Moving my blog to Wordpress!

Sorry for not blogging in a while but with good reason! I've been working on moving my Blogger blog over to Wordpress which offers a lot more features, a cleaner look and a lot more flexibility especially when it comes to links & photos. It should go live in the next day or two.

So what does this mean for you? Not much except a much cooler blog feed. You'll still get my posts and hopefully will still enjoy them - no change in content - just a change in format. So keep an eye out I'll send out a test post in the next day or so just to be sure things are working smoothly.

My next real post will be on the Professional Organizer's conference I attended recently in Washington DC. The NAPO DC chapter put on a great event and I learned some great tips that I'll pass along to you. A few hints: green organizing, better email management & dealing with estates.

Barbies, Legos & Crayons, Oh My! Attack of the Runaway Playrooms!

Attack of the Runaway Playroom!

Playrooms can be a fabulous part of your home, but for so many people, they can quickly become a nightmare. Kids aren't naturally inclined to put things away, and most of the time when a playroom is set up - things either are just sort of set around for kids to play with or the furniture is bought for cuteness factor rather than practicality (not that the two can't go hand in hand).
When setting up a playroom, here's some tips:

• Really evaluate your children and their playing preferences. Just because you think the dollhouse is adorable doesn't mean that it actually gets played with. And if your child never touches the art easel - it's probably not something that needs to be there.
• Really evaluate your space - it really doesn't matter how large or small it is - it depends on how it is set up and used.
  
• Create zones for play and bring all items that belong in that zone to that space. For example if you have a play kitchen, all kitchen items should be in that zone.
  
• Make items easy to access and easy to put away. In the kitchen zone, open stacking bins are great, as is a small table, and baskets for transporting "food" and dishes. In an art zone, set up the easel, bins for paper & supplies (tall plastic drawers are great for this), drawing table, etc. in one area that has some good light.
  
• Label each bin, basket and zone. Use pictures if necessary. Kids "forget" really easily where things are supposed to - don't give them any more excuses than they need!
• Make sure the space is well lit (consider recessed lights), has an open space in the middle to play, and that each zone is not overloaded with stuff.
• Do NOT be afraid to get rid of things. In my experience, most of the time, children only really play with 25-40% of their stuff. The rest? Unwanted gifts, broken things, inappropriate for their age level or interest, and those junky toys you get from birthday party goodie bags.
• Say "NO" to the mother in law who continually brings over gobs of plastic stuff or age inappropriate toys, and restrain yourself from shopping the Dollar Rack at Target. Stop going to all of the consignment sales and getting games & puzzles because they are such a great deal. Are they really a great deal if they are ruined or not used because the kids can't find them?
  
• Look at the room from a kid's perspective. Get down on the floor and see it from their eye level. Can you reach everything? Can you see clearly where it belongs? Remember, everything needs to have a home - and children really understand that when it is your playroom (and household) policy.
  
• Be creative with storage - think outside the box. Use pop up laundry hampers to corral stuffed animals or balls, use chalkboard & magnet paint for creativity on the walls or furniture, use cubbies & shelving in closets for storage instead of the hanging bar. Don't get locked into what it "should" look like - as Tim Gunn says on Project Runway "Make it work".
  

The main goal when organizing a playroom is to make it a space where kids can find what they want, have an appropriate place to play with it, and be able to put it back where it belongs by themselves. Give thought to what is in the space, and more thought into how to store & access the ever evolving and expanding STUFF that can take over any room.

One final note: this is not a finished product. Children are ever changing, and so are their needs and wants. Evaluate regularly - and be ruthless! Save only the special items and ditch the rest. There are plenty of people out there that will get better use of these unwanted and unused items than you are now.

Visit my Organizing Photos page to see slideshows of two recent playrooms I organized!

How Many Bottles Of Salad Dressing Are In Your Pantry?

Pantry Organization made simple . . .

I recently organized a pantry with a client and she had a lot of bottles of salad dressings & marinades. A lot. She kept buying them because she couldn't tell how many she already had, and, you know, they were on sale.

I see this often - not just in pantries but all over the house. If you can't find something, well then, go get another. This not only wastes your money, but your time. The main goal of organizing is to be able to find what you need when you need it. This is especially true for pantries. Who wants to dig around in a bunch of bottles & cans, wondering what to make for dinner?

So here's what you do with an out of control pantry:
1. Empty it.
2. Sort the contents by use. I usually sort in the following groups:

• canned vegetables
• soups and canned foods such as ravioli or tuna
• prepackaged meals (hamburger helper, mac & cheese, etc.)
• cereals & breakfast foods
• condiments & sauces
  
• drinks (juices, sodas, etc.)
• baking (flour, sugar, chocolate chips, etc.)
• staples such as corn meal, bread crumbs, shortening, etc.
  
• snack foods and/or kids foods
• other categories of foods that are particular to your household

3. Discard any items that are out of date, dented or are just not something that anyone in the household likes or will actually eat and then CLEAN the pantry!

4. Replace items in the pantry placing the most used items at body level - where they can be most easily reached, and place other items farther away that are not used as often. Group like items with like. So, in other words, all of the veggies go together and the salad dressings go together.
Tip: If you are an avid baker, canner or other type of kitchen foodie, consider creating a cabinet or shelf just for this endeavor. I love to bake, so I have one whole cabinet that contains all of my baking supplies including the pans & muffin tins.

5. Use shelf stackers for cans and jars, and bins to corral smaller packages.

6. Consider installing a hanging storage rack on the inside of the door if possible for cans, beverages or spices such as this one.
The re-organization can be done very cost effectively. Bins are inexpensive and the stackers are available on www.stacksandstacks.com as well as at places like Target or Walmart.

Tip: I like to give the kids one shelf or large bin for snacks. Pre-package pretzels or trail mix in small bags or containers, and put in a bin with juice boxes, granola bars, boxes of raisins or whatever your kids like to eat.

before . . . . . . and, after:

Priority Setting: FREE Special Report!

Having trouble setting your priorities and getting things done?

Get this FREE special report and use the 40+ tips from experts around the country (including me!). I was asked recently to participate in a "round up" of Professional Organizing experts to come up with one favorite tip for setting priorities. Stephanie Calahan of Calahan Solutions put together this incredible report, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

"Priority Setting - Working On The Right Things" is now available for download. Take charge of your life - and learn from the pros!

PS Look for my tip on page 13!

Org Junkie "Command Central" Round Up

Org Junkie (one of my favorite bloggers) is doing a round up of "Command Central" ideas. I haven't done a post on this recently so I thought I'd participate. It's a great way for people to gather ideas - after all - everyone is different and has different needs but there are many similarities. The photos included here are AFTER shots of a recent client. Unfortunately I did not take before photos, but just imagine a countertop piled high with papers and miscellaneous items as well as crammed cupboards & drawers.

Here's what we did:
1. Removed everything from this space we designated as "command central" that didn't belong there such as toys, baby wipes, food items, etc.
2. Filed papers in two portable file bins (this client didn't have a lot of papers but the ones she did have were everywhere). One bin is for archived (older) materials that she didn't need to access often - this one is in the back of the cabinet. The other bin is for current items - things she needed to get to quickly - this bin is in the front. Both bins are labeled both inside and out.

3. Added a small shredder sitting on the countertop and a little cubby system I got at Target. It's cute and simple enough for her needs. In it, she has supplies to mail bills, pens, and incoming mail. The shredder is to quickly destroy any incoming mail that has personal identification.

4. Added a small garbage can under the counter to toss garbage quickly so it doesn't pile up - it's not in the photo but we added it to the left side. Also, the few items on the shelf are now in a labeled bin.

5. Created a routine for incoming papers and items - where each thing goes and what to do with it when it gets there.

It's working out well so far. We've made a few tweaks but overall - success!

Hiring a Professional Organizer as a gift.

Hiring A Professional Organizer as a gift . . . sometimes a great thing . . . sometimes not!

Every once in a while I get a certain type of phone call from someone who wants to hire me. The downside is that they want to hire me for someone else. Usually it's a husband or wife, or maybe for a parent. While it is really tempting to want to hire someone to "fix" a problem - this isn't always the best solution.

In our profession, the person we help get organized has to be really ready to "be organized". If they aren't, it usually just won't take. And it's a major struggle for everyone. Think of times when you've tried to help someone who maybe didn't really want your help (a co-worker, a child, a friend) and how disastrous the consequences can be.

If you are considering hiring a Professional Organizer for another person, ask yourself these questions:

• Has this person expressed an interest in having a Professional Organizer come in and help them?
  
• Is this person motivated to make a change or is it something YOU want?
• Is the situation brought on by a life change such as divorce, death, marriage, a move, birth of a child, etc. or is this a chronic problem?
• What are YOUR expectations for the organizational experience?

If the person is not ready or willing to work with a PO, then it is not a good idea. If it is you , and not them, that wants the change, it is not a good idea. If it is a chronic situation that has resisted help in the past and the person is not interested in changing, it is not a good idea. If you expect the organizer to come in and wave a magic wand to "fix" someone, it is not a good idea.

However, if you want to gift the services of a Professional Organizer, here's what can make this a terrific idea:

• The recipient has been talking about wanting to make a change and needs a professional or outside opinion. They might have been holding back due to finances, or embarrassment.
• The person is really motivated to make a change for themselves, not to please anyone else, and needs someone to help get them on their way.
• The person has had a life change that has caused a formerly organized person to become temporarily disorganized, or they are entering a new phase of their life where they need some assistance getting situated.
• You are gifting the services with no strings or expectations - just because you know the person would really appreciate and welcome the gift.

Two recent examples:

I was hired as a birthday gift for a client by her husband. Of course, the first question I asked was, "Does she want and need my help?" and the second was, "Is she on board with this?". Apparently she had been talking about wanting a PO to help her in her office and other areas for a long time but just hadn't pulled the trigger. Our sessions have been delightful and productive, and extended beyond the time of the original certificate.

My cousin became pregnant - a first time mom in a city far away from me. My sister and I wanted to do something nice for her but she really didn't need any more stuff. So I found a wonderful Professional Organizer in her area (turned out she lived only a few miles away from my cousin!) and we gifted my cousin with 2 hours of organizing services. This was a huge hit as, while my cousin is an organized person, the baby room was a whole new ball game. Tanya Whitford of Organizing Wonders was my choice. I wanted someone with kids who had experience with new moms. She totally fit the bill and my cousin was delighted to have the help. She was able to point out time savers and tips on arranging the room to make it more functional when the baby was actually in it! This can be an awesome present to a new mom - I mean, how many onesies does 1 kid need? Here's the "after" photo of her closet - how cute & functional is this!

So if you are considering hiring a Professional Organizer for someone else, STOP and ask yourself the questions. You'll be glad you did. Nobody can change another person - they have to make the change themselves. When they are ready - so am I!

Back To School: Tips for Organizing Your Day!

Back To School Organizing Tips!

Back to school time can be easier if you put routines in place. Having set schedules is very helpful, and so is taking the time to set up stations for school day necessities.

1. Have a designated lunch station. Place all kids lunch foods in one spot in the refrigerator and in one spot in the pantry. I like to use bins for this. Lunch boxes, or lunch bags, go here as well, along with any other necessities such as plastic spoons, napkins, water bottles, etc.

This has two benefits: When you are ready to make lunch, everything is right at your fingertips AND you can easily see if you are low on anything for grocery shopping. Nothing is worse that trying to make lunch at 7AM and you are out of your son's favorite string cheese.

2. Have a designated homework station where you can supervise and make sure homework is completed. This station should have paper, pencils, calculator or whatever you child needs to get the work done. Placing all of these items in a labeled bin or lap desk is a great way to have all of your materials in one place. Plus it's portable. For younger children, kitchen's tend to be the place of choice for homework. Using a cabinet or drawer for supplies is great, or having a small desk or table works as well. For older kids, a desk in their room can be properly supplied.

3. Set up an "out the door" station. This is where backpacks, coats, shoes, etc. go, preferable right by the door. If you drive kids to school, make sure that any science projects, school supplies, extra materials, etc. are already in the car the night before. I don't recommend this for live animals or perishable materials but you get the idea.

Having everything you need all in one spot is nothing new - simply good basic organizing techniques. You can use this for any area of the home, and for any routine you have. But for kids it works really well, primarily because when stuff is scattered around, it can cause their brains to scatter around as well - and who needs more of that?
Organizing is all about making life easier to manage - and setting up stations in your home to manage school routines can make the difference between having a crazy day or a calm one. The great thing about routines and stations is that when the inevitable crisis occurs - enough is in place that you can deal with it and move on. Think about what your days look like - and find the gaps in your routines. All it may take is some thought, some planning, and some bins!

Back To School: Routines Make Your Day Easier

Back To School Routines

Planning is Key!

We're heading back to school soon, and days can get chaotic. I was teaching a class about back to school organizing recently, and one of the participants said, "but it takes so much time to get organized". Yeah, it can. But it sure pays off in the end, saving you not only time but money and frustration. So here's some of my suggestions for back to school that, with a bit of planning, can make your school days a bit easier:

1. First, write down all of the tasks that need to be done daily or weekly that relate to school and/or kids so you can get a full visual of what you are facing. This includes brushing teeth, packing lunches, gymnastics class, etc.

2. Determine the best time of each day to accomplish each task, and create a schedule/routine. For example, if evenings are a scramble, then put homework and making lunches in the after school routine.

3. Have a family calender to track all of the activities you and your kids are involved in - and post it in a place where all can see.

4. Post tasks, and the responsible party, along with when they need to be accomplished. For example, a laminated check sheet that says "MORNING ROUTINE" with all of the tasks for each child. These are easy to make, or you can check out www.listplanit.com for some great lists of all sorts!

5. Schedule your tasks so you are not scrambling at your less than ideal time of the day. For example, I'm not a morning person, so I make sure my daughter's homework is checked, her backpack is packed and waiting by the door, and her lunch is made and in the fridge the night before so I can get some coffee and read the paper in the morning.

6. Set tasks for the kids and give them responsibilities appropriate for their age level.

7. Follow through with your jobs and with the jobs that are the responsibilities of the kids. AND, follow through with consequences if kids do not do their jobs.

Consistency is key - if you let the kids slide on their jobs - those jobs will become yours!