I got this via email from a current client of mine and thought I would pass it on. It’s a bit long but very inspiring. I enjoyed it and intend to refer to it often. Hope you do too!

Since Memorial Day weekend is right around the corner, I thought I would provide those of you who intend to travel either that weekend or any other time during the summer months with One Dozen Travel Smart Quick Tips from A BETTER SPACE.

1. Start early. Once you determine where you're going to be going, begin gathering everything you need to make your trip a pleasant one. Need a passport? Apply at least 3 months ahead of time or you'll pay extra for express delivery. Secure airline reservations at least 8 weeks prior if possible, especially if traveling abroad. The closer it gets to the date you want to leave, the more the tickets will cost. Reserve hotel and car rentals well ahead of time to ensure your reservation is accepted. Get maps, surf the Net and speak with others to get specific travel tips for the areas you're visiting. Get maps. They can be lifesavers along the way. Better yet, invest in a GPS system!

2. Call ahead. Contact your hotel ahead of time to find out what their amenities are. If they have a hair dryer in each room for instance, you won't have to bring yours along. If they have laundry facilities, you can pack even less since you'll be able to wash while you're there. If they have exercise facilities, you may want to bring some sneakers along. Better to know ahead, so you're prepared.

3. Apply the 50% rule. When packing clothing for a trip, lay out everything you think you'll need on your bed--then, put 50% of it back in your closet. Most people take way more than is necessary and end up carrying unnecessary weight along the way. Chances are, you'll be able to wear each outfit at least twice, especially if you mix and match different tops with different bottoms.

4. Use a packing list. Come up with a list of everything you need to take with you when traveling. Organize each item by genre: clothing, toiletries, financial, etc. Make copies of this list, so you can reference it for each trip you take. As you're packing, check off each item on your list as you put it in your suitcase. Finally, pack your list, and use it on your last day of vacation or business trip, so you remember to take everything back home with you.

5. Take an empty suitcase. If you're the type of person who shops when you travel, be sure you bring along an extra suitcase. You'll have the perfect place to pack your souvenirs and gifts purchased during your trip.

6. Make a schedule. Find out what you wish to do at your destination BEFORE you get there. Then, make yourself a schedule for each day based on criteria, such as the days and times a particular store or museum is open. If you wish to switch some events around when you get there, that's OK. But, at least you'll have something to reference so you're not wasting time wondering what you should do or what's open on what days.

7. Carry one on. If you're taking an airline or other mass transit to your destination, always carry on a small carry-on bag that contains your prescription medications, some of your cosmetics, a toothbrush/toothpaste duo, your cell phone, a change of underwear and a good book. Just in case your luggage doesn't make it when you do, you'll have your important items with you. (Check with your airlines to determine what you can bring on the plane, and what you can't.)

8. Bag it. If you don't plan on washing your clothes while you're away, be sure to pack an empty plastic bag so your dirty items can be kept separate from your clean clothes.

9. Bring games for the kids. It's definitely worth it to stop by your local travel store to find some travel games for the kids, such as Travel Bingo, magnetic checkers or coloring books. Also, don't forget some snacks and boxed juices as the little ones are bound to get hungry at one point or another. In fact, you might want to bring a few snacks along for yourself while you're at it!

10. Safety first. Make two copies of your itinerary--one for yourself and one for family members who are not traveling with you. Those at home will be able to contact you in case of an emergency.

11. Play catch up. As long as you're not driving, travel time could easily be used for catching up on some business work, reading or letter writing. Laptops have made it easy to bring your work along with you if you choose. Magazines or a good book can be tucked into your carry-on for reading while you're on the road, in a plane, or later while you're in bed at a hotel or a relative's home.

12. There's no place like home. Before you leave for vacation, clean your house, wash all of your laundry and make your bed. When you arrive back home after your vacation, your home will be a welcome haven.

Hope you find these tips helpful.  Send me feedback if you make use of them and let me know how you made out. 

For more information and assistance on any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and create A Better Space for you.

Have a great week!

This week's Quick Tip For A Better Space is Part Two from an exerpt of an article posted on the site www.busybeelifestyle.com.  With their permission, I am submitting to you the following: 

I am continuing with the theme of last week's blog which was called "Create A Five Star Guest Room".  This week you can create a more elaborate guest room with a few fun ideas!

You can buy quality sheets with a high thread count without spending a fortune!  Take a look at Martha Stewart's 400 thread count sets starting at $39.00 and 500 count sheets at $59.99 at K-mart.

Pamper your guests with soft, fluffy towels, providing each with a bath towel, hand towel and wash cloth.  Add a monogram for a personal touch.  You can embroider guest towels with your monogram (wife's first initial first, family last name initial large in the middle and husband's first initial last) or a single word like "Welcome" or "Guest".  Fold and bundle each towel set with a wide ribbon.

An especially nice touch is to provide a sturdy wooden luggage rack that looks like bamboo.  Suitcases rest on strong cotton twill straps and a lower shelf can hold shoes or handbags.  Ballard Designs - ballarddesigns.com - $99.50

A water carafe and glass set is a perfect bedside accessory and easily available.

Taking a cue from the best hotels, hang terry cloth robes in the guest room closet.  You can purchase them from Lillian Vernon for a reasonable price.  The Ultra-Soft Microfleece Robe with complimentary personalization costs $49.98.  You don't necessarily need to personalize every last item in your guest room but it can be fun to embroider these robes with "Guest" or "His" and "Hers".

Other touches can include: a clock/CD player for quiet music and wake up calls, a spot to stow wet towels such as an attractive laundry basket or hooks on the back of the door, a reading lamp, coasters, a note detailing a weekend of activities, etc.   Use your imagination and think about what you would like to have if you were a guest in someone's home.

So, why not undertake that guest room makeover today and be ready for visitors tomorrow!

For more information and assistance on any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and create A Better Space for you.

Have a great week!

I received this via email from a current client of mine.  In honor of mothers everywhere, I dedicate this blog to you. Enjoy!

I was networking recently at the Women's Business Expo at Delaware Valley College in Doylestown and met two women who have begun a website called Busy Bee Lifestyle.  They post inspiring ideas for entertaining, decorating, shopping and more.

This week's Quick Tip For A Better Space is an exerpt from an article they posted on their site www.busybeelifestyle.com which I believe will be very helpful to you.  With their permission, I am submitting to you the following: 

CREATING A FIVE STAR GUEST ROOM

Whether you have one bedroom designated as a guest room or you bunk guests in one of your kid's bedrooms, it is important to create a welcoming space!

If you have a separate guest room, make sure the sheets and blankets are freshly laundered.  Stack towels along with extra pillows and blankets, purge the closet of your own clutter and add lots of attractive hangers, fill a basket with all of those mini toiletries from hotel stays and set out a few fun magazines and good books, making sure there is adequate light for reading.  Why not add a few finishing touches such as fresh flowers, a scented candle, a carafe for water and a small dish of candy or mints?

When a child's room serves double duty for guests, consider putting together a "guest room kit".  Use a large wicker basket to hold linens, towels, toiletries and the additional items listed above.  Keep this basket stocked at all times and dedicate the contents for guest use only.  This way, your lucky guests won't end up sleeping on those Disney sheets!

If you are interested in creating a more elaborate guest room, check back next week for some more ideas!

So, why not undertake that guest room makeover today and be ready for visitors tomorrow!

For more information and assistance on any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and create A Better Space for you.

Have a great week!

It is so beautiful and warm out today it reminds me that Summer is just around the corner and we will all begin spending more time outside, whether we're swimming, having picnics, barbecuing. 

Coincidentally, I received this helpful tip which I would like to pass onto you to make those times outside more enjoyable.

It's from someone who was at a deck party awhile back, and the bugs were having a ball biting everyone. A man at the party sprayed the lawn and deck floor with Listerine, and the little demons disappeared. 

The next year this person filled a 4-ounce spray bottle and used it around his seat whenever he saw mosquitoes. And voila! That worked as well.

It worked at a picnic where they sprayed the area around the food table, the children's swing area, and the standing water nearby.

Enough about taxes already!  Hopefully you can put them behind you until next year at this point and move on to more important things.  However, keeping in the same vein, a few Quick Tips for A Better Space when it comes to storing Appliances Warranties is worth mentioning. 

When you purchase something that is covered by a warranty, tape or staple the receipt to the inside cover of the owner's manual, and write the date the warranty will expire on the cover, preferably in red.

For example, your mixer might have a 5 year warranty, so just add 5 years to the date of purchase and write that in red on the cover. Then, if something breaks, you can quickly see (without trying to read the fine print and the faded receipt) if the item is still covered.

In addition, I suggest storing the owner's manuals in a 3 ring binder with plastic pockets, near the point of the product's use.

For example, all kitchen appliances, such as the coffee maker, microwave, etc., can be put into a binder in the kitchen near your cookbooks. Another binder in the garage can have the manuals for the lawnmower, the leaf blower, and other garden and yard tools.

For major appliances that will stay with the house if and when you sell, can be filed in a folder in your file cabinet, so you can pass them onto the new owners.

The new owners will be so thankful to know when the furnace, water heater, alarm system, etc., were installed, and who did it.  It can make it much easier to know where to get the right replacement parts, who to get for service, and so on.

Hope these Quick Tips help!  Let me know what you think!

If you have any suggestions of your own, send them to me and I might use them in future blogs to share with others. 

For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.

Have a great week!

Starting today, April 1st, for 7 days straight, I plan to do a spring organizing and/or spring cleaning project each day. Here's what's on my agenda...

DAY 1 Begin outside clean up, including getting rid of any leftover winter brush, snipping dead branches from plants to get them ready for the warmer weather ahead and sweeping the walkway and driveway.

DAY 2 Put away any winter clothing for the season that is still in our closets, and bring out our spring and summer wardrobes. Iron anything that requires it.

DAY 3 Begin sorting through the outdoor toys (including sports equipment, skate boards, bicycle, etc.) from last year and determine what my son has outgrown and will no longer be using. I will create a list of a few items to supplement to provide him with items that are more age appropriate for this year.

DAY 4 Clean areas in our house that get neglected most of the year, such as the tops of our high cabinets, under the fridge and the bookcase shelves (empty, dust, and return all books again).

DAY 5 Begin to plan our family’s summer vacation for the end of August. By reviewing our budget and discussing ideas with the family, we will formulate a vacation plan so we will be ready when the end of summer comes around. (It arrives before you know it!)

DAY 6 Empty the fridge and freezer and clean them out before returning our perishables back inside. Also, defrost the freezer we keep in our garage.

DAY 7 Although I belong to a homeowners association, I suggest making arrangements for your summer help, including the lawn mowing service, and grass, tree and plant service. Check the outdoor furniture that was left out over the winter to see if it needs any repair (mine is made of wrought iron and might need to be repainted). It’s also a good time of year to make an appointment to have the car detailed.

By the end of these 7 days, I know we'll feel great and a lot will be complete and we can enjoy the Spring!

For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.

Have a great week!

Can you believe almost one-quarter of the year has already passed? Are you still having trouble organizing those special events that occur every year, making sure you have made note of the date and what to purchase, whether it’s a card or a gift?

Here are some Quick Tips for A Better Space which will make organizing those special events a breeze:

First, write all the birthdays, anniversaries and other recurring celebrations on your calendar.

Then, transfer the information, using a 3x5 inch recipe box with 12 dividers inside marked January through December.

On 3 x 5 cards, write the name, address and phone numbers of the person. In the upper right corner, write the date of their special day and highlight it for quick visibility.

You can use white cards for wedding anniversaries, pink cards for female birthdays, blue cards for male birthdays and yellow or green cards for other special days. Put the cards in chronological order in the box by month.

I use this system for both personal information and professional contact information. Some people will get a phone call, others you will send a card to, while others you will buy a gift for.

About 10 days prior to the start of a new month, pull out all the cards for the next month. Review them. Once you have decided what your intentions are for that month’s group of people, plan a trip to purchase any cards and/or gifts you need for that month. As an added perk, write what you give the person that year on back of the card.

Now, you won’t forget that special day!

You can even do a separate box just for Christmas time. Using the same system, just put a card in the box for everyone you want to send cards to and those you want to purchase gifts for. Use a divider to separate the two categories, if you’d like. Be sure to keep contact information up to date so that when it comes time to mail out those cards and gifts, the information is correct. Again, write what you give the person that year on the back of the card. This will avoid duplicates and make you look creative and organized.

It’s easy!

For more information and assistance on this topic or any organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me. I will be more than happy to help you reach your goals for organization and make your place A Better Space.

Have a great week!