I want to know what is in your junk drawer...

I am going to tell on my husband, because you all know that I am a Professional Organizer, but I happen to live with a closet junk-drawer aholic!  On the outside, he appears all squared away.  But on the inside, I have found a dirty little secret.  I have noticed his fatuation with one drawer in particualar - it's in our sideboard, amongst my good china and extra candles.  This is a place where his spare change goes, the keys, paystubs and other mail.  It is filled to the rim with paper and stuff.  I rarely pop it open unless I am looking for something, but he seems to know where everything is and likes it that way.

The man is a perfectionist in all other areas - his closet is immaculate, his laundry is always done and neatly ironed, he even has his car detailed every other week.  But the man just can't help his junk drawering ways, as I have found another one in the consol of his SUV.  Ha!  He isn't perfect, but we all have our flaws.  Mine is laundry...  There - I've said it!  Laundry and housework in general is not my fortay.  I have to constantly nag at myself to get that nasty pile of clothes off the floor of my closet and into the machine.  Now organizing the laundry and cleaning supplies is another story all together!

What is in your junk drawer?  Is it a heap of wadded up receipts?  Do you have it divided up into neat little sections?  How often do you clean it out, and have you ever found a surprise in there when you did?  I have often witnessed clients who stumble on cash and other exciting things when they cleaned theirs out. 

Now, to leave you with a little something, I love to find new ways to use everyday items around the house & I loved these ideas from Real Simple.  These are things you might find in your junk drawer.  I took a few of my favorites, and expanded on them:

Post-It Notes

I dust about every other day, but my keyboard always seems to need extra help.  Clean your keyboard with a Post-It by running the sticky side between the keys to collect crumbs and bits of lint.

Ever need to identify which travel bottle was the conditioner & which was the lotion?  Cut off the sticky section to clearly label them.  I also use these to section out my itenerary when I'm traveling so that I don't get all frazzled at the check-in.


Salt

Aside from drawing out red wine stains from fabric (believe me, been there done that!)  You can clean up a cracked egg by covering the mess with a handful of salt, then wipe up with ease.

Sprinkle it on a lemon peel, then use it to rub off a tea-stained cup.


Rubber Bands

Bring order to your dishwasher by tethering your stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack. I always seem to have trouble with this one!

Get clever by wrapping a gift, using multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present. (Particularly handy when you can’t find the tape.)


Toothpicks

When you're hosting a big party and there are too many orders to keep track of, use toothpicks to label the meat.  Easily mark what burgers are rare or well-done.  Use different colored toothpicks for each specialty. 
I am always fighting with the tape dispencer aren't you?  When you’ve finished using tape, find the end of the roll by wrapping the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.


Felt Circles

Prevent tabletop scratches by attaching a circle to the bottom of a vase so it doesn’t scuff surfaces.

Hush a banging cabinet door by sticking a circle on a corner on the inside of the door.


Clear Nail Polish

By applying a thin layer of polish to the center of a button, you can keep the thread from coming loose.

Ever find rust stains by those shaving cream cans in your shower?  Coat the bottom of the can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.


Got any other organizing tips you'd like to share?  I would love to hear!

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Easy Makeup Organization

One of my favorite subjects in my profession is organizing makeup and teaching my clients easy storage ideas for vanity areas. I have to admit – this is an obsession of mine, as I am pretty much addicted to makeup and products. In my pursuit of finding the perfect shades and trends, I stumble on some great tools to house them in.


There are so many great storage and container options that can be found at your local drug or home stores. I frequently do my purchasing at The Container Store, and my personal favorites are these crystal clear acrylic cosmetic trays. They slide right into your drawers and they have several sections for your separate products.

For makeup brushes, I recommend finding a container that will keep them standing straight up, where you can easily see what you need. You can repurpose just about anything – a cute mug, a pretty vase, even a pencil holder will work well. I actually use a beautiful candle holder for mine & it looks so nice on my vanity. This is my friend Emily Noel who demonstrates a great way to make a brush holder: Click Here to View

In your vanity or dressing table, I recommend using as many containers that you can find for your products. Divide your makeup into like items – all of your individual eye shadows, lipsticks, blushes, liners, etc. and keep them in individual containers so that you can easily identify what you are looking for.

Group your perfume collection together by displaying it on a beautiful try or mirror. If you have a large collection, you can use a tiered can organizer (I found mine in Target) to show them off.

My clients are always wondering what to do with all of those pretty cases they get from makeup bonus time & they are always thrilled when I recommend using them to store their headbands and hair ties. I love the itty bitty zipper pouches to keep my pins and clips in. I also use the pouches I get from Sephora orders to neatly tuck these items away.

Set up a lazy susan underneath your sink for larger products like lotions and hairsprays. This keeps them all in one place and easily accessible when you need to reach something in the back.

I help my clients who are on a budget search for containers that they can repurpose. For instance, if you have a small square box, you can instantly create two containers by using the lids for small items like bobbie-pins or perfume samples.

The most important tip in organizing makeup products is to identify specific drawers for specific uses, if you have the room. Hair accessories in one drawer, bath products in another… this will keep you accountable to put the items back where they belong in the future. Fill every inch of your drawers and cabinets up with dividers and you will never have to search for a product again.

The Container Store is currently offering a great Spring Sale on these and other fun organizing products ~ Check them out!

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What are you trying to prove by doing so much?

I recently attended a workshop through Jack Canfield regarding Structuring Your Day, and he posed the question, “What impact does clutter and personal disorganization have on creating success and prosperity?”.

In my recent workshop, I addressed the issue of procrastination and how to overcome the stress and fear involved with it. This really goes hand-in-hand with disorganization and I thought his statement sparked a good topic here. I wanted to dig a little deeper into how disorganization prevents us from getting what we truly want in our lives. It not only clutters our garages and closets, it clutters up our thoughts and desires.

Let’s take a look at some ways disorganization prevents a successful outcome:

1. We have too much to do in one day which causes stress by spreading ourselves thin.

2. We waste valuable time searching for lost item.

3. We lose money by misplacing valuable paperwork or cash; (You would be amazed by how many clients actually find forms of money; Savings Bonds they stashed away, Rebates, Un-cashed checks, etc.)

4. We weaken relationships by forgetting important dates or not finding the time to connect with someone who would love to hear from us.

5. We miss out on opportunities by forgetting details, or not making the time to follow through.

6. We have a dirty car by storing unwanted junk in our garages, and risk having an un-necessary break-in by parking outside.

7. We waste hundreds of dollars a month by paying for a storage unit for junk that is causing even more stress in our lives.

8. We miss the opportunity to get healthy working out by not structuring our days & end up watching too much TV or wasting time on the Internet.

9. We settle on a poor diet of fast food and junk food because we didn’t plan our meals or grocery list.

10. We let life get in the way and miss out on quality family time.

11. We run out of clean clothes, or feel that there is never anything to wear our closets.

12. We are always trying to catch up on housecleaning during our valuable time off.

13. We lose important paperwork because we don’t have a proper filing system.

14. We miss appointments due to lack of planning.

One reason for this, is that we as a society tend to believe we have to do it all. We are conditioned to believe we are saving money by keeping things we don’t really need, and doing it all ourselves.

One way of dealing with this overwhelming feeling is to learn how to delegate. Delegating specific tasks does not mean that you are giving up. Think of it as buying yourself valuable time where you can put to better use, like spending it with family, getting pampered, resting, or getting more work done.

I remember when I managed a very busy office, where I wore upwards of 30 hats. The corporation decided to hire a part time employee to assist me, and somebody asked my boss why she was hiring an assistant for her assistant. It made me beam with pride that the company trusted me enough to manage my valuable time and delegate the smaller tasks so that I could focus on producing my best work.

The same applies in any area of life. When you trust yourself enough to hand off the smaller things, you can get right to the most important tasks on your To Do list. Some ways of letting the little things go, would be to give your kids or spouse more responsibilities. Identify what their talents are and give them tasks that they would enjoy doing like watering the garden or walking the dog. Hiring outside help is worth its weight in gold when you apply it correctly. A housekeeper that could come in once a month to tackle the tough wet-work that you dread, a gardener to edge and weed, a concierge service who could run errands & pick up dry-cleaning, or even a Professional Organizer to give you a new outlook on your space.

Take some time today to go through that list and see if you’re missing out on something important due to disorganization. If you are, identify a few ways to delegate those nasty tasks and success is sure to follow.

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Learning to say no – Mom's Secret Weapon

Are you suffering from mom burn out? Do you struggle just to make it through each day? Moms everywhere are breaking down because they are too chicken to say, "No".

"No" may be a tiny, two-letter word, but it can be your secret weapon. And you can say it. Here are some ways you can say "no" without feeling guilty about it:

Sorry, I’m taking a break

The number one reason why you should say, "no" occasionally is simply that you deserve a break. You are chef, chauffeur, dish washer, and more. You job never ends on any given day of the week. You deserve a break. If you feel bad for saying "no", say, "Sorry, I’m taking a break".

My schedule is full

We tend to jam-pack our schedule full of activities, leaving time for nothing. Cut back on your kids activities. Start a car pool and share driving responsibilities. Do whatever you can to free up some time in your schedule.

I don’t have time

You’re headed out the door, rushing to the next appointment when the telephone rings. What do you do? Do you come to a screeching halt and answer the phone? Let’s say you do, and it’s a family member, calling to dump their latest woes on you. Do you stand, tapping your foot impatiently while you roll your eyes and listen to the sob story? This is a typical scene for many moms.

I have another commitment that day

Say it and mean it. Regularly schedule in time with your family or time alone and if someone ask for your help during that time look in your planner and tell them you have another commitment.

Instead of rushing to be everything to everyone, stop. Ask yourself if you truly have time for whatever comes up. If not, say no by walking away, turning off the ringer on the phone, or not answering the knock at your door.

Always remember that you are a mom—not a super hero. When you have to say no, people will understand; if they don’t at first, they will get used to it eventually.

Still having trouble putting your foot down?  Sometimes, we just need some extra guidance, a listening ear or a gentle and loving kick in the butt. You might want to give Aurelia Williams's free coaching session (affiliate) a go. She's a life coach and mom of 3 who has adult, teen and school age children so she definitely knows what she's talking about.

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Real Simple Organizing

I am always excited when I find new ways to incorporate organizing technology into my life. There is so much new information out there, it makes my head spin just trying to keep up. I find myself bookmarking about 5-10 new websites a day of information I want to research and share with my readers, and sometimes it’s weeks before I can actually go back and enjoy them.

One of my favorite magazines is Real Simple...  Big surprise, I’m sure :)  As a Professional Organizer, I need to draw inspiration from resources like this to offer my clients fresh ideas. I am also the proud owner of an iPhone, (which I have lovingly named Eve - you know – Eve & the Apple… kinda lame, but I thought it was cute). Anyways, I think I did back-flips when I found this new app and I had to share this with you because it is free! Since this application is brand new, it is only available on the iPhone right now, but they are in the process of releasing this very soon to other devices.

How cool is this?! If you are a check-list kind of girl, you will love this app because you can create your own daily lists with reoccurring tasks that you can check off when you’re done. It gives you over 30 general checklists that are customizable, and you can also delegate tasks to other people with the point of a finger.

I’ve shared with you in an earlier post about Taking Control of your Life,  by using a Control Journal. Any Family Manager knows the importance of using a control journal to keep it all together, but now you can keep your lists right there at your fingertips. I transferred my Morning, Afternoon, Work, Evening, and Weekend lists to this application and I tend to look at it much more now that I have the option to check the items off as I do them.

If you haven't checked out Real Simple Magazine yet, and enjoy learning new ways of organizing, home managing and repurposing, you are going to really love it.  I enjoy the website with its daily tips and decorating ideas.  If you are an Ebates member, you can receive 21% cash back and save 55% on 12 issues - that's only $1.99 per issue - Not too shabby!! 

{If you are new to Ebates, and enjoy shopping online, you will actually earn cash credits by ordering through this website.  You even earn $5 just for signing up today!}

Have you ever incorporated family management systems into your routine? If so what has worked, or not worked? Have you found any helpful applications for your phone or computer that make the process easier?

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And the winner is...

This has been a fun contest!  Thanks again to RacksandStands.com for sponsoring this giveaway, and I am delighted to have our winner, which one Twitter fan chose #18. 

Using Random.org to shake up your entries for me, the winner is...

SoniaAnn of  "A Mom, Money and More" ~ YAY ~ Congratulations :)

Thanks to everyone who participated!  It's been fun getting to know you guys through Twitter and Facebook.  I hope to bring more great organizing giveaways to the blog in the future.  SoniaAnn - you have 48 hours to get back to me with your contact information please.

I wanted to leave you with a little something in this post, since my next one will be on Thursday.  So I found a few great tips on the Real Simple website that you might enjoy:

1.  Cut back your junk mail: Go to optoutprescreen.com to stop receiving pre-approved credit card offers and sign up on catalogchoice.org to reduce the unsolicited catalogs sent to you.

2.  Many police departments offer free evaluations of your home security.

3.  Keep it together April checklist for April

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A Place for Everything in the Kitchen *GIVEAWAY*

So, I have been teasing you on Twitter about this give-away and I am excited to finally unleash it today! I am always writing about having a place for everything and everything in its place – The kitchen is easier than ever to organize now with so many versatile and beautiful options to stow everything in a convenient place.

Do you want to store your pots and pans out of the way, without having to use a step-ladder or crawl on the floor to reach an them? I find this to be a huge challenge when I need that one pot that seems to always slide just out of reach. Well, I have a treat for you - This Enclume RACK IT UP! Wall-Mounted Utensil Bar is perfect to keep your most frequently used cookware up and out of the way.

It is compact and the perfect fit for kitchens with limited space. With 8 convenient hooks, this compact model fits almost anywhere. Quick and easy to assemble, this rack can be easily anchored to drywall with very little hassle - no need to locate and bolt to studs!

Features & Benefits:

• Especially designed for smaller kitchens, condos, townhomes, and apartments
• Keep kitchens clean & clutter-free
• Store pots & utensils overhead for easy access
• Free up counter top & cabinet space
• Silver/gray powder coat finish
• 8 hooks
• Strong stainless steel construction: 1/8” thick hot-rolled steel strong enough to hold a 125 lb. anvil
• Easy to assemble
• Quick and easy installation with super-strong new-technology anchors (included). Install in just seconds and hold hundreds of pounds
• Attach to Drywall - no studs required

CSN Stores has graciously sponsored this organized give-away ~ They sell a wide array of quality products such as toys, kitchen appliances, corner TV stands, decorative pillows & home accents - you name it!  Pay them a visit to show our appreciation!! 

So here’s how you can receive many chances to win:

TO QUALIFY:  Make sure you are a follower or an activated eMail Subscriber of this ReneW Your Space Blog - If you are not a subscriber, I cannot accept any of your entries.

1. Tell me in the comments below, if/why you would like this product (1 extra entry)

2. Follow me @renewyourspace on Twitter & leave your twitter handle as a comment so that I can follow you back!  (1 extra entry)

3. Tweet about this give-away: " I just entered the awesome organized give-away @renewyourspace blog ~ http://bit.ly/98eSWY  " (1 extra entry) Can be done once a day
4. Fan me on the ReneW Your Space Facebook Group and join in a conversation (2 extra entries)

5. Mention this in your Blog and leave your blog link in the comments (2 extra entries)

You must reside (or be able to have this shipped) within the US or Canada

Be sure to leave a comment on any blog post when you’ve done any of the above, (including subscribing) and I will keep track of your entries. (Those who are already subscribers of all the above, please comment for each so that I know to automatically enter you as well).  Each entry will be assigned a number and the winner will be chosen by an unsuspecting Twitter fan on Tuesday, April 13th. :)

Good Luck!!

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Reusable Vacation Packing List

I just returned from an amazing mini Spring Break to San Diego, where I had the pleasure of meeting up with a child-hood friend and visited all of those cheesy tourist-traps.  (Oh, and in case you didn't see the hysterical Facebook updates during that time, yes - we were right smack dab in the middle of that 7.2 earthquake! It was the first one I had ever experienced after living in California my entire life, so it was a very big deal. Luckily I was in the safety of my friend's home and it made for a very entertaining BBQ). 

It was one of the most impromptu vacations I had ever experienced - we just hopped in the car and headed south. 

Luckily I knew exactly what I needed to grab before taking off because of this little organizational tip.  A while back my friend mnelson2008 posted this on her YouTube channel, which is basically a quick list of items you would always want to pack for a trip away from home.  I typed mine up with handy little check-boxes and laminated it.  This list is a dream for any of you list-makers out there.

As she suggested, using a dry-erase pen to check your items off as you pack is an ingenious way to remember everything.  With a little elbow grease, you can wipe it away and have it ready and waiting for the next outing.  There always seem to be those little things I always forget, that would have made my trip more enjoyable if I just could have remembered them; (I have quite the wine opener collection from many vacations past, after leaving without one).

Now with our cell phones and iPods, we have reminders right at our fingertips and can take advantage of technology to remember things for us.  Put your hand-held device to work for you by programming in addresses, phone numbers, iteneraries and schedules.  With these, we no longer have to lug extra items around like maps, translators, alarm clocks or address books.

Some tips on what to do before taking off on a less impromptu trip; (these are extra reminders that I have added to my own list): 

• Get out cash
• Make arrangements for sitter or kennel
• Print reservations
• Get directions & program into iPhone
• Program in applicable phone numbers & addresses
• Set eMail to Auto-response
• Clean house
• Laundry
• Schedule alarm for leave time
• Confirm reservations
• Fill up with gas
• Take out all garbage
• Buy last minute grocery items for trip
• eMail itinerary to a friend

Here is a sample list that you may print from my free forms - Reusable Vacation Packing List

Just fold it in half and trim to desired size before laminating.  If you don't have a laminator of your own, take this down to your local Office Depot or Kinko's to have it laminated for a small fee.  Be sure to alter it to fit your own needs.

Long gone are the days of free baggage check and generous carry-on limits.  Some airlines are changing their policies to charge a fee to carry on bags that need to be stowed in overhead compartments.  Other ways to prepare for an organized vacation:  Pare down your items so that you have not only a lighter load, but less baggage.  Some things you might want to opt out of packing:

• Full sized makeup - Save those little samples and bonus items to bring with you on vacation.
• Bulky containers - Any drug store carries a wide array of travel-sized containers that are also airline approved.  Transfer your shampoos and body wash into smaller, squeezable containers.
• Double-up on uses - Use your body wash as shaving cream
• Choose outfits that are inter-changable and can easily be worn more than once without showing wear.
• Bring only shoes that can be worn with several outfits and can double in style and comfort.
• Lay out the clothes you want to bring and put 1/3 of that pile back!  Chances are you will end up wearing the same outfits more than once.

How would you guys like to enter for a cool, organized give-away???  Well, tomorrow I am announcing how you can win something wonderful for your kitchen! ;-D

 

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Design Ideas For Small Spaces

As I draw in inspiration for organizing my new small space, I am in search of beachy hues and a tranquil feel for my condo.  Learning to occupy smaller living quarters after moving from a large home can be a challenge, but I have found some amazing resources for storage and inspiration.

One thing I've noticed is that by keeping things symetrical for me, makes the biggest impact.  I can maximize my decorating dollars by filling the space with useful items and with a symetrical sceme throughout the home, I can get away with using less furniture.  The photo above, links to the HGTV site where you will find great decorating tips for small spaces.  I have used some of these images as inspiration for decorating my own home.

I thought I would share with you a fun video found on HGTV which gives some color palette hints to make the most out of your room.  You can see how color gives a small space more depth and by using accent colors, you can create coordinating anchors throughout your room. 

Another fantastic idea is to use an ottoman that doubles as storage.  I thought you would find this how-to demonstration interesting for a build-it yourself ottoman.  Double-duty furniture is a must for anyone who struggles with space.

Maximizing my closets and corner spaces with decorative baskets and containers double in both function and fashion.  I love discovering new ways to use the things I already have to house my books or blankets inside closet doors.  At Organize.com I have found some incredible storage options to fill a room, like this stylish faux leather basket.  This is the perfectly organized container to keep my dog's toys in, but is easy enough for her to grab one when she wants to play.  You know how ugly dog toys can get when they're laying around the house?  Well I was amazed to get them up and out of the way in such a stylish basket.  This can be used for anything - toys, paperwork, video games, you name it.

Speaking of Organize.com, if you were around on Friday and happend to see an outpouring of Tweets from my feed, you might have witnessed my little Twitter Party.  A Twitter Party is a gathering of people who have one subject in common.  In this case it was #organizedotcom who was hosting the party and giving out organizing tips and tricks.  During the party, they also hashed out free gifts and gift certificates for two hours!  Check out my Twitter Feed (to the right of my blog) to read numerous tips on staying organized.  You'll even find some helpful links to their free forms as well as links to suggested products.  There are more of these to come from Organize.com and from me so be sure to follow me on Twitter to get involved in the next one.

I hope you all had a fantastic Easter ~ What did you guys do?  Any fun kiddie Easter-egg stories?

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Blogging on Queue

As you first enter the wonderful world of blogging, you may find it easy to throw together impromptu posts as inspiration strikes. An idea may present itself throughout a monotonous day and it is easy to identify those blog-worthy moments. As time goes by and the initial excitement wears down, we learn scheduling is a great way to add fillers when we are less motivated or when life gets in the way.

My blog is a working blog, which means it accompanies my career in addition to social networking. There are times of the year when an upcoming event fits perfectly into the mold of the next scheduled post. By keeping an eye on my blog calendar, I am able to plan my writing and have my posts prescheduled for the approaching venue.

A blog calendar can be any form of pre-scheduling. A great way to keep your posts at the forefront is to use a Day Timer – month at a glance style calendar. Even in the digital age, I still lean towards carrying a physical calendar with me so that I can toss around ideas, but you may find your handheld device works just as well. As you flip open the month, take a look at upcoming events, holidays, seasons, celebrations, formalities, anything that you can correlate with your blog. Penciling in ideas a few months ahead really give you a handle on what you need to ponder or research.

If you want to take it a step farther, you can easily create a blog topic idea sheet on your computer, generating an ongoing schedule of different subjects that you want to talk about in the future. Chances are you already keep a notebook nearby to jot down ideas. Transfer these ideas to a word document & when you’re in the mood to pound out a few at a time, cut the title and paste it directly to a clean page so that you are all set.

If you store them in an electronic file titled “Reserve Blogs”, you will never be at a loss for posts & can quickly pre-schedule one in if you’re strapped for time.

By planning out your posts a few days ahead, you can create seamless blog entries with ease.

Have a WONDERFUL Easter and Spring Break if you haven't had the time off already.  What are your plans over the holiday?

NOTE - This article was originally intended for publication on the Lady Blogger's Society, but because I have not heard back from them for several weeks, I am going to post it here. I hope this is helpful for some of my blogger friends who are in search of fresh blogging ideas.

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