Where do we put them all? And that's just about all the summer shoes. What about the foot gear for all the other seasons?

It’s summer here in Canada and since it only comes once a year and is often unpredictable, we try to do as much as possible and it’s generally not work related. But, there are still only 24 hours in a day.

Basically, we want to work less and have fun more. So, my summer gift to you is a little bit of slow time. What does slow time mean? It means embrace the opportunities to get out and have more fun and take some time to slow down the working wheels.

As we slow down, our ideas become clearer, we find solutions to problems and acceptance to things we cannot change. When we welcome the time to slow down we also welcome a different way of looking at our lives – personally and professionally. The sun helps, a bike-ride, spending time outdoors, and one of my wise sisters (all four are wise) says that Margaritas help too.

Enjoy your slow time, allow your creativity to soar, re-energize your mind and body, and if you plan all your To-Do items into your daytimer you will find that you can accomplish your work and still enjoy your summer.

Shoe/Boot Tip: Rotate your season shoes as you would your clothes. Put all winter boots or heavy foot wear into a plastic container and label it – this can be done for each family member. Clean & repair all foot-wear before storing them away until next year and donate what you won’t be using or have outgrown. There is nothing more wonderful than unpacking that storage container and your boots are ready to wear.

With the new season upon us, now is the best time to clean up your closet and go through your wardrobe, piece by piece. I know it sounds like a lot of work but it can be easy and relatively painless if you begin with the end in mind: “Your Personal Boutique”! A place where you feel motivated to dress up every morning! Here is what I suggest:

SCHEDULE TIME
If you’ve been putting off cleaning out your closet because you don’t have the time, break it down into small steps. Start by looking at ten pieces at a time, or one type of clothing at a time. You can do all the tops first, then the pants, skirts, dresses, etc. How about taking a couple of minutes every evening to go through some items as you change your work clothes? Trust me: when you least expect it, you’ll have gone through everything.

SORT
Look at every piece of clothing/shoes and ask yourself:

• How often do I wear it?
• Does it fit?
• Is it flattering?
• Does it reflect my personality? Is it consistent with my line of work? Is it age appropriate?
• How do you feel when you wear it?
• Is it well preserved?

After, separate your clothes in three piles:
KEEP – clothing that fits and enhances your body shape;
GIVE – irreparable pieces of clothing (stained, worn, ripped). These are clothes that don’t fit, flatter, or that you haven’t worn but are in good condition. You can give them to family and friends, or donate.
REPAIR – everything that needs to be fixed (button replacements, hems, etc.).

GROUP CLOTHES BY CATEGORY
Once you’ve gone through your closet, group your clothes by category: all the tops together, then all the skirts, then all the pants, etc. This will not only enable you to see everything but also allow you to put outfits together easily.

CREATE A SHOPPING LIST
Every time you go to the supermarket; you have a list, don’t you? Have you considered doing the same thing when you shop for clothes? Always plan your purchases, take a look at all the pieces you already have and figure out the missing ones to build a basic and functional wardrobe. The goal is to multiply your clothes by making them “match-able”.

REWARD YOURSELF
After spending countless hours organizing your closet, it’s time to reward your efforts with some well-deserved-shopping! You are finally in control of your wardrobe and have a shopping list at hand, it will be really simple to hit the stores. By following all these steps, you not only buy what you need but you will be much less inclined shop impulsively or unnecessarily.

If you’re not backing up your computer then imagine this: you are working away on your email one day and your computer goes blank. It doesn’t reboot and you can’t access your email, your documents, or your financial records - everything is lost. If you suddenly feel your heart skip a beat then you should be backing up your computer regularly.

There are easy options to getting started; you can back up to CD’s or to an external hard drive. However, the more organized you are the easier it will be.

Tips for getting digitally organized:

• Keep all of your documents in “my documents” folder.
• Keep your desk top clear of miscellaneous items
• Create digital files that reflect your hard copy files

Tips for backing up:

• Set up your email file in your ‘my docs’ folder so that your .pst file backs up with your documents
• If you use Quick books or Quicken ensure that those files are also set up in your ‘my docs’ folder
• Double check your back up’s to make sure they are working properly
• Date your back up folders so that you know which is most recent (this will also prevent some forms of viruses from overwriting your back up’s as well as your entire computer.- great advice from my computer support person- thanks Jeff).

If you don’t have a tech person that you have absolute faith in, contact me and I am happy to refer you to mine.

Sleep challenges aren’t just about the bed we rest upon. They’re often about what’s happening in our heads. While your body rests, your brain doesn't. An active brain during sleep prepares us for alertness and peak functioning the next day. When you don't get the sleep you need, your body builds up a sleep debt. Sooner or later, this debt must be paid - with sleep.

But, if sleep is necessary then what are some of the things preventing us from getting what we need? The same question applies to eating healthy. If we know we need it why don’t do it?

As a professional organizer one of the common themes we have noticed is that people are feeling a strong sense of always trying to catch up, to get ahead of the game. Working with people to create a more organized living and office space is what Kaos Group does.

When we are more organized we can focus on what we really need to be doing instead of being stressed by the things that we can’t seem to get done. Getting dressed in the morning becomes easier because you know where your clothes are, preparing meals becomes fun when the kitchen is organized, packing for a vacation is painless, laundry doesn’t pile up because you have systems to tackle it and get it done.

When your home has the core organizational systems in place you function effortlessly and your stress levels decrease. When your stress levels decrease you sleep better.

The summer season is upon us and it’s a great time to start preparing your house for a fall sale. Here are some tips to make it easier for you:

1. Clean your house!
2. Repair neglected areas such as nail holes and old chipped paint.
3. Paint those walls. It creates freshness and is inexpensive.
4. Be ruthless and de-clutter your belongings.
5. Commit to Staging.

Did you know?

• Neutral-coloured, fresh paint can give a 29% return on investment?*
• 58% of homebuyers make an offer on a home after viewing an average of 10 homes?*
• 63% of homebuyers would pay more for a renovated home if it meant not doing costly renovations themselves?*

Why Choose The Art of Staging?
We provide the vision and do the Staging work for you while you reap all the benefits – instant gratification, less stress, and a faster sale.
Call today for your free 20 minute audit!

"It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength." Charles Haddon Spurgeon 1834-1892, Preacher