Home Storage Solutions - Clutter 101 Organization

Home Storage Solutions 101 - Clutter and Organization

How do you solve the clutter on the kitchen counters and get things more organized?  

Welcome to Markets Of Sunshine your place for organization tips.

Today I'm going to share with you how you can be the Queen of your Castle, aka lady of the house.




You are the one who runs your home.  So you don't need anyone's permission on keeping it clean and tidy.  That is your sole responsibility.  So if you are asking your family questions like this...

• Would you rather have a meal tonight or the house cleaned?
• Do you like the home tidy or messy?

in the end you are just saying: "I don't want to do this".
 


But, the reality is a clean home does more than just look good for unexpected company.  A clean home and a tidy room helps you mentally.  The brain is constantly processing everything we see around us.  If things are tidy the brain quickly says moving on... If things are messy the brain says clean this room now!

When you keep putting off organizing a room you're are making yourself depressed and stressed.
So stop blaming others for how you feel or think.  You are doing it to yourself if you live in a messy home. (I"m not talking clinical depression)

I put this to the test myself.  When my clothes start to stack up on the chair in my room I get moody and gloomy.  But, when I put my clothes away I wake up feeling happy and motivated to clean another room.

That's why I challenged myself to do this #2019OrganizingChallenge in the first place.  I was moody and gloomy most of the time and didn't have a good reason why.  I started reading articles about being depressed and come to find out a messy home gives us stress.

So, I took responsibility for my actions and made a commitment to myself.  Room by room I am getting my house in order and it's feels Great!!

Even though I am working on my home office aka craft room this month the kitchen is constantly a sore subject with me.  I wash the dishes by hand because I chose not to have a dishwasher for health reasons.

The countertops are a glorified stuff collector.  Giggle!  I decided this week I am going to conquer them once and for all and share with you how I go about it.  Maybe it will give you some inspiration to tackle your kitchen clutter too.


The kitchen is one of the most used spaces in our homes.  It's not called the heart of the home for no reason.  It's the place we go to fuel our bodies morning, noon and night.  It's the place that houses all the things that make us feel good on the inside.  

From that first cup of coffee, tea or water to the last meal of the day it's the place that needs to look it's best so we feel our best.  

Let's pretend that you already know the basics of life.  Just in case you don't here's a short recap.

• You are what you eat
• Cleanliness is next to Godliness
• Wash your hands before and after you eat
• Cook foods to the right temperature
• Healthy choices are the best for good health
• Processed foods are not healthy choices
• Go to bed before 10 p.m. and get 7 to 9 hours of sleep
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day

 Moving on...

1.  Start by opening up your cabinet doors so you can see what's inside all of them at once.
2.  Now quickly take out things that you only use once or twice a year and move them to the back of the cabinet or put them in another closet if possible.
3. Empty one shelf and put all the clutter on the counters on that shelf.

 It's that easy to quickly end the clutter on the counters and save you some stress in the long run.

Now get up and go do this right now before you talk yourself out of it again or make up some other reason why you can't get this done today.

Leave me a comment below or send me an email and let me know if this motivated you to stop making excuses and start making solutions to the clutter in your home.

If you'd like to take part in this organizing challenge with me and my friends just sign-up here and you'll receive my 12 month worksheet delivered to your inbox in two shakes of some Florida sunshine.
See you next week.  Same place.  Same topic.  All the information is my personal viewpoint on the topic.  It's meant for motivation only. 

Check out my list of past Adult reward system list here:

Adult Reward System #1 Tea Aromatherapy

Adult Reward System #2 Tea Bath Therapy

Adult Reward System #3 Self Hand Massage

Adult Reward System #4 Florida State Parks

Adult Reward System #5 Indoor Gardening

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha Jean

 

Adult Reward System #7- How To Reach Your Ideal Weight Easily

                              
                        Adult Reward System #6
How to reach your ideal weight is a challenge for most of us.

Whether we want to lose weight or gain neither is an easy task.

I'd say that the majority of women are trying to lose weight.

There is an easy way and it does require exercise.  I know the dreaded word.  But, don't knock it until you've tried it.  There are so many forms of exercise that you can do to help you lose those extra pounds you put on after a baby or after going on a few too many cruise ship vacations.

True Story:

When I found out I was pregnant with my first child I weighed 114 pounds.  I am 5'6" tall so the doctor informed me that I needed to gain 50 pounds.  I laughed!  I was 27 years old and 114 pounds was the most I'd weighed.  I was always getting bronchitis and tonsillitis or some other lung infection.

With ever illness I would lose 5 pounds.  But, I would put it back on in a short time period.  Anyway, back to my story.  Well as it turned out I gained 60 pounds with the pregnancy.  It didn't really show though.  It was majority water weight.  I had edema so badly that my shoe size went from a 7 1/2 to a 10.  So, I went from 114 pounds to 174 pounds in 9 months.  Yikes!

Fast forward 9 months later when my beautiful daughter arrived on November 2, 1990.  She weighed 6 pounds 9 ounces.  I was in the hospital 3 days.  On the day I left I weighed 126 pounds. I lost 48 pounds minus what my daughter weighed.

Time travel with me 8 years later to 1998.  I was pregnant again but did not know it because I didn't stop having a period this time around.  I was actually having a miscarriage and didn't know it.  Well one day I was trying on swimsuits at the mall with my sister-n-law and I went to the rack and picked out my size 8 that I wore and it didn't fit.  I could get the bottoms up much less the top on.

I had my sister-n-law bring me another size 8 and same thing happened.  LOL  Well at this point I looked at myself in the mirror and said to her....Could you come over here and tell me what's wrong with me?

She fell over laughing so hard that she could barely stand up.  She said:  "When did you gain all that weight"!  I said I don't have a clue.  ROFL

Long story short I did go to the doctor and found out I had a miscarriage.  But, now I weighed 170 pounds and could not get rid of the weight.  The thing I remember that bothered me the most was the way my shorts would ride up between my legs and I'd have to keep pulling them down.

I said to myself, "How in the world do women stand this"!

About that time a friend of mine who had been trying to lose weight came across a book through a friend called: "Eat Right For Your Blood Type" by Dr. D. Adamo.  She got me to join her as a support and motivator to try the program out for 30 days.

I found out my blood type and got a copy of the book.  It was a game changer and a life changer for me.  We bought a pair of tennis rackets and took our daughter's along with us to the courts.  We were a comedy routine in the beginning.

Chasing the ball all over the court.  Bending up and down to pick it up 50 thousand times within 2 hours. Anyone could lose weight with this sport I said.

And, about 3 months later I weighed 138 pounds.  That was my ideal weight that I needed to be after the first pregnancy.  But, it took a second one to help me to reach it.  For me it was obvious a hormone issue as to why I could not gain weight my whole life.

Metal to the Pedal........Fast forward to December 2004.  We were on a camping trip to my favorite place in Georgia.  Fresh mountain air.  Cool crisp mornings.  It was my little paradise vacation spot.

Well, it turned into a nightmare on May 30, 2005.  Little did I know that little tiny ticks called, deer ticks carry a deadly debilitating disease called, Lyme disease and I had it.  I lost 40 pounds in 6 months from my body shutting down from the illness invading my blood stream and organs.  I lost down to 98 pounds. 

On the road to recovery...

I'm not going to bog you down with the stressful details. I'm done with that part of my life.  I am past it and am happy to still be alive and getting better day by day.  I am going to tell you what has helped me regain my life and helped me get off of RX medicines and over the counter ones too.

It's been a combination of holistic, homeopathic, herbal and now functional medicine to be exact.  My newest doctor is a God send, no doubt about it.  I pray for guidance and then do the research until I find the exact kind of doctor I need.  I've found that for me the best kind of physician for Lyme disease is a medical doctor that incorporates alternative treatment through natural remedies from the best sources.

I've had various kinds of testing done too.  The best by far are the ones that use your body chemistry as a basis.  Such as urine, blood, saliva, hair and nails.

So here's the scoop...To reach your ideal weight you have to do these easy things daily. (Get my full program in a pdf format here)

#1 - Start off your morning with a protein shake that is organic and not full of refined sugar.

#2 - Get the book, Eat Right For Your Blood Type and follow it

#3 - Get some kind of exercise weekly in the fresh air if possible (consult your doctor if you have health problems)

#4 - Get plenty of sleep (before 11 p.m. if possible)

#5 - Get off sugar, caffeine, processed and refined foods

Bonus Tip:

#6 - Trade your RX drugs for natural medicine from a functional medicine doctor

Now here's the Adult Reward System part.  For every one of the things on my list that you accomplish give yourself a reward.  It can be anything that doesn't sabotage your goal of reaching your ideal weight.

Check out my list of past Adult reward system list here:

Adult Reward System #1 Tea Aromatherapy

Adult Reward System #2 Tea Bath Therapy

Adult Reward System #3 Self Hand Massage

Adult Reward System #4 Florida State Parks

Adult Reward System #5 Indoor Gardening

What holds you back from reaching your ideal weight?  Talk to me in the comments box below.

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Happy Mail

                    

                                                                                                            

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha    

Thank you for taking the time to visit my little corner of the world wide web.
You can learn more about my mission on my About page, here.
I've lived in Florida all my life of 55 years.  I'm a wife and mother.  I would not trade my family for anything in the world.  We enjoy doing things together that brings us closer as a family and with our Creator.
You'll find this is a peaceful place and a safe place to spend some time away from the stresses in your life.  I offer you a way of life that is filled with love, peace, hope and friendship.  If you want me to share my joyful life with you in my weekly 'happy mail' you are more than welcome to sign-up here today!

Clever Uses For A Travel Wallet

Travel Wallets, Are A Must Accessories To Add To Your Packing List

Most women carry a wallet or purse with them to keep cash, credit cards and a checkbook organized.  I have a main wallet that I use and keep all of my essentials inside along with one of my laminated envelope wallets.  I prefer the snap closure so I can take it out and carry it alone and leave the bulky fabric wallet in my purse.  I use a key fob to carry my keys around my wrist and my laminated wallet to carry my money and receipts.  

Carrying a heavy purse can put your back and should out of alignment.  I have a zippered bag in side my car that I keep my purse in while I am inside the store.  The car is locked and my contents are safe inside.  

   Clever Uses For A Travel Wallet

One of the most amazing ways to use a travel wallet is to bring your favorite tea bags and sweetener in on your travels.  Let's face it.  Those boring black teas you get served at every food joint is full of caffeine and is not for a true tea connoisseur. I only drink organic beverages and purified water.  So, I bring along my own in the car with me in an insulated food bag.

I keep my tea wallet in my purse filled with my favorite blend of tea from Tealightfultea

Visit my website to pick up one of these organic hand blended teas in a variety of flavors.

I also use the natural tea bags to put the loose leaf tea inside and then pop it inside my tea wallet.  You can wrap each tea bag in cotton cloth to keep it clean if you are a little concerned about that kind of thing.

Another clever use for a travel wallet is to have it personalized and fill it with the recipients favorite goodies or gift card.  No one could ever mistake this beautiful wallet for theirs when they see a special name and date on the outside. 

We add the lettering to the material before we laminate them.  So, it can't be taken off.  It's there to stay!

Another, fun way to use a travel wallet is to save up for your vacation.  Maybe you are planning a trip to Europe or a little town in the USA that is styled like a Bavarian style village in Europe, like my favorite mountain town of Helen, GA. 

 There are waterfalls to hike to and trails to explore in the woods.  Tons of little mom and pop shops nestled in the countryside towns surrounding Helen that will make you fall in love and want to come back to visit year after year.

You'll find an wide variety of travel wallets at Markets Of Sunshine a charming little shop that I curate since 2008.   

If you'd like to save 20% off your first purchase of $30 or more I invite you to join my "Hero Adventure" mailing list.  It's a fun little newsletter I send out several times a month filled with tidbits for the wanderlust enthusiasts, tea lovers and paper horders (card making and scrapbooking kind)

>>>>>Join Hero Adventures Today! <<<<<

Until next time...

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

 

Week 46: Six Weeks Left To Finish The Snail Mail Challenge

 Markets Of Sunshine

#52weeksnailmailchallenge is coming to an end in just six weeks.  We are on week 46 and the clock is counting down.  How did you do with this challenge?  I got a little behind and am working hard to get caught up so I can finish the challenge on time and have 52 cards to show for my hard work.  
I have 24 more cards to send out in the next six weeks.  I started making the new cards a few weeks ago and have a stack sitting next to me on the couch.  Things have gotten a little hectic at times which through me off my game.  
I finally have things back under control and am back to my regular routine.  I am feeling pretty good health wise and have reached my target goal for my weight for 2018.  I am just one pound away from where I was back in 2015.  

So now the big question on my mind is what kind of challenge should we do for 2019?

Here is where you come in.  I will be sending out an email next week with a survey.  It will give you three options to choose from for our challenge for 2019.  It will be a monthly challenge instead of a weekly challenge.  This gives you four weeks to get that's month challenge accomplished.

What I need from you now is some ideas.  Just post below and tell me what is your biggest challenge for keeping up with your daily routine.  You don't have to go in to a lot of detail just give me a few words like....organize tips, relationships, budgeting, gratitude etc...

You get the idea.  So help a sister out and give me your ideas.
Have you been by my Etsy shop lately?  I have lots of new patterns for you to choose from.
I've even added some new products.  Come and see what I have for you to make your life awesome!>>>>>>  Markets Of Sunshine <<<<<< makes your life an adventure!

Are you on my mailing list?  Don't miss out on getting in on this challenge survey.  Sign-up below at this link to give me your two cents.

Hero Adventures Starts Here!

Thanks for taking the time to read my post and share your thoughts with us.

Sending You Sunshine!

Marsha J.

Customer Spotlight Giveaway: Show Me Your Markets Of Sunshine Products In Action

 Customer Spotlight 

A fun giveaway is coming in November to Markets Of Sunshine. We love you and you are such an inspiration to us!

I so wish you guys were here!!  I have over 560 customer's and counting. I would just love to show you off to my reader's.  We want to see you using our products in your daily life.  If you don't know who we are and what we make I'd like to tell you a little bit about Markets Of Sunshine.

I love to travel and like to save money.  So, I hopped on the cash envelope system band wagon and made my own products so that I could budget for my travel adventures with my husband.  I knew their were other wanderlust women out their who could use help saving for their adventures too.
I didn't want to use ugly and wasteful plastic bags or thin paper envelopes that rip easily.  I wanted value for my money. 
That's exactly what you'll find in my budget travel cash envelope system products.  I laminated my wallets and then hand stitch them so they are durable and sustainable.  Not bulky like fabric ones can be.  The envelopes are made from acid free card stock and hand stitched as well.  They will last for years if you treat them right.

Here's the Rules:

1.  Send me your photo (email below) using my product in your daily life. 
Nothing complicated just fun.
2.  Comment below telling me why you like the product.  What has it done for you?
3.  Share this post to your social media.
4. Tag me using the hashtags #customerspotlightmos + #marketsofsunshine
5. Must be a customer of Markets Of Sunshine before the end of the contest on November 11, 2018 at midnight.
6. Store credit and coupon code is valued for 30 days (expires December 12, 2018 at midnight)

That's it! Short and easy!

Email:Marsha@marketsofsunshine.com

Here's the Prizes:
Grand Prize - $10 store credit to one customer entry who completes all the steps in the rules.
1st Prize - $5 store credit to one customer who completes all the steps in the rules.
Consolation Prize - 25% discount code to everyone who enters and didn't win the grand prize or 1st prize.

Contest begins Wednesday, October 31, 2018 ends November 11, 2018 at midnight
Drawing on November 12, 2018
Winners must respond within 3 days to claim their prize via email

By the way, are you a subscriber to my newsletter, Hero Adventures?  If not, why not join today so you can get notifications of fabulous customer appreciation contests like this one. 

              Yes! I want to be on your Hero Adventures list. 

Click here to sign-up today!

Week 37-39: Introducing The Blooming Gifts Collection!

Introducing the "Blooming Gifts" Collection!
A collection of amazing handmade cards and envelopes made from recycled paper and seeds that grow when you plant them.
You'll find them here at: Markets Of Sunshine

By: Marsha Jaramillo

Welcome to the "Hero Adventures" weekly posts coming to you from a Florida born native, Marsha Jaramillo.  I'm the owner of Markets Of Sunshine a sunny little handmade business featuring budgeting and organizing products for the adventurous woman.  I also own a little vintage shop called, Pioneer Fundraiser where my husband and I curate hand picked fabulous vintage gifts we find in our travels at local estate sales and thrift stores.

  I'd like to welcome my newest reader's to your 'happy place' away from the stresses of everyday life.

Follow along with me each week as I present fun challenges that will help you reduce the clutter and end the stress in your life one day at a time.  You'll also find that I share with you what has helped me to stay focused on my goals and how I reach them even though I live with a debilitating chronic illness.  So, if I can do it, you can too!

 #52WeekSnailMailChallenge

If you recall I started off the new year with a challenge called #52weeksnailmailchallenge

Well we are at week 39 and there are only 13 weeks left in 2018 to complete this amazing challenge.

It has taught me to stretch my limits just a wee bit and to go outside of my comfort zone to give cards to those that I know but are not close to.  I enjoyed sharing in their life celebrations of reaching milestones such as graduation high school and dedicating their life to serve God and symbolizing it through water baptism.  Of course, there have been those heart-breaking life challenges of enduring the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one in death. Or, suffering from a sudden life threatening illness. 

 All of these occasions have given me the opportunity to think of someone else and give the gift of love through a handmade card with a hand written note.  I think there are still some out there who know how to read cursive writing, the style in which I write my messages.

I am delighted with my subscription to Stampin Ups! Paper Pumpkin card making kit.  The months that I did not want to receive a box I just called them up and suspended my subscription for that month.  And, it automatically resumes the following month so I can receive my next shipment and enjoy the goodies inside.

I will be receiving my October box in a few weeks.  I'll show you what came inside and the beautiful cards I made and sent out to friends for weeks 39 to 42.

Be the Hero in your own Adventure and reach your goals one day at a time.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

 

Week 36: How To Get Rid Of Stress Using Creativity

Creativity Gets Rid Of Stress

Do you think of yourself as a creative person?  I'd say it's about a 50/50 split among my reader's.

Some of you don't feel like you are a creative person when it comes to making things with your hands.  While some of you are avid crafter's of all types of handmade products.  I get so excited when I've worked on a project and it turns out well.  I want to share it with all of my friends and family.

The reaction can be anywhere from that's beautiful to that's nice.  One friend asked me, "Are you doing another craft now?"  Like it was a totally weird thing to do.  If you are a true blue artisan at heart you can't just stick to one medium.  You have to try your hand at a new one every now and again or you'll get bored with the same old thing day in and day out.

It's kinda like eating.  Would you eat oatmeal every morning 365 days a year?  Year in and year out?  If you do, you are in for a big and rude awakening one day.  Your body will revolt on you one day and decide it has had enough.  You'll either get a health problem like diabetes or an allergic reaction.

No one likes the same food every day and no one likes making the same crafts every time either.

If you had to make a quilt over and over again all your life.  You'd go nuts!!! 

Here is your challenge for the week...

Creative Challenge

I challenge you to find a craft that you can start this week and complete within a short period of time.  Don't go join a quilting class if you've never sown a day in your life.  Start off with hand sewing a little pillow or pin cushion first.

Get an adult coloring book and a pack of crayons at the dollar store.  That counts for getting rid of stress.  It totally takes your mind off your problems.  After a few minutes you'll only be thinking happy thoughts and all the negative ones will fly away.

After you complete your project send it to a friend or family member.  That will count as one of your cards in our #52weeksnailmailchallenge too.

Have you seen my latest product line that I just added to my Etsy shop, Markets Of Sunshine today?

It's eco-friendly and sustainable handmade recycled paper cards.

"Blooming Gifts" Collection

Thanks for joining me this week for yet another

 "Hero Adventures" episode.

Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J.

Sign up today!

 Get 20% off your first purchase when you join.

   

Week 34: End Of Summer Giveaway Winners!

Our end of summer giveaway was a hit and I now have the pleasure of announcing our three winners.
Drum roll.....

 Congrats! to our three winners...

Anita Jude

Audrey Stewart

Ashley Hart

Thanks for sharing our giveaway on your social media and for following the rules of the contest.

For all of those who entered and did not win one of our three prizes I have a consolation prize for you.

I will be sending you a Huge discount code for you to use in my Etsy shop so that you can still get one of my handmade products that you love at a great price!  Just my way of saying: Thanks!
You'll get the discount code if you are a member of my Hero Adventures newsletter.  If, you haven't joined yet you can do so here.

Your lovely gifts will be arriving to you by mail within 7 to 14 business days.  We will contact you at the email address you used to enter the giveaway.

You will have 3 business days to reply and claim your prize.  I hope you enjoy these lovely handmade gifts that will help you make your life less stressful.

I hope you will visit my Etsy shop, Markets of Sunshine you'll find fun budgeting products to make your life less stressful.  And, Pioneer Fundraiser for all your gift giving needs. 

Read all about my #52weeksnailmailchallenge for 2018.  It's a fun way to stay in touch with friends near and far.

 Sending You Sunshine,

Marsha J. 

P.S.  Don't forget to join our 

Hero Adventures newsletter

for more fun with your

favorite handmade Etsy

shop, Markets of Sunshine.