Martha Carol Stewart Martha Carol Stewart

Travel Organization Tips from a Baton Rouge Professional Organizer

Are you ready to embark on your next adventure? As a professional organizer based in Baton Rouge, I understand the importance of an efficient travel organization. Here are some tips to help you travel with ease:

Are you ready to embark on your next adventure? As a professional organizer based in Baton Rouge, I understand the importance of an efficient travel organization. Here are some tips to help you travel with ease:

1. Create a Packing List: Create a comprehensive list to ensure you remember all essentials before packing. Group items by category (e.g., clothing, toiletries, electronics) to streamline the packing process.

2. Invest in Packing Cubes: Packing cubes are a game-changer for maximizing suitcase space and organizing your belongings. Use different colored cubes for various items to stay organized throughout your trip and feel relieved of the packing stress.

3. Here's a tip that will make you feel efficient and organized: Roll, Don't Fold. Rolling your clothes instead of folding them can help save space in your suitcase and prevent wrinkles. This time-saving technique also makes it easier to see what's inside each clothing bundle without unpacking everything. By adopting this method, you'll feel more prepared and less rushed for your travel adventures.

4. Pack Multi-Purpose Items: Choose clothing and accessories that can serve multiple purposes to minimize the number of items you need to pack. For example, opt for versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down depending on the occasion.

5. Stay Organized On the Go: Once you arrive at your destination, organize your belongings by unpacking strategically. Store clothing and accessories in dresser drawers or closet space, and designate specific areas for toiletries and electronics.

And if you need travel essentials you can check out my curated list here.

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Martha Carol Stewart Martha Carol Stewart

Perfecting Your Party Pantry: Tips from a Baton Rouge Professional Organizer

As a professional organizer in Baton Rouge, I've seen firsthand how a clutter-free space can elevate your entertaining game. Here are some tips to transform your party pantry into a hub of organization:

Hosting a memorable gathering starts with a well-organized party pantry. As a professional organizer in Baton Rouge, I've seen firsthand how a clutter-free space can elevate your entertaining game. Here are some tips to transform your party pantry into a hub of organization:

1. Assess and Declutter: Start by taking stock of your party supplies. Discard expired items and donate anything you no longer need. This step will help you create a clean slate for organizing.

2. Zone Your Space: Don't worry, dividing your party pantry into zones is simpler than it sounds. Just categorize your items into snacks, serveware, and beverages. This straightforward step will make it a breeze to find what you need when planning your next event.

3. Invest in Storage Solutions: Utilize clear bins, baskets, and shelf organizers to corral similar items together. Labeling each container will help you and your guests quickly locate essentials during gatherings.

4. Maximize Vertical Space: To maximize vertical storage space, install shelves or racks. This will free up valuable countertop real estate and ensure every inch of your pantry is utilized efficiently.

5. Maintain Regularly: Don't view this as a chore, but as a way to ensure your party pantry remains a stress-free zone. Regular decluttering and organizing will prevent clutter from accumulating and keep you prepared for impromptu gatherings. It's a small investment of time for long-term peace of mind.

Click here for curated items for you to stock your party pantry!

With these expert tips, you'll be well on your way to hosting stress-free and memorable gatherings in your Baton Rouge home. Imagine the ease and joy of entertaining when everything is in its place and easily accessible!

Need Help? We're only a phone call away!

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Martha Carol Stewart Martha Carol Stewart

The Power of Routine to Stay Organized

Discover the power of ROUTINE in your journey to stay organized, and unlock a world of less chaos and more productivity.

The more organized you are, the less chaos you will have. 

Sticking to a routine can be a real challenge, especially when you're a parent with young children and your days are a whirlwind of school, work, extracurricular activities, and even date nights. The struggle is real, and it's easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

Discover the power of ROUTINE in your journey to stay organized, and unlock a world of less chaos and more productivity.

The more organized you are, the less chaos you will have. 

Sticking to a routine can be a real challenge, especially when you're a parent with young children and your days are a whirlwind of school, work, extracurricular activities, and even date nights. The struggle is real, and it's easy to feel exhausted and overwhelmed.

First, you have routines and don't even realize it.  Pay attention to your mornings.  Do you get up at the same time every day?  What do you do first? Second? …See…there is a bit of a routine there.  Write it down.

Let me share a personal experience. I'm not a morning person,  and my brain usually takes a while to fully wake up. This means I need to set my alarm for 15-30 minutes before I actually need to get out of bed.  I enjoy my coffee while catching up on the news and checking social media.  When I was a teacher with young children, I found it most effective to do as much as I could at night before going to bed. So , let's start there. I remember a fellow teacher who used to prepare her lessons for the next day after putting her kids to bed. This allowed her to have a peaceful morning and be fully present for her students.

Here is an example of my evening Routine (This works with or without children at home):

Eat Dinner

Do Dishes—Everyone helps clean up the kitchen. My rule was that if you aren't in the kitchen, you better be doing something else that helps the family and contributes to the household. 

Prep for tomorrow

Reset your spaces

and if you have young kids at home follow the Bs.- Bath, Brush Teeth and Hair, Book, Bed

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Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart

The Art of Pantry Organization

Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste.

A well-organized pantry is a key ingredient for a successful kitchen. It is one of the most essential aspects of kitchen organization that is often overlooked. Not only does it make meal prep easier, but it also saves time and money by preventing food waste and overbuying. A well-organized pantry ensures that you can easily find what you need and that nothing goes to waste. However, keeping your pantry organized can be daunting, especially if you have limited space. Let’s explore three essential tips for pantry organization that will help streamline your kitchen and make your life easier.

Group Similar Items Together

The first step in pantry organization is to group similar items. This means keeping all canned goods in one spot, all baking supplies in another, etc. This method makes it easy to find what you need and helps you keep track of what you have. When you can easily see all your canned goods in one place, you'll be less likely to buy duplicates, saving you money. Win-Win. For example, you could use baskets or bins to corral items that don't stack well, like snacks or spices. And make sure you use labels!

Utilize Vertical Space

Another key to pantry organization is utilizing vertical space. Most pantries have shelves that are too far apart, wasting valuable storage space. Consider adding additional shelves by purchasing shelf risers or installing adjustable shelving. This will allow you to store smaller items, like spices or snacks, on the top shelf and more oversized items, like cereal boxes or canned goods, on the bottom. You can even use the back of your pantry door to hang a spice rack or over-the-door organizer for additional storage. It's a great way to maximize your space and make the most out of your pantry.

Rotate Your Stock

Finally, you must rotate your stock regularly to prevent food waste. This means putting newly purchased items in the back of your pantry and moving older items to the front. Doing this will ensure that you use older items before they expire and prevent them from getting lost in the back of your pantry. Additionally, consider keeping a running list of pantry staples so you know what you need to purchase before you run out. This will help you avoid overbuying and ensure you always have what you need.

Pantry organization is a simple way to streamline your kitchen and simplify meal prep. By grouping similar items, utilizing vertical space, and rotating your stock, you'll ensure that you can easily find what you need and prevent food waste. With a little effort, you can transform your pantry into a well-organized space that will make your life easier in the long run. Remember, a well-organized pantry is not only aesthetically pleasing but will also save you time and money in the long run. So, take the time to organize your pantry today and reap the benefits for years to come or at least until you buy more groceries.


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Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart Notes from Martha-Carol, Spring Martha Carol Stewart

Organizing Your Home Office

Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter

ORGANIZE YOUR HOME OFFICE

Working from home can be a fantastic experience, but it can also be challenging. One of the biggest challenges of home-based work is dealing with clutter. When we work from home, we tend to accumulate things, and if we're not careful, our home office can quickly become a mess. Let’s Use the C.H.A.O.S. Method to get you started!

Categorize

Categorize your paperwork: medical bills, electric bills, invoices, receipts, etc.  Put it in stacks in categories. If it’s junk mail, why is it in your office? Chuck it.

Helpful or Hurtful

Why are you keeping that paper?  Do you truly need it or can you find it electronically when and if you need it?  If you have stacks of paper because you might possibly need it one day, is that helpful to your goal of an organized office?

Action

Decide what you need to keep, what can be tossed and what can be filed. Keep, Toss, File. Pick One.

Organize

Assess the space and see if you need any bins or drawer organizers.  Put your items in their respective new home. Pro tip-Keep things you need access to nearby so you don’t have to go hunting for it later.

Simplify

Make sure everything is labeled so that you remember exactly where things belong.  Labeling is also a great way to help others put things back that they borrow.

Pro Tip:Set a timer each day for 5-10 minutes to go through your papers and your desk will stay organized.

Decluttering your home office can be daunting, but it's well worth the effort. By starting small, using storage solutions, and creating a system, you can transform your workspace into a clean, organized, and functional environment.

Take the time to declutter your home.


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