Alexa, Organize Me!

I heard on the news about the little girl in Texas who told  “Alexa” she wanted cookies and a dollhouse. And what arrived on the doorstep? You got it! Four and half pounds of sugar cookies and a $160 dollhouse. As a professional organizer, I sometimes ask my clients to tell me a little about the boxes often piled at the front door. I think poor “Alexa” will become the scapegoat for many a spontaneous order!

“Alexa”, the voice activated digital assistant in Amazon’s Echo Dot will no doubt make life easier. You can use “Alexa” to purchase more stuff or you can let her help you get organized. It’s like your very own genie in a bottle - use it wisely!

                 

           

Alexa can not only add things to your to-do list via Evernote, your shopping list via Any.do or your calendar via Google Calendar, she can connect to some of your other favorite apps enabling you to send an email to yourself or send a reminder alarm to your phone in case you wander out of earshot.  It’s like having an assistant follow you around with a notepad.

Need a little more hands-on help? Try this “Alexa, call 21times Professional Organizing.”

Setting the Stage!

Tonight's 15: If possible, set the table tonight.

Quote him!

Above all, keep it simple.  -Auguste Escoffier 

Quote him!

Tomorrow's life is too late. Live today.  -Martial

Back to School - Get in Gear!

I know you're running around getting everything ready for the kids to get back to school. Take this time to get the whole family set up and back in the routine of the school year. Start with your time schedule. Get everybody up earlier and to bed earlier so that your inner clocks are prepared. Set up homework stations, chores lists, shower schedules and leisure time now before you have homework and carpooling and after school activities. Don't forget your desk. Is it stocked?- take advantage of the back to school sales especially for expensive items like ink and toner...And, as always, get everyone involved- maybe have a night of brainstorming ideas for each area. And don't forget to add fun stuff too!! How about a cook-off, a hidden treasure to be found while cleaning (nobody will miss a spot!), or a contest for donations (c'mon, you knew I'd say to declutter ; )  The closer you are to getting back to routine when the times comes, the easier it will be to be to handle the new challenges and changes that every new school year brings!