Organizing the Kid’s Room!

This really can be a fun project - honest! There are so many products available for kid’s storage now, that you can be really be creative. As Peter recommends, “establish the zones”. What is the purpose of this room? Is it for sleep only? Or…do other activities take place here? If so, what are those activities? This is kind of like the husband thing, if you give them a place to put their keys, ties, change, cell phone, PDA etc., they’ll do it. Same idea for kid’s in their rooms.

Help your kids to understand where things belong. Give them designated places to keep things like toys, books, games, drawing and painting items, project and craft items, blocks or even storage for music if they play an instrument. Another words, help your kids to be successful in keeping their room’s neat and Mom happy!

Color Coordinate! This makes the project more fun for you as you make your plan to shop for decorating. If you are thinking pink for “the little girl”, here are some ideas of products we love:

Set of Three Storage Cases. These are great for storing and organizing crayons, colored pencils, “toys on the go” and small craft project items.

Canvas Totes. These totes are available in three sizes. We love them because the are made of sturdy canvas, they fit in a variety of cubes or on shelves and are multi-purpose and multi-functional.

Pink Canvas Storage Scrunch Can. You can fill this “can” up with a bunch of toys and other items in a short time! It’s also a great way to store stuffed animals.

Things I LOVE today!

In working on an HGTV project, I discovered a treasure of a company, called Wonderful Graffiti. I picked up the phone immediately and spoke to Creator, Owner and Director, Mary McPhail. Talk about something special that brings meaning to your space! This is wall art (and more) in an instant, made of very thin layers of vinyl and much like a big rub-on transfer. I was immediately drawn to Mary’s talents and her company. I am so excited about their products, that we are going to add them to Organize.com next month and I can’t wait for you to see them. You will find ways to bring creativity to our storage products, decorate a room with a personalized touch and add more magical moments to your Wedding. Stayed tuned to see a Wonderful assortment of Wonderful Graffiti at Organize.com.

Happy Organizing!

-Mrs. O

No Comments January 25, 2008 on 10:42 pm | In All

Getting Organized - The Master Bedroom!

“No room in a home should be more important to a couple than their bedroom”, says Peter Walsh. Chaos here will impact peace, harmony, love, respect and family life in your entire home. Make this area calm and a place that you enjoy relaxing.

Set some basic rules and make a commitment to yourself. Make your bed EVERYDAY! Neat = calm and no clothing clutter allowed. Whether you make your bed as you get out of it or right after you shower, let this be part of your morning routine. Also hang your clothes when you take them off. You won’t find yourself hanging 10 items on Saturday morning when you could be having a manicure. Now there’s a big decision. “Furniture and clothes can stay. All else goes”! That’s the rule and your new mantra. Keep repeating it.

Three Steps to Closet Organization:
1. Take Inventory. How many hangers do you need? Take count for the number of shirt and coat, bar and clip hangers you will need. Add up your shoes and folded items - such as sweaters, handbags, belts and scarves. Are there miscellaneous items that need to be stored here such as luggage, linens or gift wrap?
2. The BIG Clean. Remember the two-year rule. If you haven’t worn it in two-years, chances are you aren’t going to - so let go and donate it!
3. Measure your closet space, make a list of the items you need and the tools to do your project. Once you get started, you want to keep going until you’re done!

What items do I need to think about to organize my closet? Be sure to include the quantity of each on your list.

Hangers - Choose from wood, plastic, chrome, padded or non-slip friction.
Shoe Storage - Options include shelf, floor, hanging and over-the-door.
Drawers - Stacking drawers or chests will give you extra space.
Drawer Organization - Keep the contents neat!
Cubes, Boxes & Bins - These are available in loads of shapes, sizes and colors.
Shelf Organizers - Dividers and organizers for the top shelf will keep things neat.
Sweater Shelves - Store sweaters by color and stack them neatly.
Hanging Organizers - A variety of choices for a variety of items.
Belts,Ties & Scarves - There really are easy solutions for these items!
Handbags - Keep them neat and organized.
Over The Door Storage - Store accessories to shoes and don’t waste space.
Under The Bed Storage - A great place for items not frequently used, such as bathing suits, sun screens and travel items.
Jewelry - Chests, counter and drawer organization solutions.

Closet Decorating Tip:
Color coordinate your closet essentials. You’ll love the feeling of the end result!

Voted “Best Item” for Closet Organization by our Editors:
Closet Doublers. These literally double the space you have in your closet and offer an affordable solution!

Double the Space in an instant!

Happy Organizing!
- Mrs. O

No Comments January 23, 2008 on 4:58 am | In All

Getting Organized…With Peter Walsh - Part 4

So…how are we doing so with getting Organized? In this next step, we should add these rooms to our zone list and don’t forget to include the functions.

Master Bedroom
Sleeping
Relaxation
Clothes
Shoes
Off-season clothes and shoes
Reading

Kid’s Bedroom  
Sleeping
Clothes
Shoes
Homework
Toys
Reading
Crafts
Music

Bathroom
Personal Products
Medicine
Cleaning Supplies
Shared Products

Home Office
Working
Bill Paying
Computer Work
Studying
Reading
Mail
Files 
Scrapbooking
Crafting

Garage, Basement, & Other Storage
Car
Auto Supplies
Garden Supplies
Tools
Paint and chemicals     

Now that you have finished the last of the lists - let’s start on the math. Peter made it pretty simple format with some easy facts. Get the measuring tape out and get ready for the number of common items that fit into shelving and hanging space. I think you will like the “Stuff” Math Cheat Sheet from It’s All Too Much!

Stuff I Love Today!
Check out these Valentine’s Day candles. They are as cute and sweet as the little Necco candies that say “Be Mine”!

I also LOVE todays’s news that Oprah will have her own Television Network. I hear she wrote this goal in her journal fifteen years ago. The woman is truly amazing and an inspiration to all of us. I admire who she is and what she does for others.

Happy Organizing!
-Mrs. O             

1 Comment January 17, 2008 on 1:22 am | In All

Get Organized! Step 3 from It’s All Too Much!

Thanks for your notes and comments. It’s nice to hear that you are having fun getting organized!

As you work through the process and before we get down to the specific products, I think it’s important to get this “rooms and zones” thing down. Peter did an excellent job on this list in It’s All Too Much, so rather than re-invent a successful formula - let’s continue on the “what you want this room to be” list. By now, the goals should look something like the list below. You will notice that I started with the rooms that are used by all family members.

Kitchen
Food Preparation
Cooking
Cleanup
Eating
Usually where the action is!

Family Room
Media - Music and TV
Entertaining
Reading
Games
Collectibles
Photos
Hanging Out!

Living Room
Entertaining
Reading
Relaxation
Collectible Storage
A room only sometimes used!

Dining Room
Eating
Entertaining
Formal China
Entertaining Items
Holiday Gatherings!

As I mentioned, a key part of getting a space organized, is to first specify the activities for each area. How does your list compare? Tomorrow’s “zones” will include the master bedroom, kid’s bedroom, home office, laundry room, garage and basement - so…stay tuned!

Coming Up!
Are you a crafter? As our assortment of craft storage continues to grow, so will the fun events we have planned for spring! We’ve partnered with our friends at Duncan Crafts who will bring some creative ideas to all types of storage solutions. You won’t want to miss the free projects they’ve designed that include the recipes for success! You will find their products (you know…Aleene’s Glue - gold bottle and Tulip Paints to name a few!) at Michaels, Joanns or your local craft store. Also, check out their blog at http://duncanfashiongirl.blogspot.com/. My friend Alyson is the author. She is both adorable and passionate about EVERYTHING she does!

Happy Organizing!
- Mrs. O

No Comments January 13, 2008 on 9:42 pm | In All

Get Organized! Step 2 From It’s All Too Much!

If you got through the Kick Start, you are ready to move on. Get some communication going with “your team” about the decisions you are about to make. When you do this, remember what happens when you go on a diet and loose weight. We all know that if you go back to eating the same way that you did before loosing weight - the weight will return. It’s the same theory with organization. If you go on a Clutter Diet - the clutter will return when you stop managing it. Pretty simple when you think of it this way - isn’t it?

By now, I hope that you have come to understand that Organization is a Lifestyle. You work at it every day and in everything that you do. It can be fun and and coordinate with your personality and style! Since you have removed some of the clutter and given yourself some new space in your home - you should begin to see what the real possibilities are.

Next, I’d like you to start a “Room Function Chart”. This is one of my favorite “Peter Ideas”, because it works! The chart should be divided into three columns.

1. Room. 2. Current function and who uses it. 3. What you want this room to become.

Include your Living Room, Dining Room, Family Room, Kitchen, Pantry, Laundry Room, Master Bedroom, Kid’s Bedrooms, Guest Rooms, Bathrooms, Home Office, Garage and Basement in your chart. Next - list the current function of this room. If the guest room doubles as a home office for your husband and a craft room for you, include this in your list. Finally, list what you want this room to be.

Once you have completed this chart, you will find that it combines everyone’s thoughts, ideas and goals and you will be ready to change the way you live your life! We will take the next steps room by room with some great ideas and include the types of products you need for success! Stay tuned…

Happy Organizing!

- Mrs. O

2 Comments January 9, 2008 on 6:45 am | In All

An Interview With Peter Walsh - Getting Started!

If you decided that you can’t live another year in the clutter around you, the house you live in doesn’t feel like yours any longer or it’s all just overwhelming, you have probably come to the point where “It’s All Too Much”. It’s time to take the steps that will change your life forever…so, let’s get you started!

Tackle The Clutter!
Peter calls this first step the “Kick Start”. It’s tough to make people part with things that belong to them. If you commit to taking the “F.A.S.T.” approach…this will also become your new mantra! What is F.A.S.T.? You’re going to like this.
F = Fix a time. Schedule a kick start date with everyone in the household.
A = Anything not used for twelve months - let it go!
S = Someone else’s stuff. If it doesn’t belong to you - it’s time to go.
T = Unusable items and garbage are history.

Organize Your Material!
Be sure you have plenty of trash bags on hand. Keep in mind that your goal is to fill lots of them. Buy or borrow tarps. You’ve probably seen Peter use these on TLC’s Clean Sweep. They are GREAT for sorting “stuff” into piles. Depending on the space you have, a tarp can be assigned to each household member or in ”teams”.  Consider renting a dumpster that can be delivered to your home and towed away when filled. Plan sandwiches or pizza for dinner. There won’t be time for food prep.

Pick The Final Destination
If I haven’t mentioned this already, Peter Walsh is a no nonsense kind of guy. These three options for every item you come across will explain why.
1. Keep. This category is for items that you use all the time.
2. Trash. Remember that you are creating space and getting rid of the clutter that is making you unhappy.
3. Out the door. These items are either going to be sold at a yard sale or online, being donated or given back to their owner. I love this part…”once in this pile, the item never comes back into your home”.

Game Rules
These are pretty easy. Start on time, don’t argue or waste time, make your piles and don’t stop until you are done!

At the end of this purge, “evaluate and congratulate”. There will be some things that mean more to some than to others. This is where the family give and take comes in. Decide what’s important and a way to let go of the things that don’t deserve the space they are taking. As the leader, rally the team and get them excited to accomplish the next step!

NEAT Tip of the day:
Holiday Wreath Storage bags are perfect for storing garland. We used a 42″ Wreath Chest to store our indoor and outdoor garland this year. These also have center pull-out storage to keep your garland, bows and ornaments all together. Just “coil” the garland from the inside of the chest and work your way to the outside edge. Also note as you store your wreaths in these storage bags, that there is some open space between the pull out storage and wreath. A single 9-foot strand of garland fits perfectly here! Wreath storage bags range in price and size to fit your needs.

Happy Organizing!
-Mrs. O

No Comments January 7, 2008 on 5:52 am | In All, Featured Guests, Interviews

An Interview With Peter Walsh - Part Two

I’m not getting ahead of myself with Peter’s interview here, but someone asked me this morning - “what can I do today (this very minute!) that will give me a fresh start in the new year?” Answer…The Trash Bag Tango! No…it’s not the latest dance that you didn’t know about, but it is one of the first exercises that Peter Walsh asks of his clients. It’s actually easier than a two-step for some. This tip is as easy as 1, 2, 3 and you can do it!

Give each member of your household a trash bag. I’ve found that large, black lawn and garden bags hold up best for this exercise. For ten minutes, everyone fills their bag with items that they don’t need, don’t use, have outgrown or will help to reduce the cluttered area you are working on. You can decide to do this for one day or for one week, depending on the size of your project. Everything that is collected is either donated or recycled in some way. For those of you with kids, this is a great project for the playroom. The extra stuffed animals seem to find a good new home and the kids don’t mind working with Mom and Dad if you make any kind of a game of this. Speaking of stuffed animals, if you don’t have a Pet Net or Toy Net - these are an excellent solution for storing stuffed toys! 

“The Trash Bag Tango” is also an excellent approach to the garage. Think of it this way. If you have a family of four filling one trash bag per person in ten minutes, that’s 4 bags of ’stuff’. If you set aside 10 minutes for 7 days, you would collect 28 bags of ’stuff’ in just one week. When you do the math, it sounds like a pretty simple way to de-clutter and definitely doable!

Today’s NEAT TIP?
When you are looking to de-clutter your home, only bring in something new if you are willing to give up something old. It’s the ‘give and take’ approach of sort and it works!  The weekend is almost here. Make a plan to organize something and get started!

- Mrs. O  

No Comments January 4, 2008 on 6:14 am | In All, Featured Guests, Interviews

An Interview With Peter Walsh - Part One

I had read quite a bit about Peter prior to our interview. Mostly about the work he had done, his books and what his does as a speaker and organizer. What I didn’t find, was who is Peter Walsh and how did he get to be the Guru of Organization? I wondered just how he was different from other Professional Organizers and what interested Oprah enough to choose this man to be her expert in helping others to get organized. His background is extremely interesting, as it relates to who Peter is today. Continue reading An Interview With Peter Walsh - Part One…

No Comments January 3, 2008 on 7:23 am | In All, Featured Guests, Interviews

An Interview With Peter Walsh…

It’s Organizing Month at Organize.com and who is more perfect to be my Celebrity Guest than Peter Walsh? Peter is a clutter expert and organizational consultant for TLC’s Clean Sweep, has made numerous appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, hosts his own radio show on Oprah and Friends XM 156 Radio is the author of “It’s All Too Much” and soon to be released “Does This Clutter Make My Butt Look Fat?”.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Peter Walsh. I must say that Peter is a charming Australian, who is witty, extremely bright and passionate about everything he does. His energy is both enlightening and contagious. You can hear the passion in his voice the minute you begin a conversation with him. He speaks with authority, enthusiasm and an expertise that convinces you immediately that he is on a mission to help others.

I was especially interested in Peter because we share the same theory that “organization is a lifestyle”. You cannot be successfully organized on a clutter diet. You must begin with the root of the problem, find the solution and work at it everyday. Peter and I also share a key component in our everyday lives…we spend most of our time organizing other people. Peter is truly and expert at helping people determine two things - “what you want from your space” and “the life you want to live”. You’ll find out how as you read on. I hope you will join me tomorrow for Part One of “My Interview With Peter Walsh”.

Take one step at a time!

- Mrs. Organized

2 Comments January 2, 2008 on 5:26 am | In All, Featured Guests, Interviews

Happy and Healthy New Year!

As we visit with dear friends on this New Year’s Eve, I realize how blessed we are and what a great year 2007 has been. Terry and I have much to be thankful for and reflect upon. We are happy and healthy with four great children that bring each of us pleasure in many different ways. We will also have a addition of a new daughter-in-law in 2008.

Tomorrow will begin many New Year’s resolutions for all of us. No matter what yours is, I wish you success and happiness in 2008. Remember that change is one step at a time and success is measured from within. Walk a little faster, eat a little less, work a little harder, make a better plan, clean and organize one drawer or room at a time, be a better partner, mom, dad, sister, brother, daughter, son, aunt, uncle, cousin or friend. We don’t have to be perfect…we just need to try a little harder and be the best we can be. The rest just happens.
Happy New Year!

Mrs. O

No Comments January 1, 2008 on 3:28 am | In All