From Pigpen To Paradise Spotlight On PR

Welcome to From Pigpen To Paradise! My name is Angie and I'm a stay at home mom of three little boys, ages 4, 2 & 1. They keep me on my toes and picking up after them through out the day. Between me and the boys, we are always looking for new products to try and review. Whether it's a new toy, infant/toddler gear, food or even organization gear for homes and cars.
I love anything that makes life easier. My oldest son, Tristan loves playing the Wii, Nintendo DS, outdoor playing, and swimming! My middle son, Brayden loves matchbox cars, watching movies, outdoor playing and Spongebob. My littlest, Jayden just loves to run and play. He also is very willing to try new foods, which I love!

From Pigpen To Paradise was started to get myself motivated to housework. I want to be organized and help others too. By having an organized clean home, we can do so much more in our daily life. Spend more time with our family, save time, save money and less stress.

I am looking to work with PR companies and to build a long lasting relationship with them. I am interested in product reviews and giveaways. Contact me at mycatslove(at)usa(dot)come.

If you're interested in getting known to PR check out Feels Like Home & Adrienna's House for more information!

Flylady Babysteps - Day 7

Day 7, and I'm starting out slow. Tonight I will need to pick out my clothes for tomorrow. I will check my calendar and the weather for tomorrow that way I'll have the right clothes to wear.

So far I am...

- Getting Dressed to lace up shoes
- Keeping our sink shining
- Reading 2 minutes of Reminders
- Looking at our posted reminders in the kitchen and bathroom
- Recognizing the negative voices; change them and FLY!
- Put out your Hot Spot for 2 minutes.

Me, after I showered, dressed to my shoes and fix hair & make-up

My challenge for today is picking up the living room.

Here are the before & after pics...

---Before---


---After---

Aloha Friday - July 31, 2009

Welcome to this week’s edition of Aloha Friday.

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.

If you’d like to participate, just post your own question on your blog and leave your link at An Island Life. Don’t forget to visit the other participants! It’s a great way to make new bloggy friends!

My question is:

What Is Your Favorite Household Cleaning Item?

Mine, is my Dyson vacuum. I love it. I never enjoyed vacuuming until I got this vacuum.

Be sure to check out my current giveaways while your here...
$25 Amazon e-Card
&
1 Year Membership for www.purpletrail.com

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Keys

Today go through ALL your keys. Do you still have keys from a previous home, car or your not even sure what it goes to. Get rid of the ones you don't use or need. Do you need copy's of some, make a note to do so on your next errand day.

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Keys

Have a central location for keys. Have one place to store keys and make a habit of putting yours there when coming home. Some suggestions for key storage:

• Designate a small kitchen drawer as the key drawer
• Hang a decorative key board near the door you enter
• Have a decorative storage box on the entryway table to drop your keys into

Flylady Babysteps - Day 6

I can't believe I'm on Day 6 already! Today I'm going to learn about Hot Spots. A Hot Spot is an area, when left unattended will gradually take over. I've got a lot of those! So for my list, I'm going to add 2, 2 minute Hot Spots per day (more if I can).

My Daily List So Far:

- Getting Dressed to lace up shoes
- Keeping our sink shining
- Reading 2 minutes of Reminders
- Looking at our posted reminders in the kitchen and bathroom
- Recognizing the negative voices when you hear them and changing the words to be nice to you.
- Due 2, 2 minute Hot Spot

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Workstations

Spend 15 minutes today cleaning up a workstation in your home.

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Workstations

Set up workstations for activites such as handling mail & bills, sewing, hobbies & laundry. Organize your workstation with all the supplies you need.

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
The One Minute Organizer
You should check it out....

Flylady Babysteps - Day 5

So far I am...

- Getting Dressed to lace up shoes
- Keeping our sink shining
- Reading 2 minutes of Reminders
- Looking at our posted reminders in the kitchen and bathroom

Today I will be writing down those nagging negative voices that pop into my head? Then I need to turn those ugly words around and say something nice to myself.

Negative 1. I have failed

Positive 1. I haven't failed. Life has changed since the last time I started Flylady. I just need to change my house cleaning routines to fit what I do in my life now.

Negative 2. I'm lazy

Positive 2. I am not lazy. I just need to relearn my cleaning routines. I've done it before, I can do it again. This time it will be easier!

Negative 3. I hate my home! I live in a trailer, why should I care what it looks like?

Positive 3. It's not my home I hate, it's the mess inside it. My home is not my ideal home, but it's a roof over my head. It's a home to be proud of because we bought it. When my home is clean, it looks like a new place, plus I can decorate it more to fit my style which will be part of me.

Works For Me Wednesday - Scoops

I buy dry laundry detergent and after the detergent is all gone, I clean the scoop thoroughly and use the scoops for scooping cat food, flour, white sugar, brown sugar and anything else that is put into canisters.

Check out more tips at Work For Me Wednesday.

Flylady Babysteps - Day 4

Today I'm wrote these things down on sticky notes...

- Getting Dressed to lace up shoes
- Keeping our sink shining
- Reading 2 minutes of Reminders

This morning I woke up early to a shiny sink and I took a shower & got dressed to my shoes.

Organizing Tip Of The Day -Hooks-

Under the kitchen sink, affix a hook or rod inside the cabinet door to hang dish towels or to keep a set of dishwashing gloves handy.

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
A-Z Storage Solutions.
You should check it out....

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Kitchen Towels

Today's cleaning challenge is to go through your kitchen rags and towels. Change any that have been used for too long, and get rid of the ones that have holes and are raggedy.

Flylady Babysteps - Day 3

Today is day 3 of the Flylady Babysteps.
Day 3 is doing what I've already been doing.

1. Getting up and dressing to lace up shoes
2. Keeping your sink shining
3. Reading your reminders for 2 minutes.

Have I been doing all of this?
Yes I have!

I took my shower, got dressed to my shoes and fixed my hair.


I also have been keeping my sink shiny!

PurpleTrail Online Invitations, eCards & Annoucements Review & Giveaway

This has got to be one of the greatest sites I have ever visited. I have 3 boys with birthdays coming and a wedding next year, I feel more inspired then I ever have. Purple Trails has tons of ideas for every occasion, plus a wide selection of party invitations, ecards & announcements you can make online and send to all your friends & family!

When you design your invitations you can choose from many designs. Then you can alter the background, add details, add photo's, place a frame anywhere on the invitation, add some embellishments, you can even add a video, voice & music to your invitations!

Purple Trail even has the right wording if you can't think of any. You get to set up an invitation page for all your guest to see. Add whatever you want to the invitation page, such as a message board, guest list, event map and a lot more! You can even track guest responses and communicate with them!

Purple Trail offers a free account which features:
*No Ads in Email Invitations
*Up to 75 email invitations per event
*Up to 250 email invitations per month
*Priority Customer Service (Email) - 2 business days

So what is Purple Trail offering?

How about a Basic One Year Plan Membership!

Basic Plan Offers:
*No Ads in Email or Event Page
*Up to 200 email invitations per event
*Up to 500 email invitations per month
*Priority Customer Service (Email) - 1 business day
*Get 5 SMS credits
*Animated Themes
*Ability to send an announcement to event guests
*Payment Collection Module
*Full export of your Address Book
*Ability to copy an event
*Scheduled Send

You can win this awesome prize by checking out Purple Trail website and leaving a comment and link of any of your favorite party ideas from Purple Trail Party Ideas Page.

Want More Chances To Win?
Here are some extra entries!
Please leave a comment for each entry and link...

1 entry - Follow My Blog
1 entry - Follow Purple Trail on Facebook
1 entry - Follow Me on Twitter
1 entry - Follow Purple Trail on Twitter
1 entry - Tweet About This Giveaway
1 entry - Tweet About Purple Trail
5 entries - Blog About This Giveaway - Must Leave A Link To This Giveaway Post & Purple Trail Website (Leave 5 Comments)

This giveaway ends August 3, 2009 @ 11:59pm EST

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Odors

Sprinkle baking soda into a trash can to prevent odors.

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
The One-Minute Cleaner Plan & Simple
You should check it out....

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Trash Cans

Spend a few minuets today clean the inside and outside of our kitchen trash cans.

Flylady Babysteps - Day 2

Today is Day 2 of the Flylady Babysteps, which is to get dressed and to lace up my shoes. I've always had trouble wearing my shoes in the house, but I'm trying. Here is my accomplishment of today's babystep, I showered, got dress and fix my hair. Not bad for a Sunday.

Enter To Win A $25.00 Amazon E-Card

Can't you tell I love Amazon!
I'm giving away another $25 Amazon e-gift card and 1 lucky person will be winning it! I'm giving each person 19 chances to win. Remember the more you enter, the better your chances are! Here is how to enter...

You must leave a comment about why you like my blog.

That's it!

After you have left a comment about why you like my blog
here are some extra entries you can take advantage of...

Please leave a comment and link when needed for each entry.

1 entry - Follow My Blog
1 entry - Follow Me On Twitter (leave your twitter name)
1 entry - Tweet About This Giveaway (leave a link to your tweet)
I've entered the tweet here so all you have to do is copy & paste it!

19 Chances To Win A $25.00 Amazon GC @http://pigpentoparadise.blogspot.com/2009/07/enter-to-win-2500-amazon-e-card.html

2 entries - Posting My Button On To Your Blog (leave 2 comments & link to your blog)
5 entries - Blog About This Giveaway (leave 5 comments & link to your blog)

Bonus Entry:
Follow my other blogs and leave a comment for each blog your are now following. You get 1 entry for each additional blog you follow. I have 8 other blogs you can check out and if you follow all of them, that will be 8 more entries!

Check out my blogs here.

Contest ends August 1, 2009 11:59pm EST.
Good Luck!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY OTHER GIVEAWAY FOR A FREE 1 YEAR MEMBERSHIP @ WWW.PURPLETRAILS.COM. CLICK HERE TO ENTER!

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Automobile

Keep a plastic bag in your vehicle for trash.
Empty it out every time you get gas.

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
Unclutter Your Home.
You should check it out....

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Automobile

It's time to clean our automobiles again. Grab a plastic bag for all the garbage and some water & vinegar mixture to wash the windows.

Flylady Babysteps - Day 1

I've done these babysteps before, boy, I feel a deja vu here. Anywho, today is day 1 of the Flylady babysteps, which is Shine Your Sink. The goal is to keep your sink shiny every time it's empty. It'll make you feel that you have accomplished a lot. When the sink is empty and clean, you have some relief, like a whole lot of weight has lifted from your shoulders. It's a real good feeling. So here is what I have done.

#1. Take all the dishes out of the sink.
(I actually washed all the dishes first, it was after supper and getting late)






2. Run some very hot water into the sink. Fill to the rim. Only do one side at a time (I did both sides, just because it was getting late). Then, pour a cup of household bleach into the hot water. Let it sit for 1 hour. Now, pull the plug with a pair of tongs. If you don't have tongs, then scoop some of the water out of the sink into the other sink and use your hand to pull the plug (wear gloves and don't get the bleach-water on your clothes).



3. Rinse your sink well.

4. Use some cleanser (Comet, Ajax, or Baking Soda) and scrub your sink. Ensure you rinse ALL of the cleanser from the sink.



5. Take a sharp edge and clean around the rim of the sink, just like you would clean dirt out from under your fingernails.

6. Clean around the faucets too. You may need an old toothbrush or dental floss.

7. Now, get out your window cleaner.



8. If you still don't like the way it looks, then you could try some car wax. Just know in your heart that you have cleaned it very well now and it doesn't have to be perfect. Our perfectionism is what got us in this situation in the first place.

9. Every time you run water in your sink, take your clean dishtowel and dry it out . Before you know it, you will be doing this every time you leave your kitchen. The rest of the family will too. No more water spots. You will have a clean and shiny sink.

Starting On Flylady...Again

I joined Flylady about a year ago, and was making so much progress. I met some other flybabies on the Flylady Forum who really motivated me, then I started inspiring others with my thread on the forum. Amazing huh, I had a really good routine written out and I did it everyday. I was so proud of myself. I really felt I finally got it!

Yet, I'm there again. Life has change directions, and now I need to change my routines to fit my life. Instead of a being home 24/7, I'm now bringing the boys to school & more appointments for them & me. Also with the boys being one year older, well, it's different. Nap times are different, needing more play and one on one time with all three of them and wanting to do more as a family as well. I've got to learn this again, since I have stoped doing my routines for about 4-5 months now. I have to admit, I felt more at peace with myself, my family and my home when routines were being done, and knowing that, will be enough motivation (as well with looking at my before and after pics of last time).

So I'm starting my Day 1 of the Flylady Babysteps. I've also updated my Ipod for her podcast and I'll be checking out her Yahoo Group more often as well. I also got her book, Sink Reflections that I'll be reading to help me. I still will be posting Daily Cleaning Challenges, as that's something I really look forward to.

I will back to post my Day 1 accomplishment!

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Magazines

Go through your pile of magazines and keep what you want and recycle or give away the rest.

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Magazines

Use a binder to file newspaper and magazine clippings. Create one binder for each main category, such as "Home Decorating" or "Vacation Ideas." Insert articles in clear protector pages. Use tabbed index sheets to create sections - for example, "Bathroom," "Bedroom," "Kitchen."

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
The One Minute Organizer
You should check it out....

Order your supplies today at Amazon.com

Today's Cleaning Challenge - Seasonal Items

Alright, how many of you still have decorations up from a previous holiday. Christmas, New Years, Easter, Independence Day or Birthday. If they are still hanging around, it's time to pack them up and put them away.

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Seasonal Storage

Mark and number your seasonal storage boxes and creat a master index of the sorted items that include the box number and where it's stored. Create the list on your computer in a notebook.

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
A-Z Storage Solutions.
You should check it out....

Organizing Tip Of The Day - Memorabilia

"What's the point of keeping memorabilia in storage? No one can enjoy it there. Look for ways to display, and even use, cherished items."

Get More Organizing Tips Here

I get my tips from Donna Smallin's Book
The One Minute Organizer
You should check it out....