5 Ways to Get Organized

Organization may not be your favorite thing to do but you can't live without it. I have created 5 easy tips that you can implement today!

1. Find a Home for Everything - The main reason why things pile up is because they don't have a place! Find a home for everything. Have a place to put your mail. Have a place to put your keys so you know where to find them later (I always lose mine). If everything has a home, you will know where to look!

2. Sort - Sort through the piles that have accumulated and create two smaller piles: 1) Recycle/Toss 2) File (if you want to break down the File pile even more you can separate it by kids, home, and personal).

3. Create Simple Solutions - Find what works for you. Create a simple organizing solution that you can follow on a daily basis. If you create a complicated solution, you are less likely to stick to routine. Organizing your work can be as easy as purchasing a few bins that are labeled: Do Now, Do Later, File.

4. Home Kits - I love this tip personally. Buy clear shoe boxes and create Task Kits. Think about all the tasks or projects you do. Group all the tools you need for that task in one bin. For example, I have a "Paint kit" with all of my paint supplies and brushes. Label the outside of the box so it is easy to pull off the shelf when you are ready to use it.

5. Schedule It - Some areas need more help than others. If you know an area that needs to be frequently decluttered, schedule a day to focus on that one space. For me, I clean my room at the end of each week and my office at the end of each day so I can go back to work the next day on a clean slate.

Looking for my organization tips? Check out my Pinterest board, "Organization Nation."

http://www.pinterest.com/byamadesigns/organization-nation/

My New Work Space & Tutorial!

I recently created an extra work space for myself specifically for crafting. I used to work on the dining room table with newspapers protecting the table which probably was not the best environment for me. My new work space is still in the works but I wanted to share with you what I have made so far and my ideas for the space. Since my new work space is located in the basement, it lacks creative inspiration and windows. To create a sense of natural light, I switched out the lightbulbs to the "natural light" bulbs. This provides better lighting for when I am trying to match colors with fabrics plus it makes the space feel as if I had windows open.

To create inspiration, I made a very large pin board to hang motivational quotes, places I want to visit, and design trends that I am loving right now. The BEST part about making my pin board is that I used leftover items around my office and it was SUPER EASY.

Here's how I did it:

MATERIALS: Foam board, fabric, ribbon, a hot glue gun, razor blade, scissor, ruler, and a hot glue gun.

STEP 1: Draw Stencil

Prepare to begin cutting your foam board. First, using a ruler and a pencil, trace the size and shape you would like to create. For my project, I created a 30" x 30" square.

STEP 2: Cut Board

After you have stenciled on the foam board the size you want, it is time to cut your foam board. I used a ruler as  a guide and ran my razor blade along the ruler to create a perfect edge. You may need to go over it a few times to cut through all the layers of the foam board. PLEASE be very careful and take your time. I have cut myself before and it is NOT fun. If you can't do it, please find someone to assist you.

STEP 3: Apply Fabric

Apply your fabric (worry about trimming later). For my project, I actually used leftover wallpaper but feel free to use whatever material that you wish. If you are creating a small pin board, you could even use scrapbook paper. To apply the material, I evenly lined up my wallpaper to the edge of the board and applied hot glue along the outside edges.

STEP 4: Trim Fabric

After your material is applied and secure, I flipped over my board and used a razor blade to trim the excess material. If you aren't comfortable with the razor blade, you may use scissors. I particularly like using the razor because it is more precise.

STEP 5: Add Ribbon

YOU'RE ALMOST DONE!!! I added a ribbon along the edge of my board to create a more finished look. If you want to take it a step further, you can create a lattice pattern with the ribbon in which you can use to secure pictures and notes.

STEP 6: Apply Command Adhesive Strips

In order to hang my pin board and without adding holes to my wall. I added Command Adhesive Strips to the back of my pin board. Peel the paper off the back of the strips and TAAA-DAAA you are ready to apply to the wall.

I also made these helpful reminder clips using clothes pins that I purchased from the dollar store. I painted the clothes pins to match my board and then added word art.

I hope you enjoy creating your own inspiration pin boards! Please share your designs on Instagram and tag me @ama.designs in your post. I would LOVE to see how your pin board came out! :)

Hope your day is as AMAZING as you are!!

Much love,

AMA Designs

10 Fun Facts About Me

1. Surprisingly, I don't have a favorite color. As a designer, I LOVE every color. My color changes upon my mood and the season. Right now, I am totally loving all shades of purple, especially deep eggplant tones. 2. I have an obsession with animal print. I own way too much leopard clothing and accessories than I can count. Typical jersey girl stereotype? mmm maybe.

3. I am pretty athletic. I was on the Varsity Field Hockey team in High School. I was a left wing most of the time but I played every forward position. I was also a member of the track team. I ran all the sprinting events, 100, 200, 400 and sometimes 800. As a member of the Top 5, I competed in Regional and State events. During my childhood I was a competitive figure skater. I also like to snowboard in the winter and have taught all my friends how to snowboard as well.

4. I'm not the best dancer however I like to go out and enjoy myself. Who cares what anyone thinks of my moves? I feel good and that's all that matters :)

5. I love the outdoor activities such as hiking and kayaking. Although, I wouldn't go camping again.

6. I am very good at giving advice but not that good at taking my own. I'm working on it!

7. I am a foodie <3 For the most part, I eat healthy but I do believe in indulging here and there :)

8. I am very organized EVERYWHERE but my room. For some reason, I just can't keep up with my clothes/laundry. I have a tiny bedroom, so if something is left out, it looks sloppy.

9. My favorite season is Fall. I love the colors of the leaves changing. I love the warmth during the day and the brisk cold nights. I love baking during this time of year.

10. I am at a stage in my life where I finally feel comfortable being myself. Middle school was the worst age for me. I lacked confidence and really felt uncomfortable with who I was. Girls were mean! As I grew up, I realized that my happiness is much more important than other peoples opinions. I learned to let go of everything and started to believe in myself. I know who I am as a person and I am digging it :)

I hope you enjoyed this post which was inspired by Alex Beadon's "Feel Good Blogging Challenge: Day 4".

AMA Partners Up with #Fireworkpeople !!

I am SO EXCITED to be collaborating with Ashley Beaudin, the Leader of Firework People. It is a special honor to participate in an empowering movement lead by dreamers and young entrepreneurs. I am especially grateful to be featured as one of Ashley's guest bloggers during her #Fireworkpeople Blog tour.

Outside of my design life, I aspire to inspire! Whether it be a positive post, helpful advise, or an uplifting conversation; I am spreading good vibes everywhere around me!

I want to be able to inspire others to pursue their passion and to fulfill their dreams. What type of life would you live if you weren't doing something that you absolutely LOVED?! Most of our life is spent working. Why not be passionate about what you do?

I am a firm believer of "Quality of Life". Everyone has one life but are you truly living? Let that soak in for a minute...... Stop living life day-to-day going through the motions. Sit down with yourself and think about that *one thing* that you are really passionate about. Do more of what makes you happy.  Incorporate strategies to make your passion your paycheck. Imagine getting paid to do what you love? I think that's pretty sweet :)

I believe everyone has a purpose that needs to be discovered within themselves. I am still discovering and refining what my true purpose is. I do know that having faith in yourself is half the battle. If you don't believe in YOU, who will ?! We often are our worst critique, I know I could be. It is time to let go of the fear and start breathing in love, faith, encouragement, and positivity. Give yourself a pep-talk. Tell yourself you're awesome! Give yourself a hug. Do whatever it is to give you that positive boost!

I want to be able to encourage others to go after whatever it is that makes them happy. Put yourself out there. You do not need to become an overnight success as long as you are putting one step forward at a time you will be closer than where you started. My choice is design. When I am not working, I'm creating. I surround myself day-in and day-out with my passion and share it with others. Interior design may not be your passion and that's totally fine - I hope that you find my posts motivating to go after your dream as I do with mine.

Also, If you are having a bad day or you are feeling very negative about yourself. Please read this post, click here. You will not regret it!

Please feel free to contact me if need a friend to chat with, I'm always here to help both personally and design-related :) Don't forget to be my friend on social networks to follow my mindset and creativity. Click the Follow Section of my page.

Yours truly,

Amanda

AMA Designs

Here's the Story behind AMA Designs

I have always had the dream of helping people growing up. Instead of being a nurse or a therapist, I chose the creative route which came natural to me. As a child, my perspective was very different than the rest of the kids in my class. During playdates, I would walk into my friends rooms, open up their toy closet and say, "Oh no, this should go here. This should go there....." Until I began to fully reorganize their entire closet. My mother would receive phone calls after playdates, "Amanda can come over anytime! She completely redid my living room and it looks great."

It wasn't until that moment that I realized what I was doing was actually changing how people felt and functioned on a day-to-day. It clicked - I really was helping people!

I always knew I wanted to be an Interior Designer at a very young age. It's weird to think that my decision has not changed since I was six years old. My friends were dreaming of becoming a Princess and I was too busy designing Barbie's Dream House. I never really cared for dolls. I loved playing with blocks and making forts with all the blankets and chairs we owned in the house.

Today, I continue to help people with their interiors both aesthetically and functionally. Sometimes I feel like the creative-version of a therapist. There has been plenty of times where I would walk into a bedroom and it just feels lifeless. Although, the owner was so *energetic* and *bold*. I believe your home should be a reflection of yourself. Bring your personality into your space and let it shine! My job is to help people define their space by bringing out reflections of their personality and also making their house feel like a home <3. You are unique and your home should have as much character as you do!

If you want to see some of my work, feel free to check out my portfolio. I am also very active on social media. Visit the Follow page for direct links to all my pages. Let's be friends :)

This post was inspired by Alex Beadon's Feel Good Blogging Challenge Day #2.

Keepin' it Real with AMA - How it All Started...

Happy Tuesday everyone! Today's blog post is inspired by Alex Beadon, the Marketing Queen who encouraged me to participate in the "Feel Good Blogging Challenge". I'm up for the challenge, so let's do this!! ABOUT ME

For those of you who do not know me, my name is Amanda and I am SO GLAD you are here!  I am from New Jersey, that's right - born and raised. Although, I would love to explore other states and countries :) I have always been a creative person and extremely organized.

I have always had a passion for the design industry growing up. I was born into the business. My family owned a construction business at the time. I remember sitting on the backhoe with my dad thinking it was coolest thing I have ever seen!! My childhood consisted of visiting job sites, drawing on the drafting boards, and playing in trailers while my Grandpa was reading blueprints.

My playdates consisted of me organizing my friends playroom closets, moving furniture, and redesigning the Barbie house. At 6 years old, I had parents calling my mother asking me to come over to help them design the layout of their space.

Today, I continue my passion as an Interior Designer. In my free time, I continue to spend drawing and creating. I love DIY projects!! I always say, "If you don't like it, spray paint it". I also love being outside especially during the Fall season and enjoy the leaves changing. Enjoying the outdoors is where I am most inspired. When it comes to relaxing and decompressing from the day, I love to enjoy a hot cup of tea, a good book, and of course yoga <3.

WHY I STARTED BLOGGING

I used to work as an Interior Designer at a furniture showroom. My clients wanted to stay connected and see what projects I was working on and thus, AMA DESIGNS was born!! It has been almost 2 years since I have started.

WHO IS MY BLOG FOR

My blog is for anyone who enjoys design and all things DIY. I want my blog to be a resource for people to visit and gain valuable tips for their home as well as being an inspiration to create something of their own. Designing a space doesn't have to have an expensive price tag to be beautiful! I want to share my design tips and advise for the homeowner who wants to create an amazing space and possibly save money along the way! :)

CURRENT DESIGN PROJECTS

I am working on a few exciting projects right now that I am so proud of. I am working on a kitchen renovation and bedroom space. I am SO anxious to share this project with you because I want to show you that renovating your kitchen can be done tastefully but without putting holes in your pocket. Wait until you see the floors.......

I am also working on a teen bedroom which looks fabulous. The client wanted to keep the existing wall color and furniture. It is absolutely amazing what a new floor plan, accessories, and window treatments can do! I also created hand-painted artwork customized for the space and made a nightstand with purple lucite hardware for the client. I will be sharing this project very soon - I am just waiting for a few pieces to arrive :)

TAKEAWAYS

After visiting my blog - I want people to feel inspired, entertained, and most of all encouraged to be productive and/or creative in their own way! Design is my passion and I want to be able to share it with my viewers :) I believe your home should be a reflection of yourself. Create an environment that you are excited to come home to everyday! What's better than coming home from a stressful day at work and melting into your favorite chair with a glass of wine? Mmmm, I am instantly relaxed just thinking about gazing out the window in my cushy sofa.

I hope your day is as AWESOME as you are!

With love,

AMA DESIGNS

Not-So Shabby, Shabby Chic

Distressed furniture, antique decor, and linen fabrics OOZE Shabby Chic style. Shabby chic is the sister-style to coastal chic, cottage decor, and french country. It is the blend of furnishings that are chosen for their aged appearance, elegant antiques and a soft color palette. My personal style is totally chic/stylish/glam than it is Shabby. Hence why I am sharing how to create a NOT-SO Shabby Chic Interior with my 5 Easy decorating tips:

1) COLOR - The color palette in a shabby chic interior is generally neutral. Colors tend to be pure white, ecrus, and faded out hues such as blush pink, soft blues, and pale green. The soft color scheme provides a neutral background to allow your vintage pieces speak for themselves. (Yes, furniture speaks to me :P )

2) PATTERN - When I think of "Shabby Chic," instantly what comes to my mind is vintage florals and a classic ticking stripe pattern. You can also add toile or chinoiserie patterns (two-tone cotton or line fabric with a scenic pattern: toile is French/chinoiserie is Chinese).

   

3) TEXTURE - I love playing with texture when it comes to fabric. To recreate the feel of shabby chic decor, incorporate cotton and linen fabrics. Since both these fabrics have a flat texture, I would personally add quilted fabrics and crocheted blankets that are soft to touch and make you want to snuggle! :) For storage, add wicker baskets or a wicker storage ottoman.

    

4) LIGHTING - Add vintage chandeliers or period inspired candlesticks on a bedside table. If you are feeling crafty, I would spray paint a vintage chandelier in a soft pink or mint for a pop of color.

  

5) DECOR - Now for the fun part; accessories! Go thrifting and find antique picture frames, a fabulous antique mirror, a gold side chair, distressed accent tables, old books, and trinkets to take your space to the next level.

   

This weeks blog post was HIGHLY requested! Do you LOVE a certain style but don't know how to achieve it? Drop a comment below or email byamadesigns@gmail.com on what topics you want to read next. Ask and you shall receive! I would love to hear from you. :)

Hope your day is as AWESOME as you are!

Much love,

AMA DESIGNS

** Remember, if you like this post - SHARE IT :) **

6 Ways to Dress Up Your Apartment

When renting an apartment, often times you have rules and boundaries to follow but don't feel limited! There are many different ways to let your personality shine through in your space.

1) Accessorize - Add flat to any space. Express personality though trinkets, pillows, sculptures, souvenirs, and collections.

2) Art - lean art on a shelf of use command adhesive hooks to prevent putting holes in the wall

3) Dress your Windows - Bring in texture and pattern with window treatments

4) Work with What you Got! - Renting fully furnished apartments means that you can't bring in your own furniture. If you don't like a fabric, try a slip cover.

5) Embrace Area rugs - Outdated wall to wall carpet or old tiled floors can be perked up with area rugs. Area rugs also add depth and interest to various sections of your rented space.

6) Say Goodbye to White Walls - If you have white walls, ask the property owner if you can paint. Most cases, they will let you paint but will ask you to paint it back. If that is too much work, paint an accent wall.