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Terri Stephens

Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS

Certified Professional Organizer®
Certified Relocation & Transition Specialist®

2011

CONSUMER'S CHOICE AWARD WINNER

 

(678) 513-6585

 [email protected]

www.therealorder.com

 
IN THIS ISSUE
Ways We Can Help
Start by Sorting
Creating a Picture-Perfect Kitchen
Recipe Relief

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WAYS WE CAN HELP

You can save money. You'll know what you already own, eliminating the need to buy duplicate items. A professional organizer can help you find the perfect organizing products for your space and lifestyle, so you stop wasting money on things you don't need or won't work.

 

You can become more productive and efficient. A professional organizer can create order and structure out of chaos. You'll receive systems that work for your dominant learning style, your lifestyle, your needs, your challenges, and your dreams.

 

You'll have a positive self-image and ditch the shame. Once your home or office is neat and tidy, you won't feel embarrassed to have guests visit. The guilt will fade away as you take pride in your surroundings.

 

You'll have a healthier environment. Physical and emotional clutter obscures your surroundings. An organized home and office is more easily cleaned. Lose the clutter and cut down on time spent moving piles of paper and stuff around.

 

Your stress level will decrease dramatically. When you can find what you need, are on top of your to-dos, and arrive on time, you'll feel calmer and have more peace of mind. No more feeling overwhelmed by life -- you'll be the one in control.

 

You'll discover more time for yourself. When you're organized, your days go as planned, and you get a lot more done. That leaves more time to indulge in a little "me time."

 

Your energy will shine. Clutter is a mask and a professional organizer can help you take off that mask. Once the clutter is removed, you can showcase your talents, skills, and personality and have the life you deserve.

 

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Faithful Organizers

 

 

February 2013

Greetings!    

 

Is your kitchen the heart of your home? Whether yours would make the Top Chef green with envy or is a simple, galley-style kitchen, it's probably a place not only to prepare and eat meals, but to do homework, pay bills and spend time with family and friends.

 

All that activity can easily lead to clutter and chaos in the kitchen, but because it's such a vital part of your home, it's worth making the effort to organize for a more functional kitchen.

 

Until next time,  

 

Terri Signature
 

  

 

 

Terri Stephens, CPO, CRTS

Real Order Professional Organizing, LLC
(678) 513-6585

START BY SORTING

Functional Kitchen Though it's not as much fun as buying new storage containers and decorative baskets, sorting and decluttering has to be the first step in organizing any space.

 

Plan for half a day to pull everything out of your cabinets and drawers and begin sorting by categories. (If you have a large pantry, you may want to sort that space on a separate day). Group similar items on counters and tables, in baskets or boxes - whatever works to keep like items together. Your categories may include everyday dishes, special occasion dishes, baking items, mixing bowls, cutlery, pots and pans and perhaps seasonal items or those used infrequently (roasting pan, ice cream maker, wok, etc.)

 

Once items are sorted, go through each category to identify duplicates. Be realistic about what you really need and use regularly. Do you need three potato peelers? Anything you don't use or love should go into a donation box. Now you're ready to store what's left in a way that's functional!

 

Keep reading for the three steps to creating a functional kitchen.

 

 

Source: Organizne Today

CREATING A PICTURE-PERFECT KITCHEN

kitchen magazine coverA few simple steps can keep your kitchen looking magazine photo-shoot ready. While you may not be featured in Better Homes & Gardens, a clean and decluttered space makes your kitchen more functional and enjoyable.

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  • Eliminate refrigerator magnets. They seem to multiply when you're not looking! Clear off ALL of them, and wait 30 days. If you still miss any of them, bring back only those you specifically miss.
  • Just because the space is there doesn't mean you have to fill it. It's refreshing to leave space partially empty.
  • Place a simple bouquet of flowers or a small potted plant in the center of the table. It will look so nice you won't be tempted to let clutter take over.
  • Wash dishes as you dirty them. Don't let any accumulate in the sink, on the counter, or anywhere else.
  • Before you begin your meal preparation, clear the counters and light a candle. It's much more fun to cook in a serene setting than in chaos.
  • Use your good dishes and linens for everyday. They're beautiful, so why save them for only special occasions?

Source: Organize Today

RECIPE RELIEF

Are your cookbooks a recipe for disaster? Take control with these simple tips.

  

Recipe BinderEvaluate and pare down. Gather all your cookbooks in one spot. You'll recognize your favorites, so set these aside. Then, consider donating any books that you haven't used in the past year.

 

Find a central location. Keep all of your cookbooks and recipes in one area for easy access and awareness. Organize them in a way that makes sense to you - by author, culinary, region, or type of food (vegetarian, soups, breakfast, etc.).

 

Create a recipe binder. Set up a three-ring binder for your recipe clippings and downloads. Create sections (appetizers, main course, desserts) with tab dividers. Slip printed recipes into clear plastic page protectors; glue odd-size clippings to heavy paper and then place in page protectors.

 

Control your clipping. It's tempting to clip every great recipe you see in magazines. If you clip often, create a "holding" folder where recipes must first pass a taste test before being added to your recipe binder. Remember the "in/out" rule: Each time you add a recipe to your book, remove an old one (or two) that is no longer a favorite.

 

Source: Organize Today

 

Flowers

 

In the depth of winter, I finally learned that within me there lay an invincible summer.

 

-Albert Camus

REFER A FRIEND & DINE OUT ON US 

DiningMost of us recommend restaurants, movies or mechanics to our family and friends. When you recommend Real Order for professional organizing, we want to thank you with a $25 gift card to Red Lobster or Olive Garden - it's your choice. A minimum of four hours of organizing services must be purchased to qualify. To redeem your gift card, simply notify us of the family or friend you are referring to us. Bon appetit!

 

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