Traveling Tips

Back in September I went on vacation and wrote about an organized packing process (Going on Vacation).  Now it actually is a popular time to travel, so I wanted to expound on that a bit.

There's more to traveling then just packing the essentials (although that is important).  There are things to consider about the home you're leaving behind, the regular activities you might be skipping and the activities you might enjoy on your trip.

Don't forget to do some things at home before you head out! 
1) Water the plants
2) Make sure all the garbage has been taken out.  If garbage day is while you're gone, make sure you've arranged for someone to take it to the curb for you.
3) Make sure at least one trustworthy neighbor knows you'll be gone and for how long.  They can contact you if something happens to the house while you're gone.
4) Depending on how long you're gone, you might want to cancel mail or newspaper delivery.  Or, have someone come pick it up for you.
5) Do any of the lights need timers?
6) Set the heat low enough so pipes won't freeze, but the house won't be toasty warm while you're away.

7) Do you have pets that need to be taken care of while you're away?
8) Make sure the windows and doors are all shut and locked!

Check the calendar before you take off!
1) What activities are on the calendar during the time you'll be gone?
2) Do you have to notify anyone that you will not be attending these events?
3) Do they need rescheduling? 
4) Do you need to send replacements in your stead?
5) Are these activities that you can accomplish on your trip?  For example, if there's a note on the calendar to write up a report for the condo association, can you take the information with you?  Will you have time to tackle the task?

Remember what you'll be doing while you're away!
1) Are there special activities you'll need special clothes or equipment to do on your trip?  Think snorkeling, skiing, hiking, boating and the like.
2) Will you need any information to complete your travels? Travel books, maps, apps for your phone to translate languages or identification.
3) If the family pet is going with you on this adventure, make sure you are able to keep the pet where you plan to stay and pack supplies for him/her.
4) Are you supposed to be bringing gifts?  Food?  This will also help you complete your packing list.

These tips will help you have a lovely trip and an easy transition back in to everyday life when you return.  Happy travels!


I Never Have Enough Time!

As I sat down to write this post, I thought "I don't have time to write this week!"  Which is exactly what I will write about....

I use to-do lists.  I use one calendar for all my appointments and reminders.  I'm  a professional organizer, for goodness' sake!  And, I still find it difficult to get all the things I plan on doing done in the amount of time I've got.

In other words, you're not alone.

Sure, my calendar and to-do list are huge helps.  For example: today.  I knew that I had an "office" day, meaning I'm not working with clients today.  So, I look to my to-do list (a running, ever-changing list that sits atop my desk..and sometimes travels in my bag with me).  Today's tasks:
- Answer emails/phone calls
- Write blog post
- Exercise
- Laundry
- Holiday baking

Doesn't seem too bad for one day, right?  Considering I'm not even leaving the house?

The laundry is the easiest to tackle.  I can toss a load in and out and fold while things are baking or cooling.  No worries there.  And, I've clearly made myself take a break from whatever else I've been doing all day to write the blog post....albeit at 4:50PM.  Just barely making it into my official work day.  It's getting done, though; I won't worry about that one.

I'll exercise tonight...  I swear....

(read: I struggle with this one like everyone else)

Now, here's the kicker: baking and catching up with communications are the last two things.  I've been jumping in between the two since about 11 this morning, when I decided it was time to start doing something productive (although I had already cleaned my place, so the time wasn't totally wasted). 

I have 4 things to make for the holidays.  I have a handful of emails and calls to respond to.  I'm attempting the stagger approach.  Oscillating back and forth when one is wearing me out.  How am I doing?

It's now 4:54PM.  Cookie batch #1 has dough chilling in the fridge, which will be ready in a couple hours.  Cookie batch: #2 cooling.  Cookie batch #3: done!  Cookie batch #4: cooling.  So, the two that are cooling will need to be cut later and batch #1 will need to be made.  I've got three emails left to respond to.

So, why do I feel like I don't have any time left?  Part of it is because I know I have to have all my baking done today; I have a deadline.  What I could have done is started baking over the weekend and made one batch a day, spacing it out.  I would have small pieces to do daily, but be finished by the same deadline.  Applicable to any project.  Slow and steady wins the race, right?

Another thing I could have done was to concentrate on one task at a time, not flip-flop between my computer and my oven.  Perhaps if I sat down and did all the administrative tasks at one time, I'd get through them before noon.  Then, I'd have the entire day to spend baking.  I wouldn't have that voice in the back of my head saying, "Hurry!  You still have X, Y and Z to do today!"

Sigh......

So, next time I'm going to try it differently.  And, perhaps next time you're feeling pressure to get so many things done with only minutes to spare during the day, perhaps you'll try a different approach, too? 

De-Clutter Your Gift List

Now that the holiday season is upon us, we're all shopping around for gifts to give this winter.  How often do you find yourself returning to stores because there's something you forgot to pick up?  Are you constantly returning things because it was the wrong size, color or you'd already bought a gift for that person?  Let's clean up that gift list!

The best place to start is by creating your shopping list.  Write down whoever comes to mind first.  Then, sit down with the list and your address book and fill in any gaps.  You might have three categories of gifts to give: 1) give a gift, 2) give homemade treats (baked goods or crafts) and 3) just a holiday card.  Some people may fall into multiple categories - that's okay.  Make your list as expansive as possible.

Count how many cards you'd like to send.  Will they be for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or just the holiday season?  How many will you need of each kind?  Write that down!

How many people are you making something for?  Figure out what you're planning on making and how much supplies are needed for one batch or completed craft.  Multiply it by how many you'd like to make.

If you're one of the many, many homes that has a stash in a closet somewhere of "gifts to give," we'll visit there next.  Take your list to that stash.  Is there anything in there that's appropriate to give to anyone on your list?  Pull it out and place it near where ever you'll be putting the gifts once they're all in the house (preferably near the gift wrap!).

Who's left?  Have an idea of what you'd like to spend on each person/couple/family.  Write that down near their name.  Also, mark down any ideas you have for a gift or sizes you might need. 

Check your coupons!  Now is the time to grab the store coupons or discount cards you've been shoving in an envelope or the car door for the past few months.  Check expiration dates. 

Your list will look something like this:

- 30 Holiday cards
Baked goods for 5 people:
- 1 bag flour
- 2 boxes sugar
- 3 packs butter
- sprinkles
Gifts for:
- John: $35  books
- Rebbecca: $35  size medium
- Morris: $50 Toys 'R Us
- 6 gifts cards to Target for $15 for co-workers
- Mom and Dad: $75 flowers
- Tanya: $20 Disney movies - have in the gift closet already!

Now, which stores will you visit to get these items?  Know where they are and the hours they're open.  Map out your route ahead of time, based on how many of the stores you'd like to go to in this trip. 

No more doubling back because you forgot something, didn't have the discount card or weren't thinking about how to get from store to store!

Donating This Holiday Season

'Tis the season to get envelope after envelope from a variety of charities asking for holiday donations.

Donating money or goods to charity is a fine and noble thing to do - any time of year.  However, there is a way to do this without clogging up the mailbox!  Just a few simple steps:

1) Toss those envelopes directly into the recycling bin when they show up in the mail!  I realize some of them come with those wonderfully sticky address labels or greeting cards.  Or charms.  Or key chains.  Those items should only make their way in to the house if you are actually going to use them.  For example, if yesterday you were cursing yourself as you wrote your return address on 20 envelopes, maybe keeping the labels is a good idea.  Or, if you've been thinking you needed another key chain as you took out your janitor's hook, then perhaps the key chain will be helpful.  If you feel guilty about tossing usable items like note cards and charms in the recycling or trash bin, add them to your ongoing bag of donations.

2) If you're not sure which charities to send money to, research them online.  Make sure their values align with yours.  You'll also want to find out what your donation will support and how much of that donation will get used for which services.  There are some great websites that do all that work for you:
  • Charity Navigator evaluates and classifies a variety of charities.  It informs you of the charities' financial health, as well.
  • Charity Watch is sponsored by the American Institute of Philanthropy.  This site grades and rates charities; it can be searched by type of charity or alphabetical listing.
  • Which Charity does not rate charities, but rather allows you to find one by type of charity or by what type of donation you'd like to make (money, time, goods, volunteer, etc.). 
  • Cards That Give and Good Cause Greetings (note this site is a commercial, not charitable site) both list organizations that produce and sell greeting cards to help support their causes.  If you're not going to send holiday cards, skip these links!   
3) Decide on which charity or charities you'll donate to this year.  Go to the organization's website and donate online.  They will email you a receipt for tax purposes.  You can save your receipt to your tax file.  No writing checks.  No finding stamps.  No running out to the mailbox.  If there is an option for receiving information from the charity when you are donating online, click the options that will send you information online, not in paper form - and only if it's information you want and will really read.

4) If the envelopes keep showing up in the mail, annoying you, grab one or two at a time before they hit the recycling bin.  On each there should be a phone number where you can contact them.  Call the number and inform them you're doing your giving online now.  Ask to be removed from their mailing list so they can save the postage and the amount of paper hitting the curb.

5) Enjoy the holiday season knowing you've helped a cause near and dear to your heart, in as stress-free (and green!) a way as possible!

Giving Thanks

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving.  Like you, I have many things to be thankful for this year.  I have a safe, warm home.  I have my health, and my family has theirs.  I have wonderful people in my life to share fantastic experiences with.  And, I'm fortunate enough to have a job I love, helping people relieve the stress associated with their stuff.

Of course, I know there are many, many people who are not so fortunate to have some or any of these things.  We can all do our parts as individuals to help make sure others are fed, clothed and loved all year round. 

I want to also think on helping those more immediately around you to have a less stressful season and year ahead.  The art of being organized is pretty basic at it's heart: have less, keep up routines.  For a lot of people, that takes some practice and assistance.  It also takes some getting used to the idea that a relative stranger might be able to make this process go all the quicker and easier.

So, this year, as you're giving thanks and giving gifts to express your thanks, think about organization.  Think about how wonderful it feels to know where your things are, when you need them.  Think about how great it is to feel comfortable having someone drop by unexpectedly.

Maybe you can get the wheels turning on someone else with a small gift, like these.  Maybe, the boss or your coworker could use some subtle hints that their messy desk is stressing out the whole office?  Something like this might be helpful.  But, don't get too bogged down with gadgets and gizmos.  Real organization comes with time.  How long has your mess been staring at you?  Well, then it won't be fixed over night.

Take the time to chat about how staying organized has changed your day-to-day routine.  Offer to help start the process with them.  Just make sure you aren't over stepping any boundaries.  A professional, with no attachment or memories of the items being handled really comes in handy here!  And, just for good measure, don't forget to be a good example for those around you - even when you travel (these might help). 

Help someone feel less stressed this season.  Give them one more thing to be thankful for.  (Well, two things - they'll be even more thankful to have you in their life.)

Make Up & Beauty Products

I recently started using a new regimen of beauty products from Arbonne.  This brand appealed to me for a variety of reasons, notably that it's a green and vegan company.  And, from using these products, and learning more about beauty regimens from my consultant, Jeremy, I began to realize something:  I see a lot of beauty products in people's homes.  They're in bathrooms, bedrooms and purses.  They're stashed away in kitchen drawers and on desk tops.  And, most of the time they've been sitting there for who knows how long.  These items might not be the best things to be rubbing into your skin anymore.  So, on that note, I've worked out some guidelines with Jeremy so you can clear out what really isn't healthy to put on anymore.

-  First and fore most: If there's an expiration date on the packaging, pay attention to it!  Chances are the product is no longer effective in it's original purpose.  It might smell bad or feel gross.  An ingredient may have spoiled.  Sometimes it's easy to find like on this bottle:
But, sometimes it's a bit harder to find the date, like on this tube of ointment.

-  Secondly, many products have  a dating system from when you've first opened the product.  If you're not aware of the symbol, it's easy to overlook.  There will be an open jar pictured with a number inside.  The number indicates how many months the product is fresh and usable after it's opened.  Here are some examples showing items good for 12 months:
This means it's important to remember when you first opened the item!  If possible, I suggest keeping a sharpie in the bathroom or near your beauty products to quickly scrawl a date on the tube or jar you've just opened.  Just don't grab it instead of the eye liner in the morning!  If that seems to risky to chance, I suggest using nail polish on the tube to write a quick date.  Nail pens are especially good for this!

Expiration dates are great guidelines!  But, if the following dates happen first, toss the item and replace it with a new one (assuming you still like the product).

- Third, some basics for skin care.  The LA Times has a great list that's easy to use and developed by a dermatologist.  But, here are some highlights, that are sort of surprising!
  • Serums: 6 months
  • Concealer: 3 months
  • Cream eye shadow or blush: 2 months
  • Mascara and liquid eye liner: 3 months
  • Lipstick: 1 year 
  • Nail polish: 1 year
I also found out that bar soap shouldn't be kept for more than 3 years; perfume should get tossed after 2 years.

So, for those of you with cabinets filled with hotel soaps from vacation 10 years ago and make up you bought in college, it's time to let it go!  If it comes down to it, treat yourself to some nice, new, clean products and start fresh.  Better safe than sorry!

Recipes, Articles and All Those Clippings!

I've had a lot of requests from clients lately asking for ideas on how to store, and later find, the many, many articles and recipes they've torn out of magazines over the years.  And, although almost everything is available digitally now, there's something to be said for sitting down with an actual piece of paper and reading an article.  We'll get to the digital part later.  First, let's figure out what kind of articles you've got.

Recipes - definitely.  Articles you'd like to read sometime - probably.  Household hints or to-do lists - quite possibly.  There are tons of interesting things that warrant our pulling them out for later reference.  Before you begin to store any of these clippings, you need to look them over to make sure it is 1) still a topic you are interested in knowing more about, 2) that this information isn't available somewhere else and 3) if it's are recipe, you'd actually make it (look at ingredients and time it takes for a quick assessment).  There are two ways I like to suggest corralling and collecting this scraps that are hiding all over the kitchen and office.

Choice 1: Files!  Whether it's in a file box, a drawer or in a desk-top sorter, keep these articles in files.  Each file should be labeled by topic.  For example, if all you have to keep track of are recipes, perhaps files for "Appetizers," "Salads," "Chicken," "Beef" and "Dessert" will work best.  Maybe you have a separate folder for recipes you haven't tried yet and the ones you have made (and liked) are sorted into their respective files already.  In any case, there are two great places to keep these files: near the place you keep other cookbooks or near where you tear articles out of the newspaper and magazines.  That way, they can immediately get sorted and put away.  If you're collecting topics unrelated to cooking, like articles on health, work-related or personal growth, keep those files near any reference materials you have (think book shelves or other articles) or near where you'd sit down to actually read them, when you have the time.

Choice 2: Binders! This is especially helpful for the visual type.  Have a binder for each topic you find yourself tearing out articles about.  One for recipes, one for health articles, one for cleaning...you get the picture.  Then, fill the binders with clear page sleeves. Avery has some great, basic ones.  If you want something fancier, check these out:

The colors may help create smaller categories, as well.  If it's recipes, each color can be a topic within the recipe binder.  If it's health/medical related articles, each color can be related to one particular health issue (healthy sleep habits, exercise routines, etc.).  It's easy to add and subtract pages as you add or toss articles.

Now, an important mention.  Most of the articles you're clipping can be found online, I'm guessing.  Think about creating bookmark folders in your browser where you can tag and remember all kinds of articles to reference whenever you'd like.  If you're willing to make the swap to digital, you just might like it!

Shopping!

Wouldn't it be nice if everything we'd ever need in life would magically appear when it was needed?  Unfortunately, it doesn't...  Everyone has to shop.  At least, everyone I've ever met.  We shop for food, clothes, entertainment, gifts and the list goes on.

If you're anything like me, you have to be in the "mood" to shop for certain things.  I love the grocery store; I hate shopping for clothes for myself.  I love wandering through large markets; I don't particularly enjoy wandering aimlessly through malls.  So, we're all different in what we shop for and where and how often.  The least I can do is help make it easier, quicker and less stressful!  Let's start with where you're going to shop.

What are you shopping for today, this week, this month?  Whatever the trip is that you're planning on taking out the door, know ahead of time where you'd like to look.  This is especially handy when shopping for lots of gifts for multiple people (like around the holidays).  Brainstorm a few minutes ahead of time to create a list of what you'd like to pick up.  Make a grocery list based on what recipes you'd like to make before your next trip to the store.  Make a gift list during holiday time with who to buy gifts for, ideas of what you might like to purchase and the price range you're looking to stay within.  Now, where will you have to go to find these things?  Can you pick them up at the corner store or local drug store?  Do you need to stop by a  specialty shop for something hard to find or locally made?  Make a master list of stops that will need to happen.

Now we know what we're getting and where we're going to get it.  Let's make the trip as easy as possible.  Map out the route you'll take from when you leave the house until when you return.  Make sure you don't make loops around yourself while you're out there.  One large loop is best.  However, keep traffic congestion and construction in mind if you're driving.  Find out what store hours are, especially if you're venturing out in the early morning, late evening or during the weekend.  If you're traveling by public transportation, use an online system to help map out the best route for each stop.  (If you are traveling by public transportation, also keep in mind how much you can carry in one trip!)  You might also want to make sure you have any coupons or gift cards with you that you think you might use on this trip out.

There are two other things to keep in mind when it comes to shopping:  making returns and the ease of shopping online.

If you're making any returns in this trip, here's what you need to know before you go:
- Do you have/need the receipt to return this item?
- Do you have/need the original packaging for this item?
- Is the item still eligible for return?
- Have you included the store on your route?
- Have you put it in the car/bag you're taking with you???

Now, online shopping.  It's great, and it's a trap all at once!  People can spend hours and hours browsing around online.  Don't!  Stick to the websites you know you love or that come highly recommended.  Have an idea of what you're looking for ahead of time, like when making any shopping list.  Make sure sites are secure before you purchase anything.  And, finally, give yourself a time limit!  This should be similar to the amount of time you'd be willing to be running errands outside the confines of your computer.  For some, online shopping is perfect: it's quick, it comes to you and there's no getting out of your pajamas.  For others, there's nothing better than being able to see the packaging and trying it on in person.

So, no matter which way you choose to purchase goods, just remember one thing: let me know when there's a great sale!

Closets Full of Clothes!

The holidays seem to be peaking around the corner.  It's pretty common that around winter holidays, many people buy or receive some new clothes. With that in mind, it's probably time to weed some things out of your closets (and dressers) to make space for those new clothes, new styles, and eventually, a new year.

What pieces to you actually wear?  Most women (and many men) keep "someday" clothes.  "Some day I'll be this size again."  Maybe.  Probably not.  Unless you are currently working to change your body size, realistically assess how long it has been since you fit into that size.  A month?  Okay, maybe you should hang on to some pieces for a while.  A year?  Time to say goodbye.  Chances are, if you are that size again, fashion will have changed.

"Someday I might need a piece like this."  Perhaps.  Again, be honest with yourself.  How long since you've needed a formal gown?  Since your career changed, have you ever worn a business suit?  And so on.

Make sure the items you're keeping are comfortable and fit how you'd like them to.  Ask yourself if you wore it this season or remember wearing it last season.  If an item from last winter still has the tags on it, you should probably donate it.  Same with things new from this past summer.  If you have pieces that need repairs or dry cleaning and you haven't had the motivation to fix it, donate them.  If it's been ___ amount of time since it needed attention, it hasn't been priority enough or fit into your lifestyle to care for it.  Pass it along to someone else who might like to give attention to this item.

Once clothes are donated and space created, set up the new closet!  Group like items.  This could be by season (winter, summer) or by style (tanks, long sleeves, pants, skirts, dresses).  You know how you dress, so you can set it up however it makes sense to you.  Some prefer to color code as well.  I like to do this within the categories.  For example, color code the tanks, then color code the dresses separately.

Other items: make sure there's a particular place to keep accessories: shoes, hats, belts, scarves.  These items all need a home to live, as well.  Don't forget to have a bag or hamper available for laundry and dry cleaning.  Feel free to use baskets, bins and the like to help catch these loose ends.


And, of course, get things off the floor!  That's how those piles get started!  Hang things up.  Fold them on shelves or in drawers.  Get shoe racks or bins.  Now, you're ready to dress for all those holiday parties!

Tiny Spaces, Big Ideas

I was inspired by an article from Real Simple Magazine I read recently.  It had some interesting ideas about how to make the most of small spaces - especially great for those in studio apartments, city living and small offices.

The first idea I liked was about arranging furniture.  Most people like to shove furniture up against the walls to maximize floor space.  However, this often breaks the natural flow of the room.  Think about using a couch, desk or table as a room divider or partition.  Look at some great examples from William Paid:


The third page of the article offers two great tips, that I suggest often to those I work with:
1) Go vertical!
2) Use multi-tasking furniture.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, use the wall space you've already got.  Most people ignore their eight foot ceilings for three or four foot shelves.  And, leave boxes of books, knick-knacks and the like stored away, with no room to display them. Another blogger, has a great design example of using her vertical space:
Multi-tasking furniture is pretty common now.  For example, an ottoman that doubles as storage for games or movies.  A trunk that holds linens, but doubles as a coffee table.  These pieces act as furniture, but also work as storage.

The fourth tip in the article is one that many organizers work within, but most people never think of on their own: Make your space work for you.  The example given is that if you don't eat in your kitchen, there's no need for a table in it; use the space to better suite your needs.  I saw a fantastic example of this in Time Out Chicago's September 6 article about living in incredibly small apartments in the city.  This gentleman put his bed in the kitchen, because that's where it made sense for him.  Not too common to keep the bed in the kitchen, but it fits perfectly and works for him.

Keep in mind, chances are you have enough space to make the place livable.  There might need to be some purging of things you no longer need, and some rearranging of what you know you love.  But, we can always make it work!

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