Organizing Your New Home

So you've decided the type of home you want. Now it's time to make that space you bought as homey as it can be. The pieces you put together can make a big difference it's how you organize them to create the look you want.

Organizing really can be as easy as A-B-C. Here are 26 organizing ideas--one for each letter of the alphabet:

• A: ACT - Don't put it off until later. If you want to do it, act on it now.
• B: BREAK IT DOWN - Anything you have to do is easier, if you break it down into manageable parts.
• C: CONTAINERIZE - Separate and organize your things by storing them in see-through, plastic containers.
• D: DELEGATE - You don't have to do everything yourself. Delegate to work associates or family members. Use an outside company to outsource some of your work. Or use technology to your advantage, by delegating to your answering machine, your computer, etc.
• E: ELIMINATE - Get rid of clutter--both physical and mental. You'll breathe easier and feel a sense of freedom.
• F: FILE - Don't let that paperwork grow into a mountain. File it away in an appropriate place if you need to refer to it again.
• G: GIVE - Give the things you no longer use or love to a favorite charity organization, a family member or a friend. There are many people who will be thrilled to receive your gifts.
• H: HOME SWEET HOME - Find a home for everything you own, and keep it in its place. When you need something in the future, you'll know its 'address.'
• I: IDENTIFY - Before putting items in boxes for storage--or when you're moving--be sure to identify the contents by labeling the outside of the box. Identify papers in file folders, by clearly marking the tab of the folder.
• J: JUDGEMENT - Use your best judgment to prioritize your life. Be sure you're spending the majority of your time on the important stuff.
• K: KNOWLEDGE - Knowledge is power. In order to effectively organize something, be sure you're using the organizing systems that will work best for you.
• L: LISTS - Make lists for things you have to do now, and in the future. Master Lists and To Do Lists will help you get things done. Packing lists will ensure you never forget something again when you travel. Shopping lists will ensure you get everything you need at the mall. Telephone lists will remind you of everyone you have to call this week.
• M: MOTIVATION - A huge part of getting organized is motivation. Once you're motivated, there's no limit as to what you can accomplish. Get motivated by designating pending rewards for your accomplishments, involving family members or friends in your goals, and by making getting organized a game. And definitely stop by the Get Organized Now! Discussion Forum for lots of inspiration and motivation.
• N: NO - It's so easy to get stressed when you have a million things to do on your plate. If you're beginning to feel burdened with too much to do, learn to say NO to some of those things.
• O: ORDER - Rather than living in clutter and chaos, vow to live a more orderly life. You'll know where everything is, and you'll complete whatever you start.
• P: PLAN AND PREPARE - While spontaneity every once in awhile is fun and perfectly fine, having a good plan and effectively preparing, will help you reach your goals and deadlines, so you can enjoy maximum accomplishments.
• Q: QUALITY, NOT QUANTITY - It is much better to have a few treasures that you love and enjoy, rather than having lots of things you don't particularly care for. Always think quality, over quantity, and you'll simplify your life. Of course, this doesn't apply to money!
• R: REMINDERS - Use little reminder devices throughout the day to help you stay on track. Alarm clocks, timers, e-mail reminders and sticky notes are all excellent memory joggers.
• S: SELL IT - Why not make some money by selling some of those possessions you no longer want? Try a rummage sale, consignment shop or an online auction company.
• T: TOSS - If you don't want it, and you can't give it away or sell it, toss it. Make room for the things that you really enjoy, or that make your life easier.
• U: UNUSED SPACE - Don't forget about the space in your home or office that is often forgotten about, such as wall space for shelves or hooks for hanging, or space under the stairs.
• V: VISUALIZE - Picture how wonderful your life is going to be when you're organized. Then strive to put yourself in that picture every day.
• W: WRITE IT DOWN - Don't try to keep everything you have to remember in your head. Simply write it down and refer to it when needed.
• X: X MARKS THE SPOT - Place an X next to each item you accomplish on your To Do List. At the end of the day, add up your x's and celebrate for getting so much done!
• Y: YOU - Don't forget to make time for YOU. Remember, an appointment with yourself--time for you with no interruptions--should be one of the most important appointments in your day.
• Z: ZONE IN - Really define what you're trying to accomplish, so you have a clear picture in your mind.

Source: Lifeorganizers.com

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Your Own Living Space At Circulo Verde

Ortigas & Co. recently unveiled Circulo Verde, its latest innovative residential development, which offers its residents the living space they deserve.

The property is located in a 12-hectare property along Calle Industria in Bagumbayan, Quezon City, Circulo Verde and they invision a 5 residential buildings of staggered heights that gives residents unparalleled sight lines of the nearby Sierra Madre mountains and the Metro Manila skyline. As a part of the global effort to go green, the development retains natural features that are unique to the property, as well as maximizing the potential of the Marikina River, which surrounds the site.

Ortigas & Company chief operating officer Rex C. Drilon II says Circulo Verde does not merely provide Filipino families with the homes they need, but also the opportunity to embrace an alternative lifestyle that is sensitive to the environment.

“We are here to offer the Filipinos an alternative lifestyle. We believe in making projects that resonate with the aspirations of Filipinos. A home is important for many Filipinos. This is an aspiration of Filipinos in all classes, and it would be sad if we came up with a mediocre development.”

Circulo Verde is ideal for a variety of homeowners, from startup families, to upwardly mobile professionals and empty nesters, since it offers a variety of layouts. Its location places residents in a quiet part of the metropolis yet still within reach of major commercial and business establishments and premiere educational institutions in the country. With access to EDSA, Ortigas Ave., C-5, Katipunan, and Marcos Highway, busy executives are just minutes away from the Makati, Ortigas, and Quezon City business districts. Major commercial establishments as well as schools and colleges like UP Diliman, Ateneo and La Salle Greenhills are just a few kilometers away.

The international design firm RTKL has developed a master plan that maximizes the area’s natural features to strike a balance between nature and the demands of fast-paced living in the city. The Marikina River provides the perfect frame for this ecologically sensitive master plan.

Greg Yager, principal architect of RTKL, says that Circulo Verde offers a high-quality environment where people can live, work and play.

“Being citizens of a world where the climate is changing, we still want to get the quality of life, we still want to enjoy the place we live in, and we still want the best communities for our children. Our aim at Circulo Verde is to create a unique place. You can walk in the garden and alongside the Marikina River, enjoying the fresh air on your face. Then just around the corner, you can walk into the shops, restaurants, gyms and health clubs. You can be in the midst of a flurry of activities without leaving your neighborhood.

Ortigas & Company general manager for real estate, Cathy Casares-Ko, says that the project site is unique. Its location and topography allow the planners to come up with a product that maximizes the views for all the towers. There is a play on the heights of the residential buildings that provide not just unimpaired views, but also brings in adequate ventilation and natural lighting to all units.

To maintain an ideal ratio of greens in the property, building densities have been kept low, with as much as 70 percent of the land area allocated for open spaces, roads and neighborhood facilities. Trees planted throughout the development will provide a buffer from the industrial properties across the river, providing residents with a vibrant and lush green ambience.

Unique to the buildings at Circulo Verde are sky gardens, open spaces within the building where residents can unwind any time of the day without having to go down and outside their building. In some buildings, the sky gardens even cover two floors. The gardens will be devoted to greens and blooms, providing residents with a pocket garden where they can hie off for a breather.

There will be foot and jogging paths within the property, as well as playgrounds and a variety of swimming pools to entertain both young and old alike. Pet lovers are also in for a treat, since there will be a dog park where residents can bring their canine companions to run and roam freely.

At the heart of Circulo Verde is a town center where retail space and modern conveniences come together to offer residents the amenities they need. Shops and restaurants, alongside daily necessities like a grocery, water refilling station and laundry shop, will eliminate the need to run off to the mall or hypermarket for sundry emergencies.

The first phase of development at Circulo Verde covers five residential buildings on a 2.7-hectare area within the property. Presently being developed are Ibiza Tower and Majorca Residences.

Ibiza Tower is a 23-storey residential building that offers a variety of layouts for one- to two-bedroom units, with floor areas ranging from 44- to 80-square meters. Unique to Ibiza are bi-level units that give homeowners the luxurious space they need for their homes.

Majorca Residences is an 11-storey residential development that offers spacious layouts for families needing room to grow. Room layouts come in a variety of configurations for three-, two- and one-bedroom units, with floor areas ranging 42 square meters up to 107 square meters. All units have ample spaces for balconies to give residents their own private retreat at home.

Circulo Verde is a development of Ortigas & Company, Limited Partnership For inquiries, please call 631-5968 and 638-8633, send a fax to 631-5962, or e-mail to circuloverde@ortigas.com.ph. Visit its website at www.circuloverde.com.ph.

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