Adventures in Organizing and Design

The case for family meetings

2011-07-08T09:32:00.000-07:00

"Wait, I didn't know you were going out tonight. What are we to do about dinner?"

"Well it's not like I overdrew our account on purpose. We needed those things!"

"Oh really, and how was I supposed to know I needed to do that? I'm not a mind reader!"

Any of these questions familiar in your home? Possibly with more passion and expletives? :) It's common for couples and families to have miscommunication, especially around finances and schedules. But I have a simple suggestion to help get everyone on the same page -- weekly family meetings!

Stop rolling your eyes, I'm serious. They don't have to be long, they don't have to be boring, but if they cover some basic household management topics, you can prevent a lot of confusion and irritation later. My husband and I try to meet every Sunday for 30 minutes or so. When my sister was living with us for awhile, she also joined our meetings. The cats are optional attendees (sometimes they do have grievances to report, ha ha). If we had kids, I'd make them join us too.

Our typical family meeting (or family check-in, if the word "meeting" makes you break out in hives) covers these basic topics and gives us a chance to voice any concerns, make requests for the household, etc.:

The F.U. (Financial Update) - how much $ in our accounts, upcoming bills and expenses for next week, etc. We sometimes transition this into larger financial goals, such as discussing life insurance or investments, or a big purchase we want to make.
Where's Waldo (scheduling) - overview of each person's schedule for the week so there are no surprises later (in theory) and meals can be planned more easily
Keep It Clean (chores) - if you split chores amongst family members, this is a good time to get everyone to agree to the schedule and make adjustments if needed
Making Progress (goals) - we like to set family or household goals once a year, and then check-in occasionally, like when and where we want to take our next trip or the next home improvement project we want to tackle. Meetings are a great time to set priorities!
Plus any other topics regarding the household

We've been doing this for over five years now and find it works well for us. We always know there will be time to talk about things on Sunday, even if we have busy weeks and feel like we've hardly seen each other. And I'm never in the dark about how much money we have (my hubby handles all of our finances but that doesn't mean I don't need to know the information - it's my money too!)

Do you have a creative approach for staying on top of finances and schedules for your family?

Lessons learned from our garage sale -- and a side benefit

2011-07-05T12:12:00.001-07:00

This past holiday weekend, my hubby and I had a garage sale to help clear out clutter in the basement and his shop, and to earn some extra money for summer fun. Lately we've had renewed enthusiasm for streamlining our home. This quote (from Whole Living magazine) was part of our inspiration: Don't think of de-cluttering as emptying your home, you're filling it with possibility. Sounds nice, doesn't it?

We learned a few things this weekend that I wanted to share. First, a holiday weekend is not the best time for a garage sale! Both Saturday and Sunday were rather slow, although we did still make nearly $200 so that's nice. We're going to try again next weekend since we still have stuff we want/need to sell -- and we're going to add MORE stuff from our parents' homes.

And that's where our second lesson comes in: you need to have a balance of "nice" stuff and "cheap crap." We had many compliments on our items, but very few buyers. A lot of our items were "too nice" (in other words, more than $10)...and there wasn't enough low-end stuff for people to feel like they were really getting a deal. Many people came specifically for books, CDs, and DVDs of which we had little to none. We will make some changes this weekend and add more small, cheap stuff, and see how we do.

The third lesson I learned is to put on sunblock! :) Standing in the driveway talking to people I managed to get a nasty burn on my lower left leg...oops!

We also learned that having something large, eye-catching, and funny out by the road helps attract people. We had cars stop in the middle of the road to laugh at our drum-playing gorilla! Unfortunately no one purchased either item...or maybe that is fortunate, as we can use him as our mascot again this weekend.

And finally, the side benefit to garage sales: you really get to know your neighbors! It gives them an easy excuse to come over and chat, and often you find hobbies and interests in common as they look through your stuff. My husband and I talked about how we didn't know any neighbors names until our sale last year...and how if you're moving, while it's good to clear stuff out beforehand, having a garage sale a few months after you move to a new neighborhood is a great way to introduce yourself and get to know people. And hopefully make some money too!

We all fall down...

2011-06-14T11:42:00.000-07:00

We all have those times when life seems to run ahead, just out of our grasp. We stretch and stumble a little trying to catch up. We may even fall down. But no matter how hard we fall or how long we lay there in a daze, the important thing is to get back up, dust off, and try again!

As I dust myself off and jump back into the world of blogging, I want to apologize for the gap. As life got hectic, some things had to "give" -- and one of those things was blogging. I was lacking the energy and focus, but now I'm back -- re-energized, re-invigorated, and with lots of fun organizing and design related fun to talk about :)

A good friend of mine is going on her first-ever international trip today. Yes, today! She's probably killing time in O'Hare right now waiting for her flight to Germany. Her questions as she prepared were actually a main source of inspiration for me re-starting my blog. I provided her with a few tips and a packing list...and thought, others might be interested in this too! So stay tuned...

~amy

Minimalist inspiration

2010-12-07T14:53:00.001-08:00

Lately I've been drawn to reading blogs about minimalism and the spirituality of living simply. I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you for inspiration -- including this interview with Miss Minimalist on Castles in the Air. This is my first introduction to Miss Minimalist, aka Francine Jay, and I've already put her on my list of role models. I share some of her dreams and passions, like living in a foreign country, writing, and travel -- and it's always good to find others doing what you want to do so you can learn from them! I love the fact that she always leaves a weekend bag half-packed so that she's always ready to go traveling - in her own city or abroad - on a moment's notice. She is living proof that living minimally doesn't mean going without, it means only having the things you really need and make you happy.

Other fave blogs currently include the ever-popular Zen Habits (Leo recently did a thought-provoking post on why to not exchange Christmas presents) and The Middle Finger Project (with the best tagline: rejecting the status quo & rebelling against mediocrity). I've also been inspired by Danielle's advice at White Hot Truth. Where have you found inspiration lately?

Happy reading!
-amy

Pantry Update -- Change is a Good Thing

2010-11-18T09:24:00.000-08:00

About two months ago I decided to tackle our pantry area and get it back under control. I'm happy to report that this project was a success -- and was completed several weeks ago I'm just being lazy with the blog post ;-)

What I'm most excited about is the "extra" space we now have. We owned an extra set of black wire shelves that had been sitting outside collecting dust and a few BBQ odds and ends. By bringing these shelves inside we doubled our pantry space, without spending money (I love free projects!). That means there's now space for when I go on crazy Costco runs and stock up! No more re-organizing the pantry every time I shop -- which usually meant not re-organizing at all, but rather piling things haphazardly and setting things on the floor until there was room.

I've read a number of books on organizing and one of the key take-aways from most -- plan for future use and be ready and willing to adapt your area/system if you need to. If you only set up your system for now and are unwilling to change it, then as life unfolds and you acquire more things, the whole system falls apart! And then if you're like me, you blame yourself for the system failing. It's not your fault you couldn't forsee everything. Just be willing to adapt your system and you'll be fine.

For months I was in denial that I needed more space in the pantry. No, no, I can make do with what we have - I just need to organize it better. I finally came to my senses and am very happy with the results! And now to get a better system for the BBQ tools outside...

Happy organizing,

-amy

Going Digital

2010-10-04T16:46:00.000-07:00

A friend of mine recently sent me this article on going digital to help with organizing/streamlining your life. There are great tips in here and I just love this pro organizer's company name: The OCD Experience -- OCD stands for "Organize & Create Discipline."

Our bills and finances are almost all electronic already, as is our music. But the photos? Oh my. Now to find the time (and motivation!) to actually scan them all...and my recipes...and all the tax documents...

Happy scanning,
-amy

Simplify Sale in Portland

2010-09-15T13:41:00.001-07:00

I saw this posted on Facebook and wanted to share for all my Portland peeps. (And perhaps inspire those of you elsewhere to do a yard sale!)

Restoring Order, a local professional organizing business, is putting on the Simplify Sale this coming weekend in Sherwood. According to the site, "Featuring over 50 participant stations with tons of household goods for sale, live music, sizzling BBQ, and life-simplifying service providers."

Could be a great way to offload some of your excess stuff, and/ or a great place to find used household items for a deal.

We participated in a neighborhood-wide yard sale earlier this summer and it was a huge success. Having one on your own can be more difficult, but when you join with neighbors your combined sale becomes more of a destination and helps attract more people. We made nearly $500 in two days! And we have far less clutter in our home, extra bonus :)

Happy simplifying,
-amy

Free and nearly free ways to get organized

2010-09-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

I already posted this on Facebook but felt it was worth a post on here as well. Tanna with Complete Organizing Solutions blogged about free and nearly free ways to get organized and they were so fantastic I had to share!

Still alive and organizing...my pantry

2010-09-08T10:18:00.000-07:00

It's been a long time since I've posted on here. Tisk tisk. My apologies (to you and to myself). I've been battling with some health issues (nothing to worry about!) and thus took a break from the computer and blogging for awhile...and then found it hard to get back in the groove. So here's to getting my groove back ;-)

My next organizing project -- now that I have some mobility and strength back in my right arm** -- is to tackle our pantry. It is a mess. I've determined that we don't have enough space and thus have asked my lovely hubby to bring in the second set of wire shelving (it sits out our covered patio for now, mostly collecting dust and random things). I'm excited to rearrange this entire space to make it more usable and more attractive. And I'm excited to tell you all about it once I'm done. Which should be this weekend -- wish me luck!

First step: sort everything on the current shelves (and floor) into "like with like" piles so I know what I'm dealing with
Second step: get rid of anything expired, stale, that we don't like, have too many of, etc. (I'll donate to a food bank anything that's still good but that I don't want anymore)
Third step: clean both sets of shelving thoroughly and warm up the label maker ;)
Fourth step: put things away in similar categories, with things I use most often easily accessible, adding labels where appropriate
Fifth step: CELEBRATE and take photos to share with y'all!
Final step: reassess in a few weeks and make adjustments if needed (this is the part most of us forget -- don't blame yourself if your system fails. That usually means it's the wrong system for you, not that you're doing anything wrong. Be willing to make changes to fit how you really use the space and stuff!)

The above process is a loose guideline to how you can approach most organizing projects...

Happy organizing,
-amy

**A short note about my random injury and subsequent medical fun: I woke up one morning in June with what has been called by my physical therapist as "quirky female hormonal shoulder." I'm still determining if she says that to the 5+ patients she gets each year with this, or if I was the "quirky" part of the name :) Apparently some hormones in my body sent a false signal to my right shoulder that there'd been a trama and my nerve became very inflammed and all the muscles literally locked down my shoulder!! OUCH. I am recovering now with the help of PT and hope to be back to normal within the next 6-9 months. The silver linings? (1) I've learned to do an amazing amount of tasks with my left arm, including eating and using the computer mouse (which is very good exercise for the brain), and (2) I've had lots of time to read and explore myself and what I want to do with my life. I've started a new blog on this journey of self-improvement if you want to check it out...

Sanity saver in the kitchen: prep before baking (or cooking)

2010-06-17T10:31:00.000-07:00

I love to bake. And I tend to get excited and easily distracted while doing so, and thus I found this tip from Complete Organizing Solutions to be right on target. Prepping everything ahead of time can really help, especially if you get interrupted by kids, the doorbell, the phone, cats... It prevents you from getting 2/3 of the way through and finding out you don't have enough of something. Or even worse, forgetting where you are in the recipe and forgetting a key ingredient (or adding something twice, not that I've ever done that...).

Yes it gets a few more bowls and such dirty, but the sanity you save far outweighs the extra work. Plus, I find that measuring everything out ahead of time makes me feel like I'm on my own baking TV show. A dash of this, a cup of that, and ta-da! Awesome.

Happy baking,
-amy

Corralling loose tea

2010-06-08T13:20:00.000-07:00

My husband and I have recently developed a love of loose tea. We've always been tea drinkers to some extent, but we've really enjoyed thinking"outside the tea bag" and exploring the different varieties available. Switching to loose tea over bagged tea has cut down on tea-related trash at our house too (the bags and their wrappers can add up!) but presented us with a new challenge. How do we store this beautiful and delicious tea so we can easily use it?

Well, we've stumbled across a great solution that's working so far. We purchased clear-lidded, magnetic containers at IKEA usually meant for spices and such. You can purchase metal strips to put on your walls and then stick these containers to the strips (they also make larger magnetic bins you can put utensils and other items in). This is a great way to store things within sight and reach without taking up valuable counter space!

Instead of using the magnetic strips, you can use other metal objects such as a range hood or refrigerator, which is what we're doing. Now we have our 6 favorite teas within quick and easy reach right above the stove. I even used our label maker to indicate which is which. Check it out!

And now to enjoy a hot cuppa...
-amy

Cool way to display your photos

2010-05-31T10:09:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to the awesome service, Groupon, where you can purchase coupons that are usually pretty insane deals (there is a minimum amount of coupons that must be sold; it's group purchasing power on the Web!).

Anyway, today's deal really caught my eye because it's for this cool service called CanvasPop -- you can have any digital photo turned into one or multiple canvas art displays. You upload the photo from anywhere and alter it how you want it (you can also use digital art you've created instead of a photo). The Groupon is for 50% off ($80 for $40)!

I'm considering this for our bedroom revamp (yes, still a work in progress!) and using some great photos from our hiking and backpacking trips. Eye-catching art that's very personal. I love the idea. Check it out!

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Inspiration for your closet

2010-05-14T10:08:00.000-07:00

I regularly read other blogs about organizing and sometimes I get so inspired I just have to share. This tip from "The Organizing Junkie" is fantastic. She just did a major purge of her clothing as she switched from winter to summer and now I can't wait to tackle my own closet...again! I purge several times a year based on space issues and seasonal changes, but I like her statement that just because you have space doesn't mean you should fill it. If you haven't worn something in a year, consider parting with it -- donate to Goodwill or sell it at a consignment shop. (For my Portland peeps, a friend of mine owns a consignment shop you should check out sometime, for clothing, household items, furniture, etc. -- Reviva!)

With the money you make selling your clothes you rarely or never wear, you can purchase items you really love and fit you right! :) Any excuse to go shopping...

Happy purging,
-amy

Cut back on paper piles

2010-05-13T13:24:00.000-07:00

In preparation for a client appointment later this week, I came across this great info on how long to keep certain paperwork, bills, receipts, etc. I found it very helpful! I know I'm guilty of keeping things much longer than I need to...

What are the time limits for keeping old paperwork and files?

Here are some broad and fairly conservative guidelines that you may find helpful in managing your bills and financial records. Before making any decision on paperwork, however, you should definitely check with an accountant or financial advisor in your state to verify that this information is accurate, as sometimes legislation varies from state to state.

Toss out EACH MONTH:

ATM, bank-deposit slips and credit card receipts after you have checked them against your bank or credit card statements.
Receipts for minor purchases - unless there is a warranty or refund involved.

Toss out after ONE YEAR:

Your monthly bank and credit-card statements (unless you require proof of deductions for taxation purposes).
Monthly mortgage statements provided you receive a year-end summary of your account.
Pay stubs after they are checked against your W-2 or 1099.

Toss out after SEVEN YEARS:

Your W-2 and 1099 forms
Cancelled checks and receipts or statements for mortgage interest, property taxes, deductible business expenses or other tax-deductible expenses.

Keep indefinitely:

Annual tax returns
Year-end summary statements from financial institutions.
Receipts for the purchase of any investments you own.
Receipts for home-improvement costs or major purchases that may be needed for insurance claims or similar.

It may be helpful to download one of the publications of the IRS about what paperwork to keep. Go to www.irs.gov and search for Publication No. 552 - that has much of the information you are seeking.

Good luck taming your piles and files!
-amy

A Place for Everything...

2010-04-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

And everything in its place! That is one of my favorite organizing-related cliches. It has a nice ring to it, and serves as a great reminder every time I set something down where it doesn't belong. (Apparently the voices in my head are also obsessed with organizing!)

But we all have those things that don't have "a place" -- look around at your clutter and you will find that this is the majority of the problem. A magazine someone gave you to read, the cap to a pen you can't find, a screw you found while vacuuming...and the list goes on.

What do you do with this random stuff? This stuff is the inspiration of the "junk drawer" which can certainly serve it's purpose. But beyond that, I encourage you to look at your random clutter and group it by similar items. You may just find a new category and a new "place" you need to create to house these items.

For example, I am always admiring pictures in magazines for ideas. And then the magazine and/or ripped out pages would clutter my desk, the dining table, the kitchen counter, the coffee table... To remedy my paper explosion, I have set up a file folder on my desk labeled "Home Renovation Ideas." Every time I see something inspirational, I rip it out and put it in the folder. The magazine then gets recycled (or filed; I do have back issues of certain ones in date order on my bookshelves) and I can quickly and easily find the inspiration photo/article by opening my folder. And I have now set up additional folders for my design and organizing business, and for our rental houses. It's working great so far!

Do you have a fun or unique way you handle the random clutter in your house?

Keeping it together in the kitchen

2010-04-06T09:35:00.000-07:00

So I think we all know of the "chip clips" you can buy at kitchen stores, to help keep already-opened bags of chips, crackers, flour, etc. from going stale. They are overpriced in my opinion and most of the time don't do the job. They're either not tight enough to keep the bag closed all the way, or they break.

Instead of using chip clips, my hubsand and I have started using "binder clips" you can find at office supply stores. Not only are they cheaper, they're usually made of metal and stand up longer to use in the kitchen (or office, for that matter). I like having multi-purpose gadgets as that means I need fewer of them!

In a quick online search, it's $2.99 for a 6-pack of Large binder clips or a 12-pack of Medium binder clips (at Staples) vs. $6.99 for a set of 10 assorted plastic chip clips (at Bed, Bath, and Beyond). In other words, I can get 18 binder clips for the price of 10 chip clips, and I can use the binder clips for more things, including their actual purpose of holding papers together!

And speaking of, I also use binder clips to hold my coupons together, organized in date order of when they expire, soonest on top. You can even super glue a magnet to the back of the binder clip, if you like the idea of mounting to the refrigerator (which is what some chip clips have, but the magnets are never strong enough).

While there are some really cool kitchen gadgets out there, always think through other options before splurging. There are often other ways you can accomplish the same task without having to purchase yet another gadget that you then have to find a home for in your home. Less stuff = less clutter!

Happy clipping,
-amy

Update on bedroom update

2010-04-05T12:40:00.000-07:00

These projects always take longer than you anticipate...don't they? :)

I'm nearly done painting...will finish up this afternoon (ran out of paint and had to get more!). Since I decided to go with two shades of a cool green, the painting has been more laborious than I thought because I have to do a lot of "cutting in" by hand (painting the trim, corners, and other places the roller can't get to). It takes a lot of patience and a steady hand, and I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to projects like this, so it's taking longer that I thought...and I lost some steam there for a bit. But I'm back at it today!

I've already learned, or been reminded of, some valuable lessons with this project and I thought I'd share with y'all:

(1) Prep work is never time wasted. My husband, the contractor, calls this "the 5% most people don't bother to do." But it makes a big difference in quality later, as I've just witnessed first hand. If you take the time to patch and fill any and all small holes, it makes painting go more quickly later because you're not trying to get it to soak into holes in the drywall. And caulking around windows and all the trim helps your paint lines look more clean and crisp (it can even help with cutting in at times, as it gives you a smooth surface).

(2) Write down your paint calculations in terms of square footage so that you purchase the right amount, and don't forget to include the ceiling and your second coat. And yes, using high quality paint means you use less...but you will almost always have to do a second coat. (Sometimes a third, if you're doing a really dark/rich color.)

(3) Wash your paintbrushes often. Even in the middle of a project. Because it really sucks and takes a lot of time and water to get them clean if you wait a few days...!

(4) If you're running low on paint and don't think you have enough to finish the project, STOP in a place that makes sense and will be easy to blend, such as a corner or a the end of a coat. And SAVE some of the paint from the original can. That way when you buy a second can, you can mix them together and ensure you have a close match. (Even though they mix the paint by computer, there can be some slight color variance from can to can.)

I'm hoping by the end of this week that not only will the paint be done and dry, but we'll have all the furniture and lighting in as well, so I can take a great "after" photo to show you. Wish me luck!

-amy

Bedroom revamp on a budget

2010-03-21T16:43:00.000-07:00

So we've decided to spruce up our bedroom. Okay, not entirely honest. I decided I wanted to fix it up and then convinced my husband it was a great idea! Not only do we get a nicer space, but it's a great practice project for me and I get to blog about it :)

We already moved our bed into the smallest bedroom a few months ago. As they recommend in Feng Shui, we prefer having a room solely for sleeping and lovemaking; our dressers are in another room (my office actually). This helps keep our bedroom a calm, comfortable, uncluttered space. If you have the space/ability to do this, I strongly encourage it! At the very least try not to have any work-related stuff in your sleeping room - it's not good for you to see everything you "should be" doing as soon as you wake up. Makes it harder to shut off your brain and truly relax.

But back to the bedroom revamp. Above are some before pictures of our small, simple room. Blank canvas you might say! Later this week I will post on my progress: first step is to develop my "concept" - I'm envisioning a calm, comfortable, zen-like space with a cool, monochromatic color scheme (pale blues, greens, and grays) and modern, dark wood furniture. And very thick curtains to help block out sound - we're rather close to railroad tracks that can be disturbing.

Stay tuned for updates later this week...my goal is to finish the room by the end of the month, and to do so for under $600. Wish me luck!
-amy

A few short hours

2010-03-11T11:50:00.000-08:00

We all have them. The project that needs to be tackled, but is so large (at least, in your head it is!) that you can't bring yourself to start!.I have several of them right now in fact - a basement utility room overflowing with holiday stuff and recently acquired items from my dearly departed grandma; my office that appears to be exploding with school-related stuff. And in these situations I have to remind myself to START SMALL.

It's amazing how much you can accomplish in just a few short hours. And often by chipping away at a project, you do a better job because you don't wear yourself out.

Here's an example of an office/closet area that got out of control for a friend/client of mine. She was overwhelmed, so I came over one afternoon and we tackled it together, in a matter of 3 hours. We made a goal of just getting everything sorted into "like with like" piles. By the time the trash and donate piles were removed, we were both amazed at how much extra space there was! We used the bins and boxes she already had to get things in better order for the time being. And at her own pace, at later dates, she sorted through boxes we'd labeled, "Photos for sorting later," "Toys for my niece," "Old computer software," etc.

So remember, sometimes a few short hours can make all the difference. Don't be afraid to tackle a project in stages. Better that then not at all!

Happy sorting,
-amy

I'm ba-ack...with a fun design tip

2010-03-05T10:08:00.000-08:00

First I must apologize for my lack of posting...perhaps I assume too much that in the whirlwind world of the world wide web my absence was noticed! Regardless, *I* have noticed my lack of posting and it's been bugging me. Time to get back on track and start posting at least once each week, as it helps me focus on things other than homework and housework. That is my new goal - and feel free to "nudge" me if needed :)

And now for my design tip. I have recently started training with a professional real estate stager to learn more about this subsection of the interior design field. What I thought was all throw pillows and flowers is actually much more involved and interesting! I've learned lots of cool little tips that you can use in your own home regardless of needing to "stage" it to sell.

The one I'd like to share today relates to hanging art on the walls. I had no idea what a difference a few inches can make. Most of us (me included!) hang our art WAY too high on the wall. A good rule of thumb: hang a piece of art only 2-3 inches above a piece of furniture. If it's in a hallway, make sure it's at eye level for the average person at 5'4" tall. By bringing the art piece down, it makes it feel more grounded and makes it easier to be admired by you and your visitors.

BEFORE

AFTER

Here is an example from my own home. We hung this beautiful picture a photographer friend gave us over our fireplace...but after my first staging, I removed it from the hook and just leaned it on top of the mantel. It makes a small but significant difference! The picture now feels like part of the mantel "grouping" and not like something just floating on the wall. I hope you agree that it looks better :) And I encourage you to walk around your home and find places where minor adjustments can have a big impact on how cozy and planned your space feels.

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Time-Saving Tips to Get Organized

2010-01-14T19:27:00.000-08:00

I recently stumbled across this article on HGTV.com and wanted to share. It has some great ideas for how you can squeeze in tasks while you wait -- at the doctor's office, for something to finish baking, for the bathtub to fill... It can feel very satisfying to get a few important items crossed off the list!

And speaking of, there is a pile of school work calling my name :)
-amy

p.s. For example, just now as I was waiting for something to print, I took the over-flowing paper recycling basket to the bin outside. Yay.

Think More Storage, Not More Space

2010-01-07T10:06:00.001-08:00

Long before I became a student of interior design, I've been an admirer and enthusiast of great design and architecture. I've always been drawn to places that were well laid out (otherwise known as good "space planning"), streamlined, warm, interesting, and cozy.

I have a collection of books and magazines I regularly pick up and reference that I call "design porn." :) As I started researching today for a school paper, I accessed my library for one of my favorite reads: The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka. And couldn't find it! No, I'm not unorganized (wink) - I forgot that this was a book I'd borrowed from someone and don't actually own. Off to Amazon I go...this is a must-have book, in my opinion!

Ms. Susanka's books all focus on the topic of doing more with less. Most of us don't really need 2000+ square feet to live our lives; what we really need are better designed spaces that truly accommodate our lifestyles and our belongings. I'm a strong proponent of this philosophy. The hardest part for me being in design school is the idea that new is always better. It's not! Reuse what you have. Not only is it the "green" option, but it's also the more affordable way to go. And if/when you design or shop for a home or remodel your current place, think about storage, storage, storage. This is what most homes lack, even (and especially) the gigantic ones. And this is where Sarah Susanka excels: she uses concepts from boat and RV design to work storage into every place in a home, in a stylish and functional way. It's so cool! Check out her website if you have a chance and get inspired to streamline your home :)

Happy New Year!
-amy

Christmas Lights - without Drama!

2009-12-17T10:04:00.000-08:00

For many people, this time of year can be very stressful. But there are little things you can do to make it easier on you and others! One idea came to me recently from my Dad and how carefully he packed away the Christmas lights for use in following years.

Backstory: My husband and I recently moved into a new (to us) home and we don't own Christmas lights. As I am hosting the festivities this year, I wanted to put some up so I borrowed my parents' lights since they weren't using them this year. When I opened the box to assess the situation, I was pleasantly surprised at how neatly my dad had put the lights away. It made the process a breeze - we had lights up with no drama in less than an hour! (Full disclosure: a previous owner had already put hooks up along the front of the house from which we could hang the lights, making it easier on us!)

What did he do, you ask? He took each string and carefully wound them in a loose oval, not allowing them to twist into knots. He then laid the first strand inside the box and tied a piece of string with a file label on it indicating which strand of lights it was (i.e. west side of garage, girls' bedrooms, front walkway, etc.). He then covered this with several layers of newspaper, and then put in the next strand, labeled with string. And so on. Over the years he had customized each strand of lights to fit exactly in a certain spot, including adding clear light bulbs near stairs so people could see. As I saw this I said to myself, "Ah-ha! Further proof this is where I get my anal-retentive traits!" :) Because he had labeled in this way, it made it very easy for me to know which lights would work on my house - I picked the two longest strands and that was all we needed.

In addition to neatly stored lights, he also had plenty of extra bulbs available (10+ of each!). He stored them by color in small paper bags inside the box, each labeled with the color. This has already come in handy as we've had to replace several burned out bulbs. Which reminds me, I have two red ones out on the front of the garage - I will go change them now!

Happy low-stress holidays,
-amy

Roadside Hazard Kit

2009-11-11T12:56:00.000-08:00

It's important to have emergency items in your vehicle in case you experience hazards on the road, especially as we head into the winter weather season. For around $40-50 you can purchase a kit online that's endorsed by the AAA. It has most everything you need (and some things that you don't!).

Or, you can build your own kit using many items you already have. My dad, who worked as a mechanic many years ago and is my go-to-guy for all things car-related, recommends a few items not in the AAA kits, including an emergency fan belt and an extra quart of oil. I've included those items on my list - pasted below (sorry for formatting weirdness; I've been fighting with blogger for almost an hour now!!). If you'd like a formatted copy (in PDF) that you can easily print and use as a guideline for your vehicles, just send me an e-mail :)

Safe travels!
-amy

Roadside Hazard Kit You Can Make Yourself
Must-Have Items:

Flashlight and extra batteries
Jumper cables (recommended min. 8 feet long)
2-3 bungee cords
Flares
Emergency fan belt
1 roll duct tape and/or electrical tape
Large garbage bag (multiple uses, including a rain poncho and a dry place to kneel when changing a tire or tire chains!)
2-in-1 screwdriver and pliers
Assorted fuses
Extra quart of oil
1 rag or "shop cloth"
Cable ties (especially helpful for securing hoses and tire chains)
First Aid Kit

Extras

WD-40
Tire pressure gauge
Tire Inflator (this "goo" patches holes and re-inflates the tire temporarily; can be purchased at automotive stores)
Safety Lights (I have a 2-pack of 12-hour lights; they don't need batteries or fire)
Solar charger for cell phone and other devices (we use the Solio)
My in-laws also gave us the SafetyCross 6-in-1 Self-Powered Emergency Light which includes a compass and radio
Auto blanket for changing tires, etc. (we have one that's water proof on one side and fabric on the other so we can also use it for impromptu picnics!)
Safety vest or other reflective tape/clothing (so you can be seen at night on the side of a road)
Gallon jug of water and energy bars (if desired)

Plus: if you live or drive where there is snow, always have tire chains and a blanket with you (and perhaps even rubber boots!)

Fall Project Ideas

2009-11-05T10:38:00.000-08:00

Lately I've been working on marketing materials for my business and while developing a flyer I came up with this list of "Great Projects to Conquer This Fall." Thought I'd share with y'all as inspiration. And if you can't tackle one of these on your own, reach out to me or another professional organizer to help you get it done! :)

Fall clean-ups – clear out clutter and make your home cozy and efficient for winter
Earn money for the holidays – clean out your garage, closets, storage unit, etc. and sell your hidden treasures on a garage sale or at a consignment shop or even on Craigslist
Make space for holiday guests – furniture re-arranging, clearing out coat closets, and getting the kitchen and dining rooms ready for entertaining
End-of-year office organizing and tax-year receipts/wrap-up
Throw a memorable holiday party (corporate or personal)
Clean-out your garage so you can park your car inside for the winter!
Holiday cards/letters – get your list and process organized (or hire someone to handle this for you!)

Thanks for reading. Happy Fall!
-amy

Great Tip for Stacking Linens, Sweaters, etc.

2009-10-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

From Complete Organizing Solutions earlier this week - another tip from a Professional Organizer's home on keeping linens and sweaters stacked neatly (I'm sure you've experienced the leaning tower of towels before, as it comes crashing down as you open the closet! Well this tip will stop that from happening. While it might not hurt to have towels fall on you, it's annoying because it makes a mess and often times other household members don't have the patience to refold everything nicely...)

Happy Organizing!
-amy

Fantastic book on time & life management

2009-10-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading, "The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management," by Hyrum W. Smith and highly recommend it. A bit dated since it was written in 1993, but some great advice and techniques for getting your life in order and feeling, as the author puts it, "inner peace." I especially appreciated that he focused on getting your values and beliefs in order first, and then using your values to guide your goal setting, and your goals to dictate your daily activities. It's not just about being busier or more efficient or more productive, it's about spending your time doing those things that matter most to you. Only then will you feel fulfilled.

This book really struck a chord with me. I have always had many "to do" lists going at once and managed to get a lot of stuff done...but there were many times when this still didn't leave me with a true sense of accomplishment. I'm excited to embark on this new adventure and try out the Franklin system for scheduling and task lists, tied to my values and goals (it's named as a tribute to Benjamin Franklin, by the way - because he lived his life by governing values). A side note: the book was a bit "sales-y" at times, with pushes to purchase his products like the Franklin Day Planner, but it doesn't overwhelm or take away from the book's very valuable messages.

If you're looking for some motivation and a refreshing way to look at time and life management, I suggest you give this book a read.

Cheers,
-amy

P.S. In an earlier post I included a list of time management books that my friends and colleagues recommended, of which "The 10 Natural Laws" was one of them.

Ideal Bite says hire a "Green" home organizer

2009-10-20T14:01:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to this great service, Ideal Bite, that provides daily tips to make your life a little more "green." I love it because the tips are short and sweet, come right to my inbox, and are usually something anyone can handle adding to their routine.

Today's tip really made me smile though -- as part of their "make life easy week," they recommend hiring a professional organizer that knows how to do things green(er). Great idea! :)

The Benefits:

A good green organizer will help you repurpose or sell stuff you don't need, so you can pocket some cash without resorting to money laundering.
They'll help you hook up with other local eco-resources (movers, painters…).
Many use green products such as sustainable shelving and storage containers made from materials like bamboo instead of PVC.
A more organized house means less stress.

Thanks for reading!
-amy

My guest post on Complete Organizing Solutions

2009-10-15T11:43:00.000-07:00

One of the more fun parts of venturing into this new business is meeting other Professional Organizers. The people drawn to this profession are not only organized and efficient (that's a given, right?!), but everyone I've met has been so nice and open and willing to share information to help me get started.

And one of those new people I've (virtually) met is Tanna Clark with Complete Organizing Solutions. She does daily tips on her blog, and is now featuring another professional organizer each week to share inside tips on what we do in our own homes. My post was featured yesterday - my tip was to create a "landing strip" at the front door to help with all of the clutter that constantly goes in and out of a home. Please check it out! :)

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Wonder Hanger is Pretty Wonderful

2009-10-13T15:29:00.000-07:00

Last night while shopping with my husband, I was compelled to buy the "Wonder Hanger" in the As See On TV section. I decided it would make for a fun experiment I could do in my own home and blog about (I've been curious since I first saw the commercial!), while qualifying as a business expense. Win-win :)

It cost just under $10 for 8 hangers you get to assemble (which was harder than I'd anticipated, but nothing difficult). They are made of very sturdy plastic, and once put together, they do not come back apart.

After I assembled the hangers, I tried them out in several closets and am pretty darn happy with the results. They made so much extra room in our coat closet (see pictures below) and the closet in my husband's office! I'm excited that we actually have room for guests to hang their coats now - just in time for the holiday season. The Wonder Hanger would also be useful in a guest bedroom or seasonal clothes closet. They are surprisingly strong - I have one holding up 5 winter and leather coats and it's handling it just fine.

However, I couldn't use them in half of our master closet because of the height of the bars - it makes things hang much lower than a standard hanger, so I ended up with dress shirts resting on the bar below and getting in the way. Another downside is that you need enough room to move both hooks onto the bar in order to remove an item from the hanger; so it's not advised to cram a small closet full of these or you'll run out of room to actually get things out!

Overall, I recommend the Wonder Hanger - a quick and easy fix to make closets less cluttered and more usable. I am especially thrilled with the results in our coat closet (Left: all coats hanging across, Right: Wonder Hangers activate!) .

Happy organizing,
-amy

Cluttered bedroom = cluttered mind

2009-10-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Most everyone has too much "stuff." It's amazing how quickly stuff accumulates in our modern society -- gadgets, packaging, free trinkets, papers, that random cap that went to something you can't find... -- and they take up precious space in our homes and lives.

You'll be amazed at how much better you feel if you clear up the clutter! And the first place to start is your bedroom. I've read several books on feng shui and clutter, and they say that waking up in a place that's messy is not good for your psyche. And that makes sense to me. If you wake up and the first thing you see is a mess of things to do and unfinished projects, and/or you can't find things to wear, it puts you in a bad head space for the rest of the day. You may feel defeated before you even get out of bed!

So, my challenge for you in October is to have a "Fall Clean-Up" in your bedroom. Start small. Mine is in pretty good shape, but there is a bookshelf in the corner that seems to be a "catch all" for random items and my jewelry is taking over the dresser. Time to whip it into shape!

My guiding rule for assessing "stuff" - - ask yourself these questions:

Do I love it?
Do I need it?
Does it (or can it) make me money?

If it doesn't fit into one of these categories, get rid of it by donating to charity, recycling, or putting in the trash. You'll feel better. Trust me!

Happy Autumn,
-amy

When in doubt, label it!

2009-09-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Many organizing freaks, professional or not, have a love affair with their label maker. In one of the books I read, How to Start a Home-Based Professional Organizing Business, the author mentions her label maker at least a dozen times. And I've owned one for quite a few years now, long before labeling things would become part of my profession. That's because they are beyond useful -- they help you categorize items and keep an organizing system going.

I've used mine to indicate where things go on shelves and on the outside of bins, for labeling school projects, for craft projects like making our own word magnets (like the Magnetic Poetry sets you see in stores), and even labeled a bathroom light switch that had four options, so that guests wouldn't mistakenly turn on the fan or the "night light" instead. And once I even tried labeling our cat...as you can imagine, this was not appreciated by the cat even if the label said, "cute!"

My label maker of choice currently is the Dymo LetraTag because it's small and easy to handle. It has several basic font choices and the label tape is fairly inexpensive (and there are many choices of colors and finishes for the tape). That said, I will be upgrading to one with a QWERTY keyboard and more font choices very soon! When I do, I'll share my new obsession with you all :)

Happy Labeling!
-amy

Checking out the National Assoc. of Pro. Organizers

2009-09-21T10:54:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended a meeting for the Oregon chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers. Of course organizers would have an organization that has the very organized meetings! The meeting was held at Closets To Go in Tigard, which has a stunning showroom of closets, pantries, and garage organizing systems that are as stylish as they are functional. We got a full tour, including the manufacturing facility. If you're in the market to do a full make-over on your closet or pantry, this is the place to go for ideas. "Wow" was the most common word said that evening!

Closets To Go shared some stats from a recent customer survey they did (they do a large % of business online, plus local Oregon customers) which I found interesting - and encouraging. About 5 years ago when they conducted the same survey, most participants responded they were planning to live in their home for 3-5 years. This time around, people responded with "10+ years" - which means many of us are trying to make our current space work for much longer. And the key to that will be multi-functional spaces and organization! I'm hoping that means "job security" for me and the other organizers out there (which yes, even in this economy, most organizers are still doing quite well!).

Even though it's expensive compared to other groups out there, I'm most likely joining NAPO for the education and networking opportunities; plus, as I learned last week, it's a great group of people! What fun to be in a room of people that all get excited about drawer organizers, wall-beds, and recycling centers built into pantries - it's nice to know I'm not the only one :-)

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Time for better time management

2009-09-10T15:15:00.000-07:00

Many of us feel pulled in many directions at once with our busy schedules, but I've always managed to stay pretty on top of things. Or so I thought! After missing my self-imposed deadline for reorganizing our kitchen, I had to rethink that perception. I do tend to miss deadlines at times, especially those I assign to myself. And I seem to excel at procrastination, especially of unsavory tasks... So, I've decided that it's time for better time management!

I'm looking forward to improving my skills in this area, which will benefit me and my future clients. As I started looking for resources, I turned to my "social network" for book recommendations. Turns out I have quite a few friends that are just as geeky as I am about organizing and self-improvement! :)

Here are the books I've now added to my reading list, which can all be found on Amazon:

The 10 Natural Laws of Successful Time and Life Management by Hyrum W. Smith
The Luck Factor by Brian Tracy
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
Managing Your Goals by Alec MacKenzie (audio book)

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen

I'll share my thoughts on these books in future posts. In the meantime, do have any time management or productivity books you've found inspiring? Please share!

Thanks for reading,

-amy

Conquering My Kitchen

2009-09-03T10:15:00.000-07:00

Well, better late than never! I'd originally set a goal of re-organizing my kitchen cupboards and emptying the "final box" by the end of August. Unfortunately other life priorities got in the way - but I did manage to complete the task yesterday (only 2 days behind schedule!). I've now identified "time management" as an area I can improve and have made a list of books to read on the topic! More on that in a later post...now back to our regularly scheduled programming: the kitchen.

To start, I pulled everything out of the problem cabinets and the box. I strongly believe in the organizing philosophy that you have to see everything before you can start making decisions about eliminating items or assigning a space. As you can see, I made quite a mess! Every surface was covered, but it was very helpful.

I then made groups of "like with like" and found that I had a several lids that didn't go with anything and some duplicate dishes, which are now in the garage sale and/or donation box.

The next step: install small hooks near my baking center to hang flour sifters (which look cool as accessories). I then pulled out my nice glass canisters to display on a shelf - they look great with their matching labels and "decorative" contents (almonds, chocolate chips, raisins). And this freed up much-needed space in the cupboards.

Next, I chose a spot for our leftover container system. About a year ago we purchased a system where every size container uses the same lid - talk about a time and sanity saver! I highly recommend something like this. I used UHU tac to secure it to the shelf, which is temporary but holds really well.

Then I started putting things away, beginning with items we rarely use like serving bowls and trays. I located these in the cupboard above the refrigerator since it takes a stool or chair to reach them. I grouped all of my baking supplies together, using a plate shelf to create more space since many of these items are not very tall.

Our appliances are grouped together on half-moon shelves my husband installed (similar to this), making use of a deep corner cupboard near the stove. And finally, I put away all of the Corningware (hasn't had a home since we moved in, unless you count the box!), baking pans, etc. in a cupboard easily accessible from the baking center and stove, stashing the unwieldy cookie sheets in the drawer below the oven.

TA-DA! In less than three hours I have a more usable kitchen and everything has a home. I'm happy with the results, but expect to tweak and improve as time goes along.

Do you have any tips on organizing a kitchen? Found any cool products for making more space?

Spicy Kitchen Update

2009-08-25T10:03:00.000-07:00

I hate to admit that I haven't had much time to devote to my kitchen organizing project. I am currently taking an interior design class at PCC and our end-of-term project is due tomorrow, so all of my energy has been focused on that for now.

That said, I did have a minor epiphany -- I'm going to add some shelves to the only empty wall and move my canisters there. Thankfully I already have fairly decorative canisters to hold flour, sugar, etc. and I think they'll look nice on the shelf. And that frees up much-needed space in my cupboards for snack foods (that currently reside haphazardly on top of the fridge and make me frown each time I see them!) and my "Tupperware" and reusable containers.

Also wanted to show off this great shelving item for organizing our spices that makes use of a shelf I can't usually reach. We put this in a few months ago and it's been a great space saver. I just pull down when I need access; push back up when I'm finished.

Note that we've decided to keep our spices, for the most part, in their original containers. While there are nice looking spice systems out there with matching jars, I've found them to be a pain because they usually hold less and then you have to store all of the back-up spice containers somewhere as well. How is that helpful?! Just because something looks organized, doesn't mean it's a good system that you can maintain. Always keep that in mind when buying gadgets that promise the world!

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Closet Mini-Make-Over

2009-08-14T12:29:00.000-07:00

Earlier this week, WSJ online did a short article on Veronica Webb's organized closet. I was in awe! Not only at the organization, but the sheer amount of clothing and shoes she has. The life of a model! At least she's making me look better :)

And how's this for coincidental timing? Just last week I did a mini-make-over on my own closet (shared with the hubby) and finally removed all of the sweaters so it's not so crowded. The sweaters will make a reappearance come Fall; and the shorts will then go into storage (a large, clear bin that lives in the basement laundry room). My main goal was to group things together better -- by style and how often worn. It's so much easier to find things now, and I only spent 2 hours!

I'm pretty happy with it, but am looking for better solutions for belts and pants. Think I may have to break down and purchase some nice pants hangers rather than trying to make do with what I already have. Any suggestions for good belt systems? I hate having to take them all off to get at the one farthest in...

Another goal was to remove all the wire hangers from the closet, which I've successfully done, but am now stuck with a rather large pile of them. Apparently hangers are not welcome in the trash or recycling in my town (they wreak havoc on the sorting machines), so I've been trying to find other options. Three ideas I've come across so far:
- return them to your dry cleaners for reuse or proper recycling
- take them to a metal recycling center (and they'll pay you!)
- use them in craft projects

Have a closet you're afraid to tackle on your own? Try doing it in parts, rather than overwhelming yourself in the first try. For example, just sort through all of your dress clothes one evening. And keep reminding yourself that not only are you making more room and making things easier to find, but you can sell or donate anything you get rid of to help your bottom line!

Happy organizing,
-amy

That Box in the Corner

2009-08-03T12:31:00.000-07:00

Today's post is about motivating myself to finally conquer that 1 lingering box of kitchen stuff. This weekend will mark 5 months since we moved into our new home and I will not continue to be mocked by that box in the corner of the dining room!

Of course, the reason it's still there is because there is not enough room in my kitchen cabinets currently -- and that caused me to "hit a wall" after 90% completion. I think many of us battle with challenges like this and then lose motivation. But with every challenge comes an opportunity! So, herein lies my opportunity: to re-organize my kitchen cabinets so that everything fits in there, by the end of August or else! I'm counting on this blog to help keep me motivated. I certainly don't want to post on here about not getting this done ;-) I'll update on my progress and share any cool products I come across along the way.

Side note: one area in my kitchen I'm pretty happy with already is the "recycling center." We used a closet organizing system (I believe it's Closet Maid from Lowe's or Home Depot) so that we can sort as we go - and each drawer pulls out completely for easy dumping into our recycling bins outside. I also store the aluminum foil, Ziploc bags, etc. in the top drawer to keep them out of precious drawer space in the rest of the kitchen but still readily accessible.

Thanks for reading,
-amy

Quick Tip for Closets

2009-07-23T13:28:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-20T09:36:00.000-07:00

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

2009-07-15T10:46:00.000-07:00

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