2023-5_Vol 11_AO Newsletter by Angela Caddy

Hello Everyone, Angie from Architecturally Organized here!
I hung out with my grandma a lot while growing up. Most of the time when the weather was warm we were all kicked outside to go play. We built forts in the forest, swang from vines and would catch tadpoles in the pond!! Gram was always up to something…. Working in her garden, patching the roof, or building something.

When the weather would change and the cold air would turn warm, she would get all of her winter clothes washed up, fold the winter clothes up nicely and store them away. She would pull out all the warm clothes and give them a fresh wash (as they typically smelled like mothballs after their hibernation), and place them in drawers or hang them up in the closet.

In my mind (at the time) it never made sense to me…. Why take all the time and effort to do that – when she could just leave everything in her drawers and closets? To me it was a waste of time. You know how you were as a kid, you thought you knew everything!!

Now here we are…many years later…. And I am writing about it… Thank god it didn’t take me that long to grasp what she was doing and why she was doing it.

Yes – I know that doing all that work can be time consuming and the weather is beautiful and you rather be playing outside… But, as with all things Organizing – if you take the time now to do it, it will save you extra time down the road!!

Swapping out your clothes can be very beneficial:
1. You save time – It puts what you will be wearing regularly out in front of you so you don’t have to sort through all the sweaters and cold weather clothes – which will save you time in that morning hustle and bustle!!
2. You save Closet space – PRIME real estate!! The winter clothes get stored away and the warm clothes get put away allowing room for your clothes instead of having everything squished in together. Again – the clothes you will be wearing more often will now be front and center and easy to access.
3. Allows you to analyze your clothes – Is it ripped? Stained? Does it fit properly? – now is your chance to toss/donate it and not have to wash/dry/put it away again (again, saving you some time in the long run!!)
4. You are giving your clothes a breather. Yes, I know they are just clothes – but doesn’t everyone deserve a break? Give them some time away from the washer and dryer, or from hanging in the closet. Think like Kondo – say thank you and carefully pack them away and let your winter wear rest for the season.
5. It gives you something to look forward to next year!! Surprise – look – it is that sweater you haven’t seen all year – have you forgotten how cozy it is!!

Sounds pretty good right? So set aside some time this weekend or one night after work and:Sort through your clothes
1. Separate cold clothes and warm clothes.
2. Separate clothes that don’t fit, are stained, are holy, or you don’t care for anymore from the clothes you are keeping and love (for both warm and cold clothes).
3. Carefully fold or hang the warm clothes.
4. Pick a favorite top, sweater, hoodie, jacket etc. to leave out for possible chilly days/evenings.
5. Carefully store away the winter clothes.

It really is that easy. It’s more time consuming than anything. But again – it’s all about the long run…

Till Next time!!

Hello Everyone, Angie from Architecturally Organized here! 

Guess what today is? It is the first day of the new Season….Today is officially the first day of Summer!! 

The Summer Solstice – The longest day of the year…. the Sun is at its highest point in the sky today.

What does that have to do with organizing? Absolutely nothing.

We are not talking too much about organizing today…. Not talking too much about anything really… I figure… Everyone needs a time to relax and regroup…. To just take a minute and forget all the worries and stressors…. To clear your mind…. Everyone needs that sometimes… Why not take the time now?

Looks like today we are talking about self care… 

Take the day to take some time out for yourself….

1. Take a Bubble Bath.
2. Soak in the sun (Get that vitamin D in!!)
3. Express Gratitude
4. Start reading that book you have been wanting to start.
5. Learn how to sew.
6. Take a nap
7. Take a walk
8. Go to the Gym
9. Watch your favorite movie
10. Set a goal list
11. Deep Clean something (Don’t laugh – some people find this completely relaxing!!)
12. Play in the garden
13. Take a day trip

If those activities don’t float your boat…. Think of something that does and do it!  How does that sound? Just relax… destress…chill… whatever you want to call it!

Get your headspace cleared out…. Once you do that… well…it will possibly help make it a little easier for you to start tackling your to do list.

Till Next time!!

Hello Everyone, Angie from Architecturally Organized here!

I don’t know where some of you are from – but here in Jersey summer weather is here!!! The AC has been kickin… the pool is getting used… and we are soaking up the sun!!  But, not every day is going to be a beach or pool day…

Today is one of them.  It is gloomy looking outside, it wants to rain any minute.  The skies are gray and it is humid out…. It is not a day to be hanging out by the pool!

So on these days… or when it is rainy…or even on the days that it is just TOO hot to go outside – why not take a minute (or a few) and organize your email.

Yes – I said organize your email.
I know I am not the only one who lets their email get out of control.
I know there are more of you who have hundreds if not thousands of emails just sitting in the inbox.
I know there are half attempts at folders that never got used…. At things that have been sitting in your inbox for over a year… just hanging out…. Doing nothing except taking up space!!

So – take the time to clear it all out!!  Below are some steps you can take to help you organize your inbox!  Have fun!!

7 Steps to decluttering your Inbox

1. Unsubscribe – Go through the random emails and take a minute to unsubscribe from their mailing list.  This will cut down on the amount of spam coming into your inbox!
   • If – you get a ton of emails for coupons and such and you feel you CAN NOT live without them – you can:
     • A – Set up a new separate email specifically to be used for coupons and fliers and any other things that you get when a website asks you to enter an email address – see what we are doing here? This will allow you to still receive all the coupons and crap you want – without it cluttering your regular email account.
     • B-Use automation – Set it up so that when these emails come in they are automatically sent directly to a specific folder so that it does not sit in your inbox.

2. Use Labels and folders – Using Labels and/or folders is beneficial for items that you want to keep on hand/save.  Also, using labels will make things easier for you when you search for a particular email!!

3. Automation – For unimportant things-have them automatically go to a specific folder.  I mentioned this above – but Automation is worth mentioning twice!  Automation allows you to receive an email and it will automatically put it in a specific folder you created.  It will not be in your inbox.  It will not pass go or collect $200.  It will go directly to the folder. Neat and Tidy!!

4. Flag and Star – For Important items that you need for later – be sure to flag or star them! This will also help you find them much easier and at the same time give you a to-do list of sorts!!

5. File items to keep – If you have emails from your mom of all the wonderful recipes you and her plan to create – make a folder for that (yes mom- every recipe you have sent me is in a folder – at least they should be). Seriously though – If it is important, create a folder for it to live.

6. Trash items – Everything that is not in a folder, not flagged or starred… not a “to-do”…  go ahead and get rid of it!! There is no use keeping it.  Let it go!!!

7. Maintenance – is KEY!!!!!! I would add a million exclamation marks to this if I could – as it is SOOO easy to let things get carried away and then before you know it you are drowning in a million emails again!!
   • For Future – when you get an email, take the time right then and there to read it and then decide what to do with it: Trash, Unsubscribe, Flag or Star as important, or label it and file it away for use at a later date!!!

See – now that wasn’t so bad was it?!?! Now-when the next rainy day comes…you will be ready to tackle your inbox!!

Till Next time!!

2022-6_Vol 9_AO Newsletter by Angela Caddy

Hello Everyone, Angie from Architecturally Organized here!
Spring has sprung and I love it!!! We already talked about spring cleaning… and we discussed cleaning out your garage…. What’s another thing that comes with Spring… Earth Day!

Earth Day is Friday April 22nd and was founded over 50 years ago!

I remember grade school – on Earth day our school would take a long walk to a park for a picnic. Before the walk took place we would each be handed garbage bags and gloves and along this walk we would all pick up as much trash as we could.

We would toss all our garbage and then go run and play on the monkey bars – as a kid – it made for an AWESOME day!!! And – on top of all that – we would usually be in some poster contest where we would color and make a poster with the famous words “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”.

It really is a simple phrase isn’t it?? And, it is just as simple to say them – as it is to follow them!
How does this phrase coincide with being organized? I am glad you asked…

Reduce
When we talk about Reducing – we are talking about reducing the trash we create. Reducing our footprint…. How do we do that? One way we achieve this is by not buying things that we don’t need/already have. So where does organizing come in??

Think about it…..When you are organized-everything has a home. And when everything has a home-this allows you to keep a better inventory of your items and you will know what you have on hand and won’t end up buying more than you need or multiples of items.

And-to take it a step further, you can always Borrow, Rent or Buy used instead!!

Reuse
Reusing items is the next “R”. It is exactly that – Reusing things you have..
There are a lot of ways to reuse items, be it repurposing or repairing. What do I mean? Let me tell you!

Repurposing an item, which is using an item for a completely different purpose than it was initially intended. Reuse an old ratty t-shirt for a dusting rag. Reuse a lazy susan for your makeup, Reuse shoe boxes for Receipts, Organizing cords, crayons – the uses are endless! Honestly-you can go on to pinterest and find a million ways to reuse a toilet paper roll!!

Before throwing out an item try repairing it before buying a new one!

Recycle
We all know we should recycle – but we definitely don’t all follow along. Find out how your town handles recycling and set up a system that makes recycling become second nature.

When we hear the words “recycle” what do we think of?? Paper…Cardboard boxes… Glass jars?? But there is more to it than just that. The definition is to “convert waste into reusable material” and “to use again”…. By donating your clothes – you are recycling them. You are giving them another chance at life – I know that sounds super cheesy – but it is true! When you have a garage sale, donate to a charity, list something for “curb pickup” on facebook groups – this is a form of recycling

Before you decide to just throw out an item-think about recycling it and allowing someone else to make use of it!

There are many ways to follow the 3 R’s. Some other websites to look into for selling and donating are:
Facebook marketplace
Craigslist
Nextdoor
Goodwill
Consignment Shops
Salvation Army
Local area Church
Bestbuy

So there you have it…Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!! What do you do to follow those R’s? What have you repurposed that has made your life easier?
As the Quote says… Let’s make Earth Day – Everyday! Till Next time!!

Hello Everyone, Angie from Architecturally Organized here!

In like a lion…out like a Lamb.. we’ll see!! It is the middle of March….The clocks have changed… and in just a few more days Spring will officially be here!

With Spring… comes Spring Cleaning!! Now I know that is not the same as “Organizing”… but the two really do go hand in hand with one another. Whether you are organizing or cleaning – start one room at a time… one task at a time… and don’t let it overwhelm you!

Now when it comes to cleaning there are a few different ways that you can attack it…. Start by room or by task….You could pick the Kitchen and just do all the cleaning for that room at one time, or you could choose the task – say Dusting. Go through the house and do all the dusting at one time.

Below is a room by room list of Spring Cleaning items to tackle!! Now open up those windows – let the cool breeze in and help air out your house… and don’t forget to have fun!!

Entry (Including hallways) 
Dusting: wipe down crown molding, window trim, cabinet trim, wipe down cabinets, cabinet doors, and cabinet hardware, and base trim.
Glass-Clean all windows, Doors and Glass Cabinets.
Linens-Wash linens (Curtains, etc)
Surfaces-Wipe down all surfaces (Walls, Wall Switches, Countertops, etc.).
Floors-Sweep/vacuum and mop floor.

Kitchen
Dusting: wipe down crown molding, window trim, cabinet trim, wipe down cabinets, cabinet doors, and cabinet hardware, and base trim.
Glass-Clean all windows, Doors and Glass Cabinets.
Linens-Wash linens (Towels, wash cloths, curtains, etc)
Appliances-Clean all Appliances (Microwave, Dishwasher, Stove/Oven, Refrigerator).
Surfaces-Wipe down all surfaces (Walls, Wall Switches, Countertops, etc.).
Floors-Sweep/vacuum and mop floor.
Toss out any old or expired food items in cabinets and fridge/freezer

Living Spaces (Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room, Den, etc)
Dusting: wipe down crown molding, window trim, cabinet trim, wipe down cabinets, cabinet doors, and cabinet hardware and Base trim.
Glass-Clean all windows, Doors and Glass Cabinets.
Soft Surfaces-Vacuum Seating arrangements and rugs
Linens-Wash Linens (blankets, throws, Curtains, etc)
Surfaces-Wipe down all surfaces (Walls, Wall Switches, etc.).
Floors-Sweep/vacuum and mop flooring.

Bathroom
Dusting: wipe down crown molding, Grab bars, towel bars, cabinet trim, wipe down cabinets, cabinet doors, and cabinet hardware, and base trim, etc.
Glass-Clean all Mirrors, windows, Doors and Glass Cabinets.
Accessories-Clean toilet, sink, tub, etc.
Linens-Wash linens (Towels, wash cloths, shower curtain, curtains, etc)
Surfaces-Wipe down all surfaces (Walls, Wall Switches, Countertops, etc.).
Floors-Sweep/vacuum and mop floor.

Bedrooms
Dusting: wipe down crown molding, window trim, Base trim.
Glass-Clean all windows, mirrors, glass doors, etc.
Soft Surfaces-Vacuum Seating arrangements and rugs
Linens-Wash Linens (blankets, throws, Curtains, etc)
Clothes-Tidy up closets and drawers (fold/hang clothes, etc)
Surfaces-Wipe down all surfaces (Walls, Wall Switches, etc.).
Floors-Sweep/vacuum/mop flooring.

Keep in mind – this is a very broad list… It will get your house spick and span… but if you want to go a little deeper…try adding these items to your spring cleaning list:

Entry (Including hallways)
If you have an Entry Closet – go through it, empty it out and sort the items.
Apply specialty products to your flooring (if you have hard wood-polish, if you have porcelain or tile-check your grout, etc.)

Kitchen
Clean sink, faucet, garbage disposal
Set oven to “self clean”
Apply specialty products to your flooring (if you have hard wood-polish, if you have porcelain or tile-check your grout, etc.)

Living Spaces (Dining Room, Living Room, Family Room, Den, etc)
Clean window blinds/curtains
Shampoo rug/polish hardwood floors
Move heavy furniture and clean under it.

Bathroom
Check the expiration dates on items and toss what is expired.
Clean your showerhead
check your grout

Bedrooms
Go through your clothes- donate/purge items that no longer fit/you don’t like.
Flip your mattress.
Shampoo rug/polish hardwood floors
Move heavy furniture and clean under it.

You can get as tough and gritty as you need to – it’s all up to you!! Take it a day at a time and you’ll get it done!!

What are your favorite spring cleaning tasks?
Tell me about them!!
I’ll talk to you later!!

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