Every home or office has loads of paperwork to deal with (despite the move to email) and every so often, you have to make space for current paper. That is why we need to archive and simply throwing it into a box isn't how it's done.

If you want to avoid wasting time looking for documents, the key to archiving is labeling the box you put it in. A blanket description is required BUT add exact descriptions as well, e.g. HR Files 2010 and thereafter, Joe Soap, Jane Doe, Cliff Ric...

Like many children, my daughter likes to keep all those pretty little notes that she got from her best friend or that cute little picture that she drew way back when. Unlucky for her, I can't bear to have it all over her room, so I suggested that she have a memory box that she can use to put all these keepsakes in. Lucky for me, she thought that was a cool idea!!!

So I took an old shoebox and covered it with adorable wrapping paper (but if you don't have shoe boxes on hand, y...

You want your snazzy boots to last a few winters and not loose their shape so keep them upright by placing a rolled up magazine or two into them. They'll keep their shape and be good to go for their next fashion stint.

p.s. you can also use old cardboard poster rolls.

I received a mail from a mom wanting general tidy tips that may help lessen her child's allergies. My son is also allergic to dust so here are a few tips to help keep allergies at bay in your home.

• Keep the bedroom well ventilated to keep the humidity down.
• Air the bed daily and wash the bedding frequently at temperatures over 55 degrees. I have also heard that placing the mattress in the sun regularly helps to kill the dust mites.
• Vacuum and clean the room and b...

If your groceries are driving you insane because you don't know where to put them and you keep buying more because you can't see what you have, then these tips are for you.

• Remove all grocery items from where you are currently keeping them. You need to see the space you have available.
• Clean the space you will be using and purge what has expired or you know you aren't going to use (remembering to donate where you can).
• Now group items together: tins, baking suppl...

I cannot stand wearing pantyhose (and my commiserations to those that have to), so it is nice to finally put mine to good use.

A great place to use them is in the garden, which I did recently when I attached tree orchids to a stump in the garden. You can also use them to tie plants like tomatoes to stakes (keeping them straight and strong).

I have also been told pantyhose comes in handy to make potpourri 'sachets' but I must say, I haven't tried this one.

These are great for under the shelf storage of nails and other hardware items, beads, buttons and more. Attach the top to the bottom of the undershelf and screw the clear jars on and off as you need them. Great for garages, craft and sewing rooms, or anywhere you need see-through storage.

I also remember these small jars being used once by my child's Montessori school to make lanterns. They attached a wire around the top, made a handle with wire as well and twisted it to secu...

I have taken to making lists as a result of my constant 'porridge brain' (you know that syndrome that makes an appearance when you're pregnant and doesn't leave?).

There is the priority to-do list in my diary, the work-around-the-house list on the white board, and the shopping list in the kitchen. I try to place these strategically on the way to the car or the office so that I see them and therefore remember to do what is on them.

I know writing lists doesn't work for ever...

Donate old sheets and towels to a local animal shelter. These can be used to line the cages, clean up messes, dry off wet dogs, or provide warm bedding.

Whether you have one garage or two, it needs to be organised otherwise it risks becoming the dumping ground for all manner of household items.  So, if your garage isn't working for you, resulting in you parking one of your largest assets outside, then you need to make a plan!

Start, as usual, by taking everything out so you can see what you have and what you don't need. It is a process, but the best tip, once you have sorted through everything, is to group your items by cate...

My grocery cupboard has been a challenge of late (even though I admit that there isn't always a huge stock in it). So when I recently did a monthly shop, I thought it the most opportune time to sort it out. And here are a few tricks I learnt:

• Divide cans into categories and try to line them up next to each other. This means that when you only have two cans of the tomato mix available, you know straight away.
• If your cupboard space is deep, take advantage of this space by ...

Remember when you were at school and you had a project to do? The first thing you probably did was create a spider diagram outlining the process you needed to follow. As adults, we often dive headfirst into tasks, like de-cluttering our space, without planning, so we often land up failing miserably. Whatever goals you have, spend some time on your spider diagram. The process will save you time and frustration.

Looking for a refreshing alternative to throwing away your toothpaste tubes? This easy do-it-yourself project upcycles your empty tubes into a simple toothbrush holder. Recycling materials like these are a great way to reuse without costing a mint.
Click here to find out how.

Dealing with children’s artwork can be a challenge – which to keep, how to store it and how long to keep it for, not to mention the guilt you feel when you throw half of it away. But let’s face it - realistically you cannot keep every little drawing or collage with macaroni stuck all over it! So I was very excited when a participant at a recent Neat Freak workshop said that she takes photographs of her children’s artwork, and only keeps a few special ones (thanks Jenni...

It stands to reason that items of clothing you use often, need to be accessible. So store these at eye level or below whilst keeping items you seldom use, higher up. If you don't have a lot of space in your cupboard, then store seasonal clothing like large jerseys or conversely, your swimming gear, in clear and labeled boxes. That way you have more shelf space for the items you need this season.

I was the unfortunate victim of cellphone theft recently when I was with a client in PMB. Basically, even though the offices have security, someone managed to get in and they proceeded to steal my cellphone from under my nose! No kidding!

I am so lucky that I had all my numbers stored on another phone that I had recently been given with a contract (but didn't want to use) AND I have most of my numbers on my laptop. So despite the fact that I was hug...

I recently had an experience with a client where she used many small pieces of paper to record her 'to do' items. It became apparent that sooner or later the wheels would fall because pieces of paper can quickly be lost.

It is advisable to ONLY USE ONE DIARY and ONE CALENDAR as then everything is in one place and there isn't guess work about where it is. Then keep all these in a central place and when you have finished using something, put it back in that central place.