Organize before you reach the breaking point

I have to say 9 times out of 10 when a potential client calls or emails me for the first time, they tell me "I just can't take it anymore". What a terrible feeling when you get to this point. The weight of feeling tired, crazy and confused all at once and not knowing where to begin. Any great organizer should not only create an organized space that fits into your lifestyle but, help reveal some of the reasons you became that way in the first place. Here are a couple questions to reflect before you first organizing appointment. 1. List 3 things that have happened in the past year that drastically changed the flow of life. 2. List 2 "time wasters" that you do daily. 3. List the top 3 areas that drive you crazy and why....

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posted on: 1/22/2009 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Cleaning out your closet (Really!)

Cleaning out your closet doesn't have to be an ominous task. Think of it as a cleansing for your spirit, while discovering a way to make some extra cash and helping someone in need. You can't beat that! So turn off the boob tube, grab a diet coke and crank up the music. You will need a couple items before you begin, 3 boxes of some kind, laundry baskets, Rubbermaid bins, and anything you have on hand. If you have an onslaught of wire hangers consider replacing them with plastic or sturdier hanger. Last but not least, a clock with a 2nd hand. (Yes, you will be required to make quick decisions) Mark your 3 bins, 1. Consignment – Clothing that is in good condition and classic style. 2. Not wearable – clothing that is...

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posted on: 1/8/2009 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Searching for The Holy Grail

I was at my friend's house this weekend and was rifling through her kitchen drawers in search for the Holy Grail. (Wine opener) The 3rd drawer I open revealed a slew of kitchen gadgets some useful (like the wine opener) and some not, like those yellow juicers you get in a bag of lemons. Anyhow the reason for the run-a-muckiness in the drawer was a sub par organizer tray that was too small for the size of the drawer. Organization is only as good as the tools you use. A quick run to Target to purchase various sizes of organizing trays that lock together remedied the situation. We bought a bunch at first, pieced them together in the drawer to optimize the space and created a "At a glance" system for my friend to use. Then simply...

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posted on: 10/9/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Do you know where your seasonal clothing is?

This afternoon is rained and the leaves are turning, fall is defiantly in the air now. I brought out my boots and some sweaters overlooked (sadly I might add) my tank tops and shorts when choosing the best outfit for my day. Do you know where your seasonal clothes are? If you do are they easy to get too? (A big pile on your basement floor) I have very limited storage in my home and need to switch out my clothes with the season. I know many of you don't have to do that and count your self as lucky. How do you keep track of your clothes, when the blustery days of fall begin and the balmy mornings of the spring finally say adios to old man winter? For those of us who have limited space nothing helps like Rubbermaid bins and any...

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posted on: 10/2/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Do Not Enter!!! Tackling your kid's room

Do not enter. No boys (or girls) allowed. These are signs that have graced the doors of my kid's bedroom too often. Sometimes after a weekend of soccer games and having friends over I'm afraid to enter! How do we keep calm and quick clean up in our kid's bedrooms? I don't have the magic solution to keeping your daughter from trying on outfits and throwing the clean clothes on the floor or the dirty clothes hamper. That would involve a fairy godmother of some sort. I am talking about all those things your son empties out of his pockets and ends up on the dresser, desk or nightstand. It's the markers, colored pencils and headbands in your daughter's room. The first key is a closet system that works for...

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posted on: 9/18/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Learning my own lesson over and over again

This summer started out way more hectic than I had anticipated. Usually my organizing business slows down a little due to the fact that half the people in Michigan own a cottage and are gone most of the summer. Not this summer, I am busier than ever. I at times find myself overwhelmed with handling the kids activities, keeping the household up and running and my own business responsibilities. All of these things require me to be in top form. On more that one occasion I have sat down at my computer or stood in the middle of my home with cleaning supplies and thought " Where the hell do I start now?" Sometimes I stew and worry and wallow in my own frustration. Well, as you know it gets me nowhere. My favorite saying (one of them) is...

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posted on: 7/3/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Laundry clean or dirty?

Do you think a laundry room is supposed to be dirty or clean? Think about it, the clothes come in dirty but leave clean. Do you keep it clean like the rest of your house? Plus think about how much time you actually spend in your laundry room. I bet quiet a bit especially if you have kids. A laundry room should be decorated and organized like any other room you spend time in. No I don't have a sofa in my laundry room. It should be clean and streamlined. That can be achieved with any budget. Right now I am working on a laundry room for a client. She has a limited budget so here are some basics for you to get started. A fresh coat of paint makes anything look good. An all in one sorter with a hanging bar above and all on...

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posted on: 6/26/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

Ahhhh Clarity

Sometimes when our home is disheveled and we can't seem to know where to begin. It travels from our bedroom to the kitchen to the family room to the garage and the energy it takes to wrap our brain around it can to be much to handle. I to have been there and am there sometimes still. It really is a catch twenty-two. One if we are not centered ourselves our surroundings cannot be centered. Two if our surroundings are not centered and organized neither is our psyche and mind. Can you relate? I am an organized person but when things are crazy and the future is unknown things tend to go awry. When my home is in an uproar my mind has a hard time focusing. When my mind is bouncing inside like a super ball in a small space I...

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posted on: 4/17/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

DO YOU HAVE JUNK IN YOUR TRUNK

Junk in your Trunk What is in you car right now? I have various scraps of paper from one of my kid's art project; a roll of fabric from a design project; a loose car jack from a flat tire; pens, crayons, markers and some dog hair. I hate having a dirty and cluttered car. I think I am the only one who feels this way in my family. One thing I can tell you that by this afternoon all those things will be taken care of. One $6.00 visit to the carwash with the free vacuum 20 minutes later I'm golden. We all have to carry things around in our car for all reasons. Such as safety items, kids entertainment and personal. There is nothing wrong with having these things at hand because we need them especially if you spend as...

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posted on: 4/10/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes

IS YOUR BASEMENT OR GARAGE A COSTCO HELL?

Is your basement or garage in Costco hell? Do you shop at all those big box stores? What on earth do you do with a gallon of syrup or 100 rolls of toilet paper? Do you have a family of 10 living with you? If you do skip this blog and check out one for scheduling or birth control. Now before you get completely offended by my banter, hear me out. I am all about having things on hand to feed your family in an easy and quick manor. Plus having A FEW let me repeat A FEW of those items you go through quickly in storage. Especially if one purchase will not make it to your next weeks shopping trip. With all of that said, now we are left with only the items we really need right? How do we store these items and keep them in a place...

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posted on: 4/3/2008 10:00:00 AM  by Julie Verleger
category: Homes