When we create new filing systems for our clients, we always recommend using 1/3 cut reinforced file folders inserted into a hanging file system. The reinforced file folders stand up to wear and tear so much longer than standard file folders, especially if you have an over-stuffed file cabinet where the files pop up and rub against the top when you open it :-/ The flimsy top of standard manilla files get tattered and torn quickly. The simple reinforcement allows the file folder to last much longer. If you’re going to go through the effort of updating your filing system, it’s worth spending a few extra dollars and purchasingreinforced file folders especially for files that you plan to keep for a long period of time.
The great thing about Command Hooks is that you can hang them anywhere with the option to remove later. Our organizers love to use these hooks because they can help make so many things more accessible and more organized at the same time. Rather than just writing about all the great uses for Command Hooks, here are photos of some very creative uses. Hopefully they will inspire you to hang a few and organize something of your own.
This first image uses Command Hooks for jewelry. It’s a great way to maximize otherwise unused space in a closet and even if you don’t have any vertical space to use, you can even adhere hooks to the wall behind your clothes! Great for jewelry, belts, even accessories that go with the items hanging nearby. Think about how you might be able to use every crevice of that closet. [click to continue…]
Here’s a great gadget that helps to make cabinet space more accessible and more organized. Kitchen cabinets are sometimes a tough place to store smaller food-related items. They are too high and deep and it’s hard to have easy access to everything you need. This shelving product has helped solve that problem. Install the Simplystic Organizer into a cabinet and add accessiblity and storage to your kitchen, or any room that you have cabinet storage. The Simplystic Organizer is well constructed and built to last. Once it’s installed, it will last the life of your cabinets. They also make similar models for office supplies, arts and crafts, and the garage. If you want to make the most out of every inch of your cabinet space, the Simplystic Organizer will help get you there!
With the holidays approaching, here’s a gift idea for grandparents and those who are not able to communicate with a computer. Technology has allowed us to keep in touch with emails and photographs like never before. However, if Grandma and Grandpa are nervous around the computer and just can’t open those attachements and jpegs, here’s a solution. Check out the Presto Printer. It’s a printer that connects through the phone, no computer required. When an email is sent, the machine prints out the email and any attachments. Presto Printer sells for $99.00 and you have to add the Presto mail service which is $149.00 per year. It’s a great solution for those who don’t want to deal with a computer.
Do you ever feel like you just need to look at a written reminder so you don’t forget something important? It’s one thing to set reminders (which I love and live by) but sometimes I need to have a bright note that stares me in the face in order to remember–can you relate? So I found a perfect solution, Post-it Notes for the outside, yes the outside of the iPhone! Post-it makes Label Pads 2×3″ that have a full adhesive “super sticky” backing and it’s the perfect note pad to stick on the back of the phone and no it does not peel off until you remove it! It fits perfectly, stays put and is brightly colored to help me take notice. If you’ve got a list of important tasks and you want a bright, visual reminder, grab some Label Pads and keep your list front and center!
If you need to keep dimensions handy for an organizing or remodeling project, the My Measures & Dimensions App is a good choice. For example, if you want to add the right size containers to a shelving unit you own, just snap a photo of the shelving, take the measurements and add them right onto the photo. If you’ve asked your organizer to be on the lookout for the perfect container, you can email the dimensions too. Another handy gadget to help keep you organized! Here’s the details in the video…
Are you ready to clear the papers in your office? Is it a time consuming hassle to get your hands on papers you need? Maybe it’s time to digitize and find your papers in a snap with a Fujitsu Scansnap. I’ve always been a fan of scanning papers and keeping them digitally on the computer or in the cloud–it certainly takes up less space. The problem with scanners I’ve purchased in the past is learning their software and getting acclimated to it all, it seemed like more work than it should be–until I tried the Fujitsu Scansnap. I’ve heard people talk about this scanner and read the glowing reviews, so I had to see for myself, after all it’s my job to know what products will best keep our clients organized.
The Fujitsu Scansnap was revolutionary. The document was quickly scanned, and I instantly had the option of putting it exactly where I wanted it: .pdf, .jpeg, even editable in Word and Excel. No need to figure out and open another obscure program, you can scan both documents and receipts, it automatically recognized the size of each document. You can also highlight words within the document so they are searchable on your computer. Works with both PC and Mac–brilliant!
Our organizers are now working with the scanner so that if you need papers in your office scanned and digitized, we can bring it along during your organizing session.
If you have children–you have artwork, and one piece at a time it can snowball and become overwhelming. Kids come home from school every day with papers, drawings, paintings, etc… You need to be selective about what is kept and what is tossed. If you keep too much, you will be lost in a sea of paper and artwork where nothing will seem appealing any more.
You must also have a good system in place for keeping kid’s artwork. Dynamic Frames is a good solution for displaying children’s art. It has a well designed frame that can hold up to 50 sheets. You simply open the front part of the frame and add your artwork. With DynamicFrames.com you can organize and display the masterpieces your children bring home.
Statistics reveal that more than 80 percent of us buy transparent tape for wrapping packages during the holidays. With so many different types of tape dispensers, which one is the most efficient? I like the Scotch Deluxe Desktop Tape Dispenser. It allows you to use only one hand when dispensing tape, you can pull any size amount, sometimes you need long pieces and other times short pieces so the dispensers that pop out the same size every time don’t work as well. I’m using my dispenser heavily during this holiday wrapping time, but it’s also heavily used year around. I have a tape dispenser right at my desk as well as on the counter in the kitchen. I’ve talked about the Scotch Desktop Tape Dispenser in a previous post as well. There are all kinds of uses for tape around the house, especially in the kitchen. Everything from sealing bags to taping a quick note to someone on the cabinet. If your hosting Christmas and are busy wrapping presents and cooking in the kitchen, keep this tape dispenser handy!
For all you holiday shoppers out there who are looking for some great gift ideas for your oh so organized gift recipients, here are Five Friday Favorite gift ideas to make that organizing junkie happy:
Brother P-Touch Labeler. An organizers must have for labeling everything from file folders to storage boxes. It a great size, you can carry it along anywhere, and it makes nice laminated labels. You can purchase the Brother P-Touch Labeler at Officemax.
Folding Step Stool. If you’re vertically challenged and have floor to ceiling cabinets in your kitchen, a good step stool is a necessity. The Easy Fold Step Stool can hang on a hook or even slide into the cabinet where you keep trays and cookie sheets.
Market Tote. This handy basket is is great for shopping and running errands. Listen to our organizer Pam discuss how she uses it. Watch our YouTube video where she explains how she likes to use this basket.
Opt for an “Experience” Gift. Rather than purchasing a gift that will eventually end up adding to clutter, choose to spend time with your gift recipient doing something they enjoy. A movie, theater tickets, dinner together—opt for an adventure rather than an item.
Give the Gift of Organization. If someone on your gift list has been wanting to get themselves organized, you can purchase a gift certificate from Chaos To Order in any amount. Buy your gift here–shipping is free
The month of December feels like it’s two months rolled into one. If you think about it, the amount of “extra” things we do in December is overwhelming. We do everything from holiday decorating to baking and parties to year end finances and needing to squeeze in those special holiday visits with friends and family. Work still has to get done, and sometimes at the end of the year there’s even a big push to also get extra work done–go figure! Here’s a little product that can help to keep your projects organized . The Project Organizer from Smead is a great place to keep papers from several different projects relating to one category. I particularly like the labels because you can create 10 different categories with labels all in one Project Organizer. There’s also plenty of space inside for notes and lists. It’s made with a durable cover and 2-ply tabs. If you’re on the go, it’s good to bring along. Check out the Smead Project Organizer and get your papers in their place!
Today’s Friday Favorite is the Command Hook from 3M. They are functional and attractive hooks that our organizers use and recommend frequently. These easy to use and removable hooks help make use of vertical wall space absolutely anywhere. The Command Hooks by 3M are not only good looking hooks, they are also completely removable with no damage to the walls. I use them in my mudroom. When the kids were little, I placed the hooks at an appropriate height so they could hang up their own coats as soon as they were able—it’s great to get them in that habit as soon as possible! Another great use for command hooks is in a closet or a bathroom—especially with kids—hanging towels, robes etc… at the appropriate height allows them to start taking the responsibility of putting their own things away. Apartment buildings, office space, teacher’s classrooms, there’s many places that having a removable, non damaging hook can come in handy. You can purchase Command Hooks at The Container Store or online at Amazon.com.
In order to have an organized space, you need to have a place to put all of the items you have. I have an 8 year old daughter who loves art, reading and playing with a multitude of “little” things. We moved into our house when she was two and the space was perfect for her then, but as she has grown, so has the accumulation of stuff!
Since I’m always talking to other people about how to put their own stuff in order, it was time for me to practice what I preach with my daughter. Her room seemed to be a sufficient in size, but the problem now was where to put things. Remember, if you want easy access and organization, everything needs a place to belong. Clean up time is a whole lot easier when you know exactly where to put things. So we decided to remove a dresser on one wall and replace it with a desk, but not just a desk because, after all, how much stuff is going to fit into three drawers of a little desk? I consulted with my friend and awesome designer at Closet Works—Sue Tinker. We decided to create a desk surrounded by bookshelves, not just for her books, but also for her many knick knacks and collectables. In addition to the desk, bookshelves and drawers, we also added space for a bulletin board to hang the most recent drawings and creations. The result was the desk in this photo, she and I both love it. My daughter now has the perfect place to sit and color, read, create etc… and I have the perfect storage solution to finally organize all of her “little” things!
At Chaos To Order we are all big fans of labeling wherever you can because it helps to keep you organized. When I was asked to review this LabelWriter 450 DUO of course I agreed because I love any excuse to make labels! Once I got the LabelWriter up and going, I was surprised how quickly it printed and how easy it was to use. Being able to print postage, file folders, mailing labels AND plastic labels was a big bonus. The plastic coated labels are great to use for labeling all kinds of containers, which we love to use to help keep you organized. The fonts and added clip art designs allow you to get creative and print very professional looking labels—you can even add your logo. If you make frequent labels, or if you love all of the labeling flexibility—this is the labeler for you!
Dymo is running a contest where you can email in your best labeling tip and win a free labeler! So if you have a great tip for something you do with labels, send it in an email to: info@getbuttonedup.com with DYMO on the subject line. You can also go to their Facebook page and post a tip on their wall at: www.facebook.com/getbuttonedup.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Dymo and Chaos To Order was compensated accordingly.
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