Your bedroom is the first place you see when you wake up in the morning and the last place that you see before you drift off to dreamland.

You know what they say about first impressions….they are lasting.

A few hours in this room can make all the difference in how you start and end your day. The bedroom is the haven from the stressors of life; it needs to be an oasis where you feel like you are wrapped in comfort and security.

Now, this does not mean that you are going to have a magazine perfect bedroom.

What it will mean, is by keeping the items in the room current for the person and by reducing clutter your bedroom will look and feel like the Haven it is meant to be.

Sweet Dreams…for tips and techniques on how to create this Oasis, get help now and learn the 6 steps organizing experts use every day for only $9.99.

These special keepsakes are the physical representation of the memories that we have stored away. However, if you plan to keep all of the memories of days gone by be prepared to spend some money for storage and valuable time for managing what could be a full time job.

Realistically speaking you want to keep a reasonable amount of keepsakes in a system that is easy to use and manageable. How you ask?

Well you containerize!

A simple storage container with letter sized hanging folders in the container.

For more tips and steps on creating this treasure box that will bring joy for years to come visit Organizing Connection and learn how to organize like the pros. The Bedroom Organizing HOW-To video set also has worksheets an an e-book with pages of time saving organizing tips that you can download immediately.

For only $9.99 you can get help now.

Over the past seven years I have had the pleasure of sharing my organizing expertise with many people from retired veterans to corporate executives. I am amazed that the same question pops up at each session regardless of the audience. It is something that you probably have on your mind as well. Are you ready for this million dollar question?

How do I let go of my stuff, stuff that has history attached to it?

The stuff  that was received as a gift, perhaps passed down by a family member or stuff that is being kept because it was expensive ?

During the excess of the nineties people bought and bought…because it was all about having stuff. Some how we began to associate our stuff with our self worth…the stuff that fills our home, office and our time.

Here we are in the 21^st century and we want to move forward in our life. We know that the things that we had in the past worked then, but they really don’t fit who we are today.

Intellectually we know that we need to cut the clutter but in our hearts we can’t let go.

Here is a new way to think about the things that you are holding on to for sentimental reasons. For you it is sentimentality…for someone else it may be about survival.

For as long as I have been sharing my expertise I have also been sharing information on where to donate our gently used things. Places like homeless shelters, food banks, churches and service associations have been receiving the generous donations that I make on behalf of my clients. I am still touched by the gratefulness of the receivers of your generosity. Your beloved items that you are keeping for sentimental reasons that are stored in boxes in the basement of your comfortable home suddenly become the house wares that a homeless family uses to start over again.

It was clutter to you.…. It is survival for them.

If you are ready and willing to move on and let go, here are some places where you can donate your stuff and help others at the same time:

• Books can be donated to the 5^th Annual Big Brothers Big Sisters Book sale up until August 21^st.  Drop off your books at any Saint John Sobeys location. (all book types except encyclopedias, textbooks and magazines
• Towels and blankets can be donated to the local animal shelter as well as food, toys, brooms and laundry soap. Contact them for further information 642-0920.
• Clothing and Household items can be picked up by community living, making it very convenient. Call them at 642-5511.
• The Saint John Boys and Girls Club are always looking for socks, shoes and various items for the preschool daycare. As well as beds and furniture.
• Women’s and children’s clothing as well as hotel toiletries can be taken to the local women’s shelter.
• Cellular phones can be donated to The Charitable Recycling Program of Canada with drop off locations at Value Village in Saint John.  http://www.charitablerecycling.ca/CA/newbrunswick.asp
• If you have any antiquities contact your local museum to see if they want to add it to their collection.
• Your great-grandmothers period clothing may be just what your local theatre company is searching for.

Be sure to ask for a donation receipt when you are dropping off.

I would like to leave you this week with a very thought provoking video that was produced several years ago and has reached over 10 million viewers. It is The Story of Stuff. Watch it now…

Over the past few years I have clearly seen the connection between the inner and outer clutter in life.

Think about how you feel when you come home to a messy kitchen or arrive daily to work in an office that makes you feel less than motivated. Your environment has a direct impact on your inner well being.

The more I learn about stuff and the connections that we have to our things I realize that the organizing industry is about so much more than de-cluttering. It is about letting go of the past; past failures, successes, relationships, regrets and memories. By holding on so tight to the past it is hard to move into the present and in the direction of your future. Living this way is like driving the car while looking in the rear view mirror…you might be able to do it for a few seconds but soon enough you are going to crash.

Perhaps it is time to start looking forward.

I have an awesome library full of organizing resources.  This week I want to share some words of inspiration from a few selected books, words that will hopefully inspire you to move forward.

If you want to create your ideal home, office and life…pay attention to where the clutter and stuff show up, then you can better assess how to let go and move forward.

A garage sale is an excellent way to clear out clutter and make some money at the same time.

Having a time-sensitive event is a good way to motivate you to complete a task.

Many years before having my first over-the-top garage sale ($2,000 in one day) I did a lot of research. The research was years of attending rummage sales, garage sales, yard sales and tag sales… immersing myself into the world of buying and selling treasures.

Garage sale junkies are up and at it early with a plan prepared long before the garage door opens. It is an art form. Finding that coveted purchase makes the whole day worthwhile.

At garage sales first impressions do count. Having a great sale or a “drive by” is all in the planning. It could mean the difference between clearing out the clutter or packing it all back up at the end of the day.

Here are five key steps to elevate your garage sale from “drive by” to “must see”:

1. Set aside time to prepare for the sale by going room by room and clearing out the unused/unloved/unwanted stuff. Remember, your clutter is someone else’s treasure. Make the event worthy of your time and the buyer’s time.

2. Get others involved and have a community garage sale or have your sale during a town-wide event. This cuts down on your ad costs… yes, there is a cost. Place an ad in the local paper and make it interesting by mentioning a few of the key items. The diehards will already be on the road with their Friday paper before the Saturday paper even arrives. So place your ad in both editions.

3. Attract attention with brightly coloured signs that provide the address and the time of the sale. Use several sturdy signs with a post so you can be sure it will stand out and stay in place. This is also good for the environment as it can be reused. Post the signs by 4 p.m. the day before the sale; you want people to add it to their agenda for Saturday. (P.S. don’t forget to pick up your signs after the sale.) If you are lucky you will get a few earlybirds on Friday. Yes, let them in and let them buy; this is a garage sale not a garage show.

4. Sell good stuff… not garbage or broken things. Broken is just broken; if it is garbage then throw it out. If it does has some life left in it have a free box at the end of the driveway and give it away. As I said earlier “Your clutter is someone else’s treasure.” Make sure it is treasure worthy.

5. Make it easy for people to shop at your garage sale. Clearly mark the prices on the items. People like to know what the prices are without having to ask. Group similar items together like clothing/books/dishes and have a price list above or near the items for quick reference.

You can organize a successful garage sale when you have the right plan of action. Garage sale season has officially started. Now go and organize, advertise and sell!

With the recent time change, the arrival of spring and this long weekend many of you are probably feeling the urge to start moving the winter wardrobe out and the spring wardrobe in.

This seasonal rite of passage is the perfect time to get all of your closets in tip top shape…that means the kiddies, hall closets and even the master bedroom.

Perhaps the most difficult part of this closet organizing process is letting go of items that are no longer useful. The attachment we have to our clothing and the guilt associated with letting be paralyzing. To help with this tricky issue I have some helpful decision making tools that will make light work of your closet transformation.

The Slow Purge

Take all the hangers in your closets and hang them backwards (with the hook pointing out). As things are worn re-hang with hangers facing the right way. At the end of each month, take a quick scan and notice the hooks that are still backwards. Obviously these are the items that you have not worn recently. Unless it is a special occasion outfit you probably will never wear it again…really…be honest with yourself, does it need to take up valuable closet space.

Goddess or Not

This technique is all about finding your inner DIVA. You know when you have something on and you feel awesome, you love to wear it…it’s a wardrobe favorite. Now think of the last time that you wore something and you felt…well you know…it’s a 3 letter word and I am not saying it. Would you rather feel like a “Goddess or not”? If it doesn’t and it’s not for painting or grubbing around in the garden, please let it go.

The Closet Hokey Pokey

This is my favorite. I am sure you will recognize the tune and the wording…with things changed around a bit to suit the occasion…that is the closet organizing occasion. This is a fun way to keep the closets clear of clutter. The children also like this one, it is easy to remember and they can follow this rule quite easily. You can see the video version of the Closet Hokey Pokey here …check it out now!

You put your new shirt in; you take the old shirts out
You put them in the basket, and donate them all about.
You do the closet pokey, and you keep the clutter out.
That’s what it’s all about!

Speaking of donations….keep in mind that your clutter could be someone else’s survival. Think of someone who may need the item more than you do. There are several local charities who would love to receive your clothing donation…they are only a phone call away.

Oh how I love the change of seasons.

Why, you ask? I get to clear out the winter and bring in the spring….unless you are in the southern hemisphere and you are transitioning from summer to fall…either way…you are  moving the last season out and the new one in.

To help you with this seasonal rite of passage we have compiled a list of resources to help you save some valuable time and create some space.

Woman in closet

First things first, you need to do the Closet Hokey Pokey….You put one thing in you take one thing out…

While you are in those closets you may want to change those awful wire hangers to something like wood..check out neatfreak and while you are there enjoy reading the blog written by our Peep Clare Kumar from  Toronto.

As a true Canuck I have enjoyed  House & Home magazine for many years. While researching I stumbled upon this timely article with some great Closet Organizing Tips, check it out.

And for anyone looking for some great organizing resources, Alltop now has an organizing section,  check it out here: Organizing Alltop 

Have a Great Weekend everyone and Happy Spring Organizing!

Elaine and Kim

There have been loads of things going on to talk about this week.  Seems the A & E show Hoarders is really making its impact on the world, everywhere I go people are talking about it and discussing the issues that it brings up.  Check out this article: Getting help to overcome a hoarding disorder for resources and info on help that is available.

A sad event happened in my community this week with the sudden death of a 38 year old mom of one of my daughter’s friends.  This sudden death has prompted discussion about whether we are ready if something happens unexpectedly, the importance of life insurance to help and having all your papers in order. This Blog chats about Getting your Affairs in order in case of Death or health Crisis. It is worth talking about!

On a lighter note- Have you seen these Hilarious File folders?  Thanks John Trosko for tweeting about them, they gave me a great laugh and reminded me not to take my job too seriously.  John also shared his discovery of the Miraculous ‘Mint Memory Gum’ that helps you find your keys, can it really help us with our memory- it certainly is worth a try!

Elaine Shannon was also in the fun mood today, if you are suffering from the Office Blues and need a little fun infused into your work life, this blog is for you:  A Little Office Fun on Friday, Hey why not?

In closing I have to mention our good friend the OrgJunkie, her ability to come up with the greatest organizing ideas and her love for containers never ceases to amaze me.  For any of you out there with kids in school, check out her blog on Using Crates for organizing School Papers, it is brilliant as always!

Have a great one everyone,

Kim

closet

Standard closets in most homes are equipped with a sturdy but un-functional single rod and a dust covered shelf that would be adequate if you are over         5ft 4 inches….however, if you are vertically challenged like me that shelf space is not even attainable unless you have a step stool in the closet.

Want to find some storage space…look up, look way up.

I love storage that is flexible. Rubbermaid shelving is all that and then some. It is easy to install, inexpensive, the pieces can be changed and if you have allergies in your home the open wire shelving allows the air to circulate and the dust to fall to the floor where it can be vacuumed up quite easily.

Here are some of the ways that I have used this Shelving system;

• Bedroom Closets…of course!
• Mudroom shelving
• A storage closet in a home office
• Mudroom closet
• Basement storage room
• Playroom

The options and variety of uses for this shelving are endless.

The beauty of this lightweight shelving is that you can take advantage of the unused vertical storage….by looking way up and taking advantage of that coveted space in between where you would normally stop your shelving you can add several feet to your storage options.

Now in this last week of the 28 Day organizing Challenge go and reclaim the unused vertical storage in all your closets….

Elaine AKA the Empress of Inspiration

This is a time of year where people tend to curl up to wait out the rest of the winter. If that is what you are doing I have some interesting sites that you can visit right from the warmth of your home.

This is what we are chatting about around our watercooler.

Laura over at the Organizing Junkie is heading into the last week of her 28 Day Organizing Challenge, if you have a  Blog and are looking to win some great prizes then head over and check out this awesome contest.

Spring is just around the corner and so is moving time…moving is a hot topic around our watercooler with moving in Kim’s future and we found this great resource from Carla Woolnough on How to Stage Your own Home on DVD...you know how much we love visual learning so this was exciting for us to find to share with you.

Being proud Canadians we have been glued to the TV watching all the excitement of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics…Summer Olympics are nice but the Winter Olympics get your blood pumping with all the speed of the events, did you catch Shawn White the US snowboarder- wow he can fly and of course no Olympic experience is complete without following hockey,(well at least for us Canadians) it sure is looking like it will be Canada Verse the USA in both men’s and Women’s Hockey.  In honor of our Canadian heritage here is a funny video that the Molson Beer empire created a few years ago…

Last but not least we want to know Who are the people in your Neighborhood?  Elaine asked this questions a few weeks ago on her blog and it got a lot of people thinking and replying.  let us know who is in your neighborhood. 

Have a great one everyone!

Chat with you next week around the Watercooler,

Elaine and Kim