Back to School. It’s true.

 

So maybe there is one whole more blissful month of summer for you, still it never hurts to be prepared.  Not only have the school supplies been taking over our big box stores for the past few weeks, the sales flyers this past weekend were rampant with school supply sales.  Our local school district resumes the school year in just weeks!  Many private schools go back even soon! Time to prepare!!!

Buy all of your back to school goodies - now before they disappear. Most Big Box and Office Supply stores have lists available (some even by school!) for your student’s needs.  Don’t wait until after Labor Day or your child’s favorite character lunch box may have disappeared off the store shelves. 

Get a schedule/Keep a schedule. Routine is important for children to be able to do their best.  It eases tension and chaos in the home as well. Want to learn how to make a schedule that will work?  Contact me here juliebavi@gmail.com  Start with your routine schedule a week or two before school starts in order to conquer the back-to-school-schedule-shock. 

Plan ahead as much as possible. From picking out clothes to making lunches and packing back packs, the more you do ahead, the less there is to do last minute.  Less is forgotten and there isn’t a fretful morning rush.  Wouldn’t it be great to start each school day with laid back smiles instead of frantically searching for homework and lost shoes? Want to learn more? Check out this post for some helpful hints.

Revamp your Home Hub. This is the PERFECT time of year to reinvent the wheel… ummm… I mean Hub with new schedules, new activities, new class directory, new school info.  If you are in the Jacksonville or St. Johns area, there may be a Home Hub Party happening near you soon.  Contact me for more details!

Here’s to a great year.  We start a new exciting adventure in first grade this year! Yippy!!

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized (or would like support assembling a Home Hub for your household) and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or searching for Organize With Julie.  Want to follow me on twitter? Stalk me @juliebavi. 

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Often people attempt to live their lives backwards;
they try to have more things, or more money,
in order to do more of what they want, so they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse.
You must first be who you really are,
then do what you need to do, in order to have what you want.

~ Margaret Young

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like to begin living your life in order, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Quick List: Dorm Room

Shower curtain

Linens (Bath: Towels, Wash Cloth, Bathmat and Bedding: Mattress topper, Pillow, Sheets, Comforter)

Command Hooks AND Over Door Hooks

Hamper/Laundry Basket/Laundry Bag

Small Trash Can

Mini Fridge and Microwave (where allowed)

Shower Tote/Caddy

Clothes

Computer (with backed up files), Other Electronics (iPod, Cell Phone) and accessories (chargers, car chargers, docking stations)

Extras: photos from home, teddy bear, marker board, posters, bed risers, storage trunk, shoe rack/storage, extra hangers, CDs, DVDs

 

First Aid Kit

Pantry Kit

School Supplies

Toiletries

If you don’t send it with your student from home, there will probably be a store nearby where you can purchase any of these items.  You may want to visit some websites to make note of where the local stores are for your student.  Visit a Stuff-Mart, Pharmacy, and Grocery Store with your student and make sure they know how to get there should the need arise.

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

Guard well your spare moments.
They are like uncut diamonds.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Quick List: Packing for Camp

Clothes

Swim Wear

Extra Shoes (for when the first ones make their trip through the spring/storm/lake/swimming pool)

Toiletries (see previous list)

Hair Dryer

Towel

Bedroll (Alternately Pillow, Sheet Set, Blanket, Sleeping Bag)

Cell Phone/Calling Card

Minor First-Aid Kit (First Aid Cream, Bug Bite Ointment, Band-aids, Q-tips, etc)

Snacks

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: Quick List,Top Ten,Summer Camp,Organizing,Lists

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

In summer, the song sings itself. 

~William Carlos Williams

Are you having that kind of summer?  I certainly hope so!

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

I’m late! I’m late!

Do you ever feel like the White Rabbit?  Even with school out for the summer it seems we still have places to be daily -- summer camp, play dates, swimming lessons, appointments, errands to run, air conditioning to find!  Whether you are a busy family ramping up the summer fun or just trying to make it to the office on time, The following tips should get you moving in the right direction – fast. 

I’ve heard from many of you the reasons you can’t seem to get out the door on time. 

Reason #1: The “Can’t Finds” - keys, phone, wallet, sun glasses, homework, shoes.

Solution #1:  Give them a home!  Clutter is often defined as our homeless belongings. 
Put a key hook near the door or use a carabiner to clip your keys to your purse. 
Set up a charging station for your phone and  other electronics. 
Have a designated spot for your wallet and sunglasses – on top on your dresser, in a specific drawer, on a tray – Give it a home! 
Put your shoes away in a way that makes sense to you.  In our house, adults keep their shoes in their bedroom closet.  The kiddo keeps his shoes on a shelf near the door.  It is easy to keep track of his shoes this way and I don’t have to cross the house several time in search of child and shoes.  “Go to the door.  Put on your shoes.”  is a very easy thing for him to understand to do.  

Reason #2:  The “Unpacked Packs” – folder, lunch, purse, briefcase, gym bag, diaper bag, day bag, back pack, busy activity bag. 

Solution #2:  Do it the night before.  Make a list of what each bag needs.  (We’ll be talking much much more about lists in the near future.  Why? Because lists are so much gosh-darn fun!)  If you take 10-15 minutes (that’s a few commercial breaks) in the evening to pack up your necessary bag(s) for the next day you won’t have to spend precious morning minutes scrounging for essential daily items.

Reason #3:  The “Laundry Woes”  - Still wet swim trunks, no matching socks, shorts are all in the dirty clothes, forgotten suit from the dry cleaners,

Solution #3:  Once again a little pre-planning goes a long way.  Lay clothes out the night before (hair bows, tops, bottoms, under clothing, socks, shoes, etc) to ensure that everyone has what they need to wear (and possibly change into) for the following day. 

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Technorati Tags: get me to the church on time,on time,finding lost items,where are my shoes today?,organizing,family

Wednesday’s Words of Wisdom

You can never appreciate the shade of a tree
unless you sweat in the sun.

~ Author Unknown

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.

Quick List: July 4

Necessary Foods (for: grill, sides, salads, desserts)

Extra Snacks (chips, appetizers, yummies)

Ice and LOTS of Cold Drinks

Entertainment

Clean Lawn Chairs

Plates, Utensils, Cups

Charcoal/Gas/Cooking Fuel

Sparklers/Fireworks

Lighter

“Bug B Gone”

 

If you are in the Jacksonville/St. Johns area and would like your home better organized, and would like the assistance of a professional organizer, e-mail juliebavi@gmail.com  You can also find me on Facebook by clicking HERE or by searching for Organize With Julie.  Stalk me on twitter @juliebavi.