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Each month in this newsletter I share organizing tips to use in your
home. Try some projects alone or ask for help from our friendly
professional staff.
We have great ideas for improving the use of all sizes of spaces.
Cheers!
Pierrette Ashcroft |
WIRE CONTROL
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Taming Herds of Wild Cords
 One of the most unsightly things in many rooms is twisted messes of cords from many sources.
Look behind your computer desk, the entertainment center. Also, are lamp cords too long and in a pile of loops?
Start in one area. Unplug everything and untangle. Label both ends
of detachable cords for computer and TV equipment in case you have to
unplug something or move the equipment. No more accidentally unplugging
your hard drive when you need to plug in a vacuum cleaner quickly.
Bind neatly together
with plastic tubes or use a Velcro strip or wire twist tie every one or
two feet. There are attractive, covered surge protectors or small
closing boxes that conceal the plugs and organize the cords.
Belkin International makes a surge protector with a closing lid
- 11-outlet capacity, nice and neat, $50. A cheaper option is
Bluelounge Design's cablebox, which encloses most sizes of surge
protectors; in black or white, $30.
Floor Lamps
- Extra cord does not have to be piled up. There are spools that allow
extra cord to wrap around them; then a rubber or plastic cover folds
over the coiled cord, hiding the surplus.
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ASK PIERRETTE:
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How to Match Paint in Rooms?
Question:
I
recently called a painter to paint my bathroom. I wanted to duplicate
the color I used in another room but couldn't remember what brand or
color I chose. There has to be an easy way to keep track of this
information.
 Pierrette:
In
the future, tape the company paint chip inside the light switch in the
matching room. Also, add a label to the paint can with the store name,
color/color number, date and room where it was applied.
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| MISPLACED MANUALS
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A Manual To Find Your Manuals
 Your
electric outage ended, so now how do you re-program your answering
machine? You spend a half hour experimenting because you cannot find that darn manual.
For those with the discipline, download the .pdf version
of the manual when you buy a new appliance or gadget and then toss the
original. Save it on your computer under obvious names: Mac Computer
Manual, TV-HD Manual, Cell Phone Manual....
But if you
laughed at that last idea, knowing your tolerance for organizing, try
the easier way. Get a few three-ring binders with full-page clear plastic sleeves.
Group sections by categories (ie: electronics, large appliances) or
alphabetically: Cell Phone, DVD Recorder, Food Processor, Microwave ....
Keep related manuals and warranties together in one pocket with the cover name facing out.
Need
to program your DVD Recorder? Now you know where the manual is. You
still may be unable to program it, but at least you know where the
manual is.
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SCHOOL-END SORTING
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What to do with piles of paper
 The school year is ending, so many parents have piles of children's artwork and school papers and are tempted to just slide it into a storage box.
Wait!
You won't open that box again for 10 years or longer. Few have storage
space for 13 annual boxes for each child by the time they graduate.
Create a photo book
or binder for each school year that includes carefully selected photos
and papers reflecting accomplishments and memories. Shutterfly,
Snapfish and iPhoto offer photo books of about 20 pages that are
attractive.
Toss or recycle all school notices, routine homework and school handouts that are no longer relevant.
If you have a scanner
or access to one, consider scanning all the child's artwork and special
assignments to store them digitally. Take a photo of your child with
the memorable, better artwork that is too large to scan. Be
discriminating; some artwork is not worth keeping long term. If the
photo does not show the artwork adequately, also take a close-up of it.
Toss the original. Or frame the artwork and give as a gift to
grandparents. Or let your child write a note to grandparents on the
back of the art.
Store the digital photos on your computer or on labeled CDs inserted in a sleeve of your memory book.
For
those who cannot make time for a book or binder, store carefully chosen
artwork and papers in a shallow plastic tub with a lid and a label on
the end with the child's name and year.
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$50
Coupon
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To
help you decide to call in professional help, here is a $50 discount
for anyone who buys and schedules a services package of 4 hours or more
before July 1. If you do not need help but know a relative or friend
who does, buy a package as a gift certificate and get the same
discount. Organized photo albums, closets, cabinets, rooms are a great
present for a graduation, Father's Day, the newly married, newly
divorced, birthday, anniversary. One coupon per customer.
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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.
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 challenges large or small. Expect efficient and
reliable service from our staff, who promise to keep your personal
information confidential. Read what our clients are saying about us.
Enjoy your organizing projects! |
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