Recent Roadtrip Shows How Organizing Industry Has Grown

Everywhere you go you find evidence of not only how the organizing field has grown, but how organizing in general effects us every day in some way.   I took a trip recently with my friends Maria, Kelly, and Michelle to a bellydance competition in Boston, Massachusetts.  Michelle drove, and had her car cleaned and organized before we left.  How nice it was to sit in the back and relax and not have to worry about sitting on crumbs from kids, or looking out the window through smudges the dogs make!  Kelly had printed out the directions to make getting there easy, and she had the reservations handy for easy check-in when we arrived.   When we got closer to the hotel, we decided to stop for lunch at the newly...

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posted on: 9/8/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Organizing the Pool Shed

Isn't it great to have a pool in your back yard for those refreshing dips in this hot weather?! The pool shed always seems to be a catch-all for all kinds of things.  Try the tips below to turn your pool shed into a well-organized place for your summer things!   First, decide what you plan to use your pool shed for.  This may sound obvious, but often times we just shove things in places with no thought.  Maybe you would like to use your pool shed to store pool supplies, inflatables for the kids, gardening supplies, and maybe some paper supplies (i.e. paper cups, plates, and napkins).   Once you decide what you would like to store in your pool shed, it's time to get to work.  Starting from one side...

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posted on: 7/7/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Take a Break!!

Hi Everyone! Sorry I haven't been here to talk with you in a while.  I needed a break!  And that's exactly what we're going to talk about this week, taking a break!   It probably didn't take you long to figure out that organizing can actually be pretty fun if you do it the right way.  You may have also figured out that once you start seeing progress with your project, you can get pretty excited about it!    One of the things I notice with the people I work with is when they get excited about their current project, they end up jumping around to other projects within the home, and now they have, ooooh say, five projects started at one time, but not one project finished.   Or, as in my...

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posted on: 6/9/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Is Computerized Organized and Is that Good?

It's three in the morning and I can't sleep. I don't know if I'm more irritated about not being able to sleep, or about how my day went today.  You see, today was errand day.  And while this may not seem unusual to you, to me, I got to thinking about some things as I spent my day going to the post office, the office supply store, drug store, hardware store, donation center and consignment shop, vet, bank, bead shop, hair salon for product, grocery store, and a few other places (believe it or not!).  Oh, and I was home by five, fed the dogs, showered and changed, and picked up my friend Maria for a Pampered Chef party at 6:30.  Now, if that isn't impressive to you, then I will never impress...

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posted on: 3/31/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

The White Sales Are Here!

The white sales are going on! It's a perfect time to purchase new linens for your master bedroom or guest room.  Or, maybe its time to replace some of those ratty towels you've kept "just in case you need them."  But before you go, why not check out your linen closet!   The linen closet can be one of the most ignored areas in the home.  We don't see it very often, but when we do, the linens come toppling down on top of us, along with whatever else is stored in there!  Try these tips to get that linen closet organized and to assess your needs before you go shopping!   First, empty out the linen closet.  While doing this, touch each piece and decide whether or not you still need the...

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posted on: 3/24/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Surprise! It's Good To Be Organized

It was a lazy Sunday morning. I decided to sleep in late underneath my favorite comforter along with my furry friends, Madison and Maxwell when I got "the call".  It was Brad, checking in to see how things were going and oh, by the way, "We will be home in 20 minutes".  "We?"  "Yes, me and Bill."  "and oh, we are going to offer him our shower!"   Well, not quite the call I was expecting.  Did I panic?  Nope!  Why?  Because I am organized, silly!  I got up, made the bed, showered and dressed, and picked up the very few things that were laying about the house.  I even took out a fresh towel and soap for Bill!  All in 20 minutes!   Being organized sure has its benefits and...

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posted on: 3/17/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

How Much Of Your Wardrobe Do You Wear?

I recently read somewhere that most people wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time. So what does that mean?  Should people start tossing away their belongings?   I have to admit, while there may be some truth to not wearing "everything", I feel this statistic is very aggressive.  And if you feel like you may fall into this category, please, take my advice.  Don't toss everything out, get organized instead!   I find that most people I work with feel like they don't wear everything they own.  While during the process of going through the wardrobe things may get tossed, I find that after spending some time re-arranging the way the closet or drawers are being used (i.e. "getting organized") seems to...

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posted on: 3/10/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Did Your Childhood Cause You To Be Unorganized?

I met with my friend Beth last week for a cup of hot chai tea. As usual, our conversation turned to the work I do with my clients.  She asked whether or not a child's upbringing can affect its lifestyle once it leaves home and ventures out into the world of life.   I often run across clients who claim that they are cluttered because that was the way they were brought up.  The house they grew up in was always in the state of disarray.  Maybe both parents worked and "didn't have time" to keep the house properly.  Or, they had a big family and they lived in a small house with no chance of moving to a bigger place.   But, I also run into clients whose upbringing was totally different.  Their...

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posted on: 3/3/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

A Quick Thought On Being Organized In Today's Society

My husband walked into the house last night with a sheepish grin on his face.  I knew he was up to something.  He stated that he got a new toy and asked if I wanted to see it.  As he reached into his briefcase I thought to myself "Please, don't let it be!" and sure enough, he pulled out a brand spanking new….BLACKBERRY!    After a small discussion that started with "I can't believe you succumbed to THIS!" I realized that his argument was understandable.  After being on several trips with him, either for business or for pleasure, the mere possibility of him not being able to access his email on a daily basis was an aggravation on its own.  There would be the constant words "I can't believe...

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posted on: 2/25/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter

Increase In Square Footage the Blame For More Clutter?

Last week we covered getting rid of excess clutter to eliminate 40% of your housework. I have another tidbit for you.  Did you know that in one generation home square footage expanded from less than 1,000 to an average of 2,330?   Brad and I moved about five years ago into a bigger home.  When I came across this statistic, I started thinking about my own situation.  Did we really need to move because we had too much stuff (ok, did I have too much stuff)?   After further reflection, I remembered the one closet where I had to hang my clothing sideways because the hangers couldn't fit inside the closet properly.  Oh, how annoying that was!!  And the closet in the master bedroom . . .  It was...

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posted on: 2/18/2008 8:00:00 AM  by Carleen Eve Fischer Hoffman
category: Clutter