Organization -- Finally! (And a Giveaway from Blue Sky!)

The trouble with me + planning is that I always start out really gung-ho, and then my efforts at timely organization seem to fall by the wayside after a few days of effort.  I think it's because I DO begin so forcefully that I can't possibly keep up with my own momentum.  I become all bluster and no follow-through.  All talk and no action.  All hope and no reality.

But on my horizon, there are a few things that are having the tendency to FREAK me out about my lack of organization:

1.  We are having our entire home re-floored this week.
2.  I want to take two family road trips between now and September.
3.  Mia starts Kindergarten next month.
4.  Baby Boy is due in October.
5.  My house is a mess.
6.  I forget what else, but let me assure you, there is lots of 'else'.

The only thing I've done in preparation for any of this is to compile detailed lists in my head, jot down a reminder or two on soon-to-be-lost scraps of paper, and wring my hands helplessly together.

Let's face it: I'm terrible at organizing our family's life at this point in the game.  I'm keeping us afloat, but only because I'm displacing the waters by sheer luck.  And I keep waiting for those waters to float me away, whilst I forget everything that needs to be done.

But here's the silver lining: somebody has thrown me a life-raft.

The kind folks behind the Blue Sky Home Series have sent me a sampling of their newest line of dated organizing products, and for the past month, I've been saved. 

My favorite product in their lineup is the 8x10 weekly/monthly planner.  It's slim and sturdy, with plenty of room for detailing what our weeks will look like...

and keeping all of my lists in one place...

plus it lays flat on my desk -- next to me at all times -- so I can immediately add to its calendar or remind myself of the day's events.

I know -- it's just a calendar, really.  And couldn't a regular wall or desk calendar do the same thing?  Probably.  But I've never been too enamored with wall calendars for ease of use, and desk calendars either seem to take up my entire workspace, or become messy and ripped over time.  Plus, the Blue Sky planner is pretty. Really pretty.  They've teamed up with Susy Jack Contemporary Paper to make a line of products that are eye catching but not flashy.  Beautiful, but not obtrusive.  They're simple and clean and lovely -- perfect for keeping me company at all times.

But the coolest part about this planner is that its calendar begins in July, not January.  Because whose busy year actually begins in January?  I need a calendar that begins when I do -- which, this year, is right now.  I don't have to wait for a new supply of January-starting products to line the shelves before getting myself organized.

Plus, there's a giant stack of lined note pages in the back of the planner -- fabulous, because I don't want to carry a notepad and a calendar to my few meetings, but I want to have plenty of space to write. 

And the tabs for each month make me happy. 

Also nice, but not quite as useful to me as the planner, are the grocery list, mousepad, and door notes.  The door notes are a cute idea, but I just can't get past the kitschy-ness of the product and the extra clutter they would add to my entryway.  I know a few teenagers that might benefit from it, though...

The grocery list has come in handy for making sure I take note of what I need to buy as soon as I run out -- it clings nicely to the fridge with strong magnets -- but I don't necessarily love being trapped into only a few lines for each category.  Still, I can definitely see the appeal for many busy moms. 

But there are some other products in their lineup that have caught my eye -- and I'm sure would catch yours, too.  Take a look and let me know what you think.

And in the meantime, Blue Sky has generously offered to provide one of my readers with the same sample package I received (8x10 planner, magnetic grocery checklist pad, mouse pad, and door notes)! 

To enter this giveaway, simply leave me a comment describing your feelings towards organization: are you flummoxed by it all?  Are you an organizing genius?  Whatever the case, tell me a little bit about your status quo, and you'll be entered to win.

For an extra entry, tweet about the giveaway and copy the link into a separate comment.

That's it!  Super easy!  I hope you'll love the Blue Sky Home Series as much as I've begun to -- a little bit of assistance in the organization department has made all the difference, and I want that for YOU, too!



This giveaway, (sponsored entirely by Blue Sky) will close at 6 PM on Friday, July 29th.  The randomly chosen winner will then be contacted by email.  Good luck!

This giveaway is now closed -- thanks for entering!