Do you have a LOT of shoes and very little storage space? Are your shoes spilling out of your closet and/or shoe boxes? Do you prefer to organize with open storage? Would you like to get your shoes organized once and for all?
Think creatively and vertically! Here's how to get started ... 1. Measure the space carefully. 2. Purchase tension rods and hang them in the space. You might want to use a level to ensure that the rods are hung evenly or you can just eye-ball it and make adjustments as needed. 3. Display your shoes by color or category (business, casual, dressy, etc.) Who would have thought that all of those pretty shoes would become a work of art hanging in that tight bedroom nook? Imagine 24 pairs of fancy heels hanging on the six tension rods with 2 pairs of sandals and a pair of boots on the floor! Take a good look at your own shoe collection. Perhaps you have a yet to be discovered organizing nook in your own home, too. Enjoy! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Have you been wondering how to teach and transfer organizing skills to your child at home? Would you like your child to be able to easily manage his/her favorite books and toys in his/her bedroom? Would you like your home to be tidy when day is done?
While researching organizational supplies for children, I found this beautiful bookcase from Land of Nod. Child friendly and visually pleasing, the bookcase holds and displays a variety of books and toys and provides opportunities for your child to develop and use good organizational skills. If a new bookcase purchase is not in your budget, consider painting an old bookcase and adding a plank of wood to the front of the bottom shelf to create a tidy storage area for your child's toys and belongings. Enjoy! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com The heartfelt, thoughtful gift of organizing cherished keepsakes for and with loved ones is a beautiful gift that lasts a lifetime! Here's how to get started ...
Materials for Each Keepsake Box
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Potential Keepsake Memory Box Gift Recipients
Have a lovely time organizing keepsake, memory boxes for and with your loved ones! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Collections can look like work of arts, or they can look like piles of junk. It’s all in the presentation and preservation. The key is deciding what to keep and setting limits, while properly storing and artfully displaying your collectibles. Whether you collect Barbie dolls or Bobbleheads, you’ll want to follow these tips to keep the collection clutter-free and under control.
First off, gather together all your collectibles from one category. (If you collect multiple types of things, only tackle one genre at a time. You don’t want to be working on coins and books at the same time.) By doing this, you’ll be able to really see what you have. Some people are surprised by the volume they’ve accumulated once they see it all together. To help you sort the cherished treasures from the not-so-special others, ask yourself, “Which of my keepsakes are really worth keeping?” For example, a tea cup given to you by your grandmother may hold significantly more memories than one you picked up at a garage sale. A rare baseball card worth lots of money might hold more value than entire boxes of run-of-the-mill cards. A thoughtfully written thank-you card from a dear friend holds more sentiment than a birthday card simply signed, sealed, and delivered. Traditional organizing strategies might ask you, “When was the last time you used this?” but for collections, this question is not appropriate. Collections are not only for use, but also for simple enjoyment. Allow yourself to part with items that are doing nothing but taking up space, time, and/or money. By clearing out those that you don’t truly love, you appreciate your favorites even more. Remember, it’s okay to let go of things, even if they were gifts from loved ones. You’re not throwing away their love; you’re just making room for more! Once you’ve chosen what items to discard, find good homes for them. You’ll feel better knowing someone else is enjoying your cast-offs. Round up your family and friends and let them choose their favorites. Donate to your local library, women’s shelter, elementary and high schools, or even Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Sell valuable things to specialty stores or on eBay. And then maintain this new, manageable amount by following the in/out rule: For each new item brought home, an old one must go. Remember, the less you keep, the more likely that everything in your collection will be meaningful and loved. Don’t be afraid to give or throw things away. Decide on a space to display the collection, and confine it to that area only. By doing this, you’ll help limit yourself a bit. (As you probably know, collections can sometimes get out of control!) You’ll want to display if you have room, if items can be kept safe while on display, and if you really like them enough to look at every day. Before you designate a display area, you’ll need to know how much space your collection takes up. Do you need a shelf or an entire bookcase? Make things look like they belong together by grouping things with similar color, shape, and size. Watch for excess. When collections turn into hoarding (for example, hundreds of butter tubs, years’ worth of old newspapers, or thousands of books) it may be time to call in a professional organizer who specializes in chronic disorganization. The rest can be stored. For safe storage of remaining items, keep them away from light, heat, extreme cold, and humidity. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Getting organized is a multi-faceted process and it takes time. Remember that the clutter and chaos that you are tackling did not appear overnight but rather represents days, weeks, months and in many cases years of accumulated personal history.
Enjoy these three inspirational quotes as you celebrate your wonderful progress and success. You are well on your way to creating harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. Well done! "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." -C.S. Lewis "It's easier to be happy when you are not surrounded by the confusion and clutter of life." -Anonymous "The best way to get something done is to begin." -Anonymous Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com Do you know that the 2016 Astronomical Spring (Northern Hemisphere) begins on Sunday, March 20? Isn't that exciting ... spring officially begins in three weeks! Old Man Winter and Mother Nature may still have a few last minute wintery surprises in store but the robins are back and the first blooms of spring are starting to appear in the yards and gardens about town!
With 19 days to go until spring officially arrives, there's no time like the present to tackle your organizational challenges. Start small ... one shelf, one drawer, one box. Remember that success builds success and as my great grandmother once said, "Inch by inch, it's a cinch!" Every day is a great day to get organized and to create harmony and balance in your life and surroundings. As you organize and bid adieu to winter and welcome spring, treat yourself and your loved ones to beautiful bouquet of tulips and/or your favorite blooms. Namaste! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366, www.energizeandorganize.com |
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