I heard a story this week that I wanted to share with you, just to give you some perspective.

There was a woman who needed to videotape some rooms in her house for insurance purposes. Having just cleaned her home from top to bottom, knowing that she was going to video tape it, she shot the tape and then watched it quickly before delivering it to her safety deposit box.

When she watched the tape, something happened...

She was astonished to see the amount of clutter and junk left on the various surfaces throughout the house. She realized that the camera’s eye was picking up clutter her eyes were simply moving past. She had lived with those items hanging around for so long, she was no longer seeing them!

So, she went back and scrutinized the tape, marched back to those rooms that she had filmed and really went through the stuff, making firm decisions and tossing several items.

She found out how helpful it was to see these rooms through the video.

So, why not get out your video camera and give it a shot. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve never really seen….

Leave me some feedback and let me know how you make out.  If you need some new ideas from a fresh perspective, as to what you can eliminate and organize, contact me.  I am more than happy to help you see your home through a fresh set of eyes.

 

Last time I talked about what I was doing to get organized.  This time, I would like to challenge you to see what you can accomplish.

I thought it would be fun to challenge you to see who can eliminate the most clutter from their homes.

The challenge is about getting rid of one object a day, for … a month? A year? It’s up to you how long you want your challenge to last.  I'm calling it "A THING A DAY" or ATAD.

Whether you give away, trash or donate the object is immaterial, but it must be gone from your life and space. Putting it into storage doesn’t count; though you are allowed to, say, collect the things in a box to donate them at the end of the month.

Oh, and you’re also allowed to cheat and fill your quota ahead of time, like throwing out 7 things on Monday, making that a week’s worth of ATAD.

By telling us on here what you got rid of today will not only help with the accountability issues, you’ll also help others rethink their possessions (He got rid of his xyz? Come to think of it, do I really need mine?)

  What do you think?  Are you up for the challenge?

My fondest memories of summer when I was a kid was going to summer camp.  I loved it!  Making new friends and doing lots of activities during the day in a structured environment suited me perfectly.  I got emotionally attached to my camp counselors every year and cried on the last day of camp every single time!

I went to day camp, Girl Scout camp and overnight camp until I got too old to go. 

This is the time of year when school is drawing to a close and you might be sending your kids off the camp.  Whether it's day camp or overnight camp, it takes some preparation. 

Are you ready for Summer Camp?

I found some tips from the American Camp Association that might help you out.

Plan Ahead - Your happy camper will be living out of a duffel bag, trunk or suitcase for the duration of their camping experience.  If you pack light, it will be easier for your camper to keep track of their items and helps them handle their own luggage at camp.

Review Camp Packing Lists - Each camp should provide a recommended camp packing list, complete with any equipment they require, including recommended footwear, etc.  Carefully review that is needed and pay special attention to the items that are not permitted.  Before packing your child's favor hand held gaming system, make sure the camp permits electronic items.  Many do not.  If you're not sure, speak with the camp director to get clarity.

Label Everything - You can use laundry pens, iron-ons and press-and-stick labels to distinquish your child's items from other campers.  Most camps ask that you label each and every item, including clothing, personal items and toiletries.  Make sure your child knows where the label is located on these items.

Break In Shoes and Boots Before Camp Begins - If you are purchasing new sneakers, boots or any other type of shoes for camp, make sure they wear them at least once before they pack them to be sure they will be comfortable.  The last thing your child wants to do is have to sit out on an activity because they new hiking boots make their feet sore.

Prepare Together - Make sure your camper knows what is being packed and where so they can find what they need when they need it.

If you have a specific question, don't hesitate to contact your camp director.  They are there to help you and your camper prepare for an exciting and fun experience.

Enjoy!

If you have any questions about how to get organized or are too overwhelmed and don't know where to begin, don't hesitate to contact me.  I am more than happy to help!

Have a great week! 

About two weeks ago, my very dearest friend announced that she was going to plan a surprise 21st birthday party for her daughter.  How exciting!  But what an undertaking in such a short amount of time.

You might think that because she is my best friend she would have a similar personality and the likelihood is there that she is organized.  Not in the least bit!

She called me in a panic the past week because she had taken the first step of inviting people - 73 that is!  She basically told everyone she knows and probably some she doesn't know too well to "come on over" this coming Saturday.  So, before she knew it, she has 73 people showing up.  Yikes!  Where will she put them all!

Now she is only days away from the party and there is no plan as to what she is serving or how she is serving 73 people.

Of course, I volunteered to help her out and create an action plan to get everything organized so that the party could run smoothly.

The first mistake that was made was that she did not make a set guest list and really see how many people she was inviting.  She just randomly asked everyone without taking into the consideration the ramifications of her actions.

The next issue is determining what the menu should be and how much food to provide.  (My friend is notorious for purchasing way too much food because she cannot judge how much everyone is going to eat.)  The end result of not planning is that you can end up with so many leftovers, you end up giving it all away because you just don't have room to store it afterwards.

The next issue is how the food will be prepared and served.  Will it be brought in by a caterer or will it need to be prepared at home?  If made at home, when will it be prepared?  Can it be prepared in advance so everything does not have to be done on the day of the party?  How will it be stored?  Is there enough room to store the food until its time to heat it up or serve it?  Do you need to create a schedule for placing items in the oven so they all are done at the same time?

The next issue is whether you have enough supplies - plates, cups, plasticware, napkins, bowls, serving trays, sternos, crock pots, aluminum foil, plastic containers for storage, etc.   When planning the food, you need to determine how it will be served to make sure you are not left stuck in the end with nothing to serve your food on.

The next issue is decorations.  Since this is a surprise party for her daughter that lives at home, no decorating can be done until that morning when she leaves the house to go to work.  It does not mean, however, that you don't plan what to decorate with and where to place it when the time comes.

Lastly, where will you put everyone - in the living room, dining room, kitchen, basement, outdoors?  With a large crowd such as this, the hope is that the weather will cooperate so many will be out in the backyard.  But, if the weather does not cooperate, what is the backup plan?  Will you put up a tent in the backyard?  Do you have enough seating?  Will you be doing a buffet style service and where will it be set up?

No matter what the special event might be - birthday party, anniversary party, christening, bar mitzvah, wedding, it all takes planning.

Be sure to leave yourself enough time in advance to figure out all the various aspects of planning the special event so that it goes off smoothly.  Reduce stress by planning ahead and then you can have a great time along with your guests.  

If you are planning a wedding, why not check out my "U Can Do It Wedding Preparation Checklist" at my ABS Store right on this website.  It provides you with a comprehensive list of what to do starting a year before the wedding. 

Now, that's how you plan a special event!

I was thinking the other day about how much I love what I do for a living.  I wake up each morning and am anxious to start my day because I know it means I will be helping others get organized and enjoy their day too.  I am so fortunate to have discovered a profession that makes me so happy.

Unfortunately, not everyone is as fortunate.  I speak to so many people, through my client base, networking, friends, family and others.  So many people are just not happy with what they do for a living.  So many feel stuck in a rut with their careers and their life in general.

I can't help thinking the story of Cinderella and how she was forced to scrub floors and take care of her step sisters' home.  Even though this obviously was not what she wanted to do, she found a way to make it a more positive experience.  She whistled while she worked!

I am a true believer in a positive attitude.  It can carry you so much further than you ever thought. 

For example, I have a friend who drives a truck and although he is only 50 years old, he will be able to retire in less than 3 years!  He tends to think about having to go to work each day and the fact that he has to put up with a boss who he does not get along with and how early he has to get up every day.  All negative thoughts.

I reminded him how fortunate he is; that at such an early age he will be able to retire and start a new chapter in his life - to choose what he wants to do with it and get a pension at the same time!  How great is that!

My point is, no matter what you do for a living or where you are in life, you can always put a  positive spin on a situation.  Your circumstances can change if you look for the positive.  You don't have to feel so stuck! 

If you are stuck in a rut, look at what you can do to make a change.  This is true with a job, career, marital situation, etc.  This is especially true when it comes to getting organized.

Do you envision eliminating the excess clutter from your home and getting organized once and for all?  If so, you might be overwhelmed and don't know where to start.  You can simply get help from a professional organizer, even to just get you started.  By taking this one step, you will be able to make a positive change in your home and reduce the stress in your life.  Then, you can whistle while you work, just like me!

Keep those positive thoughts coming and start whistling!

Have a great week!

Now that we have put away the holiday decorations, it's time to focus on some of those New Years resolutions.

A common resolution is to organize your crafts.  You enjoy all your crafts but they are stored haphazardly throughout your home.  They are in the family room, they are on the dining room table, they are all over the floor in the basement, they are in a pile on the kitchen counter.

It's time to get it together and get them organized!

Here are some suggestions to make your craft place A Better Space:

If you find that you are taking too much time to find the necessary materials and it's affecting your craft-making abilities, it's time to focus your creative energy towards a designated craft room.  Keeping your craft supplies organized will save you lots of time - more time to create, less time to locate what you need.

Whether you're into card making, scrap booking or any other type of craft, you'll have more time for the things you love when they are organized.

First rule is to keep all of your supplies and materials in one area of your home, and stick to it! Look around your home. 

Select a space that will provide you with sufficient storage space, space to work and, if need be, the ability to watch of your child as you work.  Why not designate a space in the playroom?  This will keep both of you busy!

If you prefer to have good lighting instead of convenience, set up an area in a well-lighted room.

Are you dealing with a small space?  Why not turn a standard closet into a craft closet, to keep things tucked away when you're not working.  Depending on the situation, you might be able to put a desk space in the closet with storage overhead to create a craft room.  If not, consider using a folding table that you can store away when not in use. 

Be sure to organize by hobby. When you have multiple hobbies (and a lot of creative people do), keep things separated. You can use a different shelf, drawer and/or color-coded container for each craft.  Try to keep these different items confined to their assigned areas so they are easy to locate when needed.  Make sure to put things back in their designated space when finished working on them at the end of the day to keep them organized and distinquished from other craft projects.

Designate a general space in your craft area for items you tend to use in every project - like scissors, glue guns and tape.  Store these items in an easy to access area, such as in a drawer or in a box on a shelf over your work space.

Think vertically.  Look up!  Look down!  Utilize all of the available space, without overrunning the home with craft supplies.  Think about using wall space for vertical shelving, over door space with clear shoe organizers to hold various supplies and even storage under a bed or table. (If it's visible, use a decorative container.)  You will be amazed at how much room you can create for your crafts.  Be creative!

If you want to be mobile, think about using on-the-go storage. A rolling cart will give you the flexibility to take your creative works with you.  Be sure to select a portable container that can organize your projects and supplies by compartmentalizing them.

Use your imagination to create a place where you can maximize your potential without the distraction of clutter and most importantly, ENJOY!

If you need any assistance with this or any other type of organization, please feel free to contact me.  I will be more than happy help.

Have a great week! 

‘Twas the week before Christmas when all through our house,
There was clutter and chaos…but, thankfully, no mouse!

The mantle was bare, the wreath still in my car,
Not a cookie was baked, not even a bar.

I’d addressed not a card, not a gift had been wrapped,
The jet lag had got me, I just wanted to nap!

One tree was half decorated, the other not bought,
The stockings still packed and the Village was naught.

Ornaments and tissue paper were strewn all about,
I was tempted to say, ‘We’ll just do without!’

But our children and grandchildren will be here next week,
And I know it’s a peaceful, joyful holiday they seek.

So rally I must, this is really a test,
Can I do it? Can I make this Christmas one of the best?

I’ll put on some music, brew some tea, make a list,
I’ll do what I can, the rest won’t be missed.

That we have our health and our loved ones are near,
Is all that we need for our holiday cheer!

SO, LET'S GET ORGANIZED NEXT YEAR!!!! 

For now, five strategies for surviving the next seven days:

Lower expectations. There’s not time to do everything but there’s time to do the important things. Even Martha Stewart would have to make choices with this limited amount of time. The trees will be decorated but the lights and the beads do not have to be perfect; perhaps there will not be so many ornaments as in years past. I’ll bake some cookies, but just enough for us to enjoy.

Plan menus to do double duty. The ham and the turkey will do their work for main meals and then appear again as sandwiches, Turkey Curry, and a couple of luscious soups that’ll grow like Topsy when I add some noodles or beans with vegetables. I’ll also make one trip to the store just to stock up on paper goods, dish soap and laundry soap. This is not the time to run out of those staples.

Do things in chunks of time. Instead of racing from one project to the next, I’ll spend one afternoon decorating the dining room, one decorating the living room. I’ll spend one evening baking cookies, another addressing envelopes and yet another doing the layout for the Christmas letter. In those chunks of time, the biggest projects…those that I deem most important…will be done.

Buy some time. There’s just not time to clean the entire house so I’ll hire someone to do the main areas and leave the rest. Clean beds and clean bathrooms top my list. The rest is just fine.

Take care of myself. The best gift I can give my family is to be relaxed and just enjoy this holiday with them. My mood will set the tone for the entire celebration. I’ll get some rest, a bit of exercise, and give myself permission not to be perfect.

No matter how much or how little I do, December 25th will be here next week. I can choose to be stressed or I can relax and enjoy the season. I choose the latter.

It’s truly the best time of the year. May you all have a blessed holiday with your family and friends!

Contact me if you want to make your holiday season a bit easier next year!  I can help.

The other day I was organizing my cosmetics drawer and realized I use many different brands of cosmetics for the various portions of my face.  Clinique, Arbonne, Maybelline, Loreal, etc.

The same is true when it comes to organizing.  There is no one way to do it.  Good organizing, for me, involves taking various pieces of the puzzle and finding the perfect fit for a solution to the problem.

I have always made it clear to my clients that there is not just one way to get organized.  It is very personal and can combine various options to make it work, just like my cosmetics drawer.

When putting the picture together in a space (just like putting the picture together on my face) it can take various types of systems to make it work for you.

When customizing the best way to get yourself organized, remember that by following one way of doing things just might not work for you.  That is why sometimes, my clients have a collection of organizing books but they can't implement the suggestions.  They don't fit their way of doing things.

A good professional organizer will be able to see the various options you can use to implement your own unique way of doing things. 

That's what will create the look (and function) of the space you are working on.

Whether it's a face or a space, the concept is the same; putting the pieces of the puzzle together to create the whole picture.

If you are overwhelmed with the concept of figuring out those pieces of your organizing puzzle, please contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be more than happy to help.

Wishing you an organized week!

If you are not sure whether you are disorganized or not, see how many of the following statements apply to you - and then give me a call!    

• You have been storing clothes for years hoping you'll fit into them again someday...
• You already spent money on books to help you get organized and now you can't find them...
• You've tried to organize your space and now you have less sace than before you started...
• You've tried to purge and ended up with more reasons to keep your clutter instead of letting it go...
• You know you have that item in your home somewhere but rather go out and buy another one rather than looking for it...
• You think you actually have time to redeem all of your Bed, Bath & Beyond coupons that you've accumulated...
• You took everything apart looking for something and now you an't seem to put it back where you found it...
• Things keep appearing in your home or office but you're not quite sure where they are coming from...
• You can't remember the last time you purged and have no plans to purge in the immediate future...

So, do any of these sound familiar?  If so, let's talk - I can help.

If you are unable to utilize my in-home services, I would suggest you check out my U Can Do It product line.  Some are available right on this website; others through Online Organizing at www.onlineorganizing.com   They include the U Can Do It Budgeting System, The U Can Do It Grocery Shopping Checklist, The U Can Do It Room-By-Room Organizing Checklist and the U Can Do it Weekly "To Do" Checklist.  More on the way...

In the meantime, have a great week!

I love to find stories about getting organized! 

Now, even CoverGirl make-up has jumped on the organizing bandwagon and has developed a numerical system for matching up their various types of make-up. 

They claim to have taken the guesswork out of finding your TRU shade with their TRUblend makeup organized system.  This includes liquid foundation, concealer, pressed powder and blush.  The system is numbered from 1 through 6 (1 being the lightest shade, 6 being the darkest shade). 

For example, if your TRUblend liquid makeup is a 2, then your TRUblend pressed power, concealer and blush are also a 2.  

Organizing can be so beneficial, even when it comes to purchasing  your make-up.  Gotta love that!

Now that that problem is solved, if you have any other organizing issues you would like me to address, please feel free to contact me at A BETTER SPACE.  I will be more than happy to help.

Have a great week!

I love professional organizing because it gives me a great opportunity to use my imagination.  This past weekend, I was working with one of my clients.  She is making great strides in getting her home organized once and for all.

We were working in the kitchen area to make some sense of her plastic containers and her recycling of cans and paper, among other things.

This particular client purchases the cardboard boxes of soda which you can open up on one side and it acts as a dispenser. 

Going through the organizing process with her, we recognized that because her particular apartment complex does not participate in recycling, she is transporting her recycling items in her car to a local drop-off point.  Needless to say, transporting a slew of empty soda cans can be annoying and cumbersome.  

I love to teach my clients to "think outside the box", (to coin a phrase).  We figured out that we could use the empty soda can box/dispenser to fill with empty soda cans to be transported to the local recycling center.  It already has a handle to carry the box, so what could be easier! 

This is a perfect example of how you can take something you already have and put it to use in a different way.  I promised my client I would pass this tidbit of information on to my blog readers.

So, take a moment when looking for a solution to a problem and remember to "think outside the box"!!! 

If you have any great suggestions on how to use something old in a new way, send me an email and tell me about it.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or organizing problems you would like me to address, simply send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

Enjoy the start of Fall and have a great week!

I recently heard about a book called "Loving Frank" by Nancy Horan. It was about the romance of Frank Lloyd Wright (the famous architect) and Mamah Borthwick Cheney. I heard it was a riveting story with a tragic ending.  

There is an portion of the book that us organizers would find fascinating: 

It seems Frank was hyper-sensitive to space and objects.  It is said Mamah remembered many evenings when Frank would sit down to dinner and would promptly sweep aside his silverware. It was a habit that struck Mamah as crude and quite rude, since she had just set the table only moments before.

'Why do you do that?' she'd asked him once.

'Do what?'

'Push aside your silver that way, as if you're angry.'

'I hate clutter.'

'Silverware is clutter?' she asked.

'Until I'm ready to use it, yes.'

I find it interesting that some can be surrounded by clutter and not even notice it while others, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, would be bothered by a simple item such as a fork that was not being used at that particular moment.  

I recognize there is middle ground here.  It's somewhere between being bothered by a fork not being used at the moment and considering it clutter, like Mr. Wright, and eating your meals at the kitchen table on the top of a pile of paper or surrounded by clutter without being bothered by it. 

If you, however, are bothered by your clutter or have any questions or problems you would like me to address, please send me an email at info@4abetterpace.com and I will be glad to help.

Wishing you an organized week!

It seems like yesterday we were getting ready for the Summer season.  The time is flying by but you still have time to organize the time that remains. 

Summer is my favorite season of the year.  I love the warm summer days, outdoor activities, the fact that the sun doesn't set until about 8:30 and the natural beauty of my backyard on a quiet summer evening.  It is a wonderfully lazy time of year.

However, it doesn't mean we can't be productive at the same time. Here are a few examples to help you organize so you can chill out this summer:

1. Plan your dinner first thing in the morning. Make it a crock pot or grill meal. Defrost your meat in the refrigerator overnight. Get your veggies washed and ready early in the morning.  Plan your dessert --something cool and fresh. For example, fruit, pudding, Jell-O, or a simple scoop of ice cream or sherbert.

2. Pre-cook or pick up a rotisserie chicken.  Use the chicken for a dinner or lunch during the week. It's quick and delicious!

3. Do the laundry in the morning. Before the heat of the day sets in, you will be done. If you can, hang clothes outside to air dry. There's nothing like the smell of freshly aired sheets on a bed.

4. Use bath towels a couple of times before washing them. Have each person hold on to their towel for a couple of uses if possible. Designate a different color for each family member. Put hooks on the back of bathroom doors to hang them to dry.  If the kids are in the pool, have them put their towels over the railings or a portable drying rack to dry, and use them again.  Less laundry in the summer is great.

5. If you are planning a trip to the beach, have everything packed up and in the car the night before--including non-perishable foods. If possible have all the perishable foods prepped and ready to grab from the refrigerator and placed in your cooler before you leave.  This will save the last minute hassle of loading up the car in the morning so you can get to the beach earlier!

6. Plan some short distance or local places to visit.  Visit an amusement park, a museum, or public park. Pretend you are visiting a new city and look at it with "new eyes", even if you have been there before. Exhibits change often, or perhaps they are a favorite exhibit that you enjoy seeing over and over again.

7. Have a picnic dinner one evening each week. Sit outside and have sandwiches--perhaps the kids can help prepare them. Serve quick-to-prepare items like fruit salad or pre-made potato salad from your grocer. Be creative!  If the weather doesn't cooperate, throw a big blanket on the floor and have a picnic in the family room or living room! It is the "being together" that is important.

8. Store some home decorations away for the summer. The house will feel more roomy for the summer. There will be less to dust and clean; more time to play!

9. Plan on doing yard work either early in the morning or in the evening to avoid working in the heat of the day. Also, it's best to water your plants at these times of the day.  If it is hot, remember to drink a lot of water to keep hydrated. Don't forget your sunscreen before going out in the sun!

10. Enjoy not having plans a few of days a week. Sleep later and just enjoy the day, read, or work on crafts. When you make your schedule for the week, leave a day or two open to just relax and enjoy without making concrete plans.

11. Have the kids' clothes laid out the night before going somewhere. Avoid running late in the morning, and get on the road to your destination on time so you can take advantage of the full day.  

12. Have a movie marathon. Make a simple meal that includes finger foods, make some popcorn and sit in the family room and watch movies together. Have each person suggest a movie and then you can all decide on the ones to rent.

13. Each week, exchange a meal. Cook a double-size meal for your family and give half of that meal to a neighbor. Then your neighbor does the same for you.  Do a pot luck in the backyard with some friends and neighbors and enjoy those great summer evenings together.

By using some or all of these suggestions, you will be able to relax and enjoy the lazy days of summer - before the kids go back to school and the crazy routines start up again!

In the meantime, if you have any organizing questions or problems you would like me to address, send me an email at info@4abetterspace.com and I will be glad to help.

Enjoy the rest of your Summer!

I received this via email from a current client of mine.  In honor of mothers everywhere, I dedicate this blog to you. Enjoy!