Your Life. Organized.

An Empty Mind?

Back in December, I wrote about a new book called The Perfect Mess which makes a case for crammed closets, disorganized desks and living in chaos. Last evening, I surfed through the hard drive list on our DVR, hitting the delete button to make room for this week's must-see TV (American Idol, Top Design and The Office if you must know).  While scrolling through the list, I noticed we had never...

 

10 Minute Lessons

I don't know why I haven't shared this before, but better now than never, right? If you're interested in learning a little something about ohhhhh any old subject under the sun, stop by 10  Minute Lessons. There are all kinds of experts there, including experts on science, football, search engine optimization,  selling your home, rock n' roll, and much more! Oh, and did I mention there's an incredibly fabulous organizing expert there too??  Yep! She covers both home and office organizing, so stop by and listen to a 10 Minute Lesson for yourself.

Form Before Function?

 Last night's episode of Top Design was as chock full of drama queenery as ever. (I think I just invented a new word...queenery!)  For the most part I enjoy the show (not nearly as much as Top Chef -- don't be ridiculous!) but I do like it. However, I have a little issue with the most recent episode. The challenge this week was for each designer to create a room for...

EcoHangers... Yay or Nay?

Trendhunter Magazine online has a short piece on a product called EcoHangers.
They're clothing hangers made from recycled paper, each bearing an advertisement. Now, I dig the whole idea of the EcoHanger, given that 3.5 billion wire hangers end up in landfills every year. (People, just take 'em back to your cleaners, willya??)

But in all honesty, I have to say that I probably wouldn't use these mini-billboards myself because I'm already so bombarded with advertising messages and I don't want to see more of them every time I hang up my clothes. What do you think?

(Photo from the Hanger Network web site)

A Different Way to Use a Closet

 Tampa Bay Devil Rays infielder, 29-year old Ty Wigginton is a clutch player for the baseball club, but according to this article on ESPN.com, he was more than clutch when his wife Angela went into labor in the master closet of the couple's North Carolina home. Wigginton delivered his second son (aptly named Cannon for his hasty birth) aided by instructions from a 911 operator. How's that for using your closet in a whole new way?

Radio This Week:Organizing for Homeschooling Parents and Kids

Join me this week (Tuesday at noon Eastern Time) for Organization Nation, as I interview Donna Clarke from DC Homeschool Consultants. We'll be talking about home schooling. You'll learn to tell if you're a good candidate to home school, how to stay organized as a home educator and the benefits of home schooling for your kids. This is the first of several shows I'll be doing with Donna, so if you're a home schooler or you're interested in the topic, feel welcome to call toll-free at 1-866-356-0789. Talk to you then!

Valentine Role Reversal

This week, I'm doing a series of morning show radio interviews and our topic is Valentine Role Reversal. Now I know they say Valentine’s Day is for lovers, but who are we kidding? For years, men have been pressured to pony up on February 14^th and give the woman in their lives everything from flowers and chocolates to expensive dinners and fancy jewelry. Meanwhile women reserve the right to...

Radio This Week:Organizing Your Digital Images

Digital photography has changed the way we capture the moments of our lives, but too often the images we save are a jumbled mess on our hard drive, or worse yet, never come off the camera in the first place! Join me tomorrow, Tuesday February 13th at noon Eastern Time, for Organization Nation, as I interview Joseph Dunbar about digital cameras and how to store and organize your digital photos! Call in with your questions about the topic, tolll-free at 1-866-356-0789 or listen online after the show is over.

Organizers Partner with IKEA

 

The Georgia Chapter of The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is partnering with Atlanta's IKEA to educate the public about getting organized at home. Join us Saturday February 17th from 2:00 to 4:30 pm for in-store seminars in all departments. I'll be in the kitchen department talking about the Rationell product line, the Dold line, as well as other kitchen accessories. My colleagues will be covering kids' rooms, storage, wardrobe and closets, home office, and living area organizing products and solutions. IKEA is located at Atlantic Station on 17th Street downtown. Hope to see you there!

From Valentines Day to The Ides of March

Rubbermaid is running a great 20% off  Closet Configurations kits from now through March 15th, 2007. It's fast and easy to create your own custom closet solution in a few hours!  Just go to the Rubbermaid web site and order a Closet Configurations kit online, using this coupon code: CL337 when you check out, and get 20% off your order!

Between this sale and The Container Store extending their annual 30% off Elfa sale, I don't know which is better!

Yeah, I'm the Tax Maaaaaaan

The Beatles wrote all about it in 1966 and it's still true today. January 31st has come and gone and in case you didn't know, that's the deadline for employers to have sent out W-2 forms to employees. It's also the signal for tax accountants all over the country to begin hunkering down, stocking up on Power Bars, and getting ready for their busiest time of year. Yes, I mean TAX TIME! Getting a root canal...

Radio This Week:Organizing Products Scoop

Tune in to Radio Sandy Springs Tuesday at noon Eastern Time for this week's Organization Nation. We'll be doing a special show about new, cool, and innovative organizing products and resources!  Also, I'll have an in-studio guest (or two) talking about getting organized, her organizing successes, and how she did it. Be sure to listen live at noon! If you just can't break away, hit my radio show home page and listen later or download the show. As always, you're welcome (and encouraged) to call in with your questions, comments, or stories of your own organizing success! Toll-free 1-866-356-0789.

In Imelda's Wildest Dreams

Holy Spinning Slingbacks, Batman! I have seen the future of shoe storage and it is...

Shadow or No Shadow?

 As a winter-hating kid growing up in Pennsylvania, I would always eagerly await Punxsutawney Phil's February 2nd forecast for either six more weeks of winter or an early spring.  (You can probably guess which one I always hoped for.)

Down here in the south, we have General Beauregard Lee  (a fitting name for a Southern Gentleman Groundhog, don't you think?) who tells us what to expect. Well, today is Groundhog Day and up in Pennsylvania and here in Georgia, both of these weather-predicting rodents are saying EARLY SPRING!  Woohoo!

What's your groundhog saying you're in for? Will it be six more weeks or an early spring? Click here to find out and let me know. And if anyone knows Phil or Beauregard Lee's official track record, I'd be interested in seeing how accurate these furry cuties are. Heck, I'm willing to bet they're at least as good as my local weather guy and they work a lot cheaper too. 

Another Word on Smead & Microbes

Last week I wrote about a product sample that I had received in my mailbox from Smead. It's an antimicrobial file folder, (we'll just call him "AM" for short). The AM products are impregnated with an inorganic compound that inhibits the growth of mold, mildew, algae, fungus and bacteria.

I spoke with a representative from Smead who assured me that the antimicrobial folders (and the other products in the antimicrobial line) aren't designed to prevent the spread of disease between humans, but are in fact, designed...

Hurry! Only Three Days Left!

Hurry! Time is running out on the annual Elfa sale at The Container Store. Measure out those storage spaces and get your orders in and paid for by close of business on Monday February 5th, to take advantage of 30% savings on all Elfa closet, garage, kitchen and shelving components! You can't beat this deal, and if you miss it, you'll kick yourself all year. Tell 'em I sent you.