Ah...the holiday season. Crisp snow, warm fires, fragrant trees and soft candle light and... TOYS!!! Christmas and Chanukah have come and gone and now we have a million more toys to store. Well, maybe not a million but definitely more than we had two weeks ago. Luckily, as children get older we are finding that the toys get smaller but nevertheless they still need homes. As we have said before, weeding through your children's toys before the influx of new holiday gifts will make finding homes for the new additions much easier. Make it part of your holiday routine... More »
One of the biggest hurdles we face as professional home organizers is actually getting into clients homes. One of the most common responses we get when we tell people what we do is "oh I'd NEVER have you to my house - it's too much of a mess! People are often too embarrassed by the disarray in their homes to hire someone to help them fix it. Ironic isn't it? Especially when we thrive on restoring order and creating systems that will work for our clients. Giving people a visual image in the form of before and after photos is... More »
For some of us the thought of hosting a large family dinner is a daunting ordeal. However, with a bit of thoughtful planning we think you can turn this harried affair into a calm and enjoyable experience. First you need to decide how many people you are hosting, will it be a formal sit down meal or buffet, adults only or kids too? All of these factors will determine the menu and how you serve the meal. All critical to determine as soon as possible so you can start planning the event. For example, if it is going to be... More »
Parents everywhere spend the last weeks of August getting their children ready for back to school – new supplies, back packs, clothes and shoes. We begin reestablishing routines and having a set bedtime. Everything is neatly laid out and ready for the first day of school – you think you’re all set…until the alarm buzzes and the havoc begins! A little pre-planning and some organization can ensure that your school day routine is a little less stressful. To lessen morning stress, we need to be sure to plan out our mornings. In many families, especially those with younger children,... More »
Well you have finally made the decision to renovate. Now you need to get organized before the renovation begins. If you are lucky you have a contractor and/or project manager who will keep you on track and give you plenty of notice of key decisions you need to make - however, we are not all this lucky! We have both been through at least one renovation and we learned a lot along the way - some by accident! Here is our advice on how to approach this awesome endeavor in an organized and hopefully less stressful manner. First, research... More »
Whether your child is in preschool or high school they are guaranteed to bring home more than a few pieces of artwork. It could be a finger painting, a self-portrait, or a three-dimensional clay figure - whatever it is, it’s going to need a home - in your home. Don’t find yourself knee-deep in leaf rubbings by Thanksgiving! Here are some helpful hints for organizing and managing the onslaught of children’s artwork that comes home during the school year. To prevent your home from becoming an art studio you will, as usual, need to sort and purge. There is... More »
Well it finally seems as though winter is behind us and our neighbourhoods are coming back to life! As summer approaches it is time to organize our outdoor storage spaces in preparation for the gardening and outdoor living season. First - empty out the space completely! As you empty out the space, sort the items. Put all your gardening tools and supplies in one pile, all the kids' tools in another and seasonal items (e.g. skis, Christmas lights, Halloween decorations, etc.) in yet another. Then sort each pile into 2 more piles - one pile for items that can go... More »
Do you have boxes of pictures or a folder of downloaded photos on your computer that you keep meaning to organize or put in an album? As each special occasion is captured “on film” is the task of organizing them seeming more and more overwhelming? Don’t fear shutterbugs! Getting started is the hardest part - here are a few ideas that might help. There are several common things that we all do that may actually do our pictures more harm than good. Here’s what NOT to do: Avoid cheap photo albums. They might contain products that can harm your... More »
Do you still have your prom dress in your closet just in case you need a black tie outfit? Are you hanging on to your favourite pair of jeans until they fit you again? Are some of your double-breasted, shoulder padded suits gathering dust? Spring is just around the corner and it’s time to purge our closets! Start by evaluating your space. If your budget allows, hire a closet organization company to come to your home and help you get the most out of your closets. Or you may prefer the more economical route of purchasing a closet system kit... More »
So the decorations are put away (in an orderly and tidy fashion of course!) and the resolutions have been made. Every year we all have big plans for what we want to accomplish in the coming year - losing weight, spending more time playing with our children, keeping the house in order and the list goes on. Sadly, by about the third week of January (now!) we are fully entrenched in our old routine and all of our good intentions have gone by the wayside. Do not despair! By following a few basic organizational principles you can, at the... More »
