The trees are budding, spring flowers are blooming and you know what that means? Time for some “Spring clearing”. Now is the perfect time to change over wardrobes and clean up your closet.  For recently married brides and bridesmaids, cleaning up your closet might mean dealing with your wedding dress. It’s likely taking up valuable closet or storage space, when it could be helping you recoup some of your wedding costs instead.

It’s always worth considering the sale of clothes you’re no longer wearing to earn back some of the investment you’ve made in your wardrobe, and this certainly applies to wedding dresses.

If you do decide to sell your wedding dress, bridesmaid dress, wedding accessories or wedding décor items online, did you know you can recover about 50% of the cost of your items? This is fantastic when compared to regular clothes for which you might expect under 25% return.  Recycling your wedding items not only helps another bride save on her wedding, it’s also eco-friendly.

I chatted with my friends at SmartBrideBoutique.com and am pleased to share seven tips to help you sell your wedding dress:

1. Don’t delay

Post your dress for sale as soon after your wedding as possible. You’re not going to wear it again, so why leave it hanging in your closet?  Used dresses continue to hold their resale value for roughly 2 – 3 years after they’re purchased and worn (depending on the style) but generally sell for the most money within the first year when they are most current.

I confess to putting on my dress to celebrate my ten year anniversary – a sort of test to see if I could fit in it, which I’m happy to say I passed!  Had I known you can recoup such a healthy percentage, I would have sold my dress.

2. Price it right

Many recently married brides wonder what exactly to sell their dress for.  Here’s a recommended pricing guideline:

• 50 – 70% of the original value for a NEW designer gown that’s still in stores
• 50% of original value for a USED designer gown from the last two years
• 30% to 40% of original value for a USED custom-made gown
• Reduce the price further if your dress has not been cleaned, is stained/damaged or is more than two years old

3. Use a fabulous photo

Brides-to-be will want to see your dress looking its best, so be sure to use photos that show the whole dress and important details.

When selling your dress online it’s best to include:

• A full length picture of the front & back of your dress (preferably on a person or mannequin)
• A close-up picture of any detailing, beading or embellishments on your dress
• A close-up picture of any damage or stains on the dress (if applicable)
• A picture from the manufacturer

Posting less than stellar photos (i.e. on a hanger, a badly lit photo etc.) or no photo at all, will make it more difficult for the bride-to-be to visualize the dress and could hurt your chances of selling.

4. Be specific

Brides will be scanning many listings in their search for a wedding dress, so providing more information will likely sell your dress more quickly.

Be specific about

• Color
• Brand
• Model number
• Detailed sizing

Often, brides-to-be will try the dress on in a store before they search online for a budget-friendly version, so the more information you can provide, the better.

5. List any alterations

It’s important to be up-front about the condition of your dress. Describe any alterations that were made and specify whether or not they’re reversible.

For example, the original dress might have been a size 10, but if it was altered to fit a size 6, buyers need to know. Let brides-to-be know of any damage to the dress such as stains, tears or runs. Be honest and you won’t waste your time or theirs.

6. Get it cleaned

It’s important to clean your dress right away. A clean dress shows that you have cared for your dress, and it presents better.   If not treated quickly, stains may set in permanently, especially in silks.

7. Be prepared to sell

Once your dress is posted with pretty pictures and all the details, ensure you are ready to show the dress to potential buyers.

3 easy steps to prepare for the sale:

• Make time to meet interested brides, ideally on evenings and weekends
• Create a place for brides to try on the dress, preferably a private space with a full length mirror
• Be ready to negotiate the price and know your limits so you can make decisions on-the-spot

Here are some details about SmartBride Boutique in case you or someone you know can benefit from their services:

SmartBrideBoutique.com is a premium wedding classifieds website where brides can buy, sell and save on ‘everything wedding’, from new and used wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses to wedding décor and accessories.   SmartBride Boutique serves brides in Canada and the US.

You can find SmartBride on twitter, facebook and pinterest

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Wedding Dress Cramping Your Closet? Seven tips to turn your dress into dollars.

Travelling for business or pleasure is often a rewarding experience. Still, moving from one place to another can be stressful. If we haven’t prepared carefully, we can lose time, incur costs and face frustrations that could otherwise be avoided. Here are ten tips for a smoother trip:

1. Plan ahead
Even if you’re the spontaneous type, some things must be considered in advance. Keep your passport and travel documents valid. Ensure health coverage is in effect, and research the area you are travelling to to make sure you begin any vaccination programs early enough. Check that your credit cards will be valid for the duration of your trip.

2. Move with ease
Carry luggage that lets you move comfortably through airports, train stations, and if necessary, escalators or stairs. The latest four wheel designs allow you to push your luggage effortlessly through the ‘stop and go’ traffic of security and customs line ups.

3. Manage your weight
Strict limits and fees are now in place on most carriers. Save time and money by knowing baggage allowance weights and sizes, and by reducing the weight of your luggage.

4. Pack smart
Recent innovations in luggage and packing tools allow you to effectively live out of your suitcase. Save time and reduce stress with the MOVE mobile closet & Pliio™ Clothing Filers.

Live out of your suitcase with the MOVE mobile closet.

Fold clothing with Pliio Clothing Filers to see everything easily. They fit perfectly in the MOVE mobile closet too!

5. In transit comfort
Increase comfort by bringing a fleece sweater which, when rolled, can act as a neck or lumbar support, or provide extra warmth. Use ear plugs and eye-masks for rest overnight.

6. Avoid trouble
Pay attention to travel alerts for high security areas, weather events or worker disruptions.

7. Keep regular items at the ready
If you travel frequently, keep a toiletry and gadget bag packed with small versions of your essential items. Re-stock after each return trip.

8. Smooth security checks
Use special laptop bags which let you keep your computer in the bag while being screened. Avoid large metal belts or jewelry, empty pockets and wear slip-on shoes.

9. Careful with your carry-on
Know the list of items you can’t take on board with you. Carry important yet hard to replace items such as prescription medications, glasses, jewelry and equipment chargers.

10. Travel safe
Be discreet with your technology. Wear a money belt. Know where you’re going before you set out. Store extra money in a medicine bottle. Keep an extra copy of key documents.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Ten Tips for Trouble-Free Travel.

The following guidelines are reproduced from the www.makethedrop.ca website.

Solvents:

Ventilate work areas, storage spaces and vehicles when transporting solvents. Don’t mix solvents, and don’t fill containers full – solvents need room to expand. Store in a sealed, labeled container away from flames, sparks and heat sources Transport in the trunk of a vehicle if possible, but don’t store them there.

Antifreeze:

Store waste antifreeze in seal-able containers that aren’t damaged or leaking. Protect these from the weather and physical damage in a secure area. Waste antifreeze should NEVER be stored with food or in used food containers such as bottles or cans.

Gas cylinders:

Keep cylinders at least 6 m (20 ft.) from flammable materials such as paint, oil or solvents. Store cylinders in a dry, well-ventilated area, away from heat or ignition sources. Make sure valves are closed and protection caps are in place. Secure cylinders, whether full or empty, upright to prevent them from falling and ensure that all are marked clearly. Protect cylinders from extremes of weather, such as ice, snow and direct sunlight and store away from elevators, stairs, doorways and aisles.

Pesticides:

Transport pesticide containers separately from food or drink or other household materials. Secure all pesticide containers to avoid spillage and to prevent them from moving and being punctured or broken. Do not transport pesticides in the passenger compartment of any vehicle and NEVER transport pesticides along with food, feed, fertilizer, clothing or consumer goods.

Batteries:

Waste batteries that have not been fully discharged can still generate and conduct electricity. Contact with other electricity conductors, such as metal or other batteries, could accidentally result in the completion of a charged electric circuit, and could cause a fire. If you are storing waste batteries at home, keep them in a metal container in a dry location. If the waste battery is not fully discharged, or if the battery shows signs of corrosion, either wrap each individual battery in a plastic bag or cover both battery terminals with tape.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Celebrate Earth Day: Safely dispose of hazardous household wastes.

I’m happy to share that I’ve been invited to join Rebecca Webster, host and producer of “Downright Domestic” in presenting “Form Follows Function”, in which we look at the makeover of two spaces from both organizing and design perspectives.

“From Tot to Tween – A bedroom makeover”   and   “From a Mess to a Man Cave – The ultimate garage”

Catch us on Thursday, April 12 at 6:30 pm, or on Saturday, April 14th, also at 6:30 pm on The Celebrity Superhouse Theatre in Hall 2, The International Centre, 6900 Airport Road (at Derry). Toronto, ON Canada

Other celebrity speakers include, Vicky Sanderson of the Toronto Star, designer Karl Lohnes, media and design star Kimberley Seldon, and gardening experts Owen Reeves and the lovable Frank Ferragine.

For full details and tickets, including a spring discount coupon, please check out the show website.   Hope to see you there!

ps. Online tickets are cheaper and parking is free.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Join me at the International Home and Garden Show – April 12-15, 2012, Toronto.

One of the most common frustrations in today’s work environment is the volume of email that requires processing. I commonly hear reports of between 100 – 200 emails a day, and inboxes with hundreds if not thousands of unread messages.

Simply staying on top of incoming requests is a challenge. Every piece of incoming mail needs to be assessed, sorted and acted upon – whether it be responded to immediately, filed for later action or reference, delegated or deleted.

The ability to access email on a portable devices creates the expectation of an immediate response. All in all, it’s a pressured system.

Here are 5 tips to help you take control of your inbox and boost your email efficiency:

1. Unsubscribe
Be judicious about signing up for email newsletters. Just as with traditional magazines, if you’re not reading the articles, do you really need the subscription? Take advantage of that link at the bottom, and remove yourself from a mailing list.

2. Use rules
To keep your inbox uncluttered, consider applying rules to direct emails to specific folders. This works well for non-urgent material you wish to read or process later.

Paying attention to how you craft an email may take a bit more time upfront but will save you and your readers plenty. Do these three things every time and set an excellent email example.

3. Title meaningfully
Create a title that will quickly communicate the topic and help the reader find it again if necessary. Use a project name, for example, followed by a subtopic. When replying, append or modify the title to refer to your additional content.

4. Address purposefully
The “To:” category should include everyone you require a response from. Including them in the “Copy” section conveys a “for your information only” feeling and your request may be missed.

5. Organize content
Communicate the purpose of the email and what you need from the reader concisely at the start. Use formatting to make it easier to read the meat of the message. Consider bolding dates and underlining actions.

Remember, the more email you send, the more you are likely to receive, so stop and think before hitting the send button.

I’ve developed a two-hour workshop called “Mastering the Messenger – How to stay in control of your inbox”. Please contact me if you or your organization is interested in digging deeper into email efficiency.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Organizing Your Office – Mastering email efficiency.

Moving is one of the most stressful things you can go through. I know – I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve moved! Having lived in Birmingham, England before coming to Canada and growing up in London, Hamilton, Chatham, Waterloo,  going to school back in Hamilton and Waterloo, and, oh yeah, a year back in England, and then working Toronto, Tokyo and Montreal, believe me I get it.

I have learned that preparation is key to reducing stress levels. Sometimes though, even with the best laid plans, things come up and you’ll have to react on the fly, but nothing beats having a plan to bring you some peace of mind during the process.

Here are two video clips with helpful tips on the topic of preparing for a move.

Here is a segment with Steven Sabados of The Steven and Chris Show. You’ll want to scroll to the 28:15 mark for the segment on Packing for a Move.  That was my very first time on TV!

You’ll also find great tips in this episode  of Downright Domestic for some solid advice on planning a move.

If you’re moving, good luck with your transition. If you know someone who is, please feel free to share these links.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Stressed Out About Moving? Here are top tips for a smooth move.

Some of you may know that in addition to providing organizing services I have been hard at work developing a product to make managing folded clothes a whole lot easier. I’m excited to share the launch of the Pliio TM clothing filer on HSN – the Home Shopping Network – on Thursday, March 22nd, 2012.

The Pllio clothing filer is a tool that helps you fold, file and find your clothes.  Here are four reasons why Pliio will put you back in control of your closet.

problem one – we don’t know what’s in our wardrobe

I’ve long witnessed people struggle with tall stacks of clothes, or dig through unkempt drawers trying to find a certain item. Invariably, the bottom items in a pile rarely get used, and often become what I call “drawer filler”.   This can be as much as 50% of the items in a drawer.

Problem solved: Pliio clothing filers enable you to store items vertically, to file instead of pile (we organizers LOVE that), which means you can see every item you own.

problem two – our drawers and closets are out of control leave us feeling frustrated

I am beginning to wonder if the ability to fold neatly is in our genes. Some of us have it, and some of us don’t. And to be honest, some of us care, and some of us wonder why we are even talking about this. In my practice so far though, the large majority of people covet a well-0rdered space.  But not everyone can get there on their own.

Problem solved: Pliio clothing filers act as folding tools ensuring a uniform finish. Even four year old kids can fold with Pliio. Moms – do you see the potential to offload here?  It’s actually an empowering thing for kids to be able to fold by themselves and get it right.

problem three – even if we fold things neatly once, they don’t stay folded

We want to see the efforts of our folding last, and the sad reality is that pulling an item out, especially when in a rush, causes pile pandemonium. I worked with an otherwise loving couple and when we started talking about the closet the wife declared quite firmly that her husband could not use the shirt on the bottom of the pile…because she had just folded it, and it was not to be “messed up”.

Problem solved:  The beauty of using Pliio clothing filers is that when you pull an item out, nothing happens to the rest. I have seen jaws drop over this. Truly.

problem four – we need to fit as much as we can in our storage spaces

I see many bulging drawers and crammed closets, largely due to a lack of consistent folding.  Folding clothes in a haphazard fashion actually takes up more room.

Problem solved:  Pliio clothing filers fold garments to a uniform size often allowing more items to be stored in the same space.

While not yet available in Canada (yet – I’m working on it!!), I’m thrilled to say Pliio had it’s television debut here on The Marilyn Denis Show. Take a look at this clip to see how the Pliio clothing filer makes folding and storing scarves a breeze. At Marilyn’s request, you’ll see me demo the product at about the 5 minute mark.

If you’d like to keep up to date on Pliio news, just let me know and we’ll add you to the Pliio newsletter.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Four ways Pliio clothing filers put you in control of your closet.

A survey commissioned by Professional Organizers in Canada revealed that of the 80% of Canadians who say they are disorganized, the majority appear to struggle most with their ability to organize time.  There are a whole host of behaviours that can sabotage effective time management such as perfectionism, an inability to delegate (often related to perfectionism), stress, distraction and our topic for today, procrastination.

I like this definition of procrastination: to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done. It’s the “should be done” that resonates with me.  Delaying an activity that you know is important and urgent enough to be handled at a specific time in favour of something less urgent, less important and generally more pleasurable. It’s the triumph of the limbic system.

What’s interesting is that activities that on their own might not sound like much fun, become preferable alternatives when the task we ought to be working on is difficult, complicated, or uncomfortable for some reason. It could be that we simply don’t enjoy the task, or that we are not sure how to tackle it and therefore just getting started is a challenge.  In these cases, folding laundry or washing the car all of a sudden look good.  My son and I went for a walk today for over an hour. I have a strong suspicion that it ranked higher than composing his next piece of prose for school.  I guess there are some benefits to procrastinating!

If we are lucky enough to be working at something we love, many of our activities will be in line with our goals, and procrastination will naturally be averted. Sometimes it helps to remind ourselves of the connection of seemingly mundane tasks with our higher goals.

For cases where it’s difficult to make that connection, here are five tips to help you prevail over procrastination:

1. Get it over with

If you are dreading a certain task perhaps because it makes you uncomfortable (i.e. cold calling) or is challenging in some way, tackle it first thing. You will eliminate worrying about it and you’re guaranteed to savour the success throughout the rest of a productive day.

2. Dangle a carrot

Rewards are great motivators. Promise yourself an experience you’ll truly enjoy upon completion of the task.

3. Beat the clock

Creating a sense of urgency can be an effective motivator. Set an alarm on your computer or watch and beat the timer. It’s amazing what you can get done when you add a little time pressure.

4. Partner up

Find a supportive partner who is also working on a goal. It doesn’t have to be similar to yours. Agree to discuss both your results at regular intervals. The fear of confessing may just keep you on track.

5. Track it

It takes time to create new habits. Pick one behaviour you want to change and draft a simple table to track not only whether you were successful or not, but how you felt about it. Do this every day for at least a month. This increased awareness will help to keep you focused on the change you wish to make.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Five ways to overpower procrastination.

Falling on the last day in February, International RSI Awareness Day brings attention to Repetitive Strain Injuries, also known as Musculoskeletal Disorders or MSD’s.  It was proposed by an injured Canadian worker over twelve years ago. I wish I’d thought of it!

RSI is a collective term applied to injuries to soft tissues (muscles, nerves and tendons), and are the most commonly reported workplace injury. Stats Canada tells us that annually, 2.3 million Canadians suffer RSI injuries that interrupt their normal activities. That’s 1 in 10. What frustrates me, is that these injuries are usually avoidable. They are personally limiting and expensive, costing the Ontario government an estimated $26B, primarily in the administration of healthcare.

Here are some things you should know about Repetitive Strain Injuries

Causes of Repetitive Strain Injuries

• repetitive motions
• awkward postures
• excessive force
• too much time in a fixed position
• fast work with inadequate recovery

Stress and tension can also influence the likelihood of someone suffering an RSI.

Prevention of Repetitive Strain Injuries

Injuries of this nature may take time to appear. If not treated, they can cause permanent damage.

• Education about the likely causes can help you avoid the above situations or correct problems
• Awareness of proper postures for the type of work you are doing
• Knowledge of how your furniture and tools can make your work more comfortable
• Scheduling a variety of types of work during the day
• Taking regular breaks and stretching
• Strengthening the body

I’ve been keenly interested in ergonomics for the workstation and the home since the mid 90′s when I took a new job at a major telecommunications company.  I was excited to start my new job. I think they were happy to have me, but wondered a little, when I found the HR department had forgotten to assign me a work space.

I was accommodated by a fellow employee allowing me to share the space in his cubicle. I was provided with a round desk and chair to work from. Can you smell disaster?  This was a job in finance, and my tasks largely involved becoming an expert in Excel, creating and manipulating results documents to share internally.  If you’ve created charts in Excel, you’ll appreciate the amount of mousing required to create a compelling visual representation.

Well, here’s the math:

1 mouse + 1 keyboard + 1 round table  x  8 or more hours a day x several months = 100% chance of rotator cuff tendonitis

only I didn’t know that then.

The round table meant that I had to choose between keeping the keyboard or the mouse close enough to use comfortably. Given that I had to use both, I traded away the proximity of the mouse.

I worked for awhile trying to ignore the pain developing in my shoulder. Economic times were tough and the company was not in good shape.  I persevered.  Until one day, I couldn’t work sitting down anymore. So, I stood up and worked some more.

Then I decided to get educated and seek a safer environment.  I asked for a computer station to be brought in so I could safely use the computer.  I could write comfortably on the round table.

I ended up spending a few hours each week in physiotherapy. I couldn’t carry anything on my shoulder or sleep on my right side for two years. Pretty mild effects in the scheme of things, but still, 100% avoidable.

After becoming aware I started to notice people around the office with braces for carpel tunnel injuries.  My co-worker suffered back pain, and I learned he had sat in the same chair for 5 years and didn’t he could adjust it.  Since then, I have lobbied for companies to make the most of the feature-rich equipment they are buying and to educate their employees on how to use it. A little prevention can save a lot of pain and lost productivity.

My wish for you on this RSI Awareness Day, is that you will take 10 minutes to think about your own comfort, and resolve to adjust anything that isn’t working for you.

To your comfort and productivity.

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on International RSI Awareness Day – How aware are you?.

Sadly, this post is prompted by my neighbour’s recent break-in. They were away for a few days and came back to find their home ransacked.  A small number of valuables were taken.  They are wisely focusing on being grateful that no one was hurt, and that pets are safe. Despite this healthy, positive attitude, I imagine they are still feeling the sting of the intrusion.

TIPS TO DETER BREAK-INS

Keep a lived in look

Burglars are searching for easy marks and little resistance.  Maintaining the appearance of people in the home can be a deterrent.

Promote awareness among trusted neighbours

Build a safer neighbourhood by cultivating relationships with neighbours who can see your property. Contact neighbours on all sides.  Notify them when you’re going to be away and ask them to report anything that looks strange. Last year a neighbour’s alarm went off. I contacted them on their cell phone and found them to be in Florida.  Turns out it their cleaning service hadn’t been notified of the alarm code so it went off falsely, but they were reassured that they were being looked out for.

Optimize home security

In the most recent case, the home had security service stickers, but no alarm service in force. It may be worthwhile implementing a home security system. In our city, the costs are nearly covered by the reduction in insurance premiums, and if a break-in occurs while the alarm is engaged, our premiums are guaranteed not to rise.

Do not keep spare keys ‘hidden’ on the premises. Rather, consider keeping them with a neighbour.

Here are details on how to create secure windows and doors.

HOME SECURITY CHECKLIST

For a list to use every time you go away, download the attached Home Security Checklist.  Add relevant contact information to make it quick and easy to implement each activity.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE BREAKS IN WHILE YOU’RE AWAY

If you unfortunately experience a break-in, here are things you should keep in mind, courtesy of Toronto Police Services:

• DO NOT enter – the criminal may still be inside
• Use a neighbour’s phone [or your cell phone if you have it on you] and call the police
• DO NOT touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence
• Note the licence number of any suspicious vehicle
• Note the description of any suspicious person(s)

Please visit Streamlife to read and comment on Home Security Checklist – Keep thieves at bay while you’re away.