the stacks and stacks of wasted papers that people have in their homes that just get thrown into the trash and take up space in landfills.

There are many different levels of "paperless" for your home.  You may decide you'd just like to do one or two of the things I'll present to you today and that's okay!  Make your choices based on the needs of your family and whatever makes you happy!

I'd like to share some tips for going paperless at home.  Of course, it's almost impossible to be completely paper-free, but you can greatly reduce the amount of paper your family is taking in and getting rid of.

Get a scanner & learn to love the cloud

This will be the best thing you've ever done for your home.  With a scanner, any important documents can be scanned into your computer and saved, reducing the amount of papers you actually need to keep in your home. The only papers I keep are things I definitely need original hard copies of (things with official seals or stamps are examples of things you should keep) and they go straight into a filing cabinet.

By storing the documents electronically, you also gain the ability to access them from anywhere with cloud storage (I like Google Drive or Microsoft SkyDrive).  By keeping copies of your documents stored online, you and your family can gain access to files from home, work, or wherever you need - which is a huge advantage over keeping paper records.  Just be sure to back up all your information regularly.  You never know when a hard drive might fail and once it's gone, it's gone for good.  I recommend backing up your documents to several different places, including to online cloud storage (while it's not likely to happen, what would you do if your internal and external hard drives failed at the same time?!).  There are several sites that can store your backed up files in "the cloud" for a small fee (backup files are much larger than the singular documents you store on your personal cloud storage, hence the need for a different service to store them).

As you begin to scan in the documents you'd like to be kept electronically, you will notice that you're getting rid of a lot of paper, which may feel like defeating the purpose of "going paperless" but, once you've purged yourself of the papers you have and reduce the amount of paper you're taking in, you'll really notice a difference in the amount of trash you're throwing away.  Take recycling into consideration while making the transition to paperless - any papers that can be recycled should be, but be certain to shred any sensitive information before discarding it.

Stop all the junk mail

Here are a few facts I've recently discovered via 41pounds.org, a website devoted to stopping the impact of junk mail:

• More than 100 million trees are destroyed each year to produce junk mail.
• On average, an adult can expect to receive 41 pounds of junk mail every year.  44% of this will end up in the landfill without even being opened.
• The creation and shipping of junk mail produces more greenhouse gas emissions than 9 million cars annually.

Or, if saving the planet doesn't interest you as much, these facts might make you take a second to think about it:

• $320 million of the taxes that you pay are used to dispose of junk mail each year
• The transportation of junk mail alone costs $550 million each year.
• Companies are buying and selling your name and address for 3 to 20 cents each time it is sold.

There are several resources you can use to reduce the amount of junk mail you receive in your mailbox everyday.  First, you should take a minute to consider your subscriptions.  Many magazines now offer electronic versions of their issues that can be read on mobile devices such as tablets or readers.  Often times these electronic subscriptions cost less than their paper counterparts and reduce the amount of paper you will be getting rid of.  Secondly, there are several services that are free to use which can help stop the unwanted junk from ending up in your mailbox.  OptOutPrescreen will help stop all the "you've already been approved!" credit card offers.  Very much like the "do not call" list that helps end annoying telemarketing calls, DirectMail allows you to sign up for their "do not mail" list, which will help stop unwanted advertisements being delivered to your mailbox.  CatalogChoice will help you stop any catalogs that you are uninterested in or would never buy from. DMAchoice allows you to set preferences so that you continue to receive mail that you want and you stop getting mail that you aren't interested in.

By reducing the amount of junk coming in, you're reducing the amount of junk going out.

Sign up for electronic billing

Stopping junk mail is only half the battle.  What about the mail that you actually do want or need to read, such as monthly bills?  None of my bills come in the mail.  Each month, I'll receive an email from each my service providers letting me know that my statement for the month is available.  I'm then able to sign in on their respective websites to view my bill in PDF format.  I can then choose to print the bill if I'd like (which I do for my Home Management Binder).  Even with the paper being used to print the bill, I'm still reducing by eliminating the extra leaflets, return envelopes, and extra pages used by the company when sending paper bills.  With bills that contain multiple pages, I only print the page that has the date and amount due.  And, since I'm printing with my own paper and ink, it is more likely that the document is recyclable (a lot of junk mail isn't able to be recycled due to the amount of heavy metal that is sometimes used in the ink).

When the bill is ready to be paid, instead of sending a check (more paper!), most companies allow you to pay online or over the phone.  Often times you can even set up automatic bill paying - the amount due will come out of your account automatically without you having to do anything.  This is convenient for forgetful people (as I can sometimes be!) and helps keep bills paid on time and is eco-friendly.

Rethink how you use paper products

We use paper every day, even in places we may not realize or even think about.  Every greeting card and letter uses unnecessary paper.  Even simple tasks such as writing a grocery list can use tons of paper over time.  To save paper, try sending electronic greeting cards.  There are several places online that offer such cards for free or a small fee.  If you send out newsletters to friends and family for holidays, as so many people do with Christmas cards, publish it to a PDF file and send it in an email.  While some people may think that email is "impersonal," just remind them why you're doing it this way - you're doing them a favor by not sending a sheet of paper that will just be discarded anyway.  Avoid using disposable plates, bowls, and cups.  Cut up an old towel to be used as rags rather than using paper towels.  You can reduce your paper use in so many small ways - you just have to think about what you're currently doing and ways you can change it!

Make a digital signature

Some digital documents you receive may require your signature before you send them away.  Usually, you'd go about this by printing the document and then signing it.  Then, you'd either have to scan the document back into the computer and send it off, or stuff it into an envelope, stamp it, and put it in the mail.  Both of these options waste paper.  Instead, sign a piece of paper with a black ink pen.  Scan your signature and save it to your computer.  The next time you need to sign a document, there's no need to print: just insert your saved signature and hit send!

Information Sources: Money Crashers, 41Pounds.org, Simple Organized Life

Have any other tips on going paperless in your home?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Stay green!

-C

Independence Day Festivities

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays.  I know, I say that about almost every holiday.  But, really, what's not to love about barbecues, fireworks, and Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA?  Here in Lincoln, we have an all-day celebration that has recently been dubbed the Uncle Sam Jam.  Held at a public park/lake, there are all sorts of fun activities all day for families to take part in.  Personally, I have never joined in the public celebration, but I love to watch the fireworks show they put on at the end of the night.

For the second year in a row, Matt and I hosted a get-together for our friends and family at our teeny tiny apartment.  Since our place is only about a mile from where the Uncle Sam Jam is held, it makes sense for everyone to gather here.  Indoor space is an issue with our apartment, which is why the 4th of July is the perfect chance for us to have a shindig - most everyone can spend their time outdoors.  There is a big field with a couple cottonwood trees right outside our front door.  We used the big outdoor space for grilling, for the kids to play, to hang out, and light a few fireworks. When the fireworks show was about to start, we all picked up our lawn chairs and blankets and walked to a big parking lot across the street (behind another apartment complex) where we had a perfect view of the show.  It was a perfect evening with no clouds and it wasn't too hot.  I couldn't have asked for a better night for a fireworks show.

I made so much yummy food for our barbecue.  As usual, I will share photos for my favorite creations!  All of these recipes were taken from a Betty Crocker cookbook I picked up at the grocery store called Backyard Parties & Picnics.  It had a red, white, and blue cupcake on the cover and I was sold (I'm such a sucker for patriotic looking things around this time of year - I bought Bomb Pops on the same grocery store trip).

BLT Macaroni Salad

Click the title for the recipe!

Just like it sounds, this dish gets its flavor from the same place as the sandwich: bacon, lettuce, and tomato.  Rounded out with mayo, a hint of lemon juice, and some green onions, this dish was a huge hit with everyone at the party - so much so that I plan on making it for the wedding too!

Red, White, and Blue Trifle

Click the title for the recipe!

I didn't know this to begin with, but I had to hand-make whipped cream for this dish.  Perhaps if I thought it out a bit more beforehand, I may have just gone with store-bought whipped cream to save me some time, but the stuff from scratch was incredible.  This dessert is made from layers of cake cubes and cream cheese whipped cream frosting.  Topped with fresh strawberries and blueberries, this was a perfect holiday treat!

Cherry Cola Brownies

Click the title for the recipe!

These brownies were so rich and chocolatey!  The cherry cola flavor was just enough - not too much, but just a hint.  The kids all seemed to love them and the pan was completely empty by the end of the night.  I would definitely make these again - especially because the frosting was not as hard to make as I had thought it was going to be.

Happy Independence Day!

-C

Wedding on a Budget: Getting Organized

I'm sure there are plenty of people in the world who don't care about having things organized.  They're totally fine with things being in piles here or there or just setting things down wherever.  I am not one of those people.  Don't get me wrong, I do have a messy side - especially when it comes to clothes (mine are all over the place) and dishes (I hate doing them).  But, I like to know where things are when I need them.  And, with something as important as the wedding, I have to be organized.

That's why I created my wedding binder.  It keeps all the info I need in one place and is easily put into my laptop bag or backpack and taken along with me when I need it.  If I need a phone number for the venue's building manager or the DJ's, or need to confirm the date of a fitting or hair trial run, I have it right there at my fingertips.  No matter how badly I stress, even on the big day, all the information will be right there in one place easy for anyone to find - even if I'm busy doing something else.

I created custom printable pages - I love making custom organization printables which you will see more of (someday when I find the time) in my home management binder and kitchen organization binder.  I made a contact sheet for the wedding party for my binder and will also distribute copies to each of the party members the week before the big day.  I also included monthly calendars for each month leading up to the wedding to keep track of meetings, due dates, and appointments.

I have a very specific vision of how I want the venue to look for both the ceremony and the reception.  I've had friends and family who are helping out ask me, "how many centerpieces do you need?" or "where is the DJ going to set up?"  I addressed these questions by drawing out very rough sketches of my ideas (Don't judge me - I'm no artist!  Even stick people are a challenge for me!).  Because we're having the reception and ceremony in the same venue, we have a very special challenge ahead of us.  During dinner, while the guests are downstairs eating, drinking, and being merry, the upstairs (where the ceremony was held) will need to be transformed into a dance floor with a few seats, as well as having the DJ set up.  This is one of the biggest reasons why I made the sketches - so someone else can see my idea and carry it out while I'm enjoying newly wedded bliss.

I printed out copies of the invitations (I personally designed, printed, and trimmed each one), our wedding app posters (that'll be another post...), and the program and added them to the book for color and style comparisons (and also just to show them off a bit - I'm really very proud that I designed them all myself).  My binder is also home to a simple pocket folder and a spiral notebook.  The folder stores any and all vendor worksheets and receipts.  I like to keep the spiral notebook with everything else in case I need to jot down a few notes and am away from my computer.  Of course the binder, notebook, and folder are all in our wedding colors.  As well as being organized, I like to color coordinate.

I'll be adding to the binder as time goes on and I find more information that I'll need to keep track of.  One thing that I know I'm going to make and add to the binder: a day of itinerary, which I will (again) distribute to all VIP's a couple days before the wedding.  How did you organize your wedding planning ideas?  What would you suggest that I add to my wedding binder?  I love hearing from you - let me know your ideas in the comments!

-C

Wedding on a Budget: The Beginning!

Maybe you know, maybe you don't, but Matt and I will be getting married this coming fall.  This is one of the main reasons that I haven't been posting anything in a while: I've just been so busy.  Planning a wedding (in under 6 months might I add) plus trying to finish up my degree (I'll graduate one week before the wedding) and working my awesome internship have left me with very little time to spare.  But, my crazy life can be your inspiration! I'm going to be presenting a wedding planning series called Wedding on a Budget (super catchy title, huh?).  I'll be sharing with you how I put together a fabulous wedding on a tight budget.

The first thought that came to my mind when we decided that we were finally going to plan a wedding for this year was: "where do I start?"  I was completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of decisions I had to make.  Thus, being the nerdy girl I am, I took to Google and searched high and low for something that would help keep me on track and remind me of what needed to be done and when.  That's when I found The Knot.  This site has been a lifesaver to me.  It includes several planning tools such as a budgeter, guest list manager, and a checklist, all of which are accessible for free just for signing up on the site.  The checklist has been the best tool I have encountered for it's purpose.  It provides a timeline of "to do" items for planning a wedding so you won't forget a thing.  It's even customizable - you can delete tasks that you don't need and add custom tasks that aren't already included.  It has really kept me on track and on budget.

Speaking of budget - ours is small.  We've been cutting costs by doing a lot of things ourselves or with the help of our amazing and generous friends and family.  Most of the decorations are DIY projects that I'm working on myself, with the help of lots of other crafty ladies that love me!  The food is going to be home-made, cutting out the expense for catering.  The reception and ceremony will be held at the same place, eliminating the costs of bridal party transportation and a second rental fee on another venue.  We've had to come up with plenty of creative ways to conserve cash while planning this wedding, but I firmly believe that my wedding isn't going to be any less fabulous than even the most extravagant or big-budget weddings - I've just had to think out-of-the-box.

I'm so excited to share my journey with all of you.  I'll be posting about all sorts of topics throughout my planning process - including tutorials for some of my crafty decoration projects and recipes that I'm using - as well as posting more often.

-C

My Halloween Costume: Done!

Halloween was a success!

My costume turned out great, especially after putting it all together (Including elf ears and healthstones)!

We only had a few trick-or-treaters, which was surprising considering the amount of kids that are usually running around the neighborhood!  But, that just left more candy for us!

Now that's over and done with, the Holidays will be upon us before we know it!  Time to think about Thanksgiving, homemade gifts, pumpkin pies, snowflakes, and best of all.... Christmas music!

I told myself I'm not playing Christmas music at home/in the car until the day after Thanksgiving... we'll see how long that lasts!

Speaking of Black Friday, I think this will be the first year since high school that I don't have to work on this day!  I'm planning my shopping spree as I type.

I'll be making homemade gifts again this year.  I have a Pintrest board dedicated to my gift ideas!  It's not very populated yet, but as the holidays get closer, I'm sure the board will be packed full of ideas!  Check it out for your own inspiration!

xoxo,

-C

What a Hoot!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love owls???

     Ever since I was little, I have loved owls.  One of my favorite books when I was a kid was a National Audubon Society field guide to North American birds, and there was a permanent crease in the binding from turning to the section on owls constantly.  Saw-whet owls (like the ones in the photos) were always my favorite; they are just so pretty!  I love the way they look - they are what I picture whenever I think of "owl."

     I love that "retro" owls are very trendy right now. You will see them everywhere if you look:

- on clothing

- home decor

- jewelry

- fabric by the yard

I even have a Pinterest board dedicated to my love of these feathered creatures!  A couple months back I got an owl necklace at a really cool store at the mall called Earthbound Trading Company.  This piece is the very first thing that fueled my hunt for all things owl.

Over the past few months, I've been collecting owl-themed items since I see them everywhere now!  My newest (and favorite) piece is a wooden wall/door hanger owl.  This HANDMADE decoration was a fun piece I found at a farmers market last weekend.  The most fun part of this little guy? His belly area (the dark gray painted area) is a chalkboard.

I have had friends give me owl-themed things as gifts lately, too.  Wall hangings, wall stickers (I'm sure there is another name for those things, but I can't think of one!), etc.  I'm so happy with this owl trend!  One day I hope to have an owl/woodland themed room in my home.  Possibly a library or (in the distant future) a nursery.  The possibilities are endless (well, at least for me!).

xo
-C

Kitchen Dreams

     I recieved my first kitchen set today/yesterday.  I am so ecstatic to have a kitchen table and chairs!  A friend of my family was getting rid of this great dinette set and I snatched it up!  As you can see in the picture, It's an awesome color of green, with super retro green vinyl chairs to match!  Everyone has teased me because of how much I love the look of them.  They're vintage!

     Matt and I sat at our new kitchen table for the first time tonight and ate dinner.  This was the first time we have EVER done this.  It felt great to sit down to a meal that I cooked at my very own kitchen table.  I feel silly for how excited I am about it, but I just can't help myself! Yahoooo!  I made some really yummy fettucine alfredo and sauteed shrimp.  The shrimp themselves weren't that great quality, but I still enjoyed every bite because I was eating in my new kitchen!  We had the window open and the breeze rolling in from the 70° evening made this a meal to remember.  Not that the meal itself was spectacular (although, I must say, I'm an awesome cook) but the situation surrounding the meal made it a perfect Sunday.

     Granted, we did have a kitchen table before this green one.  When we first moved into this apartment, we had almost zero furniture besides our bed and a couple dressers and a bookcase (because everyone knows I must have somewhere to store all my books!).  Matt's parents happened to find a kitchen table at a curb somewhere, and knowing that we didn't have one, grabbed it for us.  Turned out that it was really rickety and kind of scary to lean on, but hey, any table is better than no table.  Our kitchen has virtually no counter space, so I really needed a table.  I am so happy to have this matching set now, instead of the rickety old wooden table we had for the past 9 months.  It's really starting to feel more like a home than any other apartment we have lived in since I've moved out of my parents' house.  I must be growing up.