WELCOME
|
Each month in this newsletter
I share organizing tips to use in your home and office. 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 and helping you become more productive.
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. She is committed to continuing her education and training to
best serve her client's organizing and productivity needs.
As
part of the inaugural class to receive credentials as a Certified
Professional Organizer, CPOÆ, Pierrette earned a top distinction in the
organizing industry.
In 2010 she completed her training to
become a Certified Productivity Coach. Through her Productivity Boot
Camp she is able to increase the productivity of busy professionals. Pierrette will clear your piles of paper, overloaded inbox and cluttered life so you can be more effective in your business and career.
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.
I
love what I do and my business thrives on referrals. Please keep me in
mind if you should hear of friends, family or colleagues who could
benefit from my organizational expertise or who would like to take their
productivity to a whole new level. I'm never too busy to help them get
organized. Thanks!
|
|
|
A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING
| | And Everything In Its Place
 Planning is vital to maximize your storage capacity. Ideally we would all like to store more in less space.
What's your goal? Know what you need to store and how much you have before you start planning. Graph paper can help you to visualize the space.
Think about building in flexibility and adjustability so your storage will still be useful as your needs change.
Always measure the volume of what you need to store before you buy a container. The correct size and shape is essential.
Think vertically rather than horizontally. Flat surfaces tend to gather piles. Instead take advantage of the full height you have available.
The
things you use most often should be stored between knee and shoulder
height for easiest access. Heavy items should be stored low. Seasonal or
infrequently needed items should be stored higher up - remember to keep
a step stool handy.
Once you have implemented your storage plan remember to label where things go. This will help keep everything organized. |
Share this newsletter with friends and family who will find it useful.
|
|
PACKING FOR 10 DAYS IN A CARRY-ON
|
| Yes It Is Possible
 I just returned from a fabulous trip to Switzerland. My system for packing enabled me to fit everything for 10-days in a carry-on and a purse.
It all started with a detailed packing list which I customize for each trip. This assures I bring everything I need but also helps me to chose wisely.
My wardrobe was a carefully planned selection of mix-and-match, wrinkle resistant outfits. The space saving technique was using packing cubes.
I laid out all the clothes flat in one stack and folded them as one to
fit in a cube. You would be amazed how much I can pack this way.
Shoes are bulky so I kept it to two pair. One I wore and the other I slipped in shoe bags before placing in my luggage around the edges.
I filled small refillable bottles with my usual personal care products and carried them in mesh zipper pouches. Liquids were in a ziplock bag which I could quickly slip out of the pouch to go through security.
My iPhone
served multiple functions. In addition to my calendar and address book I
downloaded podcasts of travel tours and apps with city maps - no need
to carry bulky travel books. I even loaded an audiobook to listen to on
the plane.
Each electronic gadget has its own power cord and often another cord to sync the devices. I used velcro straps to coil each cord and then stowed them in a zipper bag with lots of pouches.
On every trip I always accumulate receipts, brochures or other papers. A resealable plastic envelope is the perfect gathering spot and slips in the zipper pocket of my suitcase.
A couple super-sized zip lock bags
easily fit in the mesh pocket in case anything wet needed to be packed.
I also brought a sheet of bubble wrap for breakable purchases. This
trip it was two great lanterns to illuminate my porch and a couple of
bottles of Swiss wine.
A compactly foldable reusable shopping bag is handy for unexpected purchases that are too large for your suitcase. I carry it in my purse.
When I return from a trip I refer to my packing list and make notes. That helps me to pack more efficiently the next trip. |
A SECRET TO BEING ORGANIZED
|
| Putting Things Where They Belong
 One trait of being organized
is giving your possessions a home and then actually putting them where
they belong. Otherwise, things tend to get left out or shoved into an
overflowing closet or cabinet to hide them from a visitor's view. Both
approaches can very quickly lead to a cluttered home.
Maintenance is key
to keeping order. There are helpful tools and techniques to support
your effort to put away things before the piles build up and get out of
control.
Stair baskets
are sculpted to your staircase and give you a temporary place to stow
items that need to be brought to another floor. Get into the habit of
carrying it up or down when you make a trip and then put the things
away.
Collect dirty clothes in a laundry basket or hamper with a removable insert. It's easier to transport the bag rather than the entire hamper.
Add wall hooks
or some on the back of a closet door for clothing that can be worn
again. It's neater than a pile on a chair or even worse, on the floor.
Paper is a huge cause of clutter
and anxiety in most homes. Place a shallow box or basket by your front
door to collect mail and other papers as they come in. Make the inbox on
your desk the collection spot for papers in your office area. Set a
regular schedule to follow through with actions that are needed or with
filing.
There is no magic solution to being neat and organized. The trick is to develop the habit of regularly putting things where they belong. |
ORGANIZING SOLUTION
|
| Efficient Packing
 Challenge:
Are you embarrassed to have the TSA rummage through your suitcase
because it's a jumble of clothes, shoes and personal items? And does it
remain in the same disorder throughout your travels?
Solution:Ebags are soft packing cubes that organize your belongings within your suitcase. They have double zippers and open flat to easily pack. The web handles make it easy to grab them from your suitcase and quickly slip into a drawer when you arrive at the hotel. The top mesh panels allow ventilation and it's easy to see the contents. A set includes a small, medium and large pack all of which will fit in a carry-on bag. There are also shoe bags and sleeves as well as a Pack-it-Flat Toiletry Kit. Available in several colors.
Result: I have used eBags on 3 long trips and don't know what I did before discovering them. I can pack more efficiently - fitting more in less space. I like to bring an empty one for dirty clothes.
Clothes are not shifting within luggage so wrinkles are cut down to a minimum.
Packing cubes are also handy on shorter trips when I use a soft-sided bag.
If you are packing for several family members in one suitcase, use a different color so everyone can easily identify theirs.
|
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter
|
|
|
|
|
|
