Archive for the ‘products/resources’ Category

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NYC Keeps On Truckin’ & Tracking Trash, Too!

Monday, October 12th, 2009

NYC wants to be cleaner and greener and, in an effort to accomplish that mission – at least where trash is concerned – it’s testing hybrid sanitation trucks in residential areas of Queens. The Big Apple’s current garbage trucks are incredible gas guzzlers, getting only about three miles per gallon. The hybrid trucks should get 25% to 30% better mileage – which isn’t saying much -  but it is a step in the right direction and every little bit helps.

And, speaking of trash, the researchers at MIT’s SENSEable City Lab have come up with a new project called Trash Track whose goals are to raise awareness of how trash impacts the environment and get people thinking about all the stuff they toss out. TrashTrack uses hundreds of small electronic, smart, location aware tags. These tags are attached to different types of trash and those items are tracked through NYC’s waste management system, revealing the final journey of everyday objects in a series of real time visualizations. So, if you knew exactly where your trash was going and how much energy it took to make it all disappear, would it make you think twice about buying bottled water or “disposable” anything else?

Speaking of trash, if you’re working on separating out your trash from your treasures and need to get rid of what you don’t want, these local companies will remove almost anything – from old furniture and appliances to yard waste and renovation debris – including many things that your local garbage company won’t typically accept. Plus, they do all the loading and clean-up.

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When Autumn Leaves Start To Fall…

Friday, October 9th, 2009

“The falling leaves drift by the window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold”

“Since you went away, the days grow long
And soon I’ll hear ol’ winter’s song.
But I miss you most of all my darling,
When autumn leaves start to fall.”

– from “Autumn Leaves“

Did you know that “Autumn Leaves” was originally a French song until Johnny Mercer wrote some English lyrics for it, the likes of Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole recorded it and the rest, as they say, is history? Leave it to the French.

Autumn in New York City does indeed mean that leaves are beginning to turn color, starting to fall and the temperature is fluctuating up and down. On the days when it still gets into the 70’s, I’m in my glory. Then comes a day in the 40’s or 50’s and I get a serious reality check/wake-up call that autumn is here, summer has come to an end and it’s time to get organized for the long, inevitable winter months ahead. Don’t get left out in the cold; prepare for winter now while the mood is right and the days are still relatively long. On Sunday, November 2, daylight-saving time will end and the shorter days that are one of the hallmarks of winter will be upon us.

SAY GOODBYE FOR NOW
Before you pack away yours/your family’s summer wardrobes, look it/them over and identify items that didn’t get worn and are no longer wanted. Add them to – or start – a giveaway/*donation pile. If anything is stained, remove the stains now – it’s usually more difficult to get them out later on – and stow them away until next year.

RE-ACQUAINT YOURSELF WITH OLD FRIENDS
Get re-acquainted with your favorite winter clothes and cast a critical eye at all the rest. Are they worthy of the drawer/closet space they take up or are you ready to let ‘em go and make room for some new, cold weather favorites? If your coats didn’t get cleaned at the end of last winter, freshen them up now. Before you wash or dry clean them, be sure to make any necessary repairs, like sewing on buttons, fixing zippers, replacing torn linings or pockets. If you’ve got kids, now is the time to make sure that their coats still fit. Pass down anything they’ve outgrown to their younger sibling(s) or bag ‘em up for give away/*donation and take advantage of the Columbus Day sales all over town this weekend to get anyone in need new outer wear. Also, make sure that everyone has hats, gloves and scarves and they’re in good condition. If not take advantage of this weekend’s sales to fill in any gaps. Discard anything that is too far past its prime to be of use any longer and freshen up everything by washing or dry cleaning.

Instead of scrambling to get organized when that first cold snap hits or that first morning you wake up and discover the snow cover outside, be prepared and go out and have fun instead!

*A quick word about what is acceptable to donate to thrift or charity shops. Please be kind and do not donate soiled or damaged items. Most charities don’t have the resources to clean or fix them and it will cost them money to dispose of those items.

If – like a lot of New Yorkers – you’ve got more “stuff” than you have space to hold it all, here are some companies that might be able to help you solve that problem:

WARDROBE STORAGE FACILITY WITH VALET SERVICE:
Based in New York City, Garde Robe is a full-service wardrobe storage facility providing first-class storage, cyber-inventory, secure online closets and an array of services for New Yorkers, travelers and fashion industry professionals. Garde Robe will pick up your off-season or infrequently worn items, arrange for professional cleaning, photograph, catalogue and store the items in their climate-controlled, air-purified loft. Your Cyber Closet is accessible day or night and, with a few mouse clicks, you can arrange to have Garde Robe deliver desired items at your convenience.
GENERAL STORAGE FACILITY WITH VALET SERVICE:
The process is simple, quick and entirely managed through their website or you can call in your requests on their toll free line. After you place an order, they will deliver your empty containers, locks and welcome kit which includes an inventory form and other helpful information. You pack your boxes, or have a Box Butler professional assist you pack for a modest fee. The completed inventory can be entered online onto their web based system for easy access or stored in hard copy at your home. Then order a pick up and they will retrieve your locked containers. All or specific containers can be returned in the future at your request. This service was designed with 100% convenience in mind.

Posted in donate/charities/thriftshops, products/resources, storage | 2 Comments »

Go Ahead, Write On The Walls. No, Really…It’s Okay!

Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
IdeaPaint has got to be one of the coolest products ever. It can turn virtually any paintable surface into a high-performance dry-erase surface:

Kids bedroom
Kitchen
Office
Playroom
Hallways
Doors
Refrigerators
Tables
Furniture
Laundry room
Cabinets
Storage Containers

…the possibilities are limited only by your imagination!

It’s easy to use and works like any standard roller-applied paint. One coat is all it takes and it even comes with the roller you need! When you’re ready for something new, just paint over it. IdeaPaint can even restore your old dry-erase whiteboards and add years to their life.

Many dry-erase surfaces contain formaldehyde, which slowly releases gas and diminishes indoor air quality – your air quality – for the life of the product. IdeaPaint is formaldehyde-free, conforms to all U.S. EPA regulations (including California) and does not produce any harmful gas once it’s dry. In addition to formaldehyde, it’s also free of lead, asbestos, and other harmful materials. IdeaPaint has been tested and deemed safe for its recommended use by multiple third-party laboratories. It works with all industry-standard dry-erase markers and erasers, though you should replace markers frequently to prevent damage from dried or frayed tips. Clean with a standard dry-erase eraser or a dry cloth after each use; for more thorough cleaning, use a damp cloth. If you need to repair or replace IdeaPaint, just scuff up the entire surface and repaint.

Millions of worn out and unwanted whiteboards and blackboards end up in landfills every year. If you care about the environment, you’ll love IdeaPaint because there’s nothing to throw out and they don’t use any of the valuable raw materials normally found in other dry-erase products: wood, steel, aluminum, vinyl or resin. The baking and curing procedures required to make traditional dry-erase boards consume large amounts of energy. Not IdeaPaint. Just stir and apply! And because their product is much smaller and lighter, it packs and ships using less packing material and fuel than traditional whiteboards.

So…go ahead, write on the walls! It’s really okay!

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Rock-A-Bye Baby – And More – With The 5-In-1 Rain Or Shine Blanket

Sunday, September 6th, 2009

The simple yet effective design of Rain or Shine Kids 5-in-1 protective blankets allows parents to use them seamlessly for 5 major everyday functions. The grosgrain ribbon ties, soft fabrics and water resistant backing work together to protect and attach to the stroller, baby carrier, infant car seat, use as a nursing cover and an outdoor play mat/changing pad. The blankets that work like a cozy piece of gear, a perfect gift for the new family on the go.

The 5-in-1 all weather WooBee protective blankets function like your favorite piece of baby gear. The unique combination of water resistant backing, super soft front fabrics and sewn on ribbon ties allows parents to utilize their all weather WooBee for 5 every day uses : attaches to the stroller, secures to a carrier, tie to infant car seat, tie around to use as a nursing cover, and use as an outside play mat/changing pad.

Classic series
Thick plush fabrics in baby soft pink, sky, lilac and cream with a classic chocolate water resistant backing.
Urban series
These blankets grey and black nylon backing match many of today’s most popular baby gear. Choose from fluffy plush fabrics in soft baby colors or the smooth soft velvet material in brighter shades.
Brilliant series
These vibrant color combinations look amazing on children, in our beautiful smooth velvet material that is very hard to stain, and they stay bright wash after wash.

Print series
These fun, funky and cool prints are a favorite of parents and children. The ranch, camo and leopard prints make rockstars and cowhands out of your favorite baby. This fabric is virtually impossible to stain and super smooth to the touch.

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Too Many Towels; Too Little Space.

Monday, August 31st, 2009
If you’ve got too many towels and too little space for all of them, the first step is to get rid of any that have seen better days, haven’t been used in a long time or you just don’t like for whatever reason. If, after that, you’ve still got too many towels and not enough storage space for them in your linen closet, here’s a suggestion for storing them right in your bathroom. It’s a convenient, attractive option if you’re suffering from towel overload…and even if you’re not!
This is from The Container Store and their description of it reads:  “Enameled Steel Cube [white, 14"sq.] blends Italian design with the durability and strength of steel for urban-loft style and functionality. Easy to assemble and configure, the modular cubes can be used alone or in any combination to create a custom solution that conforms to your exact needs.”
I recommend mounting them over the bathroom door, if possible. It’s an often little used and overlooked location that won’t take up floor space or be in anyone’s way. I would suggest putting up 2 or 3 of them side-by-side, depending on how many towels and how much space you have. Unless you have a lot of oversize towels, these cubes are a good storage choice. They’re perforated for ventilation, rust-resistant; will match the sink in your bathroom, if it’s white(!);  have a great look, are easy to clean and your towels will fold and stack nicely in them, without falling over (or you can roll them up and stack them). Of course, measure first to see if the cubes will fit your particular space.

I’m pretty handy and would have no trouble putting up these cubes, but for anyone who isn’t handy, doesn’t have the right tools, doesn’t want to be bothered or doesn’t have a super or handyman in the building who will do it for you, contact Handy In The City for help at (917) 841-8032 or email them at handyinthecity@yahoo.com.

If you’re “vertically challenged” – meaning not tall enough to reach your towels in their newly stowed spot – I’d suggest keeping a small step stool in the bathroom for quick and easy access to them. Here are a couple of possibilities from Bed, Bath & Beyond that don’t take up much space:

EZ Foldz 12″ Folding Step Stool

“This convenient step stool is lightweight and so easy to store, too. It folds up to less than 3″ wide so you can stash it anywhere. Step stool holds up to 300 lbs. and measures 18 1/2″ L x 12 3/4″ W folded out.”

E-Z Foldz Folding Plastic Step Stool
“Use this sturdy and durable plastic step stool for standing up or sitting down anywhere you need it. Lightweight material makes it easy to move from room to room. Collapsible design lets you store it anywhere easily. Holds a maximum weight of 300 pounds. Measures 9″ H x 12″ L x 10 1/2″ D unfolded. Folds conveniently down to a mere 2″.”

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Cord Chaos: Before And (A Fabulous) After!

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

A lovely client of mine is allowing me to share this with everyone else out there who finds themselves lost in a sea of electric cords. Thank you, client. You know who you are!

So, this client – probably like a lot of you – has a million corded devices in her office area. She also has three of the most wonderful cats I have ever seen. While the cats are wonderful, the fact that they – if left to their own devices – like to play with the surge protectors and cords is not so wonderful. As you can imagine, between them they produce a lot of fur, which is also not so wonderful for the equipment.

In order to protect the cords from her cats, my client laid the top of a plastic box over them. An admirable though not particularly lovely attempt nor a good permanent solution, she wondered if I could come up with something better. At first, I suggested enclosing the whole area. It’s a little hard to tell from the picture, but it’s a contained space at the bottom of her bookcase that I thought we could put some doors on. Well, she LOVED that idea and said she would check out her local hardware store, Lowe’s or Home Depot for door possibilities. She’s a very resourceful and handy woman and I was confident that she could get the job done.

The next day I was in The Container Store looking for some items for another client and I saw an attractive storage stool that I thought would be PERFECT to contain all that cord clutter. Even better, it was on sale! I sent her an email with a picture giving her a heads up about what I had found, how it could work for her in this instance (put the surge protectors inside and slip the cords through the open stool handles) and the fact that it was on sale, but she responded that she would probably go with the door option. OK. No problem. I’m all for whatever the client prefers that will get the job done.

Imagine my surprise when I got an email from her with the Before and After photos below and her praising my out-of-the-box thinking (pun intended!) to control her cord clutter as “brilliant”. While I love the appreciation, I love just as much that the product I suggested took care of the problem so beautifully and neatly. In fact, she liked the storage stool so much that she bought two and is using the other one to store her copy paper and to put her feet up on when she’s hard at work on her computer.

Before:

After:

Ah, just another problem solving day in the life of a Professional Organizer!

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