It finally feels like fall today in Southern California and I can’t wait to put on my favorite sweater! The chill in the air told me so this morning. I just love the change of the seasons and miss the beautiful colors of fall that I enjoyed while growing up in Upstate New York.

This year has been a blast! Terry and I celebrated our 1st Anniversary on Labor Day weekend and I have had my dream job in Marketing for almost as long. I really am a lucky gal and have a lot to be thankfull for. I’m counting my blessings twice this year.

Speaking of giving thanks, are you on the road to ready yet? Only 17 more days until Thanksgiving. Before we start talking turkey, let’s talk getting organized, the table and decorating.

The Steps To A GREAT Thanksgiving?

- Make your lists! You may want to take a look at our List Books and Holiday Planners to get you started on the right track.

- Take check of your Thanksgiving Tools. We’ve together an easy list of must haves.

- The Guest List. Whether you are having a sit down dinner for 12 or a buffet for 50, if you haven’t already, extend your invitations and take count of the number of guests that will be around your table.

- Plan your dinner menu. I typically have three lists. The first is my Costco list, that includes everything that I can buy there in advance. The second are items that I can purchase ahead of time at my local supermarket and the last includes all the fresh items that I need to buy just a day or so before the Holiday.

- Organize your shopping list. Keep this stored on your computer so that you can save and add to it. Print and hang on your refridgerator so that it’s available in the kitchen as you run out of or remember items, too. One of the best items I found so far, is the SmartShopper Electronic Organizer. It’s voice activated, prints your lists. It doesn’t get much easier than that. I found them at Frontgate.com and Sur la Table. Great gift idea too!

- Give thought to your linens, charger plates and serving pieces. Are the linens pressed, would you like a new fall color in tablecloths and napkins to adorn the dining room this year and are the guest bathrooms and bedrooms in order?

- Decorate! Candles will light up any room and make them feel warm and cozy. Check your inventory for tapers, votives and maybe add a new lantern or two to freshen your decor. There are some really fun ones on the market right now. Hang your wreaths, be sure you have the the right floral containers, and if you are thinking about making placecards or one of your favorite crafty items for Thanksgiving - head to the craft stores early to get your material and get started!

Oh and don’t forget…get a brand new bag for all those trips to the grocery store and help the enviroment at the same time!

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. Organized

The little ghosts and goblins are ready to have fun and Halloween ranks high with Christmas and birthdays when it comes to kids getting excited. Sure, we have to watch the sugar intake, but as the saying goes “everything in moderation”. By now, the costumes are ready, you have the candy (or are picking it up on the way home), and the house is decorated. Let the ghoulish fun begin!

My kids are grown now, but I can remember each costume for just about every year. I guess I should since I sewed most of them! There were bunnies, pumpkins, clowns, and mummies. I think we wrapped ‘mummy’ for hours. We have so many more things to be cautious of today when it comes to safety, so be sure you have thought about the last minute check list:

 - Keep costumes away from fire and open flames

 - Watch those capes and dangling fabrics

 - Be sure to have plenty of flashlights (and batteries!)

 - Start out at dusk and stay in groups

 - Let your children know that they must obey “Halloween Buddy” rules (tell them the bats will get them if they don’t!)

 - Take “safe candy checks’ seriously. If in doubt toss it!

 According to Judith Lieberman of The Today Show, Halloween is the fifth highest day for candle fires, which closely follows Christmas. “Most fires happen between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. so it is crucial to turn off lights before bedtime and blow out candles”.

Make Halloween fun, and be sure to have the right items to store all your Halloween costumes for younger siblings, friends and relatives for “re-cycle” when it’s time to put them away. You can find storage boxes in plastic, corrugated or canvas at Organize.com in just about any size you might need. Don’t forget to label each container with the costume title, size and year so that you can easily find them when you want to!

Have a Happy & Fun Halloween!

- Mrs. Organized