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
Sunday, December 27, 2009
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
Saturday, November 7, 2009
Keep all Passwords and ID's Organized!!
Get home office ideas at: www.thecustomcloset.net
Organizing Tip: Keep track of Internet IDs & Passwords
Where do you keep track of your various Internet IDs & Passwords? Are they written down anywhere or cluttering up your head? Are there sticky notes stuck all over your computer? What if something happened to you - would your spouse, parents or children know how to access your important accounts? Well, the solution is to create a single home for all those IDs and Passwords.
Here are a couple of suggestions on how to keep track of them:
Get a small notebook and simply write them all down. Keep the notebook near your computer.
Get an address book with the alphabet tabs, and log them in there alphabetically.
Use a Rolodex - add a card for each website and file them alphabetically.
Create a simple spreadsheet in MS Word or Excel and include columns for: website, ID, password, and any other notes you may need. You can then sort the spreadsheet alphabetically or by any other category you'd like.
Good luck and happy web-surfing!!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
Organizing Tip: Keep track of Internet IDs & Passwords
Where do you keep track of your various Internet IDs & Passwords? Are they written down anywhere or cluttering up your head? Are there sticky notes stuck all over your computer? What if something happened to you - would your spouse, parents or children know how to access your important accounts? Well, the solution is to create a single home for all those IDs and Passwords.
Here are a couple of suggestions on how to keep track of them:
Get a small notebook and simply write them all down. Keep the notebook near your computer.
Get an address book with the alphabet tabs, and log them in there alphabetically.
Use a Rolodex - add a card for each website and file them alphabetically.
Create a simple spreadsheet in MS Word or Excel and include columns for: website, ID, password, and any other notes you may need. You can then sort the spreadsheet alphabetically or by any other category you'd like.
Good luck and happy web-surfing!!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tips for rotating seasonal clothes
Get an estimate for closet organizing systems at: www.thecustomcloset.net
Organizing Tip: Autumn clothing rotation
So, Autumn is here, and with it comes the colder weather. It's time to break out the fall/winter clothes, and pack away the summer clothing. Here are a few tips for managing that process.
First, if you haven't ever rotated your clothing (ie: your closets and drawers are always filled with the entire year's worth of clothing,) you may want to give clothing rotation a try. It will free up so much space in your closets and drawers and allow easy access to the only the items you need for that season.
Some tips:
1. Decide where you will store your out-of-season clothing. Clothing stores best in a room-temperature, dry place, so an extra closet somewhere within the home is ideal. If not, consider the attic or basement, however high temperatures and/or humidity can negatively affect your clothing, so if you can avoid those areas, then do so. Another option is to put out-of-season clothing way up high on shelves in your closet, at the far end of your closet out of the way, in containers under the bed, or in drawers/closet of your guest room.
2. Get some containers: If you're storing your garments in a place other than your existing closet, then get some medium to large size Rubbermaid/Sterilite bins (or similar). Plastic containers work well for storing your items and keeping them protected. Not too big though, or they wont be manageable to carry. Also consider a portable covered garment rack for storing out-of-season hanging clothing.
3. Start gathering up all your summer clothing: Pull out all your summer clothes from closets and drawers.
4. Purge: Get rid of anything that is stained or damaged beyond repair, items that don't fit, or not your style anymore (be ruthless! You don't want to go thru the effort of storing something that you don't really want anymore!). Trash or donate unwanted items.
5. Clean: Before storing, make sure the items are clean.
6. Keep a couple of summer outifts accessible: Since weather can be unpredictable, keep a couple of warm-weather outfits in your closet for the time-being. (Remember, the past couple of Halloweens have had temperatures in the 70's and 80's!)
7. Store & Label: Put your items into their storage containers, and LABEL the contents clearly, then put the containers away in their storage space. If it's just an area or shelves of a closet, label that area 'Off-Season-Clothes', so there's no chance of mixing them up with the current season's clothing.
8. Take your fall/winter clothes out of storage: If you previously had stored these items, take them out now, and put them away in your closets and drawers, again, evaluating their usability before putting them away.
9. Enjoy!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
Organizing Tip: Autumn clothing rotation
So, Autumn is here, and with it comes the colder weather. It's time to break out the fall/winter clothes, and pack away the summer clothing. Here are a few tips for managing that process.
First, if you haven't ever rotated your clothing (ie: your closets and drawers are always filled with the entire year's worth of clothing,) you may want to give clothing rotation a try. It will free up so much space in your closets and drawers and allow easy access to the only the items you need for that season.
Some tips:
1. Decide where you will store your out-of-season clothing. Clothing stores best in a room-temperature, dry place, so an extra closet somewhere within the home is ideal. If not, consider the attic or basement, however high temperatures and/or humidity can negatively affect your clothing, so if you can avoid those areas, then do so. Another option is to put out-of-season clothing way up high on shelves in your closet, at the far end of your closet out of the way, in containers under the bed, or in drawers/closet of your guest room.
2. Get some containers: If you're storing your garments in a place other than your existing closet, then get some medium to large size Rubbermaid/Sterilite bins (or similar). Plastic containers work well for storing your items and keeping them protected. Not too big though, or they wont be manageable to carry. Also consider a portable covered garment rack for storing out-of-season hanging clothing.
3. Start gathering up all your summer clothing: Pull out all your summer clothes from closets and drawers.
4. Purge: Get rid of anything that is stained or damaged beyond repair, items that don't fit, or not your style anymore (be ruthless! You don't want to go thru the effort of storing something that you don't really want anymore!). Trash or donate unwanted items.
5. Clean: Before storing, make sure the items are clean.
6. Keep a couple of summer outifts accessible: Since weather can be unpredictable, keep a couple of warm-weather outfits in your closet for the time-being. (Remember, the past couple of Halloweens have had temperatures in the 70's and 80's!)
7. Store & Label: Put your items into their storage containers, and LABEL the contents clearly, then put the containers away in their storage space. If it's just an area or shelves of a closet, label that area 'Off-Season-Clothes', so there's no chance of mixing them up with the current season's clothing.
8. Take your fall/winter clothes out of storage: If you previously had stored these items, take them out now, and put them away in your closets and drawers, again, evaluating their usability before putting them away.
9. Enjoy!
Linda English
Organizing With EASE, LLC
201-638-9593 http://www.orgwithease.com/ orgwithease@aol.com
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