The Not So EMPTY Empty Nest

One of the issues that comes up with the empty nest situation is what to do with the belongings of a child who is slightly nomadic but still needs a home base to store things. I have two at the moment and I have come up with a pretty good system to keep things orderly and accessible.

The first thing I do is wrangle them to spend at least half a day with me systematically going through their items and sorting into piles of keep, donate, and archive. I like to use The Container Store’s Deep Sweater box for clothing and larger items, and their regular Sweater Box for smaller things. Labeling with a label maker is essential to the process which makes it much easier to locate specific items. We then put the bins in a closet of their designated room, and then archival items we place in our storage room. It goes without saying that this process requires occasional editing and more purging.

We have found that this process makes it easy for them to either call me from the road and send them certain items, or when they do return they have a much easier time finding that flannel shirt they love.

Written By: Leslie Dietrich, Project Manager, Professional Organizer

The Art Of Organizing

You know how sometimes you walk into a house and it just feels good? People remark on how it has “great energy?” That simply doesn’t happen when you walk into a space that’s messy, chaotic, or overflowing with clutter. The energy is stale, and you feel off-balance the minute you open the door.  

At Organization & Relocation we spend our days increasing people’s productivity by organizing their homes and offices or relocating them--sometimes across town, sometimes across the country. We recommend movers, oversee the move (from pre-move purging to organizing the new space), make the beds, and hang the art. We make packing paper and moving boxes magically disappear. 

Throughout this the house becomes a home and the office becomes a place you look forward to spending time in. We want our clients to walk in, sit down, and feel that everything is in its place. We are committed to taking the stress out of the process and setting up organizational systems that work for them. Our motto is, “It’s all in the details,” because the art of creating a beautiful space that has only what you need and use comes down to the little things.  

However, organizing is not just about making sure everything is properly put away. It’s about creating beauty and sanctuary within a space. Even if you consider yourself among the creatively challenged, here are a few habits you can incorporate into your everyday life that will make organizing the kind of art you can master:

• The Lifestyle Change: If you have less stuff, it naturally follows that you have less stuff to organize. Are you keeping that vase from Grandma just because it was hers even though you can’t stand it? When making a purchase, consider why you are buying it and whether you really need it. Be thoughtful.

• The Art of Purging: Grab two trash bags, and walk around your house for 10 minutes. Label one bag “donate” and the other “trash.” Do you have piles of pens you never use because you make notes only on your phone? Do you have six spatulas but hardly ever cook? Be ruthless.

• The Burning Questions: Ask yourself these three things when purging: Do I use it? Do I love it? Do I appreciate it? If you don’t get a resounding yes to any of them...get rid of it. Make room for things in your life that you really want. Be honest.

• The Beauty of Colorizing: Use the same hangers, whichever style works for you, and organize clothes by genre and color from white to black along the color wheel to make each closet a work of art. Be detailed.

• The Art of Art: Hang your art so that the center of the piece is 60” from the floor. Many people hang it too high, believing that it makes the room feel bigger. Your room will feel balanced, and the piece will show better. Be precise.

• The Clutter-Free Home: Clear your surfaces and containerize, label, and vertically store meaningful items you absolutely must hang on to. Be selective.

I believe that organizing is a lifetime process, not a one-time event. You don’t have to devote an entire weekend to a massive project. Use ten minutes here, twenty minutes there. Do one drawer, one cabinet, one closet at a time. Try to impose order and beauty where there was none before.

As van Gogh pointed out, “Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” That’s the true art of organizing; focusing on the details so the masterpiece can be revealed. 

Happy Organizing!

The Older You Get, The Less Stuff You Need

I cannot seem to remember exactly where I heard this, but I recently read an article that made me think about the elderly and how much “stuff” they hold onto and why they should let most of it go. In order to achieve this necessary step in downsizing, you will need to identify what items bring you happiness and in order to achieve this, you will first need to define what makes you happy.

One thing I read was that when elderly people begin downsizing their belongings, they should not only hire a professional organizer to help facilitate this transition, but they should also keep a memory box/container of items that is known as their “throw out” box. As sad as it sounds, we all are going to eventually pass away and when that time comes, we don’t want our families to have to go through all of our belongings while trying to mourn their loss, so why not make it easier for them to enjoy the happy memories? This idea of the “throw out” box is as simple as it sounds - make a box dedicated to items/memories that only you, yourself, hold onto because of personal feelings or reasons you never shared with anyone else, that way when you are no longer with us, that will be the one box that your family knows won’t hurt your feelings if they just threw it out!

Also, another good tip would be to create bins for each person whom you want your belongings to live with :)

Whether your next phase in life is downsizing into a smaller home, moving into assisted living, or passing away - you shouldn’t have to worry about all of your “stuff” weighing you down!

Written by: Lindsay Gomez, Professional Organizer

Prepare your Home for Fall with these 4 Tips

With Fall just around the corner, it's time to prepare your home for colder weather. Don't have time? Or feeling overwhelmed with clutter? Not to worry, give us a call at  303-448-9966 and schedule a home organization refresh with one of our professional teams today!

• Beautify Your Bathroom: Avoid exposure to germs and bacteria by giving your bathroom a deep scrub before the moisture builds up with the fast approaching Fall months. 

• Check for Drafts: Use a lighted candle around doors and windows and if you see a flicker, inspect for broken or cracked seals.

• Furnace Inspection: Hire an HVAC professional to check heating efficiency, test for leaks and change the filter.

Organize the Shed: Summer filled up your shed space; time to sort, categorize, purge and organize summer gear. Move summer gear to the back and organize winter gear to the front for easy access.

Household Management Stats:

80%  of what we keep we rarely use, Agency Sales Magazine.

23%  of adults pay bills late and incur fees because they can’t find their bills, Harris Interactive.

40%  of housework can be eliminated by simply getting rid of clutter the National Soap and Detergent Association.

25%  of people with two-car garages fill it with too much stuff that they can’t park a car inside, U.S. Department of Energy.

80%  of household clutter is the result of disorganization, not lack of space, The National Soap and Detergent Association.

By: Analiese Ross, AMR Digital Marketing

What to do when the kids leave but their stuff stays?!

One of the issues that comes up with the empty nest situation is what to do with the belongings of a child who is slightly nomadic but still needs a home base to store things. I have two at the moment and I have come up with a pretty good system to keep things orderly and accessible.

The first thing I do is wrangle them to spend at least half a day with me systematically going through their items and sorting into piles of keep, donate, and archive. I like to use The Container Store’s Deep Sweater box for clothing and larger items, and their regular Sweater Box for smaller things. Labeling with a label maker is essential to the process which makes it much easier to locate specific items. We then put the bins in a closet of their designated room, and then archival items we place in our storage room. It goes without saying that this process requires occasional editing and more purging.

We have found that this process makes it easy for them to either call me from the road and send them certain items, or when they do return they have a much easier time finding that flannel shirt they love.

Written By: Leslie Dietrich

Five Ways to Get your Kids Organized and Prepared for a Successful School Week!

1. Keep a Family Calendar – encourage your kids to write down big events, assignments and due dates on the calendar each week. On Sundays go over the events with your whole family to make sure everyone is prepared, organized and planning accordingly!

2. Sort through returned schoolwork – Take a couple minutes each Sunday to go through your children’s backpacks with them and remove all old/returned schoolwork, trash, and unneeded items.  We recommend purchasing a bin for each child. As you go through returned schoolwork and projects they can place the keepsakes in their personal bin. At the end of the school year, you can look through the bin and choose which pieces to keep! *Our favorite bins are from The Container Store.

3. Get ready the night before – Have your kids lie out their outfits and pack their backpacks the night before. This will help make Monday mornings run smoother for both you and the kids.

4. Routine, Routine, Routine – Creating structure and routine will help your kids get organized and stay organized! Try creating a study space for your kids and set aside a period of time after school for homework. This is a distraction-free time when everyone is focused, quiet and working. Another place where routine is essential is around bedtime. A structured bedtime routine will allow them time to unwind, relax, and prepare for the next day (this is also a great time to for them to pick out their clothes and pack their backpacks for the next day)!

5. Reward good behavior – Building good organizational skills isn’t always easy. Make sure to recognize and reward good behavior as you see fit! Once you have implemented these new strategies, encourage your kids to take initiative and begin these activities on their own, without your help! – Once they do, reward them!

Written by: Analiese Ross, AMR Digital Marketing

Moving Can be Fun!

Moving always seems to have the connotation of chaotic and stressful, but what people don't tell you is that it can all be fun and enjoyable if you get organized prior to the big move! Hiring a professional organizer to help facilitate your move will impact your life in more ways than one. Not only will you be able to be start fresh in a new home, but your mind will be reset as well, which will free up more energy for you to take on more things you enjoy and living the life you want to live!

Pre-move prep is SO important! It's simple - why pack, unpack and organize the items you don't even want or need? That's where we come in and help you go through all of your items and help you toss what you don't need in the new space!

This is one of my personal favorites, besides unpacking and organizing a kitchen, because I love getting people ready to move onto a new chapter in their lives - it is so rewarding to me!

If there’s one thing that I hear all too often after a move, it’s “Gosh, I wish we would have hired you guys to help us sort our stuff before we moved, so that we wouldn’t have paid for all this stuff to be moved and unpacked just to be gone through again and realize we didn’t even need this in the first place!”

One way that I maintain this “on-going pre-move prep” is by living in an organized space and only keeping items that I love and use often! That way - when it comes time to move, it will bring me joy and happiness to bring all of my “stuff” to a new home :)

So, who is ready to get organized for a move, now?!

By: Lindsay Fournet, Professional Organizer

Back to School Already?!

3 WAYS KIDS USE ORGANIZATION SKILLS TO LEARN

(By Amanda Morin, Understood for Learning & Attention Issues)

1. Following Directions

Following through on directions requires kids to do two things: focus on what needs to be done and come up with a game plan to do it. Both of these require mental organization and planning.

2. Literacy Learning

Literacy, requires a number of organization strategies. For kids to read books and write, they have to keep track of many things at once: characters and their relationships, plot, sequences of events, supporting details and the main idea. If your child struggles with organization she may not be able to gather all that information and organize it. Labeling organizing containers within your home is a great way to help kids learn letters and words!

3. Learning Math

Kids have to use organization skills to learn math because it’s a very organized subject. There are rules and procedures to follow all along the way. Math also involves organizing information based on relationships, such as sorting things into groups by size, color or shape.

Written by: AMR Digital Marketing // www.amrdigitalmarketing.com

Organization is a muscle to be exercised!

When I turned 30 I had my first real taste of adulting. Living in LA at the time, I was a regional manager for an upscale heath and fitness company, enjoying my first ‘big kid’ job and the bump in income that came with that.  It was what I had been dreaming of after being a poor college kid, then struggling to find my place in the workforce following that. But success wasn’t exactly as I had pictured it would be - instead of relief there was a level of stress I didn’t expect.  Money was rolling in but bills went unpaid and debt mounted, mail and important notices were lost.  I couldn’t keep up with the increasing stream of emails, voicemails and text messages that were streaming in, business or personal.  My lack of organizational skills were blowing up in my face as my work schedule became more and more demanding.  I needed help in a major way.  So I did something very LA and hired a personal assistant.  

Enter Caitlyn; my hero and organizing angel.  At the time I didn’t know I would be getting an education in organizing, nor would Caitlyn have described herself as a professional organizer, but that’s what she really was.  Caitlyn brought me into the digital world with calendars and notes, helped me purge old and unnecessary papers, and introduced me to budgeting software and automated bill pay.  The beginnings of bringing order into my life were difficult and, at first, I kept falling off the wagon.  Slowly but surely, though, I became better at keeping myself together.  I was getting stronger and stronger in my organizational habits, which was leading to a more productive and stress-free life. Now 10 years, 2 cities and a career change later, I look back and I’m so thankful I was able to learn the skills to keep myself from plunging further into stress and debt.  With the help from an outside perspective I was able develop a stronger process for order and more freedom in my life.  So begin now, and strengthen your organizational skills for maximum mental health and vitality in the long run! 

Written by: Amy Young, Project Coordinator, Professional Organizer

6 Steps to Simplify Your Space

Here are six S-I-M-P-L-E ways you can show the clutter in your life who’s really in charge.

Start - If you’re so overwhelmed that you don’t know where to begin, try starting with one small area that haunts you the most--a section of kitchen counter, a small drawer.

Integrate - Pick up five things, and return them to their proper location. These should be items you’re used to seeing deposited on counters or floors; mail, the dog’s leash, your daughter’s hair clip, random sport socks. If you don’t have a designated place for them, think about one that would suit, and start using it all the time.

Maybe - Give yourself the gift of a “Maybe” box that you can put things in for now. Sometimes, even though we know we should get rid of something, we can’t quite let it go. Look at the random selection you’ve kept a few months down the road--chances are it will all go straight to donation.

Purchase Wisely - Be a more conscious shopper so that you’re not filling your decluttered home with more clutter. Whenever you see something you want, add it to an ongoing list with the date you first saw it, and then revisit the list 30 days later. You may find when you check back that the urge to purchase it has gone.

Lessen – studies show that less visual clutter leads to less overwhelm.  Only display items that are beautiful to you or that bring back a wonderful memory.

Eliminate - Just get rid of these things--I mean, seriously: why are you keeping them? 

6 ITEMS TO PART WITH TODAY!

• Ø  Trash

• Ø  Broken items

• Ø  Duplicates                                       

• Ø  Items you hate

• Ø  Gifts you never bonded with

• Ø  Any gadget unused for a year

Living in a cluttered home or trying to work in a cluttered office is an exercise in frustration. Car keys get swallowed up, you can’t locate your important report in time for your meeting, or you replace something you can’t find only to have the original turn up shortly after. Isn’t that the worst? Make sure that never happens again by getting clutter under S-I-M-P-L-E control... one random sport sock at a time.

Written By: Jennifer Gowler, Project Manager, Professional Organizer

Image by Chris Nyce

What "Delights" You?

What “delights” you?  Have you taken the time to ask yourself this question?  Is delight a luxury that you can’t imagine happening? Last fall we attended the Boulder Month of Modern events and the key word this year was “delight”.  It got me thinking about a few things.

1. When and how do I see delight in my clients?  It’s that look of relief when they walk into a clean, organized space that was once a dumping ground with no systems at all (or systems that got buried).  It’s that look of proudness when we are back months later for touch-ups and they realize the systems are still working and there is not a lot of work for us.  Just a quick maintenance session and they are off and rolling again.  It’s seeing them stand up taller when that weight of “stuff” is lifted off their shoulders.

2. What delights me?  Every day I am focused on what can I do to make my client’s experience delight.  That is part of my job that I love but where else do I find my delight?  I find delight in spending time with my husband, which could be hiking or maybe playing a game of cribbage.  I delight in volunteering, right now with 1st and 2nd graders.  I delight in socializing with my friends.  I delight in re-folding all my sweaters (had to through some organizing thing since I am a professional organizer 😊). 

As I started to make this list I noticed that delight is not usually found in items or possessions yet in experiences and the spaces around us. And it is not a luxury that only few people can afford.  It is accessible to all of us.  It is a feeling that we can create for ourselves in so many ways.  And a great feeling it is!  What delights you?

Written by: Jennifer Vierow Gowler, Project Manager & Professional Organizer

Child’s Memory Box, a Gift of Love

As a parent, you know there are many precious baby objects that can get lost as the years fly by, especially in the very early years.

How can we capture these items besides in a photograph?

One of our families most precious possessions is a Memory Box of our two sons baby years, check this out! 

We have a piece of their hospital blankets, first hats, shoes, toys they chewed on, hair and even teeth (!) and other prized possessions that matter to our family.

All you need to do is find an old or new printer drawer of a size to your liking. 

But, even before that, create a box or container to store items with meaning in one location. 

When ready, look back in this box and take out the best and most loved pieces and place in the printer’s drawer, you can get all sizes or have one made. 

Purchase cut plexiglass fit to size over the drawer to keep out dust and stay clean. 

Add a bit of trim and you have a FANTASTIC piece of history that your children and many generations to come will cherish.

Happy days!

By: JD Farley, Project Manager & Professional Organizer 

5 Things All Organized People Do

1. THEY ARE CREATURES OF HABIT
Organized people are consistent. They set a routine for themselves and they stick to it. This means, they do the same things at the same times every day. 

2. THEY DON'T PROCRASTINATE
Organization is best done a little bit every day. The more you procrastinate the bigger your to-do list gets and the harder it gets to accomplish each task. It's a vicious cycle. Organized people understand this and use it as motivation to stay on top of their to-do lists. 

3. THEY REDUCE CLUTTER
Organized people declutter their homes and their lives frequently. The best way to cut back on clutter is to implement a "give one, get one" rule. This means that every time you bring a new item home, you must donate an old one.

4. THEY MAKE LISTS
Organized people write everything down. They keep to-do lists, shopping lists, packing lists, and more! Writing these things down allows them to declutter their mind without worrying about missing a deadline or forgetting a meeting.

5. THEY MAKE TIME FOR THEMSELVES
Organized people set aside time for themselves every day. Even if it's only 10-15 minutes. Organized people are able to prioritize their time and create space to decompress and relax. This "me time" is essential for preventing burn out.

READY, SET, Get Organized!

After you you've decluttered, level up with these 5 tools: 

1. MATCHING HANGERS

This is one of the best investments you can make and the main ingredient of every organized closet!  Try Huggable Hangers from The Container Store.  They aren’t bulky and grip your clothes so they don’t slide off.

2. LINUS DRAWER ORGANIZERS 

These clear containers from The Container Store look great in any drawer and make it easy to see what’s inside! They also lighten the space and create a spacious uncluttered look.  We love the versatility of this line and they can be used over and over again in your current and future homes! 

3. STICKY NOTES  

When you rework your organization systems, things are bound to move around.  This is especially true if you are relocating!  Don't let the entire family open every drawer in the kitchen to find the spoons.  Label with sticky notes them until you've all acclimated to your new home!  

4. UNIFORM STORAGE CONTAINERS 

We know you.  We know you pulled out 10 different jars before you found what you were looking for.  In addition to looking good, uniform storage containers allow you to utilize your space more efficiently.  And you will find what you're looking for in a fraction of the time.  

5. SHELF RISERS

Shelf risers from The Container Store are the best solution for making sure everything is visible and accessible.  You won't use what you can't see and that is where clutter begins. These beauties are expandable so when you move you can fit them into your new cabinets and shelves, no problem!  

RELOCATING THIS SUMMER?

Let our expert staff at Organization & Relocation coordinate your move from start to finish.  Kick back, relax and don't cancel that family vacation.  Contact us to today for a free consultation. 

Expert Tips to Prioritize a Clean Mind, Home, and Finances

Boulder Lifestyle Magazine Article by Camille Wilson

As daylight hours lengthen, birds return to chirping, and flowers fill the air with their sweet fragrance signaling renewal, new growth, and life.

Many use this season to clean the home, purging unwanted clothing and deep cleaning items not scrubbed, squeegeed or vacuumed since last year. What better time than spring to clean other aspects of your life as well? We asked local experts for advice on spring cleaning your mind, your home, and your finances.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR MIND

Yashoda Devi Ma and Victoria Larkins, Co-founders, The Subtle Mind

Through a wide spectrum of workshops and meditation options, visitors to The Subtle Mind find a holistic approach to developing mind, body, and energy in a space curated to be fresh and modern. Options include Vedic meditation courses, conscious living workshops, and events, kirtan, art and sound meditation.  

Co-founders Yashoda Devi Ma and Victoria Larkins both have challenging experiences in their pasts, and, through these techniques, have found it is possible to move through any discomfort—financial, emotional or physical—that show up in life.

“When we have a clear mind, we can process life at a more optimal level allowing us to live radically alive,” says Larkins. “This is living from the heart.”

The choice to clean your headspace is a matter of priority. With 1,440 minutes in a day, finding time for just two 20-minute meditation sessions should be easy. After all, this time spent reflects on all aspects of your life, helping achieve organization, creativity, and happiness—your best self.

BEGIN WITH JUST 5 MINUTES 

It is better to do something than nothing. After a week or two, slowly increase your time per session, but there is no need to exceed 20 minutes at a time.

GET COMFORTABLE 

It is best to learn meditation from an expert who can show you how to sit with your back supported on a couch, bed or favorite chair. Close your eyes, tune into your breath and relax.

BE ACCEPTING 

Thoughts are always a part of meditation. Know that it is part of the process, but don’t try to do anything. Practicing the act of accepting your thoughts and letting them go will translate into life, and you’ll be able to manage things that come your way better.

BE CONSISTENT 

Judge your practice not by what happens while your eyes are closed, but as you navigate your days. With consistency, you’ll soon find you are more accepting, organized, focused, and happy.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR HOME

Sheryl Hadley, Organization & Relocation, Inc.

Organized physical space leads to a more focused and enjoyable lifestyle, according to Sheryl Hadley, owner of Organization & Relocation, Inc., a professional organization and moving preparation service. After 13 years in the business, Hadley has seen the astounding positive changes in a family’s or business’ happiness and efficiency after they choose to get organized.

A firm believer that beauty and efficiency are essential complements to each other, Hadley—a member of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals since 2005 and past president of the Colorado chapter for two years—says of any organization system, “If it doesn’t look good, it’s not going to function well!”




AVOID GETTING OVERWHELMED 

Set aside 10 minutes to walk around with a bag collecting things for donation. Doing this weekly or monthly helps overcome the sense of not wanting to start a huge project if there isn’t time to finish. It also frees up mind space to focus on your priorities.

THINK BEFORE ADDING ANYTHING NEW 

Whether it’s a pretty vase or something larger, before bringing anything new into the home, ask yourself if it is worthy of taking up physical and mental space in your life. Ask, “Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it?” Skip or immediately get rid of anything that doesn’t pass this test.

IT’S OKAY TO HOLD ON 

Though minimalism is trendy, sometimes there are practical reasons to hold onto things and have them take up closet space. In the case of acquired family heirlooms, the cleaning process can be emotional and take time. By establishing this as a priority, you give yourself patience and can keep items until you’re ready to make decisions.

SPRING CLEAN YOUR FINANCES

Jennifer Egbert, Jennifer Egbert Modern Luxury

Jennifer Egbert has lived in Boulder since 1992 and worked in real estate for 16 years. Specializing in Boulder’s luxury neighborhoods, she enjoys working with clients at all price points. Valued for her trustworthiness and vast local expertise, a high ratio of Egbert’s transactions are with clients on a luxury budget—her average transaction is $2.2 million—who are looking to build in Boulder, and her knack for articulating modern architecture and design concepts helps bring her clients’ visions to fruition.

Boulder has seen among the nation’s highest equity growth in the past five years at 60 percent. Egbert enjoys helping clients build wealth through adding investment properties to their financial portfolio and advises those with the means to make the numbers work to consider this worthwhile opportunity. A longtime client spent $600,000 in down payments on condos and single family homes over a period of 12 years, and those properties are now worth $3 million.

When considering real estate investments for your financial portfolio, Egbert gives these expert tips:

LOOK AT THE LONG GAME 

Even with equity gains slowing compared to several years ago, Boulder is still well above average. Real estate investments are about building wealth over a decade or more.

USE A BOULDER AGENT 

Boulder is a sophisticated city often underestimated by outsiders. In many ways, it also has a coffee shop, handshake feel where transactions happen off-market. Agents who live in and specialize in this market are in a much stronger position to find the best fit for you.

BE WILLING TO TAKE THE PLUNGE 

Those who understand lower capitalization rates and high equity gain currently happening in Boulder will win. After researching numbers to make sure you can afford it, if your trusted real estate professional likes the deal you’ve negotiated together, be willing to go for it.

Are You Spring Ready?

With the onset of spring; now is the perfect time for a little spring cleaning and organizing. 

Follow these 3 Spring Organizing Tips:

1. An organized closet is the first step to an organizing the rest of your home. You've heard it before, take action NOW and get rid of unused clothes and accessories (there are so many people in need of clothing if you are not wearing it!) If you haven't worn it in a year, you probably never will. Organize by type & color or just by color depending on how you function. Either way, your closet will look more appealing and your everyday routine will be easier.

2. Bookshelves are a great project for an immediate impact. Start by removing all the books and determining which you are keeping or donating (hardback books are like a piece of art, paperbacks are not as pretty). Changing the way you display books or accessories is a great change of energy to your space. Clean the shelves by using a soft towel to dust each book. You can organize your books by color and organize some vertically and some horizontally in a rhythmic pattern. This will relieve the monotony of rows and give a fresh, clean, and new perspective to your room.

3. Be ruthless when it comes to decluttering; If you don't love it, and/or you don't use it, it's clutter. Spring is the perfect time to embrace the Feng Shui art of uncluttered living. Feng Shui teaches that if energy can easily flow through a room, your life will be more harmonious and happy--and clutter is an obstacle to reaching this relaxed and calm state.Make it a quest of yours to be ruthless when it comes to your decluttering efforts. You'll have less to dust, less clutter to look it, an easier time finding the things you do use and less stress in your life.

Spring Cleaning Tips!

"Spring has sprung, The grass is riz, Wonder where the flowers is?" Ogden Nash

Isn’t it amazing how every year after the snow melts (or sometimes before!) the same thing happens? Spring shows up again. However, where you might be seeing daffodils, tulips, and sunshine, I’m seeing cobwebs, dust bunnies, clutter, and dulled windows. That’s because this season has “spring cleaning” written all over it for me.

Organizing and cleanliness are very tightly linked. Let’s face it, if a space is dirty, no amount of organizing is going to make it look good. And while the regular cleaning we do to keep on top of the daily build-up works great, there’s nothing like a full-on swan dive into the bottomless pool of spring cleaning that really gives us the opportunity for a fresh start.

Here are ten seasonal cleaning tips that will make your house look like a million bucks - and might even make you glad you dove in for the deep clean!

Set Yourself Up for Success

• Grab a bucket or caddy and stock it with all the supplies you need before you begin; microfiber cloths, multi-surface cleaner, abrasive powder, squeegee, duster, rubber gloves, etc. Don’t ruin your momentum by having to retrieve something from somewhere else.

Break Out Your Ladder

• Start with your ladder or step stool right beside you so that you can easily and safely access tough-to-reach areas. Use an extendable pole if needed for awkward corners.

Work Top to Bottom

• Begin at the top of a room by dusting ceiling corners, light fixtures, and fans and work your way down by cleaning walls, windows, and surfaces before vacuuming up all the dust you’ve dislodged. If you do it the other way, you’ll have to vacuum twice.

Recruit the Family

• If you have kids, plan a family cleaning day where everyone has his or her job--set up a garage sale, use teams to move furniture, get everyone to purge winter clothes before they get packed away. Involving children empowers them to learn these habits at a young age. Plan a fun event at the end as a reward.

Purge, Purge, Purge

• A spring clean is a fabulous time to get rid of stuff. Pay attention to things that haven’t been used or moved since the last time you cleaned them. Bring a donate box and a trash bag into each room as you’re cleaning, and talk yourself into letting things go.  Ask yourself: Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it?

 Consider Systems

• While taking this up close and personal view of your space, think about what systems you might use to further streamline and organize. How can I best maximize the space that I have? Is there a better use for an existing piece of furniture? Use this as an opportunity to make improvements. You have more space than you think.

 Do the Things You Never Do

• Vacuum under & behind furniture. Clean the fridge. Wash or dry clean curtains, and wash or dust blinds. Break out a lint roller, and take it for a spin over the lampshades. Dust light bulbs. Clean under the beds. Wash windows. Clean tops of cupboards. Scrub light switch plates and floor vents. Look for areas that don’t get much cleaning TLC during the rest of the year, and make them your priority.

Pace Yourself

• A thorough spring clean can’t be done in a single day--especially if you don’t have extra hands helping out. Be methodical. Plan certain tasks for certain days, and do them over a couple of weekends or several evenings. Give yourself the time you need so that you don’t succumb to overwhelm.  Remember, a lot can be accomplished in thirty-minute blocks of time.

Make It Fun!

• Crank up the tunes. Listen to an audio book. Open the windows, and let the fresh air in. Have something special in the fridge to look forward to when you’re done. Do whatever it takes to keep you on task and motivated.

Take care of and take pride in your belongings.  Stay on top of scuff marks, dust, paint touch ups, loose hinges, or any small fixes as they happen.  Same goes for hiring a handyman to do any bigger jobs you don’t want to take on. Keeping things in tip-top shape in your home will save you money and time. Who doesn’t want more time these days?

Remember those spring flowers we talked about at the beginning? When you’re finished, buy yourself a massive bunch of tulips or daffodils, put them in your best vase, and set them up on your newly polished table. Then sit back in a sunbeam, and enjoy the view.

Happy Organizing--and Happy Spring!

How LUCKY are YOU to have all this STUFF?!

With St. Patrick's Day right around the corner, we encourage you to take some time to reflect and be thankful for all the STUFF we are lucky to have!  Are you managing your possessions with thoughtfulness and efficiency?  Are you feeling burdened by your belongings?  The tips to give you a jump start on appreciating what we are so fortunate to have.

3 tips to jump start control of your stuff:

1. Only keep and display what you love and appreciate.

2. Keep your flat surfaces clear.

3. Take 10 things to a donation center today!  Spread your luck!

January Home Maintenance Tips

Now is the time to go through all of your files. Who says you have to wait until the Spring to get some cleaning done?

1. Clean out your filing cabinets. Go through your 2016 files and archive what you need for taxes and shred documents which you no longer need, less clutter - the better!

2. Organize your home improvement files. Review warranties and check on recommended maintenance for your furnace and appliances.

3. Sanitize hard surfaces such as countertops, laptops, TV remotes, etc. Wash your children's stuffed animals. It's cold and flu season, after all.

Quick Tips: Controlling Kitchen Chaos!

1. Unearth Secret Storage.
Think outside the box.  Finding unique ways to use awkward spaces will help transform space that appears unusable to really useful

• Use a Lazy Susan for storing canned goods, spreads and cooking oils.

• Adjust your shelves to fit more contents.

• Upright storage for cookie sheets and cutting boards, keeping everything in sight and easy to grab by adding a couple of inexpensive tension curtain rods inside a base cabinet!

2. Customize Your Pantry.
Pantries are usually deep and awkward. Cabinet shelf dividers create more space

• Use a Hanging Shoe Holder for storing kitchen tools or snacks!

• Shelf Risers quickly help you find what you are looking for.

3. Minimize Small Appliances. 
Keep you counters clear of clutter - only keep out what you use daily.

4. Always Store Like Items Together. 
You will be surprised at how many of the same items you have, when they are all together!

5. Get Rid of Bulky Packaging. 
Clear canisters let you see what have and what you are running low on

6. Free Up Your Counter Space. 
Use hanging baskets to display fruit/vegetables, so that way you actually eat them; instead of letting them rot in the fridge or take up MORE space on your counters!

7. Hang a Rack. 
Yes, just like the ones you have in your shower - but use them on the inside of a cupboard, underneath the sink to keep dish soap and sponges handy

8. Too Many Cookie Cutters? 
Use a paper towel holder to store them!

9. Pegboards. 
Hang a sheet of pegboard, add a few hooks and Voila! You've got plenty of versatile hanging storage!

10. Designate ONE junk drawer! 
Use dividers to maximize the space and maintain organization!