It's time to transition your wardrobe for fall!

The warm weather may be here for now, but it won’t be long before the temperature drops and the snow falls. To make sure you aren’t caught unexpectedly without the right clothing, jackets, and shoes, start transitioning your wardrobe and organizing your closets for the fall season! Below, we’ve got some suggestions on how you can get the process started:

Don’t switch everything at once

Once September hits, you may be tempted to put away all your summer clothes, but the truth is Calgary can still get warm weather right up until the end of the month, but we can also get cold weather as well! No one can predict what kind of clothes you’ll need, but it may be a good idea to keep a few pieces from your spring and summer wardrobe, like t-shirts and darker-coloured blouses or tank-tops, just in case it stays warm outside. It also wouldn’t hurt to keep a pair of flats or lighter shoes for this reason. As we get further into the season and the warm weather is gone for good, these items can be put into storage with the rest of your clothing and accessories.

Declutter! 

Whenever you’re taking a large amount items out of your closet and putting them into storage, it’s time to go through them! Take this opportunity to go through your spring and summer items, and determine what should stay, and what should go. Did you wear all your items this summer? Chances are there are a few older pieces that are out of style or don’t fit anymore that you haven’t touched all summer, and there is no reason to keep these items for another year. If they’re still in good condition, donate them to a charity or bring them to a consignment shop.

Make sure everything is clean

Before you put everything into storage for the next summer season, make sure all your items are clean. Take this time to run everything through the wash one more time, or send them off to the dry-cleaners if they are more delicate items to make sure they are ready to be put away. You can also take this time to make sure everything is either hung nicely on a clothes hanger, or folded nicely into a drawer or storage bin. Depending on what kind of clothing you have, you may want to use different methods to avoid wrinkling the fabrics too much.

Organize your storage

 Once your clothes have been cleaned and are ready to put away, sort each item by type. Put like objects with likes, whether they are t-shirts, shorts, blouses, sandals, heels, or purses. Avoid using wooden or cardboard boxes as they can affect the clothing and it is harder to determine what items are stored in what boxes. Instead, try using clear plastic bins to store your items. Alternatively, you can use a section of your closet or a closet/wardrobe in a spare bedroom – just make sure you remember where you put everything by using labels or signs.

Sort fall items by type and colour

When you take your fall and winter items out of storage, you can also do a declutter of items that don’t fit, look out-of-date, or probably won’t be worn. Once this is done, organize each item into type, like sweaters, pants, jeans, and boots, and then sort these items by colour. This way, it will be easier for you to create outfits and find specific items of clothing when you need to. Leave hanging space for blouses, dress pants, skirts, dresses, and jackets/blazers, and fold the rest of your items.

Place items practically

Clothing and accessories that you are more often to wear, like jackets and boots, place in a more accessible location, like your hallway closet by your front door. This way, it will be easy to find and put on before you leave for the day. Clothing that you wear regularly should also be stored at eye level and within easy reach, whether it’s in your closet or your wardrobe. Other items, like heavier-weather clothing or special occasion items can be kept on higher shelves or towards the far right/left sides of your closet, because you won’t need to access them as often.

Don’t waste time trying to find the right clothes for the season. Take the time before the weather starts turning to get your wardrobe organized!

The countdown begins - get organized for back to school!

The start of school comes around the same time every year, but it is always a rush to get organized for the start of classes come September. Especially for students heading into a new grade or starting university on their own, preparing for the start of classes can be a stressful and chaotic time. However, by starting early and developing a routine that fits your schedule and study habits, the countdown for September doesn’t have to be so daunting!

Shop smart

Before a shopping trip is even planned, it’s important to take stock of the school supplies, clothes, shoes, and other items you already own. Moving up to a new grade or going to university doesn’t mean that a whole new wardrobe or brand-new supplies are required. The same pencils, pens, jeans, and tops used the year before will work perfectly for the new school year. Replacements may be needed for clothing that doesn’t fit or needs repairs, or any supplies that are depleted or need replacing. Make sure to do a thorough inventory and keep a list of items that need to be purchased. While it may seem tempting to buy a stash of supplies or extras, try to avoid doing this. Extra supplies will end up taking up unnecessary space and create clutter, especially because a lot of these extra supplies may not even be needed throughout the year. It’s better to keep track throughout the year of what you use and replace it only when needed.

Create a filing system

Homework, tests, assignments, report cards, permission slips, course outlines – a lot of paper is involved in going to school, and these loose pages often end up lost before the first week is even over. To prevent this from happening, implement a system or routine of dealing with paper as it comes in. Folders or trays can be allotted for paper that needs to be kept, paper that needs to be dealt with right away, and any other category that pertains to your school work. Train yourself to deal with paper as soon as you bring it home. First, determine if you really need to keep it. If it’s a course outline that you have access to online or won’t need to use, place it in the recycling bin. However, if it’s an assignment sheet or permission slip, make sure it’s place in a tray that you know means it must be dealt with or saved for a later date. This will help you keep track of any important documents you bring home, and prevent large piles of clutter from accumulating around your home! Consider implementing a similar system for your email to deal with any messages from teachers or professors.

Designate a study space

To keep organized year-round, establish one space for studying, completing homework, and storing your school items. Whether it’s an entire office or just a desk in the corner of a room in your home, having a designated space for school can help you stay focused. This space should be kept clean and organized – on a weekly basis, go through any papers, books or supplies that have started to clutter and make sure that it is kept clean and clear for you to study. Having a designated space to do work can help you stay on track of homework and assignments because you will always have a place to complete them. No more cleaning off tables last minute, shoving off piles of paper and assorted books, or getting distracted from a cluttered space! A dedicated space means that no unnecessary items or clutter can distract you from the task ahead, and will help keep your mind clear and focused on the task ahead.

Don’t start everything all at once

The start of the school year is often the start of extra-curricular activities like sports, music lessons, volunteering, and part-time jobs. However, starting a busy schedule right from the start can be very stressful, especially for students that are transitioning to higher grade levels, or a new school. The first month of school should be a time dedicated to becoming familiar with a new schedule and routine outside of any extra activities. This way, students can better understand what their homework load is, what their sleep schedule will be like, and how much time they can dedicate to outside activities in the evenings and on the weekends. Remember, it’s important to leave time in your week to relax! For students, September should be about establishing a routine and growing comfortable in a new environment. Try and wait a few weeks before introducing more activities into the daily schedule.

Planning a summer getaway? We're here to help!

During the summer, taking a long vacation may not be possible, but a weekend getaway is easy to do, especially in a central location like Calgary. Whether you’re thinking of heading out to the mountains or taking a trip through the prairies, take the time to plan a weekend trip that you’ll be able to enjoy!

1.     Plan your route

It’s easy to jump in your car and head out for the weekend, but unexpected road construction or traffic can delay an already short trip. Before you head out, plan what route you will drive to get to your destination. Be sure to check traffic and weather reports to make sure that your route is clear, and make yourself familiar with alternate routes in case you encounter any further problems on the road. If you’re flying, try to book a direct flight, or try to minimize the number of connections you must make. Layovers and baggage transfers are only some of the flying steps that can put a major delay in your trip, so try to streamline your air travel as much as you can. If you plan early enough, seat sales with better flight times may be available!

2.     Focus on one area

When you’re in one place for only a couple of days, many people instinctually think they need to do everything in one weekend – even visiting more than one city! If you’re going away for only a weekend, focus your trip to one destination. If it’s a larger city, consider focusing on only one area of the city. Search for places that will have activities or events that are of interest to you. Even if you’ve heard from others that a certain destination or area is great, make sure that it is also the right fit for you and your timeframe. It may seem like you have to do it all, but narrowing your trip to one or two travel destinations will allow you to spend more time participating in activities you want to do. If you aren’t able to see something during this trip, plan to go back in the future!

3.     Pay attention to location

With only two or three days to spend in your chosen destination, you don’t want to waste time travelling between your hotel and the activities you want to do. When you’re booking accommodations, pick a place that is central to your must-see list, or close to transportation options. If you do decide to stay at a location further away, some hotels may offer shuttle services or complimentary transit passes that will make the commute easier. With a busy schedule packed into a couple of days, it’s also worth checking into dining options. Check for continental breakfasts so you can get out the door in the morning faster, and consider purchasing sandwiches, granola bars and other snack options to keep with you during the day so you don’t have to stop for snacks or lunch. For dinner, look up restaurants around your hotel and consider booking reservations in advance so you don’t have to wait long after a busy day.

4.     Pack light

If you’re only gone for the weekend, don’t pack for a week-long trip! Large suitcases and multiple bags are unnecessary, and will only make packing, transporting, and carrying them a hassle. When you’re away for a weekend and have a busy schedule, it’s more efficient to carry with you only the items that you need. Consider bringing multi-purpose clothing that layers well, and works for touring during the day as well as going out in the evening. Shoes should be practical and comfortable, and suited towards the activities you have planned. Although you might think you need to bring an extra change of clothes “just in case,” think hard about what your schedule is like and if you’ll really use it. Use the same questions you would ask yourself if you were decluttering your home: do you really need it? Will you use it during the next two days? Can you get by without it?

5.     Schedule activities

Make sure you have something to do when you get to your destination – don’t just wing it! You may get there only to find that activities you thought you could do are actually closed, or you might find something you want to do but needed to book in advance for. A quick search online can provide you with information on local events, what time restaurants, stores, and museums are open at, and if there are any weather advisories that could affect outdoor activities. If you have the option of making reservations or booking tickets online beforehand, it is always a good idea to plan ahead so you don’t have to wait in line or get turned away when you get there. When you’re scheduling your days, make sure that your schedule isn’t jam packed – allow for extra time in case some activities take longer than others, or if you decide to spend some time doing another activity – even if it’s just relaxing! You want to have a plan for your trip, but you don’t want to exhaust yourself either. A weekend getaway should be as relaxing as it is entertaining – so take the time to plan before you leave!

For a great list of weekend getaways from Calgary, go here!