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Create a Daily Planner [Time Management Series]

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Welcome to the first installment of my Time Management Series. I started this series on my blog as a way for me to share what I have learned while organizing my life all the time while at college. I've had some ups and downs during the process of getting my life back together, but this time as I'm on the up swing, I wanted to share my journey with you!



Creating a Daily Planner

Some time last year I wrote a very successful post about how I use my filofax to stay organized, and shortly after that post I fell out of love with my organizational system that I was using. I haven't been able to find my niche again until just recently.

Creating a daily planner that you love looking at every day can be a real task. You want it to be malleable from day to day, fun and entertaining to look at, and easy to use. Currently, I use my outlook calendar and tasks!

My new job requires that I have an outlook exchange account to handle all of my emails and scheduling. Moving all of my information on the online calendar I realized that this was an amazing tool that I could use at anytime and anywhere. That's why this daily planner works so well for me--I can have it anywhere!


Some other daily planners are available online like google calendar, yahoo calendar, etc. I also used to love using printable calendars that I would pop into my binders and physically write what I needed to do each day. This one here is one of my favs.

I'd love to answer any questions that you guys have for me about how I management my time with a daily planner. Let me know in the comment section below!






How to turn any room into a productive office [As Seen On: WeAreIU]

Hey all!
I have another wonderful post for you :) This little something was written over at WeAreIU.com! I hope you like it, and if you do--don't forget to share this article with your friends.


Hey Hoosiers!
Now that we're all off on our own getting ourselves up and in action is sometimes hard to do alone. These next couple steps can hopefully get you back in the grove of being productive without your parents nagging over your shoulder. Whether you are in an apartment or stuck at the dorms, these steps can really help anyone get their rear in gear... just in time for finals!

Turn Your Room Into A Productive Office graphic



Define your work space

It can be really hard not to just work in your PJs while lounging in bed 24/7. I know I was on the struggle bus my freshman year especially! Defining your workspace just means treating your desk as an office. Even though no one is holding your accountable try setting time frames in which you must be "at work." This helps me make sure I get the proper studying done every day. And if you become an expert at that, bump it up a notch, try defining how you LOOK at your workspace--this will prepare you mentally for a day in the office.

Hang shelves/utilize them wisely

Getting things off your desk means clutter cannot distract you! Everything needs a home in your new defined workspace so hang shelves, utilize plastic organizers, and put everything where it goes. I've hear of people using shoe racks to hold their printers and papers proving you can't be too creative when it comes to organization.

Create a mood board

This means creating a real life Pinterest board--fill your wall by your desk with pictures of things you like, stuff that inspires you, or motivational quotes. Whatever gets you excited to work and pumped to use your desk is best!

Avoid distractions

Facebook, Twitter, Texting, Email! All of these things can jump in the way of you getting an important project done. What I like to do in order to avoid being distracted by these spiraling time wasters is set a time limit/routine and stick to it. For example, if I know a project is going to take two hours I start by spending 5 minutes checking those distractions and making myself at ease (and not feeling like I need to be on them while I work). Then every half hour I check them again for another 5 minutes. Having a set timer is a perfect way to make sure your actual work still gets done without shutting out all social media!






An open letter to my desk

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Dear Desk,

Thank you for holding all of my stuff--I really and truly appreciate what you do. However, why does all this junk accumulate so quickly? I know you're here for a reason, but why can't you just keep my stuff organized for once.

It's a stressful job, and I know Sky and I have to take some of the blame. We keep setting things on you that don't belong and horde everything that should be thrown away. But sometimes I feel like you just aren't even trying to work with me. I try to get you plastic organizers, but you just don't get along well with them. I put a trash can right next to you so the clutter doesn't pile up, and you ignore it like it's not even there. None of my efforts work, and I just don't know what to do anymore.

There are some lessons you need to learn, but I guess I'm just going to have to work with you. You need to learn how to put the dishes away--sorry, but they just don't belong on the desk top. Your next lesson is going to be how to organize cords because you just seem to throw everything around. Finally, some day I'll teach you how to close down the computer, turn off my second monitor, lock my iPad screen, put my camera back in it's case, and keep my phone charged all the time.

Teaching you all these skills is going to be a fun journey, so please stick with me. I do really love you (I couldn't do my work without you here). I know we can coexist well together, but you just need to try. Maybe I'll even try to reacquaint you with the plastic organizers again, I promise you both can be friends.

Talk to you again soon,

Do I wear this? | The Danyzell Hanger Method

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Hey critters!

Have you ever had those articles of clothing in your closet that have been there for years—the shirts that you have never worn, or those pair of black slacks that haven’t been out in the daylight since 2010? It’s time for a change, and I am here to help!


This is what I call The Danyzell Hanger Method. The new year is a perfect time to clean out some of those old clothes that you never wear and remember the others that you just totally forgot about. I know that that’s what my closet desperately needs, and I’m thinking that a lot of other people could benefit from a closet revamp, too.



The hanger method is a visual way for you to see if you have been wearing certain articles of clothing in your closet. It allows you to actually see what you haven’t touched in weeks and gives you the push you need to either get rid of it or break out that old fashion trend again.

[Step 1- Do ALL of your laundry]
      >Do I really have to give any other explanation for this? Just take the time to accomplish this task so that way all your clothes are in one spot and you can assess them together.
 [Step 2- Turn the hangers facing backwards/“the wrong way”]

     > I would imagine that this is rather odd from most people, but that’s what makes this method effective. This also proves why the first step is so important. You need to be able to start this change as a collective group rather than trying to time when you wear things because they weren’t all together at the start.
 [Step 3- Wear your clothes]

     > Set unused hangers off to the side- Having the visual of the hangers being backwards is definitely the core of why The Danyzells Hanger Method works. When you wear your clothes take the now empty hangers and hang them “the right way” off to the side. This moves them out of the way and makes putting clothes away a breeze (no more searching for those empty ones).
 [Step 4- Hang them back up “the right way”]

      >The cool part about this is the visual that it creates. All of the clothes you haven’t worn are turned backwards and the ones you have are right way round. When you look at your closet now you can determine if you want to wear something over again or try something new.
 [Step 5- Clean out your closet]

     > Continue this process for 1-3 months- Even after you wash most of your clothes continue keeping the one’s you’ve worn within this time span front ways and the others backwards. This will give you the visual of what you haven’t worn for awhile.
     > Evaluate the clothes turned backwards- After this process if you still have some items turned around then you need to think about why they are this way and what you are going to do about it. Ultimately, it is your choice whether you need to get rid of them.
         Reasons why items could still be turned backwards
          1) You just never wear that item. This is probably the most common and means you really should just donate it or get rid of it.
          2) You never had an occasion to wear it. I would say that this would be true for something like a dressy gown or silky dress—it helps to think to yourself: should I have worn this at some point?
          3) It is a seasonal item. During the summer you wouldn’t really need to wear those warm sweaters, but that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t wear them in the winter.


And it was seriously that easy! I hope this little trick can really help you all jump start your next year. Let me know in the comment section below how your backwards hanger journey works out.


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I love you all! Peace OUT



New Room Tour

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Good day critters!

I am super pumped to show you all my new filming room. I have a dorm room this year that I plan on using almost exclusively for filming and blogging, and then all of my normal everyday living will be with SkyCzar in his house. Remember, the filming room is still a work in progress and so some things that I mention today may change.
As soon as you walk into the room you will see my awesomely pink bed :) I don't plan on really ever sleeping here so eventually I want to get some more pillows and a couple body pillows to lay out and make the bed into something more like a couch. I also have a lamp near by that will be displayed in the background of almost all of my videos. I like it because it is cute and functional. On the wall, I am attempting to make an awesome backdrop! Right now I only have a few posters, but I am really wanting the help of all of you in making the background look spectacular. If you want to send me something for me to hang up let me know in the comment section below.
This is with me standing at the door.


In the room, I also have a bookshelf that will someday house more books, movies, and other odds and ends. I have a microwave for delicious snacks that sits on top of another set of cabinets that was generously provided for me by the dormitory staff (or whoever it is that decides what furniture we receive). On the window sill I have put some potted plants. I really hope to get more that I can put all around the room because I love plants, and they really help the room look more spacious, decorative, and alive. Along the furthest wall is my wardrobe that is currently not holding anything because I don't actually live and change and whatnot at the dorm.



The main part of the room for me is my desk. Since I am using this space as a filming/blogging/office area, the desk is very important. I have a calendar hanging that is specifically used for blogging purposes, my filofax and other planning utensils, my laptop and mouse, a mirror for make-up tutorial videos, the new tripod I just got for my camera, and [currently only one] lamp. The desk, as well as, the chair, were provided already in the room when I moved in, and they are both very nice and in good condition. I am so happy because everything in this room is starting to seem perfect!

Thank you all so much for all of the support that I have been receiving all summer even with the moving and schedule changing. This room is definitely going to be a start to a better, more successful blog and I am super excited... so, get excited too!
As always, don't forget to comment with any suggestions, feedback, or basically anything you want to say below.


Check out my Blog:
http://www.danyzell.blogspot.com

Follow me on Twitter:
http://www.twitter.com/danyzellsblog

Watch me Keek:
http://www.keek.com/danyzellsblog


My music is from here:
http://www.newgrounds.com/audio/listen/120701

*I am not affiliated with any of the brands or companies mentioned in this video. This is not a sponsored video. All opinions are my own.*
____________________________________________

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I love you all! Peace OUT

Our New Apartment: my desk!

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Good afternoon critters!
As promised, I have another installment  for our new apartment blogging edition! If you missed my Quick Tour or detailed Closet posts then you can go check them out before or after. Today, we are going to be taking a closer look at my desk set up and organization from this new apartment. All the products shown in the photos below were purchased by me and not donated by any companies. All opinions are mine own, as well.


For the time being, my desk is a small simple one. Hopefully, someday, Sky and I can have the money and stability to purchase something a lot nicer for me to work at and keep all my files. At the moment, the desk I am using is an old family hand-me-down from SkyCzar's family. In the bottom cubby of the desk, I house some school binders or notebooks and any extra supplies I might need to reach down and grab. Since I have a laptop instead of a desktop to utilize the keyboard tray, I just keep papers and my planner in that space. On top of the desk is where I set my Macbook with Razer mouse, a desk lamp with built in organizing slots, and a wipe of calendar for all the things Sky and I need to keep track of at a glance. Left and right of the desk, on the floor, I keep a trash can and a surge protector for all of my cords. To add a little decoration, I used sticky tac to hang up some pictures that I like to look at.


The binders, papers, notebooks, folders, and such that are located in the bottom cubby of the desk is where you would normally put your computer stack if you did not have a laptop. Since I do not need to use my desk in this way, I lined up some of the things I listed earlier for easy grab. Standing them up like in a bookshelf allows me to fit a lot more items of different sizes into that space. Some of these binders I am not currently using on a day to day basis; however, I like to keep them out for looks and accessibility when the time comes. A lot of the folders and notebooks are just empty for me to use when school starts up again, or for when I find a new something to write down that needs it's very own special spot.


The middle portion of the desk is where you would keep a keyboard, but I have a laptop with the keyboard attached. I like putting my papers and planner here because, when I am online or doing something on the computer I can just pull out this section and write with my computer still up and open.  The planner that I am using {and will probably use for like the rest of my life} is a Filofax. Mine is an A5 Classic in black. If you would like to see a full review or a blog post of how I use my filofax, please leave your requests in the comment section below. To the left of my planner is a notebook that I use for Sky and I's budgeting. Budgeting is a new thing for us since we are just now starting to get bigger bills and have more of a need to understand where every dollar is going. The method that we are using is constantly changing, and we definitely need to work out some kinks. When everything is smooth and running well, I will definitely do a post on how we manage our money. I like this section of my desk because it is the place where I set everything that I need on a daily basis. I can easily slide out the drawer and there it is!


The computer that I have sitting on top of my desk is my Macbook Pro. I got is when I started college, and I am so thankful that I did. I love how it corresponds with my iPhone and makes everything so simple and portable at the same time. I have a pink case on my laptop that I got as a gift for Christmas. And to make the computer more personal, I have been decorating it with stickers of all kinds. The mouse that I am using is the newest Razer Naga. I got this mouse for gaming; however, I do keep it attached at all times every day. It is a great mouse, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a high performance gaming mouse. The top of this desk is very small, but it works for what I need it to right now.


To the right of my computer, and almost directly above my mouse, is wonderful desk lamp that I purchased at Walmart. It holds all of my pens, pencils, sticky notes, and every other office supply that I need to grab from day to day. The neck of the lamp is flexible and allows me to face the light in almost any direction. If I am remembering correctly, it was only about five dollars, and with that being said, probably one of the best purchases for my desk area.


And finally, sprawled all the way across the top of my desk in a standing/leaning position is my wipe off calendar. Sky and I write down everything that we think eachother will need to know throughout the month. We have our very own color coding system, as well as, using shapes to mark off specific days of the month for bills, paydays, and such. Some day, when we are no longer renting, I will be able to actually hang it on the wall in a nice and easy place for both of us to look at. Having my personal planner is nice, but something Sky needs to see what I am doing and I need to see what he is up to, so this method of keep both of my organizers up to date really helps us work as a team to make sure we are on time to most things. I don't know what we would do without our calendars.


On the left and right of my desk I keep a small and inexpensive trash can for everything that needs thrown away from my desk chair, as well as, a surge protector to the right in order to keep all of my electronics safe.

I hope you enjoyed this look into my desk space and maybe learned a little about how you want to set up your areas. Remember to always leave any comments and suggestions in the area provided below.
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I love you all! Peace OUT


Our New Apartment: The closet!

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Good day critters!
Today I have the first detailed installment of Sky and I's new apartment. We will be taking a closer look at our wonderful walk-in closet.


This closet is definitely an upgrade from our previous space! With plenty of space for both, SkyCzar and I's, clothing, as well as, shoes, storage, and a large dresser. The closet is located right inside our bathroom. It came equipped with all of the shelving you can see, along with the larger dark dresser located to the left of the entry way. When moving in, the closet took me the longest amount of time to get organized and all put away {that's probably because I have SO much clothes, haha}.



The dresser is the place where Sky and I keep all of our undergarments and work out clothes. I also keep my plain and simple tanks in a drawer as well. Most of our things are folded normally, however, you can see in the image above that I fold my tanks and line them up so the fold is facing up. This makes it easy for me to see each and every color and grab the one in need without unfolding all of the others. I did this type of folding with Sky's work out shorts as well, simply because he had so many, and it was a better way to fit everything in to a tiny space. For a video of how I fold this way, please put your requests in the comment section below.


On top of our dresser is where Sky and I store some little accessories. I really like hats, so they all get displayed on top of the dresser in order for me to easily grab and go when I think that I want to where one. On the left side of the dresser I have a box full of jewelry. The more that I get the more I realize that I need an actual way to organize my things rather than just throwing them into one box, but for now it works okay. Sky also keeps some of his little accessories on top of the dresser. Further to the left you can see some extra hangers hanging from the shelf. When Sky and I take clothes we always remove the empty hanger from the rest, so that way when we need one to hang clean clothes we can easily reach over there rather than digging through all of our clothes hanging up. It's a new concept for Sky because he is used to just pulling the clothes off and going, but slowly I am "training" him to remove the hangers that are not being used. The hardest part about the top of the dresser is not making it a catch all area. We try to have a place for everything, so then we are less likely to just throw things on top of the dresser as clutter.


Above the dresser, we have a shelving area that we have devoted toward storage. It is out of the way and not visible when you look straight in to the closet (since trash bags are such an ugly storage method. some day when I have money, things will look nicer.).  In the large duffel bag we keep extra sheets, another blanket or two, and a heating blanket for the winter. In the trash bags I have thrown my winter clothing that I know that I will definitely not be wearing this time of the year. There's no folding or any sort of organization in the bags, things are literally just thrown in there. It's not the best system but it works for the time being. When things come out of the bags they will most likely need washed or fluffed up again.


In the hanging clothes section, I have a side and Sky has a side. His clothes were originally organized by type (like T-shirt or dress shirt), and then by color. However, as he wears his clothes and puts them back, he makes his own form of organization, and I don't touch it, it's his space. On my side, I like to keep all my clothes organized and color coded at all times. I really helps me find the exact article of clothing that I want to wear with the certain outfit I am trying to make. When I need a pink shirt, then I just go to the pink section, and there is no hunting or searching involved. As well as making things easier to find, it also makes the closet look that much nicer--when someone walks into our closet the colors look interesting a neat.



Below and above our hanging clothing is where we keep things like our jeans and other pants that can get folded nice without wrinkling and our shoes. I organize our pants by the type of pant that they are. For example, Sky and I both have a stack for our jeans, dressier pants, and sweatpants. All of Sky's shorts are also placed in to a pile; however, I stored mine away in a drawer because I have so many. The shoes are kept in a laundry basket down below. I absolutely hate this method of organization and am currently looking for a new way to store our shoes. I have a lot, so simple lining them up along the floor is not an option. The reason that I hate this way so much is because when looking for a specific shoes, or even looking for a pair to another shoe that I already found, you literally have to dig through the basket to find them. Quite frequently, I find myself jus dumping the entire basket on to the floor. Dumping not only means a big shoes mess for me to put back away, but also, the basket collects all of the dirt and whatnot from every single shoes that we throw in there--that means that, when I dump the basket all of that nastiness goes all over our floor. Now, not only do I have to pick up the shoes, but lug out the sweeper and get rid of all the dirt I just dumped. GAH! Anyways, that's what we are doing at the moment, but as you can tell, the shoe basket is not working. Any suggestions? Leave them in the comment section below!

Well, that's its for our new walk-in closet. We are only in this apartment for a short period of time, but I am enjoying every space we have while we are here. I hope you enjoyed the closer look into a specific section of our new home. Stay tuned for more. And remember, leave a comment below if you would like me to do a how-to video on my tank folding method, and some comments for suggestions on how to better organize our multitude of shoes. I greatly appreciate all that you critters have to say!
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I love you all! Peace OUT