...counting away..!

By encouraging and facilitating shoe donations, Soles4Souls provides relief and support to those in
need around the world while helping people de-clutter their homes for a good cause.

One of our storage units full of shoes in boxes!

We set a goal of gathering 2,500 shoes. We contacted members of the community to help, we drove all over Pittsburgh to gather these shoes and we spent hours counting them out. The Discover Organizing Team is proud to announce our grand total for the NAPO Soles for Souls Challenge is……….. 2,573 PAIRS OF SHOES! 

We are thankful to those who helped us meet our goal:

First Commonwealth Bank of Mt. Lebanon

StorExpress

The National Association of Professional Organizers

NAPO Pittsburgh Chapter

Rosemary Willis of Helping Hand Organizing

Mary Jane Call

Savvy Fox

The Employees of Discover Organizing, Inc.

…and to everyone who donated shoes and/or funding to our cause… we THANK YOU!

2. You do not need to have everything packed for the whole school year.
• Dorms are often small and will not fit everything that you are used to storing in your room. College offers many breaks in which you can switch out items that you need for the upcoming semester. Try not to over pack because often times the college will be surrounded by places like Wal-Mart or Target.

3. Bring cleaning supplies.
• Even if your college has a maid service, it is smart to bring basic cleaning supplies due to the fact that the maids normally only clean the bathrooms. Also try to invest in some air freshener. Many college students claim it’s a “necessity”.

4. ORGANIZE!
• It is important to purchase organizing supplies that will keep you on track. Invest in items such as a paper management system, a bedside caddy, under the bed storage, closet organizers, and calendar where school and personal events can be placed in one location.

5. Check your college’s rules about hanging pictures, posters, etc. on the wall.
• Some colleges may allow for thumbtacks and nails, but more often than not they will request the use of 3M removable hooks.

6. Bring miniature versions of household items.
• A mini fridge and a mini ironing board and iron are often essentials to college life.

7. Pack extension cords and a power strip.
• There may only be one outlet per person. Better safe than sorry.

8. Be smart about your money, medical cards, and expensive electronics.
• Your roommate will probably have friends over while you are not in the room. Keeping personal and expensive items stored away in a lock box or in a closet (or drawer) that has a lock will keep items safe.

9. Check for specials and online deals at:
• Bed Bath & Beyond
• Target
• Wal-Mart
• Amazon
• Dorm Co.
• Dorm Spot
• Dorm Smart
• PB Teen Dorm
Have a great year!

Written by Keerian Lea van Dijk

Space is always an issue- whether traveling via air or highway and Discover Organizing has compiled a handy check list of tips for you and your family to ensure your vacation time is spent with one another- and not looking for your things.

Start with a list

It’s the easiest way to ensure you have everything you need and nothing extra.  Try a Travel Prep Pad like this one to assist in keeping your list handy and organized. http://www.discoverorganizingstore.com/product/travelprep-pad

Don’t skip the essentials

Are there prescriptions or over-the counter medications you might need?  Bring any documentation or information regarding your health while you’re on the road.

Think ahead and be sure to pack any necessary documents or identification cards such as passports, traveler’s checks or traveler’s insurance information.

Streamline and declutter your wallet by leaving behind any credit cards, business cards or unnecessary items.

Pack versatile items

Whenever possible, opt for solid colored separates that can be mixed and matched for a variety of outfits.  Try to pack as many wrinkle-resistant, wash-and-wear pieces as possible.  Rolling your clothing helps with compacting more into your suitcase and helps with wrinkling.  Who wants to iron on vacation?

Add more space to your vacation

Check out “Space Bags” which will consolidate your bulkier items, allowing you to pack your essentials and bring extra towels or linens if you are going to a place where these are not provided.

Be realistic about what you’ll be doing on your trip

Unexpected lunch engagement? Entirely possible, so packing an extra casual outfit makes sense.  Last minute invitation to a black-tie event?  Not likely!  Skip the cocktail dress and satin pumps.

Check the weather forecast

Depending on where you’re going the weather may vary day to day. Anything from record high to afternoon showers can occur so be sure to pack weather appropriate clothing. Remember that layering can be useful when you are not sure of what today’s weather may bring.

Pack travel size toiletry items

Most hotels provide travel-sized toiletries for their guests.  Remember the 3-1-1 rule for carry-ons = 3.4 ounce bottle or less of liquid (shampoo, sun lotion, conditioner, etc.); 1 quart-sized, clear, plastic, zip-top bag and 1 quart-sized bag per passenger placed in screening bin.   If in doubt, pack your liquids in checked luggage.  Visit tsa.gov for more information and additional airline travel tips.

No matter where your vacation takes you it should be relaxing, exciting and fun. No one wants to waste time searching for sunscreen, an extra pair of socks or a razor. Be sure you have what you need by making a list, following it and preparing for the unexpected but hoping for the best. Once you know you have your essentials packed- where you know you can find them- enjoy!

Written by Stacey O’Conner

Discover Organizing, Inc.

Yes, this is an actual holiday.  Go ahead and do an Internet search if you don’t believe me.  Maybe you can help.  I’m trying to get a handle on this celebration.  Is it to honor the sock that can’t be found?  Or is it to put to rest the sock that has been left behind?

Currently there are 9 socks in my lost sock stack, three school uniform socks, four no shows, 1 work sock and 1 expensive hiking sock. It strikes me that none of them are mine.  In my family, I’m the neat and orderly one.  Socks are matched and stored in my drawer.  They are kept as a unit in the drawer and when I take them off.

Lost Sock Memorial Day Photo

The men in my family have a different philosophy on socks and life.  Socks are removed where they are and sometimes they take off only one…why?  It must be the free spirit in them.

So it is their behavior that causes our sock pile.  I always have hope that the mate will show up under a bed, in the shoebox, or maybe in the camping equipment.

So on Lost Sock Memorial Day, I’ve decided the family will celebrate by establishing a house wide search. If we find them terrific, If not, I will tuck them out of sight, ever hopeful that next season they will be found.  And after that, we’ll look forward to sandal season.

In our lives we experience short and long term stressors. We have control over the long-term stressors in our lives such as our occupation, our home life and our general state of being. Use April to take some time to assess if you are happy and stress free in these areas. If not ask yourself why and if there is some way, even minor, to alter these areas. Perhaps you need to take a small step toward making that big move you have always dreamed of or take up a new hobby to supplement your unhappiness in your current occupation. Maybe taking a weekend getaway (or even a day!) vacation either alone or with others will help to bring your family and friends closer. The first step to changing anything is to first recognize a change needs to be made.

Short-term stressors are more difficult to deal with because they can jump unannounced into our lives screaming to be dealt with immediately. The most important thing to do if you’re feeling the effects of short term stress is to prioritize. Ask yourself what needs to be done today and what you would like to accomplish.  Starting and keeping a list, talking your day out with a friend or colleague or visualizing your day may prove useful for your day-to-day stressors.

Quick tips:

Minimize and manage your email. Do you constantly receive email from your alma mater and always delete it? Ask to be unsubscribed. Do you receive newsletters or updates but never really read them or find yourself enjoying the content? Unsubscribe. Try using labels in your inbox such as important, family medical, needs a response ASAP, or FYI.

Consolidate your trips. Making a quick list of where you need to travel in your car will help you save time and gas money.

Take a day, an afternoon, an hour or ten minutes off. Your health and you cannot afford the alternative.

Use an hour to go to the gym, a yoga class or to take a walk. Exercising can be a great way to manage and fend off stress.

Try talking to or hiring someone to provide you with an outsiders point of view on the day to day workings of your life and your living space. You may see no alternatives or opportunity to change in your life but a close friend or a Professional Organizer may be able to provide insight.

See April 16^th as a day of celebration. Recognize that you are able to control the stress in your life and do something to change it!

How to Observe National Stress Day – http://www.ehow.com/how_2145813_observe-national-stress-awareness-day.html

Stress Relief Quotes – http://www.stuckfress.com/stress-quotes-archive.html