Time is winding down!  You only have a couple months to go.  This is the time you should be doing the following...

• Mail out your wedding invitations eight weeks prior to the wedding.  You will need this much time to get the responses you are looking for from the large amount of people you are inviting.  (You will still need to follow up with some, but most will respond in sufficient time.  Give them one month to respond.)
• Have your ceremony programs printed.  Print plenty of extras to have on hand.
• Purchase a guest book and other wedding accessories.  A.C. Moore and other similar locations have a large choice to pick from. 
• Select your hair and make-up stylists and schedule a practice appointment for at least a week prior to the big day.  If you wait too long, you might not get the day or the stylist you want.  Consider scheduling appointments for your bridal party as well.  It was a really special time when I had my matron of honor with me to have our hair and make-up done together.
• Plan a bridal luncheon for your bridesmaids.  It's a nice way for all to get to know each other and be more comfortable with each other on the wedding day. 

Check back next time for more tips you can use to plan for that special day.  It's all about the details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like to have addressed.  I am glad to help.

Have a great week!

The wedding day is quickly approaching.  So now your wedding day is about two to four months away.  What should you be doing during this time?

Here are some suggestions:

• Find out what your state's requirements are for obtaining a marriage license.  Get your future spouse on board and get the ball rolling.
• Select and order the tuxedos for the groom and groomsmen, including the ring bearer and father of the bride.
• Meet with your officiant to discuss the ceremony details.  Are you going to be reading your own vows or is the officiant preparing something to read?  Determine what will be said.  You can always make changes to already prepared content.  If you are preparing your own vows, start getting them prepared and get a courtesy copy to the officiant when they are completed.
• Order your wedding cake if you have not already done so directly with the caterer.  Make sure to arrange delivery of the cake, if need be, so it arrives well in advance of the wedding reception.
• Buy thank-you gifts for your attendants.  There are specialty shops that will engrave items if you wish.  I purchased a necklace with a stone that complemented the gown the bridesmaids and flower girl were wearing on the day of the wedding.  My husband purchased watches for the groomsmen and ring bearer to wear that day as well.  We purchased handkerchiefs for my parents which we had engraved with their initials, because we knew the day would bring them to (happy) tears.
• Shop for a gift for your new spouse-to-be.  This is optional.  Since my husband and I were paying for the wedding ourselves, we decided not to do this.  We were giving the wedding as a gift to each other instead.  The choice is yours.  Just make sure you are both on the same page!
• Select and purchase your wedding bands.  They can either match or not, depending upon your taste.  My wedding band matches my engagement ring instead of my husband's wedding band.  It's completely up to you and your future spouse.
• Prepare for and choose a location for the rehearsal dinner.  Make a list of intended guests to determine the number who are invited so that you can comfortably accommodate all.  This can either be a large affair or something more intimate with just the immediate family members from both sides and the attendants. 

There is plenty to do and time is moving quickly.  Do your best to keep up with the deadlines so that you don't get caught behind the 8 ball as your wedding day arrives.

Check back for more tips so you can plan the wedding of your dreams and not leave out any important details.

Please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE with any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address and I will be glad to help. 

Have a great week!

So now you are about four to six months before your wedding.  What should you be doing?

Here are some suggestions:

• Select and order your wedding invitations, envelopes and thank-you cards.  Make sure you order extra to be sure you will have enough.  It's better to have too much than not enough.  You can order them from various places including catalogs, party stores, card stores such as Hallmark, etc.  Price out various options to see what best fits your budget.
• Select and purchase wedding favors.  You can choose from specially wrapped candy bars, chocolate kisses, candy coated almonds, ceramics, small Teddy bears, etc.  Be creative! 
• Book your honeymoon and verify that you have the necessary travel documents if you are going out of the United States.  Passports can take a couple of months to obtain so don't wait too long.  Some destinations will accept a drivers license and original birth certificate.  Check with your travel agent for details.
• Book accommodations for any out-of-town guests.  Select a place that is conveniently located near the weekend activities to make their stay less stressful.  Arrange transportation to and from the airport if applicable, as well.  Have something special placed in their room to make them feel welcome when they arrive.  Keep children in mind as well.  They need to feel special.
• Finalize your guest list and send out save-the-date cards to make sure that everyone who will be invited knows well in advance not to schedule anything else on that day.
• Print out directions to the ceremony, reception, rehearsal dinner and hotel(s) for your guests.  Make sure they are included in your invitations when they are sent out.
• Reserve transportation for you and your wedding party to and from the wedding.  This can be in the form of a limousine, van, bus, trolley, carriage, etc. 

More tips are coming your way so check back regularly so that you can plan and organize that special day right up to the very last moment!

In the meantime, as always, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help. 

Continuing with the information I provided in my last blog, I am providing you with an ongoing checklist to prepare for your wedding day:

Here are some suggestions to help:

SIX TO NINE MONTHS BEFORE -

• Choose one or more bridal gift registries.  This will help your friends and family purchase items for you that you really need and want.  Carefully consider the items you wish to have when you begin your new life with your future husband.  Go through the various rooms in a home and make a general list.  Common choices are bed linens, bathroom accessories, items for the kitchen such as pots and pans, dishes, glassware, silverware, placemats and oven mits, small appliances, cookware, etc.  Don't forget the vacuum cleaner and other tools to keep your home clean and neat.
• Order your wedding gown and bridal accessories as soon as possible to make sure everything will be ready on time for your special day.  You will need time for alterations later so don't wait til the last minute to get this important detail taken care of.
• Begin shopping for your bridesmails dresses.  Consider the time of year and what type of gown would look good on various body shapes.  I personally purchased my bridesmaids gowns on line through a clothing catalog and was able to match the flower girl's gown with the bridesmaids at a very reasonable cost.  The bridesmaids appreciated that I took their budgets into consideration when making my choice.
• Find an officiant who will perform your ceremony, whether you are interested in a religious ceremony or a more non-traditional ceremony, it is important to contact that person as soon as possible to make sure that they are available.
• Select and book the band or disc jockey, photographer, videographer, caterer and florist.  Get recommendations from those you trust.  You are investing a lot of money in their services and you want to make sure they will meet your expectations.  When you contract with them, read the contract carefully and make sure you understand every aspect of it.  Be specific about what it is you are looking for.  Discuss the type of music you wish to hear, the particular photos and video you want to have taken, the type of food you wish to have served and the type of floral arrangements and bouquets you want to have created.  Stay in contact with those you've hired on a monthly basis to make sure they are clear as to the arrangements you have made.  DO NOT PAY THEM IN FULL UNTIL THE DAY OF THE WEDDING OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER.  This is important to protect yourself from possible fraud.

In the coming weeks, I will provide you with additional tips to help you plan and organize that special day right up to the day of the Wedding.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help.

This time next year, many will be walking down that aisle and saying "I DO".   But how do you get to that special day?  You plan, you organize.  There are so many factors involved in planning a wedding that it requires careful preparation to avoid any problems.  You should begin preparing, if possible, a year ahead of time.

Here are some suggestions to help:

TWELVE MONTHS BEFORE -

• Proudly announce your engagement to family and friends so they can share this special occasion right along with you.
• Work on a budget to determine how much you can afford to spend.  In order to avoid over-spending, this is critical.
• Choose a location (whether it's a house of worship, reception hall or on an island). 
• Begin to compile a preliminary guest list to give you a basic idea of who you would like to invite. 
• Decide who you would like to have participate in your Wedding.  (brides maids, maid or matron of honor, groomsmen, best man (or men), ring bearer, flower girl, etc.)  Who will be escorting you down the aisle?  It doesn't have to be traditional.  It's your wedding; you can plan it however you chose.
• Begin shopping for your wedding gown.  Buy some wedding magazines to get an idea about what style of gown you would like.  Then, go to the store and try some on just to get an idea what looks best on you.  (Bring your best friend for a second opinion and make an afternoon of it!)
• Purchase a wedding planner/journal.  This will help you plan out the following year and keep pertinent information at your fingertips.  If you'd like, use a basic calendar to keep track of important dates and appointments.  (photographer, fittings, florist, etc.)

In the coming weeks, I will provide you with additional tips to help you plan and organize that special day right up to the day of the Wedding.  Stay tuned!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be glad to help.

Now that school is in full swing, the kids are already bringing home the artwork that they created in school.  Especially in the early school years, these activities will stimulate your children and help them grow.

No matter how simple or complex, usually these "masterpieces" are brought home and proudly displayed on the fridge or the walls.  However, how do you handle all of it when it starts to take over the home?

Here are some suggestions:

NO NEED TO KEEP EVERY "MASTERPIECE" - Once a month, sit down with your child and ask him or her to choose the one they like the best from that month's collection.  By the end of the school year, you should only have about 10 pieces.  You can take those 10 and narrow it down even further.  This will keep the artwork under control and will still provide the ability to save their creations to look back on in the future. 

PRESERVE THOSE MEMORIES IN A SCRAPBOOK - Take photographs of some of the larger pieces of artwork or the three-D pieces and keep them in a scrap book.  Even if the actual piece of artwork is disgarded, the memory remains intact.

CREATE A MEMORY BOX - I find that more often than not, it's the parents who want to hold onto those pieces of artwork, more so than the kids.  An easy way to keep them dust free and in good condition is to store them in a clear plastic container with a lid that is clearly labeled.  The container should not be too large but reasonably sized to hold the "collection".  By keeping them in a container, you are also providing boundaries for how much is kept.  It should not exceed the size of the box.  Remember, if you keep every piece of artwork that comes through the door for the next dozen or more years, your house will be overflowing with it.  So, keep a lid on it!

FRAME IT - For some of those very special pieces, why not create a small art gallery to display them in a frame on the wall.  This idea can provide some personality to a kid's bedroom, a playroom, a hallway or stairwell.  Once in a while, change them for variety. 

ALL THOSE SUPPLIES - If the kids love to create at school, chances are they like to create at home.  This involves have a supply of crayons, markers, glue, paper and other art supplies in the home.  Purchase a portable file box with a handle that they can easily transport from one room to the other or into the car which contains sandwich bags of the various supplies.  This will keep everything organized and easy for them to find what they want.

GIFTING -What proud grandmom, grandpop or favorite aunt would not treasure a personalized gift from your child! Encourage your little artist to give a "masterpiece" as a special gift to that special someone on their birthday or Grandparents Day or any other special occasion as opposed to buying something for your child to give to them.

With these easy suggestions, you will find that the flow of artwork coming through the door and created in your home will become much more manageable.  Remember, you can't keep it all, so be selective.

If you have any questions or comments about this topic or any other organizing issue you may have, feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help.

Have a great week! 

August is drawing to a close this coming weekend.  If your children haven't started school yet, they will soon. 

Why not start the school year off right with these Quick Tips for A Better Space!!!

Keep your family organized by placing a wall-mounted calendar in a common area, such as the kitchen or family room. Include every family member's schedule and chore list for the week or month. Use different colors to code each family member's entries. At a glance, each person will know everyone else's schedule, resulting in less confusion about whose soccer game is on Saturday and who won't be available to babysit on Friday.

Items like book bags, shoes, umbrellas, jackets – even sports equipment – inevitably pile up right next to the door that everyone in the family enters. Add a shelving solution to corral all of those items and keep the entryway clutter free. Add a hanging rod for coats and jackets and hooks for umbrellas and backpacks. Setting up a system like this near your main door will also help reduce clutter spreading to other areas of the home.

Finally, as more and more students are spending more and more time surfing the Web, doing research, downloading homework assignments, etc., it's helpful to create a computing station that all family members can easily access.   Shelving solutions are now available in all different styles and finishes to complement your home's décor and you can create a highly efficient, space-saving station which includes a desk surface and more.  Just look up!  Think vertically.   Don't forget to use some shelves above that desk space for storage of school supplies, books and can be kept in decorative boxes and magazine holders to provide an organized, functional and attractive space in which to get that homework done!

I hope these tips help you create A BETTER SPACE for your home. 

If you have any comments or questons about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to help.

Have a great Labor Day weekend!

This month I celebrated another birthday - not telling you which one!  I decided that I wanted to make a life change and began working on taking more control of my health.  I have a history of eating poorly and not exercising and as a result was feeling sluggish and lazy.  I knew I could improve. 

So, I began by setting some goals for myself.  I decided I wanted to eat better and begin an exercise program.  I know myself well enough to know that if I jump in, full force, I will burn out and never accomplish my goals.  So I am taking it slow.

Beginning August 1st, I began making a conscious effort to eat 3 meals a day.  (I was only eating maybe 2 and lots of junk food to boot.)  I went by myself to the supermarket on July 31st and bought fruits, vegetables, fat free yogurt, whole grain breads and cereal, low fat milk, 100% juices such as apple, grape and orange, low fat peanut butter ( I love peanut butter!), and 94% fat free popcorn as well as whole grain crackers to snack on.

I decided to begin an exercise program, and again, taking it slow since I don't exercise at all except for when I am organizing clients' homes.  I decided to walk.  I love to walk in my community.  We have a great community park which draws lots of people from our neighborhood.  There are walking and biking trails, basketball courts, soccer fields and more.  I even enjoy just taking a walk around the streets in my area.  There are lush trees and the wonderful sounds of nature to enjoy.  Everyone says "hello" when they see you; it's just so nice.  So, it was a good choice for me to at least get myself out the door and moving around.  I walk about a half hour, which covers 2 miles, every other day.  I walk at a brisk pace and feel energized when I am done. 

I am taking vitamins too!  I decided to start with a woman's multi-vitamin and since I have a Vitamin D deficiency (most people do and don't know it), I supplement with a Vitamin D on a daily basis.

This was a good start for me.  I am paying close attention to the foods I eat, using portion control, exercising and taking vitamins.  In two weeks, I lost a couple pounds and overall feel so much better. Mentally, I am happier and more energized.  I feel that it is much easier to accomplish my day to day goals with a much clearer head.

I guess the moral to this story is that you can begin to organize your life by making small life changes that will make you feel better about yourself.  As a result, you will feel happier and more energized to accomplish those goals you wish to achieve.  Now, you can tackle that messy linen closet or those pantry shelves!  Taking small steps to get where you want to go will have a lasting effect.

I will keep you posted on my progress so you can follow along...

If you have any comments or questions about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to make your place A BETTER SPACE!

Have a great week!

Although I love Summer and hate to see it end, as a parent of a senior in high school, I have no choice but to start thinking about the upcoming school term. This year promises to be very exciting and it will be in full swing before we know it; September 3^rd to be exact.

So, once again, it’s time to start thinking about how to handle the deluge of school papers that will flow in and out of our homes. For students and parents alike, getting an ORGANIZED start to the new school year can make the difference between having a SUCCESSFUL school year or not. If you follow the eight recommendations below, I know that you and your child will have a much more successful school year!

GET YOUR CHILD RE-ACCLIMATED TO GOING TO BED EARLIER AND WAKING UP EARLIER

Start now to slowly move the bedtime back by a half hour or an hour a week so that when school begins, your child will be able to go to bed early enough to get the proper rest that they need in order to function best in school. This is especially true for older children (such as teenagers) who, like my son, started off the Summer going to bed at 1:00 a.m. and sleeping until 11:00 a.m. Teenagers need lots of sleep (usually about 10 hours per night). I am currently moving his bedtime back in one hour increments so that when Labor Day rolls around he will not have such a hard time going to bed at 9:00 p.m. This will enable him to get up for school on time at 5:45 a.m. As I move the bedtime back, I also make sure my son gets up earlier so he can get acclimated to doing that as well.

SET SOME RULES RIGHT FROM THE START.

Establish family ground RULES relating to the school year daily schedule, such as that ideal bedtime, homework completion, television watching, computer surfing, and socializing. Establishing these expectations at the beginning of the school year communicates the parent’s PRIORITIES and commitment from the start. Children need and want these boundaries to feel safe and secure, whether they know it or not, even teenagers.

SET UP A CENTRAL SYSTEM

Establish a "Command Center" for your children’s PAPER -- incoming and outgoing. Put an end to the school paper chase by establishing a zone for processing school paper – both incoming and outgoing. This area is where parents can review and PROCESS action papers (permission slips, lunch money, homework sign-offs, etc.) for quick turnaround. Adopt a simple two tiered "In/Out box" where you will process paper (the preferred location being in or near the kitchen) and instruct your children to place papers for mom’s or dad’s review in the In box. Completed paper is then given to children for return to school.

CREATE A LAUNCHING PAD

Establish a ZONE for the daily backpack pickup/drop close to the door where your child enters and exits each day. After Mom or Dad has processed the papers that need to go back to school, they can then return them to this zone for the kids to return to their backpack. Any other items needed for school should be placed in this area as well.  This simple strategy will greatly ease the morning rush.

CREATE A SPACE FOR HOMEWORK

Set up a desk or STUDY workspace that is conducive to concentration and focus. Considerations for setting up the child’s workspace should include good lighting, low noise levels, plenty of space to spread out, privacy, sufficient availability of supplies and anything else that adds to the structure.  Stock drawers with basic supplies your child needs in order to complete homework and projects.

THINK ABOUT CLASSROOM ORGANIZATION

Establish a system and tools to help your child be organized AT school as well as at home. It is critically important for children to develop organizational skills at an early age. Accordion folders or binders with pocket folders labeled for each class can be an easy organizer system for your child to keep papers corralled at school as well as home. Once your child is old enough to use a locker at school, equip him/her with locker accessories that allow subjects to be separated by, perhaps, morning and afternoon classes.

TAKE IT EASY

Don’t overload your children with too many extra-curricular ACTIVITIES. Today’s school children are over-scheduled and stressed out as a result. A balance of academics, activities and down time is necessary for academic success and good mental health. Make every effort to have dinner together as a family and avoid outside activities that distract from this important family ritual. Ask yourself what’s more important, your kid’s skills or their sanity? They will gain a lot more from the time they spend with the family around the dinner table.

GET EVERYONE TO HELP OUT

Establish an age appropriate CHORE routine to keep your children engaged and accountable to the family unit. With EVERY family member pitching in to help the household run smoothly, more time is freed up for fun family activities when the work is done. This includes the parents. Children need to see that their parents are active participants in household chores, not just dictators.

By establishing these simple yet powerful organizational routines, you and your children will be on the road to success this school year.

If you have any comments or questions about this topic or any other organizing issue you might have, feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy to make your place A BETTER SPACE! 

Have a great week!

In the past week or so there has been a lot of talk about the stability of the banks in our country and the security of our assets.  I received a newsletter from the President and CEO of ING Direct, Arkadi Kuhlmann, that contained the following information which I would like to share with you.

"So, you've put some money away and you're just letting it sit there and grow.  Or maybe you've stashed away some valuables in a safe deposit box.  If you haven't touched either in three to five years, you may never touch them again.  It's all because of state laws - called escheatment or unclaimed property laws - that require banks and brokerages to turn over unclaimed property, including un-cashed payroll checks, stock, bank deposit and more, to the State.  Property is classified as "unclaimed" when a Customer doesn't contact the bank where his/her money is held over an extended period of time and there has been no activity.

The State goverment is then supposed to identify and contact the rightful owners, and reunite them with their property; however, each State has a "who's who" list of people who "couldn't be found" and whose property has been seized."

Here's what you can do to avoid this:

- Login to any on line account at least once a year.

- For each bank account, make a balance inquiry, small deposit or withdraweal at least
once a year.

- Cash or deposit checks when you get them.

- Use gift cards, traveler's checks and gift certificates promptly.

- Visit your safe deposit box at least once a year.

- Notify any holder of funds of an address change or a new name.

- Make a list of all your account information including retirement plans, insurance policies, trust payments, and brokerage or other accounts, and give a copy to a trusted family member or friend.

Remember, if you ignore your assets, they could disappear.  You certainly don't want that to happen.

If you would like more information on this or any other organizing topic, please feel free to contact A BETTER SPACE.   I will be glad to help.