“5 S”teps to Organization
Dress: Banana Republic (old), Pants: Express, Shoes: Nine West, Accessories (old): Lovely You Boutique and Express
5S, are you familiar with this concept? I was introduced to it when I attended a training in Lean Manufacturing in 2009. It is a great way of de-cluttering and organizing your office space or home!
There are five primary phases: 1. sorting, 2. setting in order, 3. systematic cleaning, 4. standardizing, and 5. sustaining.
1. Sorting (Remove What is Not Required)
Go through all tools, materials, documents, etc., in the area you will focus on. Get rid of any unnecessary items, keep only what is essential. Keep things needed most in places that are easily accessible. Everything else should be stored or discarded.
Where: Floors, shelves, cabinets, drawers, on walls, notice boards.
What: Materials, parts and work in progress, documents, papers, cleaning materials.
2. Straightening or Setting in Order (Everything You Need Must Have A Place)
Arrange materials, instructions, items, etc., in such a way that the most frequently used items are the easiest and quickest to locate. By doing so you will eliminate time wasted in looking for the necessary items to perform a task.
3. Systematical Cleaning (Clean, Inspect, and Restore)
Clean the area of your focus and keep it clean and organized. At the end of each of day, clean the area and ensure all items are restored to its place. This makes it easy to know what goes where and ensures that everything is where it belongs.
4. Standardizing (Make It Visual)
Everyone should know exactly what his or her responsibilities are for adhering to the first 3 S’s. Provide visuals such as labels or site maps in the area so that everyone can see how the area should look.
5. Sustaining the Practice (Maintain/Review Standards)
Once the previous 4 S’s have been established, they become the new way to function. Maintain focus on this new way and do not allow a gradual decline back to the old ways.
What space in your office or home will you apply these concepts?
Linking up with Style Elixir!
The Black Jumpsuit
The Black Jumpsuit seemingly never goes out of style, so if you have one in your wardrobe be sure to hang on to it! Styling the jumpsuit is oh so simple, with a pair of cute shoes and minimal accessories, you can have a complete celeb look in no time.
Take at look at how a few celebrities wore it:
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Here’s how I wear it…
Jumpsuit: Lovely You Boutique (get it here), Belt: Express (old), Shoes: Nine West (old)
Don’t forget to enter the $750 Cash Give Away!
Linking up at Funny PostPartum Lady and Style Elixir!
What Makes A Great Blog?
3 Things That Make A Great Blog!
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1. Great Content – What do I mean by “great”? Based on the blog’s ‘About Me’ page, the content written in each post aligns with their vision for their blog. Also, there is a point of view from the writer to the viewer that is being conveyed in a descriptive and/or creative way, something that the writer has either experienced, researched or passionate about.
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2. Consistency – Whether you post once/week or everyday; there should be some consistency with it. Don’t get me wrong, having a blog myself, I know that you need a break every now and again. In those instances, just let your followers know what they can expect. But as a blog reader, I absolutely love it when I receive the notification that my favorite blogs have posted.
3. Pictures – Reading a blog post is like reading a book or magazine. Literature with visuals are always more appealing than those without them. And what about those viewers/followers that are visual learners anyway; they definitely want to see pictures.
Here are some blogs that I am Totally loving right now, in no particular order. Check them out for yourselves:
Delphina Luxe {Image via}
Style Elixir {Image via}
What blogs are you loving right now?
Linking up at…
Wellness Wednesday – A No Gym Workout
No gym membership, that’s ok! Do you have walls in your home? I’m sure the answer is yes; so here’s a workout for you! I just came across the “No Squats Belly, Butt and Thighs Workout” on Pinterest.
This workout includes 5 moves, 10 reps each for 5 days a week using only a mat and a wall in your home. It uses yoga techniques which is easy on your joints and the workout calmly tightens your belly, butt and thighs. Yeah, I plan to do this for the next 2 weeks! I actually started this one on last Saturday.
30/30 Challenge #2
I started the 30 miles in 30 days Challenge #2. I ended Challenge #1 with 17 miles completed. Not too bad for the 1st time. Challenge #2 spans from Monday, May 13th – Thursday, June 13th. It’s only Day 3 of the challenge, so you can still join in. Chime in by commenting to the Wellness Wednesday posts or on Twitter @LovelyUBoutique with #30miles30days.
It’s all about leading a healthier lifestyle! What are you up to with your fitness routine?
3 Tips to Stay Focused – First Things First
Tops: Express, r21, Pants: Express, Necklace: Lovely You Boutique (old), Bracelets: Express, Shoes: Nine West
Seek first the kingdom of God and all his righteousness then all these things will be added to you (Matt 6:33).
It is so easy to lose focus in the busy-ness of life on what your focus should be. Lately, I have been focused on my next career move and my business ventures. I admit, I have been overwhelmed at times over the past weeks with juggling all the activities of life, but one thing remains…he will keep me in perfect peace, those whose mind is stayed on him (Isaiah 26:3).
I know that I must keep my focus on God and then all these other things will work themselves out.
3 Tips for Staying God Focused
1-Meditate on God’s Word. Pick specific verses for encouragement or that may speak to a specific issue in your life.
2-Pray daily. That includes praying for others!
3-Remember all the good/positive things that are happening in your life. It’s so easy to concentrate on the bad, but I’m sure you can attest that the good always out weigh the bad!
Linking up with Funny PostPartum Lady and Style Elixir!!
A Seamstress’s Daughter
“A Seamstress’s Daughter”, Re-blogged from 1/3/13.
Thread, fabric scraps, scissors, needles, a cutting board and a sewing machine could all be found in my parents’ bedroom when my mom was sewing a garment. She is a seamstress by trade and growing up as the eldest in a family with 9 siblings, that gift of creating surely came in handy for her. Although she held other jobs, her career was built as a seamstress, working in different sewing factories in the area as there were many around during that time. I can remember sitting at my mom’s feet watching her sew and ready to help when she’d say, “Come, thread this needle for me”; I was so eager to do so! My mom is awesome at sewing and she still brags about it today. If I mention that I’m making a dress, she’ll say, “Oh, that’s easy, nothing to that…all you have to do is cut out your material and zooooo on one side and zoo zoo on the other side”! “Zooo zoo” is the sound of the sewing machine, lol! I so enjoy telling her when I’m working on a new piece because she gets just as excited about it as I am and I contact her still, when I get stuck with a sewing technique/ project, as I am still a Seamstress in progress. I love my mom so much and it’s cool how I had no idea at the time, that I was learning so much by just sitting at her feet. It reminds me of the story in the bible of Mary and Martha. When Jesus went to their house, Martha was busy cleaning and doing things around the house while Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus. Martha asked Jesus if he would tell Mary to help her and Jesus told her that Mary has chosen what was best; to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of him (Luke 10:38-42).
I feel So very blessed to have my Mom here, at the age of 69 years old, in great health, not on any medication and in her right mind. I love her so much and I am still learning from her.
I want to wish my Mom, once again and all you Moms out there, a Happy Mother’s Day!
Lovely Items on Etsy
YAY!! My Etsy Shop, Lovely You Boutique: Where All Things Are Lovely, is now open!
I have a few lovely items listed with more to come.
Check it out and let me know what you think!
Have a wonderfully blessed weekend!
-Natasha
Fish and Chips (Semi-Homemade)
Semi-Homemade Fish and Chips
As a mom that works outside the home, the only way to do dinner is Quick and Easy! For this dish, I made some homemade mashed potatoes and paired it with some frozen fish sticks to create this semi-homemade Fish and Chips dinner. It was a hit with the kids and the hubby and it only took about 30 minutes.
Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 25 min
Ingredients:
5 medium potatoes ( I used golden potatoes) peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces
frozen fish sticks (I used Gorton’s)
2 tbsp butter
1/3 cup of milk
sour cream
chives
mild cheddar cheese
Directions:
Bring about 5-6 cups of water to a boil. Place potatoes in and boil for about 20 minutes or until soft (you can break them with a fork).
Drain and place in a mixer/mixing bowl, add 2 tbsp butter, salt and pepper to taste and 1/3 cup of milk. Stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Prepare fish sticks according to the package. After they are finished cooking, you are ready to plate and serve.
Place potatoes onto a serving dish with fish sticks. Top potatoes with chives and place sour cream and cheese on the side to use, if desired.
Quick and easy!
Linking up at Marvelous Mondays with This Gal Cooks!
