Friday, 13 January, 2012

Clean your heart and mind too.

"We know of countless people who have experienced new romantic relationships, increased business, and enjoyed better physical health and other amazing benefits, simply because they took time to "clean out the old" from their file drawers, garage shelves, clothes closets -- and heart and mind.
You can, too."
Jack Canfield

Monday, 19 December, 2011

Gift Certificates

Here's a thought - A gift certificate:
Arrange for my services as a gift to your cluttered girl-friend, sister, mom, dad or spouse.

Know someone who simply has no time to get their home clean and organized? We all know someone who'd love a timely gift. 

You may pre-purchase on-line and save 10%.
Have parents who might be downsizing or leaving for retirement care? It's a thoughtful, unusual gift they will love.

Think about it:  Give the gift that restores time, space and sanity.

More Info at: firstorganize@gmail.com

Monday, 5 December, 2011

Quick Tips for the Holidays:

Decorations,
        If you are liek most of us that dread lugging all the holiday decorations out of the basement or attic only to box and store them again a few weeks later, there is a different way to decorate!. Always consider using festive items that you can enjoy over the holidays but don't have to store year round...exactly, all year round.  Here are some examples:  evergreen clippings from the garden,fresh flowers a pot with a poinsettia or a flower arrangement, some candles, fresh fruit in bowls or clear vases, and of course fresh wreaths that you can always throw away after Christmas.

And how about getting your home party-ready

If you are the chosen one to entertain over the holiday season, don't feel that you have to clean, organize and decorate EVERY room of the house. Put your energy and focus on just the public rooms: kitchen, living room, and guest bathroom.  Create an ambiance keeping the lights low, light some candles and enjoy the party. Then, after the holidays have passed, you can clean and organize the rest of the house without feeling stressed and start the new year with a good looking home.

Monday, 21 February, 2011

Thursday, 27 January, 2011

Reorganizing 2011

You are now in 2011…What would be the 2 most important areas you would reorganize?.
Would it be your kitchen?, your calendar and schedule? Would it be your car trunk and garage? Whatever your top two are, let it be a manageable project that gives you an immediate feeling of calm and sense of accomplishment.

TIPS:
1. Have a plan for your priority areas.
2. Schedule no less than 30 minutes to work on the project each day or week.
3. Contact a Professional Organizer to get ideas and help.
4. Eliminate distractions during your organizing time (no phone calls, emails, pets, children, television, etc.)
5. Be proud of small accomplishments…they lead to larger ones.
Will this reorganization fulfill your New Year resolutions too? Great!!

Thursday, 16 December, 2010

Wednesday, 4 August, 2010

Saturday, 3 July, 2010

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken


Summer is here!
You want to be prepared for all the sunny weekends. How do you do that?
Keep a beach bag in your closet, always with the following inside:
*suntan lotion
*a hat
*mosquito repelent
*towel
*a good book
*disinfecting gel
*umbrella (small one, just in case of rain)
Are you a mom?
then just add some park/beach toys
and an extra change of clothes for your little ones.

Wednesday, 5 May, 2010

It's time to pay attention to the drawers

Why do our desk, home, room or car become cluttered?
Clutter is the result of postponed decisions. If you enver get to decide, you never get to find homes for your items or let go what you no longer need.
When you are de-cluttering, make the keep/toss/donate decisions easier by asking yourself whether the item serves a purpose or adds beauty or meaning to your life.
Getting organized is not about getting rid of all your stuff; it's about honoring what truly serves you and letting go of what's just taking up space.

If you don't love it or use it, it's time to lose it.

If you start with your drawer, you may start by forming different groups.  Everything in the drawer must belong to a group. One of those groups should be "trash" of course and it is going directly to it!.

The other groups will be put in the drawer except for the group titled "somewhere else" In this group you will put the things that were in this drawer, but have anything to do with the drawer's purpose. For example if it is your desk drawer and you find a hammer in there, you will have to put is out and then into it's own drawer, closet, box or shelf.

Thursday, 22 April, 2010

If a cluttered desk is the sign of a cluttered mind, what is the significance of a clean desk?
- Laurence J. Peter

A cluttered desk might be the only one to blame for your indecision on which project to take over or the responsible for that letter you haven't been able to write and post or the bill payments you haven't been able to schedule.

A functional desk must have a drawer, a shelf or a box to keep things.  It also have to have a specific place to keep pens, markers, rulers and staplers.

A paper tray is useful when you receive your bills to pay and other items like your kids school documents.

In an office a paper tray will usually serve to manage the docs and projects you are dealing with immediately.

Monday, 8 March, 2010

Home Clean-up routine

Here is a quick daily clean-up routine for the whole family...yes!! all the family participates:

If you want to de-clutter your living room, first, provide a personalized bin or basket for each member of the family for things that don't belong in the common rooms.

Then, determine a regular time to do a quick tidy-up daily (perhaps just after dinner or before bed).
Each person is responsible for picking up their own things and placing them in their own bin.
Once the bin is full, each person empties his or her bin by returning things to their rightful home.

If you have stuff that is being used during the weekend, and you don;t want it to be there in weekdays, you then can settle the time to de-clutter on Sunday evenings for example.

When the job of keeping the house tidy is shared by all and spread throughout the week, it frees up family time on the weekend and everyone benefits.

This not only will help your mind to be clutter-free, but it willhelp the overall feeling towards your home and of course is influencing all family members.


Photo from: http://www.allyou.co

Thursday, 4 February, 2010

Towel Folding

Thursday, 14 January, 2010

Shelves


If your shelves are too high, to wide or too deep, you may install shelving dividers. Specially if the shelves are closed. But for a nice look in open shelving you can install dividers either big ones or some little wooden shelves intended for corners.


If you have an used corner in your room and need more shelving space, free-standing corner shelves are useful. When set in place they sit on their own, but take in mind that are as stable as their height. If you are nervous about stability, you can get them screwed or nailed to the wall.

Monday, 11 January, 2010

Storage and memorabilia

Isn't it nice to sit down and enjoy your pics and keepsakes?
We help you let go of the items that no longer serve you and create space for your treasures.
We show you how to contain your keepsakes so you can find them when you need them.
We save you time and frustration by creating easily accessible storage spaces for what you use frequently.
You just want to keep memorabilia for the future? Then store it right to avoid getting it damaged.

Do you want to go for scrapbooking? Then we will have to create a nice working area and system for you to work creatively.

Wednesday, 6 January, 2010

Do you need to get organized?

If all you see is clutter.
If you can’t find your clothes in the morning.
If you cannot clean properly because there is too much going on in the space.
If you open your pantry and cannot find what you need.
If you are tired of wasting time and energy when not finding your belongings.
If you buy double stuff because you can’t find the first one you bought.
If you can’t gather your tax documents.
If you just have too much memorabilia accumulating.
If you cannot get on time to your appointments.
If you can’t have some “personal time”.
If you are so confussed that you don’t know where to start.

Are you ready to get organized?

If you are stressed,
If you are willing to let go “precious things”
If you have the time and energy
If you are optimistic and motivated…

Let’s do it!!
Just call me and I will come up with a plan to get you organized

Sunday, 3 January, 2010

Holiday Decoration Organized

So, the new year begins, the Holidays are over. Now that the excitement of the has passed, it's time for the often dreaded task of packing and storing the decorations.
It is always a good idea to have an inventory of what you have, specially for next year’s chore of finding all your stuff. Before dismantling, take photos of each of the areas and vignettes and adhere the photos to the front of the boxes where the items will be contained. If you want to recreate the scene next year you will be able to quickly determine which item goes where without having to rely on your memory.
To have safe storage is crucial to avoid fire hazard. If you no longer have the original packaging your delicate ornaments came in, place items in re-sealable sandwich bags and store them in cardboard shoe or wine boxes.
Smaller ornaments can be packed in egg cartons, which can be stacked and stored in a plastic tote. Use zippered garment bags to store oddly shaped decorations that are too bulky to fit into a box.
Linen tablecloths and placemats are better to be hung on skirt hangers to prevent creases.
De-clutter your storage area. For example, if you have any holiday decorations you chose not to use this season, you probably won't use them next year either, so why let them go: Donate or sell them now.

Wednesday, 9 September, 2009

Stress and clutter

The way you view situations can determine whether they cause you stress. To reduce internal stress, make a list of all the things that are bothering you. Then sort the list into two categories:
  • items you have control over and

  • items you don't.

Put your time and energy into working through problems you do have control over rather than worrying about those beyond your control. Working on declutter the kitchen is something you can do, declutter your husband's closet, not that much.
If you are a working mom, with so much to do yet so little time, you must work on priorities first. And never create a to-do-list if you know you won't be able to do all that much in a specific time frame
If you are procrastinating on an uninspiring activity, consider linking it to one of your values. Adding meaning will move you past procrastination and into action. For example, if you lack the motivation to organize your office, and one of your values is creativity, reflect on how a clear desk will contribute to a clearer, more innovative way of thinking.
But how do we determine what our priorities are? It starts with getting clear on our values. Take a moment to define what's important to you.



If your bedroom is your sanctuary, and it is important for you to have a nice, airy, organized room, more than the laundry room, then...go ahead start from there and work it out!

Monday, 31 August, 2009

How Good is Your Time Management?

If you weant to be organized, you have to start by organizing your time.
How often do you find yourself running out of time? For many, it seems that there's just never enough time in the day to get everything done. We wish the day had at least 30 hours instead of just 24.

When you know how to manage your time you gain control. Rather than busily working and not getting much done anywhere, effective time management helps you to choose what to work on and when.

This is essential if you're to achieve anything of any real worth. Discover Tools That Can Help You. By using them you gain control of your time, and start working efficiently. 

There are all kind of tools are available in the market, either electronic, graphic or event tricks to make you remember what you really have to do and not just simply begin your day hoping for your best.

Friday, 10 April, 2009

Do you have a Junk Drawer?

Most homes have a junk drawer . If yours doesn't then have one right away!

It’s usually one small, accesible drawer either in the home office, the front entrance or kitchen. It serves as a sort of catch all for things that don’t have anywhere else to go.

Some of the things that are usually found in a junk drawer are lost keys, bottons, tape measures, pencils, note pads and more.

To make any chore around the house easier, instead of a junk drawer, you can have a tidy one. Funny to hear that a junk drawer can be tidy. It is just because it will be well organized with the right tools. You may use from plastic organizers to small cardboard boxes.

Remember this junk drawer have to be checked every month at least and put everything where it really belongs.

Sunday, 15 March, 2009

Use a system to manage paper


Most of the clutter on any desk is paper. Once you decide to end with this you willhave first to go into the set up face:

A place for everything
1.InboxThis is a standard stackable letter tray. Put documents that don’t yet have a place in here. This may be items like memos, print-outs, and random things placed on your desk by random people.
2.Incubate boxOn top of your Inbox tray, stack another letter tray to put items that are “on hold”. These are items you aren’t yet ready to do or complete in here. They may be articles you’re thinking of reading, sketches for potential projects, and information about events you might attend.
3.Current projects boxFor this, use a file rack or small file box to hold folders for active projects. Create one folder per project.
4.Filing cabinetPut completed projects, general reference items, and anything else you might want to look at again in a filing cabinet. Use simple flat folders organized from A-Z, instead of hanging folders.
5.Dump boxes (trash can, recycling bin, shredder)I avoided throwing away paper because I didn’t have access to a trash can,.

ProcessPut all papers on your desk in your Inbox tray. If it doesn’t fit, just put it next to it for now. Go through each file one by one. Ask yourself: can I act on this file? If yes:
Do it: If it takes less than two minutes, just do it.
Delegate it: If you’re not the right person to do it, then send it to someone who can.
Defer it: If it takes more than two minutes to do, but schedule it

OrganizeIf the file has no action for you to do, you can:
Trash it, recycle it, or shred it, if you don’t need it.
Put it in the Incubate tray if you’re not ready to deal with it.
Archive in your filing cabinet if it is finished.

ReviewIf you want to keeo yourself organized,t hen set up reviews for you to process. Specially in your Inbox and organize your files:
DailyProcess your Inbox as often as you like throughout the day, You must empty it at the end of the day, so that your inbox is nice and fresh in the morning.
WeeklyAt the end of the week, move completed projects into your filing cabinet.
On Mondays go through your Incubate tray and decide if you’re ready to act on any of the files, following the steps you would to process your Inbox. Take items in your recycling bin to the main recycling bin in the office.MonthlyAt the end of the month, go through your filing cabinet and prune any files you don’t think you’ll ever need again.

Friday, 13 March, 2009

Testimonials

"I liked the filing system you implemented. I enjoyed the process of organizing and all the ideas were very helpful."
Jonas T.

"Excellent service. You have flexibility and drive. We did good."
German H.

"I enjoyed working with you back to back."
Martha E

"I was tired of paying interests and penalty fees. I will never forget to pay a bill again. I will certainly never lose or misplace an important piece of paper. I learned my lesson!"
Jean D.

"I was overwhelmed, anxious and depressed. I feel liberated now as a major weight have been lifted from my shoulders and mind. By setting up my filing system, we found receipts, coupons, etc."
James I.

"I am extremely happy, joyous and able to breath. It is a new energy that I feel!"
Inés U.

Saturday, 10 January, 2009

Closets


You can make smarter use of your closet space without spending a hefty sum by of money.

We can help you create a space for your low-hanging items, pants, suits, long robes, and for items like handbags, jackets, sweaters, and scarves.

All short-hanging clothes, like blouses, have their own space. Grouping short-hanging items frees-up a clear block of space below what you might have never used. Often, this design allows you to include drawers in your closet... so you can ditch your dresser, making more available space in your room.
Using systems that are fully adjustable allow for changes in your wardrobe.

Adding light can do wonders, maybe including LED and tap lighting options for example
wire hangers from your closet might damage your clothes. Replacing them with wooden or velvet-covered plastic ones is better. This not only creates a more uniform look, but keeps clothes from slipping.

Saturday, 4 October, 2008

Media Coverage


Appearance on the Newsletter "Info CEFQ" (Centre d'entrepreneuriat féminin du Québec) http://www.rfaq.com/cefq/infocefq/infocefq2oct.html#cecilia

Monday, 29 September, 2008

Dinning room

A Paint job and decluttering always help!!















Always remember that when you are moving clutter and furniture, your walls will definitely will show some damage, you will be able to see all the scratches, nicotine, sun damage and everything you donñt want your nwe home to have.


Bookshelving

It's not only a matter of how will our books look nice, but about knowing which books are in our shelves and where exactly are they located when we look for them.
Books can always be counted and registered as part of an inventory.













If you are keen enough you can put some time to design your own catalogue.

Desk

This was a desk with more dust and clutter than new projects.





 
With a new clear wood desk, a nice new computer and a shelf for the items you need handy, it not only looks a lot better, but it allows new projects to come in!

Wednesday, 10 September, 2008

Contact me

Looking to get Organized?

Are you problemed with issues around time, space, or storage?

I can help you to find balance, restore order, and maximize time and resources
at home and office. Just by getting organized!!

Services:
Residential organizing
Office Organizing and filing systems
Purging, de-cluttering
Storage solutions
Organizing of collections, memorabilia, and photographs
Garage and Tag Sales
Estate organization

Contact me for a free first consultation
firstorganize@gmail.com
438-393-1058

Tuesday, 9 September, 2008

Values

Once you sign to get organized, I will do the utmost to meet all your expectations with excellence.
Passion
Commitment
Honesty
Objectivity

Cecilia Ramirez
438-393-1058
firstorganize@gmail.com

Tuesday, 2 September, 2008

Tag sales

For most of us, getting rid of unwanted items, old stuff and years of clutter is reason enough to hold a tag sale. It's the most common way to declutter our home.

The best seasons to tackle the job is between June and October, which is the most popular period (But always be aware of your community restrictions.)

If you are planning to have a Tag Sale, I can help you to organize it!

Together we will:
Define the duration of your sale or an estate sale.
Take the decision on what to sell
And what not to even show!
Keep your items attractive, including a show-stopper.
Stabish the need of an appraiser
Decide on the prices, I will look at your merchandise objectively
Group and display things.
Put up the signs
Keep control on sold items
Give information to the potential buyers.
Look for undesired pickpocketers.
Spreading the Word About a Tag Sale, Advertising, Posting flyers.
Help to make sure the signs are still up during the tag sale.
We will use my worksheets to keep control on everything and be organized during the sale.
If it rains the day of your tag sale, we can put it up the following weekend, no problem.

My rate is $25.00per hour. Organization, advertising and the supervision during the day of the sale, might end up to at least 16 hours of labor (if you already have the items ready to sell).
I will be glad to help you. Please, don't go through it alone, it won’t be a nice experience at all!

Saturday, 9 February, 2008

Transform your life

Transform your life with Professional Organization.

I help you transform the things that weigh you down and hold you back in your home, small business and corporation and turn them into personal gold.
We do this by creating unique, long-term organizing solutions for every aspect of your life, resulting in more time to enjoy the truly important things.The main thing is that I spend the time to listen to your needs, understand your personal style and natural organizing tendencies, and generate optimum results by offering customized solutions.

Getting started is the hardest part. Especially if the home of office has been disorganized for a long period of time and the same tactics for keeping the disorder out of sight have been employed for a while. Sometimes is difficult to even know where to begin.
The good news is that you can begin right now, wherever you are. All you have to do is take that first step and call me. I can help you transform your life.

Saturday, 26 January, 2008

Tuesday, 15 January, 2008

Why get organized?

Why Get Organized?
Hiring a Professional Organizer is an investment.

Being disorganized can affect all areas of your life: relationships, career, finances and well-being


Well-being Benefits of getting organized:
Higher self-esteem and pride in yourself and your home
More time for yourself and others
Feel happier and more fulfilled
Your environment becomes energizing instead of draining
Life runs smoother, with less stress
Feeling in control of your environment, leads to more peace and in control of your life


Career Benefits:
When physical clutter ends, mind clutter clears, and decisions become easier to make.
Work gets done on time cause you are better focused and able to think more clearly.



Financial Benefits:
Eliminates buying duplicates because you can find what you need quickly and easily.



Saturday, 12 January, 2008

Necesita organizarse?

Necesita organizarse?
Problemas con espacio, almacenamiento y tiempo?
Puedo ayudarle a encontrar equilibrio, restaurar el orden
y organizar su casa y oficina.

Servicios:
Organización de casa
Organización de oficina y documentos.
Clasificación y limpieza de desorden.
Soluciones de almacenamiento
Organización de colecciones y recuerdos
Ventas de garage

Thursday, 10 January, 2008

Simplifier votre vie

Cecilia Ramírez
Professional Organizer (member of POC)
438-3931058
firstorganize@gmail.com

ACCUEIL
Ma pasion est de trouver l’emplacement idéal des objects pour la meilleure harmonisation possible. Ma mission de vous aider à simplifier votre vie, afin que vous soyez plus efficace sur les plans personnel et professionnel.

Ma force c’est de faire avec ce que vous avez déjà et que vous êtes. C’est dans le respect de votre mode de vie et de votre personnalité qu’ensemble nous élaborerons une stratégie qui vous convient
Je suis membre de POC (Professional Organizers in Canada)
Je peut vous aider en français, anglais ou espagnol.

Vous êtes exasperés par votre désordre? Votre vie c’est un chaos?
Cous désire une maison organisé?
Vous ne savez pas par quel bout commencer?
La tâche vous sembre insurmontable?

Je vous aiderai a garder, vendre, donner, choisir vos meilleurs otions pour avoir une vie plus organisé.


TARIF
Mon tarif est a l’heure. Vous serez surpris de ce que nous pourrons accomplir en peu de temps.