ARE YOU A NEW SIESTA MAGAZINE READER?
If so, then the message below if for you!
Since the STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED newsmail began in January of 2006, it has grown in length and popularity, now reaching multiple states in the US as well as several European countries. As SPM strives to offer a fresh look with each issue, Siesta Magazine has moved all contents to this blogspot site, which was created back in the spring of 2009. For those subscribing to Siesta Magazine through standard e-mails, reminder e-mails for the Siesta Magazine link discontinued in 2010. All subscribers who wish to continue reading each issue may keep this website address in their favourites and refer to it on the first of each month.
www.siestamagazine.blogspot.com
SIESTA MAGAZINE
Thank you for understanding about STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED simplifying! It just proves that SPM practices what it preaches!
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~COVER ART~
"CASTLE ROCK" ~ Garrison, NY - DeNitto ©2011
NEW INFORMATION ABOUT FOLLOWING STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED on FACEBOOK and TWITTER !!
Become a fan on Facebook and/or Twitter and have a chance for free gift!
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE NOW REACHES 221 FANS!! Don't forget to spread the word that every 50th fan receives a FREE GIFT!! That means the 250th fan will be the next winner!
TWITTER PAGE NOW REACHES 330 FOLLOWERS!!STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED is now extending the Facebook free gift offer to the Twitter page! Just like Facebook, beginning now, every 50th fan receives a FREE GIFT!! That means the 350th follower will win a free gift!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
+ THE BOOK CORNER
+ PICK OF THE MONTH
+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH **COOKBOOK PART IS NEW!
+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
+ MOM TIME
+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
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+ BIG ANNOUNCEMENTS!
2011 marks twelve years for STRESSED.PRESSED.MESSED's Professional Organizer, Madeleine DeNitto in the organizing industry! With each issue this year, watch for special anniversary discounts, experience stories, and special thank yous and spotlights to come!!
NAPO NEW YORK
Hurry! There are only a few days left to register for the NAPO-NY Conference. See details with this link.
NAPO-NY CONFERENCE
Please become a fan/follower of NAPO-NY with the following links!
NAPO-NY FACEBOOK
NAPO-NY TWITTER
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+ SPEAKING OF SIESTAS!
{ Pictured: Ulysses resting from his little kitty journey. DeNitto © 2006 }
A siesta /siːˈɛstə/, original Spanish pronunciation [ˈsjesta] is a short nap taken in the early afternoon, often after the midday meal. Such a period of sleep is a common tradition in some hot countries. The word siesta is Spanish, from the Latin hora sexta - "the sixth hour" (counting from dawn, therefore noon, hence "midday rest").
At SPM the true definition is taken a bit further. If a nap is not possible, but there is enough time allowed for any other type of break, it is strongly encouraged to take advantage of that precious moment. As long as the mind and body can rest for a short period as often as possible during the work week, it can only enhance the quality of living.
Each month, learn more facts about SIESTAS and how you may benefit from taking them into your daily routine.
Below are March's SIESTA TIPS/FACTS:
BEFORE BUYING A NEW BED...
The right bed and mattress set can make a big difference in how well you sleep. However, being that this can be a substantial investment for a lot of people, it's best to first make a few special considerations.
> When shopping for a new bed it's always a good idea to determine the size of the room before investing in a bed that may swallow up the room. Having enough room to move about freely without running into pieces of furniture is preferable, of course.
> If opting to upgrade to a larger bed, factoring in what items can be removed from a bedroom may need to be taken into consideration. A major investment in purchasing a new bed may be cancelled out if the state of the room is not also dealt with.
> No bed, as comfortable as it may be, will be able to compete with clutter around, under or on top of it. The comfort zone of the bed will be compromised by safety hazards and anxiety of having a room in disarray.
> One simple trick to try getting accustomed to having a larger bed would be to continue sleeping in a smaller bed after measuring for a larger bed and running painter's tape on the floor around the existing bed. This enables you to visualize how much more floor space will be covered. Before the expense, you can learn how well you may adjust to having less space and keeping up the room better in order to truly enjoy such an investment.
A standard bed/mattress chart is available in the link below for every size available. This information is a good first step before heading out to compare and price the sizes available in furniture stores.
MATTRESS SIZING INFORMATION
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+ THE BOOK CORNER
This section offers ideas for books related to various subjects including organizing, designing, lifestyle improvements, humour, business, psychology and green living. During the year, the occasional novel or biography may also slip into an issue.
: BOOK RECOMMENDATION FOR MARCH :
TITLE: Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook
AUTHOR: Martha Stewart
COPYRIGHT: 2006
ISBN-13: 9780517577004
Martha has this helpful handbook to guide anyone through basic maintenance and ways to make a home as enjoyable as possible, no matter if it's an urban, suburban or rural lifestyle. Whether it's the upkeep for furniture and appliances, safety issues or cleaning tips, this guide takes the reader through seven chapters, even including materials and moving.
HOMEKEEPING HANDBOOK
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+ PICK OF THE MONTH
As you have just read above in the Speaking of Siestas! section about buying beds/mattresses, here is solution to those shifting dust ruffles that a lot of people have trouble keeping straight.
BED SKIRT PINS
Note: If not wanting to order these special pins or pay almost $10 plus shipping costs, safety pins can do the trick, even if it takes slightly longer to attach them properly.
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+ RECIPE OR COOKBOOK OF THE MONTH
Something to melt in your mouth-- a very simple sweet for the month of March!
PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE
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+ GREEN LIVING TIPS
It's time to Greeganize!!! (an official SPM term!)
March Tip: Shoe Boxes Make Excellent Keepsake Storage!
Both adults and children appreciate a nice assortment of momentos from special events during their lives. Rather than searching for boxes in stores, part of the keepsake project can be the box, itself.
Depending on the amount of keepsakes you wish to store, you can choose from small stationery boxes to standard or large shoe/boot boxes. When it comes to shoe boxes, these days we tend to have a choice of separate or hinged lids. The hinged lids are quite sturdy and might be preferable for this particular project.
It's a simple project to create a keepsake box and the great thing is that you are recycling the keepsakes as well as the box.
The owner of the keepsakes should first determine which momentos should not be altered. Those are the items that will be stored inside of the box. Other momentos can be separated as these items may be cut, coloured or otherwise redesigned and then applied to the box(es). If opting not to use any momentos to decorate with, newsprint or other large pieces of paper or even cloth work well to cover shoe boxes.
Here is a sample of a Nike hinged shoe box:
A keepsake box is usually something that is intended to last through at least a couple of generations, so with this in mind, you will want to choose a box that is sturdy enough to last through 25-50 years, if possible. If deciding to glue paper to the box, you might want to inquire about applying a light coating of acid free, clear drying glue or other type of sealant to preserve the decoration and make the box even more sturdy.
This project can be a fun family event, sharing moments of the past through photos, post cards, letters, ticket stubs and other momentos. It could even be planned as a small party with finger foods and sodas to make it even more special!
Now is the time to embrace the green.......
>>In future issues, Siesta Magazine will offer more tips or product guidelines with the latest information on how to adopt routines of green living!
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+ TIME MANAGEMENT TIPS
HOME RECORDS & RECEIPTS
No matter if you rent or own, your home is supposed to be your castle and certainly, as you wish to have enough time to enjoy it, a great idea is to organize all of your home records in one place, whether it be in a file, a binder or box.
You can use the link below to order a record keeper or make your own easily with a simple blank binder from an office supplier.
HOMEOWNERS RECORD KEEPER
With a quick brainstorm, it's simple to determine what records you want to be kept in the binder and use a table of contents and tabs to keep categories either by room type or utility, etc.
An example of a table of contents is below for a homemade binder:
1- Home purchase/rental information
2- Repairs
3- Renovations (if applicable)
4- Appliances
5- Furniture Inventory
6- Electical/Plumbing work/upgrades
7- Heating/Air
8- Special Treatments - Termite Care & Pest Control
9- Contacts
10- Landscaping (optional, as landscaping can have its own binder)
Your binder can include vinyl pages holding all of your fabric and paint swatches, promotional material for future purchases, detailed inspection reports, blueprints in reduced sizes and month-to-month maintenance schedules for every appliance in the house.
For household receipts, you can choose to slip pockets into the binder or use envelopes or small file boxes to store them with the binder. A sample of a sturdy clear receipt pouch is pictured here, which can be used year after year.
As far as manuals and guides, some tend to be thick, so a vinyl expandable pouch with string or snap closure can be used and stored with the binder and receipts all in one spot for quick reference. (When renting, it's nice to keep two pouches; one for your personal appliances and one for the appliances that stay with the rental property.)
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+ MOM TIME
FORWARD: A note from SPM MOM...
During the early 1990's, as a mother raising two children through their first years, I now learn of many new products that are thrilling to me, even with my empty nest. I often find myself wishing that some of them were available as long ago as 24 years! Below are neat links and ideas to products or educational items currently on today's market for parents to explore for their children-- babies through college and beyond!
TIME FOR QUILTING
For over 24 years, I have been collecting t-shirts and other pieces of garments from the wardrobes of both of my kids. Now that they are both independent adults, those quilts that I have been planning for long may finally be created in the next couple of years. I have most of these shirts cut up into squares and rectangles of various sizes and stacked neatly into a zippered bag waiting for their moment to be repurposed and provide warmth-- perhaps to grandchildren, or as cozy chair or sofa throws.
If you cannot sew, it's not hard to find someone who can handle the task for you for a price depending on the size and quality of the design. A link to the concept is below, as well as two additional links to professional quilters who create such memory quilts on a regular basis.
TEENAGER MEMORY QUILT
CUSTOM MEMORY QUILTS
CAMPUS QUILTS
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+ QUOTE OF THE MONTH
Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
--Jim Ryun
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+ PHOTO OF THE MONTH
"BLUEBIRD WAITING FOR WINTER THAW" - GARRISON, NY ~DeNitto ©2011
