This morning I shared “Back to School and College” tips and products with WFMZ-TV’s morning news anchor Eve Russo. These tips are not limited to students – some of them are great for adults at home or work!

A lap desk is a multifunctional tool that everyone should have and that I can’t say enough good things about. It increases productivity and keeps you healthier. I have my very favorite lap desk that I rant and rave about on my blog. It has the best features, comes in a variety of colors, and happens to be one of the lowest cost ones out there. You also can use a 40% off coupon. Read more….

A great way to store jewelry at college or on the go is in a hanging pocket organizer. (Pictured on right.) It can hang on a rod or hook, and then fold for travel. The one I showed is available at my store – All Bright Ideas 328 Main Street Emmaus, PA.

I was thrilled to find XL twin comforters, coordinating pillow shams, a large matching decorative pillow, bath towels, and washcloths all reasonably priced at Home Goods. They all coordinated in an orange colored theme.

One of my favorite finds at Home Goods was an extra tall easy-to-open step stool. I currently use a shorter version of this stool when working with clients. Not only is it a great step stool but it also doubles as a seat. I use it as a seat when needing to reach low places like under a desk or in a lower cabinet. Sitting is better than kneeling!

Home Goods also had some great storage bins priced $2.99 to 7.99. A bin on a shelf increases storage space while also making it convenient and attractive storage.

If you have any questions about this morning’s TV segment or our services, feel free to contact me at Organize@DianeAlbright.com or (610) 782-0636.

Happy organizing!

One of my very favorite productivity tools is a lap desk, but not just any lap desk, a lap desk with a cup holder and a penholder. It is a multifunctional accessory that provides increased productivity while keeping you and your computer healthier!

The cup holder can hold a variety of items from a drink to paper clips. The penholder, when it has a raised rim, keeps you computer from sliding towards you if the lap desk is angled on your lap.

First let’s talk about “health” benefits. If your computer is sitting on your bed or on your lap, the computer fan will pull in lint from your bedding and your jeans. This lint or dust disperses throughout the inside of you computer creating havoc on your computer, leading to hardware failure.

Now let’s talk about your health! When a computer is on a desk, not your lap, your arms are raised to desk height. This non-natural position puts your wrists and arms at risk for strain problems. Plus you can’t type as fast with your arms raised, hence making you less productive. Ideally you want your computer on your lap, on a lap desk.

The location of where you sit in a room also plays a factor in the health of your eyes as well as with your productivity. With a lap desk you can choose where to sit. You’ll want to choose a spot that meets certain criteria. Choose a location that allows you to easily gaze further away, like out a window or a doorway. If you don’t, your eyes will be limited to focusing on close up objects, creating eyestrain. Gazing in the distance reduces eyestrain.

Having the opportunity to gaze further away will also increase your productivity. First, it enables you to think creatively and problem solve. By looking off into the distance, you can let your mind drift and think. Here’s a perfect example of how NOT to think creatively or problem solve. Take an 8 ½ by 11 sheet of paper. Place the paper 12 inches in front of your face. Now try to think creatively. Take the paper away, look out the window, and now try to think creatively. You should see the difference.

The ideal location to sit should also have a solid wall or walls behind you. You don’t want doorways, openings, or windows behind you. All “openings” should be in your peripheral
vision. This will provide a sense of ease that someone isn’t watching over you or coming into the room unexpectedly.

Additionally, a lap desk is great to pull out when you’re a passenger in a car or parked when you’re the driver. It’s an ideal place to spread out lunch or dinner on the go; when doing work on your computer; or when in need of a flat work surface.

Last but not least, a lap desk with a cup holder also comes in handy when painting your nails. The flat surface is great for painting and the cup holder is ideal to place the polish in.

I must admit I have three of the same lap desks, just in different colors. I keep one at home, one at my office, and one in my car. I bought mine at Hobby Lobby with a 40% of coupon (coupon link is on Hobby Lobby home page).

Happy lap-desk-using!

It’s off to college and back to school time! Every year there are new products on the market and this year is no different with fun colors and fun times. On WFMZ-TV’s Sunrise Show I was thrilled to share with viewers tips and tricks for back to school and off to college dorm room living.

Rubbermaid’s Lunch Blox for kids makes packing lunch fun, organized, and cool! There are two kits to choose from, one for flat lunch bags and one for tall lunch bags. Each kit is modular and airtight to keep items fresh and not soggy. Whether it is a sandwich or salad, these containers rock with cool colors and a Blue Ice pack that snaps to the containers. The containers are BPA free and microwave, dishwasher, and freezer save. You can find Rubbermaid’s Lunch Blox at grocery stores and Target for $10 to $15. Print a coupon for Rubbermaid’s Lunch Blox.

To minimize searching for sports gear, dance attire, or swim team suits, keep all “activity” wear in one dresser drawer or bin. This way your child is not sifting through regular t-shirts and shorts trying to find his or her soccer t-shirt or shorts.

The Academic Planner is a great time management tool for students of all ages. It provides students with a natural way to literally visual their available time so they can plan and manage it. It puts the student in control by giving them a place on the planner to record their activities and meetings. When they see available blocks of time they know they can easily schedule their studying and assignments. This planner is just any planner, it was developed by a mother whose child was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Executive Dysfunction. You can purchase the Academic Planner online.

If you are college bound, Bed Bath & Beyond offers a dorm room checklist specific for your college or university or use can use their universal dorm room checklist. No matter how well you think you’ve planned and prepared for dorm room living, there are common forgotten or overlooked items. Play it safe buy purchasing these items ahead of time and hang onto your receipt. Consider bringing along extra batteries (for remotes for your fan, TV, iHome, etc.); power strip, 3-prong cord, regular extensions cords, and TV cable (in case you place the TV far from the wall jack), Don’t forget to pack postage stamps and envelopes – you’ll most likely need them at some point.

Vera Bradley’s back to school line at the Heritage Shop Hallmark store on Emmaus Avenue in Allentown was a fun find.  The shower caddy in a number of Vera Bradley patterns goes great with a matching bath wrap and the coordinating pop up hamper compacts nicely and is easy to stash in the car.

For  guys or girls going off to college, Bed Bath & Beyond’s exclusive college bedding kits are a great deal. For $79.99 in-store you’ll get a comforter, pillow sham, sheet set, 2 towels, and a fabric storage bin to put under the bed or hang from a closet rod. I always recommend purchasing the extra long twin comforter and sheets as opposed to the regular length twin. The dorm you are living in this year may have regular size twin beds, but your dorm next year may have extra long twin beds!

Wishing you a happy and successful school year!