Organizing a Backpack

Students from preschool to college love to use backpacks. They come in a multitude of sizes, colors and price points and can hold a ton of books and supplies. My guest blogger, Amber Kostelny of Amber's Organizing knows that a backpack has the potential to be a black hole or bottomless pit so she's offering some of her best tips for organizing a backpack. Read on...

LL Bean Turbo Transit Backpack

Organizing a backpack and keeping it neat and tidy is not much different from organizing something else in your home or office. Similar principles apply. Here are my top tips! (and if you’ve got some to share- please comment! We’d love to hear them.)　

• Use pouches that are colored and clear. This may sound confusing, so let me explain. Seeing through a container or pouch makes finding pencils, pens, and erasers a lot easier. If they are tinted a color, that’s even better. Over time, your child will for example associate blue for pencils and red for note cards. This makes it easier to grab a pouch out of the bag. Avoid loose crayons, highlighters and erasers. Everything should be in a pouch or small bag.

• Assign each pocket in the backpack its’ own function or use. For example, maybe the front small pocket will always contain the pencil case and the first large pocket- folders and paper, where as the second large compartment or pocket will house the books. Again, over time your student will instinctively associate certain pockets with certain contents. They’ll never have to guess where something is if everything “has a home”.

• Clean it out regularly. This step is the most important. I recommend each and every night, clean out and tidy up the backpack. This may not be realistic for your child but if you can get into this habit, it will really help. Otherwise, shoot for once a week. That will help keep the mess at bay.

• Label everything. Cases, pouches, books, folders and just about anything else you can think of- label it! Although kids like to write the label or title out themselves, encourage them to use your label maker. It will make it easier for everyone if the labels are clearly typed out.

• Color code folders, binders, and notepads. Choose one color to represent one subject. Perhaps your child’s math book has a book cover. Then stick to a blue folder or notebook to match it. All of these little changes can sometimes make a huge difference if you child identifies with colors to stay organized.

Amber has been serving the Chicago area as a professional organizer since January 2004. She is a Certified Professional Organizer® and specializes in residential and small business organizing. She especially enjoys working one on one with clients to customize the organizing solutions and systems to add efficiency to their space or business. Helping people problem solve difficult spaces and creating productive work spaces is very rewarding to her. Amber is a Golden Circle member of the National Association of Professional Organizers as well as local member of the Chicago chapter.

Links:
ambersorganizing.com
chicagoprofessionalorganizer.com
facebook.com/ambersorganizingllc
twitter.com/luvtoorganize

Five Reasons Why You Should Own a Label Maker

You've seen them in the store. All those little buttons. The tape cassettes. The promise of perfectly lined up words and phrases, phrases you will stick on files and bins that will keep you organized for eternity...

You've may be hemming and hawing and asking yourself--do I really need one?

Should you buy a label maker?

You don't need to be a Professional Organizer to own one. I'm here to tell you...

YES! BUY A LABEL MAKER!

Here's me with mine...

I've had my Brother P-Touch for over ten years. Like a Timex watch, 'It takes a licking and keeps on ticking...' I think I've changed the batteries less than five times since I've owned it. A doctor uses a stethoscope. A tailor uses a sewing machine. A professional organizer goes nowhere without a label maker.

There are a few different brands of label makers, but I prefer the products made by Brother.

It has been an indispensable tool in my organizer's work bag. Clients love when I take it out of my bag and place it on their table. I've seen small children and animals mystified by the tape that comes out of the side of the machine.

Have I convinced you yet of their wonderfulness and that you need to own one? If you're still reading this post then I guess you haven't darted off to the store. OK, here are...

Five Reasons Why You Should Own a Label Maker

1. Label makers make our lives easier . They're light, portable and those labels help us identify items quickly--saving us time and energy. Label makers are especially helpful to those who have illegible handwriting, too.

2. Label makers make getting organized enjoyable. Label Makers make people happy. Thus, people are happy when they are getting organized, making the process more enjoyable.

3. You can express yourself with label maker tape. Do you know the phrase, "It's not all black and white?' Well, neither are the label maker tape cassettes. Most often, I use black text on white tape but there are other options such as black text on clear tape, black text on yellow or black text on red tape.

4. Printed labels make you feel organized. Printed labels are easily identifiable and readable--close-up and from far away. They create order where they may be chaos.

5. You'll be the envy of all your friends! They're going to wish their files and bins could look as great and be as organized as yours with that labelmaker in your hand!

Did you make your decision--to buy or not to buy? If you said, 'BUY!,' you won't regret this purchase. Check online and in local stores for different models/features and the best price. I bought my label maker in Costco--don't forget to check in those type of stores, too. Buy the tapes in bulk from an office supply store or use a coupon to bring down the price.

Happy Labeling!

Cool Product - 3.5" Hanging File Folder Tabs

You've decided to organize your files--that's great! I'm so proud of you.

You purchased hanging folders for this project, right? Good. You're on your way!

Open the box of hanging folders. Somewhere in the box is a plastic baggie filled with plastic tabs and paper inserts.

Take a close look at the tabs. They're small--only 2" across. You can't write much on them. I'm going to tell you right now--they're going to frustrate you to no end as you attempt to use them for your filing project.

I'd like you to consider NOT using them.

I know you paid for them. But, I'm going to ask you to spend a little more money on your files.

The 'Cool Product' that will make it easier for you to locate, retrieve and store your papers is...

The 3.5" Hanging File Poly Tab

Photo: SMEAD

What are the benefits to using 3.5" tabs?

- they have more room to write on
- larger tabs means you can write larger on them or create labels with large letters for easy readbility
- find files more quickly with a larger tab

Whenever I work with a client on getting their papers organized/setting up a file system, I always recommend they use 3.5" tabs. I pull a pack of these out of my 'magic' bag of organizing supplies, and people are amazed--most have never seen the 3.5" tabs. They only know about the 2" tabs that come in the box of file folders. Happiness abounds. Joyful categorizing and labeling begins. Another client's life made easier with a Cool Product...

Thinking of switching to 3.5" tabs?

Anthropologie has Organizing Products!

Have you ever shopped at Anthropologie?

According to their website, "Anthropologie remains a destination for women wanting a curated mix of clothing, accessories, gifts and home décor that reflects their personal style and fuels their lives' passions, from fashion to art to entertaining."

It's one of the most beautiful stores I've ever shopped in. I feel like I'm stepping into another world every time I walk inside of one. Anthropologie (or 'Anthro' as some shoppers like to call it) sells more than just clothing for women. It also sells shoes, accessories, books, and decorative items for the home.

Back in late December, I hit an end-of-year sale at Anthropologie (Chelsea Market, NYC) with some friends. I picked up a few beautiful tops and a dress that I can't wait to wear. While strolling thru the home decor department, I noticed an area that had office supplies. Office supplies? Never expected to see those at Anthropologie!

I couldn't resist and the price was right! What did I bring home with me besides clothes? I brought home...

1950's Floral File Folders
The packaging reads, " Style before order, or order before style? Now you don't have to choose. Paperwork is rarely fun, but it can be chic when combined with these stylish file folders." The patterns are 1950's-inspired British textile designs. Four designs and eight file folders in the package--labels, too by Galison New York. Can't wait to start using them!

Today is the Day Notepad

I saw this pad and couldn't believe my luck! The 'Today is the Day' Pad by Onecanoetwo was made for me! This is exactly how I plan my day. I make a list of what I want to accomplish in the morning, in the afternoon before picking the kiddies up from school, and at night after they go to sleep. I'm going to have to buy more of these when I run out!

Monogrammed Sticky Notes

Post-its. With my initial on them. Couldn't resist them. Loved the colors. Loved the case they came in. They had to come home with me and live on my desk. Also by Galison. Artwork by Samantha Hahn.

Did I mention that all of these organizing supplies were reduced and then an extra 30% off? Woo-hoo! Makes my heart skip a beat...

And because one Anthoplogie was not enough for me, I felt the need to also check out the one in my backyard in Paramus, NJ. Got two more beautiful tops on sale and spotted these--animal and garden-themed post-it flags. Not on sale. May go back and buy them anyway. When I read a non-fiction book, I use flags to mark sections I'd like to refer to later. These would definitely make my bookshelves more aestheically pleasing. 

So, next time you go shopping for clothes or shoes or groceries or motor oil, keep your eye out for organzing supplies. You never know what you'll find...

SMEAD - Poly Translucent Slash Jackets

Another product from SMEAD has arrived in my mailbox!

January's product review is for the Poly Translucent Slash Jacket. It sounds like a great name for a punk rock band to me, but it's not--it's really the name of an office product.

The 'Slash Jacket' comes in 'clear' or a pack of assorted colors. SMEAD sent me one in a nice baby blue. It's very pretty...

They are...
- translucent
- 3-hole punched for standard three-ring binders
- letter size
- acid free, archival quality
- closed on both sides and on the bottom

And they have pockets on both sides - great for storing lots of papers!

The 'Slash' part of this product is what makes it functional. Papers are kept safe and at the same time are easy to retrieve and put away. Try doing that with a full plastic sleeve--not as easy...

I wouldn't use them for recipes but I could see using them in a binder of information that requires easy access such as...

- A Wedding binder - one side for ideas, one side for vendor contracts
- A Decorating/Adding On/Building a New Home binder - one side for each room of the house
- A binder for Students - one side for tests, the other side for important class notes

No need for a hole puncher. No little, punched-out circles all over your desk or floor. The Poly Translucent Slash Jacket is a perfect solution for organizing, storing and retrieving papers in a three-ring binder.

Related Posts:

SMEAD - Secure Pockets with Easy Grip
SMEAD - Super Tab Folder
SMEAD - 'My Organizer' Products

SMEAD - Secure Pockets with Easy Grip

If you've read some of my past posts, you know that just about once a month, the office supply company, SMEAD sends me one of their products to review on my blog. I'm always excited to rip open the package to see what it is.

SMEAD has sent me what I think is a very efficient office/home office product--the Secure Pocket with Easy Grip.

Have you ever put a bunch of papers in a folder and had them fall out all over the floor? I think all of us at one time or another has had that happen. It's no fun!

Enter the SMEAD Secure Pocket with Easy Grip. This pocket folder is designed to provide twice as much grip as other pocket folders. I'm not sure even a tornado could blow papers out of these folders.

These straps you see in the picture are strong! You're going to need to eat a bowl of Wheeties or head to the gym before stretching these straps out! I tried pulling them before I had my breakfast and I had to exert more energy than I usually do when securing paper into a pocket folder...

It fits beautifully in a file cabinet and has Tyvek reinforcements on the side to make the place where you put the straps practically tear-proof. Yea--no raggedy looking edges! It also has a barely noticeable grippy material running across the top of the folder--this makes it easier to pull out of your file cabinet. Love this feature!

Just to test it out, I put some papers inside the Secure Pocket with Easy Grip. I placed the straps over the top of the folder, threw it up in the air and the papers didn't fall out. I knocked the folder off my desk--no papers fell out.

With the SMEAD Secure Pocket with Easy Grip you're practically guaranteed that your papers won't fly out of the top and that you'll get an upper body workout as well. Who could ask for more from an office product?

Organizing Quote

I'm guilty.

Guilty of not being able to keep up with reading my magazines. I'm now down to one subscription and I have a stack that I'm slowly chipping away at. See, even Professional Organizers get behind on tasks!

I just finished reading the March 2012 'De-clutter Your Life' issue of O "Oprah' magazine and really enjoyed reading an article called, "Journey to the Center of Gayle's Closet."

In the article, Adam Glassman, O Magazine's Creative Director along with a small team of helpers assist Gayle King (Oprah's 'bestie') with a closet intervention: sorting, purging and organizing her clothes closet.

It's a great piece written by the very talented Lisa Kogan. She is so funny, I'd read the phone book if I knew she wrote it...

There's a section at the bottom of the article showing products to help to organize a closet--that's where I got the following quote from...

Quote: "What good are boxes and bins if you can't easily tell what's in them?" says Adam Glassman.

"People can last a day or two without food and water, but no one can live without a label maker!"

Loved that. Had to share. Who is running out and getting a label maker?

SMEAD - Super Tab Folder

Last month, I started blogging about products from a company called SMEAD. If you haven't heard of them, just walk into your local office supply store and check the shelves. They create products for document management. If you have paper, you've probably seen or used one of their products.

In August, I talked about SMEAD's 'My Organizer' Products/MO File System. Today, I'm going to give you a tour of another one of their helpful products...the Super Tab Folder.

Have you ever started filing your papers and realized you didn't have enough room to write what you wanted to on the folder tab?  I know, I have. You can squeeze just so many words in a small space! I guess the people at SMEAD heard that complaint a million times and decided to do something about it.

Here is a photo of SMEAD's Super tab folder. (The reflection is of my light fight fixture and of me taking the picture.)

This isn't any ordinary file folder. When you open it up--it's also a folder with two pockets! You may be asking--what is that doohickey is at the top of the folder?

That doohickey acts as a clamp to hold your papers in place while the folder is being carried or filed in your file cabinet. Here it is open:

With a stack of papers in it...

The doohickey at the top of the folder is perfect for those prone to the 'dropsies.' If you accidentally drop this folder, your papers aren't going to fall out all over the floor like they would from a regular file folder. That's great news--especially for those who never put page numbers on their documents...

By the way--if you haven't figured it out already, THIS is why they call it the SUPER TAB folder... 

That writing area is almost twice the size of a tab on a regular file folder. Ever try and fit everything you want to write on a tab but you'd run out of room? Not anymore with the Super Tab folder! I could write a novel on that tab!

I think the concept is great--the file folder is a 2-pocket folder with a built in paperweight. The only drawback to this product is its glossiness. After handling it for a while, my fingerprints were all over it. Maybe the cast of CSI should use it to file their papers and catch criminals!

Check back in October for my next SMEAD product post! I don't know what it will be but I'll be sure to let you know about more of SMEAD's helpful paper organizing products as they come through my mail slot.

SMEAD - 'My Organizer' Products

While at the NAPO Conference in Baltimore this past Spring, I got to meet a lovely representative from SMEAD at our Product EXPO. She and I chatted about office products, 'liked' each other on Facebook and a few months later, she asked me if I would want to review SMEAD products on my blog.

What organizer can say no to checking out new organizing products?

A few weeks later, I received the MO File System.  MO stands for 'My Organizer.' There are three parts to the MO File system: a folder kit, a file case and a case wrap. Here's a video with all the details:

I received three pieces: the File Case, the Case Wrap, and the Financial Kit. They come in different colors but I got the green pattered one which coincidentally fits in with the decor of my home office.

Besides the Financial Kit, the other kits sold are the MO Medical Kit, the MO Project Kit and the MO Starter Kit. According to the SMEAD website,

"MO file kits provide all the help you need to get organized. Each kit contains 9 letter size SuperTab folders, one label sheet with pre-printed and/or blank labels and a detailed instruction sheet." 

The My Organizer system can be found at most office supply stores and on Amazon.com.

Why consider the My Organizer File system for your paper organizing needs?

- It fits easily into a letter-sized file drawer
- It is easily transportable
- It's a great way to organize papers for a particular project or aspect of your life

I haven't started using it yet but here's what I like about My Organizer File system so far...

- It's compact
- The File Case slides out of both sides of the Case Wrap
- The Super Tabs on the file folders are huge! Plenty of space for writing file descriptions.

I have a lot of business and family-related papers that always need action or are pending so I'm going to explore the features of he My Organizer File system and give it a try on my desk. I'll keep you posted!

Organizing 'Quick Tip'

Open the drawer of your file cabinet. Are papers peeking over the top of your file folders? If your answer is 'Yes,' then read on...

Grab a manila folder and take a good look at it. You may have never noticed it, but there are scored lines at the bottom of most folders--some folders have three lines across and some have five. 

To make more space for papers in your folder, bend and crease one of the lines to create a box-bottomed effect. Creasing the highest of the three or five lines will provide you with the most space inside your folder.

Best Products for Organizing Your Car

Long commute?
Live far from your family?
Got kids?

Then you probably spend a lot of time in your car.

Our cars are like a home-away-from-home. Sometimes we eat in our car. Sometimes we sleep in our car. We have TV screens and stereos and storage spaces in our cars. Yup--sounds like home to me...

So, if it's important to keep our homes organized, it is equally important to keep our home-away-from-home organized, too.

I drive a big SUV and if I didn't organize it, it would resemble a dumping ground on wheels. I have to organize my belongings, stuff for my kids, supplies for my business and supplies for the car just like I would organize any space in my home. When you're 'on-the-go' you have to be able to find what you need quickly.

This month on Organized Artistry's Facebook Page, I've been offering tips on how to organize your car. The first two were:

• Just like all other spaces, it's important to start organizing your car by sorting and purging the items inside of it.  Short on time? Start with the driver's seat and each time you have a few moments, sort/purge a different section of your car until the task is complete.

• To prevent a purge pile-up, get a trash receptacle for your vehicle. Some hang, some sit on the floor. You can even make one to fit in a cup holder. Got a mini-van or SUV? You may need more than one...

Check the Organized Artistry Facebook Page for more car organizing tips every Friday through April!

Your first step towards an organized car is to sort and purge the items currently living in it. Once you know what is staying you'll need a few organizing products to help you keep your home-away-from- home neat and tidy and of course--organized.

Here are a few products I use in my own car and a few that might be useful in special situations:

Trash receptacle - If you don't want your car looking like the city dump. I highly recommend purchasing a trash receptacle for your car. This is the one I have by Case Logic and it works well for me:

I keep it thrown over my gear stick and hanging into the passenger side. It's easy to stuff the garbage into the top and the velcro bottom opens easily to release the trash. I own this in tan to match my car's interior but when it has seen better days, I'm getting one like this:

Auto Trash Bag by The Mod Mobile

There are so many fun, colorful and cool designs, I'm not sure which I would pick! Check all of them out on Allyson Hill's The Mod Mobile Etsy site.

Visor CD Organizer - Downloading songs to my iPhone is on my long list of 'Things I'd Like to Do Someday.' So in the meantime, I've purchased a CD organizer for my visor--also from CaseLogic. My music, kiddie music--it's all stored neatly and at arm's reach.

Collapsible Crate - I got mine at a discount home store a bunch of years ago but you can find them at some office supply stores and The Container Store.

Photo Courtesy of Office Max

This is what is in mine: box of manila folders for organizing jobs, plastic bags, rain cover for my son's stroller, extra umbrella, and the 'restaurant' bag I'll be discussing next. Other items that can fill the crate are groceries, car accessories, and random items that might otherwise float around your trunk or back of car.

"Restaurant" Bag - I got a drawstring backpack as a promotion from a store I was making a large purchase at a few years ago. When I saw it, I knew what it would be perfect for--a 'restaurant bag.' I call it a 'restaurant bag' because it is filled with items to keep my kids occupied when we go out to eat. I keep it stocked with paper, crayons, stickers, and my two year old's highchair cover. This is kept in the crate so I'll always know where to find it when we pull into the restaurant parking lot.

Other Organizing Products for Your Car:

Recycle Bag Holder - According to the Tote Buddy website, the Tote Buddy is the 'world's first reusable bag holder.' It neatly holds all of your recycle bags when you go to the market. It's perfect for keeping all recycle bags in one place instead of strewn across a trunk or backseat. Here is an example of one below:

The Tote Buddy

The people from Tote Buddy were at the NAPO Conference 2012 EXPO with all of their beautiful designs. It would make a great gift for someone who prefers to use recycle bags when they go shopping.

Organizer for Kids: Kids come with a lot of STUFF and they like to bring some of that STUFF with them when they go in the car. To prevent all that STUFF from being all over your car, consider an organizing product that hangs over the driver/passenger seat and faces the child. Many styles have room for crayons, hand-held games, books, DVDs and other STUFF kids like to have with them in the car.

Over-the-seat Car Organizer by Lillian Vernon

Desk: Do you or someone you know work out of their car? This product is a very good solution for those with mobile office needs. The Car Go Desk secures in the passenger seat with a seat belt and offers space for files, mobile equipment and peripherals.

cargodesk.biz

OK--next time you get into your car, take a good look inside. Would any of these products make your car more organized? Do you currently use any of these products? Tell me--I'd love to know!

Organizing on the Cheap: Target Dollar Spot

I love Target. I find it to be a very enjoyable place to shop. Stores are always brightly lit and clean. Staff in red shirts are ready to help and price scanners are plentiful.

Last week I stopped by my local Target for some random items--cleaning supplies, picture hangers, strawberries--a typical day of one-stop shopping. The first thing I did when I walked in the store was check out the weekly sale circular on the wall. Then, I headed straight to the Dollar Spot.

According to the Target website, The Dollar Spot was launched in 2004. If you haven't stumbled upon it, it's usually the first shopping area you see when you walk in the store. All of the items in the Dollar Spot cost $1 with a few costing $2.50. It's a great place to pick up items for holidays, kids, pets and organizing.

Really? Organizing products for $1?

Yes--you're not going to find elfa shelves here but you if you check the bins from time to time, you will find a few organizing products mixed in with the socks, books, and Hello Kitty paraphernalia.

Here's are some organizing products I found at the Target Dollar Spot last week:

Magazine Files - for storing papers, folders and of course, magazines.

Decorative File Folders - Although it's only a 2-pack, it's an inexpensive way to brighten up your desk or file cabinet.

Large coupon file - use for Bed, Bath and Beyond coupons, receipts, anything on large slips of paper.

Small coupon/receipts file - good too, for storing gift cards and photographs.

Weekly Menu/Shopping List To-Do Pads - useful for getting thoughts out of your head and onto paper.

I bought the above bin for my pantry--I'll show you how I'm using it to organize food and save time in a future blog post.

Next time you go to Target for hairspray, light bulbs, or a garden hose, be sure to wander over to the Dollar Spot. Be on the lookout for products to help you get and stay organized. You never know what you'll find!

Got Post Its?

I don't know anyone who doesn't love Post-Its. Those somewhat sticky pieces of colored paper have become an everyday part of our lives. I have two or three packages of them on my desk and a ziploc baggie full of different sizes and colors in my work bag. I love Post Its so much, I even use the Classic Stickies program on my Mac--I'd be lost with out it.

We use them for reminders, to dos, shopping lists and a myriad of other uses. But I thought I'd share some great tips in the following article:

Creative Uses for 3M Post It Notes

I already use a few of the ideas offered by the experts but I plan on utilizing #18 next time my five year old is bored...

Get creative and have fun with your Post Its!