I always say my new year starts when the kids go back to school. I think it’s because it’s a new school year, new uniform, new books, new routines… However, this week truly marks many new things for me. For me personally I am excited to say that I now weigh less than I did before I got married (nearly 15 years ago) and this is the best and fittest I have felt in a very very long time.
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On the Blog
In the world of my blog there are some exciting new changes happening. Hopefully soon, my blog will be getting a makeover, new logo, new theme (if I am clever enough to work out how to do that!!) and new colours. I haven’t seen any drafts yet but I am very excited to give it a fresh new look.
I have a few more back to school posts that I would like to share with you however from February the blog will become a lot more structured. You know me I like to be organised and that also includes being organised with my blogging. Below you will find a list of what to expect on the blog over the coming months:
I will return to my regular weekly blogging routine, many of you have been asking for the meal planning posts to return!!
Monday – Meal Planning
Tuesday – Declutter 52 things in 52 weeks, challenge tasks
Wednesday – Organising tip
Thursday – Cleaning tip
Friday – Miscellanous, giveaways etc.
Saturday – Recipe
Sunday – Recipe
New to 2014 I will be dedicated each month to a different area of the home, this is what is coming up:
February – Kitchen
March – Laundry
April – Kids Bedrooms
Behind the Scenes
Behind the scenes of the blog I spend a good 30+ hours each week writing my blog posts and trying to answer all the emails and enquiries I receive (which is a constant struggle for me, I still have a lot of room for improvement in this area, I have quite a few I need to reply to from the new year period). I am delighted that this week I joined up with the team at The Remarkable Group (TRG), who are a blogging agency that will help me with brand enquiries and to connect with brands that are relevant to The Organised Housewife and our community. I am really grateful to be working with brands such as Dettol, Howards Storage World and many more, as their involvement with my blog helps to keep it running.
I have big dreams and a vision for The Organised Housewife, I am excited that together with TRG that I will be able to achieve them!
And finally a big thank you to YOU!!
I want to thank each and every one of you that pop over to my blog to read my tips, become inspired or motivated by what you read. I’m a people watcher and I enjoy looking at peoples fashion, shoes and how they do their hair when I’m sitting at a coffee shop. I feel my blog is similar to this, you are sitting there getting a little insight into my home, how I manage my family, decorate my home, the food I cook the kids and the routines that help us to stay organised. Remember, this is how I might clean or oraganise something, I’m not saying this is how it should be done, just adapt the idea to suit your home.
Over the school holidays my facebook page reached a remarkable 200,000 likers on facebook, but I am beyond ecstatic and in disbelief really that in a short period it has increased again to nearly 260,000 people in our facebook community. I was wanting to organise a big giveaway when I reached 200,000 however as that has flown by I am going to try and organise something extra special for when we reach 300,000. I have had a few requests of giving myself away to visit the home of a reader and organise an area of their home… I really like this idea, just need to see if I can organise a sponsor for flights, accommodation and products to use for organising the space!
This is not a giveaway (yet!), but to help me plan it, I would love to know:
If you could win me for a day, which area of your home would you like me to organise?
If you are a business and would be interested in sponsoring this giveaway please contact me here.
88 comments
I would love to have you come and organise the toy area. It constantly frustrates me.
They can get frustrating. Have you considered having a toy rotation system, take away some toys so they don’t have so much to play with, then in a month or two replace the toys with the ones you have stored away. It’s like they have new toys again!
My kitchen please! I am forever being unable to get to things!
I’d love to organise your kitchen Toni, ooh… I’d be happy to organise any room!!
Thank you so much for sharing. I love your posts. Thank you!
You are very welcome Sarah… thank you xx
Definitely the kid’s toy area!
That would be a fun area to organise!
The kids rooms! What a dream. I love this blog so much!
So glad you love the blog Donna, hope you enjoy all the upcoming posts I share with kitchen organising tips!
This would be the most amazing prize!! I constantly struggle with decluttering and feel I tidy up one area and shuffle it to another. My worst areas are toy storage and the garage. Thanks to all you do Kat! And congratulations on your health and well-being goals!
Thank you Amy x
Congratulations on your ‘remarkable’ news Katrina! If I won you for a day, I would finally be a chance of sorting out my terrible laundry!
Thank you Amanda. Aah, I would love to sort your laundry… sorting the dirty laundry would have to be one of my favourite organising tips!
I’m similar to a lot of the others – toy storage is something I constantly get frustrated with!!
Aah yes, toys end up everywhere. My trick all these years is not to pick it up myself, but rather get the kids to pick it up, helping them to learn that it’s their responsibility after they have played to put it away!
My kids toys but there in too many rooms!
Maybe we would just have to organise a few rooms in the one day!!!
sounds good
Well done, Kat! Exciting changes – and you’re so gracious about it all. Can’t wait to see where your year takes you.
If you were to help at my place I’d show you my (slightly scary) craft room. I dream of custom cabinets along one big wall to store the sewing machine and all the fabric (and all the other scrapbooking and craft supplies), but I don’t know where to start in designing such a storage unit.
I’m really excited about this year Tonya. Ooh a craft room would be so much fun, how exciting would that be, a trip to Ikea would be in order!
Yes! Maybe we can convince Ikea to sponsor a post where you make over my craft room!!
Congratulations Katrina. I’d like you to organise our study/office area.
Thank you Trish xx
if I won you for the day I think my bedroom would be the target area, it seems to be in a constant state of flux, lol. my children have all fled the messy nest and have their own so am sorting through the grandkiddies toy box tomorrow, lol
Kat
We are currently decluttering our small home which we’ve filled like we live in a mansion. At the moment it is very dull & boring! I think our two boys would love a fun bedroom (shared) just like your son’s one, so all of their Lego creations can be on display. LOVE the idea on spending time in each room each month with your inspiration. Can’t wait!!
Hi Lisa, my son loves his lego area, it’s great to display the creation he has made. Hope you enjoy the upcoming tips x
The kitchen! I’ve never been able to get that in any reasonable order besides the everyday items
I would love a good kitchen clean out. It’s one room that I need to keep organised, otherwise I then don’t enjoy cooking and being in there. I’m sharing all my kitchen tips next month hopefully you might find a few tips to adapt to your home.
Congratulations Katrina – you will be a huge asset to The Remarkables Group. If getting out to a home is difficult (which if you came to mine I’d be handing you a cup of something and steering you to my multi tasking dining room) maybe run some webinars or just do some more videos to let us all share the experience 🙂 You were a fabulous speaker at the Working Mums Masterclass, I walked away with so many brilliant ideas, I know many of your readers would love a taste of that experience – Thankyou 🙂
That’s a fabulous idea Marina. I would love to do more video’s but being home alone all day I wonder how I can do it myself… I did a video course recently on how to make my own video, it’s a step forward x
Katrina I’d be more than happy to give you a hand. The amount of stress you have relieved for Australian mums – it’s time the favour was returned 😉 If you’d like to take me up on the offer, even if it’s just brainstorming – I’m sure you’ll be able to find me 🙂
Congratulations on feeling healthier and fitter, I am on the same journey so I understand how amazing even the smallest change can feel! I would love help in the kids rooms, can just never seem to get them right 🙂
Thank you Shazibell xx
My lounge/dining room needs the most help. Toys everywhere, TV, dining table, craft table….could we fit anymore in here?? Can we find the floor??
That sounds like a lot in one room, but I love a good organising challenge!!
Oooh Oooh Oooh – having a Katrina for a *whole* day…… my imagination just explodes at the thought of it….sigh… I fear however you would take a look around my home Katrina and decide that a day mightn’t be near long enough – grin! I am getting so much better thanks to you – but what I need is for you to be in my head for a day – organise my brain for me and then hopefully the rest will just come….I de-clutter, tidy and organise – but somehow the result never quite works completely and I find myself six months later in the same spot as previous – so I do another de-clutter, tidy and change the method of organisation to a different one. I wish I could just figure out what would work but instead it seems I need to go through the whole saga several times before I finally fix on a solution that works. The pantry is almost there, the linen cupboard likewise, laundry and bedrooms are great – but oh! My gardening stuff, the craft room come storage area and the nightmare of the office..oh dear…. Thankfully I can hide these areas from public view!
Ooh Anne, this is a fabulous idea though, not just a room but helping a family to set up routines to hopefully keep spaces tidy and organised.
Definitely the kitchen!!! Since moving into the house over two years ago, the temporary spots to put everything have remained the same. Plus we have the least workable pantry ever! Narrow and deep. The kitchen is completely impractical but I don’t know where to start…..
Ooh I do love a good pantry clean out, sounds like fun. Thank you for sharing Dannielle x
WOW!! Sooo many great ideas and sooo many excited housewives!!! The post by Marina is an excellent idea to share the journey! Where to start, what do we need to take into consideration, what if the new organisation doesn’t work?! You could always go local like my place!!!! That would be soooooooo coooool!! Congrats on your personal goals!! Lovin’ the new ideas!!
Thank you Melissa…. do you live local, love the Gold Coast, such a beautiful place, I look forward to organising this giveaway!
Congratulations! Very well deserved 🙂
Thank you Bree xx
As for which room – my office would be great, but I would love to have you enter the man cave (shed). Only area I constitute as a real disaster!
LOL I tried to organise my husbands shed recently…. he wasn’t impressed, let’s just say it didn’t get finished, it’s his domain, he says he knows where everything is.
Help me make my kitchen work better – I organise it and it ends up exactly as it was before. Truly think I have too many things
Kitchen organising sounds like so much fun. I’m sharing all my kitchen tips next month, hope you find some tips there that may help you x
Well I’d love you to reorganise my whole house!!! I would levae the decision up to you when you saw which you think needed it more. I have downsized and would LOVE LOVE LOVE for you to come and help me!
Sounds like fun Sally. I would start in your bedroom so you wake up in a good mood, then I usually like to start from the front house and work the way through 🙂
Awesome work, Katrina. You deserve your successes. You work hard to make everyone’s lives a little brighter. My study is the family dumping ground. I constantly struggle with motivation and energy, you are an inspiration. I would like to copy meal plan till I get the hang of it. That is how I learn from others. Keep being the inspiration that you are!!!
Ooh you are so kind… The meal plans start back again on Monday, I hope it will be able to help you!!
Congratulations on making such a success and helping hte rest of us out. Your site may be called “The Organised Housewife” but I have to say, as a full time working mum with two kids of my own (girls 4 and 10) and two steps (boys 9 and 15) who has NO time for housewife-ing in my day, your organisational tips have helped me move a little closer to sanity from madness. Keep ’em coming!!!! I would have to say it’s the nedrooms that I need help with – I don’t see them generally except first thing in the morning and last thing at night, when I shuffle a path through a mix of dirty and clean clothes (10 year old and 15 year old) and small sharp platic toys (4 year old and 9 year old) thinking *must get to that this weekend*. Argh!!!!!!!!!! LOL you’ve got to laugh….or you’d cry! 🙂
I’m so glad that you have found parts of the blog to be able to help you Annaliese, perfect to adapt the ideas to suit your family. When so busy it’s hard to find time, I can only image how hard it is for you. xx
What wonderful news 🙂 Well done my dear! That is sooooo exciting 🙂
Now if I had you to visit for a day… mmmm first we would have to sit down and have a good goss but then I think I would get you to help me organise my blogging.
Of course we would need to also have a nice lunch and maybe a little cocktail to celebrate our hard work 🙂 xxx
Naw your so kind Karen, thank you. Ooh we would need to book in 2 days to fit in lunch and cocktails!! Can’t wait to have one on the cruise with you!!
Welcome! Great to have you on board.
Thank you Stacey x
Awesome work on all fronts Kat and welcome to TRG x
Thank you Nikki, I’m really excited to be apart of the TRG team!
Congratulations! I would love my wardrobe overhauled. It was one of my “nesting” jobs, but my baby is now 5 months old and I haven’t even looked at it!!!
Hi Cassie, ooh the wardrobe would be so much fun, I enjoyed giving my daughters wardrobe a makeover recently
Congrats Kat and here’s to a fab 2014! I’d love you to come and organise my kitchen, or my bathroom. I have too many hair products.
Thank you Christina, I’m looking forward to 2014!!
Congratulations well done.
I would love you to come and organise my bedroom, or my computer area, or my kitchen!!! hahaha or just my whole house as I only live in a tiny house!!
Ok well seriously it would have to be my computer area.
Thank you Janine, the computer area would be a great start!!
Sounds Great! Can’t Wait! – Gem (Vanilla Belle Homewares)
It will be so much fun Gem!!
I would like help organising Kitchen and Dining rooms
Julie
I’m so happy for you Kat. Here’s to an exciting new year for you, your family and your blog. Personally, I’d love for you to come over and help me figure out my pantry.
Congratulations Kat. You blog is very motivating and inspirational, I hope you take some time to celebrate all your milestones! Bec from Littleville.com.au
Kids rooms.. oh please please can I win you to come and help me with the kids rooms! We’ve just downsized into our own home.. and it’s a mess!! Too many toys, not enough room! I’ve considered attaching sacks to the ceiling for extra storage? lol
Congratulations on your achievements Katrina and good luck for the coming year. I would love you to organise my 2 children’s bedroom.
Love you website, my house is already looking better. If I would be so lucky to win you for a day I would love some help with my Laundry or my office, or maybe just have coffee & pick your brain x0x
Congratulations. I would love you to organise my bedroom. This is where I send myself when things get out of control or I just need some time out.
Hey Kat, I’d trade a Personal Training Session for a visit from you to organise my 6 year old daughters bedroom. You’d have to see it to believe it, she keeps every drawing, every toy packet it all means something to her, means mess to me but she wont throw anything out. R
Congratulations Katrina! What a great achievement! I look forward to reading your blog and receiving all your great tips and advice. If I had to choose a room to organise, I’d probably say my bedroom although all I really need is more wardrobe space!
looking forward to reading your blog everyday x
great job Katrina! I so need you in my life!! I’m trying think where I would start if I could win you as my whole house is a mess!!! I think the area most in need is my children’s rooms and their playroom.
My office/craft room would LOVE some organisation!!
Sounds like an exciting year coming up! If I could win you for a day I think my kitchen would be the room I’d like your help with the most. We moved last year and I just don’t feel that the kitchen is as functional as it could be. The other area would be the walk in robe in the master bedroom – too much general ‘stuff’ stored there!
The areas where junk piles up – my study is the ‘dumping room’, old clothes, toys, new stuff to be stashed for Christmas/birthdays, anything without a proper home and I can never find my desk, and the toy clutter – I really need the help.
Welcome aboard love! What an exciting year you’ve got ahead!
My office/sewing room is a disaster right now and I don’t see it improving until after the income tax is done. That’s the one thing I dread and, therefore, put it off as long as possible— knowing it would make much more sense to just get it done as quick and early as possible!
My toddlers toy area in the living room :-/
My garage. It is full of baby stuff and things my kids have out grown, and things i can’t seem to organise or part with.
My office! I am continually stacking piles of paper and have stuff laying everywhere!!
Hmm, I really need to think hard about this one, our whole house is chaos….it’s a toss up between the teenagers bedrooms (a constant battle), the communal areas (kitchen, dining, lounge – open plan) or the clutter cupboard under the stairs (dumping ground)…….My girls bedroom I think…if this was sorted, I wouldn’t have so much junk, sorry – treasures, left in my lounge to start with!! Now, all I need to do is convince Kat to come to good ole NZ!! (Please, pretty please????)