#GivingTuesday

Normally, I'm not all over a million posts a day. It's very rare that I even post twice a day. Usually it will be on a Monday or if I have a guest post. Well today I DO have a guest post (totally awesome South African recipe) and I really want to send out Christmas cards, so I needed to post my other one...then my aunt contacted me about Giving Tuesday.

I swore I put Giving Tuesday on my calendar, but forgot anyway. I love this concept and am much more behind it than Black Friday. I like Small Business Saturday, too. As I mentioned in my earlier post today, the holiday spirit isn't about buying things for people, to me. To me, it is about giving as much as I can. I usually try to do this in NON consumerism forms. I make gifts; I bake; I visit; I volunteer. These are more to me and that is why Giving Tuesday is close to my heart.

The dog that inspired the organization. Via

My Aunt Stacey is the executive producer on a movie for a non-profit called CLEAR (Canine Lympoma Education Awareness and Research).

Here is the statement from the non-profit's Indiegogo page:

We are producing this film to increase awareness and educate dog owners everywhere that cancer is not a death sentence for your four-legged friend.  For dogs, life goes on -- it may be hard on us, but we can help our furry companions.  We want to make a documentary that informs owners that there are ways to help prevent cancer and there are options if your dog is diagnosed.  When a person is diagnosed with cancer, the immediate concerns are what can be done, what will treatment be like, how long will I have, and so on. When that same diagnosis applies to our dogs, finances quite often become a concern and deserve to be taken into consideration.  The reality of monetary concerns does not mean you love your dog any less.

I wanted to be sure to post this today because on Giving Tuesday because today every $20 raised will get an additional dollar from Indiegogo. In addition, the partners for the production, will donate an additional one percent of the total raised today! It's perfectly easy!

To donate go to this link.

If you can't donate, please share the link or comment on the campaign to boost visibility of the campaign. Thank you!!!

Happy Giving Tuesday!

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own. For every e-book purchased I will receive commission. 

 Creating a Beautiful Little Christmas.

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From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge: Week 3

I hope you have had better luck keeping your car clean than I have. It technically is an accomplishment since there is not very much in my car, and no trash but there still is a slight mess. My big problem is that I work 6 days a week and keep my work clothes in the car. Often I change in the car too, so I have about two outfits in my car. That's better than before!

This week, I wanted to tell you about how I keep my eating habits organized / healthy-ish, considering I work at a restaurant who mostly sells wings and other bar foods. The trick [for me] is to eat something healthy for breakfast.

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge: Week 2

The weekend before last, the fiance and I took what we called our "One Last Big Adventure" before spending all of our money on wedding stuff. While we were gone his dad decided to give my car, Daisy, some TLC. 

I call this part "Being Forced into Keeping My Car Clean and Looking Less Like a Hot Mess."

I always try my best to take care of Daisy mechanically speaking. I get the tires rotated and change my oil and filters when they're due, etc. But I am horrible at keeping my poor Daisy clean - interior included. Let's just say that my car is a mini example of my bedroom.

While my messiness may be a bit extreme in my car, I know I am not the only one with a messy car problem.   Under duress [aka guilt that my future father in law saw my messy car and cleaned it], I have come up with a system for keeping my car clutter-free. 

From Hot Mess to Organized Challenge

If you know me (or have read through my posts) you know that I'm not exactly the most organized person on the planet. In fact, my side of the bed looks like someone took a wrecking ball to my closet, and Iman's side is absolutely spotless. Granted, I do have the million pillows we have on my side, too. But I know. I know I am a mess.

 Since it extends beyond just having messy things and living areas, it is safe to say that I am a hot mess - but not for lack of trying to be organized. I am always, always trying to be organized. Lists are my best friends. Planners are like my cup of coffee in the morning - necessary, but still I manage to forget it.

 So, since I'm back blogging, I thought I'd do a little challenge for myself. Feel free to join in if you are also a hot mess or just want to look at the cool things I've found that I'm trying to use to keep me organized.

 This week, we are going to start with leading organized days. As in, not rushing out the door to be almost late to work.

Organizing DIY

Well, it's the New Year. It's here, HELLO 2012!!

This year's going to be full of craziness, busy-ness and who knows what else but I think it's best to start off the year with a little bit of organization...DIY style :)

Buying a ton of organizational stuff can get expensive, so let's stick to the essentials and make what we can! I've made a list of the stuff that I like to use to keep organized throughout the year and how to make them!

1. Buy a planner. Hands down - the easiest way to stay organized. Pick one that you REALLY like, cause you're stuck with it all year (unless you're like me and have numerous planners...)