Christmas is Coming & Guests Will be Arriving!

Christmas in coming!  

If you are having guests, take time to consider the ways you wish to extend hospitality to them.  Ensure that they are treated as the most respected and honoured people you have in your home!

Anticipate the needs of your guests, consider their likes, make a plan to create the perfect atmosphere.   You want them to feel valued and loved as the depart from their stay with you.

December's newsletter will focus on the concept of hospitality and creating a warm environment for our guests.   If you have not already signed up to receive our free newsletter, please visit our website and sign up today.

Organizing By The Letter: J is for Jewellery!

J is for Jewellery.    

I don’t know about you, but I really love Jewellery.   I do not have much, but what I do have I really like.   I have some that was my mother’s, some that my kids have given to me, some that my husband has gifted to me, and even some that I have had since childhood.   One of my favourite childhood pieces is a charm bracelet that has the Ten Commandments link all the way around.   Several of the charms have gone missing (my parent`s would tell you I just removed the commandments I was not too fond of ) but I still love that little bracelet and will keep it for my grandchildren

Jennifer, why all the “way too much information”?    Well, I really want you to understand that I am not saying throw all your jewellery away or donate things that mean a lot to you.   Even though I will never wear the little charm bracelet, I want to be able to pass it to my grandchildren – my daughters can toss it in the trash if they wish but for me, I just cannot do it!

So, let us move on to de-cluttering and finding storage solutions for our Jewellery.   We embark on our Jewellery Adventures just as we do it just like everything else: 

1.    Sort: Put all the earring together, all the bracelets together, all the necklaces together, all the rings together and then look at each one.

Do all your earrings have mates, do they need backs, are the broken – do they turn your skin     green or cause infections?   Are any of the necklaces broken?  Are they worth having repaired?  If they are worth having repaired, put a time and date in your planner to take care of this.

2.     Purge: Toss any broken costume jewellery (any broken gold or silver can be sold to one of the many gold buyers in North America wherever you live). 

3.     Donate:  Any pieces that are in good condition but you no longer like, pack them up in baggies and donate them to Salvation Army or Goodwill.

4.    Store: Look at the pieces you are keeping and think about the best way to store them.        

   Don't run out and buy any thing new without thinking about what you have now, what you might really need and what the best solutions for you might be.

    I really like long necklaces and they never fit into a jewellery box – I use a simple “Command” type hanger on the back of my bedroom door.    

    For my rings and earrings, I use ice cubes trays from the dollar store to keep them organized in the top drawer of my dresser.   Bracelets sit in small boxes.  My entire Jewellery storage system maybe cost me $30.00 - and that is erring on the high-side.

Here are a storage options for you to consider:   

Ahhh Umbra, always the coolest ideas!    This one hangs in your closet and you can see through the pockets.   Hang some clothing over the top to protect against theft  - or teenage daughters - whichever comes first!

This is a big investment solution for your jewellery from The Bombay Company.   Visit Bombay.ca to learn more.

I use ice cube trays from the dollar store but the above organizer is a little fancier and has larger compartments.

I use a simple hook like this to hang my long necklaces from. Attached inside a closet or on the back of a door, it works great and is extremely cost effective. 

As you can see, storing your jewellery can be an expensive endeavor or a thrifty one, it is totally your choice?

·       Visit us on Facebook and let us know what your favourite Jewellery storage solution is.   You will also be able to receive our Daily `Take 5`Organizing Task. “Take 5” challenges are posted Monday-Friday as well as other organizing tip and treats.

·        Our monthly newsletter launched at the beginning of November.   Subscription is free so please visit our website and subscribe to receive the December issue.  We are going to have an “Ask The Organizer” section in upcoming issues – to ask a question, simply email us and put “Ask The Organizer” in the subject line.

I If you are looking for a more personalized organizing solution, subscribe to our new program Minute-By-Minute Organizing to receive personalized service and plans created just for your needs.

Organizing By The Letter: H is for Hangers

Well, it has been 3 days since our 12 hour Organizing Extravaganza on Facebook and I believe I have recovered.   Who knew it would be so exhausting spending 12 hours:

·         sitting at the computer,

·         posting events every 15 minutes,

·         and responding to emails?

With that event tucked away now, it is onto other projects and events as well as continuing the blog posts for the Organizing Alphabet.  The last post was back in July and we finished with “G” is for Groceries, so it is definitely time to complete this mission.

H is for Hangers

This week,  I am going to get my “crazy on” and pull a Joan Crawford and do the “No Wire Hangers – Ever” routine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOILKHmZBwc

Why the world-wide persecution of the wire hanger you ask?   Well I am so glad you did.

Wire hangers are:

1.       not strong enough to support anything heavy (like coats and sweaters),

2.        they can rust, leaving marks on your clothes,

3.       they get tangled together in the closet,

4.        they are too thin and can ruin your clothes by poking through fine fabrics

5.       they leave marks in the shoulder areas of your clothing making it look like you have miniature horns protruding – not a good look for most,

6.       and, they leave a sharp sideways crease on pants requiring extra ironing to get rid of (and none of us wants to do extra ironing.)

So what to do with all those wire hangers?    Return them to the dry cleaners – most are happy to take them back

No that the wire hangers are gone, what on earth are you going to hang all your clothes up with?

Again, I am so glad you asked!  Here are a few options that are kinder to your clothing.  

These hangers are big space savers &  have a coating to stop clothing from slipping off the hanger.   

There are additions that can be purchased for many of these thinner hangers to ensure they do not crease pants and the shoulder additions ensure that there is no dimpling of fine clothing

This hanger is sturdy, has grooves to keep dresses with straps from falling off and a strong middle bar for pants and skirts.   Personally, I prefer this type of hanger as opposed to the space savers above.   I find these are easier on the clothes.

What else is happening at Adventures In Organizing?

·         Our Facebook page has Mini Challenges called “Take 5” that are posted Monday-Friday as well as other organizing tip and treats.  Come visit, "Like" our page, and join in on the fun

·         Our monthly newsletter launched at the beginning of November.   Sign up is free so please visit our website and sign up to receive the December issue.  We are going to have an “Ask The Organizer” section in upcoming issues – to ask a question, simply email us and put “Ask The Organizer” in the subject line

·         We have created a brand new “virtual organizing” program called Minute By Minute Organizing to provide you with one-on-one organizing assistance for just $5.00 per week.   Check out our website to learn more.   We would love to assist you get your homes and life in order and this program is designed to fit any budget.

Minute By Minute Organizing - Program Launch Today

 

As an added bonus to those participating in our "free" 12 hour Facebook event, I wanted to create a program to help support people in moving forward.

 

In the spirit of the Facebook event being "free" wanted to make this new program incredibly affordable for everyone

With this simple, personalized program, we will take you from  CLUTTER to CLARITY at our introductory price of  ONLY $5.00 a week!

THAT IS LESS THAN A GRANDE LATTE!

Subscribe Now

You will have ONE on ONE service provided by an ADVENTURES IN ORGANIZING, AIOP Certified Organizer.

**ADVENTURES IN ORGANIZING IS A MEMBER OF the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD),
Professional Organizers of Canada (POC), Organizers of Ottawa and Faithful Organizers.

• Is this the day you want to make a change? Is this the day you have decided ENOUGH is ENOUGH?
• Have you not been having friends over for coffee or dinner because the house is a mess?
• Are you spending money to replace items you know you already have but can't find?

WE CAN HELP WITH THAT!

• Is your home office buried in paperwork?
• Are your kitchen counters piled with things that do not belong there?
• Are you unable to eat at the dining room table because it is covered with a mountain of items needing to be put away?

For as little as a trip to your favourite fast food restaurant or a grande latte, you can have a professional organizer assist in helping you to GET BACK ON TRACK, CLEAR YOUR CLOSETS, LOSE THE CLUTTER and GAIN CONTROL OF YOUR LIFE AND YOUR HOME.

MINUTE BY MINUTE ORGANIZING is a HUGE savings over our regular "Virtual Girl" program, which retails for $99 for 10 weeks.

With “MINUTE BY MINUTE ORGANIZING" you have unending access - Not just for 10 weeks, but for as long as you choose to subscribe!

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Each day you will have access to your Adventures In Organizing AIOP Organizer via email. Send us your photos, your before and after pics, your questions and challenges and we will work with you to solve each dilemma with creative solutions designed for you. You will also have access to our blog, Facebook group and our monthly newsletter full of tips and treasures.

Jennifer Dawson, founder and lead organizer of Adventures In Organizing has been helping Ottawa families for over 20 years. She began organizing before she really even knew that people made a career out of helping others - before she even knew there was such a career called Professional Organizing. Jennifer has worked with those who have major clutter issues, seniors looking to downsize, those who suffer
from ADD, single mothers who are feeling a little overwhelmed and many young families who need assistance establishing schedules and routines.

Click here to subscribe to this personalized program - It's Risk-Free!

Can you find anything in your home in Five Minutes or Less? While participating in the Minute By Minute program, we are going to work
toward this goal together. At this price, professional organizing services just became cost effective for everyone.

VIRTUAL OR CYBER ORGANIZING? HOW DOES THIS CONCEPT WORK?

1.  What is Minute By Minute Organizing?
Minute by Minute is a program developed by Adventures In Organizing and will be customized to meet each client’s specific needs.. You have a weekly subscription of $5.00 per week for you personalize one-on- one
virtual organizing service

2. How does it work?
You communicate with Adventures In Organizing via email. Send us your questions and concerns and we will help your work on specific areas of your home, one drawer, one room at a time. Working a pace that fits with your specific organizational needs is a key part of this virtual progam. If you want to blast right through a room, we can help you develop a “plan of attack” to make that happen. If you have a hard time making decisions and need to work at a slower pace, that is what we will help you do –at the same time, provide you with the inspiration and the tools to make your decisions a little quicker and to propel you toward you goals.

3. What can I expect when I sign up?
Adventures in Organizing will provide you with personalised detailed answers to your questions.
Explanations on how to reach your goals and jump start you on your Organizing Adventure.
Time Management Tips and Tools to equip your to make the most of your day.
Our Vision Casting worksheets to help you decide your priorities and were you want to go with this process.
Access to our Facebook Page
Subscription to our newsletter
Access to our Blog
All this for just $5.00 per week!

4. How do I pay for the Minute By Minute Organizing Program?

Once you click the “Subscribe” link, you simply fill in the PayPal payment details and you are in! Your account will be billed at the rate of $5.00 each week and you may cancel at any time, for any reason.

5. What do I have to lose by subscribing?

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! At this price, there is no way you can lose. Just subscribe to the program and then send your first email to us.

6. What is the fine print?

You can send us one email per day with your questions, concern and photos included. It can be as long as you like and entail several photos.

We request 48 hours to respond, and we work an average business week (Mon – Fri) While Adventures In Organizing may respond on a weekend,
we are generally closed Saturday and Sunday as well as all Canadian Holidays. Our families are important to us and we manage our time to
ensure they know they are valued.

Register for the Minute By Minute Program today. SIGN ME UP

We are inviting you now to subscribe to this incredible, cost effective offer. This is an introductory offer to introduce our new customized program. Lock in your $5.00 per week introductory price today.  This introductory price will not last long.

Sign Up For Our Minute By Minute Organizing Program.  It's Risk-Free!

Let’s start organizing, Minute by Minute!

Jennifer Dawson

www.adventuresinorganizing.ca
You can also find us in the Social Media World on:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/adventuresinorganizing
Twitter: @organizeyourlif
Pinterest: AdventuresInOrganizing
Blogspot: http://jennifer-organizeyourlife.blogspot.ca/

The Adventures In Organizing Guarantee:

If at any time, for any reason, you are unable to continue with our program, simply access your PayPal Account and stop payment. It is just that simple!
Not sure if this program is right for you?

Check out our Guarantee above and you simply cannot lose.