When it comes to cleaning our living spaces, we all have our go-to tasks that make the checklist. However, in the midst of the regular vacuuming, dusting, and organizing, there are some areas that often go unnoticed - until they start to accumulate grime or clutter. From neglected corners to overlooked surfaces, it's time to shine a light on these forgotten spots that deserve some cleaning TLC. Here are a list of 12 items that often go unnoticed...
Read MoreArticles, Tips and Inspiration for helping others to Reclaim Balance with Order and Simplicity in their home and work lives.
The Blog of Jennifer Truesdale | STR8N UP Professional Organizing Services
Unpacking Your Decorations and Re-Storing After the Holidays→
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As you approach the holiday decorating this year, keep in mind all of the neglected decorations that have not been used in prior years that you skim over as you are pulling out all of your twinkly treasures. Make a point to pull them all out and set aside what you are not planning to use again. Once all of your decorations have been put in place, determine why you are not using the forgotten items and ask yourself these questions…
Read MoreScheduling Your Holiday Calendar→
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I have put together a simple weekly guideline to follow for planning out your holiday season and to help keep you on track without causing you stress. Whatever holiday you celebrate, you can incorporate them into this same type of weekly plan.
Read MoreWho's Getting the Biggest Slice of the Pie?→
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In today’s world, finding the balance between work, life, play and the other pieces of your pie are getting more and more difficult to balance as the lines are easily blurred by technology interruptions, multitasking, and overscheduling. There is crossover potential in every area of our lives but we have to learn to be diligent in drawing the lines to be more productive in our intended focus. So how do we do this? We can start with a few simple steps to help outline a daily productivity plan.
Read MoreNo Warning Readiness: Know What You Have and Need in an Emergency→
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Disasters and emergency situations can happen anytime and anywhere. When disaster strikes, you may not have much time to respond, so it is important that you and your family are prepared. A hurricane, winter storm, earthquake, flood, tornado or any other disaster could cut off utility services for days and lead to evacuations or confine your family to your home for days. It is extremely important to know and put in place, the ABC’s of Preparation and by taking the time to acquire or develop a family emergency plan, build a family emergency supply kit and create a grab and go box, you can help to keep your family safe and make a bad situation a little more tolerable.
Read MorePlanning Your Move So You Can Move as Planned→
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Moving is brutal. It just is. But it’s a fact of life, so you do your best to power through it. As a professional organizer, I offer unpacking services for new move-ins. I have seen many situations where the lack of packing correctly has resulted in more work and more chaos for the new homeowners. So hopefully I can offer a few simple words of advice for those about to embark in the moving process.
Read MoreThe Art of Using "Target Zoning"→
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Most of us organizing and productivity consultants have heard of the Pareto Principle or 80/20 Rule by now and maybe even use it with our clients to make them understand how so much of what we have, we don’t use. What was once created by an economist, Vilfredo Pareto, as a mathematical formula in 1906 to describe unequal distribution of wealth in Italy, has actually become a universal principle and an effective tool for management. The 80/20 Rule means that in anything, a few (20 percent) are vital, and many (80 percent) are trivial.
Read MoreThe 5 P's for Having an Effective Garage Sale→
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It’s that time of year again, spring is sprung and the cleaning out has begun. Households across the nation are taking advantage of the warmer weather and opening their driveways to the influx of bargain shoppers looking for that perfect find that you once thought yourself was an item you couldn’t live without. You’ve seen all the shows on tv about organization and hoarding and think to yourself, wouldn’t it be great to clear out my excess and make some money? But where to start…. Following the 5P’s for basic guidelines to having a successful garage sale will help you to get started. Garage sales not only help you to eliminate your excess clutter but will help you to recoup some of the cost from those purchased items while also helping the community by reducing, reusing, recycling or re-purposing.
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