I am about to go away and take a "well deserved" mini vacation this Memorial Day weekend.  I have been working almost every day this month and decided to take advantage of the three day weekend and head to the Pocono Mountains of PA.

Even though it is only a "mini vacation", I began several weeks ago compiling a list of things I needed to purchase, things I needed to pack and things I needed to do around the house to prepare.

I cannot imagine getting ready for a trip, large or small, without the use of a list.  I have always done this and assumed that everyone else does so too.  Not the case. 

I am surprised to learn that many people, especially men, do not pack for a trip with a list in hand of what to take.  I can only imagine how many times they get to their destination and say to themselves "Oh, I forgot to pack the...."! 

When I go away, I like to make sure I have everything I need when I need it.  I try my best not to overpack and end up removing about a 1/3 of the items on my list (especially clothing) when it comes to getting it into a suitcase.

By creating a list, you can take some time to think about the items that you need, even down to a pair of scissors and be ready to go when the day arrives.

Do yourself a favor.  The next time you take that trip, whether it be a day trip with the family or an extended vacation, make a list and check it twice and you can rest assured that you have what it is you need, when you need it.

Enjoy!

Have a great Memorial Day weekend!

For most people, their clutter issues are on the floor, on a desk, a table or any other flat surface in their home.  However, it is also possible to have clutter on the walls. 

When was the last time you looked up?  Take a moment to get a good look at what you have on the walls.  When was the last time you hung a picture, a piece of metal art, a clock or put collectibles on a shelf?  Have you really taken a good look at them lately?

After a while, we become so used to what we have on the walls, we don't see it anymore.  Has the framed art been on your walls for years?  Is the fridge filled with pictures your kids drew months and months ago?  Is the sculptured art on your walls screaming 1980?  Have the nick knacks or collectibles been on your shelf, collecting dust, since your trip in 2005?

Is the artwork in your home and office now just clutter, or is it something you truly value? Does it still inspire you? Does it make you smile or challenge you or create within you a sense of awe? Or, are you indifferent about it and it is simply there so you have something to hang in that space? Are these images ones you still love?

It is easy to become numb to the images we see every day, especially when those images are ones we don’t love, cherish, or appreciate. It’s also very simple for these items to become part of the invisible clutter in our homes because they usually don’t take up floor space — we don’t trip over the things hanging on our walls.

Take some time today and walk around your home.  Look up and see what is on your walls.  Perhaps, now, these items no longer bring you that joy, make you smile or evoke a fond memory.  If that's the case, it's time to make a change. 

Let me know what you see on your walls and what changes you intend to make.

In the meantime, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the thought of getting organized, contact me.  I'll be glad to help.

Have a great week! 

I am working in my office today and decided I wanted to focus on reducing the amount of mail in my email "in box". 

Just like everyone else who has a business and a personal life, I get lots of emails on a daily basis and sometimes it is a true struggle to keep them under control.

But I am determined to clean up my act today and get back on track.  In doing so, I had an epiphany!

My emails are always listed with the most current at the top, like most people, so you can see the latest activity.

However, today, I decided to flip it around so that the earliest e-mails are at the top and the latest at the bottom of the list.  This worked so well for me today and I am excited to be able to share this with you!

Since I could not see the new entries coming in during my designated period of time that I set aside for this project, I was not getting distracted.  It helped me to focus on the task at hand and get through my list a lot faster.

Another idea is to shut off your notification so that every time a new email comes in, you don't hear a bing, a dong or a bell or whatever sound your email makes to indicate a new entry.

If you try these tips, I assure you that you will be able to remain focused for a longer period of time and will be able to greatly reduce that in-box.

Let me know how you make out.

If you need any other assistance in order to get organized, please feel free to contact me.  I am here to help.

Have a great week!

Okay, Easter is behind us, but perhaps those plastic Easter eggs are still hanging around.  I have found some great ways to re-use those eggs for organization and want to share them with you!

Besides, just putting them away til next year, there are other ideas for their use.

1.  Having a party with balloons.  Keep them from floating away by filling the egg with small rocks and close the end of the ribbon from the balloon in the egg.  Instant balloon weight!

2.  Keep your jewelry free from tangles while traveling by coiling your necklace in the egg and snapping it shut.  You can use this idea in your drawer to organize your jewelry as well.  Why not keep all of your earring backs in one place in an egg?

3.  Use the eggs as packing material.  When shipping a box, toss a bunch of lightweight, colorful eggs inside.

4.  Tote a healthy snack with you.  Use a clean egg to stash a handful of your favorite snack, nuts or trail mix.

5.  Carry your MP3 ear buds in an egg to keep them from knotting up.

6.  (This is my favorite).  Why not store your pantyhose or knee highs in the eggs and use an egg carton to keep them in place in your drawer?  I remember when my pantyhose used to come in an egg.  Do you? 

What ideas do you have for making use of your plastic Easter eggs?  I would love to hear them and share them with others.  Reusing the eggs is a way to be "green".

In the meantime, if you have any issues with clutter, let me hear from you.  I would love to help.

Have a great week and a wonderful Mother's Day!