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5 Lifestyle Tips from Holiday Classics: Tips from a Boston Professional Organizer

Posted on December 10, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays — No Comments ↓

As we cozy into the holiday season, I can’t help but think about the memorable holiday movies that have hit the big screen over the years. These movies have become staples of many family’s traditions (including mine), and while these are enjoyable and fun to watch, there are actually quite a few tips to gain from watching these flicks. Below are five of my favorite holidays movies and invaluable tips to help live a more fruitful life.

It’s a Wonderful Life – This movie features James Stewart as George Bailey, a man who has given up his dreams in order to help others and whose imminent suicide on Christmas Eve brings about the intervention of a guardian angel. The important takeaway from this movie is to avoid comparing yourself to other people, and start celebrating your daily achievements. When it comes to professional organizing, everyone has a different tolerance of what organization means to him or her. My definition of organized is that you can find something when you need it. For others, that can be something entirely different. I work with a lot of clients with ADD, and for some of them, placing their items out of sight is a really bad way to organize. Know your organization style, and be happy with whatever helps YOU be productive and stress free.

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer – Rudolph was a misfit, and far from perfect in the eyes of the other reindeers who “used to laugh and call him names…” Here’s the deal – perfection is not the answer. Being a perfectionist is hard work especially if you are trying to have everything perfectly organized. It’s okay to have the towels slightly unfolded as long as they fit where they are supposed. With our friend “Rudy”, his nose was functional and served a purpose. As we sink deeper into the holiday season – and the level of wanting to achieve perfection rises, learn to let it go and embrace the imperfection.

Home Alone – There are perhaps many takeaways from this film, but the one I keep coming back to is…basements are scary! Remember the basement scene with the devilish looking furnace? If your basement gives you the creeps, perhaps it’s time to have your basement organized. Creating a clean, organized space to store holiday decorations – and many other household goods – will create a more inviting space for family.

A Christmas Story – Persistence pays off. Ralphie wanted a Red Ryder BB Gun for Christmas. And it’s all he talked and dreamt about for the days leading up to Christmas. Most clients I work with want an organized home or office for the holidays. It is achievable, so long as you have Ralphie’s drive and determination. There is no magic wand or flip of a switch that will get this done. You need to work at it. The more you put into a given project each day, the more it will pay off. You CAN reach your goal – just think of Ralphie.

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation – Again, there are many key lessons to takeaway from this movie. For one, measure your living room before going out to chop down the Christmas tree of your dreams. But the other very important tip is – give your friends and family a heads up before showing up for the holidays. Eddie and his family showed up at the home of the Griswolds, unannounced and needy. For some people the thought of another person entering their home unexpectedly is cause for serious heart palpitations. Prepare for a family member, friend, or neighbor by organizing the space by the front door and working your way around the first floor. It is quite possible your neighbors may come with a plate of holiday cookies. By being prepared, you’ll greet your neighbor with a smile, versus a look of terror.

Photo: Classic Mommy

Tip Thursday: Tackling your holiday gift list and avoiding these “naughty” mistakes

Posted on December 4, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays — No Comments ↓

Happy December, everyone! We officially kicked off the countdown to Christmas, and are four days into the merriment of December. For many of us, here’s the situation. You still have stacked containers (labeled properly, of course) of Thanksgiving leftovers in the refrigerator. You’ve started to skip to the beat of the holiday music broadcasting everywhere – dentist offices, restaurants, and every retail store in the country. And of course, you have a holiday gift list either partially started, or not started at all. Shopping for friends and family can be a lot of fun. I love the feeling of finding the perfect gift for a loved one and seeing their reaction as they open it. Before you start your holiday shopping, follow these simple holiday professional organizing tips to avoid these “naughty” mistakes.

Create a budget – If you don’t put a budget together for your holiday spending, you are setting yourself up for financial disaster. Your budget should not only include budget allocation for gift giving, but also include family dinners, travel (airfare, rental cars, etc.) and shipping. This budget should also include a “holiday fun” line item so that you can have a bit of wiggle room to shop for yourself, buy delicious holiday coffee drinks or see holiday movies.
Make a list, check it twice – After you’ve assigned costs for holiday essentials like travel and meals, you can allocate the rest of your budget for gifts. Put together a list of people for whom to buy gifts or give tips. This includes the paperboy, hairdresser, school teachers, and other service professionals who you see throughout the year. This list should be in order of importance so you can prioritize funds.
Assign a dollar amount to each person – After you’ve put together your list, place a dollar figure next to each person based on your gift giving budget. If you find that you’re going over budget, evaluate if there is an alternative to giving that person a gift. For example, can you give each teacher a card versus a gift? Would your family consider drawing names from a hat, versus having each person buying a gift for everyone else?
Stick to the list – This is perhaps the hardest thing to do during the holidays. DON’T STRAY FROM THE LIST. During the holidays we are surrounded by retail temptation. That’s adorable! I need that! It’s okay to indulge here and there, so long as it aligns with your “holiday fun” fund.

By creating a budget – and a detailed gift list – you can truly have a handle on how much money you need for the season, and avoid being in debt once the new year arrives.

Photo: Good Housekeeping

Happy Thanksgiving!

Posted on November 27, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays, Thanksgiving — No Comments ↓

It’s been an amazing year thus far, with another month to go – what a ride it has been! I’m incredibly thankful for my clients who make each day fun and exciting, and I’m grateful I get to wake up each morning and do what I love! Enjoy this time with your families – eat, drink and relax! Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo: Five Heart Home

Tip Tuesday – Six Steps to Ease the Packing Process During the Holidays

Posted on November 19, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays, Packing — No Comments ↓

Over the river and through the woods to grandmother’s house we go… These holiday lyrics are true for many Americans looking to spend time with their family and friends in faraway lands. According to the US Department of Transportation, during the Thanksgiving travel period, the number of long-distance trips increases by 54 percent, and during the Christmas/New Year’s Holiday period the number rises by 23 percent, compared to the average number for the remainder of the year.

As you start planning your trips to see loved ones, make the packing process easier and more efficient with this step-by-step guide to packing (believe me, you’ll thank me later!).

Step 1: Make a list, check it twice – No, I’m not talking about a gift list, I’m talking about a packing list! Nothing is worse than landing at your destination and realizing you have forgotten some important items like medication. As a professional organizer in the Boston area, I have clients who have created multiple packing lists for different types of travel. A client of mine has a list for business trips, one for cruises and tropical destinations & a list for family travel. These lists are stored on her computer so she can easily update.

Step 2: It’s about that bag – Finding the right suitcase is essential, and it’s important to find a bag that doesn’t put a lot of strain on the body. It’s also important to have the right size for all different types of travel. This guide is super helpful when thinking about what size to purchase. When it comes to material, I always suggest choosing a soft case made with quality, durable material so that it’s easier to put in the overhead compartments. The hard cases are best for larger checked bags. And lastly, pick a bright, bold color! That way it’s easily identifiable and you’re not walking away with someone else’s suitcase!

Step 3: Roll your clothes – This helps eliminate wrinkles and you can save space! You can put the rolled items in the bottom of your suitcase to make the most of the uneven bottom.

Step 4: Stuff your shoes with smaller soft items – I put my shoes in a plastic bag and then stuff the shoes with my socks. It helps the shoes keep their shape and it’s a great use of dead space.

Step 5: Pack your jewelry with care – Invest in a travel-sized jewelry bag that can hold your earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces and can either be rolled or folded. With contained jewelry, you’ll have fewer risks of snagging clothes. You can also use a straw to help keep your thin chains from getting tangled with one another.

Step 6: Label the outside – and the inside! – of your suitcase – We all know that we should label the outside of our bag, so make sure that information is updated each time you depart for a new adventure. But additionally, you should ensure you have a label INSIDE of your bag in case the outside tag falls off.

Photo: Traveler’s Joy

Free the Fridge: Organizing Your Fridge for Turkey Day Leftovers – Tips from a Professional Organizer

Posted on November 11, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Kitchen — No Comments ↓

This Saturday is “Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day”. Yes, there is a specific day devoted to rallying Americans to reach into the scary depths of their refrigerators and clear out what is old, crusty and otherwise no good.

This day comes at the perfect time as Americans are prepping for one of the biggest feasts of the year – Thanksgiving. And with any large holiday feast, there are LEFTOVERS.

Now is the time to really look at your fridge and take the time to go through and pull out expired condiments and any old science projects lurking in the back corner. It’s also a good time to give it a good scrub-a-dub. By following a few simple tips below, your fridge will be cleared out, clean and ready for those tasty Thanksgiving treats.

Take everything out – This might seem over the top, but until you go through the practice of removing EVERY item, you won’t really know everything that’s hiding out in your fridge. It’s amazing what can hide behind a jar of pickles!
Purge unused jars and condiments – I’ve said this before with clothing, and the same goes for food you don’t use. Discard opened jars of things that you know you just aren’t going to use, or don’t foresee using in the future.
Clean the fridge – Wash down and disinfect the inside walls of the refrigerator, the bins, the shelves, and every other cranny. Inevitably, your holiday house guests will be in and out of your fridge, so keep it clean to avoid that “oh no, the fridge is a mess” moment.
Wipe down everything going back in the fridge – Every condiment, container and beverage that goes back in the fridge should be disinfected and wiped down. That way you can rest assured your clean, germ-free shelves aren’t immediately being compromised.
Allocate a shelf for “leftovers” – Whether it’s for Thanksgiving or weekly meals, I find that it’s best to leave one shelf for leftovers only. Use masking tape to label each container with contents and a date. I even go as far as to put an expiration date based on guidelines from health professionals.

If you decide you don’t want to keep all of the leftovers on Thanksgiving Day, set up a “to go” station so guests can take the leftovers they’d like home. Hey, it will save you room in the refrigerator – and calories!

Photo: Penn Live

Time for Turkey – and De-cluttering: Dining Room Prep from a Boston Professional Organizer

Posted on November 5, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Holidays, Thanksgiving — No Comments ↓

Ding-dong. Grandma is at the door. With her pumpkin pie and high expectations. Okay, so perhaps we have a bit of time before the turkey makes its return, but not much. There are about three weeks until T-day. It’s time to get your dining room in order.

If you are like most of my clients, the dining room is a dumping ground for laundry, unopened mail, completed school projects, and anything else that needs to be pushed aside from the rest of the first floor rooms. It’s more of a disaster zone than a dining room. The good news is with a small chunk of time from your day – and a few tips from a professional organizer (yours truly) – you can return your feasting room to normal and have it ready for a tasty Thanksgiving dinner.

Carve out one hour from your day – Half the battle is taking the time to get this done. Put it on the calendar, and prepare to execute (all while knowing that it’s for the greater good of delicious food). DO NOT LEAVE THE ROOM DURING THAT HOUR, and even better, set a timer. Have your coffee nearby, put some music on, and sink your teeth in.
Prepare an organization path – It’s important to avoid jumping from one section of the room to the other. This is not efficient and you ultimately feel unaccomplished. Start in one corner as you enter the room and work your way around the room.
Create dedicated piles for items that need to be put away – A pile for each kid’s room, a pile of laundry, shoes for the mud room, etc. Remember, we’re making piles so you can put away when your hour expires.
Resist the Urge to Clean – Yes, this seems counterintuitive, but the goal is to focus on de-cluttering, and you can clean once the room is ready for a polish.

When the timer rings at the end of the hour, take the time to take the dedicated piles to the correct room. When you do this, your dining room will be clear and ready for the fun part – cleaning, and then seasonal and oh-so festive décor!

This “de-clutter hour” is highly effective, and you should schedule these for different rooms 1 or 2 times each week. You’ll be amazed at how much you can de-clutter each week!

Photo: Modern Vintage Coastal

A Lesson in Keeping it Simple – From a Boston Professional Organizer

Posted on October 28, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Paper Management — No Comments ↓

Around this time of year we all start mentally stressing out with all that needs to be done. Halloween is around the corner. I’m hosting Thanksgiving…with my crazy in-laws. And then the holidays. What? The holiday? They’re already here? SIGH.

Yes, we all become a bit busier come October, but it’s important that we take a deep breath, do a couple quick yoga poses, and remember that it’s important to keep it simple amid these chaotic times.

One of the areas where this is especially true is with paperwork, which I find there is a lot more of as we approach the end of the year (and the start of the year when we start thinking about our taxes!). Here are a few easy tips to consider when looking to K.I.S.S. with paperwork. That being said, please check with your financial advisor, accountant, and/or lawyer to best determine how long you need to save your paperwork.

Discard only necessary paperwork – Many times we keep around bank statements, old insurance policies, credit card statements, and investment statements when there is really no need. Once you’ve reconciled these expenses, it’s best to rid yourself and your desk of the paperwork.
Keep tax records – You should keep your tax records for seven years, so be sure to keep a specific folder for these so you can easily find them in one place.
File, file, file – When keeping documentation for taxes, create 4 separate file folders to represent each quarter in a calendar year. That way if you need to find a piece of paperwork, you can easily find it in the appropriate quarter.
Don’t let it pile up – This is simple, but remember the motto, “File, not pile!”
Go digital – These days, everything has a paperless version. Simply sign up for paperless bills or statements, or opt to pay bills online, to cut down on unnecessary paper clutter.
Create an “In, Out, Read” File System – We all have so much incoming mail, outgoing bills, and other stuff that needs our attention. Instead of leaving it in a stack on the counter, clearly organize with easy call to action labels. That way you have a constant reminder what you need to sort through!

Consumer Reports recently did a deep dive into this very topic, and I encourage you to take a peek. Hey, a little less paperwork on our desks couldn’t hurt!

Photo: Peltier Interiors

Tip Tuesday – Easy Steps to Organize a Kids Playroom

Posted on October 21, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Children, Playroom — No Comments ↓

Organizing a playroom sounds oxymoronic. If a playroom is “organized” then can the kids actually “play”? The answer is yes! With a few simple steps – and organizing materials – you can turn your kids’ playroom into a functional – and fun! – space. I pride myself in putting the “fun” in functional! J Follow these easy steps and you’ll be well on your way:

Sort & Purge – I think you’re starting to see a pattern with me regularly discussing the art of purging. With the start of every organization project, you should be diligent about getting rid of the stuff you don’t need. In this case, talk with your kids to see what toys they don’t touch anymore. Then, either make a pile to send away, or tuck them away in a box in the attic or basement for future generations.
Create Zones – Think about what activities are performed in this space, and break the room down into appropriate zones. If you have a child who only focuses on her dollhouse and accessories, make this a primary space for her to play. If you have a lot of books, create a reading corner.
Categorize – Within the zones, think about what toys can be grouped together, and purchase bins where those items can be stored. An easy way to store these bins is to tuck them under tables or benches. That way they’re out of the way, and you also have available seating and tabletop space! Sometimes it’s also effective to create a bin for each child so they can easily find their toys.
Make it Kid Friendly – Most playrooms have books, and instead of storing these books on a normal bookshelf where the spine faces out, store these on a kid-friendly bookshelf with the cover facing out. You can also use something as simple as a decorative box so kids flip through and choose their favorite book by looking at the picture on the front!
Think Beyond the Toys – If you regularly interact with your children in the playroom, you should think about having appropriate seating. If you regularly read to them, perhaps a beanbag would be a great cozy option! Also think about using the wall space to help organize. Use hooks to hang backpacks and even frequently worn costumes. With Halloween coming up, you know these costumes will need a home!

Photo: Fortikur

Keeping Your Family Activity Calendar Organized

Posted on October 2, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Family, Goals, Time Management — No Comments ↓

I was talking to a busy working mother recently and she made the comment, “Sometimes it feels like I’m running a business with these Excel documents for family expenses and a master calendar for all meetings and activities.” The truth is (as much as it’s strange to say) your household is very similar to a business, and sometimes you need to use business tools to stay organized. The biggest area of strife for families is not being aware of commitments, and over booking. Most of the time this happens because there isn’t one central calendar visible to all parties. So first things first – create only ONE family calendar.

This will solve many of the problems! But of course, I have a few more tips up my sleeve. Next, you need to decide if you’re going keep it traditional using a paper calendar, or if you want to use an electronic option. I’m a big fan of using an electronic calendar like Google Calendar. It will also sync up with your phone’s calendar so you can get reminders wherever you are.

Whether you choose paper or electronic, assign a color to each member of the family. That way you easily see who has conflicting obligations – or meetings – and plan accordingly.

The next important thing is making sure you’re holding weekly family meetings to ensure you’re updating the calendar with the latest and greatest activities and meetings. Over communicating is always the best policy.

The last tip is to check your calendar daily. Similar to the workplace, you should wake up and consult your calendar so you can plan your day. There is nothing worse than remembering at 2pm that you were supposed to pick up the kids for an early release at 1pm.

As we dig deeper into the fall and winter seasons, remember that a central calendar is your best friend – and saving grace!

Photo: Mom of 6

Preparing Your Wardrobe for Fall and Winter: Tips from a Professional Organizer

Posted on September 23, 2014 by

Dawn Link Posted in Closet, Clothes — No Comments ↓

As September winds down, I always think to myself – where did the summer go? It’s true – it goes by so quickly, but I’m genuinely excited for fall. After all, fall in New England is breathtaking…apple orchards, beautiful foliage, and that perfect crisp in the air. And with that colder crisp comes the need to change out your wardrobe! Out with the shorts, in with the scarves and boots.

By biggest piece of advice is to start NOW. I know, it’s only September, but if you don’t start early, one morning you’ll be greeted by a chilly day and find yourself running around trying to figure out where you stored your jackets. Below is a quick checklist of what you need to do to get your wardrobe ready for the fall and winter:

Compile and store your spring/summer clothing – Organize your clothing into categories (shorts, shirts, etc.) and store these items in large Rubbermaid tubs. If you have little storage, look to purchase the containers that can slip under the bed. If you are going to store containers in the basement, ensure the containers you purchase seal tightly, to prevent any insects or unwanted smells from entering.
Make a list – Most people end up forgetting where they stored their clothing, so it helps to list out your clothing on an excel sheet so you can look back once spring arrives.
Donate old clothing – Look through last year’s fall/winter attire and evaluate what you want to keep and what you want to ditch. This also means you should look through the entry way closet and give away all of those old jackets you haven’t touched in five years.
Hang and organize your scarves – Over-the-door hooks can be a great way to keep all of those scarves organized. You can also purchase scarf hangers if the back of your closet door is already filled.
Clear space for boots – Boots can take up a lot of room, and they don’t fit in most shoe holders. I always find the best way to tuck away your boots is on a shoe stand. You can designate your boots to the top shelf. Also, to keep them from folding over you can put empty wine or sparkling water bottles inside the boot so they keep their form.
Make a dry cleaning run – If you stored all of your jackets in the basement or attic, it’s likely these will need a wash to rid them of that musty smell. If you drop them off now, you’ll be ready to go by the time the first frost rolls in.
Make a list of what you need – After you’ve gone through and noted the clothing you’ll be donating, make a list of clothing or shoes you need. Yes, that means you get to go shopping!

I would shoot to check these items off your list by the end of September, that way in October you can enjoy apple picking, sipping cider and other fall activities in your new clothes – and freshly cleaned closet space.

Photo: Bed Art Home