Author Archives: Sarah Buckwalter

Today's Blog Post

Remembering What Matters

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 24, 2013 - 10:00 am | General
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American Flags_MF 5.14.13
  • It’s Memorial Day weekend and many of us are looking forward to a much-needed break and spending quality time with family and friends. It is also, of course, a time to reflect and say thank you to those who sacrifice to protect all of our freedom. Here at Organizing Boston, we are feeling Watertown and Boston Strong and wanted to thank everyone who works so hard to protect our public safety and freedom. You are the best!
  • And we’ll leave you all with a couple ideas to make the most of your weekend…
  • Try to unplug, a least for a little bit! These days, we could all drown in the information we’re constantly absorbing on-line. Take a break, it’ll be there when you get back.
  • Think about what really matters to you and make a list. Often, when people are looking to get organized, it is because one or more aspect of their lives feels out of control and prevents them focusing on what matters most. Looking at your list will help you refocus when the details of life become overwhelming.
  • Think back and remember what you liked to do as a kid. Pick one thing and add it back into your life in some way!
  • We’ll be back with more tips after the holiday. We hope you all enjoy the weekend!

 

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Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Smart Packing Tips for Summer Travel

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 22, 2013 - 3:11 pm | General
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Summer Luggage_MF 05.22.13
  • With the long weekend coming up, we thought we’d share some tips for packing smart (and light) for your summer trips.
  • Do your homework! Find out what will be available where you are staying – think hair dryer, beach towels, bath robes – bulky items that would be better to leave at home if you can.
  • Make a list. Keep a running list and jot down everything you’ll need for your trip – from clothes, to camera, to cell phone charger, etc. Even if you’re not a list person, there are so many little details involved in packing that a list will save you from forgetting something important.
  • Pack outside the bag. Lay out your clothing on your bed so you can easily see if you have the right amount before you pack it. This will help avoid throwing in extra random items that may not even go with what you have.
  • Slim down your toiletries. Bring only what you will really use and make sure you have travel-sized containers. If you don’t have mini versions of your favorites, The Container Store sells a variety of leak-proof travel bottles.
  • Follow these simple packing tips and you’ll be on your way to fun with friend and family in no time!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Sarah Brooks

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 22, 2013 - 2:09 pm | The Team
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  • SarahBrooksPhotoWebAfter serving various roles on the Organizing Boston team, including hands-on organizing and office administration, Sarah is now focused on bringing our team’s organizing passion and knowledge to the masses. As Director of Training and Development, you will find her scouring the earth and canvassing our team for the latest and greatest in all things organized and creating programs and products to help you manage your life and your stuff! Naturally, she can also be found helping with all the behind the scenes work that keeps our hand-on organizing business going. And when not in the office, she’s enjoying time with her little girl, family and friends, and keeping up with everything that goes along with family and home life!
  • Sarah has been organizing things and spaces as long as she can remember and it was this natural drive toward all things organized that led her to make a career out of it in 2009.  In her previous life, she worked as a registered dietitian, helping others incorporate healthy habits into their busy lives. She maintains her nutrition credentials and serves as our team’s resident health and wellness expert. Sarah’s philosophy is that while life is messy and unpredictable, a little imperfect organization can go a long way toward helping busy people (and who’s not busy these days) stay happy and healthy!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Gear Up for Summer

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 20, 2013 - 6:55 pm | General
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Beach_MF 5.14.13
  • It’s hard to believe, but Memorial Day weekend is almost here and that means summer is right around the corner! Now’s the time to make sure you have a few summer essentials on hand so you can head out and enjoy the nice weather.
  • 1) Sun Smarts – Dig out what you have for sunscreen, bug repellent and summer hats. Throw out expired stuff, make a list of what you need and grab it the next time you’re out shopping. There are tons of sales and coupons at this time of  year. Label a basket or bin in your entryway or coat closet so everyone knows where to find it!
  • 2) Ready to Dive In – Make sure everyone in the family has swim suits, towels and other swim gear for the season. Don’t forget to stock up on swim diapers if you have little ones! You can even stock the beach bag with towels, sunscreen, etc. so it’s ready to grab and go when you get that first pool party invite or beach day.
  • 3) Make a Plan – Make sure you get summer vacations, camps, long weekends, etc. on the calendar ASAP. Now’s also the time to start lining up pet-sitters since everyone tends to do more travelling in the summer.
  • You definitely don’t have to have your summer ducks completely in a row yet, but following these simple summer prep tips will help you feel more carefree as the summer fun begins!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Wrap Up Your Move

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 17, 2013 - 5:44 pm | General
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UHaul Truck_MF 5.14.13
  • Let’s face it, there’s a lot that goes on when you’re moving, especially if you’re selling and/or buying a home. A good checklist can help you make sure you’re not forgetting any of those big or little tasks. Here are a couple of checklists we like…choose the one that works best for you or use them to help you jot down your own list.
  • Real Simple Moving Checklist
  • Apartment Therapy Moving Checklist
  • And don’t forget, your favorite professional organizer can help make sure you get it all done so you can enjoy your new home!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Pack Smart

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 15, 2013 - 4:12 pm | General
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Moving Boxes_MF 5.15.13
  • ‘Tis the season…for moving, that is. If you’re getting ready to move, packing can be one of the largest and most intimidating parts of the process. We’ve got a few tips to help you pack smart and take advantage of this prime de-cluttering opportunity so you don’t end up moving lots of stuff you don’t need!
  • 1. Gather your supplies. If you’re using professional movers, they may have a box drop off service, and many have used boxes available for reduced rates. Otherwise, check out local classifieds for free used boxes or head to your local home supply store for a stock of boxes, packing paper, and tape, including a good tape dispenser. You will also want sharpies and perhaps colored stickers if you’re planning on marking boxes by room, which we highly recommend.
  • 2. Purge while you pack! There’s no sense in packing anything you don’t use, love or need. Be prepared with trash bags and boxes for items you want to donate. For donations, pick an organization that matches your needs – some offer on-site pick up vs. local drop-off locations, some accept certain items and not others. A simple Google search is often enough to find what you’re looking for. If you know you’ll be parting with lots of stuff, a junk removal company if often a good idea.
  • 3. Use it or lose it. Last but not least, now’s the time to institute a ‘use it or lose it’ policy for small items discovered during your purging and packing, including food items, toiletries, office supplies and other consumables. If they aren’t something you regularly use, now you’ve got an expiration date for them – if they don’t get used before the final packing stages, just get rid of them!
  • Even if you’re not packing yourself (and we don’t blame you), you can still follow the above steps to make sure you’re not moving items unnecessarily. For donations, simply weed them out and get rid of them before the packing help arrives or mark them and set them aside for a donation pick up. And if all of this seems overwhelming or you have a tight timeline, enlist the help of a professional organizer to help you breeze through all 3 steps – now that’s smart packing!

 

What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Make Your Move

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 13, 2013 - 6:32 pm | General
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MovingSm
  • We don’t know too many people who love to pack, but if you are getting ready for a move, there are some smart moves you can make to at least take advantage of a prime de-cluttering opportunity and ward off last minute stress.
  1. Plan ahead as much as possible. In most cases, a move or home project is not a surprise, and while many of us are so busy with the rest of life that packing often gets left to the last minute, do yourself a favor and give yourself at least several weeks to make sure you can pack smart!
  2. Schedule the big stuff. Make sure you schedule movers, donation pick-ups and other packing and purging help as early as you know your preferred schedule. If you have a two-stage move and won’t be moving immediately into your new home, you may need to reserve short-term storage as well. Whatever your situation, scheduling the big stuff ASAP will make sure you get the help you want and need and also helps you set a timeline for the rest of the small(er) tasks.
  3. Scan your home for items you want to sell or donate. There are a variety of options for selling items – Craigslist, eBay, consignment, specialty online or local re-sellers, just to name a few. Pick the avenue you’re most comfortable with and take action. If selling doesn’t pan out, schedule charity donation pick ups, junk removal services, or plan to take several trips to a donation drop-off.

While packing for a move may not be on the top of your favorite activities list, taking a few steps to be prepared at least gives you a fighting chance at a less-stress move!

What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Happy Mother’s Day!

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 10, 2013 - 7:59 pm | General
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Small-Cherry-Tree-Flowers_Spring-Blossoms__2013-04-22-18.04.49_cr-330x480
  • We’d like to wish all the moms out there a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend! We work with lots of moms out there throughout the year, and one thing’s for sure, they’re a hard-working crew. So this weekend, don’t forget to thank, honor, or otherwise celebrate your mom and all the wonderful things she does. Hint, giving her a break from some of those things, at least for a day, is a great gift!
  • And if you are a mom, don’t forget to relax and enjoy your day! If you’ve got some grand plans for a spa day or other escape, that’s great. But even if you don’t, you can still do something to be kind to yourself – get a little extra sleep, buy yourself something you love (don’t forget to get rid of something you don’t love so much), or purge something from your to-do list – just decide not to do it – we’ve all got a few candidates on our list. Or just sit back and relax for once – you deserve it!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Organizing Tips for New Moms

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 8, 2013 - 6:09 pm | General
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SugarSNAP Files
  • This week, we’re all about moms and let’s not forget moms-to-be in honor of Mother’s Day. Motherhood has a way of throwing your previously organized or at least somewhat manageable life for a loop. But rather than throwing in the towel (or the diaper), new moms should be encouraged by knowing that simple, yet effective organizing tricks can help save your sanity.
  • Here are three keys to success:
  • 1) Have a home for everything! New moms experience a brain fog that cannot be imagined until you experience it. If you have to think about where your keys are or the last time you saw the saw thermometer, you’re toast. Having a place for everything also makes it easier to ask for help from others, which is a good thing.
  • 2) Relax your standards. While being somewhat organized as a new mom definitely helps, being a perfectionist definitely doesn’t! Let other people help you do housework even if it doesn’t get done the way you would do it. You’ll have plenty of time to perfect your house later…ha, ha.
  • 3) Organize on the go. Getting out of the house as new mom is one the best things you can do for yourself, but making sure you have what you and your little one might need can be overwhelming. New moms spend lots of time trying to find the perfect diaper bag that will ensure organized outings, only to be digging through yet another bottomless bag when you really need something. We saw this great new product that has the power to tame any diaper bag. The sugarSNAP Files are a set of perfectly sized pouches for each category of stuff you’ll need, clearly visible labels, and a ring/clip mechanism that keeps all the pouches together or let’s you take one off as needed. No more digging for a diaper, onesie, or your own lip gloss, should you get a second to put some on. Wish we’d thought of this :)
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429

Today's Blog Post

Find Your Time!

  By Sarah Buckwalter | May 7, 2013 - 3:29 pm | General
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Calendar
  • Mother’s Day is coming up, which is a great time for all of the busy women and mothers out there to remember to take care of yourselves! In case you hadn’t noticed, household and family to-do lists are (or can be) endless, so the solution is not to wait to do something fun until all the chores are done. If you do, you’ll be waiting forever, and what fun is that?!
  • Two things busy women can do to make themselves happier are to delegate, delegate, delegate and use your calendar for ‘me time’ appointments. How do you do this? Figure out what you don’t have time to do this week, but really needs to get done. Is there someone else that can help out? Usually, the answer is yes, you just have to ask. Remember, family members are not mind readers, so you usually have to tell them what you need help with. If you don’t have someone to help with a particular task, consider whether it makes sense to outsource – pay someone to do it for you! We don’t have time to do it all, so this is a perfectly reasonable solution. Your choices here might be a neighborhood kid, a professional service, or an on-line task service.
  • As for using your calendar to schedule your ‘me time,’ it’s just that simple. First, figure out what you’d like to do – a ‘date’ with girlfriends, a craft project, an exercise class, read a book? Then figure out when and where it makes sense to fit this in. This is the hard part, but don’t give up. It will probably mean asking your spouse or a family member to help with the kids, or perhaps outsourcing some errands or housework. Whatever it takes, just do it. And don’t forget to put it on your calendar – and your spouse’s calendar too! You will be a happier mom for it! As your ‘me time’ approaches, ward off mom guilt by taking a few seconds to start mentally listing all the things you do for your family – you will get over that really quickly!
What makes us stand out?

Please contact us for a complimentary phone consultation:

Phone: 617-744-1429