Posts Tagged ‘packing’

Organizing a Decorating/Renovating Project

Posted on: June 7th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Cathy MendlerSpring has finally sprung!

Spring is the time of year when we like to clear out the cobwebs, splash on a fresh coat of paint, and spruce up tired areas of our homes.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!  

ORGANIZING A DECORATING/RENOVATING PROJECT

“Among these several kinds of beauty the eye takes most delight in colours.”

Joseph Addison (English Poet, 1672-1719)

Planning

If you’re planning to redecorate or renovate, start your plan on paper. Determine your budget.

Renovating can be stressful. However long you think the project will take, add some extra time to your estimate. Unexpected delays are often a reality of renovation projects.

Supplies

Create a list of everything you will need in order to avoid numerous trips to the store.

Professional Help

Hiring a decorating professional for a 1-2 hour consultation may seem expensive, but one large mistake may prove more costly.

Choose a contractor if you’re not doing the work yourself. Get family and friends to recommend someone. Check out the contractor’s references, and contact the Better Business Bureau.

Outside Projects

If you are planning to build a new deck or outside structure, don’t forget to contact your local utilities in advance.  “Call before you dig” is always sound advice.  You don’t want to cut hydro/power, telephone or TV/internet cables, and/or water or gas lines.  Always think safety first!

Inspiration

Which styles do you like–traditional, contemporary, country, cottage or eclectic? What colours do you like?

A piece of fabric or artwork can be the inspiration for a whole room/area. If you plan to redecorate more than one room/area, think about the colour flow.

Watch a decorating show. Take a walk through a furniture store or fabric store. Peruse some decorating magazines. Canadian House & Home and Style at Home are good ones; they provide the Canadian sources for many of the featured items.

Storage

How can you decide what to build for storage if you don’t know what items will be stored in that location? Purge as you pack your belongings, so that you can determine your storage needs. Reassembling your room will be easier also.

Furniture and Placement

Will you be rearranging your current furniture, switching pieces from another room in your home or adding new pieces?

Decorators often recommend neutral colours for investment pieces. It is much easier to replace your accessories than to replace your sofa.

Remember that large pieces of furniture look smaller in the showroom than they will in your home. It is extremely important to take the measurements home beforehand and check to see if the new pieces will fit. You can tape an outline of the furniture on the floor, so that you don’t have to move heavy furniture.

Choose furniture that performs double duty—an ottoman with a tray and storage inside, a sofa with a bed, etc.

Colour

Changing the colour of a room is the easiest change you can make, and it will give you the biggest bang for your buck.

Keep in mind that it is easier to mix a paint colour to co-ordinate with your fabric and/or furniture than the other way around. Take fabric samples to the paint store. We can recognize over 7,000,000 colours, but we can’t remember an exact colour for more than 30 seconds.

Choose an environmentally friendly paint if your budget allows. Large paint chips and test pots are available at some paint stores. If you don’t want to test the paint on the wall, paint a small piece of bristol board. You will be able to move the board around to different locations to see what the colour looks like at different times of the day and night. Light is an important issue when choosing a paint colour.

Did you know that if you paint a cool colour in a north-facing room, it feels even cooler? Did you know that if you paint a warm colour in a south-facing room, it feels even warmer?

If you choose a neutral colour, a variety of textures in the room will make it work well.

Accessories

Here is where you can use this year’s trendy colours. Take paint chips and fabric samples when you look for accessories. Remember that items don’t need to match exactly—as long as the colours blend.

Meals

Plan ahead for easy meals. When cooking, double a recipe and freeze one batch. This is especially important if you are renovating your kitchen. What will you be able to access? Can you cook outside? Consider using paper plates if you won’t have a kitchen sink to wash dishes or use your dishwasher.

If you’ll be ordering take-out, don’t forget to include those costs in your budget.

 

If you take the time to plan well, your decorating/renovating project should go more smoothly, and your money will likely be spent more wisely.

 



Cool Tools for Travellers!

Posted on: April 25th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

If travelling to a different time zone is in your plans for 2013, check out this website. Jet Lag Rooster is a no-cost, simple, and effective way to reduce or prevent jet lag.

Use our handy VACATION PLANNING CHECKLIST.

Print out our PACKING CHECKLIST and laminate it.

Frequent travellers may wish to store it in their suitcase!

 

 



Travel Tips from Kelly Fields from A.C.T. Tours

Posted on: April 23rd, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

GET READY TO PACK!

It’s fun to open a travel brochure or surf the net to look at cruises and resorts. There are many tools instantly available making the modern traveller quite savvy. While you can do a fair bit of research on your own, be sure to get in touch with your travel agent. Let them know what you’ve found, and ask what can they do to make your time away better.

Here are the top 3 reasons you should use a travel agent.

1. In Ontario all sellers of travel are licensed through TICO (Travel Industry Council of Ontario). Your money is placed in trust, and you are safeguarded against fraud and supplier bankruptcies.

2. Quite often travel agencies have better buying power, and the prices are competitive.

3. Travel Professionals are well versed on all travel, and respect that travel is precious.

With more than 25 years of planning vacations and conferences, we are most successful when we tailor fit your experience. Please allow A.C.T. Tours to personally chat with you to better understand the theme you are envisioning, be it culinary, historical, sporting or quite simply enjoyable!

You can contact Kelly Fields by e-mail or by telephone at 519-581-8681 or 1-888-297-8334.



Making Plans for Summer Vacation!

Posted on: April 10th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler 2 Comments

Spring has finally sprung! As I’m writing this newsletter, there are still flurries flying around outside.

One sure sign of spring is Elmira’s annual Maple SyrupFestival! It’s always a lot of fun. This year approximately 75,000 people came to our town to enjoy a huge variety of delicious foods–especially the pancakes and maple syrup!

The warmer weather summons us outside to soak up the sun, since we don’t see as much of it during the winter. And sunny days mean summer vacations are just around the corner!

On that note, let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

ORGANIZING YOUR NEXT VACATION/TRIP

“The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” Marcel Proust, French Author (1871-1922)

Whether you’re backpacking or bicycling, staying in five-star accommodations or a bed and breakfast, travel can be a great experience.

Planning/Research

Set aside some time to plan your vacation/trip. A few hours of planning are worth the effort if everything runs smoothly. Use our handy Vacation Planning Checklist.

Research your proposed destination on the internet, at the library or through a travel agent. Ask your friends and family for suggestions if they have travelled to your planned destination. Purchasing a travel book and/or a foreign language dictionary may also be helpful.

Travel Agent

Contact your travel agent or CAA. A good travel agent can provide you with a wealth of information—maps, discount coupons and sight-seeing information. Travel agents can also assist you if you encounter problems while you are out of the country. Remember to take any accommodation confirmations with you.

Discounts

Take advantage of discounts. Check the websites of your destinations to see if they provide any coupons.

Sight-Seeing Attractions

If there are some must-see attractions on your list, make reservations ahead of time in order to avoid being disappointed.

Currency

Do you need to pick up foreign currency or travellers’ cheques for your vacation? You might also wish to take a prepaid calling card and international dialing instructions with you.

Documentation

You should be aware that some foreign countries will not accept your passport if it expires within 6 months. It is advisable to renew it before you leave to avoid any problems. Some accommodations provide a safe for your passport and other important valuables.

If you are travelling with minor children, and you are separated or divorced, you may need to carry notarized documents authorizing you to enter another country with your children. This may also apply when you are the legal guardian of children and you are not their birth parent.

Consider taking contact information for the closest location of the Canadian embassy if you are traveling to a country where there is political unrest.

Out-of-Country Coverage

If you do not have out-of-country benefits, it is advisable to make arrangements for medical emergency coverage. A trip to the hospital in another country can be expensive.

Safety Precautions

Don’t carry any items unless they are required for your vacation. Clean out your wallet or purse. Leaving a list at home containing your passport information, driver’s license information, bank card and credit card numbers will make it easier in the event that an item is lost or stolen. You may wish to set up a temporary e-mail account just for this purpose, so you can retrieve the information from anywhere in the world.

Allowances/Restrictions

Check regulations for weight and/or carry-on restrictions before you leave home.

Medical

Prescription medication should be in its original packaging and put in your carry-on bag—in case your bags are lost or delayed.

If you are travelling to a foreign country, check to see if any immunizations are required for malaria, hepatitis, etc.

Clothing/Packing

Research the weather conditions for the time of year that you will be there, and pack the appropriate clothing. Check to see if you need to take an AC/DC adapter for electrical items. Remember to take some reading material or travel games for children in the event that you encounter a delay. To make packing your suitcase easier, use our handy Packing Checklist.

Memories

Remember to take your camera, extra memory cards and batteries. It’s usually less expensive to bring these items from home. You might like to take along a journal—particularly on a long trip or when you will be taking a large number of photographs.

Your Home

If no one stays in your home while you are away, ensure that you have someone checking your home—preferably every day. Review your homeowner’s policy to see what your particular provider requires. Don’t forget to cancel your newspaper. Make arrangements to have your grass cut, your flowers watered and your mail picked up.

Leave a copy of your itinerary with a contact person at home along with a copy of any documents you are taking. This will make it easier in the event of loss or theft.

Reward

Preparing for your trip can be stressful. When the time comes, enjoy your trip. That’s the best reward!



Send Jet Lag Packing!

Posted on: February 21st, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

If travelling to a different time zone is in your plans for 2013, check out this website.  Jet Lag Rooster is a no-cost, simple, and effective way to reduce or prevent jet lag.

Print out our Packing checklist and laminate it.  Frequent travellers may wish to store it in their suitcase.



Find out how we helped our client Martine!

Posted on: January 29th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

“I felt overwhelmed until Cathy of A New Leaf came to my rescue. I had lived in my house for 26 years and wanted to put it up for sale. Every nook and cranny was filled with stuff. I didn’t know how to begin.

Cathy is extremely well organized and meticulous. She came promptly each day with a smile on her face. Together, and with Cathy’s resourcefulness, we were able to separate things into piles for keeping, donating, recycling with little left for garbage. I was finally able to put my house on the market!

I would highly recommend A New Leaf if you are looking for some professional assistance organizing.”

Martine V.

Thanks for reading…

 

P.S. CLICK HERE to read more testimonials!



Enrich Your Travel Plans for 2013!

Posted on: January 24th, 2013 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

If travelling is YOUR plans for 2013, check out our VACATION PLANNING and PACKING checklists!



Getting Organized for Back to School

Posted on: September 11th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Cathy Mendler

Fall is here—with its coloured leaves (if you live in eastern Canada or the United States), cool nights, and a crispness in the air!  The lazy days of summer are almost behind us, and we’re getting back into our busy routines.

So let’s get started and turn over another leaf!

“We can lick gravity, but sometimes the paperwork is overwhelming.”  Wernher von Braun

ORGANIZING SCHOOL AND HOME PAPERWORK

Back to school brings with it much more than structured routines and homework—a seemingly endless stream of paper!

Here are some suggestions to help you handle all of that paper.

Designated Paperwork Area

Designate one area where you will deal with paperwork.  Use a tray or basket as an inbox.  Get everyone in the family into the habit of using it.  If it doesn’t go in the inbox, it won’t get looked at.  Remember–it can take up to 21 times repeating an action before it becomes a habit.  Gentle reminders will help the process when you first start.  Perhaps you can offer a small reward as an incentive.

Routine
Having a routine for keeping paperwork under control is critical.  When your children get home from school, have them unload their knapsacks—dirty lunch containers go in the sink or dishwasher, books go to their homework or study area, paperwork goes to the inbox, etc.

Calendar and Activities Schedule
The family calendar should be kept in your designated paperwork area.  All activities should be put onto one calendar.  Keeping more than one calendar up to date is difficult; it usually results in missed appointments.  Label each family member’s activities in a different colour; let your children pick their favourite colour.

Once you add all of your children’s extra-curricular activities to the calendar, you may realize that they are overscheduled.  Remember that it’s OK to limit the number of activities for each child.  Your children need some time to just be kids!

Reference Binder
A three-ring binder can be used to store frequently used information–names and phone numbers for your dentist, school, babysitter, veterinarian or lawn care company.  Lists for children’s sports activities and take-out menus can also be included.

Tickler File
Set up a tickler file.  A tickler file system consists of folders with tabs for each month and day of the month.  This system should hold all of your current household paper—bills to pay, receipts, coupons, wedding invitations, etc.  A file cabinet should contain your non-current household paper.

If you would like further information on setting up a tickler file, please contact us.

Schedule Time for Paperwork
Set aside a few minutes every day to deal with paperwork.  What’s important is that it happens on a regular basis as required.  Review paperwork in the late afternoon or evening.  It is less stressful than trying to deal with it as everyone is trying to get ready and out the door in the morning!

Don’t forget to place signed permission slips, tests or notes into the children’s knapsacks as soon as possible after completion in order to avoid misplacing them.

Artwork and Projects
Is your fridge or bulletin board covered in artwork?  Each child should have their own box for artwork and projects.  Let your child have fun and decorate the box.  Place a folder inside for current masterpieces.  At the end of the month (or whatever time period you decide), ask your child to select his or her favourite piece or two.  You’ll run out of space in no time if you keep all of them.  If necessary, take photos of bigger projects and artwork that they decide not to keep.  Remember to label each box with the year and grade.

Keep it Simple
Don’t make your system for dealing with paperwork more complicated than it needs to be.  Controlling your family’s paper will be much easier if you keep it simple.

I invite you to share our newsletter with your friends and family. As well, I welcome your feedback and suggestions.

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Getting Organized for Back to School!

Posted on: August 7th, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

Cathy Mendler

It’s that time of year again!  The relaxing days of summer are almost behind us.

GETTING ORGANIZED FOR BACK TO SCHOOL

 

Planning
If you plan ahead, you’ll be ready for the first day of school.

Don’t wait until the night before school starts to try and get your children into their back-to-school routine.  Start a week or two before.  The morning routine is under your control.  Everyone will have a better day if it starts out calmly.

Clothing
Have your children try on all of their clothing to see what fits.  Yes, they really have grown 3 inches during the summer!  Make a list of what needs to be bought.

Let children decide what they are going to wear, and lay out their clothes the night before.

School Supplies
Has the school provided a list of supplies that will be required?  Stock up during the back-to-school sales.  With higher gas prices, saving a couple of dollars by running from store to store may not be worth the extra effort involved.  Remember that your time is valuable.

Backpacks should be the correct size for your children.  Let them choose one with your help; if they like it, they’ll be more likely to use it and less likely to lose it.

Lunches
Keep your cupboards well stocked with lunch items.  While single-serving sizes are convenient, they are more costly.  Be thrifty and get supplies in bulk.  Keep a pen and paper handy in or near your pantry to make a note of items that are running low.

Older children should be responsible for making their own lunches.  Provide healthy choices, and let them choose what they like.  Make lunches at night to save time in the morning.  Put leftovers into lunch containers when cleaning up after dinner.  When you cook, double the recipe and freeze one batch.  You can use the second batch for lunches or dinner on a busy night.  It will save you time and will be healthier than picking up fast food.

Labelling
Don’t forget to label all items your children take to school which need to be brought home each night or week.

Checklist
Post a checklist as close as possible to where your children enter and exit for school.  Make it easy for everyone to read.  Have young children draw an outline of the items they need to take.  Have a designated spot for each child’s coat, mittens, boots, backpack and sports equipment.

Calendar and Scheduling
All activities should be put onto one calendar.  Keeping more than one calendar is difficult; it usually results in missed appointments.  Label each family member’s activities in a different colour; let your children pick their favourite colour.  Limit extra-curricular activities for each child.  To make everyone’s life easier, try not to overschedule.  Your children need some time to be kids!

Rewards
Set up a reward system to motivate your children to reach their goals throughout the year.  With your encouragement and positive reinforcement, they will succeed!

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Yard Sale and Packing Checklists!

Posted on: August 1st, 2012 by Cathy Mendler No Comments

 

Check out our CHECKLISTS!

PACKING CHECKLIST

YARD SALE CHECKLIST

 

Is there a particular checklist that you’d like to see?Please send us a note with your request.

We’ll get to work so that you can get checking!