Do you have a closet that is filled to the max?  Most everyone says yes to this question because naturally if you have space …you tend to fill it up. Are you ready to clean out your closet?  Here is a statistic about clothes for you… most people wear 20% of their clothing 80% of the time.  Doesn’t that sound crazy?  Oh, but it is true.

The first time I heard this statistic I prided myself with being a bit of a minimalist and thought to myself,

“No Way, I do much better than that.  I think I use more like 80% of my clothes 80% of the time”

Then one day as I was folding the laundry, I realized that I was fooling myself.  I came to this realization because I was folding a sweatshirt that is in the wash almost every week… which meant that I wore it all the time!  Then I looked at the rest of the clothes I was folding and realized that these are the same clothes I wash almost every week.  Then my thinking went to my closet…which was full of all the clothes I hardly wear.  Oh my goodness, my closet is just like everyone else’s closet!!

The Clothes

As an Organizer, I knew I needed to “fix” this situation.  It was time for me to clean out my closet. One of the best tips for cleaning out a closet is to place a donate basket in your closet or bedroom.  Each morning, while you getting an outfit, it is very easy to pull out  a couple of things you don’t wear and place them in the donate basket.  Then there are those clothes that you always try on thinking you want to wear but, for whatever reason, never wear it out of the room.  Don’t hang these items back up…put them in the donate basket.

Do you wear all your clothes?  I have a challenge for you.  Place all you hangers backwards and only put them the correct way after you have worn the item on the hanger.  Give it a try.  It will open your eyes to the amount of clothes you really never wear.

The Shoes

I love shoes like everyone else.  The best tip for organizing you shoes is to get them off the floor.  Put them on a rack or a shelf that is visible.  It is totally understandable to have a couple pair of shoes on the ground but try to keep the rest put away.  As you bring in new shoes, remove the old ones from your closet.

The Accessories

If you have a walk in closet then it is helpful to keep all you accessories in one area of your closet.  This makes it much easier to pull a complete outfit together. If you don’t have a walk in closet then a dresser with a mirror also works nicely.  The key is to keep everything together so you don’t have to do any searching for items.

The Donate Basket

When your donate basket is full, you can give the items to your favorite charity.  This is my favorite part because I know there are others who need the stuff and they will actually wear them more than I did. From here on out, whenever you bring home a new item to put in your closet, try to place an item in your donate box.  This is the “one in, one out” rule.  Best of luck and enjoy the new found space in your closet.

Have a lack in your life?  Try working on your physical space to receive some good quality energy.  If you’re low on love, start on your bedroom by following these tips to create some more flow.

Easy steps to create flow in the bedroom:

1. De-clutter. Try to eliminate needless items by putting things away or by getting rid of them all together (can link to the other article here).
2. Invest in a good solid headboard.
3. Display images of love and beauty. Remember, most birds mate for life!
4. Installs tables with round corners – these are good for flow.
5. Paint walls a warm or skin-toned colour to soothe and relax.
6. Remove work items such as laptops and file folders from the bedroom.
7. Do not face mirrors toward your bed.
8. Make your bedroom your oasis and let the flow go.

Before

Any clean surface can be painted with chalk paint – chalk allows you to label (and relabel) the item to keep you more organized.

What you need:

•Chalk paint (spray can)
•Rubber Gloves
•Sand paper
•Painters tape
•Chalk
•Chalk eraser

Instructions:
1.Make sure the surface is clean, use a light sand paper over the surface.
2.Tape off any area of the surface you don’t want to get paint on.
3.Use a Spray can of chalk paint in a well ventilated area.
4.Follow instructions on the can.
5.Enjoy the space as art or for information.

After

Here are some other ideas of clutter free, consumable gifts:

Spices http://www.penzeys.com

Wine of the Month Club http://www.cawineclub.com

Cheese of the Month Club http://www.cheesemonthclub.com

Beer of the Month Club http://www.beermonthclub.com

Every household has many, many manuals for everything we own (washer/dryer, Xbox 360, TV’s, electronic devices).  Put every manual in alphabetical order filed by what you call it. If you call your TV a television or a SONY television, file it by what the first thing that comes to mind when you think of that item.  The reason behind this theory is: when the dishwasher is flooding the kitchen floor, you don’t want to have to search for the name of the (Kenmore) dishwasher, you need that manual fast!  I keep the receipt attached to the manual, for big ticket items.  You will have it available to prove your purchase date.

I have a wonderful story to tell you about manuals and receipts. I had bought a recliner with a 10 year spot warranty included with it. The recliner was 9 1/2 years old when it got a spot that I could not remove. I knew that the warrantee and the receipt for this recliner were in my manual folder, filed under the name recliner. I went to my file, retrieved the paperwork, and called the company. Since I had the receipt, the proof of purchase and the warrantee, I was given a brand-new recliner to replace my 9 1/2-year-old recliner. It was as easy as that.

The one thing you do need to remember about your manual folders is that they need to be gone through and old manuals for items you no longer own, should be purged. I normally go through mine once a year, just to keep it current.

While being thankful for family and friends, enjoying yams and stuffing and making the pumpkin pie disappear on Thanksgiving day, get a jump on the next holiday.  Before everyone leaves the table make shopping a little more organized by creating a fun activity for your guests.

Create a 5.5″ x 8.5″ printed sheets with a few questions for everyone to complete while you have the family together. 

• What size shirt do you wear? 
• Who is your favorite designer?  
• What is your favorite musical group?
• What is your favorite charity?  (should your family make donations instead of gifts)

Be creative.  Include questions you want answered.  You might even make a game of letting everyone try and guess who belongs to each answer.  But you keep the cards and use the information to prepare your shopping list before you head to The Grove or Beverly Hills.  Download a Gift Tracker straight to your phone or Blackberry to keep the information with you while you shop.

Organized shopping is no different from organizing any other part of your life.  With a plan in place you can be more efficient and have more fun.  It will also help to keep you from just giving gifts that quickly turn into clutter for those you love.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Have you heard of Buttoned-up?  Seriously great for those of us who really need to get things organized, and well, Buttoned-up.  Every year I make a New Years resolution to take care of this dirty deed, knowing it would be enjoyable and freeing to stay on top of the important matters in my life.  This year, with this great website I think I might have a chance.

They posted some great tips for giving from the heart – and some of them are free!  Lots of cool stuff to make (even for the non-crafty types!)  Wish books, books about yourself to give as keepsakes to your littles, baking, volunteering, freecycle events and more.

Have you run across any more great tips for the holidays?

-Ellen

If you had to, could you get rid of 50 things today? Either toss, recycle, give away or sell 50 items in your home? M and I used to be able to on a given day, but it’s getting more difficult to reach that quota.

Every once in awhile, usually when the clutter in our house starts getting out of control, we play “50 Things.” [Disclaimer: We didn't come up with this idea, a friend suggested it.] It’s easy, we go through the house and find things that can go elsewhere and don’t stop until the amount totals 50.

It’s liberating. It’s oddly cleansing and it’s expectantly freeing. We’ve played this game for years. Before I met M. I would always clean my house four times a year as if I were about to move. But now, he tends to instigate our purges. The timing is uncanny: I’m thinking that it’s time to clean, but I’ve decided I have other things to do. Each instance, I’m grateful I took the time to play—50 things.

We have a long weekend coming up so why don’t you play. It allows for charitable donations, gift possibilities and uncluttered closets (the best place to start).

Educational gifts are also another great gift.  Depending on how much you are looking to spend, you can give an additional month’s worth of lessons the recipient is already taking.  Or, you can sign them up for the lessons they have always wanted to take.  Here are some ideas:

Dance Lessons

Music Lessons

Magic Lessons

Personal Training Sessions

Blue Fridays.

Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing blue every Friday. The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the ’silent majority’.  We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or overbearing.  Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of America supports our troops.

Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday — and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded American who supports our men and women afar, will wear something blue. By word of mouth, press, TV — let’s make the United States on every Friday a sea of blue much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances, coworkers, friends, and family, it will not be long before the USA is covered in BLUE and it will let our troops know the once ’silent’ majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media lets on. The first thing a soldier says when asked ‘What can we do to make things better for you?’ is ‘We need your support and your prayers.’ Let’s get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example, and wear something blue every Friday.

Resolutions?  Now? On Thanks Giving?  I know I know I’m a month and a half ahead of myself on the epiphany and release of having a New Year to start all over again.  Why do I have to wait until the holidays are over to start anew?  Creating peace in your mind before you’re thrown into the family and financial strain of what seems like eternal togetherness of the season.  An organized brain leads to inner peace in your mind and home.  Resolving early on can help you and your family enjoy the entire holiday season for all its worth.

Since Thanks giving is in a couple days let’s start with just 3 things you can reasonably execute now.  I don’t believe that a huge list of 10 things all at once is a fair and easily attained goal to ask the average person.  For example one goal may be to not go overboard on the holiday gift giving so you can start your New Year on the right foot.  Three resolutions is a great goal and if you find that they have been achieved and resolved then go on to the next 3 on your list.  Having a goal to get you through the holiday season can guide you and help keep your eyes on the horizon, the next phase the finish line or whatever you want to call it.

Our holiday season is for enjoying what we have and the blessing is to give us the chance to renew and regenerate.  We can gain new courage to change the things that have been hanging over us.  We can create a new plan that changes things that are not working at the moment.  We reconnect with our family and recognize new potential.  My mantra and you will find that I repeat this over and over again.  If you have the right plan and find the right tools and have a few of our favorite people on your side you can achieve the goals that fill your mind and your heart.  Happy Thanks Giving everyone.  Cheers!

Moving day.  Let’s just say “yuck.”

I’ve read that moving day is as stressful as a divorce. I don’t know if that is true or not but I do know that whatever we are in the middle of on any given day is the thing that is most stressful.

Here are a few tips from a recent move that I helped with.

Do begin to pack early. You can box many items that you don’t need immediately like photos, books and off-season clothing.

Do pack like-items together. That means if the items are kitchen, only put kitchen in that box. When it gets confusing is when you open a box and find things for three different rooms! Where to go with it all!

Do label everything!

Go through all your stuff. Get rid of the clutter. If you don’t need it now, think how annoyed you’ll be with it in the new home!

You can find lots of organizing hints online.  Here are some hints for how to pick a mover.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION

With Thanksgiving Day just a few precious days away, here are some tips for getting everything done before the pumpkin pie is served. You will feel more organized with attention to these simple ideas.

• Make lists. Consolidate your lists into a spiral notebook or some other system that keeps your notes and stickies together in one place.
• Delegate. Assign tasks to others. They will enjoy helping and you will be thankful for their contributions to the success of the holiday observance.
• Forget perfection. The quest for perfection usually brings more stress than it is worth. Relax and enjoy the preparations.
• Consider alternatives. Traditions are wonderful, but so are new beginnings. It may be time to think about an easier way to prepare a meal that leaves more time for a walk with family or a board game with the kids.
• Count your blessings. Tell yourself and others why you are grateful for your life and the people in it. Share your blessings once you have identified them.

Enjoy the holiday!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Let’s keep the to-do list this week short and sweet.

1. Grocery shop for the week by using the Thanksgiving menu and grocery list you created last week. Don’t forget to add to the list the things you need for regular meals this week.

2. See what you can cook ahead from your menu. Cook and refrigerate or freeze so there are not so many last-minute things.

3. Set the table for the big day. You can do this ahead. If anyone stops by, it is sure to look pretty. They will admire you for being so organized!

4. The day before Thanksgiving, take 30-minutes to make the house ready for guests. Grab a basket and pick up clutter and put it where it belongs. Give the bathrooms a fresh wipe. Sweep or mop the kitchen floor.

Don’t forget to give Thanks!

5. If you are a Thanksgiving weekend Christmas decorating family, have someone get the decorations out of the attic or storage. Arrange to pick up a tree or assemble your artificial one.

Remember to have fun and eat the leftovers!

Consumable gifts, like food, are great gifts that don’t leave clutter.  If you are a great cook, offer to cook friends dinner, or give them the ingredients to make a recipe.  If not, these are great gift ideas that you can pick up.

Homemade cookies

Gourmet food mixes

Gourmet chocolate

Coffee or tea basket

This Morning “Seahorse”swam close to the Surface of the Water and Extended his Hand out so “Dragon Fly”could hold onto it,

They moved Forward Together through the Rough Crashing Tides,

At times it appeared that the Larger the Waves the Greater the Reward on the Other Side but this was Not Always the Case,

Together they Floated,

Swaying with the Oceans Natural Current,

Never travelling the same Flowing Water Path Twice

So Today,

I Leaped into the Blue Sky and Fragmented into a Million Tiny Pieces,

Each piece contained a Smaller Pattern of who I am as a whole,

Sort of like a Million Snow Flake Patterns being lifted away by the Wind,

Possibly spending years above the Ground being tossed around through the different Layers of the Atmosphere,

Each piece relaying information to the other pieces,

Fragmented yet Communicating as Unified

So Today from the Center of my Chest there were 2 Spinning Propellers Resembling the Yin and Yang Symbols,

One Energy Source Was Expanding Outward and the other Source Collecting,

The More Relaxed I become the Larger the Blades became,

There was no limit,

From 2 feet to capturing the whole earth and more,

I could also sense others,

Young kids (Fast Spinning),

Older people (Slow deep Spinning),

Others Life Energy,

Channeled

Today “Dragon Fly”was Flying above the Ocean,

She observed the Water Following a Particular Pattern,

An Ocean Highway,

A Pre Established inertia of Water Flow,

If She flew High Enough she could See the next Direction“Seahorse” was going to be Guided towards,

Like seeing the Future,

She saw large Waterfall in the Distance,

She Flew Down lifted up Seahorse and Found a Completely New and Better Location to Exist Together

So Today “Seahorse and Dragonfly” Discovered a Glowing Silver Stair Case made of Solid Metal and Unmovable,

It had not Previously been in this Location,

It Appears at times and Disappears,

A Portal Opened One Moment then Closed the Next,

When it will Appear again is Unknown,

It Started Deep Beneath the Ocean and Extended Out of the Water,

Into the Sky and Out of the Earths Atmosphere leading into Unexplored Dimensions

Today “Seahorse” Jumped from the Ocean around the Sun,

First he Travelled So Fast Beneath the Ocean he Created an Underwater Sonic Boom,

Then Shooting Out of the Ocean eventually ricocheting off of “Dragonfly” and out of the Earths Atmosphere,

As he Rapidly Sped toward the Sun,

The Heat seemed to Energize him,

Making one Large Circle around the Sun and Rapidly Torpedoed back toward Earth,

Splashing into the Ocean

Today “Seahorse and Dragonfly” Travelled into the World of the Unexplored,

Turning Over Stones,

Digging Beneath the Surface,

Cracking Eggs,

Lifting Up Unconscious Processes,

Zooming into the Unseen,

As they Held Hands they Walked Around the Discovered Material,

Eventually Breaking it into even Smaller Pieces until what they were Examining Disappeared and Evaporated into Smoke,

Fragmenting and Dissolving into the Air