I saw this in the Metro News April 15th and thought I'd post it as I'm sure some of you have done a little purging and are looking for places to donate your gently used closed. Right???
You can do something good for someone else in need and have a chance to win a great prize.
Here's what the ad said:
The Canadian Diabetes Association Clothesline Program reminds you that giving is always in style.
Help us reach our goal of collecting 10 million kilograms of reusable clothing this spring and support the 3 million Canadians living with diabetes.
Call 1-800-505-5525 to schedule a free pick-up today! Call by June 1, schedule a pick-up and mention the word "CLOSET" to be entered to win a trip for two to Nassau in the Bahamas.
For more info go to www.diabetes.ca/clothesline for details .
Marie
Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
A couple of storage tips for your fancy footwear!
So a couple of days ago I got back from Dallas but while I was there I was able to engage in one of my favourite activities...SHOPPING!!! Though I didn't have as much time as I would have liked to hit the shops, I still managed to pick up a couple of pairs of shoes, amongst some other things.
Living in a small space over the years has really forced me to stick to my rule of "something comes in, something goes out" however when it comes to shoes, this is one rule that has been a challenge.
One product that has continued to serve me well is the shoe rack on the back of my bedroom door. It's a metal one and I love it because it holds 18 pairs of shoes and frees up valuable floor space. And yes, folks, I do have more than 18 pairs of shoes but I'm no Imelda Marcos, by any means. My out of season shoes are stored in shoe boxes on the floor of the left side of my closet with my boots on the right side (not in boxes). I have one little basket that I keep my sandals, flats and flip flops in and that sits in a corner in my bedroom. This setup up works like a charm and allows me to do the footwear flip very easily.
If you are struggling to keep your shoes organized, you should check out next weeks Canadian Tire flyer. It has a Shoes Under space-saving shoe organizer on sale for $14.99 which holds 12 pairs of shoes and can make use of the real estate under your bed (if you actually still have room under there). I'm sure some of you will need a few of them but it's a cost effective and convenient way to store your out of season footwear.
Also consider the over the door shoe rack. They say you should pick your shoes first when putting an outfit together so why not make your life a whole lot easier by having your fave shoes out where you can see them.
Check out the stores below for some products to help organize your shoes.
http://www.solutions-store.ca/
http://www.canadiantire.com/
http://www.walmart.ca/
http://www.homesense.ca/ (for store locations)
As always, I welcome your comments and questions and would love to hear how you keep your shoes organized!!
With spring upon us, if you need a helping hand getting your closet organized or would like suggestions on ways to update your wardrobe without spending a fortune, give me a call or send me an email.
Marie
info@theurbanorganizer.ca
647-341-7370
Living in a small space over the years has really forced me to stick to my rule of "something comes in, something goes out" however when it comes to shoes, this is one rule that has been a challenge.
One product that has continued to serve me well is the shoe rack on the back of my bedroom door. It's a metal one and I love it because it holds 18 pairs of shoes and frees up valuable floor space. And yes, folks, I do have more than 18 pairs of shoes but I'm no Imelda Marcos, by any means. My out of season shoes are stored in shoe boxes on the floor of the left side of my closet with my boots on the right side (not in boxes). I have one little basket that I keep my sandals, flats and flip flops in and that sits in a corner in my bedroom. This setup up works like a charm and allows me to do the footwear flip very easily.
If you are struggling to keep your shoes organized, you should check out next weeks Canadian Tire flyer. It has a Shoes Under space-saving shoe organizer on sale for $14.99 which holds 12 pairs of shoes and can make use of the real estate under your bed (if you actually still have room under there). I'm sure some of you will need a few of them but it's a cost effective and convenient way to store your out of season footwear.
Also consider the over the door shoe rack. They say you should pick your shoes first when putting an outfit together so why not make your life a whole lot easier by having your fave shoes out where you can see them.
Check out the stores below for some products to help organize your shoes.
http://www.solutions-store.ca/
http://www.canadiantire.com/
http://www.walmart.ca/
http://www.homesense.ca/ (for store locations)
As always, I welcome your comments and questions and would love to hear how you keep your shoes organized!!
Marie
info@theurbanorganizer.ca
647-341-7370
Monday, March 22, 2010
Closet Organizers On Sale This Week!
Spring has officially arrived, making it the time when many of you will start to review your wardrobe and hopefully organize it so it is more functional for you.
I can not tell you how much easier and enjoyable getting dressed has been since installing a closet organizer. Gone are the days when everything was crammed onto a rod to the point where it started to dip in the middle and clothes on the shelf were in complete disarray. I now have a set of double hanging rods on the left which are for tops and bottoms, 6 shelves in the center which I use for my bags and a rod for hanging long items on the right. This system has allowed me to see everything I own by category and colour and has actually given me more space than I had before. This has a lot to do with the hangers I use. Check my first blog post for more info.
It may have taken my 3 hours to do the job but it has definitely been well worth it. I bought mine (on sale, of course!) at Canadian Tire about 4 years ago and I'm happy to report that there are 2 brands on sale this week.
Debbie Travis custom closets are now 1/2 price (now from 9.99 - 49.99)
Configurations closet organizers and accessories are 25% off with prices ranging from 33.49-134.99
This is a no brainer for anyone living in a small space. They fit into the standard reach-in closets that are in most condos and apartments and with them being on sale, it's a great way to jump start your spring cleaning!
Not only will you save money if you purchase one this week but you will also save dollars and time in the long run. With a closet organizer, you'll be able to see exactly what you own and will avoid the costly mistake of buying duplicates of things you already have (unless this is your intention). You'll also save valuable time because everything will be organized in a such a manner that you'll be able to pull together an outfit with a quickness!
Need help getting your closet organized? Contact me for a free consultation!
Spring Cleaning Special - Receive 20% off the regular rates until May 31, 2010
What frustrates you about your closet? What helps you keep your closet organized?
Let me know, I'd love to hear!
Marie
P: 647-341-7370
E: info@theurbanorganizer.ca
I can not tell you how much easier and enjoyable getting dressed has been since installing a closet organizer. Gone are the days when everything was crammed onto a rod to the point where it started to dip in the middle and clothes on the shelf were in complete disarray. I now have a set of double hanging rods on the left which are for tops and bottoms, 6 shelves in the center which I use for my bags and a rod for hanging long items on the right. This system has allowed me to see everything I own by category and colour and has actually given me more space than I had before. This has a lot to do with the hangers I use. Check my first blog post for more info.
It may have taken my 3 hours to do the job but it has definitely been well worth it. I bought mine (on sale, of course!) at Canadian Tire about 4 years ago and I'm happy to report that there are 2 brands on sale this week.
Debbie Travis custom closets are now 1/2 price (now from 9.99 - 49.99)
Configurations closet organizers and accessories are 25% off with prices ranging from 33.49-134.99
This is a no brainer for anyone living in a small space. They fit into the standard reach-in closets that are in most condos and apartments and with them being on sale, it's a great way to jump start your spring cleaning!
Not only will you save money if you purchase one this week but you will also save dollars and time in the long run. With a closet organizer, you'll be able to see exactly what you own and will avoid the costly mistake of buying duplicates of things you already have (unless this is your intention). You'll also save valuable time because everything will be organized in a such a manner that you'll be able to pull together an outfit with a quickness!
Need help getting your closet organized? Contact me for a free consultation!
Spring Cleaning Special - Receive 20% off the regular rates until May 31, 2010
What frustrates you about your closet? What helps you keep your closet organized?
Let me know, I'd love to hear!
Marie
P: 647-341-7370
E: info@theurbanorganizer.ca
Monday, March 15, 2010
Organizing Your Linen Closet In A Small Space
Let's be real here, if you live in a small space, having a linen closet is a luxury. Nowadays, it usually has to store a multitude of things and can unfortunately end up being a catch all behind closed doors.
Whether you're lucky enough to have one or you have to dedicate some space in another closet, here are some simple tips that have been helpful to me and will hopefully help you when organizing your linens and things.
SHEETS:
I recommend having 4 sheet sets and it goes a little something like this:
1 - on the bed
1 - in the laundry
1 - in the linen closet
1 - for guests (optional)
Anything less, you'll end up shortening the life of the sheets from too much laundering. Anything more is really not necessary unless you are a linen monger! Don't laugh, I used the be one until I came to my senses! lol
Urban Tip #1
To prevent your sheets from getting all jumbled up on the shelf, fold a flat and fitted sheet plus one pillowcase. Then place the folded items into the second pillow case. You now have a matching set tucked away inside ready to be put away.
Urban Tip #2
If you're really tight on space, the plastic packaging from a duvet or comforter is the perfect home for all of your sheets and duvet covers. It can go on the floor of a closet, giving your more shelf space. They'll be protected from dust and you can place a dryer sheet in the bag to keep them smelling fresh. This also works well for your blankets and extra pillows. Which again, you don't need to have an abundance of.
TOWELS:
With towels, you really only need to have two sets per person. One thing to keep in mind is to only buy what you use and by this I mean, if you don't use the hand towel, don't buy it. Save your money and save space!
Urban Tip #3
To keep your bath linens organized by colour and/or pattern, fold your bath towel in half width-wise and then in half width-wise again. If you have a hand towel, fold it in half lengthwise and place it across the bath towel. Next, fold the face cloth in half and place it on the left side of the hand towel (or bath, if you don't use a hand towel) and fold the bath towel it into three. Do the same for all of your towels and you'll never have to worry about mismatched or incomplete sets again!
MISCELLANEOUS
A lot of times we end up throwing things into the closet with no rhyme or reason and it ends up looking like one confusing mess. The best way to solve this is to compartmentalize things.
Urban Tip #4
For all of the bottles and other knick knacks, baskets or bins are your best friend. Put like items together and label the basket, if need be. Whenever you need something, you just have to pull out the appropriate one and voila! Really and truly, it looks so much more organized and tidy. This is also great for when you have to move. Just grab the baskets and throw them into a box and you're good to go!
Urban Tip #5
Look up...waaaay up! If you have a lot of space from the top shelf to the ceiling in your closet, maximize it by using it for items that you don't use on the regular. Don't let that dead space go to waste!
Get creative!
As always your comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed! If you would like some help getting organized, contact me at info@theurbanorganzer.ca
Marie
Whether you're lucky enough to have one or you have to dedicate some space in another closet, here are some simple tips that have been helpful to me and will hopefully help you when organizing your linens and things.
SHEETS:
I recommend having 4 sheet sets and it goes a little something like this:
1 - on the bed
1 - in the laundry
1 - in the linen closet
1 - for guests (optional)
Anything less, you'll end up shortening the life of the sheets from too much laundering. Anything more is really not necessary unless you are a linen monger! Don't laugh, I used the be one until I came to my senses! lol
Urban Tip #1
To prevent your sheets from getting all jumbled up on the shelf, fold a flat and fitted sheet plus one pillowcase. Then place the folded items into the second pillow case. You now have a matching set tucked away inside ready to be put away.
Urban Tip #2
If you're really tight on space, the plastic packaging from a duvet or comforter is the perfect home for all of your sheets and duvet covers. It can go on the floor of a closet, giving your more shelf space. They'll be protected from dust and you can place a dryer sheet in the bag to keep them smelling fresh. This also works well for your blankets and extra pillows. Which again, you don't need to have an abundance of.
TOWELS:
With towels, you really only need to have two sets per person. One thing to keep in mind is to only buy what you use and by this I mean, if you don't use the hand towel, don't buy it. Save your money and save space!
Urban Tip #3
To keep your bath linens organized by colour and/or pattern, fold your bath towel in half width-wise and then in half width-wise again. If you have a hand towel, fold it in half lengthwise and place it across the bath towel. Next, fold the face cloth in half and place it on the left side of the hand towel (or bath, if you don't use a hand towel) and fold the bath towel it into three. Do the same for all of your towels and you'll never have to worry about mismatched or incomplete sets again!
MISCELLANEOUS
A lot of times we end up throwing things into the closet with no rhyme or reason and it ends up looking like one confusing mess. The best way to solve this is to compartmentalize things.
Urban Tip #4
For all of the bottles and other knick knacks, baskets or bins are your best friend. Put like items together and label the basket, if need be. Whenever you need something, you just have to pull out the appropriate one and voila! Really and truly, it looks so much more organized and tidy. This is also great for when you have to move. Just grab the baskets and throw them into a box and you're good to go!
Urban Tip #5
Look up...waaaay up! If you have a lot of space from the top shelf to the ceiling in your closet, maximize it by using it for items that you don't use on the regular. Don't let that dead space go to waste!
Get creative!
As always your comments, suggestions and questions are welcomed! If you would like some help getting organized, contact me at info@theurbanorganzer.ca
Marie
Monday, March 1, 2010
An Easy Solution To Organize Receipts
Looking for a way to organize your receipts and at the same time, keep track of your spending?
Here's what I do:
Use letter size envelopes and write the following categories on them*:
Food
Clothing
Transit or Vehicle
Home Decor
Health and Beauty
Miscellaneous
*feel free to label the envelopes as per your needs.
I keep these envelopes in a slot in an organizer on my desk. As I get a receipt, I put it in the appropriate envelope and at the end of the month I tally each envelope and write the month and dollar amount on it. I keep only the necessary receipts such as those for income tax i.e. healthcare receipts or those that are needed for warranties.
This system has made my life so much easier as I can see where my money is going each month plus I don't have to deal with a mess of paper taking up valuable space.
If you're looking a filing system to keep your important documents and paperwork, check my blog posting on The Home Box.
I use it, love it and think everyone should have one of these.
As always, I welcome your comments and would love to how you keep your receipts in order.
Marie
Here's what I do:
Use letter size envelopes and write the following categories on them*:
Food
Clothing
Transit or Vehicle
Home Decor
Health and Beauty
Miscellaneous
*feel free to label the envelopes as per your needs.
I keep these envelopes in a slot in an organizer on my desk. As I get a receipt, I put it in the appropriate envelope and at the end of the month I tally each envelope and write the month and dollar amount on it. I keep only the necessary receipts such as those for income tax i.e. healthcare receipts or those that are needed for warranties.
This system has made my life so much easier as I can see where my money is going each month plus I don't have to deal with a mess of paper taking up valuable space.
If you're looking a filing system to keep your important documents and paperwork, check my blog posting on The Home Box.
I use it, love it and think everyone should have one of these.
As always, I welcome your comments and would love to how you keep your receipts in order.
Marie
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Style At Home's Small Space issue is out!
I have to say the small space issue of Style At Home and even House and Home are my favourite issues. They are the ones I look forward to the most with my subscription. One reason is that my business is all about organizing small spaces. Another reason is that it's so inspiring to see what people can do with 500-1000 sq feet of space. I know some of you urban dwellers may think 1000 sq feet is a lot of space but if you factor in a family, it can be challenging. A challenge that some have mastered by being able to turn their sardine can into a home that is modern, elegant, luxurious or perhaps all of the aforementioned.
The upside to living in a small space though, is that you don't require a lot of furnishings so you can afford to spend more money on quality pieces. A bed and sofa are key pieces that you should fork out your hard earned dollars on because you want them to have longevity. They're pieces that you will use everyday so you want to make sure the construction and the materials will last. When it comes to a sofa, stick to a neutral colour. There's nothing like regretting buying a sofa in a colour or pattern that has gone out of style as fast as it came in. Re-upolstery is an option but it can be an expensive one.
You can save on things like occasional chairs, end tables and accessories etc. They won't cost you and arm and a leg to replace. No pun intended!
If you live in a small space, I'd love to hear how it's working for you or not! What do you love about it or what is the bane of your frustration?
Marie
A clutter free home is a clutter free mind!
The upside to living in a small space though, is that you don't require a lot of furnishings so you can afford to spend more money on quality pieces. A bed and sofa are key pieces that you should fork out your hard earned dollars on because you want them to have longevity. They're pieces that you will use everyday so you want to make sure the construction and the materials will last. When it comes to a sofa, stick to a neutral colour. There's nothing like regretting buying a sofa in a colour or pattern that has gone out of style as fast as it came in. Re-upolstery is an option but it can be an expensive one.
You can save on things like occasional chairs, end tables and accessories etc. They won't cost you and arm and a leg to replace. No pun intended!
If you live in a small space, I'd love to hear how it's working for you or not! What do you love about it or what is the bane of your frustration?
Marie
A clutter free home is a clutter free mind!
Monday, February 22, 2010
Oprah is decluttering her closet!
Every now and then I pick up a copy of O magazine just to see what Lady O has to say. The current issue (March) really caught my attention because on the cover in big bold letters, it says De-clutter Your Life! Being that I am in the business of helping people de-clutter and organize theirs spaces, I couldn't help but purchase it. I didn't even flip through the magazine before buying it because I somehow knew it would have a lot of valuable information in it.
It doesn't dissappoint! Miss Oprah pretty much admits that she a clotheshorse and has decided to take a stand and do something about it. She is even auctioning off her bags and shoes (some of which have never been worn or used - just impulse purchases) with the proceeds going to support her girls school in Africa.
The issue also includes a lot of helpful tips on how to de-clutter and organize just about every area of your life.
Make this the year that you stop procrastinating and get rid of the stuff that is no longer serving a purpose in your life and taking up valuable space!
Remember - A clutter free home is a clutter free mind.
If you're frustrated with state of your living environment but don't know where to start, contact me to book an assessment!
Marie
info@theurbanorganizer.ca
P: 647-341-7370
It doesn't dissappoint! Miss Oprah pretty much admits that she a clotheshorse and has decided to take a stand and do something about it. She is even auctioning off her bags and shoes (some of which have never been worn or used - just impulse purchases) with the proceeds going to support her girls school in Africa.
The issue also includes a lot of helpful tips on how to de-clutter and organize just about every area of your life.
Make this the year that you stop procrastinating and get rid of the stuff that is no longer serving a purpose in your life and taking up valuable space!
Remember - A clutter free home is a clutter free mind.
If you're frustrated with state of your living environment but don't know where to start, contact me to book an assessment!
Marie
info@theurbanorganizer.ca
P: 647-341-7370
Friday, February 12, 2010
A Little Home Office Organizing
Hey folks,
As you can see it's been a while since my last blog but I still feel the information written is very useful. I will definitely make the effort to be more consistent with my posts but here is my latest.
I decided to finally make sense of my "home office" space by picking up a couple of products. I made a trip to Homesense (Yonge/Queen) and found a desk top organizer with 4 slots. Being that my "desk" is right by my entryway, I intend to use one slot for incoming mail, one for bills to be paid, one for papers that need reviewing and the last slot for weekly receipts. It looks great, works like a charm and takes up very little space. It also prevents those pesky flyers and mail from migrating to other places in my home. I also purchased a black mesh tray with six compartments to keep pens, scissors, stapler etc. organized. No more digging through box that I used to use, just to find a pencil.
I've shredded the papers that are taking up space and though I am still on the hunt for a proper desk, I at least feel that my current setup is more organized and I can be more productive.
If you have a home office that is out of sorts or have a great home office organizing tip, I'd love to hear about it.
Marie
The Urban Organizer
As you can see it's been a while since my last blog but I still feel the information written is very useful. I will definitely make the effort to be more consistent with my posts but here is my latest.
I decided to finally make sense of my "home office" space by picking up a couple of products. I made a trip to Homesense (Yonge/Queen) and found a desk top organizer with 4 slots. Being that my "desk" is right by my entryway, I intend to use one slot for incoming mail, one for bills to be paid, one for papers that need reviewing and the last slot for weekly receipts. It looks great, works like a charm and takes up very little space. It also prevents those pesky flyers and mail from migrating to other places in my home. I also purchased a black mesh tray with six compartments to keep pens, scissors, stapler etc. organized. No more digging through box that I used to use, just to find a pencil.
I've shredded the papers that are taking up space and though I am still on the hunt for a proper desk, I at least feel that my current setup is more organized and I can be more productive.
If you have a home office that is out of sorts or have a great home office organizing tip, I'd love to hear about it.
Marie
The Urban Organizer
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