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  • Published on

    Letting Go Can Be Beautiful!

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    Fall looks different for my local Floridian clients than it does for my virtual clients spread across the country, but the changes that come with fall are appearing everywhere.  Just as the trees shed their leaves to allow them to grow bigger and more beautiful in the spring, some fall decluttering now can help foster new growth and a fresh start for your upcoming year.

    The weeks left leading to the winter holidays are the perfect time to let go of things in your home that are no longer serving you or keeping you from the peace you want.  Many of us struggle with letting go of things because we are told to be thankful for all we have.  It's even harder this time of year, when thankfulness takes center stage.  As we help clients sift through years of accumulated items and reclaim their spaces, many struggle with organizing because they feel they aren’t being appreciative of these items, many which were given with love by well-meaning family and friends.

    As we enter the Thanksgiving season, let's focus on some spaces that get more use as guests visit.  The closet that is overflowing with items that have been out of sight and out of mind for the year?  Set a goal to empty it and declutter it before organizing what remains.  The guest room that has become a dumping ground for things to deal with another day?  Make that day today!   As you declutter, remember that we can be thankful for things that were helpful in the past or given in love and still let that item be passed on or donated.  The warm feeling of receiving it, or the gratitude of the item’s past usefulness at one time is still with us.  

    The Serene Team is committed to taking some time to look for all we have to be thankful for this time of year.  Which includes our clients who trust us with turning their homes into more serene spaces for all you love and are grateful for.  We thank each and every one of you who has invited us into your most treasured space, it is a privilege we don’t take lightly and we would love to help you organize your spaces!
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    In gratitude,
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    Cassie Thompson, Owner & Professional Organizer 

    Helping others by decluttering and organizing their space(s) is a huge passion of mine. Since opening Serene Spaces in 2013 it has always been my goal to help others by transforming their space(s) so that their lives can also be transformed.  Our spaces have a profound effect on our mental health and physical well being. I love to hear from clients that they have less mental exhaustion, they feel lighter, and they have more free time to do what they love. ​

  • Published on

    Keep your fall decor from becoming a creepy collection of clutter!

    We’ve all been there…shortly after the hustle and bustle of the back-to-school season, time marches on into fall, and before we know it, it's time to change out décor for the upcoming winter holidays! This year, instead of throwing Halloween and Fall décor into a storage box, spend a few extra minutes to save a lot of time and money next year.
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    Declutter/Donate: As you pull out your fall décor, promptly throw out items that are broken or missing pieces.  If the items are working and just not fitting your fall vibe anymore, consider donating right away.  Thrift stores typically can’t store seasonal items, so don’t let the items sit in a box for months waiting to be donated, head down to your donation center ASAP!  That way those items have the best chances of being picked up to be used and loved, and you get that valuable space back in your garage or storage space right away. 

    Group & Gather: When it’s time to put everything away, make sure to collect all your seasonal items before putting them into bins and boxes.  Remember that cute ghost you found on sale?  Is it in the kitchen, or stuffed in a cabinet?  Do the kids decorate their rooms for holidays?  Gather all those items and put them in your labeled Halloween bins. 

    Label Smart: Go the extra mile to label bins (indoor/outdoor, yard items, etc.) streamlining the process for the next year. You can even add details about what is in the bin so you know what is what without opening anything.  This will also help differentiate between fall decor and decor specific to Halloween.   
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    Think Versatile: Since Halloween is just a small part of the fall season, having a separate box or bin for those items helps keep things tidy and items can be easily put away.  If you love decorating for seasons, but want to avoid too much extra stuff, consider decorating with items that stay out for more than just October.  Pumpkin décor can work from September through November.  Switch out cobwebs and Halloween fabric swags for leaf garlands and cozy fall fabrics for a quick refresh.
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    And if the (literal) skeletons stuffed in the closets get too overwhelming, we’d love to help you find a system that is custom designed for you and your needs.  The Serene Team can help you navigate options to help each holiday season run smoothly, leaving you with more time to relax and enjoy what really matters in the cozy days ahead.  Next time you contact us to help with your garage, pantry, or playroom ask about what solutions we can design to help with seasonal items.  You might be surprised how much time and space we can save you!
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    Cassie Thompson, Owner & Professional Organizer

    Helping others by decluttering and organizing their space(s) is a huge passion of mine. Since opening Serene Spaces in 2013 it has always been my goal to help others by transforming their space(s) so that their lives can also be transformed.  Our spaces have a profound effect on our mental health and physical well being. I love to hear from clients that they have less mental exhaustion, they feel lighter, and they have more free time to do what they love. ​

  • Published on

    Moving Tips & Tricks from the Professionals...everything you need to know

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    Spring is here! Which can only mean that moving season, or PCS Season as the Military calls it, is upon us. I thought that it was only fitting that we talk about moving during April, the Month of the Military Child. As a former military family, we have had our share of moves and have learned a lot of tips and tricks that help make the move go a little smoother. 
    ​A few lessons I have learned:

    DECLUTTER – Not only is it great to declutter on the front end for weight purposes (the heavier the load the more you are charged), but also because it gives you less to put away when you get there. One of my kids “favorite” games that they get to play before a move is “keep or go”. We go through their rooms and we figure out what toys, clothes, and belongings they want to keep and what can go (donate). Example: I hold up a shirt and they tell me if they want to keep it, or if it goes (it doesn’t fit or they don’t love it anymore). You should hear the groans I have gotten when I am in pre-move mode and I bring an arm full of shirts out of their closet. They know their favorite game is inevitable. But think about it, wouldn’t you rather weed out all the excess prior to a move and donate, than have to take the extra time to unpack it just to find out you don’t have room or it doesn’t even fit your kids anymore?

    ​CONTAIN- This can help ensure that unpacking is more streamlined. I learned a huge lesson on our first PCS move, if you don’t contain the small items before the packing process, then you will be picking them out of the box one by one at the next place. We had movers dump ALL of my son’s toys (2 at the time) into a huge box. I had thought that I had prepped everything by putting the like items together, but boy was I wrong. It took me forever to unpack and re-sort all the toys that had gotten jumbled in the box enroute to our new duty station. After that first move, I started to contain all the small items when prepping for moves. Ziploc bags are great for keeping small toys like action figures or Barbie accessories together. A few rounds of plastic wrap around puzzles and board games keep the pieces where they should be. Rubber bands are great for preventing cords from being a tangled mess when you unpack.
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    INVENTORY- Always make a picture inventory of the furniture, electronics, and other valuable items in your home. Having a picture of these items, along with a picture of the serial number is a huge help if you need to claim an item when you get there. This has saved me more than once. I tend to over document everything. I take pics of all the furniture, electronics, rooms as they are set up before the prep begins, etc. One time I had a mover label on the paperwork that the item was “dented” or “scratched”, but because I photographed and videoed everything, I had proof that it wasn’t and therefore we were able to get the item repaired free of charge. If I hadn’t been able to prove it, then I would have had to pay to fix it myself.

    MOVING BINDER- Having important documents, insurance paperwork, inventory lists, contact info for movers, account numbers and company info, zipper pouch for receipts, are just a few things that are great to hand carry with you and can save you so much time. These are also accessible online nowadays, but I always find it easier to have a copy of everything in one place so that I am not logging in and searching several sites.

    SCHOOL RECORDS- Hand carrying your kids records from one school to the next makes registrations a much smoother process. Also, having their last report card and any 504 plans or IEP copies with you will ensure they are getting the proper placement and resources from the get go. I usually check before the move to see what the requirements are for your kids to start school. That way if you need to get vaccine records transferred to a certain form (like Florida) you can have that done ahead of time so you can have it ready to go. In some moves we needed to make sure to get the kids registered asap so that they had enough days to meet the requirement for moving on to the next grade.

    CATEGORIZE Let’s face it, items like artwork hardly ever end up in the same room they were before. It all depends on that wall space available as to where it goes in the next house. Before the movers get there, I take all the artwork off the walls and line them up together. This also helps ensure that anything that might get overlooked (like bathroom art) all gets onto the truck (items found last minute don’t always get packed properly).

    TCHOTCHKES – Same goes for tchotchkes. Gather all of them from around the house and group them together (I usually use the dining room table). This helps ensure all the delicate items get wrapped together and not in a random box underneath something heavy (it happens).
    BOX # 1- Have a “unpack first” box. Put anything that you will need right away into a box that is clearly labeled, so that you can function while your house is being unpacked. Great things to put in this are: can opener, a roll of toilet paper, hand soap, paper towels, bedding, paper plates & cutlery, commonly used tools (screwdrivers & hammer, and measuring tape ), and cleaning supplies.

    ELECTRONICS - After you inventory your electronics (pictures of all the angles, serial numbers, a video of them turning on and off, etc.) make sure to disconnect them yourself right before the movers get there. This way you can control how the cords and remotes are packed. If you are going on a long haul move or don’t have housing set up yet, make sure to remove any batteries from the remotes (do this all your electronics). When you disconnect them, label the cord and remote (if you don’t have access to a label maker, painters tape and sharpie work great). Then either put them in a Ziploc or tape it to the item itself. If you happen to have the box they came in, make sure to sit them beside the item so the movers can use it. Searching for remotes and cords while you unpack just adds to the frustration.

    ZIPLOCS- ANYTHING that is small should be placed into a Ziploc, bin, or something to ensure that it does not get wrapped in just a piece of brown paper. When you are unboxing your household goods there will be a TON of packing paper. If it gets wrapped in a piece of packing paper and shoved in with all the other packing paper, there is a good chance that you will not notice it and it will get thrown out.
    P.S. Do not forget to do this with screws or any hardware as well. Label and contain! Trust me, you will thank yourself later.

    LINENS- Wash all bedding, curtains, dining room linens, towels, etc and put in large vacuum seal or Ziploc bags along with a couple dryer sheets or sachets. Nothing is more devastating than being exhausted from unpacking and you finally find your bedding or towels only to realize they smell musty, or something has spilled in the box. Nor do you want to have to wash it all while you are unpacking. 

    VALUABLES- Hand carry ALL valuables. I purchased a fireproof document bag to hand carry all our important documents (birth certificates, marriage certificate, immunization records, passports, etc.) and any jewelry that was valuable. If you have receipts for these items that’s even better. Keep them with you or scan and email it to yourself. This is a way to prove the worth of the item.

    MOVING DAY -  Walk the movers through the house and let them know if there is anything fragile or valuable. Also, walk around while the movers are packing. That way you can remind them of any special requests. I also feed my movers lunch, provide Gatorade and water and tip them. They work hard, showing appreciation for what they are doing can go a long way.

    NO PACK ZONE- Block off a “no pack” zone for packing days. Anything that needs to be separated, so that it doesn’t end up in a box needs to go in there. I usually designate the largest bathroom or closet as this space. I then put our luggage and items we will transport ourselves in there. All clothing, jewelry, toiletries, etc. I even put the pets in there and any of their belongings that will travel with us, so they stay safe and out of the way of the movers. I also put a large sign (or use a bright colored painters tape) to mark this area (as well as tell them when they do their walk through).

    15. LABEL in detail- Write more detailed info on the box if you think it needs it. I learned, while working with Serene Spaces, how to use QR Codes on the boxes. This is especially great for seasonal items, boxes that you know might need to be stored when you get to your new location, or just all your boxes. It is pretty great to be able to scan the QR code and see the contents of your box without having to open it. Air tags are also a great item to use in your boxes (if allowed with your company). It is kind of fun to watch where your Household Goods are as they travel to their new destination.  ​
    With so many decisions to make, the whole moving process can be overwhelming. This is where professional organizers can be a great asset. We can come in and take some of these stressors off your plate. Here are just a few of the many things we can do, to help “lighten the load” (pun intended ).
    • Help you through the decluttering process
    • Haul away donations for you 
    • Create a home inventory
    • Pack for you
    • Unpack and get you organized in your new home

    Remember, it is perfectly normal to feel overwhelmed at times. Moving can be a challenging time for anyone, whether you have moved 20 times, or this is your first. However, with the right support and guidance it can feel a little less daunting.
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    ​Sam Zapata, Professional Organizer,
    ​Serene Spaces Professional Organizing
  • Published on

    The Serene Process...giving you the deets!

    Ready to tackle your organizing projects and not sure where to start.  We are giving you all the deets here today, follow these steps and you are sure to make some major progress on your organizing goals.  Just remember you are only one person and can only do so much at a time so don't get down on yourself if things aren't going as quickly as you imagined.  Stay with it and your future self will thank you! 
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  • Published on

    What's the best label?

    I know, I know. A professional organizer wanting to talk about labels. Shocker, right? What if I told you though, that Cricut labels and labels from my P-touch label maker aren’t my favorite labels? That might shock you.
    I mean don’t get me wrong, I do LOVE using the Cricut and my P-touch Label maker. I have labels from both in about every space of my home. As Professional Organizers, we label ALL THE THINGS. 
    Why do we love labels so much? Is it because they make the bins look pretty or because it makes us feel more in control of where things go or are we just too lazy to look in the bins? Well, I guess being lazy isn’t too far off. That’s kind of why I love my house organized, I am too lazy to go look for things. If it is in the right spot, then I am not wasting time and energy rummaging through the drawers and cabinets looking for another lost item. As Professional Organizers, we love helping you simplify your life. By using labels, you can take the guesswork and effort out of putting things away. When we have labels, others in the household are more willing to help AND put it in the right spot.
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    So… what are my favorite types of labels? PICTURE LABELS! When my kids were small, years ago, I was not the fun mom. Every evening (ok sometimes more often), my kids had to clean up their toys. If they were big enough to dump the toys, they were big enough to help clean them up. I learned right away that it is hard for kids to remember where something goes if they can’t read the label. That’s when I started putting Picture Labels on all the bins. My oldest is 20, so this was back before I even knew label makers existed. I would take a picture of the toys in a bin or find an example online, write the word underneath and attach it to the pull handle of the bins. The picture paired with the word also helped them to learn to read. Once I discovered a laminator, I upgraded to laminating the picture card. This made the labels so much more durable. Once the kids could see what went inside, it was a game changer. They were a lot more willing to help and they learned independence and life skills along the way.​
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    When my kids got old enough to be in school full time, I started working as a Paraprofessional at their school in California. This is where I really learned the value of a picture label, as well as a laminator and Velcro 😊. Not only did picture labels help kids put their toys away, but it helped them navigate life! I was blessed to be asked to work in a self-contained Autism classroom. Not only did my love of picture labels grow, but I fell in love with working with the kiddos as well. I learned so much in my 3 years there, about how a simple picture label (of all sorts) could help a child learn routines, communicate their wants and needs, READ, and yes even clean up their toys in the classroom. 😊 
    Over the years, before I found my dream job as an organizer, I have been fortunate to work in several different ESE classrooms, in 3 different states. No matter where I worked, whether it be in an Autism Classroom, EBD classroom, or 3 year old Preschool classroom, it was evident that picture labels and communication were an essential part of life. Next time you drive down the street, look around and notice how many “picture labels” of all sorts are EVERYWHERE. ​
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    I think I mastered my craft though, when I worked in a 3-year-old preschool classroom (talk about fun     😊). I volunteered to take on the role of making sure all the bins in the classroom had an updated picture label (shocker, huh?). I knew it helped some, but I really realized the value the label had when I was sick on a Monday. At the end of every week, we changed out the activities and toys in each center. I would then put out all the matching labels or make them over the weekend if we had new activities or just didn’t have a label to match. Well, one weekend I got sick and didn’t return to school until Tuesday. I was immediately told by my co-workers that the kids were so upset that the bins didn’t have their labels. One kid had even exclaimed “how are we supposed to know where to put anything! We need Ms. Sam back.” I then heard about the lack of labels again and again as the kids arrived at the classroom that morning. At the beginning of this school year I received an email asking me to share the file and template I had used, so that they could continue to use the same system.
    So, if you have a loved one that would benefit from picture labels, don’t hesitate to use them. I mean you can always call me to make some for you; picture labels are kinda my jam. It doesn’t matter what type of labels you use, just remember….LABEL.ALL.THE.THINGS. 😊
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    ​Sam Zapata, Professional Organizer,
    ​Serene Spaces Professional Organizing
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