A Peak Inside an Organizer's Kitchen

I've organized a lot of kitchens. It's one of my favorite spots to tackle for a couple reasons: I love food and I I love cooking. I get excited finding new gadgets and seeing beautiful serving pieces. It's also an awesome bonus that getting rid of old food creates automatic open space! Let's take a look at how I set up my own kitchen:

Spices: For years now I've been setting up all my spices in drawers instead of the traditional tiered rack in a cabinet. Mostly, that has to do with what cabinet and drawer space I have available in my kitchen. Notice that I've lined the spices in alphabetical order. It's the quickest way I can find what I'm looking for, instead of say, baking vs. cooking. Oddly shaped spices (boxes and bags) are set to one side to streamline the jars as best as possible.

Food: This is one of my food cabinets; I don't have a pantry. On the top shelf are items I don't often grab.
One bin has sprinkles, and one bin has baking extras like extracts and baking chips. The middle shelf houses items I reach for from time to time: one bin of pasta, one bin of other grains and cereals to the side. Below are all my oils, vinegars and sauces - things I reach for almost every day.

Containers: Everyone asks. I personally stack like sized containers together with their lids inside. If I had the space I'd stack all the containers, lidded. But alas, I do not.

Utensils: In this drawer you'll notice that I've separated out plastic wear to the left, knives to the right and other sharps in the bin in the back. Within the utensil tray I also
separated different sizes of spoons and forks. It's easier for my tiny hands to grab the spoon I want this way!

Baking: If you know me, you know I love to bake! This drawer houses all my baking prep supplies. Measuring spoons and cups are nested together. Utensils like spatulas and scoops are tossed together in the tray on the right. Bowls are nested, while small tools are gathered in the front right bin. FYI, those silicone rings are used on the rolling pin to create different thicknesses of dough. Awesome, right?!

What's your organizing challenge in the kitchen?

5 Ways to Get it Done Now!

Bored? Procrastinating? Other things to do? We all have those excuses and reasons to not do something we should do. Here are five ideas to help get you on track:

1) Set a timer. For 15 or 20 minutes to start. Get as much done as you can before the timer dings. If you still have some gusto left, set it again. Do this daily until the project is complete.

2) Alternate with something more fun. Complete part A of the task, then read a chapter. Finish part B of the project, then watch a TV show. Finish the third part, then paint your nails.

3) Have someone help. Tell your friend/relative/neighbor/professional organizer that for the next 'x' minutes, you are to work on this task. Together. Then, you can make plans for whatever else you like to do together. The other person is there to help support you through the project - without judging - and keep you on task. You can also try delegating parts of the project to your helper.

4) Get rid of distractions. Shut the door. Silence the phone. Turn off the TV and radio. Concentrate.

5) Have a reward at the end. Ice cream. A movie. A dance party in your office. Anything your more-organized heart desires!

Why Kids Make You More Disorganized

A Top 5 List:

1) They need so much stuff! Bottles, diapers, toys, books, clothes, art supplies.... we could all go on forever.

2) They keep growing! Just when your kid has grown into one size, the seasons change and you need to buy a whole new wardrobe. Just so it all won't fit next year.

3) They're messy! (Usually). Kids don't know it's gross to eat off the floor. They also don't know that stepping on Legos is horribly painful.

4) TOYS. Toys = stature on the playground. The more toys you have, the more other kids want to play with you and said toys. And, then they get older and want new, different toys. But, they don't want to get rid of all the old toys, either.

5) You're sentimental! It's your baby. Of course you want to keep every single piece of genius artwork and paper written. Of course.

It's no wonder you feel overwhelmed. The good news is, the more organized you are, the easier it will be to tolerate all the changes that will continue to come your (and your child's) way!

Quick Tips You Always Forget

There are a handful of things professional organizers tend to keep in mind that always impress our clients... but, are really just common sense ideas we simply keep at the top of mind. Here are a few things that you likely don't consider, but can make a huge difference in your space:

1) Move the shelves! If you're having a hard time getting your items to fit in your kitchen cabinets, linen closet, book cases, etc. try moving the shelves. Sometimes that inch or two is all the solution you need. (Note: don't try to move the shelves if you do not, in fact, have adjustable shelves.)

2) Fold your sheets! I know, I know. Folding a fitted sheet is a pain for almost everyone. But, it can really increase the amount you can fit in a space, as well as look nicer. If you need some guidance, ask Martha, of course. This is how I fold fitted sheets.

3) Store shoes toe-to-heel! Simply put, it lets you keep more shoes in a row in any given space. I promise.

4) Media can stand and/or lay on your shelf! Traditionally, books, movies and music stand in a row on a shelf. However, sometimes it fits the space better if you stack the items on their side. This is especially handy for shorter items that you have in abundance.

5) Label things! I know I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it at least once more. Even if you're setting up the space just for yourself, labels help remind you where things were moved, where to find them and where to put them away. It will help build your new habits. If it's a space that's all your own, once you've conquered your old habits and created new, you can always remove the labels.

Keeping Memories

Much of what I come across when working with clients is a memory. A report card, a piece of artwork, a gift, a prom dress, Mom's old cookbook. It comes in a variety of forms. It comes with a variety of feelings.

There are also memories associated with loss. Pictures from a wedding of a couple that is now divorced. Toys from a child who has passed away. Correspondence from a roommate that left on unhappy terms. Work from a job you were fired from.

Stacking memories into boxes and bins seems to be a very human thing to do. We want the memories. We want to remember who we are, who we were and where we came from. And, that makes sense. And, though I don't necessarily think we should try to edit or alter those things, we can also make the process easier on ourselves.

Why keep a gift from an aunt who was always mean to you? Why keep photos of a past partner that was less than nice? Why keep things that when we see them, make us feel sad or angry? We shouldn't.

Keep the memories that remind you of people and places that make you feel happy. Circumstances that make you laugh. Photos that make you feel good about who you are and where you come from.

Deep breath. Let that item go. Some of those memories can even be donated. Maybe the music box from your crazy ex-boyfriend will be just what someone was looking for. It can make them smile instead of making you frown.

It's in the Bag

Today, I thought we'd talk about organizing our everyday bags - whether that be a purse, carry-all or satchel. Really, it's all the same. It holds the things we need on a daily or almost daily basis. It usually goes with us wherever we may travel - work, gym, store and back home again. And, it can really get messy in there!

First thing's first, let's empty out that bag! Dump it completely out. Shake out the crumbs; wipe down the outsides or any sticky or smudged parts.

Take a look at what was in there. Items that make sense in this kind of bag: wallet, phone, keys, anything else you'd need daily - like a calendar or notebook. Set those aside. 

Then, let's look at all those little papers and receipts. Do you need them for any reason still? Toss it, if not. If you do put it in one of two places: the proper file or in a place where you'd need to access it. For example, if you need the receipt for a return, stick it (literally) to the item and get it in the car. Or, if you're not sure if you'll return it yet, keep a small ouch or envelope for those slips of paper. Keeping it in your bag or the car door might be a good place to store the pouch. Just remember to weed through it from time to time!

Lastly, take a gander at what's left. Make-up, toys, tissues, all those things. Whatever simply needs to be put away elsewhere should do just that. From whatever's left decide if it should live in this bag. Maybe carrying snacks and lip gloss makes sense for your daily or weekly routine. Maybe a map doesn't need to be in there now that you're home from vacation.

Finally, don't just toss it all in there! Most bags have compartments and zippered pockets. Use these! Keep like items with like - just like organizing any other area. If you really have a cavernous bag, consider getting an insert for separating things. There are purse organizers available, as well as good ol' fashioned zippered vanity bags. Now you'll have a reason for keeping all those free make-up bags from the department store counters!

A Peak Inside an Organizer's Home

At one point or another, most of my clients ask me something about how my home looks. I usually say something along the lines of 'It's pretty organized, but I'm still human, so it's not perfect.' Well, I figured it would be even better to show you what my home looks like. Let's take a look at my closet/wardrobe.

I live in an urban apartment with two small closets, both about 2' wide x 3' deep. One is a utility closet in the hall with a cabinet in it; the other is in the bedroom. As you can expect, I cannot fit my entire wardrobe in a closet that size. So, I have two free-standing wardrobes in the bedroom. Let's take a look:

 The first wardrobe consists of all my hanging, short items. On the bottom rung, you'll find my sleeveless tops, long sleeved tops and cardigans/jackets. Above that are my 3/4 length sleeved tops, short sleeved tops and skirts. The top shelf has a couple different bins: out of season shoes, bags and mementos. Stacked above is my swimwear. Note that each category of clothing is color coded.

The second wardrobe has a little more going on. Below you'll see my hamper, seasonal and year-round shoes. The bottom shelf has stacks of exercise clothes, pajamas, shorts and t-shirts. Above is a bin with socks in it, another hiding behind with tights. Next to that my pants, all folded. Some folded toward, and some away from the viewer. I'm a pretty short girl, and thus have two different length pants - flat shoes and heels. Keeping
them folded in opposite directions is an easy way for me to differentiate pants when I'm looking for a certain style in a rush. I don't have to flip through them all or try a bunch on to figure out which is which. Next to the pants are a couple baskets above and below a stacking shelf. The bottom basket has underwear, the top has bras. Hanging above on an extra rod are fashion, not winter, scarves. The upper most shelf has linens of all kinds - beach towels, sheets, blankets. There is no other linen closet in the apartment!

And, finally the only real closet in the apartment. Here I have my dresses and winter coats (when out of season). Above are winter accessories and an umbrella (there's also no other coat closet in the apartment). The black bin are my past years' taxes and the handful of files next to the bin are the only papers I have left to keep from transitioning to a paperless office years ago. There's a hook on the wall where I hang belts. Below are two bags of clothes that I've been adding to that will go to donation or a clothes swap. If something doesn't fit quite right when I try it on, into the bags it goes!

(Okay, I admit it, I cleaned up a little bit before taking the pictures...but it usually looks pretty close to this on a daily basis, anyway! Human, not perfect!)

Giving Back to Teenage Moms

A couple months ago, I was looking to expand my horizons and find some new places to explore. I decided to do so through work. After searching out some new venues to share my organizing skills with others, I went to an orientation meeting for volunteers at New Moms, Inc. in the city's west side. Though I was going in the hopes of speaking to group participants at some point, the staff lit up a bit when I mentioned that I was a Certified Professional Organizer®. 

About a week or so after the meeting, a staff member reached out to me asking if I would be interested in helping to organize some areas of their facility. Of course!

New Moms, Inc. is an organization that offers housing, jobs training, emotional support and much more for young and teenage mothers and their children who are usually without a place to live. Though I personally can only imagine what it would have been like to have children when I was a teen, I feel confident that having some sense of organization in my life would only be the iceberg of what I would need. Nevertheless, it would make some parts of life that much easier. 

There are three storage areas that we tackled. The first was a storage closet that houses items that refill a space called The Boutique. Things like make-up, jewelry, clothes and personal care items. But, also kid's clothes, toys, small appliances and so many hand-made donated blankets! There had been some rhyme and reason to the shelves originally, but time had taken a toll. After only an afternoon, the storage closet was ready to be shopped and refilled easily:

I then tackled a basement storage area that housed shelves and shelves of overflow diapers, formula, clothes for moms and babies, toys and seasonal items. Again, a system had been in place at some point, but the amount of items had outgrown it's space (great for the organization!).

Yesterday, I finished with an area referred to as The Boutique. This is where moms go to shop for items they are in need of. Beauty products, clothes, school supplies, books, toys, diapers and so on. The facility had received a grant for some new furniture, so we were able to start from scratch with new cabinets, bins and chalkboard labels (my first time using them!). It turned out pretty great.

All in all, it was pretty great to know that instead of helping an individual or single family have an easier, more peaceful life in their space, I was able to help facilitate an entire group of women and their families feel a little more like themselves, a little more comfortable and a little less lost.

Junk in Your Trunk

We've all done it. Stuffed so much in the trunk of our car that we're not sure it will even latch shut. Why? Why would we do this? Vacation. Shopping. Returning the shopping. Groceries. Carpooling with too many people with too many bags.

No matter the reason, we generally live in an area where cars are our main means of transportation. Leaving us to fill these sometimes great big trunks with...stuff. How can we go about making some sense of it all?

- Take advantage of any built-in organizational items. Many trunks now come with trays or nets built-in. Use them! Whatever items you may regularly toss in the trunk could find cozy homes in these spots.

- Use Velcro®. I always have an emergency kit in my trunk. Thankfully, I've never had to pull it out. Because of that, I love that I can make it stick to one corner of my trunk, out of the way, with it's Velcro® covered bottom. No sliding, no rolling.

- Make sure you really want those things in your trunk. Do you really need roller skates in your trunk when you've never roller skated? All those bags of returns you keep meaning to take back to the department store? Actually take them back; if it's too late, donate or gift the items you don't want. Anything that was supposed to go back in the house, but never made it, finally get to go home again.

Packing to Move

A lot of people are moving this time of year. Here's a couple quick tips to make the packing process easier on everyone (because let's be honest - no one likes packing!):

1) Don't pack anything you wouldn't pay someone else to take to your new home for you. Whether you're hiring movers, using your friends truck or taking things yourself, someone is taking the time and effort to pack, move and unpack your belongings. If you wouldn't pay someone for their time to move that ugly sweater you've never worn, then donate it before it even gets a chance to get packed.

2) Pack like items together. Books with books, beauty products with beauty products, linens with linens. It's that simple. 


3) Have the right materials at hand. Boxes, packing paper, packing tape, garbage bags, marker. Don't assume everything needs packing in a box. Things like large blankets, stuffed animals and hanging clothes can easily be put in garbage bags for transportation.

4) Label boxes. On the top and on at least one side. If the boxes are stacked four high, you don't want to unstack them all just to see what's in the bottom box.

5) Don't make the boxes too heavy. Because you have to lift them. Or, I do. And, that's no fun!