Quick Tip for Closets

I am currently reading an informative book on starting my own Professional Organizing business by Dawn Noble, aptly titled, "How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business." In it she not only shares tips and insights for running a business, but also shares some of her organizing ideas and solutions.

One tip that really stood out for me is a simple solution for your closet and the clutter of empty hangers. Keep a basket in your closet and each time you take something off of the hanger, put the hanger in the basket. Then, when it comes time to do laundry, take the basket to the laundry room/area and immediately hang clothes up as they come out of the dryer or have been ironed. That way you keep the empty hangers out of the way and it's easier to carry your freshly cleaned and ironed clothes back to the closet.

Happy De-Cluttering!
-amy

Prep for the Perfect Day Hike

Last Thursday to escape the heat, I went on a solo hike in The Gorge. My number one tip for women who want to hike on their own is to hit a trail you already know - fewer opportunities for ending up on the evening news that way, as you know what to expect and can plan accordingly. My favorite spot to hit on my own is Latourell Falls, which is the closest falls to Portland along the Old Columbia River Highway (trail head is only 35 minutes from my house!). I've been there more than a dozen times, plus my cell phone works on most of the trail, just in case!

It was absolutely gorgeous up there and I took many great photos. One of the best parts about this 2.3 mile loop trail is that most people/tourists get enamored with the first, large waterfall near the road and never go beyond the first .5 miles of the trail in either direction. However, for those with more adventure in their blood, another 1 mile hike will lead you to a second, s-shaped waterfall that you can walk behind, plus several wooden bridges to cross the creek. There is even a fallen log that works as a bridge in one spot.

While sitting on some logs in the middle of the creek, I enjoyed an apple and wrote down this list of "must have" items on a day hike, especially if you're alone. If you have anything to add, please let me know! I'm a huge fan of using lists for trips and adventures - that way you're never caught unprepared and can truly enjoy yourself. In a later post I'll share some of my prep lists for traveling domestically and abroad.

Happy Hiking!
-amy

Day Hike Checklist
Depending on the length of the hike, you should carry a small backpack with you, or you can leave some of this in the car.

• Small backpack / fanny pack
• Sunglasses
• Hat - keeps sun and sweat out of your eyes
• 1-2 pair socks (wool and/or wicking socks are the best)
• Hiking shoes/boots (I usually wear flip-flops or sandals in the car, which I then throw in the pack in case I want to get in the river!)
  
• 16 oz water bottle (I brought 2 with me this time, to add weight)
• Almonds or other nuts and/or protein bar
  
• Fruit (I took an apple and some strawberries)
• Chapstick/lip balm
  
• Sunscreen
• Bug spray
• Band-aids
  
• Camera
• Cell phone
• iPod (if you want; I turn mine off at times to enjoy the sounds of nature instead)
  
• Clean t-shirt for afterwards
• Small diary for notes and thoughts
• Camp towel or hand towel
• Hiking book and/or map of area
• I.D. - always have this on you!
• Tell someone where you are going - I send a text to my husband as I leave town and as soon as I return.

First adventure in blogging

Hello, and welcome to my first blog post on my very first blog!

Several friends have been encouraging me to start a blog for months now...so I finally did it. Thought this might be a good place to capture my thoughts during my adventure towards becoming a Professional Organizer (hence the name, Adventures in Organizing). Yes, that's right - faced with more weeks of unemployment than I care to count or share, it's time to take my fate into my own hands and be self-employed! I'm very excited and hope you will join me as I write about nifty organizing techniques and products I've found, "ah-ha" moments I have while learning this business and how to run my own business, and general rants and raves about efficiencies (possibly more rants than raves, we shall see!).

In true blog fashion, I will link to other blogs that offer great insights in the areas of organizing and efficiency - or even just general tips on living a better, more balanced life. Big thanks to my friend Aleta for the ongoing encouragement to start this blog - she has a great blog herself, on using social media in your marketing strategies, so if this is your cup of tea, check it out: Conversations Web 2.0 Style

Stay tuned for my many adventures ahead, including the "formal" launch of my business. And speaking of, I've found a great online resource for women starting or running their own businesses - Ladies Who Launch. They just did a profile on Angie Hicks, the brains behind Angie's List. BTW, still playing with names for my business and open to suggestions...

Thanks for reading!
-amy
Efficiency Diva and Soon-To-Be Professional Organizer