by Peggy Hughes

Do you open your spice cabinet and quickly locate the exact spices you need? Or, do you get frustrated by having to pick up one can or bottle numerous times and find you keep picking up the same one? Ever notice that you have two, sometimes three bottles of the same spice-and each is half full?

Well, you can have too many spices! Even duplicates and triplicates of spices. And, not enough of the spices you really need. You’re also wasting some valuable cupboard space. Here’s a quick and easy way to bring order to your spices, once and for all. First, purchase an inexpensive stepped shelving unit from any home improvement or hardware store.

Second, remove everything from your cabinet, grouping like items together. “A” spices like allspice, anise seed and arrowroot, all peppers – red, black, white, together, you get the picture. Place oils, vinegars and bottled sauces and dressings in another designated area. Again, it’s best to store these items together – oils with oils, vinegars with vinegars, etc.

Now, consolidate as many open spices as you can, clean out your cupboard and begin reinserting your spices! It is my experience that it is better to start from the back, going from left to right beginning with the letter A and work forward. Often, I will have both a “ground” and a “leaf” type of spice (i.e. ground marjoram and whole leaf marjoram.) When this happens, I stack them on top of each other.

Interestingly, rarely do I have to pull out one spice to see what’s behind it, but, when it does happen, I already have a good idea where a spice should be because of the alphabetical spices around it.

There you have it – you will be amazed how much prep time you save by not having to rummage through a bundle of unorganized spices. And, you will gain valuable storage space in the process.

Happy Cooking!

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and
Organizing Services.

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Summer is here – a great time to declutter the GARAGE

www.peggyhughes.com

At this time of year we spend a lot of time outdoors – why not take a look inside your garage and toss or donate items you no longer use. Don’t forget to install shelving to better organize all your different items! Now, to get you started, here are some ideas:

TOSS/RECYCLE: empty cardboard boxes, outdated sports equipment you are no longer using, broken toys, beach towels that have seen better days, holiday decorations that no longer look ‘fresh’, anything you’ve saved ‘just in case’ you think you might need it someday (if you haven’t used it by now, you probably never will)….

DONATE: duplicate sets of items – especially tools and clothing that no longer fit; appliances or gadgets you no longer use; pantry items you haven’t used in a year; inherited items you don’t use (if there is another family member who would appreciate the items, now is a good time to pass them along); anything else you are not using that is taking up valuable real estate in your garage.

BUT, here are some things to keep…..

1. Earthquake/Disaster preparedness kits for each family member (be sure to check expiration dates & replace if necessary)
2. Holiday decorations – put like things together so you’ll have an easier time finding what you need
3. Overstock pantry items
4. Bulky serving platters and large vases for entertaining
5. Car cleaning supplies
6. Household cleaning or gardening supplies that are not used on a weekly basis

Happy Summer!

For all of your moving/relocation/home staging and organizing needs call Peggy at 415.846.0569

from boxes to dinner parties in 48 hours! PHA wants you to be moved….if you or your clients want to move the right way, don’t forget to call PHA!

www.peggyhughes.com

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Are your counter tops overloaded leaving you no place to prep your food?

Organizing Tips

• Start by putting like things together – vitamins/daily medications; bills to pay; mail; keys, business cards; receipts etc.

• NOW is the time to put those items where they belong – bills to pay/mail/receipts go to your desk to be acted on; vitamins/daily medications get put into a decorative basket; keys should be kept near the entry door either on hooks or in a bowl/basket.

• If any food is on your counter, try limiting the amount to just fruit and any bottle of oil/vinegar that is too tall for your spice cabinet.

• All other food items/spices and such should have a dedicated space in your pantry or cabinets.

• If you must keep important papers for your children’s school, purchase a decorative ‘hot pocket’ from your favorite office supply or organizing store. Use different colored folders for each child/person.

• Should you have other items that don’t belong on the counters – find them a home elsewhere so you can use the counters for their intended purpose.

For all of your moving/relocation/home staging and organizing needs call Peggy at 415.846.0569

from boxes to dinner parties in 48 hours! PHA wants you to be moved….!

www.peggyhughes.com

peggy@pha415.com • PHA / Peggy Hughes Associates

Rustic Kitchen Decor

Our rustic kitchen decor category is the ultimate source for your cabin or lodge accessories. Our collections include Maskwa Ridge, Maine Salt Glaze Pottery, Marilynn Mason Dinnerware and Brushwerks.  All you need to decorate your cabin or lodge.

Bear at Home is your single source for fine rustic decor. We’ve searched the globe for the world’s elite brands and selected the top housewares, gifts, rustic accessories and home furnishings to warm your home. Cabin Decor, Rustic Bedding & Rustic Lighting products to transform your rustic cabin or lodge.

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Those Pesky Receipts

Many of my clients are getting much better at saving their receipts throughout the year… and, some of them have followed my direction and taped those little bits of paper to an 8.5 x 11″ piece of recycled paper so that their filing system stays nice and neat.

Some have even purchased expanding file pockets and filed them by category so come tax time, everything is where it needs to be.

QUICK TIP: on the 15th & 30th of every month, set aside a half hour (or so) to organize your receipts by category – enter them into your excel/quicken/quickbooks software and file them in their categorized folders. You’ll be on top of the game for taxes!

And, for those of you too busy to organize receipts on your own, PHA is offering a 10% discount for the month of March…so, in addition to our ‘package’ rates, call before March 31st to take advantage of the additional 10% discount!

PHA is also extending this 10% discount to those clients who already booked financial organizing time! Thank you – you know who you are…

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

from boxes to dinner parties in 48 hours! PHA wants you to be moved….

For all of your moving/relocation/organizing and staging needs call Peggy at 415.846.0569

www.peggyhughes.com

peggy@pha415.com • PHA / Peggy Hughes Associates

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Do you, your spouse/partner/roommate have an area that could use some de-cluttering?

Give or Get a gift of love by setting up a timer for 15 minutes – and begin the de-cluttering process. When the timer goes off – WALK AWAY because you are done for the day.

Tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day (for however long it takes) set the timer for 15 minutes and congratulate yourself (your spouse/partner/roommate) for taking action.

And, here’s a recipe for an easy and elegant Valentine’s Day Steak Dinner for two, bon appetite!

• 2 T grated Parmesan cheese plus Parmesan cheese shavings
• 1 1/2 T butter, room temperature
• 1 12-ounce rib-eye steak
• 1 t olive oil
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped shallots
• 1/2 t (packed) dark brown sugar
• 4 cups (lightly packed) arugula
• 2 large lemon wedges

Mix grated cheese and butter in small bowl. Season generously with fresh cracked pepper; set aside.
Sprinkle steak generously with salt and pepper. Heat oil in medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add steak; cook to desired doneness, about 4 minutes per side for medium-rare. Transfer to plate.
Add vinegar, shallots, and sugar to skillet; boil until reduced to glaze, stirring constantly, about 1 minute.
Divide arugula and Parmesan shavings between 2 plates. Squeeze lemon over.
Slice steak; place atop arugula. Top steak with Parmesan butter. Drizzle lightly with glaze.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

from boxes to dinner parties in 48 hours! PHA wants you to be moved….

For all of your moving/relocation/home staging and organizing needs call Peggy at 415.846.0569

www.peggyhughes.com

peggy@pha415.com • PHA / Peggy Hughes Associates

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According to Harris Interactive, 23% of adults say they pay bills late (& thus incur unnecessary fees) because they loose them. The systems you use (or don’t use) can make or break your financial situation. Here are some tips to begin the organizing process in the new year.

• Receipt Box – get in the habit of asking for a receipt for all your purchases.

When you arrive home, empty those receipts into this box.

Every two weeks, categorize and enter these receipts in a simple Excel program according to type (or use an actual accounting program like Quicken or Quick Books).

You’ll soon see exactly how you are spending your money and, if necessary, where you can make changes.

• Simple Bill Paying – if you use Quicken or Quick Books, easy.

Just go to the bill pay feature once a month, click on the bills you want to pay – done (of course, a little set up is required!).

Otherwise, when bills arrive, remove them from their envelope, write out the check for payment (dating it several days before its due), place it in an envelope for mailing and where the stamp goes, write the date to mail it – on mailing day, the stamp covers up your note. Keep these in a ‘hot file’ on your desk in date order. Mail when due. Voila! done.

• Filing – since we all have different ways to retrieve things, set up a filing system that fits you.

Whether it is alphabetical, by month, or by category – use what works for you.

Just remember, at the end of every year and taxes are done, file bills paid alphabetically in a storage box AWAY from your desk/office since you will rarely need to reference these items again.

Purge periodically based on your tax professionals’ advice.

January is National GET ORGANIZED month – decluttering your finances can be your first step toward a more organized home.

from boxes to dinner parties in 48 hours! PHA wants you to be moved….

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and Organizing Services.

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A few things to help the environment and save money at the same time!

TRICK – Mix 2 tablespoons of dish washing liquid with 2 cups of water. Combine in a spray bottle

TREAT – an all purpose environment-friendly cleaning solution

TRICK – use a dab of dish washing liquid on clothing stains before you wash them

TREAT – stains removed without using harsh chemicals – works great for salad dressing drips

TRICK – make a paste of dish washing liquid and baking soda

TREAT – a soft scrub that polishes your faucets and counter tops to a sparkling shine in no time

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and Organizing Services.

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Summer is here – a great time to declutter the kitchen!

Since more of us will be cooking outdoors this time of year – why not take a look inside your kitchen and toss or donate items you no longer use. To get you started, here are some ideas:

TOSS: chipped or broken dishes, glasses or mugs; pots & pans that are burnt or rusty; excess plastic containers missing their tops or bottoms; broken appliances; and stained cutting boards.

DONATE: duplicate sets of items – especially glasses & mugs and don’t forget those ugly souvenirs!; appliances or gadgets you no longer use; pantry items you haven’t used in a year; inherited items you don’t use (if there is a great deal of emotional attachment, store these items far away from the kitchen); threadbare dish towels; and ugly serving pieces taking up valuable real estate in your cupboards.

BUT, don’t give away these items that PHA thinks are essential for every kitchen…..

1. Microplane Zester: great for grating Parmesan cheese, chocolate, ginger and nutmeg
2. A Santoku knife, serrated bread/tomato knife, a good and a paring knife – only four knives I ever use
3. Colored cutting boards – a great kitchen tool – red for meat, yellow for poultry, blue for fish and green for veggies, bread and fruit
4. Immersion Blender – an easy way to make ‘faux’ creamy soups without any cream!
5. A good stove-top grill pan – comes in mighty handy on winter or rainy days!

Happy Summer!

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and  Organizing Services.

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Organizing Your Shoes

….shoes piled up by the front door?

• buy a large basket to create easy storage.

…trouble finding your keys/wallet/cell phone?

• a small basket by the front door will keep your items where you need them.

…an under utilized shallow dresser drawer?

• small baskets or containers inside the drawer can hold – jewelry, scarves, socks, ties, belts, etc.

… a catch-all drawer in the kitchen?

• small baskets/containers in this drawer can corral like things together for easy access.

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and  Organizing Services.

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Declutter your Desk

by Peggy Hughes

Clear your desktop, organize your files and purge outdated items. Sounds simple – doesn’t it?

Here is how to start: Since most desktop clutter relates to paper – set up a paper management system:

Make a promise to put work things away at the end of every day – happy decluttering.

Top ‘O the Mornin to you… Happy St. Patrick’s Day 2008!

PHA – Affordable, Sophisticated Home Decorating & Staging, Moving & Relocation and
Organizing Services.

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