Blog – Page 31 – ReSolutions – The link to your organized future

Do or Don’t: Automated deliveries of home supplies

Posted on April 27, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Family, Storage — No Comments ↓

A lot of people are opting to sign up for programs like Amazon’s Subscribe and Save, automatically shipping home goods like paper towels, pet food and more on a regular basis, direct to your home. The benefit: you don’t have to leave your home to buy these essentials, and ideally, supplies will arrive on your doorstep when you need them. So, is it a do or don’t?

To help determine this, let’s look at the two different ways to buy in bulk as a consumer.

Costco or another warehouse store – A Costco membership costs $55/year and enables you to shop at their big box stores and Costco.com.

Subscription services like Amazon’s Subscribe and Save – This subscription is free and offers discounts to items typically bought in bulk. Shipping is free and your subscription agreement involves having specific items shipped automatically to you on your chosen frequency basis (shipping between 1-6 month frequency).

As a consumer, you know exactly how much you consume on a monthly basis and know how much storage capacity you have in your home to house items in bulk. If you have proper storage, it may make sense to have paper towels, toilet paper, kitty litter and other items delivered to your door on a regular basis. It may save you money and time. If you order at least 5 products to ship on the same delivery frequency, you will save 15 percent. That is a real savings.

However, if you run out and need an item before it’s next scheduled frequency delivery, you lose the free shipping and discount with the Amazon Subscribe and Save. On the contrary, if you don’t use the items enough, your storage will run out. With Costco, there is no frequency delivery. You just either shop at the store or order online, as you need an item.

Yes, there are pros to a subscription program, but personally, I am not in favor of them. I think it feeds into consumerism and can unnecessarily clutter up a home. If you’re thinking about signing up for a subscription program, weigh the pros and cons and see how it fits into your budget and lifestyle.

Photo: amazon.com

Tip Tuesday: 5 Home-Buying Tips from a Boston Professional Organizer

Posted on April 13, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Car, Closet, Family, Garage, Moving, Spring — No Comments ↓

As the temperatures heat up, so does the housing market. Springtime is usually the hottest time to buy a home as school winds down and folks look to use their summertime to get settled into a new place. As a Boston professional organizer, I have a few home-buying tips to ensure you’re buying a home with sufficient storage and organization space.

Below is my short list of spaces you should look for as you’re looking for the perfect home:

Two-car garage – There are many older homes in New England that do not have a two-car garage, but if you’re looking for a newer home, ensure the garage is attached is the home. This space will protect your car but allow for plentiful storage options as well. A deep garage is even better. Add a workbench or garden center in the back of the garage to maximize the space!

Entryway – Think shoes, jackets, backpacks, pet leashes and more. An entryway with a coat closet helps to minimize the clutter that piles near the front door. If you are blessed with a mudroom, this is a bonus. Many people I work with do not have a mudroom, so a closet with available storage options is a necessity.

Basement – This may sound standard, but make sure you have a functional basement, and ideally one that connects from the first floor of the home. You can create another customized living space, or create an awesome storage room to keep your home organized.

Mudroom – As mentioned above, a mudroom is a dream come true, especially if you have animals and children. Ideally, the mudroom will also have closet space, and if not, ensure there is enough room to add cubbies for every family member.

Linen closet – Again, this seems pretty standard, but you’d be surprised that some homes, especially older, are without linen closets. A linen closet in either the hallway or in the bathroom provide space to store linens, medicine, paper goods and overflow bathroom necessities.

Storage requirements really vary by family. Be realistic about how much storage you need, and when you move in, you’ll be thankful. Of course, there are other spaces like an outdoor shed and attic that make for a professional organizer’s dream home, however ensuring you have the basics will go a long way.

Photo: forbes.com

3-Week Spring Cleaning Challenge

Posted on April 5, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Spring — No Comments ↓

We’ve almost made it to those warm summer days. The garden is calling for attention. The deck is needing a few touchups for those fun outdoor dinners. Before you throw yourself into your outdoor space, do yourself a favor and finish cleaning and organizing your indoors. Specifically, tackle that one or two rooms you just can’t seem to declutter. To help you accomplish this, I want to issue a 3-week spring-cleaning challenge. After completing these tasks each week, you can feel good about giving the outdoor space much-need attention.

Week of April 4 – If you’ve been reading my blog, you’d know I’m a big fan of purging. If you’re staring at a room full of stuff on the floor, the first step is to find the floor. Start in one corner of the room and work your way around, removing any item that doesn’t belong in this room. If you have no use for the item, donate it. If you use the item, put it away in its proper ‘home’. This can take a while, and sometimes it can be hard to decide if you want to keep something, or donate it. Work as slow as you need to this week to clear the clutter! A little bit of progress each day will help accomplish your goal.

Week of April 11 – Once the surfaces are clear of clutter, it’s time to dust and polish. Get into the nooks and crannies that you may not tackle on a regular cleaning session. Wipe down the walls, tops and bottoms of furniture, and go underneath the bottom of all free standing fixtures.

Week of April 18 – After general cleaning is completed, it’s time for the once a year deep clean. Windows need to be cleaned at least once a year. It’s also a great time to bring out the paint, and touch up the walls. Vacuuming furniture and carpet shampooing are all great ways to really start the spring fresh.

Setting smaller goals each week will help you check off your larger goal of ‘spring cleaning the home’. Remember, realistic goals and expectations can yield a happier you and healthier home.

Photo: oprah.com

Book Club: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up

Posted on March 26, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Books — No Comments ↓

There’s an organization book taking the world – yes, the entire world! – by storm. The best-selling organization book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo, is bringing the field of organizing to another level. For that, I am truly thrilled.

Marie Kondo believes that you should only keep items in the home that “spark joy”. This is a philosophy that many organizers share, myself included, and I’m oh-so grateful she is spreading this message to the world. While I don’t use the phrase “spark joy”, I believe in overall happiness. If you have an item in your home, it needs to make you happy. You need to love it, it needs to fit or work, and it shouldn’t make you feel guilty.

The KonMari Method is taking storm as it advocates decluttering, not room by room, but rather category by category. This is a concept that many organizers use and it is not anything new. I am glad that the media is excited about organization, but remember this shouldn’t be a trend. This should be a lifestyle change, and we need to adapt to methods that work for us.

Organizing is a very personal process and therefore needs to be adaptable. Marie Kondo lists the order in which to ‘tidy’ your life. First up, clothing. For some people this is not the easiest area to start. She takes the ‘my way or the highway approach’ and this isn’t my philosophy when working with clients. There needs to be flexibility. Being organized is defined in many different ways for my clients, and the organization method needs to fit into their comfort level.

I am happy for Marie Kondo and her success. I am grateful that this is getting people to talk and think about organizing. I do wonder how many copies I will find next to the other organizing books my clients have purchased. Take the good parts of the book that resonate with you and be flexible in making sure your home and life are as organized as you want them to be. You are in charge.

Photo: MarthaStewart.com / Mike Krautter

Tip Tuesday: 5 Favorite Spring Cleaning Products

Posted on March 16, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Spring — No Comments ↓

March is the gateway to warmer months, and also ushers in one of my favorite seasons – spring! When you think of spring, your mind can go many different directions – flowers, baseball, daylight savings, sunshine and, you guessed it, cleaning!

During the winter months a home can develop a layer of dirt and dust. The windows are closed. Sand and salt are tracked in from the snowy streets. The air can be stale. Enter spring, a time to pop open the windows, and elevate the home to a fresh, clean and organized status.

Last year I shared my favorite products to help with your spring organizing. This year I’m focusing on the must-have products to help you clean. Below is my list of spring cleaning essentials.

Long, slim duster – There are many tight spaces in a home, and this handy contraption will ensure you’re able to get under your appliances and furniture, as well as reach behind your refrigerator.

Rubber gloves – Don’t start a cleaning project without these! Rubber gloves will help keep your manicure perfect and keep your hands out of dirty water.

Microfiber mitt – Did I mention dust? In addition to the long duster, the microfiber mitt will allow you to get into the crevices that you might have missed during the first round of dusting.

White vinegar – White vinegar is a natural cleaning agent. Use this liquid mixed with water or straight out of the bottle. White vinegar can eliminate a majority of your cleaning products as it acts as a deodorizer, brightener, and all-purpose cleaner.

Sponges – Yes, these are great for cleaning the bathroom and kitchen, but they are also useful to help remove hair from upholstery. Before you use them, cut them in half to save money. Sometimes a full sponge can be too much to get into crevices and grooves.

It can be hard to make time to deep clean and organize a home. Remember to schedule time to take on this project. It’s okay if you can only devote time to tackling a room a day. Set realistic expectations for yourself, and you’ll find these projects are easier to manage.

Photo: Real Simple / Sang An

Do or Don’t: Junk Drawer

Posted on March 3, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Kitchen, Mudroom — No Comments ↓

There’s a guilty pleasure lurking in every home across the country. It’s something

most people don’t talk about, and most can’t live without. You know what? This

guilty pleasure is okay in my book. I’m talking about the good ol’ junk drawer.

How many of you have a junk drawer? Fess up. I believe that there is no crime in

having a junk drawer in either your kitchen or mudroom – or any other room –

located on the main floor of your home. I do, however, believe that it should NOT

be a dumping ground for items you simply want to shove in a drawer and forget.

Junk drawers that function well are, of course, organized, and members of the

family understand what belongs inside. Getting it organized is very simple.

Step 1: Empty out the drawer and place items on a clear countertop. Throw away

any obvious items that you simply don’t need. A great example of these are the

to-go chopsticks or packets of condiments from ordering food.

Step 2: Next, go through the remaining items to decide if there is another spot in

the house where the item belongs. Think hair accessories, tools like

screwdrivers, and batteries.

Step 3: Group the items in a pile based on the room they should be stored in.

When you are done getting the junk drawer organized, you can then distribute

these items to their proper homes.

Step 4: Finally, the remaining items are items that do belong in the junk drawer.

Below is a short list of things that you should store in the junk drawer:

-Spare keys

-Rubber bands

-Notepaper

-Pens

-Calculator

-Scissors

Group like items together and use a drawer organizer to help keep the items

separated and from sliding around. Once you’re done organizing, it’s going to

feel incredible. Regular weeding out will keep it remain orderly.

It may be called a junk drawer, but it doesn’t need to look that way!

Image: The Kitchn

PURGE! How to Organize and Purge Keepsakes

Posted on February 24, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Family — No Comments ↓

Many of us have been collecting keepsake boxes since childhood. Think boxes filled with memories from exes, and even high school yearbooks. After we close the lid of these boxes, these keepsakes find their way to your basement, attic, or garage. Can you relate?

If you had a flood, fire, or other event at your house, these treasured items would be destroyed. Would that make you extremely sad and upset? Having too many nooks and crannies with keepsakes can make it harder to know what to grab if you had to evacuate your home. It’s time to get this part of your life in order! Here are some keepsake organization tips to help you begin paring down your treasured items.

Set aside time to go through the items. This is always the hardest part. It might take longer than you think if you are finding items that bring up memories of loved ones. If you aren’t sure whether you are ready to part with the item, create a temporary storage box to revisit after you have gone through everything. Some items will be a no-brainer, but with others, it might be harder to make a decision. By creating a temporary box, you can move forward in the process.

Consolidate your keepsakes. Pare down your keepsakes to fit in one box or storage container that you could quickly grab if you had to evacuate your home. You will need to prioritize what keepsakes go in the box. If you need to keep others, put them in one location, labeled so you and others can easily find them. Also, think about scanning in or photocopying photos or other documents so that you have digital copies. This will ensure you have a backup in case the worst-case scenario happens.

Revisit the temporary box. Examine the contents in your temporary box, and determine if it’s easier to purge any of these items. Make sure that you’re removing any duplicate or similar items. While these items are meaningful, knowing you have these memory tucked away elsewhere will make it easier to let go.

As we continue through these winter months when we’re cozied up at home, take some time to go through these boxes. It can be fun to sit in front of the fire, drink some hot cocoa, and go down memory lane. Remember, keepsakes are wonderful to have, but you don’t need the actual item to have the memory.

Photo: Sarah Jayne Photography

Happy Valentine’s Day! 5 Quotes about Self Love

Posted on February 14, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays, Quotes — No Comments ↓

Showing love to yourself is just as important – if not more important – as loving one another. Today is Valentine’s Day, and while I hope you all have someone to spend this day with, be sure to take some time to LOVE YOURSELF. As they say when you’re on an airplane, make sure to put on your air mask first, before helping others! Below are five self-love quotes, and my thoughts behind each of them:

“To be beautiful means to be yourself. You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

What an important message. As a professional organizer, I walk the fine line between therapy and physical order. Sometimes there are deeper psychological issues rooted in someone’s clutter, and while I’m not a psychologist, self-love is always an important starting point to physically and emotionally clearing the clutter.

“Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.” – Veronica A. Shoffstall

I love this quote! This point hammers home the fact that self-love is a daily practice. Like a garden, your soul needs frequent watering and care. There’s no need to wait until Valentine’s Day to feel loved!

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” – Steve Jobs

Staying true to yourself is a daily practice, and ultimately the days add up to create a canvas of your life. As you organize your time, make time for yourself in your planner! Time is truly limited, and hopefully, the lifetime canvas you create reflects your true identity!

“Love yourself unconditionally, just as you love those closest to you despite their faults.” – Les Brown

We all have faults. Faults make us who we are, and help us grow. A big part of self-love is being self-aware. If there is a fault in your life you’d like to work on, create goals to work on that fault. Monthly or annual goals can help you overcome these faults!

“If we really love ourselves, everything in our life works.” – Louise L. Hay

I’m going to let this quote speak for itself. Happy Valentine’s Day, folks!

Photo: Quinn Dombrowski, Flickr

Tip Tuesday: 5 Pet Organization Tips

Posted on February 3, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Pets — No Comments ↓

Pets are very much a part of the family. Anyone who has a dog, cat, or even a hamster, knows this to be true. I’ve written about how to organize your kids’ belongings – but what about the other furry family members? Yes, Fido and Kitty seem to accumulate stuff just as quickly as our children. And let’s face it; they’ll never be old enough to pick up after themselves. In order to keep your pets’ items organized; follow these easy pet organization tips to help contain their clutter.

Designate a Basket for Toys – Stuffed animals, tennis balls and rubber kongs. So many toys! After your pets are done playing with these fun toys, put them away in a designated basket. Just like your children’s toys, Fido and Kitty need to also have a dedicated place to keep their toys. If you have more than one level to your home, keep a container on each.

Keep the Food in One Place – It’s easy to get carried away purchasing food and treats for your furry friends. To avoid over-purchasing; keep all their food and treats in one spot. You will be able to keep track of what you need to buy if the food is all together. Depending on your storage space, it may also help to keep any treats and dry food in clear containers so you can see how much is available.

Get a Hold of Your Leashes – If you’ve misplaced your pooch’s leash before, it’s time to get organized! Create a space for your pets’ leashes near the door where you exit regularly. This can be a hook or a small basket. Make sure to go through these items regularly and discard collars that are too small and leashes that are worn out.

Get Their Medication in Order – Place your pets’ medication in a clear storage container. Like your own mediation, go through it to make sure the medication hasn’t expired. You can keep the medication in the cabinet alongside their food. Additionally, you can also store their medication with your own medication as long as each bottle is clearly labeled as pet medication.

Purge or Donate Old Clothes – Now is the time to go through all their outerwear clothing to see what is too small or too worn out. If a piece of clothing is worn out, purge it! If it’s too small, donate it! Keep what currently fits and is in season near the door. You can place their clothing hanging on the hook or in the basket alongside their leashes. Any offseason clothing can be stored with your clothing, and tucked out of the way.

Pets bring so much joy to a home, but sometimes a pet owner can get frustrated when Fido or Kitty’s “stuff” is taking over. Avoid getting frustrated, and start getting organized. By doing this, you’ll have more time and energy to love your favorite furry friend.

Photo: Sarah Jayne Photography

3 Things to PURGE in the New Year

Posted on January 28, 2016 by

Dawn Link Posted in Calendars, Holidays, Kitchen, Mudroom — No Comments ↓

Out with the old, in with the new, right? I’m sure you’ve heard this phrase thrown around this month. After all, this month is all about what we can do to refresh every compartment of our lives. There is certainly a bit of truth to this phrase, and as you should know by now, I’m a big believer in the almighty PURGE! The start of the year is an oh-so important time to kick the extra stuff to the curb, so let’s continue in our series of items to purge. Below are three things you should get rid of NOW!

Calendars – There is no sense in keeping old paper calendars around. If you used a paper calendar for 2015, make sure you recycle it. If you’re the type to make important notes in your calendars, make sure to transition these notes elsewhere. You don’t want to forget those birthdays you wrote down! The only reason you should keep your calendar is if is rolls over into 2016.

Mismatched gloves – Winter brings about a slew of singled out gloves. It’s a time when beautiful pairs of gloves separate, and go about their own ways. It is maddening to try to leave the house in the winter when you try to grab a pair of gloves and all you have is one glove of the set! Stop making yourself late and crazy once and for all and take 5 minutes and match up the gloves. Toss the ones that do not have a mate in a basket in case it does appear or be bold and toss the unmatched gloves.

Holiday decorations – It has been a month since the holidays, and Valentine’s Day is just over two weeks away! Look around your house and make sure all the decorations have been taken down. Did you take down the lights on the porch? Is the jar filled with holiday candy cleaned out and tucked away? After you make sure the holidays are stored away for next December, go ahead and start decorating for Valentine’s Day. In my opinion, it’s fun to be festive all year long!

Next month our Purge! blog post with focus on how to organize – and toss – old keepsakes. If you have an old shoebox filled with love letters from an ex-boyfriend – and you’re now married to someone else – perhaps this one is for you!

Photo: Etsy

Tagged with: Calendar