The start of a new year is one of my favorite times of year. Not so much for the wintry weather (I’m a summer-lovin’ gal), but the chance to get organized during the dreary days of winter brings a sense of order and renewal. It’s nice to get things together in preparation for busier months when our schedules pull us in all directions.
Many people set New Year’s resolutions in hopes of making positive changes in their lives and homes. Well, I am so excited to tell you that 7 Organizing Bloggers are working together to bring you a huge New Year’s challenge to help you attain some of those goals! We’re calling it a “revolution” instead of a resolution because a revolution is a sudden, complete or marked change. We want to help you make changes that make a difference!
I did say this is huge, right? Well I meant HUGE!
If you are looking for motivation to get organized in 2013, this is a fantastic way to start out! We have joined together to bring you the…
Timeline.
Each Monday beginning, December 31st, we will announce a room, or area, and give you ALL week to work on that space – even if it’s just a drawer in that area or the WHOLE room {it’s totally up to you}. Then, YOU take pictures of your organized space – nice ones with your cell phone or you camera. You’ll need to post them on your blog or upload them onto your Pinterest board** (more on this later) and then link up to our link party. This will be a HUGE link party visible on all 7 of our blogs!! Each Friday thru Sunday, everyone will have a chance to VOTE on whose organized space they like the best. Do you want the best news? There are prizes. HUGE prizes!! Here is a printable calendar to help you get started with your organization!
December 31st ~ 1st challenge and link party begins: Office
January 4-6th ~ Vote for your favorite organized office spaces!
January 7th ~ 2nd challenge and link party begins: Kitchen
January 11-13th ~ Vote for your favorite organized kitchen spaces!
January 14th ~ 3rd challenge and link party begins: Closets
January 18-20 ~ Vote for your favorite organized closets!
January 21st ~ 4th challenge and link party begins: Family room/Playroom
January 25-27th ~ Vote for your favorite organized family room and playroom spaces!
January 28-30th ~ Grand Prize voting begins, vote for your favorite organized spaces from all four weeks!
January 31st ~ Grand Prize winners announced!
Prizes.
What do you get for all this hard work? Oh. My. Goodness. PRIZES — Yes, fabulous, amazing prizes!! Here are the prizes you will have a chance to win.
http://www.oreck.com
Oreck’s newest, most versatile vacuum: The VersaVac™, a full-powered bagless vacuum cleaner that is also a steam mop. The ultimate multi-functional, multi-surface cleaner, VersaVac is powerful and is easy to use — on all floor types. With its incredible suction, an on/off brushroll and adjustable steam settings, the VersaVac has all the power and performance you expect from Oreck. So forget the broom, the dustpan, the messy bucket and mop. With its dual functions, the multi-tasking VersaVac eliminates the need for multiple cleaning tools!
Prize – $100 gift certificate to Clean Mama Printables
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CleanMamaPrintables
Who says homekeeping and organizing can’t be adorable, fun AND easily implemented into your life? Home of the ORIGINAL printable homekeeping kit concept, including The Cleaning Kit, The Budget + Bill Pay Kit, The Resolution Kit, The Starter Kit and more!Clean Mama Printables is THE BEST place to get homekeeping printables that REALLY work for you AND make your life easier! Clean Mama Printables specializes in original organizational documents designed to take the WORK out of organizing your life.
Prize – JOYS Collection $139 Value
http://www.justorganizeyourstuff.com/paper-organizing-tools
Helping you find paper peace. Just Organize Your Stuff or JOYS is a collection of paper organizing techniques, philosophies, exercises and home filing system tools to help you create your personal home filing solution. A fresh twist on the old-fashioned filing techniques fit for your modern lifestyle.
Prize – NeatReceipts, a $199.95 value
Website: www.neat.com, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/NeatCompany, Twitter: @NeatCompany
Neat® is the developer of several cloud-based Digital Filing System solutions, designed to manage personal information with ease and simplicity in order to save time and increase productivity. NeatReceipts® is a portable scanner and Digital Filing System, weighing less than a pound, making on-the-go organization a cinch. NeatReceipts also includes Neat’s unique software that identifies and extracts the important information from receipts, business cards, and documents to automatically organize it for you. All scanned and imported documents can be searched by keyword in Neat’s software so that you can find exactly what you need. Now, users have seamless access to their information from anytime, anywhere via NeatCloud and NeatMobile.
Prize- $101 Scentsy gift pack
www.KendraA.Scentsy.us
Scentsy offers wax bars in over 80 different fragrances and over 75 different warmers in three different sizes. Scentsy has a patented technology that uses a low watt light bulb to warm a wax with a low melting temperature. This ensures lower temperatures to avoid burns and no open flames to avoid fire risks. Scentsy also offers a lot more than just warmers and wax though! Scentsy also has room sprays, scent circles, travel tins, buddies & baby buddies for the little ones in your life, and scent paks. Check out my website to learn more information and shop these great products!
Prize- 1 yr membership & a free copy of Slow Cookers e-Book
http://5dinners1hour.com
5 dinners in 1 hour is am make ahead meal plan system for effortless weeknight dinners. This is menu planning made easy. Spend 1 hour in the kitchen and have 5 dinners assembled for the week. Just bake, broil, slow cook or grill to have dinner on the table faster than going to the drive thru lane. Choose from Classic, Clean Eating and Gluten free plans. Each menu comes with recipes (including side dish suggestions), grocery list, assembly directions and cooking instructions all in an easy to follow format.
Prize – $100 Fridge Coaster Gift Certificate
www.fridgecoaster.com
Don’t you hate scrubbing your refrigerator bins and surfaces? So do we! And now you don’t have to. We’re the husband and wife duo behind Fridge Coaster. Fridge Coasters are super absorbent “liners” that come in different sizes to fit all high traffic areas of your refrigerator. Place under produce in the crispers to keep your veggies fresh longer, or under milk and salad dressing in the doors to absorb drips that would normally dry to the bottom of your bin, ewww. Fridge Coasters provide time saving function and fashion to the inside of your refrigerator. In addition, we’re really proud to say that our sustainable product is made 100% in the USA of 30% (or more) post consumer product. We then use a UV-dried printing process which means the ink never bleeds beyond its original printed shape even when fully submerged in water! How awesome is that? Long story short, Fridge Coasters will save you a ton of time and put a smile on your face every time you open the fridge.
Prize – $197 value Power Productivity Program
http://www.howtoorganize.tv
Alejandra Costello is a Certified Professional Organizer who shows individuals how to become more organized and productive on a daily basis by setting up systems that work for their own organizing style. Alejandra started her company, Alejandra.tv, in 2008 at the age of 23 and to date has shared her organizing expertise with thousands of people in over 100 countries around the world. Formerly an IT engineer, Alejandra was named 1 of the 5 most organized people in America by HGTV. Her expertise has been featured in HGTV, The Washington Post, Family Circle, Woman’s Day, The Washington Times, CBS, NewsChannel8, and Mashable. Sign up for her FREE 7-Day “Jumpstart” Video Series on her website to start getting organized today!
Prize – $100 Gift Certificate to A Time For Everything
http://www.etsy.com/shop/atime4everything
I am passionate about people living within their means and getting out of debt, but I don’t believe a cash system of budgeting has to mean tattered paper envelopes reinforced with packing tape! I offer a variety of lovely cash envelope system wallets with the hope that each of my customers can find a product that fits her budget, appeals to her personal taste, and functionally suits her needs. My wallets and accessories are handmade by me using designer laminated cotton which is lightweight yet very durable, CPSIA compliant, and free of BPA, PVC, and phthalates. Live within your means with style!
Prize- Sophisticated File Tote, a $66.00 value
http://mycleverbiz.com/dbldesigns
Clever Container is an organizing product direct sales company committed to providing top quality, unique products and solutions to reduce the stress of an organizational task. We have products for kitchens, crafts, closets, drawers, children, storage, offices, and more.
Clever Container Consultants provide organizing tips, techniques, and products to help simplify your life in a fun, relaxed setting. Consultants demonstrate the products, provide multiple uses, and share organizing tips which you can use as soon as you get home. Our motto is “It’s not just the product, it’s the process.”
As a professional organizer striving to give people the most efficient and effective home, personal lives, and businesses possible, Ashley Meyer of DBL Designs Lifestyle & Small Business Consulting found the perfect partnership with Clever Container. Through Clever Container, she brings quality, affordable organizing products to her professional organizing clients.
Prize- Rack It Off the Floor Organizer
http://www.offthefloorEZstore.com
Two moms, life-long best friends, set out to develop a practical, innovative, customizable, all-in-one storage solution for everyone in the household. Products were created and designed to meet personal challenges of dealing with clutter throughout the house & garage, unmet by existing products out in the market today. Our modular storage units have snap construction which allows for easy assembly with no tools required, including snap-on accessories. Configure the shape of the overall unit to fit any space, or split a starter kit into multiple smaller units. Ten different colors are available to fit any room décor. With door hang and wall mount options, it requires no valuable floor space. Various accessories allows a place for everything, and everything ends up in its place! Great training for young children to manage and be responsible for their personal belongings from an early age. Additional accessories and panel kits are available to expand the overall size of the storage system, or to create a smaller version of our starter kits to fit specific needs.
Prize – 1 weekday set for girls and 1 weekday set for boys
http://www.organizables.com
Organizables is a practical solution to the early morning chaotic demands of getting children ready for school every day. For the busy parent who has to get kids up, dressed and fed on a tight schedule, Organizables are the antidote to your morning frustrations. Organizables clothes organizers feature colors and designs that are visually appealing to kids and are easy enough for even very young children to use. At the beginning of the week, your child chooses the clothes that he or she will wear for the next five days – putting an end to weekday morning arguments over wardrobe!
Prize – $100 Gift Certificate to Thirty One Bags
https://www.mythirtyone.com/JessicaWright/
It’s a new year! Time to celebrate organizing with Thirty One! Thirty One offers you a line of bags, totes, and organizational items that can be personalized to make them uniquely your own. Whether you are organizing your home, your car or yourself, Thirty One can offer you some great solutions. From large utility totes to hang up organizers to our new “Your Way” collection, Thirty One has something for everyone! Coordinating items means everything will have a place and will be easy to find! We can help with product suggestions, fabric choices and embroidery ideas. The possibilities are endless!
Prize – Cricut Mini Prize Package – $129 value
Cricut
Cricut is the family of products that will help you hear the three little words most creators just can’t get enough of: “You made that?” It doesn’t matter if you want to craft cards, scrapbooks, home décor, organizing labels and more. One thing’s for sure, Cricut will always craft a smile. Portable and lightweight, yet powerfully creative—what more could you ask for in a creative partner? The Cricut Min®i machine is perfect for the new and seasoned crafter alike. Designed to work in tandem with our innovative design tool, Cricut Craft Room™, your creativity will reach new heights thanks to this petite inspiration machine
Prize – $100 Gift Card
Office Depot
How to Prepare.
Look for 2 posts tomorrow – one from Anna from Ask Anna, where she will teach you how to take fabulous photos {so you can win BIG prizes!}. The other one will be from Becky at Organizing Made Fun. She will be teaching you how to set up a Pinterest Board and link it to our party. Both of these posts will be great resources to help you win some of these fantastic prizes!!
- Ask Anna
- Organize and Decorate Everything
- Organizing Junkie
- A Bowl Full of Lemons
- Organizing Homelife
- Clean Mama
- Organizing Made Fun
If you don’t already follow them on Facebook or Pinterest, this is a group of bloggers you definitely want to follow! You’ll be glad you did, they all have some great organizing tips, and love to work together to bring you fabulous opportunities like this one!
Share.
Here is a button for you to get started! Put it on your blog and spread the word about this huge challenge! You can also tell your family that you’re getting organized this year and “wow” them by actually tackling a room in your home each week!
<div align="center"><a href="http://organizinghomelife.com/" title="Organizing Homelife" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.organizinghomelife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/OrganizingRevolution250.jpg" alt="Organizing Homelife" width="250" height="250" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Good luck!!! I can’t wait to check out your spaces {and vote} at all the link parties!!!
The Fine Print
- 3 winners (First, Second and Third Place) will be chosen each week using InLinkz voting link tool based on the highest number of votes accrued during that week. First, Second and Third place prizes will be determined using the highest valued prize for First Place winner, second highest value to Second Place winner, and third highest value to Third Place winner.
- Week 1: Link party will be open from 6 a.m. PST December 31, 2012 thru 5:59 a.m. PST January 4, 2013. Voting begins 6:00 a.m. PST January 4, 2013 and ends 12:00 noon PST January 6, 2013.
- Week 2: Link party will be open from 6 a.m. PST January 7, 2013 thru 5:59 a.m. PST January 11, 2013. Voting begins 6:00 a.m. PST January 11, 2013 and ends 12:00 noon PST January 13, 2013.
- Week 3: Link party will be open from 6 a.m. PST January 14, 2013 thru 5:59 a.m. PST January 18, 2013. Voting begins 6:00 a.m. PST January 18, 2013 and ends 12:00 noon PST January 20, 2013.
- Week 4: Link party will be open from 6 a.m. PST January 21, 2013 thru 5:59 a.m. PST January 25, 2013. Voting begins 6:00 a.m. PST January 25, 2013 and ends 12:00 noon PST January 27, 2013.
- Grand Prizes: Voting for Grand Prizes will include the three winners from each of the four prior weeks. Voting begins 6 a.m. PST January 28, 2013 and ends at 9:00 p.m. PST January 30, 2013. Grand Prizes will be determined based on the highest number of votes accrued during the Grand Prize voting. 3 Grand Prize winners will be announced on January 31, 2013.
- No purchase necessary.
- Giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.
- Entrants must be 18 years or older.
- Winners will be e-mailed and announced here on January 7 (Week 1 winners), January 14 (Week 2 winners), January 21 (Week 3 winners), January 28 (Week 4 winners), and January 31, 2013 (Grand Prize winners).
- Winners have 7 days to respond to e-mail.
Jeannie says
Count Me in… I like organizing and trying to be creative with it too.. Functional but pretty 🙂
Ginny says
Awesome! Glad to have you, Jeannie. 🙂
Aseneth says
I am so excited! I really think this will help me organize. I am in the process of looking to move and I know organizing each room as stated, we help me clean and organize as well as “pre-pack’. I look forward to moving because it will allow for a new start and I know I need to box/label and organize as I want to do so badly and with your plan/contest and my move…..2013 will be the year for me to finally have the order I want. Thanks and can’t wait to get started.
PS: This will also help me finally learn how to get on/use Pinterest as I have no idea. Thanks and Happy New Year!
Ginny says
Glad to be of help, Aseneth! It’s going to be a great challenge and I’m happy to know you’re joining us. 🙂
maureen @ envious homes says
This is an awesome idea!
Mama F says
I am so happy to have stumbled upon your blog and this great challenge. I have just recently started my own blogging journey about simplifying my way to a healthier, happier life and this will be a great thing to jump start my year!
Ginny says
I’m so glad to hear it, Mama F. 🙂 Have fun with your new blog. 🙂
Deanna S Gordinier says
I’d love to win a prize, they all sound great! I especially appreciate the printables!
Deanna S Gordinier says
Where is the ilinkz link? So frustrated
Ginny says
Deanna, this post was the intro. post. The first link up is in this post: http://96.30.21.56/~organiz/archives/5133
Melissa B says
Count me in Ginny! This is a such a fun way to get us all working “together” as moms to make our homes more organized and pretty! Now I need to figure out how to upload pics to Pinterest because I don’t have a blog:) Thank you for this wonderful challenge! Happy New Year!
Lauren says
I am using this to motivate me to get lots of things done…I’ve started The Blog Class through Jones Design Company and want to get my blog started AND organize…thanks for the motivation. If I don’t get the blog going by the first week, how do we link up by pinterest? Also, do we post before and after pics or just organized?
Thanks!
Ginny says
Lauren, there is a link in the post to Becky’s post describing how to link up to Pinterest. You are welcome to post before and after pics on your blog (if it’s up and running), but I would recommend only linking up the after picture because that’s what will be voted on. Best wishes!!
Cindy says
Oh, I’d love to join! But….after New Year’s dinner, I’m stripping my kitchen completely bare to begin painting the cabinets! (The sellers painted them black, inside and out!) I am looking forward to the pictures everybody posts for ideas on organization. I’ll do the organization challenge on my own, using your ideas and schedule, once I get the kitchen taken care of.
Ginny says
That’s too bad on the timing, but I’m glad to hear you’ll be working on the challenge anyway! Black on the inside? Ugh. Have fun with your makeover. 🙂
Home and Garden Blogger says
Thanks so much for sharing this!