Travel Tip – Plan Once, Execute Plan Often

Even an organized person, that would be me, sometimes is amazed at the ease a little planning will create.  I travel a few times a year.  Though my home and office can boast of being free of clutter and having everything in its place I can not say the same for the amount of luggage that follows me on trips.

 

For an unexpected trip this week I decided I would travel light.  A first.  Determined to only take one small case I made a list of exactly what I would pack.  Only three pants, four shirts, socks and underwear to last a week.  My shoes and one blazer would all have to fit in my case.  Also, the computer and Blackberry charger, vitamins and prescriptions all are now on my list…and all actually fit.

 

Today, old style dock kits have been replaced by convenient toiletry “wardrobes”.  All items for the bath are not only visible, but always convenient by hanging on a bath hook or in the hotel closet.  This is available at www.thecontainerstore.com.  Always keep it stocked and packing for the next trip is a snap.

 

Keep your packing list in a “Travel File”.  Update this list as needed and make packing easy.  Now the hassle of air travel is a little more enjoyable.  Well this trip packing took only 10 minutes to pack and I don’t miss the extra weight or stuff.  Make the most of your next trip and create and use your list.

 

Getting Ready for Move-in Day

Unpacking Boxes

Before the furniture and boxes arrive measure the rooms in the new home and prepare floor plans. Thoroughly clean the home before moving in.  There is no better time to shampoo carpets and wax floors than while your house is empty.  This is also the time to line cabinets and shelves.  Now that the windows are washed, floors are clean, and the kitchen scrubbed you are ready for the best part!

Designate a place to put the broken down boxes and used packing paper before unpacking begins.  Cover carpeted floors with protection film before the truck is unloaded.  This will protect the areas just cleaned.  Take time to carry boxes to the designated rooms before unpacking begins.

Unpack as many items as space allows before putting things away.  The goal is to get the boxes out of the way.  As boxes are emptied, break them down and get them to the designated area, most likely the garage or patio.  Also, open ALL the packing paper.  The smallest items might be inside what you think is just “filler”.

 

Unpack your “hot boxes” first.  Then you are sure to have bedding, towels, and toiletry essentials for your first night.  As with any organizing project, delegate tasks to family members and play music to break the monotony of unpacking.  Before you know it, you have a beautiful new home.

If You Have Junk, Find a Hunk

Getting rid of your clutter has gotten easier in Los Angeles thanks to hunky college students.  Claudia Avedikian, local owner of College Hunks Hauling Junk, purchased the franchise to fulfill her passion of being able to recycle unwanted items and providing to those in needs.

This company was started by college buddies to make some money and has grown into a successful, national enterprise.  These clean cut haulers are licensed, bonded and insured and very green friendly.  “If you want something hauled away that is still in good condition, we find it a home.  We do not just fill up the land fill,” says Claudia.

Check them out the next time you are ready to clear the clutter.  Visit them at www.1800JunkUSA.com or call 1-818-674-3089.

McKenry Closets are “Best In Show”

 Get It Together LA! received “Best in Show” for outstanding booth design and product display at the 2008 Los Angeles Organizing Expo.  Professional organizers wondered the isles of the Olympic Collection viewing products and services that will help keep clients organized through the year.

Get It Together LA! displayed samples of our custom construction materials for closets, garages, and pantries.  Chris McKenry and Erin Haas enjoyed meeting many colleagues at the event.  Marble samples, hardware, door and drawer finishes were featured highlighting the style and design of the display. 

With a record crowd of consumers, organizing professionals, home-building representatives and interior designers, the event drew participants from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, and as far away as Ohio and Minnesota. The one-of-a-kind organizing Expo was the place to find time-saving products, solutions, tools and services for consumers wanting to get their lives in order and learn first-hand the secrets to an organized life.
 
John Trosko, President of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers said, “Busy Angelenos probably find the stress and strain of modern life demanding on both their time and space.  It is vital when trying to simplify one’s life to choose the right organizational tools. Lucky for us, there is now a wide variety of stylish, functional and affordable organizing options available and we have many of these products at the Expo.”
 
This year’s Expo hosted the first ever “Ask the Organizer” Panel. Home and business organizational experts offered guidance and expertise to a packed house of aspiring professional organizers and members of the general public. Questions ranged from residential to small business to corporate organizing concerns. The most anticipated question was how to successfully maintain an organizational system while balancing family, activities and work.

Get It Together LA’s award winning designs received “Best Closet Design” from the Los Angeles Organizing Awards.