tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-190123632009-02-21T10:38:44.417-05:00Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-58871042638664513852008-05-16T07:31:00.002-05:002008-05-16T07:35:03.533-05:00

The other day I was interviewed by a fantastic and informative website called www.shopperati.com. Check out some fabulous tips on organizing by me and other experts in a piece by Debbi Martin. But reader beware, getting organized does not mean you can purge and restock your closet. The key to getting shopping under control is to simply use what you have. Responsible consumerism comes from

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-50777231311471530262008-05-13T09:18:00.003-05:002008-05-13T09:26:52.933-05:00

There is no clutter on the island of St John...This could be for many reasons, first, the island is hard to get things in and out of, unless on a boat, that is one incentive for not cluttering up the natural beauty. And there is a real garbage crisis there, not a lot of infrastructure for disposal and not a plethora of water for the islanders. An odd observation as the island is surrounded by

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-88775513228207775382008-04-17T16:30:00.003-05:002008-04-17T16:35:41.480-05:00

I love Oprah and I was so pleased to see her show on Thursday where she challenged two families to "give something up" for two weeks. I love it, this is exactly the point I was making when I decided to give something up, once a month for a year, a journey that was chronicled in my first book Give it Up! My Year of Learning to Live Better with Less. http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Give-It-up/

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1738463206554096812008-03-25T09:52:00.004-05:002008-03-25T10:08:37.086-05:00

The current buzzword for all things lately is change. I think about change often. All things change, but how does change really take root? To really make a change, what are the steps to take? I see this daily as the chronically cluttered make declarations of cleaning their desk, sorting through their finances or straightening out their storage unit. But what do the words really mean? Surely

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-32872685891208716412008-02-26T17:31:00.002-05:002008-02-26T17:35:10.833-05:00

Simply put, the best investment for organizing is a filing cabinet. Oh, how I love my filing cabinet, with it's fancy folders and uniform labels created on my ultra sporty Dymo handheld labeler. Love the feeling of creating new files, like new possibilities, filling up my cabinets with potential. Love that everything looks so neat.Yes, my dear filing cabinet, this post is for you. My best

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-56382032682927290412008-02-03T15:49:00.000-05:002008-02-03T15:54:17.593-05:00

It is once again time for lent, time to set resolutions outside of the harsh light and judgment of New Year's Day. So, what should I give up this season? With an eye toward super bowl, super Tuesday, and now Ash Wednesday, I am contemplating a super sacrifice....What kind of super intervention should take place this year to make lent a truly life changing experience? Perhaps the sacrifice lays

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-26202521241119518112008-01-31T09:52:00.000-05:002008-01-31T10:08:47.499-05:00

I was thrilled the other day to see that A Good Year was on HBO last week, more thrilled that I actually was able to sit and watch the entire movie from start to finish, but that is another blog that involves cable, and on demand, way too complicated to get into. A Good Year is based on Hotel Pastis by Peter Mayle, one of my favorite books about dropping out of society. The character is forced to

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-31555406836407117902008-01-07T17:13:00.000-05:002008-01-07T17:25:44.737-05:00

Dear Blog,This is my heartfelt apology. I have neglected you, left you unattended and uncared for and for that I am truly sorry.I realize that my blog like any thing in life, needs constant work and constant maintenance. A fact that I keep learning over and over again especially at this time of year, when I clean out the shelves of the local farmers market and tell red meat, see ya next year!On

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-59501208165352642112007-02-14T09:41:00.000-05:002007-02-14T09:45:41.824-05:00

Until recently I was a cupid hater dreading the greeting card bonanza and mandatory chocolate eating. This holiday put my tolerance for all things heart shaped at a minimum, once even considering that tossing a brick through the window of Victoria’s Secret was a viable option. Never the romantic type to fantasize about a dream wedding day, prince charming on a white steed or a two carat tiffany

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1167233238834166032006-12-27T10:23:00.002-05:002006-12-27T10:30:11.893-05:00

Contrary to popular belief, the holiday shopping season is far from over, for me the fun has just begun. Now that all the gifts are unwrapped, I am left with a pile of things not on Santas list leading to a post holiday moral dilemma. What is the proper etiquette for returning gifts? Certain rules make returning acceptable, usually involving an exchange rather than a return. A good rule of thumb

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1165847813014734102006-12-11T09:34:00.000-05:002006-12-11T09:40:43.350-05:00

The most special time of the year can be less stressful and more organized! Here are tips to keep your holiday in order1. A holiday baking party does triple duty—bonding, baking and gifting. Even the non-bakers can take part by packaging all the yummy treats.2. Do you have a great shop on the way to work or a gourmet store that you pass on the way to your childs soccer game? Make your commute

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1165264489736255882006-12-04T15:31:00.001-05:002006-12-04T15:37:52.716-05:00

Now is the perfect time to bring order to the holidays with these great tips! The key is to know your limitations and stick to your plan…1. Be a Bah Humbug Learn to say no thank you early to invitations instead of procrastinating. You cannot be in two places at one time, so choose only the must attends to avoid holiday burnout.2. Discuss family commitments early and let your plans be known.

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1164565768531905852006-11-26T13:28:00.000-05:002006-11-27T00:41:09.400-05:00

Every year, we say we will start our holiday preparations early and before we know it, the holiday season is upon us, urging us to be our holiday best. The holiday time is supposed to be the most joyous time of year, but with all the shopping and multitasking, we find ourselves caught on a yuletide treadmill trying to get everything done. Not content to spend my time on line at the mall during

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1159969145854198262006-10-04T08:37:00.000-05:002006-10-04T08:39:05.876-05:00

Kmart and Sears did it, Proctor and Gamble did it, even Hall and Oates did it. These days, everyone seems to be creating mergers. So, why is it so difficult for my fiancé and me to create our own merger? In our case, the merger takes place in one apartment. But let’s be specific, our lives are a side issue to the main attraction, an endless supply of “stuff.” Like Noah loading the arc, we

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1157114921393183172006-09-01T07:39:00.000-05:002006-09-01T07:48:41.406-05:00

As a recovering shopaholic, everyday is a struggle to stay out of the stores. This summer has been a significant turning point in my shopping evolution. Recently, I was turned onto a new healthier obsession, still requiring me to spend unrestricted time in my closet, but this time turning my misguided purchases into cash.Sure, I have done my share of charity and consignment where you get a

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1154384754992282702006-07-31T17:06:00.000-05:002006-07-31T17:31:21.630-05:00

My favorite organizing principle? Make space and let go, the universe will reward with you something even better.Until recently, that meant donating my gently worn Guccis loafers and upgrading to Prada sling backs. Sure, the principle is the same, but altered to fit my never ending fashion needs. The real concept is the giving up of the shoes, the handbags, the paper or even the day planner to

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1150488908875019692006-06-16T15:11:00.000-05:002006-06-16T15:15:08.886-05:00

I am searching for my keys the other day. I had just put them down and started a conversation with my mother as we were on our way out for an afternoon of shopping. Again, more support comes from the shopping is herditary case I have been building for years.As I am looking around the living room, my mom tells me, the professional organizer, "If you put your things in the same place all the time,

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1149631301005943032006-06-06T14:40:00.000-05:002006-06-09T18:09:11.443-05:00

Coaching is on my mind today. Coaches support your goals, help you come up with a plan and hold you accountable for your actions-- they help us to achieve our goals.I like this idea! As a small business owner and writer, support is incredibly valuable and rare.This week I am taking a cue from the coaches by helping my clients to set the following goals:Create accountabilityFormulate a planTake

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1144074150842896612006-04-03T09:08:00.000-05:002006-04-03T09:22:30.873-05:00

I love when the seasons change. Being uber-organized, I jump into my closet and make piles of winter wools for the dry cleaner and pile cashmere sweaters and scarves to be put in the delicate cycle. Walking into my home at this time, you will find fine washables blocked out on any flat space available. The preparation for spring and summer has begun. I take stock of what was used and what

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1143464419943559602006-03-27T07:53:00.000-05:002006-03-27T08:00:19.963-05:00

I realize that clutter is a lot like debt, some times it sits around, some times you add to it and almost always it never seems to go away. The best approach is to chip away a little at a time. Taking small steps can be the best way to get to a bigger goal.Start small with a drawer, a file or a box. Make an appointment with yourself every week to tackle another part of the project.Honor that

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1142862184370452642006-03-20T08:33:00.000-05:002006-03-20T08:43:04.370-05:00

It is the lent halfway point and I have successfully given up desert, even resisiting chocolate cheesecake at a party the other day. My bonus sacrifice this year was to give up complaining which seemed like even more of a challenge, since no desert would certainly lead to a grumpier disposition. Each year, I try to increase the degree of difficulty, always trying to be mindful of a new way to

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1142291961780933912006-03-13T18:05:00.000-05:002006-03-13T18:19:21.800-05:00

At times, having an addiction, albeit a shopping addiction can be a lonely road. Each day, I fight the daily temptations: commercials for Old Navy, emails from DSW and catalogues from Bloomingdales. Each day offers a new opportunity, a new sale or a new shipment. In an effort to escape it all, I tune into the new season of HBO; perhaps some edgy cable television sans commercials will take me

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1141671540918383632006-03-06T13:58:00.000-05:002006-03-13T11:35:37.660-05:00

At this time of year, people are talking about giving things up. I know I am. Growing up catholic, I was encouraged to give something up for Lent. Even then, I chose waistline impacters, like chocolate or ice cream, a trend that continues today, I still take Lent seriously. Lent now can be a multitasker, dietary restriction and spirtual sacrifice. The fact is, whatever your religion, you can take

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1139499430073619982006-02-09T10:31:00.000-05:002006-02-09T10:37:10.116-05:00

I think I am invincible, don't you?Every once in a while, I am reminded that I am not. That was the case this morning, when running one of the last errand to prepare for a trip out of town. I was ultra organized and ready to jet, things seemed to be in their proper place. As I left my home this morning for the bank, I inadvertenly left my keys on the hook. Not having a neighbor with a spare

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19012363.post-1139236921528870602006-02-06T09:36:00.000-05:002006-02-06T09:42:01.563-05:00

My first book has just been published, "Give it Up! My Year of Learning to Live BetterWith Less!" in which I discuss eliminating the clutter from my life and distraction from my life. Living on the fast track with designer shoes, cell phone in hand, I spent tons of money on things unneeded, until I learned how to pair down my life. I learned to simplify my life by giving up one thing a month.

Order Periodhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04403236169190754229noreply@blogger.com0