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.

Go Shopping in DC Without the Tax

Who needs an excuse to shop in DC? If you are one of those people, look no further. From August 4 through midnight on August 12, DC is offering its first 2007 Sales Tax Holiday. The Sales Tax holiday grants an exemption from the 5.75 percent sales tax for school items, clothes, shoes, and accessory items. To qualify, each item must cost $100 or less.

The sales tax exemption will apply to each eligible item, no matter how many items are on the bill. This is a great way to get a jump start on back to school shopping! Enjoy.

For a quick reference on items, see below:
Clothes (clothing)
Any article of apparel for humans, including pants, shirts and blouses, dresses, coats, jackets, belts, hats, undergarments, and multiple-piece garments sold as a set, if $100 or less.
Shoes
All footwear, except skis, swim fins, roller blades, and roller-skates.
Accessory Items
Jewelry, non-prescription eyeglasses, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, gloves, scarves, ties, headbands, hats, belts and belt buckles, and other traditional accessory items.
School Supplies
Pens, pencils, stationery, art supplies, book bags, lunch boxes, calculators, and other items purchased for educational use in the classroom, at home, or for any school activity.

Clutter is Clutter...

Clutter is not money. Clutter is clutter.

Say you're going through your closets and every time you go to eliminate something you stop because you've just computed that this scarf, this radio, this toaster-oven cost you money and hey, now you deduce you're throwing out money. Sound familiar? Equating clutter for money limits your ability to get rid of old clutter that is no longer serving you.

Clutter has the potential to be money only when:
· You still have the receipt.
· The "return by date" has not expired.
· You sell it on-line.

I say "potential" because this involves actually doing something about it, not just thinking about doing it and not procrastinating another seven months.

You have already spent the money and no matter how long you hang on to this item, no matter how deep you tuck it into the closet, it's not going to miraculously turn itself back into money.

The only miracle that's happening here is you doing yourself a favor and moving it out. Donate it… someone else could start using it today!

Just remember.. most clutter is really only clutter.

Organize Magazine Has Arrived!

In Tuesay's New York Times there was an article on the new Organize Magazine that I have talked about recently. It is such an interesting article as it touches on Organize Magazine as an "independent" magazine and what goes along with it. I mean, I didn't know that 60 percent of new independent magazines fail after their first year, while only 16 percent to 18 percent survive four years.

Also, it is fascinating to read about the ONLY magazine dedicated to organizing. I believe the magazine will definitely find a niche and agree with one of the experts quoted that "people constantly complain about being disorganized and not having enough time."

I myself have already subscribed and have been contacted by the editor. I hope to be contributing and/or writing for the magazine in the upcoming months! I am very excited.

So, if you haven't already done so, check out the most recent article on Organize Magazine and pick up a copy for yourself!

Rosey's in the Washington Post

I don't know if you all saw it but Rosey's was featured a few days ago in the Washington Post's Home Section. The article was then reprinted in several national newspapers over the past week or so.

I was interviewed about some of the challenges people face when storing items in apartments. This is a real challenge for many people who live in smaller apartments in the DC Metropolitan area as well as any city. Check out some of my tips for storage of items like suitcases, cooking gear, ties and handbags in smaller spaces.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/13/AR2007061300561.html

I would also love to hear all of your creative ideas on storing items!

Washington Post's Wedding Week

This week the Washington Post is hosting a wedding week online. They have several different chats that you can write in questions and thoughts on things like DC Weddings, Fashion, Celebrity Weddings, Green Weddings and Relationships and Honeymoons. What a great way to ask questions to experts in the wedding business as well as browse all the other articles on things like bakeries, bands, florists and jewelers.

This is a great resource for all in the DC area as well as anyone w/ access to a computer! Enjoy.

The Peak of Wedding Season

So, we are now in the peak of wedding season with most weddings happening in the next few months. I don't know about you but I love this time of year! I get to help brides with organizing all the little details of their wedding along with doing some personal shopping for them or those involved in the wedding.

For all of those in the Washington, DC area there are some great sales going on now for wedding attire.

First, Hitched is offering sample gowns by Oscar de la Renta or Judd Waddell at up to half off. How fabulous is this? The sale is going on from now until June 30. Tues.-Thurs., noon-8 p.m.; Fri., 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sat., 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; However, call ahead as gown trials are by appointment only. Hitched is located at: 1523 Wisconsin Ave. NW, at Volta Pl. (202-333-6162).


Next, Sylene's (a fabulous place for undergarments and bathing suits) is offering
30-50 percent off swimwear and lingerie from Manuel Canovas, Eres, Betsey Johnson, and La Perla. You can't beat this! The sale runs from June 16-28. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun., noon-6 p.m. Sylene is located at 4407 S. Park Ave., Chevy Chase (301-654-4200).

Happy shopping!