 If you have brand new and/or like new clothing that you would like to sell, do a bit of research and make a few calls to your local consignment shops. (Some consignment shops specialize in particular items so it is always best to call ahead and check if the consignment shop accepts what you have to sell.)
Most consignment shops accept clothing that is coming into season on the following schedule ... Mid-February: accept Spring/Summer clothing Mid-August: accept Fall clothing End of September/Early October: accept Winter clothing Don't despair if you miss a consignment shop seasonal deadline. Simply label and store your consignment shop clothing until the seasonal cycle returns. If you simply want your unwanted clothing out of your home, consider donating the items to a local charity who will gladly pay them forward to those in need. Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com
 Over the course of several months (which often becomes many years), off-site storage fees can easily total hundreds and thousands of dollars! Putting decision making on hold quickly adds up to a huge financial responsibility.
If you are renting a storage site (or two) think carefully about the items that you are storing and ask yourself why you are holding on to them. There is no time like the present to reevaluate what you really need to keep and what you are ready to let go to individuals and organizations that are in need. Of course there are temporary times of transition when using a storage facility makes good sense. The key to success is to make sure it's a temporary arrangement, not a long-term decision making postponement! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here are take action, get organized tips for you!
Is your purse or bag needing a makeover? Dump everything out and toss expired coupons, old receipts, scraps of paper and used tissues. Then, use a small, see-through pouch to hold personal items (lip balm, comb, bandages, dental floss, etc.) Keep an envelope for current coupons and receipts. And keep your wallet, checkbook and keys in a handy, easy-to-reach spot. © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  "The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing."
-Walt Disney "Don't agonize, organize." -Florynce Kennedy "The power to make and keep commitments to ourselves is the essence of developing the basic habits of effectiveness." -Stephen Covey Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Problem: Have you ever had your raincoat, jacket, or fleece taken by mistake in a public place?
Solution: To prevent "mistaken identity", hang up your overcoat with the top button closed. When someone accidentally reaches for your overcoat, the extra time it takes to unfasten the button will bring attention to the fact that they are reaching for a coat other than their own. Remember to turn the hangar in the opposite direction of all the other hangars, too. Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Spring is in the air and summer is just around the corner. Here on the Cape, many residents are busy readying their homes to welcome the first of their summer visitors arriving this Memorial Day weekend.
Do you have quite a few books scattered here and there throughout your home? Take a few minutes to gather, sort and categorize your books by genre, size, color, paperback, hardback or whatever suits you and your bookshelf space. Next, gather the books you no longer want to keep and drop them off at your local library for the Friends booksale. Your book donations will be most appreciated! Your guests will enjoy browsing and selecting a fine read from your organized literary collection. They will have a great time relaxing with a good book in your yard, garden and by the beach. How divine! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Question: Do you ever feel as though you spend a LOT of time preparing meals for yourself, your family and/or your guests?
Answer: Triple your recipes, serve one for dinner and freeze the other two. Repeat for a week and you will have two weeks of delicious, homemade meals to made ahead and ready to serve! Just think of the free time you will have to pursue other interests and pleasures! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Problem: Have you ever found yourself locked out of your home, garage, shed, car, truck, cottage, gym locker or more? Keys have a funny way of going missing, often at the least opportune time.
Solution: To set your mind at ease, make and give a spare set of keys to a family member, close friend and/or your neighbor. Should you ever need assistance with an unexpected lock out, you'll be delighted that you are so well organized! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here are a few take action, get organized tips for you!
Avoid confusion and foster accountability in the bathroom. Assign each family member a color for toothbrushes and towels. Give each person a drawer or storage bin for personal items. Toss expired medicines and cosmetics, tattered towels and duplicate hair styling appliances. And finally, maintain order by scheduling time to organize on a regular basis. © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com   Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
Stash a few stamps in your wallet so you always have some at-the-ready when you are out and about. There's nothing worse than having to wait in a long line at the post office just to buy one stamp! © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
When shopping for end tables, coffee tables, or benches, be sure to look for those that have storage inside. That way, you utilize not only the space on top, but also the space inside or underneath. © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Question: Do you know that there is a company that accepts donations of worn bridal gowns for women in uniform, fiances of servicemen and military brides?
Answer: Visit www.bridesacrossamerica.com for details! Brides Across America 362 N Main Street Andover, MA 01810 Email: info@bridesacrossamerica.com Phone: 877.650.3309 You, your sisters, friends, neighbors and colleagues can make a dream come true for a military bride with your wedding gown donation. Thank you to our servicemen and servicewomen and God Bless America! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  It's definitely that time of year to get your closet(s) organized! Spring and summer clothing wardrobe in, winter wardrobe out!
Question: Do you know that there are two retail stores that will accept up to 10 pairs of sneakers per person to be recycled into sports fields, running tracks, basketball courts, playground surfaces and products? Answer: Visit Nike for details! Visit this Youtube video to learn how it's done! https://youtu.be/0WYNI5X9cWY Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  It's definitely that time of year to get your closet(s) organized! Spring and summer clothing wardrobe in, winter wardrobe out!
Question: Do you know that there are stores that will exchange your worn accessories, clothing and shoes for discounts on new purchases? Answer: Visit Ann Taylor, H&M, Levi's, Loft and North Face for details! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Problem: Do you have many family board games and little space to store them in your home?
Solution: A hanging sweater organizer fits nicely in most closets and creates a child friendly, game organizing unit accessible to the whole family! For additional family board game storage ideas, visit ... https://www.pinterest.com/explore/board-game-organization Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  My cousin Brenda and her husband Tom arrived in Falmouth this afternoon for their six week vacation here on Cape Cod. Upon arrival at their rental cottage, they discovered that the cottage was in need of a great deal of cleaning and that the owners were still in the process of cleaning up the home in preparation for their guests' stay.
That got me to thinking about the weekly business travels of my sister Linda, my brother Bob, neighbors and friends. It is well known that many hotel rooms are not especially clean ... in fact, a "dirtiest places in hotel rooms" Google search identified both expected and unexpected lack of cleanliness results. Several investigative reports indicated that "one cloth is used to wash the sink, the floor, the toilet, the cups in the room, the bathtub and do all the dusting. And, it is the same cloth that is used in all the other rooms on that floor of the hotel." Cross contamination of viruses and germs is a real problem! Real Simple Magazine has an interesting "How to Degerm a Hotel Room article at ... www.realsimple.com/work-life/travel/how-to-degerm-a-hotel-room When you arrive at your hotel room, consider using antiseptic wipes and "degerming" the following sites ... the alarm clock, bedside lamp and table, coffee machine, counters, desk, door knobs, dresser drawers and handles, light switches, mini refrigerator, phone, sinks and handles, toilet seat, toilet handle, t.v. remote... Remember that drinking glasses don't aways get washed in between guests so look for sealed glasses. If they are not in your room, wash the glasses thoroughly with soap and hot water before using them. Sleep only with the washed sheets and blankets. If practical, bring your own pillow cases and pillow as the pillows rarely get laundered and the pillow cases don't always get changed, just fluffed up! Remove the bedspread (these get cleaned very infrequently!). Check for bedbugs on and under the sheets and mattress pad! When you are packing, remember to include a "cleanliness bag" with antiseptic spray, antiseptic wipes, alcohol wipes and/or your own mini travel size preferred cleanliness supplies. When your packing is well organized, you will have just what you need to "degerm", settle in and enjoy your stay! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
The 2016 Tax Season 2016 is over for most of us! Make it a goal to make next year's tax time a breeze by getting organized NOW! Use standard file folders or large 9 x 12 envelopes to create categories. Throughout the year, add receipts and documents to the appropriate file folders. When tax time rolls around, pull out all the folders and use them as you prepare your tax documents. Or, take the whole shebang to your accountant's office. © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
Give your car a good spring cleaning. Grab a garbage bag and round up all the papers, food wrappers, and random trash under the seats. Spray down the surfaces with cleaner and polish until they shine. Vacuum out all the winter and early spring "yuck". Your car will look and smell almost like new! © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
Get the laundry under control. Designate a day (or two) each week rather than running small loads each day. Color code laundry baskets for each household member. Deposit clean, folded garments into each and have each person put away his/her own clothing. If you hate running to the dry cleaners, then it's time to stop buying dry clean only clothing! © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Would you like to bring harmony to your life and surroundings? Here is a take action, get organized tip for you!
May is Moving Month! If you are selling your house, consider "staging" it to sell it more quickly, at the best possible price. This process of neutralizing, decluttering, and beautifying allows potential buyers to picture themselves living in the house. Staging also starts the "letting go" process for the sellers, as they create a more neutral-looking home. © 2016 Posts on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  The average office worker spends 2000 hours per year at her desk. This space can either be a stressful, headache-inducing mess or a pleasant, easy-to-maintain oasis. Use these tips to create a blissfully organized office.
Corral periodicals. Magazine files will neatly hold newsletters or trade periodicals, making for easy reference and reduced desk clutter. Use binders. These 3-ring helpers are perfect for filing things you reference frequently because they’re easy to locate and page through, they hold a large volume of papers, and they are easy to maintain. Label it. Use a dark marker or label maker to label all file folders and binders. This makes the process of “putting away” and retrieval so much easier. Tidy up. At the end of every day, clear your desktop, review tomorrow’s schedule, and update your to-do list. Tomorrow is sure to be a success! © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  The average office worker spends 2000 hours per year at her desk. This space can either be a stressful, headache-inducing mess or a pleasant, easy-to-maintain oasis. Use these tips to create a blissfully organized office.
Manage papers daily. Keep papers under control by dealing with paperwork on a regular basis. Whether first thing in the morning, at the end of the day, or somewhere in between, set aside 30 minutes each day so you don’t end up with overwhelming piles. For every piece of paper that you encounter, make an immediate decision to either toss it, file it, or act on it. Toss a lot. Eighty percent of what we file is never looked at again. Keep only the papers you truly need. File regularly. Make time each day to file your “keepers.” Although not your favorite task, filing as you go will probably take only a few minutes and will make your office life much less stressful and more productive. Create action files. If you can’t act on smaller tasks right away, keep them in a “quick-task to-do” file, and work on them regularly so they don’t pile up. For larger, long-term projects, put each into a separate file folder. Chunk each project into bite-size pieces. Draft a timeline with deadlines, and attach it to the inside front cover of the file. Keep key things close. Gather items that you use most frequently, and store them within easy reach of your usual seated position. Items that you use less frequently can be placed outside this area, but should still be easily accessible. For things you rarely use, consider getting rid of them, storing them outside your office, or stashing them farther away from your desk, saving your “prime real estate” for the most-used supplies. © 2016 Articles on Demand™ Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Wishing deepest well being and happiness to all the grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sisters, aunts, nieces, girlfriends, colleagues,
neighbors and friends around the world! Happy Mother's Day to YOU! Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com  Note: This Electronic Disposal Day ad appeared in the Falmouth Enterprise on Friday, May 6. The Electronic Disposal Day is TODAY, Saturday, May 7th. Thanks! Spring is a wonderful time of year to dispose of your unwanted electronics and appliances in your basements, offices and attics! These gray, rainy days are a great time to get energized and organized knowing that brilliant sunshine and fun outdoor adventures are quite nearby!
Yesterday I wrote and posted a blog about what to do with unwanted VHS tapes and DVDs. TODAY (Saturday, May 7th) band and chorus students at the Lawrence School here in Falmouth are holding an Electronic Disposal Day to raise funds for their trip to perform at the Great East Music Festival, scholarships, field trips and equipment. Gather up your old/outdated/broken computers, monitors, stereos, phones, air conditioners and large appliances this morning and head on over to the Lawrence School between 9 AM and 1 PM TODAY to support the middle school musicians. Your good deed supporting the youth of Falmouth will also help with your springtime household decluttering and organizing projects! Don't live in or near Falmouth? Check with your local Town Hall for the Electronic Disposal Day in your community! Remember, if you need assistance and support with your family life, home and/or office organization, you are cordially invited to contact ... Donna LaRoche, M.Ed., Professional Organizer Serving Cape Cod, MetroWest and Eastern Massachusetts Contact: 617.640.2366 www.energizeandorganize.com |
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