For the Person Who Has it All

I was asked today for suggestions for gifts for the person that already has "too much stuff." And, my answer was quick - experiential gifts! These are great for the person that doesn't have anything specific on their wish list or has all he/she needs, too.

For example, instead of gifting someone new baking pans and kitchen gadgets, try sending gourmet or home-made baked goods. If they're home made, it will show you took time from your own schedule to show how much you care.

Instead of giving new platters and serving trays that are stacked in the basement for years to come, take them out to dinner. Not just the ol' neighborhood haunt, though. Take your loved one to a restaurant serving a cuisine he/she has never tried or is in an area he/she has never traveled to.

Events are great to give, too. For yourself and the gift recipient, or for the recipient and others to enjoy. Plays, concerts and classes are all great fun to share. There are all kinds of classes to take - crafts, cooking and baking, art and more. Tailor the gift to their hobbies and interests.

And, if cost is a concern, then scope out deal sites like Groupon and Living Social. There are tons now - local and national. You can even search for a deal based on what you're looking for, like "Chicago Museum Passes."

Of course, don't forget, you can always give the gift of organization, too!

Back, Back, Back it Up!

I don't normally get too technical in my organizing life. I assist clients with some basic computer organization and tend to stop there. That's about how technical I am personally, too. I can check my email and create a word document or pdf file...but that's about as creative as I get.

However, I do run a paperless office. Technically, I'm not entirely paper-free. But, it's about 95% paper free. That means that all my client files, financial information, personal information, insurance papers, tax papers and medical information are all electronic.

Two days ago my external hard drive died.

Normally, I'd think that means I'd be done for. But, fortunately, the one other thing I know to do with my gadgets is back them up!

Most of my files are on my actual computer drive, though I rarely access them through the C: drive. I also have all my important files in the cloud, in Drop Box. Normally, I access my files through this system of storage such that whenever I edit a file, it automatically updates in the cloud. I also backed up everything on my external drive on a weekly basis. And, just for good measure, I have a Crash Plan account, too. Crash Plan is also cloud-based and backs up all my files every few minutes. I don't access or edit files in Crash Plan, however, as it's meant for storage purposes only. Think worst-case scenarios here. Like, my computer is stolen and smashed the same day that Drop Box up and crashes. Fingers crossed that never happens! I'd then be able to recover all my files on Crash Plan from the last back-up it did from my computer.

Fortunately, when my hard drive died, it wasn't too big a deal. All I have to do is get a new one and properly recycle the other. Back, back, back it up!

Being Thankful in the Middle of Your Mess

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. A time when we're reminded to reflect on the things in our lives for which we are most thankful. Most of us think of our family and friends, our home and our jobs. Sometimes we overlook the other stuff.

I have a challenge for you. Walk over to that area that most bothers you - that feels the most disorganized and out of control. Take a good look for a whole minute. It seems a lot longer than you might think!

 

Be thankful for this mess.

I'm not asking that you be thankful because you have afforded to acquire this mess. Sometimes, people with chronic disorganization issues will outspend what they can afford just to accumulate more. I don't want anyone to be thankful they are putting themselves in debt.

However, be thankful that you have recognized that this place is not what you want it to be. That the space is no longer working for you, but maybe against you. I believe the saying goes, "The first step is admitting there is a problem." Well, hopefully, it's not that dire! But, if it makes you uncomfortable in your space, it's problem enough.

Your home should be a place to relax and enjoy. So, remind yourself to be thankful that you have acknowledged that it's time to appreciate all the good fortune in your life. That is the first step.

Happy Thanksgiving!

An Organized Beauty Regimen

Getting dressed and out the door on time has become an unending battle that many of us are losing daily. Often, if we don't live alone, it's not always our fault. But, sometimes it is. Time management skills aside, there are a couple ways to improve the chances of starting the day off in an organized manner.

Getting dressed without tossing 13 outfits on the floor and screaming, "I don't have anything to wear!" is always a plus! In order to help ease the frustration of finding something appropriate and comfortable to wear on a daily basis, I suggest starting by organizing your wardrobe. Remember when I wrote about that process last year?

If you've got kids, maybe getting them safely out the door will help ease your morning, too. Homework done, lunches made and teeth brushed - success! I was interviewed for an article about just that last winter, too. Trust me, that's a whole topic on it's own!

What is probably left to tackle is whatever beauty regimen you may or may not have. Regardless of

how many products you have or how many steps it takes to 'make up your face,' all of us have at least a handful of things to do in the bathroom.

I wrote about culling down your collection of products already, so I'd rather spend time discussing how to set-up all the 'keepers.' As always, we start with grouping our products: hair, face, body, shaving, medicine, nails/toes.... you get the picture.

Before we start to assign space for those categories to live, I like to sift through each group and pull out anything I know I'm going to use everyday: toothpaste, deodorant, contact solution and so on. These items are immediately put in prime real estate - usually the medicine cabinet or the most accessible drawer. If need be, these items can go on a try or in a basket on the counter, too.

Next, I do a second run through the piles to find 'special occasion' items: costume make-up, travel-size products and bulk supplies. These are things I'm going to rarely reach for. These items will be stored out of the way. A linen closet, bottom cabinet/drawer or a bin in a closet might work well for these categories.

All those in between categories can now fill in the middle drawers and other spaces still up for grabs. Vitamins to refill pill reminders and bandages are good in-between categories - things I'll reach for a couple times a month.

To 'put your face' now, all you have to do is look in the right spot! No more combing through four make-up bags to find your everyday lipstick. It's in the make-up bag that has all the everyday products in it. The holiday make-up is in it's own bag; the Halloween make-up has a separate spot.

Now, get going!

How to Organize When You're Sick

This past week, I've been sick. I lost my voice for the first time in more than ten years! In retrospect, that's a good thing, but this past week it sure didn't feel like it.

So, I lost my voice almost completely for about four or five days. I was congested and coughing like nobody's business and pretty fatigued just by watching TV. How's a girl to stay organized while she's sick?

First thing's first: I prioritized. What did I really need to get done during those few days? There was definitely some communicating with my clients that needed to happen. In order to respond in a timely manner, I deferred to email. When someone new called looking for some information, I had assistance in answering calls and gathering info such that I could email the information that was needed. I even rescheduled appointments because 1) I couldn't talk to anyone and 2) didn't want to get anyone else sick!

Secondly, I needed to get better! I made sure to nap when exhausted; I took the medicine the doctor told me to take; I took hot showers. It sounds pretty simple, really, but most of us ignore this part while we're sick. I kept the medicine out on the counter so I'd remember to take it. I kept tissues and cough drops with it, so I'd always know where to find them. (I will admit to moving things to my nightstand each night, though).

And, of course, I didn't want to feel completely isolated from the world. So, when I had the wherewithal to do so, I'd check my email and voicemail; I'd watch the news; I'd browse Facebook for pictures my friends were posting. And, I played a lot of Spider Solitaire. I had to remind myself to run to the store for groceries or do laundry.

How exactly is this organizing? Think of it like a vacation - a snotty, silent vacation. I had to get the right supplies and keep them handy. I had to be aware of my time and the activities I should be getting done (vs. the activities I was actually getting done - sleeping and solitaire!). It's easy to get sidetracked on vacation - and when you're sick. Your schedule's different, and your energy is different.

The only things being sick and vacation have in common? Lots of snacks. Lots of sleep. That is, of course, if you're doing it right.

Stay healthy out there!

It's Been Awhile!

I know, I know....I've been neglecting my blog-writing duties! It's been busy around here!

If you read my last entry, you know that I moved. Although, things are unpacked and I'm settled in, moving always takes longer than most people expect. While busy unpacking and rearranging and measuring and building furniture, I was also working with my clients, giving presentations and trying to generally run a business efficiently and smoothly. How exhausting!!

So, I thought it worth mentioning that even a Certified Professional Organizer® can feel overwhelmed and fall behind sometimes. We are still human and not perfect. I can get overwhelmed unpacking a room and wander off to watch something mindless on TV for 20 minutes before I make myself go back to work. I can convince myself that I've done enough for the day and quit early. Just like everyone else.

The important part is that I don't give up. I got it all done. I made it work, and I made it fit. The reasons it was totally reasonable for me to take breaks and walk away? Because I needed to clear my head to start fresh on the next, and I didn't want to burn out only to stash some boxes in a corner or under the bed to find it in three years when I move again....having never opened it.

The moral of the story? Pace it out. And, be confident that the organizer you're working with knows what he/she is doing! They might get there in a round about way. They might not get there as quickly as you had hoped. But, trust that there is a method to the madness. They'll get you there. They won't let you burn out. And, they certainly won't let you forget the task at hand!

Oh - and I'm back to the land of the living!

Get it Out of There!

Most of the time, there are some bags or boxes of things to donate at the end of appointments I have with my clients. It's great! They have successfully sorted through their belongings and figured out which things they no longer need or want. Items still in usable condition are set aside to donate to the charity of their choice.

Unless the items are too large to fit in my vehicle or my car is already filled with donations from my last appointment, I offer to take the donations on behalf of my client. Why? Three reasons:

1. It makes instant space! After working so hard for hours with me to create brand new systems in their home or office, it's a great reward to visually see the benefits. Those bags and boxes are taking up floor space. How great will it feel to see the open, cleared room?
2. It decreases the chance of digging something out of the bag because you're having second thoughts. You've already made great decisions. Don't second guess yourself! Be confident that you really do know what items you can live without. Someone else may love that item and use it often - unlike it's previous home at the back of your closet, being forgotten about.
3. It saves you a trip to the charity! One less thing for you to do in your already busy schedule. It also prevents having to schedule a charity to pick items up, with you waiting around all day. And, if it's hauled away the day of the appointment, it's done; piles won't sit around for days or weeks as a reminder of something else to do.

How we Can All Ask for Help

I wrote this last week for the NAPO Chicago chapter newsletter encouraging colleagues to ask each other for help.

I'm often reminded how wonderful our group is. How "together we are better." I'm sure that in theory, we all know this is true. But, every now and then, I'm able to experience first hand.

I recently moved in to a new home. It's been a long, multi-step process. A good one, but a long one. As an organizer, I'm sure you can relate to wanting everything to be unpacked and settled in as soon as possible. Well, to make a long story short, my belongings would be at the new place 21 days before I actually would. 

I can make do with my laptop and phone to make my business run wherever (another reason I'm thankful I have a paperless office!). But, how on Earth could I pack clothes for 20 days? In Chicago, in September, when the weather might feel like August or it might feel like October?

I tried to pack. And, I unpacked. And, then tried packing again.

I thought to myself, "This is silly. You need some help!" I went to my desk and emailed two colleagues with my conundrum. Before the night was out, I had a couple options for a solution and a well thought out packing list provided to me. What a relief! Needless to say, I finished packing that night. All has worked out as well as it sounded in the initial plan.

Perhaps others of us are having some roadblock in our own lives that are preventing us from moving on, moving in to or moving out of wherever we are now. Call another NAPO Chicago member. Maybe you need advice on what next steps to take for a client's project. Email another NAPO Chicago member. You've been asked to give a presentation, but really want to practice in front of someone who knows what you are (or should be) talking about. Ask another NAPO Chicago member at the next meeting.

Together we are better. It's because our members are helpful, knowledgeable and creative people. Who doesn't need more of that around?

Moving Time

Pardon me, if I sound exhausted! Moving is hard. As helpful as some tips are, there's no easy way around it. Moving is taxing.

I'm in the middle of a multi-step move. Which, when all is said and done, will take me 21 days to get from my old front door to my new front door. Sigh...

Yes, it will all be worth it. But, 21 days seems like forever! Especially to an organizer! So, since phase one is complete, I thought I'd share what things I've learned so far.

Phase one has consisted of moving all me belongings from my old home in to my new home. However, I'm not yet living there. That means, in the mean time, I'm living out of a suitcase. Phase two will be when a large majority of the furniture and more belongings arrive on day 21. That will be the first night the bed is there, and thus, my first night in my new home.

Definitely a Good Idea: Go through everything while packing. I don't want to pack up, move or pay someone to move and then unpack anything I don't want or won't use.

I donated a large carload of assorted things I wouldn't  need or want at my new place. A charity can make better use of these things than I can or the dumpster would.

Some things I offered to friends (like the tropical plant I have been kidding myself that I'm taking good care of), who graciously accepted. Cooking tools I don't use or had in duplicate went quickly. Linens were also scooped up pretty fast.

I had some nice things that just weren't going to fit in the new place. Fortunately, I was able to sell most of it on Craigslist. To help offset the cost and stress of moving, I was able to sell just over $500 worth of furniture! Hooray!

Definitely a Bad Idea: I waited far too long to book a moving company. The last day of the month, on a holiday weekend is apparently the most busy time. Ever. The one company that did have a truck available was about twice as much as I was expecting to pay.

I used pre-used boxes. I liked that this was very green, and definitely inexpensive (free, even!). But, the boxes had layers and layers of tape on them. Multiple labels scratched out and rewritten. And, some of the larger boxes were crumply and soft once filled. Having new or less-used boxes would have come in handy.

In short:

• Label those boxes well
• Move them in to the right room just when it comes off the truck
• Don't move anything you don't really want in your new home
• Don't be surprised when moving seems exhausting!

More to come when phase two is over....

Shoes, Glorious Shoes!

What's a girl (or guy) to do when her shoe collection has outgrown the floor of the closet?

Like always, it depends on what size space you're working within, as well as how large a collection needs to be stored. With many of these ideas, also pay attention to shoe size. Some solutions won't hold many large sized shoes, while others will. Also, keep in mind how many differently shaped shoes, like tall boots, might need a place to live.

On the floor: The most popular shoe solution is to keep them on the floor, sometimes just on the floor in a row. The next step is to add another layer, like with shoe shelves from Target:

Cubbies, from The Container Store, also work: 

Storing shoes that aren't often worn under the bed or another piece of furniture can work in bins or protective bags.

And, if you've got small floor space, but room to move vertically, think about a shoe wheel, shoe tree or shoe cabinet. These are some of the neatest products out there, but require a specific amount of space. (I'd like to add that the Rakku products, like the shoe wheel, seem amazing, though I've not met one in person).


On the door: There are a variety of on-the-door shoe storage items. All of these are available at The Container Store:

Hanging: Last, but not least, you can explore hanging options, assuming floor and door space are less-than-ideal options. There's the canvas bag to hang in the closet, like this one from Target:

Another that hangs a bit softer, from Organize.com:

And, lastly one, specifically for flip-flops! From Organize-It:

So, keep those shoes where they belong, whether on the floor, the wall or the door. And, as always, only keep shoes that fit and you actually wear!

Let's Talk Earrings

I was asked recently to tackle the task of properly organizing earrings. There are a few things for us to consider, for even this seemingly small item.

1. How many pairs are there to store?
2. Are they dangley or studs?
3. Do you want them hidden away or out in plain sight?

Answers:

1. Gather all your earrings into one spot...look near the sink, the coffee table, your purse..where ever they may be hiding. Match up the pairs. If there are singles leftover, what is the likelihood of finding the match? If it's not likely (hint: it probably isn't), then toss or donate the loose earring. Count how many pairs are left.
2. Now, categorize your earrings - studs, dangley pairs, rhinestones, hoops, however it makes sense for how you wear your jewelry. 
3. If there are some that you wear only for special occasions, those may be better tucked away with formal gowns, while the everyday pairs are visible on the dresser top. How often do you wear earrings? How many do you wear at a time (one hole or three in your ear?)? How often do you change them? For example, my sister has three holes in each ear. But, she never changes the studs in the second and third holes.

Now to the actual putting them away. Some hidden away ideas include

• Jewelry trays for inside a drawer, like these from IKEA:  
• Hanging bags for inside a closet, this one's from The Container Store:  
• Even egg cartons, thanks to The Picket Fence Project:

 For earrings that will stay visible, try any of the variety of counter top storage:
 

 : A jewelry stand from Target

A folding screen from The Container Store:   
And, a box just for earrings from Bed, Bath & Beyond:

Or, make your own -

From ribbon, like on etsy:

From an old frame and screen, like Restored Style created: 

Or, really from any piece of thin cloth that can be hung and/or made taught enough for earrings to poke through. Be aware, that if earrings have backs to them, like with studs, use an organizer where both sides can easily be reached.


Personally, I like keeping my earrings in a jewelry box. It's put away and just the right size for all my jewelry. But, with the clear lid, I can quickly glance inside to view the things I wear most often.

Purses!!!

A lot of my clients struggle when it comes to storing their purses. It's hard to make odd-shaped, floppy things fold, stand or file properly. And, don't mention labeling!! How does one go about labeling a purse? Or, where to put it back or find it when you want to use it?

Just a bit ago, I was helping one such client navigate her way through a great walk-in closet with plenty of square footage. The problem was that she had a great collection of designer purses she wanted to access easily. Because they were nice pieces, she also wanted to keep them stored in the protector bags that came with them. That doesn't make for easy organization. Our stipulations were:

• Keep them stored in protective bags
• Easily be able to identify where each bag is and where to put it back
• All bags, except small clutches, should be stored upright to prevent crushing and squishing

We had our work cut out for us!

First thing's first: we bagged all the purses into their protective coverings. The bags that could easily stand on their own, were "filed" on the closet shelves. To help the softer bags stand tall, we implemented shelf dividers like these. The dividers also helped to prevent smaller bags from slipping underneath larger ones, only to be forgotten about. On one shelf, that had lots of height above it, we used a stackable shelf to make another row of purses above.

After that, it was just a matter of labeling the fronts of the shelves to read a brief description of the purse above. Covered bags: check. Easy identification from labels: check. Nothing squished: check. Take a look:

Couponing, Buying in Bulk and Setting up the Kitchen

Shopping in bulk is tempting. Costco, Sam's Club, GFS and the like allow shoppers to save some money and shop less often. But, it can be a challenge to store 30 rolls of paper towels or two gallons of  marinara sauce at once.

Couponing has also become a "thing" lately. There are even TV shows like "Extreme Couponing" to show us the ins and outs of saving at the grocery store. Let me tell you, there are deals to be had and certain ways to go about achieving lots of savings. None of which I'm an expert.

What I do know about is how to store all those goodies once they come home. About how to make all the rolls of toilet paper fit in the linen closet. About where to store large boxes of cereal. About how to make three pounds of chicken and six pizzas all fit in the freezer.

Fortunately, there's one place where you can come - FOR FREE - to learn about all these things!

There will be snacks, drinks, prizes...and learning fun! Come out and learn how to best set up your kitchen and save some money while doing so! I'll be presenting tips and ideas on how to use your space efficiently in the kitchen, fridge and freezer. I hope to see you there!

Holiday Prep Work

Throughout the year there are a variety of small holidays that many people decorate for and even throw celebratory parties. The Forth of July happens to be tomorrow and is one such holiday. Although some of us are prone to leaving up our winter decorations for a month or two, we tend not to leave the red, white and blue bunting up for that long. (Not that there's anything wrong with keeping your patriotism flying in the wind all year long!)

So, how to make it an easy set-up, celebrate and put-away holiday? Here are a handful of tips:

• Have a plan. Will you be entertaining this year? Or, going some place else to celebrate? Or, simply want to make the house festive?
• Be prepared. A week or so before the holiday dig out any decorations that you already own for the holiday. (Of course, that's assuming you know where they might be...). Take a look at what you have before you go buy more; save yourself some time and money. If there's something you have, but know you'll never display again, add it to your ongoing donations bag. Set aside an hour or two to get the decorations out, put things up and make a list of what to pick up on your next errands run.
• Whether entertaining or heading out for the day, know what you'll need. Will you need plates, cups, napkins and food for your guests? Will you need a dish to pass or sparklers for the kids? Make sure these things are written down so you can pick them up a day or two before the holiday.
• Day before or morning of: do whatever last minute things need doing! Prepare food, sweep the floor, wipe down the bathroom. And so on. Recruit anyone else who shares the space to help. The kids, spouse or roommate. And, because you've been preparing for a couple days, you should also have a good idea of how much time you'll need to do these tasks before you have to leave or people start arriving.
• Enjoy the celebration!
  

Have a great, safe Forth of July!

How Much is Too Much?

I recently had a client ask me in an email, “I have SO MANY freaking clothes that I just shove wherever they fit. My system is not working. They're EVERYWHERE. I'm pretty sure I'm a clothes hoarder. Is there a general guideline for how many t-shirts, pants, underwear a person needs? Because I'm sure I'm like 5x that.”


Well, yes and no. In October 2012, I wrote about “Closet Full of Clothes,” with ideas for how to weed some things out of your closet. Most of these ideas were coming to terms with clothes you don't

really wear anymore – there's no occasion to wear the item or it doesn't fit. Today, let's talk about what to do if all the clothes you have you like, fit in to and in theory would wear, were you able to easily get to them. A much more difficult conundrum!
First thing's first – make sure that everything you're looking at does fit and is still the style of clothes you're comfortable wearing. Next, pull it all out of that closet! And, the dresser, too; clear the floor of clothes, too! Make piles of clothes categories: pants, skirts, dresses, tops, sweaters, underwear, socks, belts....anything and everything you come across in clearing out that space. Put everything that belongs someplace else (like the laundry room or the mudroom) in a basket near the door. You can deliver those items later, when your clothes project is done.


Before looking through each of these piles, ask yourself the following:

1. How often do I do laundry? If it's once a week, technically, you only need enough clothes for about 10 days. If it's once a month, you need about six weeks of clothes in your wardrobe.
   
2. How many times a day do I change clothes? Maybe you go from pajamas to work clothes to pajamas before bed. Maybe you go from pajamas to workout clothes to work clothes to lounge wear to pajamas. Knowing how many outfits go on and off your person in a day is helpful.
   
3. How often do I need something outside of my ordinary wardrobe, like formal wear or a business suit? If it's once a year, maybe you need two options. If it's once a month, six or seven might be more reasonable.
   
4. Most importantly, keeping the answers to the above questions in mind, how many _____ is it reasonable for me to have? T-shirts, pants, dresses, fill in the blank. Knowing how often you're changing clothes and doing laundry will give you an idea of how many of each item you go through before it's time to do the wash again. Be honest with yourself. And, answer this question without looking at your piles!! If helpful, write down your answers, to hold yourself accountable with the next step.
   

For some people, having three or four t-shirts is plenty, because they rarely wear them. For others, it's part of a daily wardrobe, and wash gets done about every 10 days. Having 15 or so t-shirts is more realistic for this person. Now, as you go through your categories of clothes, count how many you're starting with. Let's say the reasonable number of t-shirts to own is 15, but the pile has 32. We've got some work cut out for us! Go through the pile once, tossing t-shirts into a donation bag that are the easiest to part ways with. Now how many are left? 20. Go through once more, trying to donate another five from the pile.

Perhaps, you're keeping some because it's from a special event (like a race or organization), but you actually never wear it. Then, these t-shirts should not be considered part of the 15 keepers. These t-shirts should be set aside to pack up with memories. Maybe, now you're down to 14 shirts! Hooray! If you really feel strongly about it, pick one out of the donate bag to complete your desired 15 t-shirts. Otherwise, have a little wiggle room; you can always get another t-shirt, right?


So, there is a number of each type of clothing item that everyone should have. It's just a different number for each person. Remember, you made those goal numbers, so you should stick with them. Otherwise, you're going to just fill the closet back up again with no sense of up or down!

Summertime Fun-time!

Now that it's finally starting to feel like summer outside, I thought I'd talk a little bit about grabbing your summer to-go bag. What should be in there? How big should it be? Where to keep it?

What should be in my summer to-go bag? Well, that depends on who the bag's for. Just you? Kids? Pets? Keep that in mind while packing up. We're going to talk on the basis that this bag is for you alone, and you can add in what others might need along the way. It's summer, which means the sun is out! So, we'll likely want protection in the form of a hat, sunglasses and/or sunblock. If you're grabbing and going for outdoor activities, like the beach or a picnic, feel free to throw in a water bottle, a hair rubber band and maybe even a beach or gym towel. If you're really active, toss in an extra change of clothes while you're at it. And, of course, keep personal care in mind: gum, snacks or medicine are good ideas to toss in with your basic first aid kit (bandages and the like) and a bottle of hand sanitizer or baby wipes.

How big should this bag be? Again, it depends on how many you're packing for. But, try to keep it manageable. Over-sized beach bags are called over-sized for a reason! Keep it large enough to hold what you'll need, but small enough that you can carry it along with a purse, picnic basket, bike helmet or diaper bag. This is the bag I'm using this summer:

 

It's available at Target, in a variety of colors/patterns. I have one in a multi-color stripe. It's large enough that when I went to the beach a few days ago, I had room for my wallet, phone, ear buds, gum, a snack, water bottle, beach towel, change of clothes, magazine, book, sunblock and sunglasses! It fit tons!

Where to keep this wonder-bag? Well, it depends on how often you'll grab for it, who's grabbing for it and what kind of entry/exit space you have. If you have hooks or cubbies near your door, hang it in there for easy access and easy put-away. Otherwise, stash it in a closet near by. If you know it will be a rare occasion to grab your summer bag, then keeping it in a linen or bedroom closet is fine, too. Just make sure it doesn't get buried under clothes and towels!

Happy summer!

The Secret Danger of Shopping at Thrift Stores

There are some great things about shopping at a thrift store or resale shop. Prices are low. Products are usually still of decent quality. Half the time, profits are going to a good cause. And, by buying these items, you're helping keep some things from going in the trash and clogging up a landfill.

It's really great to be able to help these places with your patronage. Sometimes, we can even bag up our unwanted and unneeded items and drop them off at the store's location. Generally, not out of the way and easy. Many places will even help you unload your car and provide a receipt verifying your donation.

But, there's something sneaky going on there.

How many times do you drop off a bag to empty out the trunk of the car....then, pull around to the parking lot and pop in - just to see if there are any good deals inside? Caught ya!

If you're looking for something, by all means, visit your local thrift store. I personally shop at them too, from time to time. It's great for picking up dishes I've broken from a set or a platter I know I'll be leaving at an event. Or, if I need a costume, I can most definitely find something on the racks.

Still, I don't ever want to be browsing the aisles just to see the items I donated a week ago staring back at me. It'll beg me to take it home again! I'll see it as new and think I can use it again - this time.

Not true.

Please keep the donations coming out of the house. It's great for you and your space; it's great for the charity you're supporting. But, please take them to a place you won't stop in to browse and accidentally buy something you owned a month ago.

If you don't know of any other place to take your donations, contact me! I'm happy to let you know where you can go that's convenient to you. Or, help you set up a free charity pick up at your home. No leaving the house and no loading the car. And, no chance of buying those items back!

Should I Be an Organizer, Too?

I receive a lot of calls and emails from people looking to explore the organizing industry. Some of them go on to work within the professional organizing field, while others realize there is a better fit in another career for them. But, how can I help someone decide if it's a direction they should move in?

The first distinction a person thinking of going in to this line of work should realize is that there is a big difference between organizing one's own space and organizing the space of someone else. Personally, how I organize my own home is very different than how I help my clients organize their homes. My work flow is different; my thought process is different; my needs are different; and, of course, my amount of possessions and size of rooms are different. Each time I work with someone, we assess all those things so the new systems we implement will work for them, their needs and their space.

Secondly, patience. And, more patience. Everyone works at a different pace. Sometimes we fly through a project faster than I could have anticipated. Other times, it takes three times longer. That's okay. But, a new organizer might not be prepared and lose patience with the client and/or the project. Then, it's time to take a step back and reassess. Be mindful that this is not your project; it's the client's project.

Most of all, I stress the need for education and networking. To successfully enter this industry, education should be step number one. There are countless courses available online, through NAPO, the ICD and independent organizing companies and organizers everywhere. Take advantage of these classes! Join some kind of networking group. Preferably, a NAPO chapter. The colleagues in this industry are indispensable. Techniques to work with clients, ways to run a business, referrals and people to be hired or to hire are all around. And, it certainly doesn't hurt to be involved in other networking groups to spread word that you are now offering these services.

Assessing your interest in truly helping others, versus a personal interest in the act of organizing objects; practicing patience and getting out there are key steps to creating a fantastic start in what might be the best career you've ever had!

Where Can I Donate This?

Part of my job, as an organizer, is to know where things can go - even when they're leaving your space. Most of know about what has become standard donation places: Good Will, The Salvation Army and those drop-off boxes that dot parking lots. But, sometimes we want to pass along something more unique than old kitchen dishes or jeans we don't wear anymore. Where to bring those things so they're put to great use? Here are some good places to start*:

• Furniture: Divine Consign in Oak Park, IL features modern furniture on consignment, as well as housewares.
• Architectural Pieces: The ReBuilding Exchange in Chicago, IL will accept donations of doors, windows and other reclaimed building materials.
• Cameras: KEH Camera will even buy old cameras!
• Computers: PCs for Schools will accept electronics, whether working or not, to be properly recycled, wiped clean and refurbished for underfunded schools.
• China and Crystal: Replacements, Ltd. will buy pieces, even if you don't have a full set!
• Linens: Animal shelters usually take sheets and blankets to help line crates and beds for our fuzzy friends.
• Books: While Open Books will take any book in sellable condition, SCARCE's Book Rescue will also accept books that are torn, mildewed and worse for wear.
• Hazardous Waste: The state will tell you where/when to go in your area.
• Stuffed Animals: Many donation centers no longer accept stuffed animals due to bed bugs, lice and general spread of germs; however, Stuffed Animals for Emergencies does!
• Eyeglasses: Almost all eyeglass stores now have collection bins so old frames and lenses can be reused for the less-fortunate.
• Instruments: Hungry for Music provides instruments to underprivileged children who want to learn to play.
• Wine Corks: Time to get rid of that collections that has only been collecting dust the past decade? Yemm & Hart will take them!
• Latex Paint: In case someone else likes that color still, send it along to Earth Paints.
• All Things Baby: Swap.com will buy, sell and trade all things for the little ones running around.
• Everything Else: Zealous Good will match your items up with someone who needs them; FreeCycle is a way to get rid of anything for free; and Earth 911 will help you figure out where to take items and what can be done with them to keep things out of landfills.

If there's something in particular you're looking to pass along, feel free to let me know. I'm happy to put you in touch with the right group!

*This listing is not an endorsement of any of the charities or businesses listed, but rather meant as an informational listing to aid in your own search.

5 Ways to Make Spring Cleaning Easier Than Ever

Today, I was featured as a guest blog writer for 1-800-Junk-Relief! Check out my article, "5Ways to Make Spring Cleaning Easier Than Ever."

A Disorganized Computer

In today's world, we are behind a screen more than ever. A computer, a tablet, a phone, a TV. I'd bet, half the time, there's even more than one screen within eye-shot at any given moment, too. So, how does this effect our sense of organization - or disorganization?

Most working in the corporate world are relaying information and documents electronically more than on paper. So, even if our paper piles are organized, thinned out and properly filed away, it does little good if we rarely refer back to those files.

Take a look at your email inbox. Take a look at your computer files.

Is your desktop covered in icons? Some of which you don't know where they came from or what they do? If you're looking for a document stored on your computer, are you looking in multiple places because you don't know where it was electronically filed? Wait....do you even have files on your computer?

Treat your electronic documents and bits of information as you would pieces of mail, documents laying on your desk and post-it notes around the house. Categorize all those pieces of information in a way that makes sense for the user. [This becomes more of a challenge on multiple-user systems, but is still very doable]. Are these dream vacation ideas? Then maybe you need a file on your system called "Dream Vacation." Or, if there are lots of vacation-related items, some of which you've taken, maybe a "Vacation" file is more appropriate, with internal files for each trip.

Sure, it's easy to put a word or two in the search bar and see if the right document pops up. But, isn't it easier every single time to know the title of a document and where to find it? Think of all the time you'll save! The frustration you'll save!

Now, all you have to do is find the computer underneath all those papers!

Storage Spaces

Everyone has stuff.

Most people are struggling with where to stash it all.

If you don't have enough storage space: Find non-traditional places to keep those precious items.

• Under bed storage
• Above kitchen cabinets (if you do not have a soffit) 
• Under the couch or similar furniture
• Behind furniture (Think prints and frames behind bookcases)

Add shelving to areas you may not otherwise imagine shelves in:

•  Spaces under stairs
• Odd-shaped closets that are awkward to store things in
• In the middle of the room, as a room divider

And, of course.....try not to keep so much!

When you have plenty of space to store things, but you still can't find a thing: Store items by category in separate spaces.

• Pull out all items from all potential storage areas
• Categorize (all luggage together, all gift wrap together, all holiday decor together, all memories together, and so on)

Move categories to storage spaces that are convenient to when and where those items will be used.

• Once a year or less: deep storage in the basement or attic might work well
• A couple times a year: less deep storage will work: easy access in the basement or the back of a large closet
• Monthly: Within easy reach, like the main closets in the house or under furniture that you can easily get to

If you have a large category and a large space, regardless of how often you reach for those items, store category "x" there.  Likewise, if you have a teeny storage area that you don't want to go to waste, then stash a small category in there that doesn't require it's own walk-in closet.

Repurposing What You Already Have

In the April 2013 issue of Real Simple Magazine, I saw this idea:

It was a short article about using candle sticks in a new way.  Here, they're used as vases.  They also suggested using the sticks as tiers between trays or as a fancy holder for bangle bracelets.  It got me thinking about all the everyday things around the house that can be used in new ways...to make your life easier and more organized.  Here are some of my favorites:

• Toilet paper/paper towel tubes: Corral wrapping paper, electrical cords, string, ribbon; Stack them vertically in a  drawer to hold pairs of socks, tights or scarves.
• Wine corks: Use them to hold anything sharp - for needles in a sewing kit, as an earring holder, for safety pins in the "junk" drawer
• Any box or bottle with a small opening (think baby wipes tub or cheese shaker): Great for holding rolls of string/yarn that you want to pull out of the opening.
•  Over-the-door show bags: Amazing for just about anything! Separate and hold accessories belts, scarves, socks, barrettes and jewelry; Hold spice packets in the kitchen; Sort make-up and vitamins in the bathroom; Keep small toys up off the ground in the playroom...and so much more!
• Ladders: Old, rickety ladders that aren't great to stand on still have some life in them around the house! Lean them against a wall to hold extra blankets or drape sweaters dramatically.  While doing some research, I found some amazing bookshelves made from ladders on Bored Panda:

 

• Six-pack bottle holders: I use one under my kitchen sink to hold foil, cling wrap and baggies vertically in the bottle slots. They're also useful for confining sauces in the kitchen, beauty products in the bedroom or remotes in the family room. Cover them with wrapping paper or collages to match any decor.  And, if they break or rip....finding a replacement is never a big investment!

 Need more inspiration? Do an image search for "repurpose" or something like that. You'll find TONS more than you ever imagined! Just like this article...that may or may not have sidetracked me tonight.  So many great, creative ideas!

Unpacking

Today I helped a couple move into a two bedroom apartment.  Each of the new residents were there, as well as two friends, and myself.  We worked for only four hours and unpacked a large majority of their boxes and crates!  It was a great day! Some lessons learned and ideas to share when it's your turn to help unpack:

• As boxes and furniture make their way into the home, have the movers put them directly into the room the contents will belong.  This, of course, implies the boxes are all labeled properly.  It prevents extra lifting and shuffling things around.
• Decide where furniture will be placed before unpacking anything.  It's horrible to fill a china cabinet or bookcase, just to realize you want it some place else.
• Tackle one area at a time.  Then, move on to the next space.  It's okay to start with small spaces if the larger rooms are too overwhelming at first.  For example, the bathroom.  Or, today, we started with unpacking the lady-of-the-house's clothes' closet. 

And, we actually set it up completely; we didn't just pull things out of the box.

•  Spread out all of one type of item at a time.  Perhaps that's clothes or plates and spoons.  It allows you to assess how much space you'll need to store all these items, as well as pick out your favorites.  Here, you see a handy friend unpacking and sorting all the couple's books.  Categorized stacks were shelved once she was able to determine how much shelf space each category needed.

•  As you're comparing favorites and finding that there might be more than you thought of something, have a donation box or bag nearby.  Fill it up as you sort and unpack.
• If there are duplicates of anything that you won't need at hand, put them into a storage area to "shop" from when you run out - before going to the store.
• Break down boxes as they become empty.  It'll save on floor space and allow you to appreciate all the hard work you've done.  Recycle, store or pass them along to someone else to use.

Now, with the help of just a couple friends, for just an afternoon and a pizza delivery, this couple can enjoy their first night in their new home.  Bookshelves filled, table to sit at, kitchen to cook in and tub to soak in.  It wasn't complete....but, it was home.

Why Professionalism Matters

As President of the NAPO-Chicago chapter, I quarterly write a piece for our newsletter.  This week I've decided to share my last  letter, as I think it relates to all professions.

I was recently brought in on a large-scale project. The family was in dire need of a variety of services that a third party was coordinating. The project head had an assistant that was supposed to be my contact. In the weeks leading up to the project, there were a lot of communication problems. Information was missing; information was provided in an untimely manner and so on. Not only was this frustrating, but it hindered the success of the project as a whole.

Instead of placing blame on who did or didn't do what they “should” have done, I'd rather concentrate on the importance of why all of us should embrace our professional side so that we can walk away from our clients knowing we conducted ourselves appropriately.

Each of us has a vision as to what kind of company and services we'd like to represent. Regardless of the details of that vision, we probably can all agree that we want our clients and our peers to agree that we are, in fact, a professional. I conducted a bit of research as to what most people agree makes a professional. Most sources agree that there are some key areas that are important to creating this image:

• Dress and speak the part
• Write well
• Be on time/Honor commitments
• Communicate early and often
• Have the infrastructure you need for the job at hand
• Mind your hygiene
• Don't make excuses or lie
• Don't talk about clients behind their backs
• Be positive
• Offer to help
• Don't air your dirty laundry

Even the best of us can use a reminder. How often are you running just a few minutes late? When have you agreed to tackle a project, thinking you'll figure it out when the time comes (lacking the proper infrastructure)? When did you walk in to a session already wanting to go home? We've all fell below par on some of these at one time or another. And, we're human; we're not going to be perfect. But, professional does not mean perfect. It means we are respecting those we're working with. We're respecting the problems we are there to help solve. We're respecting emotions and attitudes. Most importantly, we're respecting ourselves.

Reverse the list above:

• Dressing and speaking poorly
• Writing in a nonsensical manner
• Being late/Forgetting commitments
• Lacking communication
• Lacking infrastructure
• Ignoring hygiene needs
• Making excuses and lying
• Gossiping
• Being negative
• Only looking out for yourself
• Airing all your secrets

Just reading this list over, we can all imagine how unreliable, uncomfortable and undesirable that working situation has become – even if just one or a couple of these are occurring. These characteristics have created a counterproductive workplace – for anyone involved. Productivity and job satisfaction will fall. Not to mention your over all physical and mental well-being.

Having worked in a less than professional situation, I'd rather not do so again. What does that mean for me and my company? It means I will refer work I'm not interested in or prepared for. I will do my best to stay positive and timely. I won't give excuses. Primarily, I will respect myself enough to let those working on projects with me know when they are acting unprofessional.

Collections

Humans love to collect things.  We really do.  From what I've heard and read, it's likely a habit from our hunting and gathering days - the desire to hoard what we can because soon there won't be any food or supplies for the taking (due to weather, animal herds moving, etc.).

As you may have noticed, those days are long over.  Our DNA has allowed us to hang on to some of those characteristics from our ancestors.  Most of these traits are good - like our "fight or flight" instincts.  But, for some of us, collecting has become a large part of our lives, our homes and our identities.

There are tons of shows on TV now that showcase people and their collections.  Antiques, memorabilia, media, clothes, toys, you name it...someone wants a lot of it!  Sometimes it can be lucrative, sure.  And, sometimes it can become an obsession and take over a space.

How do we stop it before it begins?  How do we put a halt to it when we realize it's more than we can handle or hold or showcase?

Gather ALL the collection in one spot.  That's right - all of it!  Get those boxes out of storage and out from under the bed.  Unpack the items and set them all out.  I understand this might mean there would be hundreds of snow globes suddenly overtaking your dining room instead of throughout the house and packed in to boxes.  Good.  That's what we want.

Now that you can see the entire collection, you'll be able to start making some decisions.  First, go through all the items to assess if any are no longer acceptable pieces of your collection.  For example, are there broken pieces?  Discolored, ruined, ripped or otherwise undesirable?  If so, toss or donate (if the item is still usable by someone who is not a collector). 

Second, group the collection, if possible.  By designer, by theme, by year, etc.  This won't be applicable to every collection, but is helpful when it does applies.

Now, go through the collection and really ask yourself some tough questions:
1) Do I love this item? Does it bring joy to my life and my space? 
2) Does it remind me of a time or person I'd like to forget?
3) Do I remember why I have this item?  When or where I acquired it?
4) Does this still add value to my collection? Am I honoring it as a piece of this collection (or has it been hidden away for who knows how long)?
5) Would I value the space it would open up and the cash I may earn by passing this item along to someone who would enjoy it more than I enjoy the item itself?

If it will help you, have a friend (or designer or professional organizer) walk you through these questions - FOR EACH ITEM OF THE COLLECTION!  And, answer honestly.  The items that you decide to keep as part of your collection should be displayed, safely, such that you can enjoy your collection you've worked so hard to accrue.

Photographs & Albums

I'm pretty sure each person out there has a stash somewhere in the house for their photos.  A box, a shopping bag, a drawer..it's out there, I bet.

What to do about all those photos?  Well, the first thing is find some time.  Set aside maybe just a half an hour to get started.  It doesn't have to be a full day to get what seems like a monster of a project.  It could even be during the time you normally spend vegging out on the couch at night.  We can get this done in manageable, small chunks. 

After you've figured out when you've got a bit of time to dedicate, we want to see just what you've got there.  In this digital world, chances are you won't ever need negatives again.  Think about pulling out and tossing the whole lot of them.  From there, start to sort out your photos.

Make piles of photos based on how you'd like to set up your final product - whether that be an album or a photo box.  You might find your self creating piles of photos by year.  Or, it might be easier to categorize by events: weddings, parties, holidays, dance recitals, baseball games.  Make sure you stay consistent in your piles, however.  For example, if you're categorizing by year, don't worry about what order the photos are being put in the pile for "1999."  That will happen soon!

As you're sorting through that bag of long lost photos, pull out and toss any photos you would never want to see again: blurry pictures, obstructed views, doubles, photos where your eyes are closed.  Toss them.  If you're concerned about privacy for any reason, go ahead and shred them.

Now, comes the only tricky part.  Take each of those stacked up categories and start to sort them in an even more detailed manner, if you want to.  If you're content to simply have an album of "2010" or a photo box of "Dance Recitals," skip this step.  However, if you'd like the photos of 2010 at least grouped by event or the photos from each dance recital grouped together, then you'll want to do that.  And, don't be hard on yourself if you find that some photos you have no idea when they were or why they were taken.  That's okay!

Now that all the bad photos are gone and the good photos are grouped together, we can figure out how to store them.  Decide if you'd like an album or photo box.  If it's a box, start to load the photos in.  Label the box as to what's inside.  If there are multiple categories in one box, use a divider to separate and label the contents.  Most photo boxes come with these dividers.

If you're using albums, you'll need to count how many photos are in each larger group (the year, for example).  The only reason to do this is to know what size album you'll need.  If there will be a series of albums, it may not be necessary; you can just fill one and start the next where the first left off.  However, if you want separate albums for separate categories, then make sure you have an album that can hold the amount of photos you want.

Keep in mind this will take some time, especially if there's a lot of photos to go through.  However, it doesn't have to all happen at once.  Go through a couple handfuls of pictures each night, and after some time, it'll all be done.  This project can be completed!

Paper, Paper Everywhere!

Paper is everywhere.  Even in our technological world.  Mail. Letters. Ads. Coupons. Magazines. Books. Receipts.

There are two major traps that befall those of us surrounded by paper: 1) Keeping things we can actually get rid of - just in case and 2) Keeping things to read.....someday.....


Keeping things we can actually get rid of:  The IRS has a lot to do with what I recommend everyone keep.  They suggest you keep some items related to the taxes filed each year.  However, it's a pretty long document to sift through, at seven pages.  Still, it is specific enough to state not only what to keep, but how long to keep it.  Remember to shred and not toss the things related to your taxes, when the time comes to get rid of it.

Consumer Reports breaks it down a little more easily for us. 
Keep for 1 year or less:

• Bank records (checking and savings)
• Credit card bills (for non-tax related expenses)
• Insurance policies
• Investment Statements
• Pay stubs
• Receipts

Keep for a limited time:

• Large purchases for the home
• Investment purchases
• Loan documents
• Savings Bonds
• Vehicle records

Never get rid of:

• Defined benefit plan docs
• Estate planning
• Life insurance
• Safe deposit box inventory

Forbes and The NY Times also have some good information available on what to keep and how long.  Always check with your accountant, lawyer and/or tax preparer to make sure guidelines are specific to your situation.

Keeping things to read....someday......  In a perfect world, everyone would have more than enough time to read and absorb all the things we'd like to.  But, those magazines, articles and books stack easily, don't they?  Let's start with items that are hanging around because you'd like to remember the information available in it (opposed to stories, etc.).  Ask your self two questions: 1) Am I still interested in reading about this topic?  2) Can I find this information somewhere else? Keep in mind, there's the library and the Internet - both a wealth of information!

What about the things that just look like a good read?  Stories, novels, something for fun?  Again, two questions to ask yourself: 1) Am I still interested in reading this story?  Maybe your interests have changed since it was added to the pile.  2) Do I have the time to give to this article?  With the free time I have available, do I want to spend it reading this?  Perhaps yes, perhaps no.  Be realistic, too.  Be realistic about how long it would take you to finish the article or story, and be realistic about how much time you have to commit.