The Posh Blog

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about The Hope Alliance, and the Toiletries Drive going on between now and the end of the month (next Tusday, August 31st) that I encourage all of you to take part in.  It’s not too late to spend a few minutes and a few dollars and make a big difference in someone else’s life!

When women and children arrive at the Hope Alliance, a domestic violence prevention program for Williamson County, they often have only the clothes on thier backs.  The Hope Alliance provides each woman with a bag full of personal care items.  Because their stay can be several weeks long, it’s important that each woman has full-sized bottles of shampoo, toothpaste, etc.

The Hope Alliance is in severe need of these unused, full-sized toiletry items–especially shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, razors, feminine hygene products, and hand sanitizer.  You can drop off these items in one of three locations in the area:

More Space Place located in north Austin at 2438 West Anderson Lane (next to Terra Toys), Austin, 78757.

Texas Family Eye Care located at 800 Crystal Falls Pkwy #4 in Leander, 78641.

The Hope Alliance offices located at 1011 Gattis School Rd #106 in Round Rock, 78664.

If you cannot make it to any of the donation sites, please consider making any monetary donation to the Hope Alliance via their web-site by clicking here.

Thanks so much for your help, and for supporting our community!  Together we can give hope to someone else.

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

Although school is back in session for many students.  I was recently interviewed by KXAN News, Austin’s NBC affiliate, offering tips for what parents could do the night before school starts to make it a stress free morning.  Click here is the link to the article and the video in case you missed it.

Also, the fabulous POSH Space team is working on getting POSH Space on You Tube.  More to come on that soon!  One last thing, did you know you can find us on Facebook?  Visit http://www.facebook.com/poshspace and “like” us.  We will have discussions on organizing, home/work life balance, kids, paper, and more ways to help make your life a little bit easier.  We would love to hear from you!

Have a fantastic day!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

Since I started my business as a professional organizer I have been a supporter of The Hope Alliance , which serves as a domestic violence and prevention program for Williamson County.  I have encouraged my clients to take the items they are donating there or to the Round Rock Serving Center which has partnered with the Hope Alliance to store donated items and sell what is not used in their Thrift Shop.  I have taken hundreds of pounds of clothing and household items from my clients to both locations, and have tried to support these non-profit groups by spreading the word while encouraging my clients to let go of items that can serve someone in need. 

The Hope Alliance is now in severe need of full size toiletry items–especially shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products, and hand sanitizer. 

When women and children arrive at the Hope Alliance they often only have the clothes on their backs.  They are given a bag full of the necessities or personal care items.  Because the stay can be several weeks long it’s important that each woman has a full size bottle of shampoo, toothpaste, etc. 

Although I do my best to help the center, I feel like I can do more.  So I have “organized” a Toiletries Drive for the Hope Alliance.  From now through August 31^st you can drop off new full size bottles of shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, lotion, deodorant, razors, feminine hygiene products, and hand sanitizer to one of three locations. 

More Space Place located in north Austin at 2438 West Anderson Lane (next to Terra Toys), Austin, 78757. 

Texas Family Eye Care located at 800 Crystal Falls Pkwy #4 in Leander, 78641. 

The Hope Alliance offices located at 1011 Gattis School Rd #106 in Round Rock, 78664. 

If you cannot make it to any of the donation sites, please consider making any monetary donation to the Hope Alliance via their web-site by clicking here.

Thanks so much for your help and supporting our community. 

Together we can give hope to someone else.

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

Last week I met with a new client who had just moved to the Austin area from out of state.  Being new to the area she was overwhelmed not only by what still needed to take place in order to get her house unpacked but also in establishing her support network here in Austin.  Just think of all the things you need to set up when you move to a new place?  Doctors, dentists, child care, where to find things, things to do, places to go.  I ended up referring her to seven different things!  Of course my client was very grateful that she did not have to do the labor intensive footwork and research to find these resources on her own.  Now she had a starting place and she felt much less overwhelmed.

If you knew someone who just moved into town who would you refer them to?  This is a basic survival technique.  When we are in need we turn to our friends and people we trust to help us make decisions.  Referrals are also a fantastic way to promote and support local businesses, especially in a slow economy.  Of course here at POSH Space we always appreciate you referring us to your friends who are moving into a new home or who need help getting their closets, kitchens, or paper organized.

This week you can also take part in spreading the word about local businesses by voting in the Austin Chronicles Best of Austin 2010.  I’ll be voting for my favorite artist, home furnishings store, spa, and more!  If you’re a fan of POSH Space vote for us under the “Wild Card” Category (located at the bottom of the ballot) as POSH Space, Professional Organizers and don’t forget to vote for your other favorite Austin Businesses and Personalities.  Click here to vote.

Here’s to spreading the word about the businesses we love! 

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

This has been such a fun summer for me so far!  We are bucking the traditional system of having our kids’ home or in camps the entire summer and have opted for a mix of a week at home, a week at Grandma’s, a week at camp, and time with friends mixed in.  Although this posses much logistical coordination it has resulted in me mixing up my routine which has resulted in FUN! 

For example, yesterday, my husband and I took our girls down to Symphony Square here in Austin for Children’s Day.  We saw one of The Austin Symphony’s Quartets and the amazing Joe McDermott then I was off to work with a client and back home just in time for a trip to Jamba Juice!  Today, after a trip with my girls to the Library and the gym, it’s back home for some office time. 

The funny thing is that this change in routine has been fun, good, and I have managed to still be productive.  But after a fabulous yoga session, some great feedback from clients, and seeing Oprah Magazine stating “Say Yes to Life” I realized that sometimes we are so busy going through our daily routine, we don’t even realize we are missing all the fun.  We are busy with the doing and not enjoying the ride of life.  You know; stopping to smell the roses.

This is not new earth shattering information.  You have heard similar things before, but have you ever made a change in your normal routine to see what happens?  What if you turn off autopilot for a while and you chart a new course?  I’m not saying you ditch routine altogether.  Routines are important!  I still have a routine and I still schedule my time, but just like the seasons change my routine has changed.  And I have to tell you, I’m loving it!

Changing your routine doesn’t have to revolve around time or schedule like my change.  You can also change your habits.  Perhaps you can change a routine of collecting things, excess buying, or letting the paper pile up.  Be daring and different this summer!  Make a change!

Have you changed your routine for the summer?  I’d love to hear about it.

Enjoy a fabulous summer!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

Your piles of paper can magically disappear this Saturday at a complimentary shred day held by The Better Business Bureau of Austin.  Yes, there is still time to gather your paper, compact disks and floppy disks to be shred on-site.  This is a great NO Cost way to get more organized!  Everyone is welcome.  Here’s what you need to know:

Date: May 22, 2010, Saturday
Time: 9 AM to 1 PM
Where: Dell Parking Lot, Bldg. 8
2401 Greenlawn, across from H-E-B off State Hwy 45
Round Rock, TX 78682

Details: Protect your identity by bringing paper, compact disks and floppy disks for FREE on-the-spot document shredding. The first 500 participants will also receive a free goody bag with tips for safeguarding privacy. For more information, click here to visit the Better Business Bureau site. 

Happy shredding!
Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.