June 30, 2008
Packing Tips:
I was recently asked by a journalist about packing tips when going on holiday…let's face it most of us dread this task! Some of us procrastinate and throw it all in the suitcase last minute and others drag out the process packing many things unnecessarily. Here are a few packing tips whether you are holidaying in the tropics or taking a family/business trip…
The Carry-On bag - very under-rated but by far the most important. If you lose your luggage (heaven forbid) at least you have this blessed bag carrying your most essential items.
- Medication
- Toiletries/Emergency kit of must haves (quick fixes for minor crises: band-aids, Tylenol, spot remover, nail clippers etc)
- Water/Snacks
- Book/Travel Game (Suduko, Crosswords, Scrabble etc)
- Cardigan/Pashmina
- Ipod/Laptop
- Passport/Visa/Important Phone Numbers (for Home and Destination)
Luggage - Make sure you choose appropriate luggage suitable for the destination. Will you be moving from place to place - maybe a backpack is best or if you have a car rental the roll-on/suitcase will probably suffice. Don't forget to personalize your luggage - attach a colorful ribbon or ID tag - it helps when trying to distinguish your black suitcase from everyone else's!
Packing - Lay everything out on the bed. That way you have a good idea of how much you are taking (maybe too much!) and how well everything co-ordinates. Pick a neutral color scheme and Mix'n'Match items (You hear this all the time from fashionistas!) …and don't forget to use accessories to pull different looks together.
Happy Travels!
Posted by tao at 08:10 PM | Comments (0)
April 30, 2007
Canadian House & Home Magazine - Kitchens Edition, Renovate & Decorate
Kitchens are generally a challenging area for most people. Not only is it a place to eat and cook but it's an area where families and guests tend to congregate - sometimes even doubles as an office or homework area as well - it is truly the busiest room in your home.
When Canadian House and Home approached me a few months ago to help them with an article on tips on keeping a well-ordered kitchen, I was ecstatic. When you get me started on the topic of organizing, particularly using smart storage tools and accessories, I tend to go off!
The article is entitled Behind Closed Doors (p 57, Source Guide p 135) and lists 18 ways to organize your cupboards and drawers. One of my favorites is tip #13: “Instead of tossing odds and ends into a junk drawer, use a good-looking wooden organizer (such as Pottery Barn's Bedford Caddy) to keep pens, bills and to-do lists in one aesthetically pleasing spot”. This is an accessory I recommend often and is always a hit! Clients especially love being able to insert family photos in the front.
The magazine is available on newsstands now, check it out!
Posted by tao at 01:45 PM | Comments (0)
November 28, 2005
Organizing Myth
Many people think organizing or decluttering requires throwing everything away. Absolutely not! There is no reason to toss possessions that mean something to you. The ultimate goal of a Professional Organizer is to help you display or store things you use and love. With so many organizing accessories there are many options to help you stay organized but what we do advise getting rid of are a) things you dislike and b) things you never use. Ask yourself why you’re holding onto it and what it means to you. Chances are if you didn’t even know you had it or haven’t used it in a year, it probably isn’t very important. Maybe it’s time to give it away – someone’s trash is always another’s treasure!
Posted by tao at 10:59 AM | Comments (0)
October 02, 2005
Importance of Home
It’s amazing how hectic our lives have become. It’s not enough that work takes up the majority of the day. There are relationships with family & friends to maintain, exercise to keep our energy levels up and then more time needed for recreational pursuits.
We basically rush around in order to maintain a balanced active lifestyle! Apparently though technological advancements have really made it easier for us; we have the Internet that does a lot of the legwork for us, we have e-mail, blackberries and cell phones to stay connected, ipods to keep us grooving and the list goes on. We are extremely busy. It’s no wonder I hear so many people say they fall into bed absolutely exhausted.
To quote one of my favorite Chinese proverbs: “Always keep a place to which you can retreat”. I can’t tell you how important it is to have a place where you can totally relax. Free from clutter (that stares at you wondering when you’ll get around to it), distractions (phones, computers etc) and any reference to work-related stuff, or bills. This place doesn’t necessarily have to be a cabin or boat it’s equally effective to have an area somewhere in your home. I find the bedroom or a den very cozy.
Personalize your space for optimum ambience; try painting your room a warm, rich color, surround yourself with photos of loved ones & beautifully smelling candles, and even good lighting can set the mood. It’s all about creating a sanctuary or place you can retreat to after a long, hard day. Take the time and effort to make it happen. After all, you deserve it. Isn’t it about time you felt pampered every night!
Speaking of home check out www.homemag.com - A savvy online magazine that offers, simple design ideas and solutions to many home queries. Ever wondered what to look for when purchasing a sofa? Or how to turn an uninspired living room into a vibrant space.
Posted by tao at 02:24 PM | Comments (0)
October 01, 2005
My 5 Favorite Organizing Accessories
The following accessories can all be found at department and/or home decor stores:
1) Hanging shoe caddy – a great way to store shoes when floor space is at a minimal and alternatively can be used to store hats, gloves and scarves.
2) Baskets – allow you to store items and esthetically fits in very nicely with most home decor .
3) Flat storage boxes – ideal for slipping under your bed or couch and can store many things such as seasonal items, clothes, linens etc.
4) Bulletin Board – a great space saver and way to display important information (important phone numbers, reminders), recent photographs, children’s drawings etc.
5) Tie and belt racks – simple solution that allows you to view accessories easily and comes in many convenient varieties (racks on hangers, wall mounted).
Posted by tao at 09:40 PM | Comments (0)
June 15, 2005
Tackling a disorganized space.
If your cluttered space prevents you from accomplishing household tasks and enjoying daily activities, you’re not alone! The task of tackling your disorganized space may seem daunting, however, controlling the clutter begins with solving one problem at a time. It is important to think positively and remember your ultimate goal – to clear the clutter and streamline your busy life. If you can find time to garden or work out, organizing should also be made a priority.
How to Start
Start by making a firm date with yourself free from distractions (I’d even suggest disconnecting your phone!). Once you’ve dedicated some time for yourself, begin by going through your items and create piles:
1) Stuff to keep and later sort,
2) Stuff to throw away and recycle, and
3) Stuff to giveaway.
This is really an opportunity to purge a lot of items that you rarely use or even knew existed. Tackle the ‘keep’ pile and organize items accordingly (by category, chronological order, date etc). The key to avoiding things from piling up is to organize regularly. Choose a weekday evening and stick to that day and make it a part of your week’s routine.
Above all make organizing fun and listen to that CD you haven’t gotten around to playing. Whatever you do, don’t overdo it. When you begin to feel tired, or start getting agitated finish up what you’re doing. The fact that you tackled the clutter is a feat in itself.
Posted by tao at 09:37 PM | Comments (0)