The Great Indoors: Family Edition!

Have you heard the “I’m bored!” routine one too many times these days from the kids?  Staying busy indoors can transform those dreary days into fun (and hopefully productive) ones to stave off cabin fever.  Try some indoor creativity with the little ones to make the most of the last days of winter!

Write a book and make it come to life!  If you’ve spent any time with children, they always have a story to tell.  Your local bookstore often sells the bound, blank books ready for your child to write and illustrate their original story.  If your kid has an itch for the theatrical (most kids do), they may retell their original work through acting out a play or a puppet show.  With a pre-bound book, you can store it safely on your shelf and cut down on the clutter. And—it will be easily retrievable so little hands can grab to show off to grandma!

Rearrange your child’s room…and make it fun!  If you have a small child, there may have been one or two incidents where toy clutter has threatened the health and well-being of those in your family (matchbox car catastrophe, anyone??).  Finding smart storage solutions for your child’s room may help temper the continued battle for cleanliness, and in the end, save an emergency room trip!

The first rule of toy storage is: don’t have everything out at once.  Use a large plastic storage bin as a “toy library”, rotating out groups of toys, one group at a time.  Not only does this solution create more room for play, it helps your child get the most out of each group of toys, and renewing their interest in old toys after having been out of sight.  Incorporating furniture into this strategy, such as a storage ottoman, can also be a stylish way to cut down on toy clutter.  Keep in mind as you are storing those extras to use shoeboxes for toys with smaller parts.  Providing a smaller toy with a home prevents tiny parts scattered throughout the room.  Make a rule where only one shoebox can be out at a time, and you cut down on excessive toy clutter in your kid’s room.   Second, get on their level…literally!  Get down on your hands and knees to let your child guide you on a trip around the room.  Ask him/her what they love the  most about their room, favorite toys and activities.  Put the most used items within reach, and let your child help rearrange some small furniture.  Not only does it help him/her feel valued and included, but moving furniture helps get the pent-up energy out on those frosty days!

Transform chores!  Making an everyday chore into a game can be fun for kids and a lifesaver for you.  By setting a timer and providing prizes, you can motivate your kids to kick their task into high gear.  For after dinner clean-up, crank up the iPod while you work, and reward the most efficient “tidier” with a small prize or extra privileges.  You can also make a mundane job such as dusting into a scavenger hunt.  Hide stickers, pennies and other treats under tabletop items to be discovered by your diligent duster.  Many families find that “Chore Charts” and gold stars are helpful in tracking their child’s initiative and rewarding them on a weekly basis.

Dance!  Without the luxury of unleashing your little one into the yard to run laps, how else can he/she shake out that extra energy before bed?  A wonderful solution is instituting evening “Dance Time”.  After the dinner cleanup is complete and the homework done, clear a space in the family room to get your groove on!  Each family member can take turns picking the song selection every night, and it’s an entertaining end to the day for everyone!  Who knows—maybe it turns into an exercise regimen for the whole family.

The cold can’t stop you from making memories this winter!  Savor these remaining chilly days at home with the family…you’ll be glad you did!  And of course, if you’re living in the DC metro area, you may go from hibernating to rollerblading in your shorts and tee within hours.

Give Your Closet a Needed Facelift

When you think “hall closet”, does a jumble of coats and muddy winter boots come to mind?  Does your bedroom closet make you cringe?  Don’t let the winter doldrums get you down…rediscover the great indoors!  Take some tips from JCL Services for some handy closet storage solutions.

Take advantage of doors.  If you haven’t already invested in over-the-door racks, now is the time. You can hang simple hooks for robes, jackets, or hang a shoe rack.  Real Simple suggests using a shoe rack for a quick sports storage solution.

Stow or donate unused items.  Avoid piles of clutter by stowing out-of-season clothing in labeled canvas bins like these.

If you encounter an in-season item you haven’t worn this year, donate it.

Take Advantage of Vertical Space.  Tackle the closet clutter by hanging as many things as you can. If you have more coats than there is room, consider splitting the space by hanging two closet rods. Hang the jackets you use most frequently on the bottom rod, and the less used items on the top rod. Hang hooks from those rods for miscellaneous bags and purses to reduce floor clutter.  You can also use hanging canvas shelves for the extra odds and ends that would otherwise end up on the closet floor.

Be a Closet Creative!  If you have room in your walk-in closet, hang a mirror on the wall to make your morning routine easier.  If you do not have space for all of your clothing despite your efforts, try converting a piece of furniture into a secret storage solution.  An armoire with rods, hooks, and stowed bins becomes a second closet in your bedroom without cramming everything into a small closet space.

Don’t let indoor chaos leave you pining for springtime.  Starting with those closets, make your own clutter-free haven here at home!  For more tips on how to stave off indoor boredom, stay connected to JCL Service’s blog.  Life Just Got Easier!

How to Keep Your New Year’s Resolution

Happy New Year!  Happy New (Organized) You!  You might be itching to clean those closets and get to work on your New Year’s Resolution to get organized.  And why not?  2012 marks the 11^th annual official “Get Organized” Month, named by the National Association of Professional Organizers.  As enthusiastic and determined as you might feel, consider a few tips before jumping right into things this month.  Recent studies have shown that 75% of people give up on their resolutions within the first few weeks.  Instead of scrapping your whole plan by February, let JCL Services help you see your goals through.  Whether you have a date with the treadmill or the Container Store, these tips can help you sustain your motivation throughout the year!

Maria Gracia, founder of the organizing website, Get Organized Now! has a way to make your resolutions S-M-A-R-T:

SPECIFIC:  Gracia reminds us resolutions must be specific. For example, saying that you’d like to spend more time with your kids in the New Year is too general. Avoid generalities like, “I want to get in shape”, and replace them with something exact like, “I plan to exercise for thirty minutes Mondays and Fridays after work”.

MEASURABLE:  Resolutions that are worked on and achieved, Gracia reminds us, are those that can be measured and tracked. When you think of making a resolution, think in terms of numbers in order to track your progress. Perhaps you’d like to take a vacation in August.  By setting a specific monetary goal for each pay period to track your savings, you will know exactly how much you have saved.

ATTAINABLE: You can certainly make challenging resolutions, but don’t make them so difficult that they’re going to be almost impossible to achieve. If your goal is to eat better, lose 50 pounds, and work out every day, you may want to pare that down into specific monthly goals.  Such as January: introduce veggies into each meal.  February: Exercise for 30 minutes every other day.  By March, you will be surprised how much weight you have lost by simply sticking to your monthly goal.

REALISTIC: You might want to have your entire house cleaned and organized in a week, but as Gracia reminds us, this resolution is going to be unrealistic and unattainable. Instead, set more realistic goals, such as taking one room at a time.  You may want to consider hiring a Professional Organizer to help you prioritize and meet your long-term goals with realistic steps along the way.

TIMELY: Resolutions with no start or end date in mind never get accomplished. Be sure all of your resolutions have both a deadline, and a starting date, Gracia says. For example, you might say you’d like to change your job. Your deadline might be March, 2012, and your start date could be next week.

New Years Resolutions were never meant to be cumbersome chores, gnawing at your mind throughout January until they’re scrapped by February.  By formulating a step-by-step plan, we can make them attainable and fun!  We at JCL Services wish you a brighter and more organized 2012!

Let a Professional Organizer Make Your Life Easier!

The holidays have come and gone, and we’ve made it!   Some will anticipate the start of 2012 as a new beginning—out with the old (old habits, old clothes, old clutter), and in with the new (new body, new perspective, new you!).  According to the Washington Times, one of the top New Year’s resolutions is to “get organized”.  After all, January is national “Get Organized” month for a reason.  Clearing the excess isn’t always about cleaning your garage or creating a filing system; it’s also about organizing your mind.  Before you stock up on sticky hooks and storage bins, take a moment to assess the task(s) at hand.  Sometimes you need a little help prioritizing before flying solo this year to avoid dropping your resolution altogether by February.

How would you like to have someone come alongside you as your organizational educator, resource, coach, and cheerleader?  With such a person, your goals can become a reality, and not just a fleeting project for the New Year.  A professional  organizer is committed to helping their clients regain control of their lives and coach them on how to achieve and maintain their goals.  The professional organizer you hire will teach you practical and useful techniques to create a lasting change in your environment.

Of course, we would love for you to use JCL as your organizing resource!  We would be delighted to be part of your New Year’s resolution.  After you hit the gym in order to reach your optimum health, give JCL a call to help you reach optimum peace-of-mind.  What a refreshing way to start out the year!

Tips to Create the Perfect Holiday Guest Room

Does the thought of hosting the extended family again this year sound daunting?  Before creating your to-do list, consider adding a few special details to your guest room prep.  Whether it is practical or fun, your guests will enjoy their “home away from home” just for them.

 First off, start with the sensible tasks:

Clean the room with non-toxic products.  Cleaning with fewer chemicals ensures your house guests will not have an allergic reaction.  Don’t forget to clean under the bed and in the closets to get rid of accumulated dust bunnies.

Move out excess clutter.  If the guest room closet is where you store your camping gear, make room for your guest’s clothing by finding a new home for your extras while you are hosting.  And don’t forget to leave some hangers! (This is a great opportunity to purge!)

 Put a nightlight in the room.  Your guests are not used to your home.  If you provide some extra nighttime light in the bedroom and the hallways, you can avoid disorientation on the way to the kitchen for a midnight snack!

Once your room is clean, safe and roomy, give it that extra finesse with these special touches:

 Include a basket of personal items.  This is a great opportunity to use those hotel shampoos and lotions.  Also include bottles of water to avoid extra trips to the kitchen.  You can also leave an extra robe and slippers in the room as an extra cozy touch.

Plan daily activities during their stay.  Provide a map of the local sites and events.  Highlight special spots they might enjoy so your guests can explore at their leisure.  It will also give you a little break from the indoor crowd! You may also leave a basket of books, magazines, and family albums to peruse.  Don’t forget to provide a reading lamp by the bed for the late night crowd.

Give the room a unique touch.  Choose a bouquet of fresh flowers or a potted plant to liven up the room (make sure they have no allergies). You could also match the bedding to the towels for a “bed-and breakfast” feel.

 Prepare that perfect guest room now for a smoother holiday this season! Planning those extra touches will make your house guests feel at home and take the edge off of holiday travel.

Scrap the Credit Cards, Keep the Fun: JCL’s tips for Smart Holiday Spending!

It’s that time of year: tinsel, fresh-baked cookies, sparkling snow, and beautifully wrapped gifts.  During these tough economic times, your budget may be non-existent, but there is no reason to scrap the whole plan and turn to credit cards this year.  JCL Services is committed not only to organizing your life, but helping you stay within your means.  To avoid racking up jaw-dropping credit card bills, consider a few ways to keep the holiday fun, without stressing your wallet.

Make a budget and stick to your guns!  The word “budget” strikes fear into the hearts of many an avid shopper, and you may feel squeamish at the mere thought of sticking to a spending limit.  Whatever the reason, there is a false sense of freedom in unrestrained purchasing.  And trust us—it is a FALSE sense of freedom.  Freedom is independence; freedom is not being held captive by high interest rates and payments. Those retailers work long and hard trying to pull you into their glamour and seduce you with their holiday smells and festive tunes.  Go in prepared. Do not go shopping without a list of the people you are buying for, and stick to it. Also—assign a budget for each person, and make it realistic to what you can actually afford. Do not assign a $50 budget to the gift for your mailman if you can only afford $5.  Also—remember the reason for the season—and it is not about the gifts. It is better to give than to receive, but you can give your time, a smile, a homemade card or cookie. As a matter of fact, a heartfelt visit from you will leave a longer-lasting impression than a box of chocolates.

Keep yourself honest by bringing your receipts home and entering the totals into a spreadsheet. If you went over budget, perhaps you can trim in other areas.

Say No.  We know it seems naughty, but actually it is very nice.  Say no to hosting a party that will leave you feeling stressed. Say no to your child who wants a video game you cannot afford. Say no to your friend’s party invitation that you really don’t want to attend—you don’t necessarily have to have a reason!

Purchase extra small gifts.  This can still be done while sticking to your budget.  While you are shopping, pick up general gifts to have on hand for people you may overlook.  Items like inexpensive bottles of wine, candles or Starbucks gift cards will be a hit with anybody you forget to add to the gift list.

Draw Names.   A fun way to make the most of your gift giving this year is to do a “Secret Santa” type holiday gift drawing.  You can include extended family, work friends, or simply draw with the people in your household.  Buying for fewer people means you can put more thought (and money) into your Secret Santa’s gift and also save your budget in the process!

Make a commitment to yourself to not start the New Year with a dropping ball and a rising debt level.

Plan Fun in November for a Stress-Free December!

If you’re like most people around the holidays, it’s tempting to focus only on the next big thing and live in denial of the huge holiday beyond…or, if you’re like me, you procrastinate and then scurry around like a rat on Red Bull.  The truth is that once the Thanksgiving leftovers are stored, guest bedroom emptied, and waistline expanded, it’s time to flop down on the recliner and take a much deserved breather…except that you won’t!  And neither will I.  Even if we tried, we would be watching the little signs swimming through our brain matter that say things like “don’t get Chuck a sweater—get him a Home Depot gift certificate” or “don’t forget to send Aunt Ethel’s card to her new address” or “World Market is having a sale—what did you do w/the coupon?”  Whew.  It’s exhausting being us.   As you’re trying to relax, your mental “to do” list is giving you a work out.  But what about if this year you took a different approach?  You’ve got a problem?  JCL has a solution!

When you sit down to relax this year, call one of your dearest friends.  Tell him or her about your great idea (yes—you can take credit for it).  Ask him/her to plan mini-holiday prep parties with you.  It’s a fun way to get together with friends and prep for the holidays!  Dust off your White Christmas CD, sit back and smile because you’re about to have fun and get stuff done.

First, plan a holiday card get together in November—nothing big.  Just friends coming over with their cards and mailing lists.  Tell them to bring a bottle of wine and their favorite appetizer or pop in a frozen pizza.  By having a party on the calendar, it will motivate you to get your address list together and purchase your cards.  Don’t forget to get some holiday stamps as well.

Next, how about having your friend plan the holiday wrapping party.  This is really fun—you can even make up a couple of contests—Best Bow and Greatest Wrapping Job.  Doesn’t it make you feel better knowing there will be others there who can help find the tape and scissors.

Finally—have another friend (winner of the Best Bow contest?) plan the holiday baking party.  You can do this several ways—have everyone bring their favorite recipe along with ingredients or the hostess can pick the recipes and ask everyone to donate a little money towards the ingredients.  Either way, it’s a winner.

If you’re especially daring, you can create a unique theme for each event, i..e, “Ugly Holiday Applique Fashion” for your baking party.

Close your eyes and imagine a holiday with no scrambling and/or rushing.  Life gets easier when you can share the fun and the prep with friends and family.

Make Thanksgiving Count: a Few Tips for a Stress-Free Holiday

November is here, and whether we like it or not, so are the holidays.  Turkey, dressing, and family…oh my!  The holidays can be fun, exciting, and often stressful.  And though making plans, arranging time off, decorating, and cooking can be time-consuming, we often find ourselves wondering, “Where did all the fun go?”

Thanksgiving is a time for celebrating the good things–friends, family, and bountiful blessings.  Yet we celebrate bounty by adding more and more…well…bounty.  While we at JCL Services try to help our clients manage their “bounty,” we also think that without planning for fun, the holidays will be less than complete.  With a few helpful reminders, we’re sure this Thanksgiving will be every bit as memorable as those favorites in the past.

Embrace past traditions and start some new ones.  Does your family have a meaningful dinner table tradition?  If not, consider this for the big meal:

Write down each guest’s name on Thanksgiving place cards.  Together with your children, think of reasons why you’re thankful for each guest, or one admirable quality he or she possesses, and write it on the card. Then during the meal ask everyone at the table to voice at least three things they are thankful for.

That sounds easy enough, but what to do about the menu and preparation?

Get the whole family involved.  Ask each family member what his or her favorite holiday dish is, and narrow down your menu accordingly.  If you always made that green bean casserole that hung around the fridge too long, consider replacing or omitting that dish to focus on Uncle John’s favorite yam souffle.  Uncle John will feel special, and it will reduce the work and the waste!  At JCL, we call that a WIN/WIN!

Ask for Help. If you are hosting family members from out-of-town, consider getting them involved by asking for their help in planning and preparing other meals leading up to the big event.   For those control freaks out there (you know who you are!), this may be difficult.  A good way to start is to create a sign-up sheet for breakfasts and lunches. You may be surprised how enthusiastic your house guests will be to prepare a meal, and oddly enough, letting them into your kitchen will help them feel more at home.

Embrace Lists.  One thing we cannot emphasize more are lists, lists, and…MORE LISTS!  If you have never been a “list person,” try embracing it to help maintain your sanity this season.  What you think can be stored in your brain will likely be gone by the time you need it!  Go beyond the grocery list, and make a detailed to-do list for each day of the Thanksgiving week.  Don’t know where to begin?  There are several templates online if you get stuck.  Don’t underestimate the power of the almighty list!  An added benefit of the list is a quick answer to the question, “What can I do to help?”

And last but not least…

 

Relax and Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff. After your menu is organized and your lists made, celebrate your planning genius by enjoying that extra time with your family.  If something doesn’t go according to plan, forget about it and move on.  No one will remember the pie that burned (unless it’s a really good story!!).  Letting small problems ruin your day will only bring the holiday fun to a screeching halt.  So…relax!  Believe it or not, most things are out of your control!

Here’s to making this holiday season that much easier…Cheers!

For more holiday tips, follow us on Twitter and Facebook!

10 must-have iPhone apps for the holidays

Do you think Halloween was invented to scare us into the holiday season? Let’s face it, as soon as the last tricker treater knocks on our door, we are pulling out turkey platters and stockings. Boo!  I’m fighting back this year! I love Halloween, but I’m not going to let it scare me into the holiday season. When my Halloween mask comes off, I’m replacing it with holiday cheer! I don’t care how much CVS and Target threaten me with their holiday decorations, I’m not going to feel panicked.

Let’s vow to each other to really enjoy the holidays this year.  It may require some deep breaths and some downward facing dogs, but I think together, we can do it.  All it really takes is preparation and planning so that you’re not feeling stressed.  I’ve asked some of our JCL elves to come up for some ways to get us through, and to start, they came up with a list of iPhone apps to make our lives easier this holiday season.

If you promise to come back to our blog, we’ll promise to deliver more holiday cheer and helpful tips.  JCL wants your 2011 holiday season to be the best ever, so sit back and enjoy….

Travel:

 

Flightcaster:                                                             Price: $7.99

Not only does this app tell you your current flight status, it actually predicts the likelihood that your flight will be delayed.  If you would prefer not to buy the app, or you don’t have an iPhone, you can still access the info FREE on their website.  The stress of travel will make this app worth the buy!

Gasbag:                                                            Price: FREE

If you’re driving instead of flying, you’ll love this app!  Gasbag helps you find the cheapest gas station along your travels, so you won’t break the bank.

Shopping:

           

ShopSavvy:                                                            Price: FREE

This app allows you to scan any barcode in a store and compare prices online from nearby retailers.  It ensures you will get the best price for any gift without taking the extra time to visit every competitor!

Yowsa Mobile Coupons:                                    Price: FREE

You won’t find coupons for every store, but if you find at least one great deal, it’s worth it.  Plus the app is FREE, so what do you have to lose?

Stress-free holiday meals:

 

Grocery IQ:                                                            Price: $0.99           

With all the holiday plans and prep in your brain, who has room for the grocery list?  This app allows you to create a list of needed items, and organize them by aisle or store.  Goodbye last minute grocery trips, hello stress-free dinners!

Epicurious:                                                            Price: FREE

With this app, you have hundreds of thousands of recipes at your fingertips.  The holiday-specific ones are particularly handy for your upcoming meal planning!

Keep the kids entertained:

 

Movies from Flixter:                                                Price: FREE

Avoid the stress of being cooped up in the house too long by taking the kids to a movie.  With the Movies from Flixter app, you can look up the movies playing near you, read reviews, and avoid cabin fever.  It even integrates reviews from Rotten Tomatoes so you are sure to pick a winner for the whole family!

Goofy Mad Libs:                                                Price: 3.99/FREE

Traveling with bored children?  Entertain the kids with a silly story by getting the Goofy Mad Libs app.

Holiday Party Planning:

 

Mixology:                                                             Price: FREE

Planning the perfect holiday party?  Bartend like a pro with Mixology, the app that lists all beverage concoctions for the holidays, or any day!  With a list of 8,000 drinks, you are sure to find the perfect one for any taste.  If you’re too overwhelmed, you can shake your phone to get a random drink selection chosen for you!

Pandora:                                                            Price: FREE

If you haven’t heard of Pandora by now, you are missing out!  You can select a song or genre you desire for the overall mood of your party, and let Pandora do the rest.  Only one minute of prep for a whole party’s worth of music!

What are you waiting for?  Make your life easier by letting technology ease the burden of the holidays so you can enjoy the festivities!

Welcome to JCL’s Blog!

It’s only fitting that we come into the 21^st century now that we have been in business ten years!   Let’s just say we’ve been easing our way into the wide, wide world of social media one toe at a time.  I wouldn’t say we come kicking and screaming as I’ve always been fascinated with this medium, but if we were to do it, I wanted to be sure that we knew what we were doing and we were providing something of value.  I’m not 100% confident that’s the case now, but sometimes you just have to climb the ladder, hold your breath and dive in.  My hope is that you enjoy our blog as much as you enjoy our monthly newsletter and that you find valuable tips, take aways, and maybe have a few laughs while you’re at it.  Our intent is to pass along knowledge, resources and ideas that we pick up along the way from our friends, client and co-workers.  We’ll show you our latest favorites and inform you about things that drive us crazy—like storage products with lids that won’t stay shut!  Hate that!

And, of course, I’ll tell you what I’ve personally learned these past ten years.  I’ve met a lot of people along the path—clients, vendors, employees, etc.  For the most part, I’ve had great experiences—there have been a few not so pleasant ones, but we’ll save those stories for happy hour.  People often ask me, “what’s the craziest thing someone has ever asked you to do?”  There have been some doozies—let’s just say that one thing involved a precinct and the other involved a dead carcass and leave it at that.  That’s when I learned about a little thing called “boundaries.”

I’ve also learned that stuff doesn’t make us happy.  Trust that I’ve been in and out of a lot of people’s homes these past ten years.  Some have turned my eyes green with envy, and some have turned my stomach.  In most cases, not only was their “stuff” not making them happy, it was causing them stress.  In the extreme, it was costing them relationships and a lot of pain and suffering.  A few of my clients look at me like I’m the no-nonsense sheriff who comes in and says, “put the stuff down and step away.  I’ll be taking that.”  That’s not necessarily the case.  I can relate—I’m a pretty sentimental person.  I understand the attachments that we have to certain things.  I’ve been cleaning out my parents’ home over the past few months.  My mom passed away in 2005, and my dad is relocating.  There’s a lot of stuff!  I find myself wanting to wrap myself up in her clothes, bring those tokens she had on her dresser into my home, and carry her purses.  Then I step back, close my eyes and think of the memories and realize they are better than the actual items. Sure—I’ve kept several things that mean a lot to me—things I can look at love and appreciate every day.  If it has to be in a box in the basement, however, is it really doing me any good?  Wouldn’t it be better off somewhere else—where someone else could love it like my Mom did?  I’d like to think my mom would be happier that I remembered her smile or her potato salad vs. the marble ash tray she kept on the living room table.  Just saying…

Wasn’t sure what I would talk about here in JCL’s inaugural blog, but purging and downsizing might be a good topic as we head into the holidays—a time to eat, drink, be merry, spend time with our family and friends, and of course, fill our homes with more stuff!

Stay tuned for holiday tips and time-saving ideas.  Life just got easier℠…