There’s no way around it: moving stinks. It’s often cited as one of the three most stressful life experiences. This reminds me of Linda’s very funny story. Many years before, someone broke into her house, and when the police looked it over they told her the place had been ransacked. She told them it hadn’t been; her house always looked like that! I guess no one would ever confuse Linda with Martha Stewart. When she hired me, the house was even more of a disaster because she had just sold it and was about to move. That’s par for the course; moving is disruptive and chaotic. Over the years I’ve helped a lot of people, particularly seniors, move. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that more than 43 million people move each year, with almost half packing up and relocating between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The following tips can help tame the chaos.
- If you don’t use it, leave it. Packing for a move is a blessing in disguise. It’s the perfect time to get rid of items that have collected in your home. Look at each item and think to yourself: “Do I use this? Do I need it?” Be honest. If you don’t use/need an item give it away, sell it, or throw it away. PS: Some charities will pick up your donations.
- Consider hiring help. Sometimes it’s best to leave the job to those who do it best: the professionals. Interview and get written estimates from at least three moving companies, and insist that a company rep visit the home rather than give a quote over the phone. Your best bet is to get recommendations from friends or a trusted real estate broker. PS: Go to www.protectyourmove.gov to file a complaint and/or check an interstate mover’s registration status, insurance coverage and complaint history.
- Order plenty of packing supplies; don’t skimp. Be sure to have lots of boxes, tape guns, tape, marking pens, bubble wrap, etc.
- Mark boxes clearly, and don’t overfill them. Keep the weight of each box manageable so that one person can easily carry it without help. Mark boxes “HEAVY: BOOKS” to warn the box lifter. To avoid spills and breakage, write “FRAGILE” and “THIS END UP.” Write the destination room and contents to make unpacking easier. PS: Pad items well, and consider drawing a diagram of the new house for the movers.
- Take photos of cabinets and drawers in the old house so you’ll be able to put things back the identical way when you unpack.
- If you’ve hidden any valuables around the house, be sure to collect them before leaving. You should carry items such as jewelry with you, or keep them in a safe deposit box instead of packing them on the moving van.
- Designate a central zone in the new house for the immediate necessities you’ll need while you set up the other rooms.
- Keep your workers happy and well-fueled. Have snacks ready for break time. Be sure to have plenty of beverages on hand, especially in warm weather. PS: Turn on heat or air conditioning to keep movers comfortable.
- Make it easy for the movers to maneuver by clearing paths in the house and yard. If necessary, take down stairwell handrails, trim bushes and trees, and prop open gates to aid access. Make sure to tie up the dog, and keep the kids and toys clear of the movers’ path.
- Remember to leave out cleaning supplies for the final once-over before closing the door for good. PS: Vacuum furniture before moving day. It’s more pleasant to move a chair or couch that isn’t dusty or covered with animal hair.
- Keep your pets’ routines as regular as possible as you prepare to move. During the final crunch, keep them at a friend’s house or a kennel, reducing the chance of Fido or Fluffy getting upset and running away. Keep some form of identification on the pet at all times. PS: Moving companies usually cannot transport animals or plants. Plan ahead and make arrangements for their safe transfer.
- Don’t forget spare house keys. Whether it means retrieving them from neighbors or from under the rock next to the front door, make sure to gather all sets before your final departure.
- Check the nooks and crannies. Take one last look through the drawers and cabinets, wipe all surfaces and clean out crumbs as a courtesy to the people moving in, and be sure you haven’t left anything of value behind. PS: Make sure to leave the garage door opener for the new residents.
And don’t forget to submit a change of address form. Good luck!
Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Rosemary Chieppo for contributing this article. Since 1999, Rosemary of Born to Organize has been making her living doing what most people hate to do: organizing! The costs of disorganization are enormous: time, money and stress. Rosemary is passionate about the benefits of an organized lifestyle and her goal is to share those benefits with as many people as possible. Rosemary has written for the New Haven Register and has been featured in numerous magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Connecticut, Lifestyles in Connecticut, More, and Connecticut Home & Garden. She has been a regular guest on Connecticut’s WTNH TV and WFSB TV, and is the author of Clutter, Chaos & the Cure (KIWI Publishing, 2008).
May 1, 2012
Small closets are almost always frustrating to deal with, unless you live a particularly minimalistic lifestyle. If you have an average amount of clothes and other belongings, you may be wondering how to increase the amount of storage space available in your small closets. Fortunately, there are ways for you to do so. It just takes a little creativity and effort. Here are some of thing things you can do to create extra storage space in small closets:
1. Make Room for the New
Small closets can easily become filled to the brim with stuff. Every three months or so, you should go through each of your closets and see if there’s anything you can take out and donate. There’s no need to hold on to clothes that don’t fit you anymore or blankets you have no plan to use again in the near future. Try to fill up at least one box full of stuff each time you clean out your closets. Donate that box to a charity or give it to someone you know who’s in need of some new clothes or other household items.
2. Increase the Amount of Usable Space
We’re not talking about knocking down the walls of your closets and making them bigger. Although, you could consider doing this, if you don’t mind spending a good amount of money and sacrificing some of the space in your home. What we’re talking about is putting in some extra shelves, hooks, and racks. You can buy extra shelves, hooks, and racks at home improvement stores, and they’re usually fairly easy to install. Once you have some extra spots to store and hang things, you’ll find it easier to keep your closets organized and make the most of your available closet storage space.
Vision Canvas Shoe Boxes
3. Consider your Container Options
Hanging up all your winter sweaters, scarves, and coats in the summer doesn’t make much sense in terms of saving space. It’s a better idea to store seasonal items and other items you don’t use frequently in large, plastic containers that you can stack on your closet floors. There’s no need to let your closet floor space go to waste, and it’s unwise to not make use of it. So, box some things up, and be sure to label the boxes, so you’re able to find everything you need when you need it in the future.
Staying organized with small closets is sometimes a challenge. However, if you do what you can to maximize your available storage space, you’ll find that it’s definitely doable.
Special thanks to Lisa for contributing this article. Lisa is a guest post writer on the subjects of home organization, DIY remodeling, and organizing storage units, particularly storage units in McAllen and storage units in Tallahassee.
April 18, 2012
Garden Organizer Kit
Spring has sprung, and this is a wonderful opportunity to go through all your gardening tools and supplies, take them out and assess whether or not you should keep them, need new ones, have too many, etc. Is everything in working order? Do the hoses have holes or leaks in them? Is everything you need ready to go, or somehow, over the winter, did all sorts of stuff arrive in with your gardening tools? There can be just as much clutter in your gardening area as in the other areas of your home or office. You need to get it under control in order to be as efficient as you can in weeding, trimming, planting and watering so you can sit back and enjoy your yard and all your hard work!
There is such a joy to being outdoors! It’s very rewarding to see your accomplishments as the plants start growing, the weeds are NOT and your vegetables are bursting out of the ground! If you prepare and plan everything out, you will see great results sooner, which provides increased energy and spirit in tackling the ongoing projects in your yard throughout the season. Plus, it’s just plain fun!!! Gardening is a wonderful stress-reliever after a pressure-filed day at work. Knowing you are coming home to get dirt under your nails can sometimes be the thing that gets you through!
ENVISION:
You can’t hit a target that you can’t see, so you need to define what that target is! Good intentions or the desire to change are not sufficient without a vision, a plan. So, as in any organizing project, you want to know what you’re working with, what your space and budget allowances are, what you want and what you see as a workable space. When you focus on your vision, you can turn that into reality. Once you have an idea of what is going to be workable for you, set up some activity zones, such as where seeds, pots, hand tools, larger garden tools, fertilizers and chemicals will be stored and where you plan to work with them.
PURGE:
First, empty everything out of the area and give it good cleaning.
Discard all the garbage, broken tools, garden hoses with leaks in them and chipped pots that you don’t want to use. Keep in mind, however, that you may be able to repurpose that broken pot: I have a little garden-art hedgehog peeking out of a ½ pot in my yard and I love it!
Set aside everything that belongs in another place – Don’t go there now – just focus on the task at hand and get to that later!
Gardening Center Kit
SORT:
Initially, sort by use, like-with-like, category or season and put everything into various piles. What belongs here? What would fit better somewhere elsewhere?
There is no right or wrong – you just sort and decide based upon what’s right for you, and those who will also use the space, now!
Do you use this? Where? How often?
CONTAINERIZE!
Find a “home” for the items you have decided to keep. Make sure your chemicals are put away safely, up high or in a locked cabinet. If your garden area is subject to heat, humidity, dirt or moisture, keep that in mind when storing your items, such as seeds, or you could damage them.
Need more space? Remember to think “up!” Use shelving, hooks and pegboard to provide more storage space. You can even draw the shapes of the tools that you want back in a certain spot to help you remember to “put it back where it belongs.”
Make sure what you are storing is in something you can see in. Make sure that containers you can’t immediately see into are labeled. This would be particularly important for your seed packages, drip system components and other smaller items.
Group items as you intend to use them. For instance, an upright tool organizer/caddy is great for having everything handy, and also safely contained. If you are lucky enough to have a potting table, keep on it only the items that you know you want available immediately. Then, when you are there, that trowel is handy or the whisk broom is there to keep it clean and ready for the next time. Think of this like your “gardening desk” and act accordingly. Small hand tools that you use continually you could keep in a bucket or one of those sorted canvas bags. It’s ready to pick up and go at a moment’s notice, whenever you see that errant weed!
MAINTAIN & MODIFY.
Whatever systems you have set up will need to have modifications and fine-tuning from time to time, as your life changes, events happen, and you change. What’s working? What’s not working? If you find you aren’t using the set-up you planned, then it is time to tweak your organizing system a bit to fit where you are now, so that you can be more efficient and happier when doing your gardening.
Keep it up! It is better to have small, regularly-scheduled purgings than to wait until your storage shed is SO bad that you can’t even open the door anymore!
Maintenance isn’t supposed to be fun, any more than house-keeping is! But, don’t over-organize. Don’t over-analyze! Keep it simple. Focus and stick to the task at hand. Do the maintenance when you have time to devote to the task and can be methodical, not hurried, and aim for “just good enough!”
In closing, sometimes we feel like we don’t even have time to work in our yards anymore. It takes a lot of energy to mow that lawn, deadhead the perennials, weed, water, prune, plant and other maintenance. You could hire out the work, but then you don’t get the satisfaction that digging in the dirt gives you, the stress relief you get and the fact that the physical activity is good for you, especially if you spend much of your day sitting at a desk!
Pay attention to how you feel, though. Change your activities from time to time, so that you are using different muscles, changing positions from bending or stooping to lifting and carting, etc. That way you keep from having too many sore muscles and prevent injuries from over-stressing some body part. Don’t forget to drink lots of water, too!
After getting your gardening space under control, you will feel more effective, efficient, confident and in control and ready for the next project! Relax and reward yourself for this accomplishment, then set a goal for your next one. You can use these same organizing principles in any project you choose to take on, any drawer, surface or room!
I hope you’ve been able to glean an idea or two to get your gardening shed or potting table in tip-top shape, so you’re not wasting time buying what you already have or buying what you truly do not need.
Keep on organizing – one step at a time. If you see a mess, deal with it. Watch out for flat surfaces – they have a tendency to collect anything and everything. If you’re done with something, put it away. If you don’t have any more room for certain items, it’s time to begin the process of sorting and purging again. Give yourself some “buying” parameters: one thing in/one thing out, or better yet, one in/two out. And, remember: if you need help, call a professional organizer – that’s what we do.
Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Rhonda McNett, the owner of Sensible Organizing Strategies, for contributing this article. Rhonda is committed to providing a supportive and rewarding organizing experience through client education, cooperative involvement and ongoing personal encouragement. For more information, call (360) 588-1994 or visit http://sosbyrhonda.com.
April 1, 2012
Gear Pockets make great organizers for gardeners, sports enthusiasts, mechanics, and more!
Spring is the perfect time to tackle any outdoor storage project, and most of us have garages that could use a little help. So, to prepare for upcoming yard work and outdoor recreation and sports activities, here are some tips and ideas for organizing your garage.
Now that you’ve decided to clean up the garage and make the best use of it, give yourself a fair chance by committing to sort and purge all your items making honest assessments: do I need this? If I need this in the future, can I easily and inexpensively replace it? Will I have the space to store it?
Second: decide what your goal is for the space. Do you want to park your cars and create storage? Do you want to use it just for storage? Create an extra play area for the kids? Workshop for yourself/husband?
If your garage is packed to the brim with stuff, then most likely you haven’t gone through it in ages and also, you don’t know what’s there. If you decide to go through it, you’ll find yourself saying: “Oh, I haven’t seen this in…years,” or “I have looked for this everywhere.”
The garage is suitable for to create activity areas: storage, workshop, play area, parking and so forth. With that in mind, as you clean, sort your items into three categories: keep, donate and trash. Once you have all the keepers, sort them in piles according to the activity areas you’ve chosen for your garage.
Now with the space empty, mark on the floor, with masking tape, the zones you want to have for your activities and you can see if it will actually work for you. This way, you don’t keep more than you can and you can still rethink your space allocation.
Garages are the places to use vertical storage as much as you can. According to your budget, select the type of storage you will need and then plan to have them on the wall or hanging from the ceiling. Here you can plan for larger items like tents, Christmas and holidays decoration, and other things you use once a year. Leave the wall storage for items you will be reaching for more often, like sports gear or bulk shopping items.
Just because it’s the garage, doesn’t mean it has to look sad, all in white walls or exposed beams. Paint is an inexpensive and quick way to bring fun colors to this space. Paint the beams one color and the walls on a contrasting color, and there you have it — a fun space.
Use clear bins, with lids with colors, labels and you will easily see the sections you created.
If you want to use the space for playing as well, like I’m doing for my 3 young boys, consider painting one of the walls with chalkboard/magnetic paint and drill buckets on the wall to keep chalk and magnetic pins on hand. Attach a roll of paper to the wall and paint close by, so the kids can do the messy projects outside.
Floors can get a happy look either with paint or with FLOR, carpet squares you can mix match colors and replace the ones that get damaged. And the big plus, they are washable!
Pay attention to your lighting in the garage. Most spaces have only the garage door opener light, so include track lighting on the walls if you can. It’s wonderful to be able to find what you are looking for in a well lit space.
Hope these ideas can help you!
Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Helena Alkhas for contributing this article. Helena is the owner of A Personal Organizer who is dedicated to promoting well-being to individuals through de-cluttering and organizing, creating healthy, functional and attractive spaces where they can thrive and grow. She loves organizing and making every space functional. For more information, call 240.855.2786, email Helena at helena@apersonalorganizer.com or visit www.apersonalorganizer.blogspot.com.
March 1, 2012
Try our Back Pocket Auto Organizer to keep items in your care neatly stored away but easily accesible.
When we think about getting organized, we often think of our homes and offices. However, we tend to overlook the one place that we spend a lot of time: our cars.
Think of how much time you spend commuting to work, chauffeuring your children, running errands, and traveling. On some days, you probably spend more time in your car than any place else. So shouldn’t it be as organized as the rest of the spaces in your life?
The following are some key tips to organizing your car and maintaining that continuity in your life.
The “must haves” that you should keep in your car:
- your insurance card
- car registration
- hands free headset for your cell phone
- cell phone charger
- sunglasses
- snow scraper
- umbrella
- Keep your insurance card and car registration in an auto document organizer in the side pocket of the passenger side door. Store your sunglasses, headset, and cell phone in a dashboard organizer for easy access.
- Store a small umbrella in the pocket of the driver’s side door.
- Equip your car with both a first aid and roadside emergency kit.
- Stash a few dollars for emergency toll money in the center console, as well as a pen, pad of paper and pocket flashlight.
- Keep a small, reusable litter bag in the car.
- Store foldable chairs and a blanket in the trunk.
- If you have a toddler, keep an inflatable potty seat in the trunk.
- Wipes are great for emergency spills and dirty hands. Store them in the glove compartment.
- If you have kids, keep a basket or plastic bin packed with coloring books, crayons, car games, etc for long journeys.
- Store your CDs in a visor organizer.
- The center console is easily accessible. If you listen to your iPod in the car, keep an iPod car charger in the console, along with your cell phone charger.
Organization is a state a mind. When you concentrate on overlooked spaces such as your car, you will develop good habits that carry over to other aspects of your life. It becomes much easier to maintain that mindset.
Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Christa Zamel for contributing this article. Christa is a professional organizer and the president of Neat Freak Design Group. Neat Freak can help manage homes, offices, and personal schedules by creating customized systems that suit clients. For more information, call 201-341-1576, email christa@neatfreakdesigngroup.com or visit www.neatfreakdesigngroup.com.
February 1, 2012
Do you make a resolution on or before Jan 1st?
How much thought goes into your resolution?
How long do you keep your New Year’s resolution?
Prior to becoming a full time Professional Organizer, I operated a direct selling business. This business was set up to reach and keep goals. In order to reach specific targets it was imperative to reach these goals. Being organized was so helpful in this process.
Try out these 5 simple tips on how to get your New Year Organized and off to a fresh start and make this new year your best one yet.
Tip #1: Make an appointment with yourself. Set aside an hour one afternoon or evening. Go to a location that makes you feel inspired. This could be your own living room or maybe it is someplace near the ocean. Make sure it is quiet. Get your favorite holiday beverage, nice pen and paper. I like doing this activity long before Jan 1st. That way I have time to really get my head wrapped around what changes, dreams, and goals I am going to go after.
Tip #2: Just start writing or drawing. You do not have to be an artist. It can be stick people and things. Write and/or draw all the things in your mind that you would like to see for yourself. Dreams and goals you would like to see for your personal life, your health, your career, and spiritually. Use lots of colour. Why not use a different colour for each area of your life.
Tip #3: Put some dates beside each drawing or written word. For example, the number one New Year’s resolution is health. Could be to lose weight, stop smoking, or exercise. If this is on your sheet of paper put a date beside when you would like to lose that extra ten pounds. Based on the fact that it is healthy to lose only 1-2 pounds per week that would give you a date of ten weeks after Jan 1st which is the beginning of March. Focus on what you can have, not on what you cannot have. Did you know the number 2 resolution is to get more organized? I love it!
Tip #4: Tell a friend. One of the best ways to stay accountable is to have an accountability buddy. My buddy and I go for long walks and talks. We keep each other on track with our goals and resolutions. We help each other out with ideas and suggestions on how to reach our dreams, goals and resolutions. We focus on how we will feel once we have reached our resolutions. Make a list of what you have accomplished so far to date. By walking and talking you are killing 2 birds with one stone. You are getting your exercise and you are able to talk about where you are at with your New Year’s resolutions. Now that is organized!
Tip #5: Keep it simple. If you set too many resolutions at one time you may find it challenging to reach them all. Take one goal from your list and work on that one. Once you are in the new habit (exercising or stopped smoking, for example) then you can incorporate another goal/dream from your list.
Your resolutions need to be yours. They cannot be what you think other people want for you. They have to really resonate with you, your values and your beliefs. They need to be very specific. They need to be realistic to you and your lifestyle. Just because the person sitting beside you can run a marathon, does not mean you can or want to. You have to consider your own lifestyle, your body and your time commitment. This summer I had set a goal (I do not always wait till Jan 1st to set all my goals, I set some during the year as well) to start training for a half marathon. I thought this would be a cool thing to do for my 50th Birthday in July. Well my body is saying no way, no how are you going to be a runner. The pain is not worth it. Time to set a new accomplishment for my 50th. I’ll keep you posted.
How would you like a FREE 30 minute coaching call on how to move forward with your dreams, goals and resolutions? We will discuss systems and strategies that will help you move forward. Please contact me at we will set up a phone date. www.gettingittogether.ca
Thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Rowena List for contributing this article. Rowena is an organizing expert specializing in home organization. Grab your FREE copy of her new e-Book; Organized in 15 Minutes. The e-Book gives you a simple 10-day plan for organizing 10 different areas of your home in 15 minutes or less. Download your free copy now at: http://www.GettingItTogether.ca
January 1, 2012
The holiday season can be so stressful! It’s meant to be a joyful time full of celebrations, giving, and family traditions, but too often, we spend so much time getting ready for these things that we’re too tired and stressed out to really enjoy the moment.
Holidays are about much more than finding the perfect gift or preparing the most fabulous meal ever. If you focus on the meaning of the holiday you’re celebrating, you’ll begin to see that so much of the “stressful” part of the holidays becomes much less important and begins to melt away. The easiest way to do this is to simplify your holiday lists and traditions. Here are a few suggestions:
1. Create a holiday to-do list, but be discerning. Ask yourself, “If I don’t get this done, will anyone else care?” If not, eliminate it, or put it on a separate list labeled, “Things to do if I have the time and energy.”
2. Consider your gift giving habits. Are you buying meaningless gifts for everyone in the family just to say you gave them something? Make sure every gift on your list will serve a purpose for the recipient. If it’s too hard (or expensive) to buy for every adult, propose to draw names or give one gift to every family instead of every individual.
Clutter Free Gift Giving Resource Guide
3. Give “clutter-free” gifts, such as baked items, wine, tickets to a concert or movie theater, gift cards, or homemade coupons for personal services (massage, babysitting, house cleaning, yard work, car wash, snow shoveling, etc.).
4. Review your holiday rituals and traditions. Your family may have outgrown some, and they may not be as fun as they used to be. It’s ok to let go of these. Create new traditions and celebrate the ones that help you honor your family’s values and spiritual beliefs to the fullest.
5. Never go shopping without a list. The stores are just too crowded and cluttered with stuff if you don’t have a focused plan to get in and get out. Instead of browsing for ideas in stores, try looking online first where you can read customer reviews and compare prices. Before you hit the grocery store, take inventory of what you have and review your recipes to make sure you get what you need.
Gift Wrap Organizer
6. Wrap gifts as you purchase instead of waiting to wrap everything at once. Designate one area of your home as your gift wrap station and stock it with everything you need–wrapping paper, gift bags, bows, ribbon, tissue paper, gift tags, scissors, tape, and pens.
7. Abide by the “less is more” principle when decorating. Focus on your front door, one or two main rooms that everyone will see, and the Christmas tree. Aim for simple elegance over elaborate design. Let the kids put their creativity to work.
8. Buy desserts or use convenient mixes or frozen doughs if you don’t have a lot of time or don’t like to bake. You can find many specialty items in supermarkets or bakeries this time of year that are both beautiful and delicious.
9. Don’t over schedule. Accept the fact that you can’t participate in every activity. There are simply too many parties, events, concerts, programs, activities, and Santa-visiting opportunities to fit it all in. Make the choices that work best in your family’s schedule.
10. Serve others. Volunteer for a local charity, serve meals to the homeless, give gifts to kids in need, or ring a bell for the Salvation Army. There’s no better way to discover the true meaning and joy of the holidays than helping out those who need their spirits lifted and their hope renewed.
December 1, 2011
By Debbie Lillard, Professional Organizer, Space to Spare
Did you ever have one of those days where you stay in your pajamas and pound away at the computer until you finally look up and the kids are home from school? I’ve had those too. And sometimes they’re fun. But if you make a habit of those, you will eventually have to leave the house looking like you just rolled out of bed.
On the flip side, if you get up early enough to get a shower, put on some make-up and a decent outfit, you can feel more professional and put together before you have to walk out the door. This is one of my absolutes or organizing: start the day off right – on your terms. (from my book Absolutely Organized- A Mom’s Guide To a No-Stress Schedule and a Clutter-Free Home) In order to do this, you’ve got to have a beauty regimen that is quick, easy and effective. As a mother of three who gets up at 6:30 am I know time is limited, and that’s why I have all the essentials at my fingertips and a method of getting ready in 20 minutes. So let me share my tips as both a Professional Organizer and a previous Mary Kay consultant:
- Use skin care products from one company: that includes your cleanser, moisturizer, any toners or masks that you may use and your foundation. Skin care companies design these to work together and if you mix & match, you could have a chemical reaction right on your face.
- Clean out your make up on a regular basis. If you go to the dentist every 6 months, you usually replace your toothbrush, right? Use that day to replace your mascara and eye-liners too. You definitely don’t want any bacteria going into your eyes and that’s about the shelf life of these items.
- Check for expiration dates and if you can’t find them, use these basic rules of thumb for what to toss:
- Perfume or white creams that have turned yellow
- Sunscreen after one year
- Powders that have a shiny finish to them (from facial oils)
- Thick creams that have since become watery
- Anything you don’t remember buying!
- Brushes should be cleaned more frequently – about once a week. Think about this on a Sunday. Just run the brushes under warm water and rub them with soap, rinse and leave them in a mug or stand-up container to air dry. They’ll be good to go on Monday morning.
- Keep everyday items in one container in your bathroom – preferably in a drawer or cabinet. My everyday items include: concealer, foundation, eyeliner, mascara and blush. Lipsticks usually stay in my purse and get applied before I leave the driveway each morning. That way you have them handy for touch-ups.
- Keep your refills in another drawer or in a plastic bin in the linen closet. I think people often make the mistake of buying cute canvas or wicker bins for the bathroom but they forget that most of these products leak! So plastic or vinyl is the way to go for bathroom products.
- For traveling, find a fold-up makeup bag with several sections. I pack my beauty products the morning of my trips. As I use each item, I put it in the bag. That way I don’t forget any of my essentials. The bag can lay flat so it’s the last item to go into the suitcase. When I arrive at my destination, it gets hung on the back of the bathroom door. No unpacking & losing little items!
- Once your products are cleaned out and contained properly, take a look at your method. I like to treat the beauty regimen like a recipe. I put all my ingredients on the left side of my sink. As I use each item, it goes to the right. That way, if I get interrupted I remember to use everything. (don’t you hate it when you forget the deodorant?)When I’m finished, everything goes back in its container under the sink.
So there you have it – eight steps to go from frumpy mom to professional woman! I think we all deserve a little time to take care of ourselves each day because when you look good, you feel good and that positive attitude will carry you through your day.
Special thanks to Organized A to Z.com partner Debbie Lillard for contributing this article. Debbie is a Professional Organizer serving the Philadelphia area since 2003. Since starting her business, she has appeared on local and national television, including: HGTV’S Mission Organization, Hoarders on A&E, The 10!Show and Talk Philly. in Philadelphia She is a published author and nationally recognized expert on organization in the home. She is also an active board member of the National Association of Professional Organizers Greater Philadelphia Chapter (NAPO-GPC). Learn more about her organizing specialties on her website at www.spacetospare.com.
November 1, 2011
by Kathy Jenkins, Certified Professional Organizer, Come To Order
Have you noticed that the nights are getting a little cooler? Maybe you’re considering breaking out the flannel sheets and blankets to ward off the initial chill in the morning. And if that hasn’t gotten your attention, how about the alarm going off in the morning and it is still dark. These are sure a sign that fall is already upon us, so now is the time to get ready for the colder weather.
Kathy Jenkins, a Professional Organizer with Come To Order, suggests that you create a fall checklist in preparing your home for winter. “We all lead busy lives, so in order to not miss something, it is important for you to have a list “, says Kathy. Here are some of the items she suggests you include on your list: check windows and doors for drafts, clean out those gutters and down spouts (once they are clean consider gutter covers so that you can permanently cross this off your list), remove and clean window screens, and check the roof for any needed repairs.
“Don’t forget the lawn and garden. Autumn is the perfect time to trim trees and shrubs, plant new plants and prepare your perennial foliage for next year,” suggests Kathy.
It is also a good idea to add winterizing your lawn equipment, water features, and irrigation system to your list. And before your store or cover your patio furniture, give it a good cleaning. Come spring when all you want to do is relax in the warm sun you will be happy you have that little job behind you.
Inside your home you will want to have your furnace serviced and adjust your thermostat. If you have a window air conditioning unit, now is the best time to remove it for winter storage. Finally, check your carbon monoxide detectors and replace the batteries in your smoke detectors. For a more comprehensive list, check out the Come To Order Web site at www.cometoorderva.com.
So now the house is in order, but what about your family. Betsy Frazier of Organizing Solutionz recommends starting with your wardrobe. As you begin to put away your summer clothes put aside all of those things that you never wore. Chances are it has gone out of style, don’t fit, or you just don’t like it anymore. This is the time to donate it! As you begin to evaluate storage of your off-season clothes make sure you take advantage of every unused space in your house. Under the bed is good for more than just dust bunnies.
“There are so many wonderful under-bed storage options to choose from these days”, says Kathy, “and if you plan on using your attic or basement just make sure the container is air and moisture tight so mold and moths don’t become an issue.”
Then as you begin to take out your cool season clothing check to make sure it fits and that you still like it. If neither of these criteria is met — get rid of it — someone else will get good use out of it this winter. Don’t forget to set up an area for catching all the winter clothes that will strewn about as your little “snow people” come in out of the cold. A simple carpet square where the shoes and boots can be deposited will save your floor and there is no better storage system for coats that hooks!
Our Leak Proof Trunk Organizer is perfect for organizing your winter storm kit!
Betsy also suggests that you put together a Winter Storm Kit to be prepared for a power outage. Include in it a battery powered radio, flashlights with extra batteries, bottled water, a can opener and canned food. And start planning on what your alternative heat source will be if that is needed.
The change of seasons always serves as a marker for evaluating what needs to be done to get more organized for the coming months.
Thanks to OrganizedAtoZ.com partner Kathy Jenkins for contributing this article. As a Certified Professional Organizer® and Certified Family Manager® coach, and Parenting with Love & Logic® Facilitator/Coach, Kathy Jenkins can help you run a more organized, efficient, and happy household & raise happy, healthy, responsible, and well-mannered children! Visit http://www.cometoorderva.com to learn more about her professional organizing and coaching services You can also follow her tips, advice, and recommendations by liking Come To Order on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/cometoorder.
© 2011, Kathy Jenkins, Come To Order
October 12, 2011
What an interesting time it’s been for folks on the East Coast these last couple of weeks! First, an unusually large earthquake that shook much of the northern region, and then large, drenching hurricane that has left its mark on communities throughout the area. Our hearts go out to those who have experienced any kind of loss during these events.
These types of events remind us that disaster can strike at anytime, anywhere, even through unexpected means. While Mother Nature is often the cause widespread chaos, individuals can be affected fires, thefts, accidents, serious health issues, and many other incidents, so there is no way to predict just when or where a disaster will strike.
To call attention to the need for citizens to be prepared for emergencies and natural disasters, the U.S. government has named September “National Preparedness Month.” And they’ve even devoted an entire Website dedicated to the topic, complete with free forms and checklists that can help you organize essential information. Visit www.Ready.gov to learn how to “get a kit, make a plan, and be informed.”
The following are tips to help you put together a disaster preparedness plan for your family:
Learn how to prepare yourself and your family so you can survive and recover from a disaster. Check out www.Ready.gov for advice, or try reading “Organize for Disaster: Prepare Your Family and Your Home for Any Natural or Unnatural Disaster“. It advocates preparing for disaster as part of everyday life rather than as an urgent event and is an an excellent ready-reference for your home.
Plan for an emergency. Develop a family emergency plan so that every member of your family knows what to do and where to meet in an emergency. This plan should include a meeting place, out-of-town contacts, and personal information that will help you get found if lost or separated. To help you out, Ready.gov provides free, printable forms. While you never want to be forced to put this plan into action, you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your family knows what to do.
Assemble a disaster kit. Include food, water, blankets, flashlights, a first-aid kit, a battery-operated radio, and extra batteries. Also think about storing a supply of extra prescription medication, clothes, money, and tools. Click here to see a complete checklist for your kit.
Consider your pet. Many people think of their pets as members of their family and rightfully so! Keep a back-up supply of pet food and water in your safe place just for your pet. And heartbreaking as it is, sometimes you have no choice but to evacuate without your pet, leaving it in the care of a shelter or family member. Our Pet.doc™ will help you record important information so you can ensure your pet will be properly cared for while you’re apart. Simply fill in the forms provided in the Pet.doc™ and you’ll have everything from basic license numbers and immunization records to detailed medical histories and training notes in one, easy to find spot.
Think about your health. We all have important health records that we don’t want to lose, and for those with chronic conditions, it’s even more important to have the information readily available. Not only do you need this accessible in a medical emergency, but during a destructive event like a fire, tornado, hurricane, or flood, you could lose everything on paper. As an alternative to paper medical records, we recommend the Jakoter Medic Tag – a unique preprogrammed flash drive that allows you to keep all of you emergency information and pertinent health information close at hand. Hang it from your key chain so that you are never without life-saving information about your health.
Record information about your valuables. Unfortunately when something unexpected happens like a fire, flood or burglary, you can be left without the documentation you need to get properly reimbursed for the most valued and valuable things you own. With Valuables.doc, you can catalog all of your items of value, record their purchase prices and replacement value and have the proper documentation in case you need to make an insurance claim.
Be an informed citizen! Know what natural disasters are most likely to affect you and how to keep yourself safe. Listen to emergency management officials when danger is eminent and follow their instructions carefully. Sometimes you have only minutes to act, and by being prepared and knowledgeable about what could happen, you’ll be able to protect yourself and your family.
September 1, 2011
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