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Organizing Tip: Simple Kitchen Organizing Tips
I'll be at a friend's house tomorrow for a popular kitchen product home party, and I've put together some simple kitchen organizing tips to enhance the party, and get everyone's organizing juices flowing! While the guests drool over the latest greatest cooking gadgets, I'll be helping everyone figure out how to best store all those wonderful items.
Will you be hosting some kind of product home party soon? Call me... I can add value to your party by offering tips and expert advice related to whatever the home-party's them is! (Free of charge!)
So, in honor of kitchens, cooking, and family meal prep, I offer you the following tips. Enjoy!
Create a central “Command Center” with a calendar to manage the family schedules, and a file system, in/out boxes to manage all the incoming and outgoing mail and family paperwork.
Create a standard grocery list and post it on your fridge or inside a cabinet door, then you can just check-off items as you need them.
Put a phone message pad or small notepad near the central family phone so messages will get written down!
Create a weekly meal plan so there’s never the 6:00 question: ‘What’s for dinner?’
Store ‘like’ items together and create zones for categories like a grocery store, such as baking, spices, entertaining, small utensils, servingware, etc…
PURGE! Keep only what you love and use, and donate the rest.
While preparing meals, keep a bowl handy for tossing waste.
Install pull-out shelves to make it a breeze to access items stored in the back.
Use cupboard shelves or under-shelf baskets to double your shelf space.
Think VERTICAL: Store large cooking trays vertically in a cabinet instead of stacking them in piles that topple over. Use vertical dividers to maintain order.
Find a happy home for every item in your kitchen, not just ‘where it fits’. Catch yourself when you say “I don’t know where to put this, so I’ll just put it here FOR NOW.’ That statement is the #1 cause of clutter.
Store frequently used items in places most easily accessible, and less-used items a little higher or lower. Rarely used items should be stored furthest away.
LABEL, LABEL, LABEL! There will never be the question: ‘Where does this go?’
Periodically declutter and refine your system to keep your kitchen running smoothly!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Storing Holiday Decor
www.thecustomcloset recommends these tips
Organizing Tip: Tips for Storing Holiday Decor
Well, the holidays are almost over, and in the next week or so, it will be time to take down all our holiday decorations and store them for next year. A fundamental ORGANIZING TECHNIQUE is to store things based on how you will use them in the future. This technique works well for holiday decor. Store your holiday decor in such a way that will make it easiest for you to use it next year.
Here's how:
1. PURGE: Purge any broken items, such as broken ornaments (beyond repair), strings of lights that do not work and that you will not repair, or old decorations that never seem to make it out of the decorations box anymore. Space is precious in all homes, so only store what you will definitely use in the future.
2. Determine your decorating style, then store your items based on your style. Select a style below:
a. You like to decorate each room pretty much the same way each year, then I recommend storing your holiday decor in separate containers by room. ie: have a container for the Family Room, one for the outside decor, a gift-wrap container, holiday kitchen-ware, etc... By storing your items in separate containers by room, it will make it so simple for you to decorate next year. If a room's decor isn't enough to have it's own container, then simply divide the container in layers by using a piece of old gift-wrap or cardboard
b. You like to mix-it-up each year and decorate differently: then store your items by the kind of item it is: ie: all the lights together, all the candles together, all the little items together, all the big items together, all hanging items together, etc.... Then, next year, you can easily see your kinds of items, and can 'shop' from your containers to decorate your home any way you want.
c. You like to decorate with all NEW items each year: Then donate or sell your holiday decor. There's no need to store items you will no longer use in the future.
NOTE: I recommend using clear Rubbermaid/Sterilite style plastic containers for storing your holiday decor.
3. LABEL! Clearly label your containers!! You can use envelope labels, or a piece of masking tape with a sharpie, or this great product: http://shop.nackit.com/
4. STORE! Put away your containers. Put them in a very out of reach location, like the attic or on a high shelf in the garage or out of the way place in your basement. Just be aware of keeping them away from any location with water/dampness problems.
When the 2010 holiday time comes, you'll be so thankful that you took the time to organize and properly store your decorations!!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
www.thecustomcloset.net
Organizing Tip: Tips for Storing Holiday Decor
Well, the holidays are almost over, and in the next week or so, it will be time to take down all our holiday decorations and store them for next year. A fundamental ORGANIZING TECHNIQUE is to store things based on how you will use them in the future. This technique works well for holiday decor. Store your holiday decor in such a way that will make it easiest for you to use it next year.
Here's how:
1. PURGE: Purge any broken items, such as broken ornaments (beyond repair), strings of lights that do not work and that you will not repair, or old decorations that never seem to make it out of the decorations box anymore. Space is precious in all homes, so only store what you will definitely use in the future.
2. Determine your decorating style, then store your items based on your style. Select a style below:
a. You like to decorate each room pretty much the same way each year, then I recommend storing your holiday decor in separate containers by room. ie: have a container for the Family Room, one for the outside decor, a gift-wrap container, holiday kitchen-ware, etc... By storing your items in separate containers by room, it will make it so simple for you to decorate next year. If a room's decor isn't enough to have it's own container, then simply divide the container in layers by using a piece of old gift-wrap or cardboard
b. You like to mix-it-up each year and decorate differently: then store your items by the kind of item it is: ie: all the lights together, all the candles together, all the little items together, all the big items together, all hanging items together, etc.... Then, next year, you can easily see your kinds of items, and can 'shop' from your containers to decorate your home any way you want.
c. You like to decorate with all NEW items each year: Then donate or sell your holiday decor. There's no need to store items you will no longer use in the future.
NOTE: I recommend using clear Rubbermaid/Sterilite style plastic containers for storing your holiday decor.
3. LABEL! Clearly label your containers!! You can use envelope labels, or a piece of masking tape with a sharpie, or this great product: http://shop.nackit.com/
4. STORE! Put away your containers. Put them in a very out of reach location, like the attic or on a high shelf in the garage or out of the way place in your basement. Just be aware of keeping them away from any location with water/dampness problems.
When the 2010 holiday time comes, you'll be so thankful that you took the time to organize and properly store your decorations!!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
www.thecustomcloset.net
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Recent "closet" jobs www.thecustomcloset.net
Desk, storage unit and wardrobe unit in wood grain melamine by The Custom Closet.
see our website: www.thecustomcloset.net serving Northern NJ, Rockland County, NY, New York, NY
Friday, December 11, 2009
Clean Out Before the Holiday!
Organizing Tip: Do the "Pre-Holiday-Purge"
www.thecustomcloset.net
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
www.thecustomcloset.net
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Holiday
Organizing Tip: Do the "Pre-Holiday-Purge"
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Holiday
Organizing Tip: Do the "Pre-Holiday-Purge"
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
So, it's Holiday Time again! Crazy, fun, stressful, peaceful, joyous, challenging.... Yes... All of the above!
One of the best things you can do right now is PURGE PURGE PURGE! Get rid of all the old stuff cluttering up your living space, to make room for all the new stuff that's about to come into your life!
This doesn't have to be stressful, nor a long... drawn out process. Just a quick scan and purge of the obvious.
1) Set aside an hour or two in the next week or so to do this.
2) Just grab two large bags (one for trash, one for donations - maybe white for trash, and black for donations).
3) Go room by room, and just start putting things in the appropriate bags. Go through each closet, the toy bins, the drawers, the shelves, the basement, the attic. Wherever you look, there are probably some easy items you can get rid of to create some open space and room to move more freely.
4) Now, take your two kinds of bags and THROW OUT THE TRASH BAGS immediately. As for the donations bags, you have several options:
Pick your favorite charity and arrange pickup or drop-off.
Give to a friend/relative WHO WANTS/NEEDS WHAT YOU HAVE TO GIVE.
Contact your local town's social services department to see if they can use what you have to give.
If it's clothing, small toys, shoes, etc... you can give me a call - my daughter's gymnastics team is having a clothing drive fundraiser on Dec 13th. I can collect these items from you. Just let me know.
If you just want it gone, you can donate to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Red Cross, Good Will at their drop off locations, or have the VVA come to your house for free pickup: http://www.scheduleapickup.com/. It's easy, free, and tax deductible!
If it's valuable, try selling it on ebay!
Have fun purging! It will feel good, AND you'll be helping some local charities at this wonderful time of year!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Friday, November 20, 2009
Clean Out the Pantry
Organizing Tip: It's time to purge your pantry
www.thecustomcloset.net
This tip applies to everyone, whether you have a full-size pantry closet, or a cabinet or two in your kitchen. It's time to clear it out!
First of all....WHY, clear out your pantry? There are so many good reasons, a few of which are:
To get rid of all the expired, unused, unwanted food items that are just taking up valuable space.
To take inventory, and actually know what you have, so you can use it, and what you need, so you can purchase it.
To prevent pesky pantry pests by throwing out spoiled food and old, opened cereals and grains.
Make room for special items needed for the holidays.
So, here's what to do:
1) Set aside some time. This doesn't have to all be done at once, perhaps just 15m a day for the next week or so.
2) Tackle one small area at a time (such as a shelf, or portion of a shelf).
3) Pull out everything, and one by one, make a decision: Toss, Donate or Keep.
4) Toss: Throw out everything spoiled, stale, expired, or items that were opened-but-unused for a long period of time.
5) Donate: Set aside non-expired items that you know you simply will not use, but can be donated to a local food pantry (contact your local Food Pantry do arrange for donation drop-off).
6) Keep: For all items you decide to keep, put them back in your pantry grouping 'like-items' together.
7) Congratulate yourself for a job well-done!
Now, you've got a pantry filled with only items that are still good, and those you've decided you WILL USE. Break out the recipe books and start planning those great meals!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
www.thecustomcloset.net
This tip applies to everyone, whether you have a full-size pantry closet, or a cabinet or two in your kitchen. It's time to clear it out!
First of all....WHY, clear out your pantry? There are so many good reasons, a few of which are:
To get rid of all the expired, unused, unwanted food items that are just taking up valuable space.
To take inventory, and actually know what you have, so you can use it, and what you need, so you can purchase it.
To prevent pesky pantry pests by throwing out spoiled food and old, opened cereals and grains.
Make room for special items needed for the holidays.
So, here's what to do:
1) Set aside some time. This doesn't have to all be done at once, perhaps just 15m a day for the next week or so.
2) Tackle one small area at a time (such as a shelf, or portion of a shelf).
3) Pull out everything, and one by one, make a decision: Toss, Donate or Keep.
4) Toss: Throw out everything spoiled, stale, expired, or items that were opened-but-unused for a long period of time.
5) Donate: Set aside non-expired items that you know you simply will not use, but can be donated to a local food pantry (contact your local Food Pantry do arrange for donation drop-off).
6) Keep: For all items you decide to keep, put them back in your pantry grouping 'like-items' together.
7) Congratulate yourself for a job well-done!
Now, you've got a pantry filled with only items that are still good, and those you've decided you WILL USE. Break out the recipe books and start planning those great meals!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 www.orgwithease.com orgwithease@aol.com
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