Make It Organized!

A New Year ~ A Fresh Start: It’s Time to Get Organized!.

Jacquie Ross — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 11:01:46 +0000

It’s a New Year and time to recharge and set some new goals. Getting organized is on many people’s list of New Year’s resolutions. If getting organized is one of your goals, you need to have a plan. Begin by writing down the rooms or areas you need to organize and decide when you’re going to start. Then figure out the areas you can do yourself and what you need help with.

If you are living in a lot of clutter, enlisting the help of a friend or hiring a professional organizer can move you closer to your goal a lot faster. A professional organizer will also educate you on the principles of organizing and implement systems that fit into your lifestyle. This is an important step in the organizing process because the systems you have in place will help you to maintain order in your home, so that you won’t have to reorganize the same space a few months later.

The general rules of organizing involve sorting, purging and placing items into containers or specialty organizers. Don’t forget to keep similar items together and in a convenient place. After you have sorted and purged, shop for organizers to help you set up your new systems.

Happy New Year!

Shop for organizers for your kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, laundry, kids, office or closet at Home Storage Warehouse.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers and Maryland Association of Professional Organizers, she teaches homeowners how to reclaim their time and space, and offers Time Management workshops to businesses to maximize productivity. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.

Organizing Your Holiday Décor So That You Can Find it Next Year!

Jacquie Ross — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 12:03:17 +0000

Do the boxes and containers storing your holiday decorations blend in with everything else in your attic or basement, resulting in confusion as you sort through various unrelated items when it’s time to trim the tree? This year, instead of storing your lights, ornaments, knick-knacks and garland in cardboard boxes, invest in containers especially designed for holiday décor.

What’s great about these specialty containers is that they are usually trimmed with red, green or gold and are specially shaped or sized for most holiday décor. Some even include organized dividers for smaller ornaments and breakables. You can find organizers for almost any holiday décor, including tree ornaments, gift wrap and wreaths. Here are a few to consider:

Find these and more at http://www.homestoragewarehouse.com/holiday-organizers-c-221_307.html

Stocking Filler Ideas for your Organizationally Challenged Family Member!

Jacquie Ross — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:47:21 +0000

A classic picture of Christmas is a group of holiday stockings hung by the fireplace. It is also a wonderful family tradition. It’s so much fun to see the excitement in a child’s face as they learn what Santa has hidden for them on Christmas morning, in their own personal stocking!

Christmas stockings aren’t only for children! Every member can have their own. Stockings can be filled with fun, whimsical or sensible gifts, or simply filled with candy. For your organizationally challenged family member, consider including a gift that can help them stay organized. Don’t know what to give? Here are a few stocking filler ideas with an organizational twist:

Click here to shop for these and other holiday organizing gift ideas and products.

Getting Organized for a Holiday Road Trip

Jacquie Ross — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:12:51 +0000

Will you be taking a road trip to visit family members during the holidays? Getting ready for the holidays can be stressful enough, without the added stress of a road trip. When traveling during the holiday season, it’s even more important to be organized, so that you’re not running around at the last minute. Here are a few basic tips to get ready, be organized and be on time!

• Write a list of everything that needs to be done before you leave, including gift buying, bills to pay, snacks to bring for the road, etc.

• Arrange for the post office to hold your mail and temporarily stop newspaper deliveries for the duration of your absence, or ask a trusted friend or neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers.

• Get organized and purchase all holiday gifts early so that you can focus on preparing for your trip during the week of your departure.

• Purchase sample sizes of toiletries you regularly use, or pick up small plastic refill bottles to use for travelling and overnight stays.

• Check your tires to make sure they are properly rotated and inflated and service your car, if necessary.

• Pick up maps and plan your route at least a few days before your trip, so that you can estimate your time of arrival. Allow extra time for breaks on route.

Finally, try to pack light. More weight in your car results in more gas because it has to work extra hard. Travel organizers can help and are designed to help you to pack less and stay organized.

Check out some travel organizers here.

Organizing Tips to Prepare for Your Holiday Party

Jacquie Ross — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:03:24 +0000

Now that Thanksgiving is over and you’ve recovered from the overcrowded Black Friday sales, it’s time to get ready for the party you’ve been planning to have this holiday season. Don’t wait until the last minute to plan your menu and decorate your home for the holidays. However, before you decorate, you may need to declutter! Now is the perfect time to take a good look at your home and decide on how you would like things arranged and organized on the big day. Unless you’re fortunate to have abundant space, you may need to move some things around and even remove some items to accommodate all of your guests. Here are a few tips to get organized as you approach the day of your holiday party:

1. Mail your invitations 2-4 weeks before the party

2. Plan your menu at least 2 weeks before the party

3. Begin decluttering your entertaining areas, one space at a time

4. Make sure you have enough serving platters and an area to serve beverages

5. If families are invited, clear an area for children, so that they feel comfortable

6. Decide on furniture arrangement before the day of the party

7. Decorate your home for the holidays for a festive touch

8. Follow-up with guests who have not responded at least 4 days before the party

9. Begin preparing menu items that can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator or freezer. You’ll be so glad you did!

On the day of the party, if you were able to get most of these tasks done, you’ll feel far more organized and ready for your guests. Click here to see some kitchen and bar organizers for entertaining.

Countdown to the Holidays: Organizing Gift Ideas for Children & Teens

Jacquie Ross — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:50:33 +0000

Getting children and teens organized can be a challenge! We can help them, but they have to want to be organized, in order to stay organized. Sometimes, if they have cool or pretty organizers to store their toys and belongings, they may feel more motivated to keep their rooms tidy.

I recommend that you purchase a favorite toy or item they want and present it in an organizing product. For example, pick up a colorful storage cube and place the actual gift inside. An idea for an older teen girl, is to place a toiletry (bubble bath, lotion etc.) or make-up gift inside a cosmetic or bath organizer.

For my children, after they have opened and played with their gifts for a while, I discuss with them ways to keep them organized. Their items should have a place, just like anything else in the house and it teaches them that they can’t just leave their things lying around. If you don’t have containers, this is the time to figure out what you need and make a note to purchase them in the following few weeks, if possible. Happy organizing!

Click here to shop for kid’s gifts at HomeStorageWarehouse.com.

For Gift Certificates click here.

Countdown to the Holidays: Organizing Gift Ideas for Teachers, Co-workers and Friends

Jacquie Ross — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 23:19:46 +0000

Gift shopping can be quite stressful for acquaintances you respect, but maybe don’t know that well. For instance, teachers certainly deserve to receive a gift of thanks during the holidays, but what do you buy? One thing I’m sure of is that teachers do like to be organized and would appreciate anything that will help them to get organized.

For friends and co-workers, think about conversations you may have had regarding their home, car or other personal items. You can learn a lot about their likes and dislikes, helping you to think of gifts they may appreciate.

Here are a few ideas, all different, that can help you to brainstorm ideas for your teachers, friends or co-workers. This is an area I would recommend that you buy early, so that you don’t have to rush out at the last minute and spend more than you had originally intended.

Click here to shop for great gifts at HomeStorageWarehouse.com.

For Gift Certificates click here.

Countdown to the Holidays: Organizing Gift Ideas for Dad

Jacquie Ross — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 18:06:59 +0000

Do you struggle with what to get dad this holiday season? Another year of socks and ties is going to get old. Although they might not want to admit it, dads do like to be organized too.

Let’s take a look at some cool gift ideas that dad will appreciate.

Click here to shop for these and other great gifts for the men in your life.

If dad doesn’t mind doing the shopping himself, you could also get him a gift certificate. Select the amount that fits your budget.

HomeStorageWarehouse.com guarantees the lowest possible product pricing, if you find an identical item lower than us, we will beat the final price, including shipping, by 10%.

Countdown to the Holidays: Organizing Gift Ideas for Mom

Jacquie Ross — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:49:04 +0000

Most moms are so busy juggling career, family and other responsibilities that they find themselves in a constant struggle to stay organized. This holiday season, why not treat mom to a holiday gift that she will appreciate and is practical too? There are many gift ideas that are attractive and will help to control the chaos of everyday life. With a gift that helps mom stay organized, she can also reclaim a little more time for herself.

Here are a few gift ideas to help mom get organized.

Click here to shop for these and more organizing gifts for mom.

Not sure what to choose? Purchase a gift certificate and let mom pick the gift she might never have purchased for herself!

Everything on sale at HomeStorageWarehouse.com to help you get organized for the coming fall season. Plus an ADDITIONAL 10% off all sale prices. Use Coupon Code FALLSAV8

Organized Entertaining: Safely Organize & Store Your Fine China

Jacquie Ross — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:33:58 +0000

If you entertain regularly and use special china for your guests, you may have a few pieces on display with the remainder put away, due to limited space. It’s important that you store your china with care, especially if you have heirloom pieces or the china is expensive to replace. This is particularly important if you have inquisitive children who may decide to play pretend with your fine china!

Stacking the china in a location that may get bumped or moved around is risky. China Storage Boxes are the answer to this problem, since they are especially made for fine china and will protect it from bumps, resulting in unsightly chips or scratches.

China Storage Boxes come in all sizes, for dinner plates, salad plates, saucers and more, and can be stashed away quickly and easily until you need them for your next occasion.

For more information on these China Storage Boxes, click here.

Jacquie Ross is a Maryland based Professional Organizer, writer and owner of CastAway the Clutter! Jacquie has been writing for Home Storage USA since 2007. A member of the National Association of Professional Organizers, she teaches homeowners and businesses how to reclaim their time and space. Jacquie can be reached at jacquie@castawaytheclutter.com. Visit CastAway the Clutter to sign up for her free organizing tips at www.castawaytheclutter.com.