Heather K Powers

A cozy and tidy girls room makeover

June 12, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Kids & Family Organizing, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques Leave a Comment

In this cozy and tidy girls room makeover there were actually two spaces. Our goal was to create boundaries and storage for clothes, homework and personal space for a 13 year old girl. This is something important to every kid going into teen years!

A Cozy and tidy girls room goals::What’s Important? Boundaries, age appropriate space, homework space, easy to maintain systems, room for clothes, comfort, cute, cozy and private.

Organizing can help establish rules, show your kids you trust and value their choices and create age-appropriate systems. This space wasn’t really working all that well and didn’t feel right for her needs as her interests and maturity level change.

This young lady has a really cool space, with a cozy bedroom and open “hangout” and homework area outside her room that she wasn’t really using. It always helps to evaluate how your kids use their rooms. Then you can create “zones” for them to do homework, hangout with friends (if you allow that), read, get dressed and sleep. Her desk, printer, a chair and large dresser where in the space outside her room, which also serves as a cut through to the bathroom and a guest room. Since her room has glass windows instead of walls, privacy is also an important issue! Curtains were ordered to eliminate this problem. With her help, we cleaned out her dresser and closet, the nightstand and small table at the end of her bed and decided what items (less used etc) could be kept in the dresser outside her room.

Her small built in closet cabinets also present a bit of a challenge.We re-arranged the contents to make putting clothes away easier. We moved the sports equipment and the second night stand below out of the room (clutter collectors).

She’s got her own bathroom (lucky girl!) with ample storage and we discussed keeping toiletries in the bathroom, not the bedroom (for the most part). As I organize with kids, I use it as an opportunity to learn why they do what they do and try to guide them to making choices that perhaps they did not realize were available, better or more appropriate? I hesitate to say right or wrong and I always defer to the parents house rules (which I determine before we begin) as well as teaching kids basic sanitary and hygienic systems (like no food in bedrooms?).

By attaching a few command hook inside her cabinet doors we freed shelf and drawer space. Go vertical whenever possible! These hanging pockets and hooks held small accessories she uses regularly, like sunglasses, her wallet, an umbrella etc. We moved shoes from the floor into the closet drawers and accessories like bags and hats to the dresser. We displayed her trophies and ribbons on a shelf above the dresser, rather than crammed in drawers and boxes. Since her desk was not being used in the space outside her room, we moved it to the wall opposite her bed. She now has space to do her homework in her room, on her bed or at her desk.

She’s taken to keeping things organized as much as a pre-teen takes to anything! She continues to come up with her own clever organizing solutions.

Kids love their space and value how great it feels to be organized, which creates lifelong value!

I LOVE to help kids get organized and most of the time they LOVE to be organized! Kids love structure and they love to be heard. When I work with them, I ask a lot of questions and listen so that I can help create systems that will work for them (and their parents). When we learn good organizing systems we are more likely to remain active in creating and maintaining organizing solutions!

Do you need help creating order in your kids rooms this summer? I’d love to work with your family to establish lasting organizing systems your kids will use for a lifetime! Get in touch today for a free Discovery Call.

Moving Advice for Gracious Living

May 22, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize Leave a Comment

My dear friend Celeste has a lovely blog filled with an assortment of observations to enhance your modern life! She was kind enough to allow me to share her pearls of wisdom and Moving Advice for Gracious Living here with you…

From the desk of Celeste B.
Moving? A friend of my acquaintance is a master at it. She has undertaken and supervised 5 moves in 6 years in New York City as well as many others during her adult lifetime, including a recent one to the coast of Maine, of all places!
Anyhoo, I have managed to glean some very helpful tips from her as to how to maintain sanity and equilibrium in general during the process, without excessive medications. She also advises to save cocktail time until the end of the packing workday which I feel is entirely sensible given the chances for mishaps. Of course if you can afford to have your movers wrap, box and load all your worldly goods then this will not pertain to you and you may as well not upset your routine happy hour in any way.

The truck rental and movers have scads of boxes and material of all kinds. Bite the bullet and pay for them for a couple of reasons: the boxes are uniform in shape, they are in new condition, they are available in one place and they can be returned if not used.

If you must scavenge boxes elsewhere, be choosy about their condition. Set up a temporary area in every room for wrapping and boxing, preferably on a table of convenient height with good lighting. Gather your supplies: pens, stickers, wrapping paper and legal pad. That last is paramount. Make a list. Number every box (see above) and make a fairly detailed list of the contents of each box. If that sounds like a lot of work, I can only say that it will be worth it when you are trying to find the toaster and coffee maker among the jumble of everything. When you plainly number boxes, write it on at least four of the six sides, otherwise you will certainly be looking at stacks of boxes with a number only on top. You will be able to assign arrival rooms to boxes by number at any time if you haven’t stickered them with a color code scheme for the movers. And Ladies, protect your hands from the drying effect of wrapping paper by wearing gloves. That paper draws all the moisture from your skin!
Don’t fill a box beyond its limit and be mindful of weight. Using another box won’t hurt a thing and will safeguard against possible tragedies. Books are a good example. Just because a box will hold them all does not mean it is appropriate, that’s why there are mover-designated book boxes which are about the size of a liquor box, a perfect restraint against overloading. Use your blankets, towels and pillows to cushion items. Use that sticky paper tape to seal boxes, not the flimsy plastic type better used for mailing. Don’t be shy about sealing the bottom with two strips of tape.

Don’t feel that everything must be boxed. Movers deal with oddly shaped items all the time, but do wrap them if they are vulnerable.
Let us not forget that we have too much stuff in general and that de-accessioning as much as you can will allow you to be less of a slave to possessions. Grandmother wisely reminded me that the Latin word for possessions is impedimenta. Find a good consignment
shop and breathe easy.
Smooches,
Celeste

Your Moving Guide to Uproot With Ease

May 16, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Move Management, Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Moving can be one of the most exciting events in your life. New city (or just a new zipcode), new terrain, new people – for many the perfect way to hit reset on life. But that free spirit mentality only lasts so long once confronted with the realities of moving. Then comes the stressors of a new job, finding a place to live, new social circles, not to mention the move itself. Moving is considered one of the top stress activities in life but with this quick guide we hope to help make moving a breeze.

Are you flying, driving, shipping or towing your belongings? As the to-do’s pile up, the dollar signs follow, but armed with the right tips you can avoid some unforeseen hiccups on the road.

Uproot with Ease, Your Guide to Make Moving a Breeze

Location, Location, Location
– Moving on a whim? Do your research. How does the cost of living compare? Job market? Weather? These characteristics will all factor into your overall happiness post-move.
– No car? Check out the new city’s walkability score and how effective their public transit systems are first.
– Yes car? If the climate is different where you are headed you may need to make some adjustments to your vehicle such as all-season or snow tires. It is also worth taking note of parking. While many cities may offer street parking, some may require you pay for a garage.
– Weather change? While your instinct may be to layer up for cold weather or pare down for warmer climates ahead of time, it may be worth it to wait. Unless your are headed from 80 and sunny to 10 and snowy, scope out what residents are actually wearing. That born and bred neighbor will likely be able to give you better advice than a weather forecast.

The Long Haul
– Driving? Plan your route, and a backup, ahead of time. If your travel time amounts to multiple days pinpoint where you would like to stop and stay. Try to avoid big cities during heavy traffic times and trade off drivers if possible. Also remember, it’s a road trip! Maybe you can check out some landmarks or the largest ball of yarn en route!
– Towing? Consider your options. There are many different moving services providers today including U-Haul, Budget, etc. Companies offer multiple sizes in vehicles from minivans to mac trucks, but check to see if your nearest location offers the size you have in mind, and if they allow you to drop off the vehicle at a sister location.
– Shipping? When you consider the cost of a rental, gas, and hotel stays for some moves, shipping your belongings may make more sense. Companies like Pods and U-Haul offer such services which can include storage and the option of them packing the unit for you.

New Digs
– Renting? If Craigslist is your go-to consider additional sources like Trulia, Apartments.com, as well as local realty companies. Many real estate companies include lists of available properties, but call and find out if there are others soon to be available that are not showing on the site. Also inquire as to whether maintenance is performed between tenants, what is expected in terms of personal maintenance, can Fido come, and what may or may not be included in the rent price, i.e. electric, water, etc.
– Brand new? Explore the different neighborhoods, preferably during a trip pre-move. Does the social scene cater to young adults or established families? How convenient are things like laundry, groceries, etc?
– Downsizing? Do a purge before the move. Donate any clothing, kitchenwares, furniture that either won’t fit or won’t belong. Chances are you will be doing another overhaul post-move.

Getting Social
– Exercise? Join a local yoga studio or fitness club. Running and cycling meet ups are not only a great way to meet people, but also to explore your new home. Use the MINDBODY App or head over to the local recreation center to find activities near you.
– Networking? Whether it’s through a social-based platform like Meetup or a local “young professionals” group, there are a number of online sources to network in a social or business setting. Two personal favorites are Meet My Dog and Supper Club.
– Lend a hand? Volunteering will not only give you all those positive feels, but getting out in the community will help you learn more about the city and its residents. Not sure where to go? Volunteer Match can help with that.

Most importantly, keep an open mind. Living in a new place gives us the opportunity to learn more about ourselves and this great, big world we live in. Don’t let the burden of packing and hauling and unpacking cast a shadow over the new people you will meet and experiences you will have. Plan ahead and take the plunge!

Makeover Monday:Escalators on my bookshelves

April 24, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Books, Home, Inspiration & Education, Organize, Systems & Techniques Leave a Comment

I’ve been super busy lately and haven’t shared many makeovers:( But I’ll be back soon with loads of great before and afters. In the meantime, here’s a quick Monday makeover from my own Living Room with color Escalators on my bookshelves!

OCD Bookshelf Organizing: Color Escalators on my Bookshelves!

I’m sure you’ve seen this kind of thing before and I actually love to group books within color “families” but one evening last week I was laying on my sofa looking at this bookshelf thinking, I need to give this a serious update! I love color and I love order but this was just feeling way to rigid, would you agree?

I also have this other shelf in the same room with my collection of cookbooks and pottery, so I worked on both shelves together, bringing some of the books to the other shelf and some of my pottery to the taller shelf. Color is still a big part of the finished arrangement but there are no longer “escalators” of colors…running across each shelf:)

Instead, there are groups of books by color, size and subject, arranged in both vertical and horizontal manner to break up the space and create display vignettes that show off some of my pottery and other favorite objects (crystals, this vintage capiz shell globe etc).

My lawyers bookshelf still contains my cookbooks and some other books, as well as more objects and collections. I have a lot of feathers that I love and have to keep out of the way or the cats will steal them! So, my feather collection remains behind glass as well as some of the more delicate porcelain and pottery pieces.

While I was at it, organizing and re-arranging…I also took the opportunity to purge a bag full of books for donations. I love books and I still have more books not shown but I can’t bring myself to part with the many books I refer back to again and again. What do your bookshelves look like? Would you like to share them with me on social media? If so please find me on IG or FB and share your bookshelves with the hashtag #creativelyorganizedbooks!!

Trying to cram in as much as you can…

April 13, 2017 by Heather Filed Under: Art, Art & Design, Inspiration & Education, Productivity, Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

We all have more ideas, hobbies, dreams and wishes than we may realistically ever be able to achieve. Though if your like me your trying to cram in as much as you can! In the past week I’ve taken some time off of work to do something I always love to do at this time of year, garden and garden related volunteering (I’m a Master Gardener!).

I value the freedom and flexibility of owning my own business so that I can shift gears when I need to and escape to pursue a passion or hobby that may not be related to Organizing or even my Art! But we creative’s can be very tempted by bright shiny objects, new ideas, new materials, the latest gadgets and tools…and they don’t necessarily help us execute our creative ideas in a more fulfilling way.

Sometimes, more is just a big distraction and excuse to not get to work on our own making and art.

I am totally guilty of this as my brand new sewing machine sits in my studio barely used and a warp is on my loom, only barely begun with a new weaving project. There are also times when stepping away from what we work on daily to “Take a Beauty Break” (as my friend Lisa would say), is a great way to reset the soul and give us clarity and focus again!

I’m not suggesting that we should not ‘invest’ in new tools and materials when we need them but as any gardener, quilter or knitter knows, sometimes you have to use up the stash before buying more!

Casting our ideas and creative focus in too many directions can leave us scattered.

Having too many creative pursuits, ideas and materials around us can be a distraction. A tip I often suggest is to pack up one or more different materials (supplies) and put them away for awhile (a few months or longer). Allow yourself to focus on one or two burning creative ideas! If your a writer, you can collect thoughts for future writings into a “NEXT” folder (the suggestion of a great PR person I recently met). If you find that you are not called back to these supplies, then donate them, sell them or give them to a friend. They may be just the inspiration someone else needs to set their ideas on fire!

By setting some of our ideas and creative pursuits aside, we make space to focus on what we really want to be creating. We distill our creative energy to be more potent and concentrated. Have you ever had to say no to some of your creative ideas for awhile in order to focus on your current creative direction?