WELCOME
|
Each
month in this newsletter I share organizing tips to use in your home.
Try some projects by yourself or ask for help from my friendly
professional team.
We have great ideas for improving the use of all sizes of spaces.
Happy Organizing!
Pierrette Ashcroft
|
|
Pierrette
Ashcroft, founder of getOrganizedDC, has more than 20 years of business
experience organizing events and providing innovative solutions in
homes and offices. In 2007, she was in the first group to receive
credentials as a Certified Professional Organizer, CPOÆ, earning her a
top distinction in the organizing industry. She continues her education
and training and in 2009 became a Certified Relocation and Transition
Specialist (CRTS™). As a Senior Move Manager she takes the worry and
work out of the moving process by helping seniors and their families
with their needs for a seamless and successful transition.
In
2009 she also completed training to become a certified home stager. She
can help you prepare your home for sale and use her design skills to
create a beautifully organized new home.
To learn more, call or write for a free telephone consultation at: 202.537.9705 or pierrette@getorganizeddc.com. Or visit our Web site.
The
hardest part of organizing is developing an attractive plan. We are
happy to help you with any challenges, large or small. Expect efficient
and reliable service from our team, who promise to keep your personal
information confidential. Read what our clients are saying about us.
|
|
|
PLANNING REDUCES STRESS
|
|
Family Holidays
 The holidays are supposed to be a time for family and celebration, but they often instead bring stress and anxiety.
Planning and taking control of your activities are the keys to lowering your stress level during this hectic month.
First, talk to your family about what is important
to them about the holiday season. Set priorities and make choices about
how you will spend your time and money based on what is meaningful and
makes you all happy.
Keep family expectations realistic, and focus on what works for your family.
Schedule activities
on your calendar and keep notes about your holiday plans. Include
things like your to-do list, decorating plans, gift ideas, holiday-card
mailing lists and recipes.
Shop online or from catalogs. You will save time and avoid the stress of crowds in the mall. Use gift bags and tissue for a quick wrapping solution.
Simplify your holiday decorating. Be creative and delegate.
A holiday meal with extended family will be more manageable if you ask everyone to bring a dish. An alternative is to order from a favorite restaurant or caterer.
It is okay to say 'no'.
Simply say "sorry, that doesn't work for me at this time." You can
offer an alternative activity or time that works with your master
holiday plan.
Exercise is an important element to reduce stress. Schedule regular times each week.
Remember it's the time and experiences you share with family and friends that will create the memories you will cherish. |
Share this newsletter with friends and family who will find it useful.
|
|
ASK PIERRETTE:
|
|
Getting A Grip on Your Magazines
Question:
What do I do with all my magazines? I have piles in every room of my home.
 Pierrette:
Magazines
rank high on the list of space intruders. Start by gathering ALL the
magazines throughout your home. Decide before sorting that every issue
older than 1-3 months will go. If you didn't have time to read it two
months ago, you aren't going to have time in the future.
Recycle or give away the older editions to friends, neighbors, your doctor's office or a nursing home.
If there is an article in an older issue that you still want to read - tear it out
and place in a folder or large envelope. Carry this with you so when
you are in a waiting room or carpool line you can catch up on your
reading.
Don't renew subscriptions that aren't being read and resist the temptation to buy magazines at the grocery checkout.
Designate
an area or container (maybe a basket) to hold your current
magazines and don't let it overflow. Purge old issues on a monthly
basis.
|
A TEACHING MOMENT
|
|
Taming the Toys
 Are there rooms in your home that resemble a daycare center?
Organizing
is a learned skill, so this is a great opportunity to give your
children a talent that will serve them throughout life.
Designate a place to play - without it the toys will undoubtedly continue to take over your home.
Get
the kids involved in the process. Ask them to help divide the toys into
categories: Legos, dolls, trucks, games, etc. They are more likely to
keep up the system if they've played a part in the organizing.
As you sort, remove broken and outgrown toys and those not played with. Encourage your children to give away old toys.
Proper
toy storage is key to keeping things in order. It should be at a level
low enough where children can retrieve and replace the toys on their
own.
See-through storage containers with labels make it easy for
children to see where toys should be returned. Use pictures of contents
if the child can't read yet.
Containers are especially important for small toys or toys with tiny pieces. A dust pan is a quick pickup tool for small parts.
Rotate
toys. Store some and bring them back out a few at a time. This creates
new interest and reduces the number of toys that need to be picked up.
Show your children where everything belongs and explain the importance of putting toys in their home.
Toys will inevitably spill out of the playroom. Schedule a regular time every week to return toys to their proper home.
|
ORGANIZING SOLUTION
|
|
Dig in Your Garden, Not In Your Purse
Challenge:
Your
purse is a black hole. Stuff goes in but you can never find your keys,
ringing cell phone or business cards when you need them.
 Solution:
Insert a purse organizer from Purseket or Joey Junior.
Roomy gusseted pockets expand -- keeping everything visible and accessible.
The
stiff insert is flexible and molds to the inside of your purse -
helping to keep soft-sided bags stable - without making them look bulky.
Made of soft fabric -- choose from several colors and patterns.
Result:
Your
purse will be transformed into something efficient and useful. With
plenty of pockets to hold all your items it is easy to reach into your
purse and pull out what you need.
If you like to switch purses
frequently -- you can do it in a snap. Pull out the organizer and all
your items come with it to easily slip into your next purse.
The
organizers rings the interior of your purse creating a open area --
perfect for larger or bulky items like a wallet or water bottle.
|
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|