tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43732681704933549342024-03-19T22:55:05.169-07:00The Hoarding ResourceTips and Advice for People affected by Hoarding.Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-73002190833455640962010-09-23T11:58:00.000-07:002010-09-23T12:06:37.292-07:00Sarah Buckwalter on TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagF-T4iox2QjKCLbk7HQLNSpyYhOTU5vbfWt0L_AkSv7j2jOuQ_6EM34l0GvD8W99g8ddb0OSLRdA7gnUBAQ7Kwr5vgCdpVPEl6L5HHU3st3NBLBqz4IJOcIrSN7ZUZptVj2ZOKKuOyFl/s1600/Hoarding+Buried+Alive+Logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520186290060734434" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjagF-T4iox2QjKCLbk7HQLNSpyYhOTU5vbfWt0L_AkSv7j2jOuQ_6EM34l0GvD8W99g8ddb0OSLRdA7gnUBAQ7Kwr5vgCdpVPEl6L5HHU3st3NBLBqz4IJOcIrSN7ZUZptVj2ZOKKuOyFl/s320/Hoarding+Buried+Alive+Logo.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#222222;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Episode:<em> “The Scariest Place on Earth”.</em><br />Tune in to TLC on <span style="FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: boldfont-family:Arial;" ><strong>Sunday, September 26th at 8:00pm</strong></span> to watch Sarah Buckwalter transform a hoarding disaster zone into<br />a clean, comfortable home.</span></span>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-16607384920200008172010-09-22T10:55:00.000-07:002010-09-22T11:04:04.155-07:00Signs and Symptoms of Hoarding<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtBH7XQ8G5b0p7yvJX2SwlhORilphpCwx7PuKoP2dPftZI4KFldhmLTw8Pr5F5ilK-e2jBOUKIG9eqHnXJuoJhsWmEettht1EbCdIcCHrGKgkEm10kxbP4H7cK6Q0lyOdAt7vG9WafbJD/s1600/hoarding+buried+alive+living+room+small.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 144px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 192px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519799383402605522" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmtBH7XQ8G5b0p7yvJX2SwlhORilphpCwx7PuKoP2dPftZI4KFldhmLTw8Pr5F5ilK-e2jBOUKIG9eqHnXJuoJhsWmEettht1EbCdIcCHrGKgkEm10kxbP4H7cK6Q0lyOdAt7vG9WafbJD/s320/hoarding+buried+alive+living+room+small.jpg" /></a><span style="color:#000033;"><span style="font-family:arial;">People who hoard have a compulsion to store and hide away items that eventually take over their lives. This is known as OCHD (Obsessive Compulsive Hoarding Disorder).<br /><br />Hoarding affects emotions, thoughts and behavior. The Mayo Clinic says, "People who hoard often don't see it as a problem, making treatment challenging." </span></span><br /><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#000033;"><span style="font-family:arial;"></span></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 7.5pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#000033;"><span style="font-family:arial;">In the homes of people who engage in compulsive hoarding, countertops, sinks, stoves, desks, stairways and virtually all other surfaces are usually stacked with stuff. And when there's no more room inside, the clutter may spread to the garage, vehicles and yard. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><br /><div><span style="font-family:arial;color:#000033;">Signs and symptoms of hoarding may include:</span></div><ul type="disc"><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Cluttered living spaces </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Inability to discard items </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Keeping stacks of newspapers, magazines or junk mail </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Moving items from one pile to another, without discarding anything </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Acquiring unneeded or seemingly useless items, including trash </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Difficulty managing daily activities, including procrastination and trouble making decisions </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Difficulty organizing items </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Perfectionism </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Excessive attachment to possessions, and discomfort letting others touch or borrow possessions </span></li><li style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="font-family:arial;">Limited or no social interactions</span><span style="color:#000033;"></li></ul></span><span style="color:#000033;"><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5incolor:#000033;" class="MsoNormal" ><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-: EN-USfont-family:arial;color:#000033;" >People who engage in hoarding typically collect items because they believe these items will be needed or have value in the future. A person also may hoard items that he or she feels have important emotional significance - serving as a reminder of happier times, for example, or representing beloved people or pets. People who hoard may report feeling safer when surrounded by the things they collect.</span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-63251414726478962382010-09-17T10:56:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.034-07:00Sarah Buckwalter on TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive<div align="left"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29PaNdHiSaMfTPxIUbbGlrnX1iKYaJ-aZ6Nt4S0wlbEq9D7MGsyyee-sG2rkdbPaskWG0UpVV7sfi0-mIXN6uZwpnz22W5GRXG5yhB9m7wECIIXr1mJSEHkhpCaB4ytt_GDYs7zTQpbeN/s1600/Hoarding+Buried+Alive+Logo.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 216px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 162px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517943117741777074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29PaNdHiSaMfTPxIUbbGlrnX1iKYaJ-aZ6Nt4S0wlbEq9D7MGsyyee-sG2rkdbPaskWG0UpVV7sfi0-mIXN6uZwpnz22W5GRXG5yhB9m7wECIIXr1mJSEHkhpCaB4ytt_GDYs7zTQpbeN/s320/Hoarding+Buried+Alive+Logo.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family:arial;font-size:130%;">Tune in on Sunday, September 19th at 9:00pm EST to watch Sarah Buckwalter transform a hoarding disaster zone into a clean, comfortable home.</span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-42514626307393000152010-09-13T05:19:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.050-07:00Just Get It Done!<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.7209284836426377" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Happy Monday! The fall weather seems to be here in Boston. Just like in spring-time, getting back to the fall routine and thinking about getting your house, yard and storage spaces ready to keep everything safe and warm for the upcoming seasons, fall seems to bring a renewed urge to get things done around the house. If you’re like most people, you have an on-going ‘unfinished project list’ (even if it’s not actually a list). Today’s time-saving tip is in the spirit of just getting things done...</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time-Saving Tip #9: If it’s only going to take a few minutes, just do it!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sometimes we waste a lot of time thinking about what to do next - this applies at home and at work. Most of the time, we would feel a lot better (and get more done), if we just channelled our inner Nike and ‘just did it.’ Getting things done tends to build momentum. So open the pile of mail, take the trash out, put the donation items in your car, make that phone call. You get the idea. Those small household and work tasks can weigh us down when they start to multiply. Keep them at bay by keeping up with them. Try to schedule yourself 15-30 minutes daily just to tackle some of those little unfinished projects before they turn into permanent fixtures on your unfinished project list. I’ll admit, I’ve got a few of those on my list, so let’s all start a productive week and just get it done...whatever it is!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom line:</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" ><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Tackle those small projects before they add up with just 15 minutes a day of ‘getting it done.’</span></span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-43042255001753201312010-09-08T10:18:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.066-07:00Fall into Organization with a ‘Playbook’ for Your Team<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Arial;font-size:130%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; white-space: normal; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.3680125027894974" style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hopefully you enjoyed a relaxing and recharging holiday weekend spending time with family and friends. Now that school is back in session and work is in full swing after the summer vacation season, fall is the perfect time to get your household routines and family schedules in line. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time-Saving Tip #8: Streamline your routine with a simple household binder. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">All you need is a small binder- use a spare one you have around or try these </span></span><a href="http://www.greenroomeco.com/"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">eco-friendly binders from greenroom</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, available at Target - some sheet protectors or a 3-hole punch, and some dividers. Simply hole-punch (or slip into sheet protectors) all those important papers, schedules, pieces of information that might otherwise get lost in a pile on the kitchen counter. This might include extracurricular or daycare schedules, important contact info, including babysitters, tutors, and coaches, upcoming events, and more. You can even step it up a notch and include a family chore chart, a master calendar or extra features like lunch-box ideas so these tasks can easily be shared among family members or helpers. Use the dividers to separate types of information or create a section for each family member - you can customize your binder to meet your family’s needs. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Get everyone involved in the binder - gathering information, deciding on what to call it, and most importantly, where it will live. If everyone in your house knows about the binder, you stand a fighting chance of being on the same page. Now wouldn’t that be nice?!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom Line:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Create a simple household binder as a place to store and organize your family’s activities and you’ll have your playbook prepped for a winning team!</span></span></div></span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-78762952487425698602010-09-03T08:14:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.078-07:00Organizing Obstacles<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.11012388207018375" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Let’s face it: clutter happens. The cure for clutter requires knowing why it happened in the first place and coming up with solutions and prevention strategies tailored to your clutter causes. Real Simple has a great article, </span></span></span><a href="http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/organizing/top-causes-clutter-10000001722061/index.html"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 153); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The Top 6 Excuses for Clutter</span></span></span></a><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">, that walks through 6 common clutter causes and what to do about them. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The 6 major clutter culprits reviewed are:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Guilt - “My best friend gave this to me, so I feel guilty getting rid of it.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Perceived Value - “I am planning to sell this someday.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) Saving for the Future - “I might need this someday.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4) Donation Delay - “I want to make sure this will go to someone who really needs it.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5) Out of Site, Out of Mind - “If I put this away, I’ll never remember to do it.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6) Inertia - “I want to get organized, but I just don’t know where to begin.”</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Check out the article for some great ideas for overcoming these barriers. I see all of these obstacles when I work with people, but I think number 3 is a big culprit. Accumulating stuff is so easy and it can be really challenging for people to get rid of items that they perceive to be useful and that they might need someday. This might be back-up items of things you already own (i.e. extra towels) or items for an activity that you used to do or would like to do (i.e. craft supplies). </span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While having extras of certain items that you do routinely use can make sense, the amount that makes sense largely depends on the storage space you have available and the likelihood of your using the extra items in the near future. For example, saving an extra microwave that you inherited from a friend when you have a relatively new one that works perfectly well doesn’t make much sense. Somebody else could probably use it more than you could, and your space could also be put to better use. Pick the one you like better and give the other to someone else. It is not doing anyone any good to have it sitting in your basement - and it is in fact doing harm by contributing to a cluttered home. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you find yourself saving things for the future, and we all do, ask yourself these questions:</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Could somebody else use this more than I can right now?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Do I value a clean, clutter-free space now more than the potential future use of this item?</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom Line: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Doing a little soul-searching to figure out the root causes of your clutter will help you turn over a new leaf for a clutter-free future.</span></span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-62407468331735083422010-08-30T16:13:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.090-07:00Closet Clutter: Less is More<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.4520374480634928" style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I’m sure many of us have had the experience of having a closet full of clothes and feeling like we have nothing to wear! The truth is, clothes closets are a classic case of ‘less is more.’ Just like the refrigerator, we tend to glaze over when there is too much to choose from and everything is jumbled. And with the change of seasons just around the corner, Labor Day can be the perfect time to declutter your closet.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time-Saving Tip #7: Streamline Your Closet</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Reserving closet “real estate” only for in-season items you love and wear will save you time and stress on those busy mornings...which might be every morning! Here are some tips to help you stay in line:</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Get rid of your ‘fat’ or ‘skinny’ clothes.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Instead, focus on the items that make you look and feel your best now! If your weight changes, you will likely want to update your wardrobe with the latest styles. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Keep only the clothes that suit your current lifestyle and job.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Similar to the weight issues, if your situation changes, you will likely want to refresh your closet with current trends.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3)</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Weed regularly!</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> You’ve heard the rules, if you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to move it along – donation, consignment, or swaps with friends are easy ways to do this. Review your closet twice a year (at the season changes) – if you went through an entire season and didn’t wear something, it’s time to go. This may seem scary at first for you savers out there, but you’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyable an uncluttered closet is.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4) Follow the “one in, one out” rule.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Closets follow the basic laws of physics - stuff just doesn’t disappear and space can’t be magically created. To maintain order, the best policy is to discard something that has fallen off the favorites list when you get something new.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">5) Store like with like.</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> For most people this means sorting your closet by type of item – shirts with shirts, pants with pants, etc. Do what makes sense to you (some people like to sort by color) and maintain the system so you know where to find things and where to put them away. This will also help with regular weeding since you’ll be able to see items that may be redundant. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">6) Try not to save clothes for sentimental reasons. </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Take a picture of the item or find a picture of yourself when you were wearing it to keep the memory alive. If you simply cannot get rid of an item but you are not wearing it, find another place to store it and reconsider your decision in 3-6 months. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom Line:</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Maintain a clutter-free closet containing only items that you currently love and wear and you’ll have more morning time for the good stuff - coffee anyone?</span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-11861324040456988242010-08-25T08:45:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.105-07:00Save Space with Creative Kitchen Basics<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.9783953689038754" style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Kitchen cabinet clutter is a common problem and stems from the wide variety of appliances and gadgets supposedly designed to make our lives easier. Why cut an onion with a knife when you can chop it with the Slap Chop</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: super; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">TM</span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">? Just ask anyone who’s recently registered for a wedding or purchased a gift from a wedding registry - you can fill your kitchen with things that seem like a great idea (think seasonal cookie cutters, waffle irons and apple slicers) at the time, but you don’t actually have space for or use. These specialized kitchen items can be great if you use them, love them and have the space for them, but let’s face it, most of us have things that don’t meet those criteria.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You can reclaim your kitchen cabinets by going back to basics. Clear out your cabinets (or one at a time if you don’t have time or space to do the whole kitchen), sort like with like and weed out the items you don’t use or love. Alternatively, you can take the opposite approach and set aside the items you use regularly, at least once a week. Allocate prime cabinet real estate for these items to make meal preparation easier. Then pick out the items that you use, but less frequently - like cake pans or a stand mixer - and store them in less accessible kitchen cabinets or additional storage space, like the pantry or basement. As for the rest - the items that you really don’t use - sell, give away or donate them. Whatever you do, get them out of your space ASAP. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you are lacking some versatile kitchen basics, the good news is that there are a variety of nesting and multitasking items that provide more function in less space. One example I love is </span></span><a href="http://www.josephjoseph.com/preparation-bowls/nest-8"><span style="font-family: Arial; background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">Nest 8 by Joseph Joseph</span></span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. This set of fun-colored, dishwasher safe nesting kitchen basics includes 2 mixing bowls (large & small), 4 measuring cups, 1 colander, and 1 sieve. How neat is that?! Other great examples of kitchen basics are a great set of knives, sauce pans or pots with self-straining lids, and adjustable measuring spoons. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom Line: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Resist the temptation to fill your kitchen cabinets with lots of specialty gadgets and appliances and instead focus on making sure you have versatile space-saving basics.</span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-26203162327952837672010-08-23T08:25:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.117-07:00Purge Your Pantry & Plan Your Meals<div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; background-color: transparent; "><span id="internal-source-marker_0.5961471404880285" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It’s a cool and rather gloomy (weather-wise) morning here in Boston, but we’re back with another time-saving tip. I chose one that makes me think about warm and comforting things - like home-cooked meals.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Time-Saving Tip #6: Purge your pantry and plan your meals. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Having a streamlined yet well-stocked pantry along with 15 minutes of weekly meal planning can save lots of time and stress, not to mention money and your waistline. Whether you’re cooking for one or have a houseful of picky eaters, following some simple strategies can ease meal-time stress and streamline your routine. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">De-clutter your pantry and fridge.</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Having an over-stuffed pantry and fridge leads to wasted money and food and also makes it harder to decide what to cook or eat. Make time to pull everything out and give your pantry and fridge a quick cleaning. You will feel so much better with a clean, fresh, and pared down pantry. So get in there and toss these items right away: 1) anything expired and 2) anything your family does not like. When you put things back, remember to put like items together, so you can easily find what you need. To take things a step further, get rid of foods that don’t fit your health and wellness goals and put things that have been hanging around for a while (but are still good) ‘on probation’ - use ‘em or toss ‘em within the next month. Most of us live close enough to a store that we don’t need to stockpile weeks worth of food. And remember, it’s okay to run out of something - variety is the spice of life!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Decide when it makes sense for you to food shop. </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Try to pick a consistent day/time (or a couple days/times) and put it in your calendar just like an appointment. Pick a time when your store is less crowded and well-stocked. Ask a store clerk or manager if you’re not sure when the quiet times are. Having a routine will help structure both your shopping and your meals. And don’t forget to keep your re-usable shopping bags in your car so you don’t come home with a new supply of plastic bags every time you shop!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Plan your meals.</span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> We have many clients who are over-run by saved recipes. Go through them with a critical view and put the ones you might actually make in a simple binder using sheet protectors. Use your recipes as a source of inspiration for your weekly planning. The day before your scheduled shopping trip, pick 2 or 3 dinners to make between now and your next shopping trip and write down the ingredients you’ll need on your shopping list. If you are clearing out a packed pantry, plan your meals based on ingredients you already have and only buy any extras you need. If you’re working from a streamlined pantry, you can still use what you have as a starting point. Also pick recipes/meals that share at least 1or 2 common ingredients. For example, if your dinner tonight calls for half a red bell pepper, plan a stir fry or fajitas for another night to use the rest of the pepper. Fill in the rest of your shopping list with any snacks and staples you are out of. If you shop more than once a week, remember - you don’t need to get it all on the first trip! </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "></span><br /></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: bold; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom Line: </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Streamlining your pantry and your shopping routine will help save time and money and keep your food choices and stress levels in check.</span></span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-21694537177026435042010-08-16T06:25:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.128-07:00Magic Productivity Boosters<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">It’s been a couple weeks – where does the time go?! On that note, we’re definitely due for another time-saving tip. Unlike other tips that focus on stream-lining your routine (i.e. </span></span><a href="http://organizingboston.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-used-to-be-slower-time-of-year_21.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">automating your to-do’s when possible</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">) or taking things off your list altogether, this tip focuses on doing more of two things that can actually boost your productivity…saving you time and reducing stress. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>Time-Saving Tip #5: Get enough sleep and exercise!</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">While many people let these two important activities slide when times are busy, this can actually be counter-productive. Both sleep and exercise have so many benefits, from increasing energy and productivity levels to enhancing immunity (which helps prevent sick days) and even helping maintain a healthy weight. So next time you think about skimping on either one due to a tight schedule, realize you could be sabotaging yourself in the end. Aim to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and 30 minutes of moderate-vigorous exercise on most days of the week. If you’re not there yet, work toward it by thinking of ways to make small changes. Can you shut down your computer half an hour earlier so you’re more likely to meet you bedtime goal? Can you walk to accomplish any of your daily errands if you can’t fit in a trip to the gym? A 15-20 minute walk at lunch time can do wonders for your afternoon productivity. Please share your tips (or challenges) for fitting in these magic productivity boosters! </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-84922384087647645232010-08-02T06:59:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.137-07:00Set Time Limits for Time-Wasters<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; ">Happy Monday! We’re back with another time-saving tip:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Set time limits for time-sucking activities like Facebook :), email, surfing the web and TV. And yes – this includes reading blogs, which I hate to say. Sure, there is a lot of valuable information out there (and even more not-so-valuable), but it can take hours out of your day if you try to view/read/absorb everything you want to. Focus on the activities and information sources you find most valuable and enjoyable and ditch the rest. I recently cut a few TV shows off the DVR that I realized were not improving my quality of life.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you follow several blogs, I recommend using something like Google Reader to catch them all in one place for you – you’re less likely to get distracted by other links, etc. Also, if you get behind on reading, it’s ok to declare blog bankruptcy – mark all the accumulated posts as ‘read’ and start fresh with the new content – you can’t and don’t have to read and know everything!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">It can also help to set a time limit – i.e. allow yourself 10 minutes to look at Facebook at lunch. You know how it goes - if you don’t set a limit, you could be sucked in for hours looking at pictures of a friend of a friend you don’t even know!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In addition to per session limits, having a set number of times for these activities helps too (i.e. only check your email 3 times per day). While you may think this isn’t realistic for your job, do what you can to set some limits so you can get other tasks done. If you don’t, you may find that you get to the end of the day and the only thing you can say you accomplished is email! One strategy is to tackle your toughest task for the day first, before you even open your email. Or try a 15 minute scan to catch the important stuff first thing, followed by completing a few key tasks. Then you can allow yourself a block of time (say 30 minutes) to respond to some of the less urgent messages.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span style="line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Getting a handle on your electronic activities can be a great way to reclaim some valuable minutes, and for many people even hours, in your day. Try out these tips and let us know what you think!</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-78445989632186859612010-07-28T12:55:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.148-07:00Write It Down<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">I’m always surprised when I meet with clients who don’t have a calendar or any form of to-do list – I would be lost without mine. Now I know not everyone is as fond of lists as say, a professional organizer, but today I’m going to try to sell you on the benefits of writing things down.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><b>Time-Saving Tip #3: Write it down!</b></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Keep a calendar and task list - whether electronic or good old pen(cil) and paper. It's next impossible to remember all the places you need to be and things you need to do. Worse - trying to do so wastes mental energy and time. Write a task or appointment down when it first comes up so you don't have sticky notes floating around you head!</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">I currently use Google Calendar to keep track of my schedule. I have more than one job in addition to personal calendar items and the beauty of Google is that you can share multiple calendars – so I can see all of my appointments in one place. The two small companies I work for also use Google Calendars for scheduling. To take it a step further, my husband and I use it to keep track of evening and weekend things that come up as well as major events, such as business trips. It’s so convenient to be able to capture everything that’s going on in one place.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">As for to-do lists, I use a combination of the task list that’s part of Google Calendar and paper. I have a notebook for each job – I write down tasks that come up when I’m out and about and then transfer them to Google when I’m back in the office, which seems to work pretty well for me. For household tasks, we are starting to get some good routines in place – routines are great for stuff that has be done regularly because once they’re in place, you shouldn’t need to put that item on your to-do list.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">That’s another tip about lists – don’t clutter up your to-do list with routine tasks that you will remember to do anyway (like check your email or eat lunch) – to-do lists are meant for things that you might otherwise forget.</span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Admittedly, there is an overwhelming array of information management systems (planners, calendars, notebooks, smart phones, online tools) out there. Pick the one you are drawn to, whether it’s a pretty planner or fancy phone, and stick with it. I see people run into trouble, myself included, when they don’t commit to system or don’t put things in one place. If you’re a note person who like to ‘jot things down,’ I recommend getting a spiral bound notebook (or whatever you like) and using that as home base for things you want to remember – there’s nothing worse than piles of scrap paper or partially filled notebooks or pads.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color:#333333;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "></span></span></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; line-height: normal; "><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The bottom line is that having a system of some sort for keeping track of your appointments and tasks is better than trying to keep track of all of it in your head. If you’re stuck and don’t know where to begin, a session with a professional organizer could give you the boost you need.</span></span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-2509864306017889302010-07-26T07:15:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.160-07:00Keys Please<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOQKZUELtB1fSlXwWFvT1h5cJAQDYOg0-mOvv2AI8imPNhwYb5KncvWF1ETL-fDoc816vwEFU70hbzJ8n85CAE73Kbx8REakjvmSwl1TMmXJr2noZ5ZOn8fnlvYPO0AlHz0jkolWUqI0/s1600/IMG_0090.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbOQKZUELtB1fSlXwWFvT1h5cJAQDYOg0-mOvv2AI8imPNhwYb5KncvWF1ETL-fDoc816vwEFU70hbzJ8n85CAE73Kbx8REakjvmSwl1TMmXJr2noZ5ZOn8fnlvYPO0AlHz0jkolWUqI0/s200/IMG_0090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498219288148855506" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Last week, we launched our Time-Saving Tips series because it seems that most of us never have enough of it! As Peter Walsh points out in his book, </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">, everyone is busy and some people have just figured out and learned to accept what he calls the ‘time paradox’:</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"There's never enough time, and there's always more time."<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:3"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And as my colleague adds, “there’s always next time.” Time is funny and in many ways, just accepting this paradox helps me feel better about the hectic pace of life, but I also refuse to believe that we don’t have control over our own time and schedule – at least to some extent. One thing we can do is do our best to control unnecessary time-wasters. Hence the time-saving tips! Enough paradox talk, here’s the next tip…</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="apple-style-span"><b><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Time-Saving Tip:</span></span></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color:#333333;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> Put your keys in the same place...always! It's amazing how many minutes a day are lost looking for misplaced keys. A simple hook or bowl near the door is all you need. In the photo you will see that I also have a </span></span><a href="http://www.3m.com/us/office/postit/products/prod_pockets.html?WT.ac=SideNav-Products-Pockets"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Post-It Pocket</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> that I got as a free sample to hold mail that’s ready to go out the door. Ladies - keep your keys in the same pocket of your bag to avoid frantic digging. And keep spare copies of all your keys somewhere useful (i.e. don't keep your only spare house key in your house).</span></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Trust me, I speak from experience on this one – I once dropped my keys in a storm drain – yes, really (being organized doesn’t mean clumsiness and accidents don’t happen). I was thrilled to have a spare copy of my condo key in my wallet. And in our condo I had copies of most of the rest of the keys on my key chain. We now have multiple copies of all keys – I have moved the house key from my wallet to a better spot that can be accessed without any possessions and a trusted neighbor also has a basic set. If you lose a key, be sure to get new copies made right away. Let us know your key tips or stories – I hope I’m not the only one who’s had a key disaster. Happy Monday!</span></span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-6222927958865371932010-07-21T18:57:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.171-07:00Summer Used to Be a Slower Time of Year<p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">I can't tell you how many times I've recently heard someone say, "Summer used to be a slower time of year." It seems that for many people, summer is busier than ever. That's why we thought we'd start a series of time-saving tips to help you stay calm, cool and collected this summer and all year-round. Please share your tips and challenges too!<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b>Time-Saving Tip #1: Automate your to-do's when possible.</b><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This might be anything from setting up automatic bill-paying or membership renewal to using pre-printed grocery lists and email reminders for recurring or infrequent tasks. Doing so helps you avoid re-inventing the wheel and also relieves the stress of needing to remember to take care of these tasks.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">If you're worried about putting things like bill-paying on auto-pilot, a few simple steps can help keep this time and worry-saver from back-firing:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">Maintain an account balance that's high enough to handle your automatic payments. If you're not able to establish a cushion, automatic payments may not be the best idea for you at this time.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">Know how to log into your account on-line. This means saving your username and password (or a hint) in a safe place.</span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; font-size: small; ">Sign up for email notifications when your monthly statement is ready. This email should be your trigger to log-in and review your statement. This might mean checking each transaction against your receipts (which you can save in a small accordion file or envelope) or simply doing a quick review for unfamiliar transactions.</span></li></ol><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Automating your to-do's can be a great way to reduce stress, save time and eliminate late fees from your life!</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-69368766191650290652010-07-06T06:30:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.180-07:00Getting Back On Track<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK8L4XYjPM0IEdSi7TmOkgoXdJkzfyE63d2l17-b7b3ZJozmk64qyzoZVe4BNmRdceyCEH9bSl2rxbLlLZreD6PUSBljHMrOdLoTIZTFr91AtL_P9RWBnWXkO49qFJpowuTx3MlcghqU/s1600/P7190054.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNK8L4XYjPM0IEdSi7TmOkgoXdJkzfyE63d2l17-b7b3ZJozmk64qyzoZVe4BNmRdceyCEH9bSl2rxbLlLZreD6PUSBljHMrOdLoTIZTFr91AtL_P9RWBnWXkO49qFJpowuTx3MlcghqU/s200/P7190054.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490787051545201794" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With any luck, you spent the 4</span></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> of July holiday weekend having fun with friends and family…perhaps at the beach or watching fireworks or a family cookout or maybe a little bit of everything. Most of us were not tackling our home project lists (but good for you if you did). While spending time relaxing and having fun is absolutely wonderful and worthwhile, it can be tough to hit the ground running and get back on track the following work week . Here are five things you can do to keep your weekends or vacations from setting you back when it comes to keeping on top of your home and schedule.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Unpack! I have to say this one first because for some reason, I am not a big fan of unpacking. But I force myself to just get it done – put the laundry in the hamper, put away the bags, unpack the cooler, hang the towels out to try. The longer it all sits there, the less fun it will be to deal with. And the worst danger is leaving it to be dealt with once your work week gets into high gear again – this is where overnight bags turn into full-blown, pile-starting clutter. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Open and process the mail. Mail is one of those things that needs to be dealt with on a very regular basis. If you’ve been away, it’s had a chance to build up for a few days. Do yourself a favor and get to it. Recycle or toss what you don’t need and take action on the rest – either put follow up items in your ‘in box’ or better yet, tackle them right away if they’ll only take a few minutes. Set aside any catalogs to browse while you catch up on the evening news or your favorite TV show – be sure to recycle them as soon as you’re done.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Schedule time for chores and errands. Chances are, your weekend fun may have bumped some of your regular chores and routine errands that keep life moving along smoothly. Don’t just assume you’ll fit them in somewhere, schedule them in to your upcoming week. Sure, you’ll be playing catch up and may feel a bit busier than usual, but planning when you’re going to take care of laundry, groceries, and the rest is the best way to avoid any last minute ‘emergencies.’</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Upload your pictures right away. This is another one that I’m sometimes guilty of neglecting. But dealing with your digital photos regularly keeps them from building up to an insurmountable task. Transfer them to your computer, delete the less-than-great shots, and share them with family and friends. This can be a great way to remember the fun, thank your hosts and keep your camera clear and ready for the next event. Doing it right away while the details are fresh will also help you better file and label your photos.</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last but not least, get back to your healthy habits. Vacations and even weekends are notorious for relaxing your eating and exercise routine (if you even have one). But don’t waste time feeling guilty about the hot dogs or 48 hours of lounging, just get back into your better habits right away – you’ll feel better in a day or two. Weekends and vacations can also mean eating out more often – give your wallet and your waist a break by making healthy meals at home for the week.</span></span></li></ol><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Try out the tips above to make your transition back to the real world calm and chaos-free!</span></span></div><p></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><o:p></o:p></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-49043150427449996562010-06-25T12:56:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.191-07:00Strategies for a Stress-free Summer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypSE5TQgyYujPlNTA1v2tD_ZhLYC3Rt1FePYNjQYrxYMNGbF2u4rRK2knx1s7oLp3LLwvGz8wV7SVFrERIBo0zH2N839PqvzXCfDjPdsdkoFAH6duRv27biLIFGbl8PwPlbFCUFAeW2w/s1600/P7120049.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypSE5TQgyYujPlNTA1v2tD_ZhLYC3Rt1FePYNjQYrxYMNGbF2u4rRK2knx1s7oLp3LLwvGz8wV7SVFrERIBo0zH2N839PqvzXCfDjPdsdkoFAH6duRv27biLIFGbl8PwPlbFCUFAeW2w/s200/P7120049.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486803453533957394" /></a><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;line-height:normal"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">With warm temperatures, no school, and family vacations, summer can be a wonderful chance to unwind and spend quality time with friends and family. But summer also has its organizational challenges thanks to less structured or at least different schedules. </span></span></span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here are some simple ideas for enjoying a less-stressed, more fun summer for the whole family. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:7.5pt;line-height:normal"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wrap Up the School Year in Style</span></span></span></b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - Before you get too far into summer, be sure to wrap up the previous school year so you're not tripping over it all season long. Empty the school bags, get rid of stuff that's seen better days and store school supplies you can use again. Work with your child to review school and art work from the year - pick out the special stuff and store it in a flat box or a fun binder with plastic sleeves. Last but not least, take a rainy afternoon to review your digital photos from the year - clean them up by deleting less-than-great shots and labeling what's left. You can also take this a step further by creating a photo book with the highlights from the year. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt:auto;mso-margin-bottom-alt:auto; line-height:normal"><b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Stay Organized with a Summer Fun Binder</span></span></span></b><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - While summer schedules are different, there's still a lot going on. Make your life easier by stowing all the reference materials you need such as camp schedules, babysitter contact info, party invitations, tickets and trip itineraries in a fun binder with plastic sheet protectors. If you have lots going on, you might want to use dividers to separate items by person or type of activity. This is also a great place to store ideas for fun rain or shine outings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Gear Up for Fun in the Sun</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - If you haven't done so already, make sure your children's summer clothes are now front and center in their closets and drawers. Take stock of any additional items they need and be sure to donate what no longer fits. Stow warmer weather clothing in clear, labeled bins under the bed or other storage space in your home. Do yourself a favor and donate items that aren't likely to be used next season. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Warning: Summer Fun Zone</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> – Summer comes with lots of gear - outdoor toys, beach supplies and camp equipment. To make things easy, clear the off-season gear out and set up a summer fun zone in your entry way, garage or other easy in-and-out location. Use large tubs or baskets to store items like balls and frisbees. A set of drawers or a bench with baskets can be good for smaller items like sunscreen, bug repellent, and flip-flops. Keep must-haves like helmets on easy-to-reach hooks. Get a head-start on packing for upcoming trips or camp by keeping a tote bag or bin to collect items you know you'll need or want. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p><strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Rainy Day Fun Indoors</span></span></span></strong><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 51); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> - Keeping your indoor toys and spaces under control can keep a rainy day inside from turning into chaos. Check out our </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://organizingboston.blogspot.com/2010/04/organizing-tips-for-kids-part-i.html">Organizing Tips for Kids</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for a little help in this department. If you need to get out of the house, check your summer fun binder for indoor activity ideas and schedules. </span></span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-24348187354348409562010-06-16T16:58:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.201-07:00Would you strip down for a better life?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVvhbxmbSmlJ6ZNg4TYEKpygervZaa2x_oUvZ6IVkHlXIEA3_Pbo8NO9MCWL8wZN3w1ciqN0ONZBY9c10LChJ6tGd5rWb8-GO-SutyAtVCW6wFzNnZ4tTXTAU6Xc8I_iN7GTjCsN67fQ/s1600/Stripped+Down.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrVvhbxmbSmlJ6ZNg4TYEKpygervZaa2x_oUvZ6IVkHlXIEA3_Pbo8NO9MCWL8wZN3w1ciqN0ONZBY9c10LChJ6tGd5rWb8-GO-SutyAtVCW6wFzNnZ4tTXTAU6Xc8I_iN7GTjCsN67fQ/s200/Stripped+Down.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483528192445988482" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A couple of weeks ago, I caught an episode of Oprah during which famed organizing expert Peter Walsh guided a ‘plugged in’ family of four through his Stripped Down program in hopes of leading them from disconnected (from each other) and disorganized to calm, cool and </span></span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">connected</span></span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">In order to strip down, the family agreed to the following rules for one week:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No cell phones or texting</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No electronics</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Prepare and eat healthy meals together</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Clean and organize their home (previously covered in laundry and clutter)</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hug and tell each family member something they love about them (every day)</span></span></li></ol><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While the first two may seem extreme, the point of the above rules was to get the family’s home and routines back into shape and more importantly to re-connect with each other rather than simply living together like ships in the night. I was immediately intrigued by the program and the obvious results. With Peter by their side to help them dig out from their piles and dig into the family dynamics, it was very clear that everyone, from the parents to the 5 year old and even the fifteen year old son benefited individually and as a family. At the end of the process, they tweaked the extreme rules to be slightly more manageable in the long term, while still effective. The revised rules looked something like this:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><ol><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No cell phones or texting between 6:00 and 9:00 pm</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">No TV before school or during meals</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Sunday breakfast and 3 dinners together, plus a weekly meal plan</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saturday morning clean up and family help with the laundry</span></span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Keeping up with the daily sentiments, plus a weekly family night and regular date night for the parents</span></span></span></li></ol><p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Would you be willing to make similar stripped down changes if it would improve your family relationships, decrease stress, and keep your home in better shape? Sign me up! </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Of course, the connection between a clean, organized home and a healthy, happy family life is no surprise to me and probably not to you. As Peter and Oprah pointed out, if your home is a place you love, that will carry through to your relationships – not to mention alleviating mess and chore-related tension. Whip your home into shape one space at a time, starting with the hot spots that cause the most stress. Make it a family affair so everyone is invested in the process and the results. If you’re overwhelmed, you can always call in the professionals to help you put a plan in place and see it all the way through – we’re here to help!</span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-71895102975711046542010-06-10T09:23:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.217-07:00Scenes From a Professional Organizer's Home: My Office<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ79fZIU4xHe8TOImXosKHljHGQGtv3NWrnbNN2XMpB6QC_RsHytmABD2HJ_0A4TH-XMYu3-LHRK45lXieYZTgEdmEmoCXQO-iSAlPtF4YvdEC6xydwlNnwiaTfo9MtNU0dXlspO1vPEs/s1600/P6100082.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ79fZIU4xHe8TOImXosKHljHGQGtv3NWrnbNN2XMpB6QC_RsHytmABD2HJ_0A4TH-XMYu3-LHRK45lXieYZTgEdmEmoCXQO-iSAlPtF4YvdEC6xydwlNnwiaTfo9MtNU0dXlspO1vPEs/s200/P6100082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5481182022830725026" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Things have been busy in Organizing Boston land, but I’m happy to report that I’m back to blogging and thought I’d jump back in with another ‘scene’ from my home. I’ll admit, I’d been avoiding showing you my office, mainly because I don’t see it as ‘finished.’ Since transitioning to working from home, I’ve made do with office stuff we already owned, rather than doing a complete office makeover, both for time and financial reasons. But the reality is, I’m using it, there are many things I like about it, and bottom line, it doesn’t have to be perfect. I can always make aesthetic and functional upgrades along the way, which I plan to do. Hopefully this inspires you to ditch the all or nothing attitude when it comes to organizing too! Here are some of my office keys to success:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Location, location, location!</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> My office is actually a corner of the main room in our house right next to the sliding doors to our balcony. It is a space I like to be in, which is really important if you plan on getting anything done. If you don’t like your home office space, get creative and see where else you could set up shop. Otherwise, you will just do your work elsewhere (or not at all), creating extra work in shifting supplies back and forth.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">A place for everything.</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> While I’ve had to get creative (i.e. using the keyboard trays of the desks as shelves to store things), for the most part, everything as a home. This is essential to preventing the dreaded piles from growing on your desk, which then makes work challenging and uninviting. Also key to preventing pile-ups is taking 5 minutes to clear your desk top and put everything away at the end of the day. Mornings are much better when there’s a clear space to put your cup of coffee!</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Form and function</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. Another office key to success is a comfortable chair and technology set-up. If you aren’t comfortable or there are barriers to efficiency, you’re going to be much less productive and probably won’t enjoy spending time in your office (and yes, this is possible!). While I didn’t embark on an office overhaul, I did invest in a new chair that I love – </span></span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/office/componentDesks/deskChairs?productId=10022641"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">the Bungee Office Chair available at The Container Store</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">. I also bought a wireless mouse to complement my laptop. If I end up spending more time at my computer than I currently do, I may consider a monitor and full keyboard, but this is working for now. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While I’m happily working away in my current set-up, there are definitely some improvements I plan to make. I think a new desk is in my future – for aesthetic and functional reasons - along with some wall shelving and/or additional free-standing shelves (I don’t have too many books, but I am at max capacity now, so I’d like to have a little room to grow). I also plan to get rid of my older laptop (still sitting on my desk). Let me know if you have any ideas for me and I will keep you posted on my progress this summer!</span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-7222205858509152312010-05-28T12:36:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.228-07:00Making Time (and Space) for What Matters<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA71AfonxCDpP_CMUgj5IFCoPoMnIbyzVF8p0SGxBts7G9CgmevWu5aUBxRJ1lDWpKNf8qXWLdFnHvpkKsBSmF8tU9rAOAWNoRd0qNpUeejKfAS59e9veitylR0DkNlbg7Mr9Pj0rGAk/s1600/P5250028.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizA71AfonxCDpP_CMUgj5IFCoPoMnIbyzVF8p0SGxBts7G9CgmevWu5aUBxRJ1lDWpKNf8qXWLdFnHvpkKsBSmF8tU9rAOAWNoRd0qNpUeejKfAS59e9veitylR0DkNlbg7Mr9Pj0rGAk/s200/P5250028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5476408171320293490" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we approach this long weekend, many people are looking forward to spending time with family and friends. This, along with reflecting on the service and sacrifice so many have given to this country, makes me think about what really matters. If you haven’t recently done so, I highly recommend taking time to actually write down what matters most in your life. Who are the people and what are the activities on this list? I’m guessing that your Blackberry, sitting in traffic, and watching a marathon of The Hills are not on your list, but I’m not judging if they are. Rather, the lists are more likely to include things like spending more quality time with family and friends, walking your dog, doing something you enjoy for a living, cooking healthy meals at home, or helping others. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Often, when people are looking to get organized, it is because one or more aspect of their lives feels out of control and prevents them focusing on what matters most. If this is the case for you, the first step is really to make that list. I wrote my list in a journal and refer to it regularly to keep myself on track. This exercise can be a key component in being able to clear the junk from your house and your schedule and keep it from creeping back in because it allows you to ask the question “Does this (item/activity) support what matters most to me?” Every item in your home and on your schedule is something that you have to manage. If you don’t have time and space to waste, make sure what’s taking up your real estate is worth it. Do you have piles of old magazines? Think about why they are (still) there and whether they are really contributing to the life you want to lead. Or are they instead taking up space and adding to your to-do list (“Read 50 magazines cover to cover and absorb all useful info”)? Are you constantly on-line and/or checking your email from the time you get up to the time you go to bed? Ask yourself the same question and see if you can tweak (or drastically change) your routine to free some time for a quality phone call with an old friend or an afternoon at the park with your kids (no Blackberry allowed). </span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-24075105675845465092010-05-17T12:53:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.238-07:00Closet Rules to Live By<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last week, we talked about the <a href="http://organizingboston.blogspot.com/2010/05/scenes-from-professional-organizers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">elements of an organized closet</span></a> and I gave you some tips and tricks I use in my own closet. Hopefully you were inspired to make some changes in your closet too! But the fun doesn’t end there - after you’ve whipped your closet into shape by purging items you don’t love or need and maximizing the space you have, you must follow some key rules to maintain it or your closet will slip back into chaos. Here are some closet rules to live by:</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Store like with like</b>. For most people this means sorting your closet by type of item – shirts with shirts, pants with pants, etc. Do what makes sense to you (some people like to sort by color) and maintain the system so you know where to find things and where to put them away.</span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>At the end of the day, put it away!</b> Taking time to put away your clothes at the end of the day is the most important step you can take to prevent closet chaos. Put dirty clothes in the laundry hamper and hang, fold and put away anything you plan to use again. It is NOT easier to leave something out because you are going to use it again soon – it will get buried or dirty if left out. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Fold and put your laundry away immediately.</b> This is typically an issue of project completion for most people, but leaving folded (or worse – unfolded) clean clothes out will only cause more work later, not to mention causing confusion and making it hard to find what you need. Carve out some uninterrupted time to get it done and enlist the help of other family members to take care of their items - just make sure they actually put things away. The good news is, folding laundry is fairly mindless which allows for easy multi-tasking, such as hands-free phone calls or catching up on your favorite TV shows. </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Follow the “one in, one out” rule.</b> Having a closet that is not over-stuffed is key to being able to put things away and find what you need. But closets follow the basic laws of physics - stuff just doesn’t disappear and space can’t be magically created. To maintain order, the best policy is that if you get something new, you should discard something that has fallen off the favorites list. If you do enough regular weeding (at least twice a year) you may give yourself a little room to grow your collection throughout the season, but if you’re having trouble sliding hangers or closing drawers, it’s time to reconsider what you have.</span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left:.25in"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Take a look at what’s causing your closet clutter – hopefully it can be managed by implementing some of our recent tips. If not, let us know what other closet issues are bugging you so we can help!</span></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-73027138032677446532010-05-13T09:14:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.271-07:00Scenes From a Professional Organizer's Home: My Closet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFLCmRUuWlYaBO1zRklw7a2H8HzMs4_GN86BnPPN1Oc1z8MsIvfyYdBMl5A9umTQ5AunV8_UEQuZn32fH_TmXKkJhYhdfjMiUmuyvmFgvGfFgp6lSEOrQMgCMepIYKo5nPQ2OwUgzok0/s1600/P5130052.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitFLCmRUuWlYaBO1zRklw7a2H8HzMs4_GN86BnPPN1Oc1z8MsIvfyYdBMl5A9umTQ5AunV8_UEQuZn32fH_TmXKkJhYhdfjMiUmuyvmFgvGfFgp6lSEOrQMgCMepIYKo5nPQ2OwUgzok0/s200/P5130052.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5470802858452049762" /></a><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Today I thought I’d show you my closet – especially fitting since Tuesday’s post focused on my discovery of the world of consignment. So what are the elements of an organized closet? </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Efficient Use of Space</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">If you’re like me and most others, you do not have infinite (or even ample) closet space, so it’s important to use the space you do have well! Look at all the dimensions – are you maximizing vertical in addition to horizontal space? Using walls and shelves in addition to hanging bar space? While not required (you’ll see I don’t have one), a custom-designed closet system is often the best way to make the most use of your space. The </span></span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/elfa/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">elfa systems offered by The Container Store</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> are a great option, but there are plenty of others out there that offer different looks for different prices. If you’re on a budget, there’s certainly plenty you can do with do-it-yourself and/or free-standing bins, shelving, hooks, shoe storage, etc. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Great Hangers</span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">One of the best investments I’ve made in my closet was to switch out all the hangers to Huggable Hangers® (the slim, fuzzy ones). I love them! Nothing slips off, they don’t leave hanger marks in the shoulders, and they work just as well for small and large clothing. I recommend buying brand-name rather than knock-off versions (sturdier and no issues with the fuzz or color). In addition to having hangers that function well, having uniform hangers is aesthetically pleasing and goes a long way toward making your closet appear organized!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Less is More<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">An organized closet must have plenty of space. So you may be saying, how can I accomplish that? If you’re already maximizing your space and you’re not adding additional space, there’s only one way to do this – evict items that you don’t love or need! Most people also need to store off-season clothing elsewhere – such as in plastic bins under the bed or other storage spaces. You’ve heard the rules, if you haven’t used it in a year, it’s time to move it along – donation, consignment, or swaps with friends are easy ways to do this. Review your closet twice a year (at the season changes) – if you went through an entire season and didn’t wear something, it’s time to go. This may seem scary at first for you savers out there, but you’ll be amazed at how much more enjoyable an uncluttered closet is. If you’re unsure, you can always try putting select items on “probation” – put them aside (but still accessible), set an expiration date, and if that date comes and goes without getting some enjoyable use out of the items, you know what to do!</span></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">4.</span></span><span style="font:7.0pt "Times New Roman""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> T</span></span></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">he Right Tools<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Since I don’t have a built-in system (aside from a hanging bar and shelf), I make use of the following tools to maximize space:</span></span></p><p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"></p><ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bins – I use small, lightweight bins on the shelf that I can easily pull down to store items I use regularly, but not daily. I also use larger bins around the perimeter on the floor for bulky items like sweaters and foldable items like gym clothes. We just have to remember to keep the closet door closed so our cat doesn’t make these bins into a comfy nap spot!</span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Hooks – For belts and hats, I installed a rack of hooks on the wall behind the main hanging bar. Because the closet isn’t over-stuffed, it’s easy to see and reach these items. </span></span></li><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Shoe Storage – Most people have more shoes to store than can fit along the floor of a closet. We make use of vertical space using shoe shelves as well as hanging shoe cubbies. You can also try over-the-door shoe cubbies or a </span></span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/closet/shoeStorage/floor?productId=10025820"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#000099;">shoe tree</span></span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> for additional storage.</span></span></span></span></li></ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I hope this gives you some ideas and inspiration to improve your closet. You get dressed and undressed every day – why not make your life a little easier!</span></span><p></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-36915151356586171372010-05-11T12:24:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.283-07:00Refresh Your Closet with Consignment<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 13.5pt"><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 68); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I just bought my first item of clothing from a consignment store this weekend - a $14 pair of pants that fit me perfectly and filled a need in my closet. While I've been aware of the idea of consignment for some time, I feel like I've just opened a door to a whole new world...and closet!</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: 13.5pt"><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 68); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">As we've talked about before, some of the best ways to be green at home are to buy less stuff (or at least less new stuff) and to donate or recycle your unwanted items. Consignment is a great way to refresh your closet without buying brand new items and at the same time 'recycling' your gently used duds so someone else can enjoy them. The catch is that consignment stores can be pretty picky about what they will accept - usually less than 2-3 years old, must be in good or great condition and they may only accept certain brands. But shop around and you may find a store that will accept your items. Not only will you clear some real estate in your closet, but if your items sell, you will have some bonus funds to spend on some new used items. And while some consignment stores focus on high-end items, if you can find one that carries a selection of mid-range brands, you can score some great bargains while adding new life to your wardrobe.</span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:13.5pt"><span style="color: rgb(85, 85, 68); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Bottom line, if you'd like to refresh your closet regularly, but want to take it easy on your wallet and the planet, give consignment a try. Google stores in your area and check reviews to make sure clients and customers are happy with how they operate. Happy shopping!</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:"Verdana","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";color:#555544"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-8290672907932428322010-04-29T15:46:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.294-07:00Scenes From a Professional Organizer's Home: My Bathroom<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFbkD5rxsOmV5WGyTqmxwcUdGmvEI3Rl-7MiCZQqvkKY2iFx-YO0Lj4PQrCU7jwPrLcqDaXBuL-KpbunRv2wtUsC0iDa7FTXXconygFymgF89Sx4ThLIKr5ms-AANczb0rr3IzBoL7No/s1600/20090510_73.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMFbkD5rxsOmV5WGyTqmxwcUdGmvEI3Rl-7MiCZQqvkKY2iFx-YO0Lj4PQrCU7jwPrLcqDaXBuL-KpbunRv2wtUsC0iDa7FTXXconygFymgF89Sx4ThLIKr5ms-AANczb0rr3IzBoL7No/s200/20090510_73.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465707190836819922" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Last week I gave you a <a href="http://organizingboston.blogspot.com/2010/04/scenes-from-professional-organizers.html">peek at my kitchen</a>. Bathrooms can also pose organizing challenges, often due to limited storage space, so I thought we'd focus on that this week. When we moved into our condo, our bathroom storage was limited to a small under-sink cabinet (pictured), a 3-door mirrored medicine cabinet and a single towel bar. To maximize storage space, I outfitted the under-sink cabinet with these <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cabinetUndersinkStorage/drawersPullOutTrays?productId=10010681">mesh drawers from The Containers Store</a>. They hold smaller items like travel toiletries and medicine/first aid items. Larger items like cleaning supplies can still fit alongside the drawers. We also installed a <a href="http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/product.asp?order_num=-1&SKU=16234133&RN=370&KSKU=118243">wall-mounted cabinet like this one</a> (but with frosted doors) to hold less frequently used items and extra stock, while the most frequently used items are stored in the medicine cabinet - my items on the left, my husband's on the right and shared items in the middle. We added towel hooks and rings for everyday towels and I keep guest towels folded on top of the wall cabinet and extra TP in a decorative canister on the floor. If I had drawers in the bathroom - maybe you do - I would use <a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/bath/cosmeticsOrganizers/drawerOrganizers?productId=10014771">simple drawer dividers</a> and keep small items like Qtips, cotton balls, etc. in there. Our space is limited, so I've chosen to keep makeup and hair items out of the bathroom for the most part - I have plenty of space for these and a good mirror in our bedroom.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Here are my top tips for keeping your bathroom organized:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Know how much 'inventory' you can store, and don't buy more than that - even if it's on sale!! True story - when we first got our Costco membership, we made a classic rookie mistake and bought the 24 pack of toilet paper. No surprise, we really didn't have the room to store it - we had rolls everywhere - even in the bedroom TV cabinet. For me, the 'benefit' of not having to buy TP for a year did not outweigh the clutter it created in our small apartment - lesson learned!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Regularly weed out expired medicines, make-up and items you aren't using. Medicine cabinets and under-sink storage, while small spaces, have a way of becoming black holes for things like travel toiletries, hair products, product samples, etc. Don't let them take up valuable real estate in your bathroom.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">3) Keep like items together for easy access. If your mornings are like mine, every minute counts! Streamline your getting ready routine by grouping similar items together. Or you could use my strategy of grouping items by 'user' - all of my items are on one side of the medicine cabinet so I don't have to open multiple cabinets to get what I need.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">While bathrooms are typically a small part of your home, an organized bathroom can have a huge impact on your daily routine. Try out the above tips and tell us your ideas for making your bathroom an organized oasis! </span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-18628085709378138452010-04-24T06:04:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.312-07:00Benefits of Getting Organized<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">So what can getting organized, or at least working toward it, do for you? I recently came across this guest post on one of my favorite blogs that spells out </span></span><a href="http://unclutterer.com/2009/04/14/seven-benefits-of-uncluttering/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Seven Benefits of Uncluttering</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. As a professional organizer, I definitely have a natural love of all things organized and the process of organizing, but that is not to say that my life hasn't had its pockets of clutter along the way. It really wasn't until I started to get serious about organizing a couple years ago that I became aware of several of the benefits described. The ones that really hit home for me are 1) Save Money, 4) Help Others, and 7) Reduce Stress. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Since catching the decluttering bug, I know my financial bottom line is better off. I was never a big spender, but I now have an increased awareness about my purchases that, for the most part, stops useless items from making their way into my home. My shopping filter is motivated both by the financial savings as well as the desire to keep clutter at bay - double defense! This doesn't mean I don't buy anything, but I'm careful about what and have noticed that I really enjoy/use/love what I do buy.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">During the process of decluttering, most people generate significant amounts of stuff that's headed out the door. But where does it all go? Since I'm not big on throwing out items that others could use, trips to local donation centers have become part of my routine. It feels so much better to let someone else have the chance to use items I don't need, rather than have let them lie dormant in my closets. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">But it is truly the last benefit - reducing stress - that has had the greatest impact for me. There is just something so 'freeing' about finishing unfinished projects, creating space by letting go of clutter, and getting systems in place that allow you to stay on top of it all. And as a bonus, less clutter means easier cleaning - now that's a powerful stress buster for me!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">And while this hasn't been a driver for me, I also found number three - Get more space. Afford more house. - especially intriguing. As author Gregory Go puts it:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">What percentage of your home is used for clutter storage? You may be shocked to learn the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">percentage of your rent or mortgage payments being used to store that old TV, extra couch, and </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">broken coffee maker."</span></span></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; line-height: 19px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Living in an expensive real estate market, I know I will be thinking about any remaining clutter with a different eye! What motivates you to get organized?</span></span></span></div>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4373268170493354934.post-60669628721963150592010-04-21T18:45:00.000-07:002010-09-22T07:07:58.325-07:00Scenes From a Professional Organizer's Home: My Kitchen<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKAostmwUCg55VFgy8FBiKY7qqg1lGqcH-j8zfqRpXW8YAasDkUgcT_4R8zIkZ7lSthlrzVFJLqyJ3D72P94IRoX218ZEKDguK4lKfHv9gDMo5Wj1dHT2bt-5yBYQM271-SwAfawxJc/s1600/P4210023.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjUKAostmwUCg55VFgy8FBiKY7qqg1lGqcH-j8zfqRpXW8YAasDkUgcT_4R8zIkZ7lSthlrzVFJLqyJ3D72P94IRoX218ZEKDguK4lKfHv9gDMo5Wj1dHT2bt-5yBYQM271-SwAfawxJc/s200/P4210023.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5462772037602954786" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 20px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Last week I promised to give you little glimpses into my home in addition to some tips along the way. One thing you may not know about me is that I'm also a registered dietitian and have transformed my canned corn and chicken parm-eating husband into a baby spinach and apple-loving fool! So I thought it would make sense to start in my kitchen.</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">So here you go, this is my flatware/utensil drawer. I chose this little space to show you because it makes me happy - in my eyes, it is a perfectly organized spot - it has the division it needs to keep like with like, we have plenty of what we need, but not too much more, and I can find everything quickly. My husband can even unload the dishwasher (which he does do) and all the forks and spoons end what where they're supposed to!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Enough about my drawer, here are some of my 'organized dietitian' tips for a healthy, organized kitchen:</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">1) With busy schedules, being able to eat healthfully depends on a well-stocked and organized pantry and fridge. So get to know what's in there! Pull it out, get rid of expired foods, items your family doesn't use, and ditch foods that don't support your nutrition goals. When you put what's left back, group like items together so you can easily find what you need - put your healthy snack foods, like yogurt and fruit, in the same zone in your fridge so you have an easy 'grab and go' snack. If you need ways to maximize the storage space in your 'pantry', check out </span></span><a href="http://www.containerstore.com/shop/kitchen" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">The Container Store's kitchen section</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> for some ideas.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">2) When it comes to pots, pans and kitchen gadgets, the key is to own just what you need and use. Avoid buying what </span></span><a href="http://unclutterer.com/category/unitasker-wednesday/" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Unclutter.com refers to as 'unitaskers'</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> - items that serve just a single purpose (they are often kitchen items). On the contrary, owning basic kitchen items, such as good knives, nesting bowls, and a basic set of cookware, and items that can multi-task, is the best way to avoid kitchen clutter.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">3) Own a single good set of plastic food storage containers - I have a set of </span></span><a href="http://www.rubbermaid.com/Category/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?Prod_ID=RP091258&CatName=FoodStorage" style="color: rgb(153, 153, 153); text-decoration: none; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">Rubbermaid's Easy Find Lid containers</span></span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "> plus a few good Tupperware pieces. If you have an overflowing stock of plastic containers, go through them, keep the best and get rid of the rest! Trust me, this will make a world of difference in terms of kitchen storage space and your sanity when trying to find a matching set. And bringing dinner leftovers for lunch is a great way to save money and your waistline!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; "><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; ">We'll come back around to the kitchen in a bit, but hopefully that's some food for thought (I couldn't resist) for this week! In the meantime, tell us about your kitchen successes and challenges...</span></span></div></span>Sarah Buckwalterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03556613397289795753noreply@blogger.com0