Happy Halloween.. A Treat For You!

Happy Halloween!!

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Dress for Sucess & Bloomingdales

This Saturday, October 20th you have a few GREAT reasons to go to Bloomingdales. First, bring in all your clothing donations for Dress for Succes. This organization is a wonderful organization dedicated to helping women return to the workforce with confidence of style.


Also, if you bring in barely used suits and blouses, you will then receive 10% off any Theory purchases. In addition, 10% of all sales on Saturday will benefit Dress for Success.

When: 10am-8pm
Location: Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase, 5300 Western Avenue


Happy donating and shopping!

Quick Feng-Shui Clutter Cures

Many of my clients have been asking if I work with Feng-Shui techniques. While I am not fully trained in feng-shui, I have found and used various techniques in my organizing. Most of them are really quick so there is no reason not to get started!

1.***** Clean Out Junk Under the Bed, in the basement and closets- Accumulated stuff weights you down, and those hidden piles block energy flow through the home.

2. Keep Kitchen Counter Clear- and wash dishes. Periodically clean out the fridge as well. This area is considered the heart of your home and messes will affect your health and finances.

3. Mend or Toss Broken Clocks- Any symbol of dead time impedes progress.

4. Move Out Any Items/Furniture From Behind Doors- Also fix squeaky hinges. The feeling of every room is conditioned in part by how you enter it.

5. Throw out any cracked or chipped vases and old flowers- Fresh blooms, beautifully arranged, attract wealth. Dead plants or broken containers do the opposite.

Recycle Your Old Cell Phone & Ink-Jet Cartridges

I can't tell you how many times I go into homes and find that people have several old cell phones laying around contributing to their overall clutter. This is a very common problem for people because as you know, it seems like every 6 months to a year, a new version of your phone or a new gadget to add onto your cell phone is coming onto the market. Even if you do go and get that new cell phone, what do you do with your old one? Usually it ends up collecting dust and creating more clutter. And what about all those old ink-jet cartridges that are laying around after you have finally gotten a new one? Instead of adding to your clutter, you should recycle! You can now send your old cell phones and empty ink-jet cartridges to a company so they can then be reused. This way, you will be cutting down on your clutter and helping the environment at the same time. It seems like a no-brainer! Check it out at centralizedofficesupply.com.

Client Question: Little Storage Space in the Kitchen

I work with many people who live in smaller apartments, older homes or even newer homes with very little storage space in their kitchen.

Q: What do I do if I have very little storage space in my kitchen?

A: First, I always recommend using your counter space. If you are running out of storage room for food items, use a breadbasket or use canisters to store pretzels and other snacks. Plus, always looks for "creative" spaces to store things. Can you use the backs of the cabinet doors or the door to the kitchen to install extra storage? If not, always try to maximize the cabinet space you have with doubling your shelf space and using stackable food containers (I think those that are square or rectangular as they tend to take up less space). You can also add pullout drawers to lower cabinets to increase the depth of them which are great for pots and pans and other bulky items. Or what about hanging pots and pans from the ceiling? Finally, think about adding a magnetic spice rack to the back splash and this will take up less space in your cabinets.

Client Question: Clutter in My Home Office

Now that Labor Day has come and gone, most of us are getting back into our Fall routines whether it be at work or at school. I am with different clients everyday and encounter several different organizational challenges along the way.

Within this blog, I am now going to try and present some of the more general organizational projects that my clients come across and provide some solutions. Please feel free to post your solutions as well! I love to hear other creative ideas.

Q: What can I do about the countless items cluttering my home office?

A: Because most offices still haven't achieved a paperless state of mind, I suggest a general rule like "like with like." First, empty your drawers, clear your desk, and sort supplies into similar piles. Toss what you no longer use (you know, those bottles of White Out, the pens that don't work). Choose small trays to hold your paper clips, rubber bands, and other supplies. If you are short of space, try and find a modest-size rolling cart, stack of drawers, or pull-down shelf to attach under a desk or upper cabinet. That's where you can stash paper, envelopes, folders, discs, and other necessities.

Being Cluttered May Lead to Difficulty Categorizing

I just picked up the latest edition of Allure magazine and I saw a great little tidbit on clutter. I love that women's magazines are finally getting on board with reporting on the issues of organization.

In a Havard study, it was concluded that people with cluttered handbags, closets, or desks may have difficulty categorizing. Self-identified pack rats and people who didn't have trouble throwing things away were asked to sort 20 items into any categories they deemed appropriate. The "pack rats" took twice as long, and felt more stressed. "Getting rid of clutter requires one to discriminate between valuable and discardable items, " says study coauthur Sara A. Luchian, but hoarders may "see each object as unique." To simplify the process, she suggests, lose the "just in case" stashes.

I thought this was such an interesting study as I see the results on a daily basis. That is why most people hire me. It takes a shorter time to organize when you have someone there helping you with the decisions. When you have a professional there to help with the categorizing and finding a "home" for everything, it becomes an easier process for those with a tendency to hold onto things. Plus, you are left with a home for each object which makes it quicker for similar objects coming in or getting rid of items that might not fit into your most valuable sections.