Putting Christmas Away

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So it’s time to take down Christmas and put the exterior and interior decorations away.

As for the exterior decorations, there are some companies that will offer to put the decorations up and take them down. If you contract  for them to do both you may get a discount. If the company you are using  doesn’t advertise to do so, ask. They may not have thought of offering the  service. You boost there business and you don’t have to deal with the hassle.

Indoor decorations can be taken down and tidied up with the following  suggestions.

1. Ornaments: Pack delicate and family heirlooms in acid free tissue paper  (available at craft stores), paper towels, large paper napkins or small bubble  wrap. For those extra special ornaments consider plastic, acrylic or card  board boxes (available at craft stores). In the winter season stores like Costco  and Sam’s Club offer apples in clear plastic trays. Save them and store  ornaments in the perfect apple size impressions and ornament size containers.

2. Strands of garland and tinsel: Save the clear plastic zip bags that comforters,  pillows, sheet sets and pillow cases come in. Depending on the quantity, large  zip lock bags and space bags do the trick too. The contents become perfectly  packed when all the air is vacuumed out. They are great for these flexible  decorations.  A super way to take the stress off of the activity is to invite friends and family  over for a party and celebrate the end of the season. You will be surprised how people are willing to lend a helping hand if you provide a yummy meal and great conversation. Tell stories about your holiday season, share pictures and ask  everyone about their new year’s resolutions. The time will be merry and the task  quicker to get done. When all the decorations are down, put them in clear plastic storage containers in a safe, weather proof attic, basement, garage, under the stairs or in your storage unit. Make certain to keep them all together so you don’t have to go scurrying around looking for all the bits and pieces.

My name is Angelica Holiday and my company is called Organize Rescue. I am a motivated organizer that helps people with everyday organizing challenges, organizes people’s moves and provides wardrobing services. My  expertise also includes when it’s time for Mom and Dad to go to a care home,  downsizing of all kinds and hoarders.

Putting Christmas Away

It’s raining, start organizing! A lot or a little.

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It’s raining and your stuck inside. Today is the day to take steps to organize. Here are some steps and stages for tackling those dreaded projects that in the end will make you very happy.

1. Make a list of the projects at hand. Make sure to put the tasks that will take to the most time at the end of the list. Separate each task into steps. For example: Clean the garage. Getting clear storage containers would be a good start even if you put nothing in them today. Keep breaking down the projects into smaller doable actions so when you do something you have won a small battle while still working on the war.

Estimate how much time each task will take so that when you revisit the list you will be able to identify what you have time to actually do and can choose accordingly. I may have several projects going, but I always have steps that I can chew on without loosing sight of the bigger picture..

2. You have a list and you want to choose something you can accomplish within the time you have. Maybe you don’t have the whole day to commit, so gratify yourself with a patchwork of timed efforts that will begin to gain ground in each case. You have to go get the clear plastic storage containers, well while you are out, pick up a labeler for the library project that will require sorting the articles in the big box. See, 2 things done and you are on your way to starting two of the agendas.

3. Each time you start a step be mindful that you will be revisiting the overall project many times. I find myself marveling at how well I paid attention to details in my last session and how much it was helping me to progress in the current go. As you accomplish these measured steps, you will find it getting easier and easier. Give yourself a pat on the back each time to open up the case to work on it again and cheer that the efforts of your past attention has paid it forward when you resume.

4. Go easy on yourself if you choose to change directions. Sometimes when when we get stuck in, we realize that we made a misstep in either our planning efforts. If you have to take something apart or start over, be glad you caught the “oops” now than further down the line. You will be glad you did. Have patience. Be kind to yourself and know that that little detour is a way to look at things again and start fresh.

5. Corral your tools and supplies for each project so that you are not running around looking for the essentials for the project. Gather scissors, markers, tape, stapler and all the implements together first so you don’t have to stop what you are doing to go fetch them. If the project is going to spread out over time, make a list of these goodies so you don’t busy your mind with the running around again. When you are through with each action, return them to their proper homes, your organized desk, kitchen drawer or craft room for easy access the next time you are going to work.

Having these helpful tips will certainly make the beginning and continuing to organize faster and easier. You will thank yourself and me for doing things that rocket your through your list into appreciation of your hard work. Whether its raining or sunny where you are, get going.

It’s raining, start organizing! A lot or a little.

Organize Rescue quoted in “Is Your Home Suffering From Wall Clutter?

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Posted on January 7, 2015 by Christelle

Clutter can happen in any (and every) corner of your home. The most obvious places where it builds up are drawers, closets, garages and pretty much any other place considered a storage space.

But one big space cluttering your home may be less obvious.

Your walls.

Yes, your walls. Maybe you’ve acclimated to it. Maybe you’re choosing to ignore it. Either way, the vertical space in your home could be overrun and taking away from a more sleek appearance your living space could have.

Family photos, artwork, shelving, diplomas and wall accents can tend to pile up over the years, especially ones with sentimental value, and the hanging items could be giving your house a disorderly appearance.

Create a fresh and clean environment without giving up all of your treasures using these tips from professional organizers.

Go Big

Do you have dozens of 4×6 photos framed or a collection of tiny trinkets hung throughout your house? Though you may be able to treasure dozens of moments at once, those tiny treasures could be giving your home a messy look.

“When it comes to hanging things on walls many times less is more. Instead of lots of smaller family pictures, you can have a few of your favorites blown up on canvas and hang them for greater impact,” says Dawn Falcone a professional organizer and interior designer.

It may be hard to say goodbye to each little image, but if you actually notice your photos more, it’s worth clearing the space and creating a more eye catching look.

Go Digital

If you simply can’t part with each of the photos decking your halls, there is another solution.

“One thing I like to do is to mount an electric photo frame so the pictures can flip on a regular basis and you have the white space around it to allow you to enjoy what you are viewing. If the person has the funds and poorer eyesight mounting a flat panel TV can do the same thing, with a much larger size,” says Maria Spetalnik of Conquer the Clutter.

Digital photo frames are an affordable solution that will allow you to actually display more photos with a cleaner look.

One of the most chaotic elements of hanging multiple frames is keeping them all straightened. With a digital photo frame, you only have one piece to keep level.

Go Zoned

Sometimes the problem is the wall itself. You may have great items to hang, but are struggling with how and where to hang them. Angelica Holiday of Organize Rescue recommends a zoned approach.

“A large wall can be very intimidating. Break it into zones to create 3 intimate spaces. Grids with repeating patterns are a way to graphically set your frames in order. On the other hand, use smaller images and group them together in a cozy layout. People will be drawn to each area as a work of art,” says Holiday.

Instead of thinking of each little piece as individuals, break your wall into zones and feature collections in the different areas.

Instead of cleaning out drawers and clearing off shelves, take your organizing to the walls. Find the beauty in your home by reducing the clutter among your hung items.

Organize Rescue quoted in “Is Your Home Suffering From Wall Clutter?

Organize Rescue quoted in “Clear and Create Space if You’re Hosting this Holiday.

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Clear and Create Space if You’re Hosting this Holiday

Posted on December 22, 2014 by Christelle

Is everyone opening presents at your house? Are you responsible for cooking a festive feast? Don’t let the space in your home limit the amount of fun you can have. Make sure in-laws, friends and neighbors can join in your joyful occasion by clearing out the clutter in your home and opening your door to more people.

Work With What You Have

Instead of relocating your event to an expensive venue, make your space work for you. Whether you live in a small apartment or your living room feels overwhelmed by a tree and gifts, leverage an area by assessing these three points:

What items are essential to the party?

What items are not? What is the maximum number of people you can expect to host at once?

Does everyone need to be seated at the same time?

Should it stay or should it go?

While your coffee table may be a nice centerpiece to the room and pull your furniture together, it may not be crucial during a party. Furniture that serves more of a fashionable purpose than a functional need can be temporarily relocated to another room or pushed up against a wall to create more floor space.

“The main room of the party should look like an arena. All table surfaces and seating pushed to the perimeter. This makes for a great traffic area for people coming in and out of the room. Also, it allows for groups of people that know each other to congregate in small cuddles without having to navigate pieces of furniture,” says Angelica Holiday of Organize Rescue.

RSVPs Runneth Over

Are you worried that the number of people you are inviting will overwhelm your space? Some homes just aren’t big enough to accommodate everyone in your family, but should this mean you don’t get to host?

If you think your house has the potential of being overrun during the holidays, try stretching out your party and staggering the guests. Have your immediate family over for donuts and coffee in the morning then invite neighbors to your home for an early afternoon happy hour.

Try to keep what you’re serving simple so that cleaning up and rebooting is possible in between guests.

People, people everywhere, but not a place to sit.

Maybe your problem isn’t space so much as seating. Sure you can rent chairs and tables, but that can get expensive and reduce your traffic areas to almost nothing. Instead consider an informal meal that doesn’t require seating.

You can serve soup, sandwiches or other “one plate, one utensil” dishes. Your guests won’t mind standing or sitting on a couch with a delicious meal. They might even enjoy the relaxed opportunity to mingle and eat whenever they choose.

The holidays don’t have to be about finding the perfect place to put everyone. Just create a space that allows for everyone to be social and comfortable and your holiday event will be a hit.

Organize Rescue quoted in “Clear and Create Space if You’re Hosting this Holiday.

I see you, you are just like me, but unorganized.

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I see you. Right there, in your pajamas with a cup of cold coffee and mascara smeared under your eyes. You have been trying to find them for at least an hour and can’t for the life of you remember where you put it….where are they? You always put them in the same place, that pocket in your purse, but right now they are missing, gone, MIA. I know that feeling all too well. There is nothing like being out of sorts and not knowing where something vital is at the moment you need it. Why aren’t you better organized?

I see you, sitting there with a half eaten peanut butter and jelly sandwich that is poor the stand in for the chicken Cesar salad that you wished you had. You can’t get your shopping list together to have the ingredients in the house for moments just like this one. There is nothing wrong with you, it’s just not your gift to organize, you have better things to be doing.

It’s time to call in a pro Organizer. I know the secrets to transforming a mountain of stuff into an enlightened space and peace of mind. Yes, I do love being an Organizer. Over the years I have had the good fortune and delight of turning my client’s material world into homes and offices full of joy. Organization is my game, so call me the “Mary Poppins of Organizing.”

Let’s get to know one and other. I want to hear from you. Send me your questions and I will do my very best to turn your sour medicine into sweet tasting organized success.

I see you, you are just like me, but unorganized.