Advice
Welcome to our advice section. Every week I answer new questions submitted
by readers on Organizing, Image, Fashion and Event Planning.
You can read my "AddSPACE To Your Life!" column every week
in San Diego's “The Coast News" or read the archived columns
below.
E-mail your questions to advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
8.26.04
Give children the space they need
Kathi,
My high school kids are getting ready to go back to school. I want
to create a better homework environment for them and also try to tackle
their front door clutter before it overtakes my living room. What
can I do to make my kid’s school life more productive and my
home less of a mess when school starts?
Maria, Encinitas
Maria,
Educational tools have certainly changed in the last decade. The old
three foot desks aren’t large enough to hold the computers,
printers, cell phones and oh yes, the books, that are a daily part
of your teenager’s school life.
What kids need now is at least six feet of desk surface. This space
will accommodate their computer and leave a large open surface for
book studies, homework and special projects.
Stagger two–three shelves above the desk opposite the computer.
Shelves that are12 inches deep will fit three ring binders, dictionaries
and the printer.
A small drawer for tape, scissors and pens along with a file drawer
will complete the study area. Consider teaching your kids a filing
system this year. They will use this skill for years to come.
Regarding your front door drop zone; buy a decorative basket for each
sibling. These baskets can live inside a cabinet or stand-alone by
themselves. If you can persuade the kids to enter through the garage
or carport, you can place the baskets there. Make sure these baskets
are tall and vertical so your kids will drop their stuff into them.
Don’t try to get them to place their packs on shelves. Kids
love dropping their bags, so use this to your advantage. Baskets with
handles will help transport their items to and from their rooms if
necessary.
Dear
Kathi,
I take many business trips throughout the year and usually either
pack too much or too little. What would be a good basic wardrobe for
a three-day business trip?
Jim, Rancho Santa Fe
Jim,
Pack one dark solid colored suit, two dress shirts, and two ties.
Also include a tweed or navy blazer, two casual shirts including a
neutral silk T-shirt and a casual lightweight sweater. A pair of dark
slacks or blue jeans, dress shoes and classic loafers will finish
off your packing assignment for business. For quick work-outs, pack
swim trunks. Trunks paired with an undershirt will get you to and
from the hotel gym or pool inconspicuously without packing tennis
shoes.
You can wear your suit two days by exchanging the ties and dress shirts.
On the most casual meeting day of your trip, pair the blazer with
your suit slacks and a different shirt and tie or silk T-shirt and
loafers if appropriate.
In the evening, combine your jeans, dark slacks or suit slacks with
the casual shirts. For casual elegance during evening dinner engagements,
wear your jeans or dark slacks with your blazer, dress T-shirt and
loafers. Make sure your jeans are dark. You can also roll the sleeves
of a dress shirt and combine it with jeans and loafers for another
evening and your flight home.
Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner
based in San Diego California.
Please
submit your questions to:
advice@addspacetoyourlife.com
.
San Diego Professional Organizer
