Getting organized is a new national pastime

I was just alerted to a great article on CNN.com that talks about how getting organized is a new national pastime. I was so curious to read people's responses to why the industry has been taking off in the last few years and why more and more people have started to organize and use professional organizers.

According to the article, sales of space and closet organizers, including clothing-care items, accounted for 8.7 percent of the $76.2 billion Americans spent on housewares in 2005, according to the International Housewares Association. Sales of all home organization products are forecast to increase to $7.6 billion by 2009, according to The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland, Ohio-based market research firm.

Meanwhile, shows like TLC's "Clean Sweep," HGTV's "Mission Organization" and The Style Network's "Clean House" have acted as teaching mechanisms or outlets for empathy, industry observers say.

The Container Store, a retail outfit that sells organization products, is thriving and has plans to expand with new stores this year, company officials told CNN.com. Meanwhile, a cottage industry of self-help books has emerged, detailing how to organize everything from closets to offices and garages. The use of personal organizers -- who help their clients take control of their time, space and priorities -- is also growing.

Experts within the organization industry point to several theories for its boom.

1- A hyper-consumptive society deluged by its own belongings and the output of modern technology like fax machines and e-mail. There's more to organize than ever before

2- The "new asceticism," the movement toward slimming down, conserving energy and buying less. We are starting to question what I call the orgy of consumption.

3- It's becoming a sense of order and security.

4- Women going into the workforce in greater numbers also may be playing a role in diminishing homemaking skills.

Organizing Over Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is finally here! Many people use the three day weekend as an opportunity to spend with family and friends, fire up the grill and get a little bit of organizing accomplished. Yes, that's right, organizing! It is the perfect time to start tackling those organizing projects you have been putting off for the last few weeks. So, take the time to enjoy the holiday weekend, open up the windows and organize. Below I have a few quick tips for those of you who will begin (and complete!) your organizing projects this holiday weekend.

-Make sure there is a place for everything. Before you can put something away, you need to establish where it belongs. Everything needs a home -- like the silverware drawer; everyone knows that's where the silverware goes. Create designated spots for other household items.

-Break chores into manageable chunks. You don't want things to be overwhelming. So, pick three things you want to get done, not 100. You want a two or three day plan for this weekend, not a five-year plan.

-Labels are your friend. Make sure to label everything. It will help you locate and store things as well as helps others read your mind, so they can do their share of putting things in their place.

-Get rid of stuff. There are really some no-brainers, like old newspapers, plastic containers and trash. But you might regret discarding family heirlooms or personal keepsakes so, there's nothing wrong with keeping things you have a relationship with. Just make sure to constantly weed things like paper and clothing which tend to build up.

-Enlist a buddy. Many people hire professional organizers because they can't tackle a project on their own. However, this weekend, enlist your spouse, family, a friend or a neighbor to help you out.

Free Packing Demonstrations at the Container Store

Right now we are in the thick of house hunting and moving season. And the Container Stores knows it! From May 19th to July 1st they are offering
FREE Perfect Packing Demonstrations Saturdays and Sundays at 1pm and 3pm.

The demonstrations take place at their Washington, D.C. store located at 4500 Wisconsin Avenue and River Road (Tenleytown - AU Metro West Side). 202/478-4000.

You can find me at the Container Store often but now that I am about to move this seems like the perfect opportunity to show up and learn a few FREE tips about packing up my home. Hope to see you there!

Their regular hours are:
Mon - Sat: 9 A.M. - 9 P.M.
Sun: 11 A.M. - 6 P.M.

Vera Wang Bridal Show

Ok all you brides.. this Sunday (5/19) from 11:30-3:00, Vera Wang will be hosting a runway show of her 2008 bridal collection. There is going to be a preview of the collection and for all you brides out there still looking for a dress, this is a don't miss event! You can get a look at the 2008 bridal fashions before they even hit stores. As a bride that wore Vera Wang I can't tell you how much I loved her designs and bridal styles.

The event is located at The Ritz-Carlton, 1150 22nd St. NW, Washington, DC. Reservations are needed so call: 202-974-5562.

Make sure to pass along the information to your favorite bride!

Introducing ORGANIZE MAGAZINE!

I want to introduce you all to a FABULOUS new magazine that is coming out in mid-June and MUST be the next magazine you subscribe to. It is called Organize Magazine. It is going to feature "doable organization for real people with real lives." It will show the practical side (how-to), the emotional side, the humorous side, and the products that are great!

I truly believe this new publication is different from anything else out there. It will be the one source where you will find information about organizing all areas of your life. It will show you the products and the processes you want and need to get the job done. No more buying multiple magazines for multiple ideas..you can actually cut down on your magazine clutter!

Organize Magazine was born out of the editor's (Joyce) love of magazines and she is a self-professed magazine “junkie” and proud purchaser of nearly a dozen publications. When she started her own professional organizing business, she set out to find the “organizing” magazine to add to her collection. After two frustrating hours on the computer, she came up blank. The idea for Organize Magazine took hold and it was born!

Some of the great features in the first issue include:
- An interview with Peter Walsh of TLC's Clean Sweep. His message on organization begins with a look at "the life you want to live," rather than the bins you want to use.
- A quick fix column on how to get the keys in your life under control and a how a few minutes can often make a big difference
- Fun products for getting organized and solving some of life's trickiest challenges and organizing for small spaces

Let's face it, everyone wants an organized life. I see it everyday. Organize Magazine will help its readers create a home free of clutter and ready for the real lives we lead. I can't wait to get my hands on the first issue! I think you all should join me. This is a great magazine for all consumers and all professional organizers out there.

I can't guarantee anything in life (who really can?) but I can strongly predict that this magazine will not be one that ends up as clutter. Instead, it will probably be one that you continuously reference because it is full of practical and resourceful tips and ideas.

DC Yoga Week

As a professional organizer, I help people to organize their physical clutter as well as mental clutter. I also often recommend the practice of yoga to clients as a way to take time to pause for a few minutes and organize their thoughts.

For those of you interested in trying out a class free of charge, now is the time. DC Yoga Week runs from May 12-18th for all you in the DC Metropolitan area. All week long several participating studios are offering free and $5.00 classes. Try it, you might like it!

Give the Gift of Organization for Mother's Day!

I already gave my mom the gift of organization this year (I surprised her this weekend when she went away with a complete reorganization of her kitchen) so what are you waiting for?

I even picked up PEOPLE magazine this weekend and saw Kelly Ripa recommending giving moms something useful that they will not do for themselves, like "someone to help clean out their closets."

Celebrate YOUR mother by giving her the gift of organization (does she really need another tacky piece of jewelry she will not wear?). Professional organizing is a gift that is both thoughtful and practical for any mother out there. And, for all you mothers: pass along this post to your children and husbands, if they need some help in the gift-giving department!

Gift certificates from ROSEY'S will save you time, money and stress. And what mother doesn't need that? Do something for your mother or yourself by giving the gift of time. Call for details. Available until May 12th.

Opt Out Prescreen

I just found a great new site: OptOutPrescreen. You can remove your name from mailing lists for preapproved credit and insurance. This will save you TON of paper (filing and trashing) as well as time. I mean,who doesn't want to save time and a great deal of hassel along with some money?

According to the site: Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), the Consumer Credit Reporting Companies are permitted to include your name on lists used by creditors or insurers to make firm offers of credit or insurance that are not initiated by you ("Firm Offers"). The FCRA also provides you the right to "Opt-Out", which prevents Consumer Credit Reporting Companies from providing your credit file information for Firm Offers.

Through the website, you may request to:

- Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers for Five Years - (electronically through this website).

- Opt-Out from receiving Firm Offers permanently - (mail Permanent Opt-Out Election form available through this website).

- Opt-In and be eligible to receive Firm Offers. This option is for consumers who have previously completed an Opt-Out request - (electronically through this website).

I am all for de-cluttering your life. This is another small step that can help!