the ORGANIZED lifestyle

Spring Cleaning Tips

2010-05-13T07:37:00.001-07:00

Spring Cleaning Tips

1. Carry all of your cleaning supplies in a cleaning bucket from room to room to save steps.
2. Use a hand held hair dryer to blow the dust out of silk or dried floral arrangements.
3. Scrub stains, burns etc from counters, pans, cabinets, plastic, decks, granite etc. using our goodbye detergent scrubbers. There are specific scrubbers that work well for different surfaces.
4. Before cleaning, declutter each room, one at a time by purging then sorting into piles labeled (keep, toss, donate, sell). Next, organize what is left to keep, using organizing products to keep things neat & orderly for easy cleaning.
5. Pop moist sponges in microwave for 20 seconds or dishwasher to kill germs.
6. Clean windows before the days get hot and not on a sunny day which causes streaks by drying immediately. Clean windows with
pure rubbing alcohol or 1/2 white vinegar & 1/2 water in a spray bottle, using newspaper to prevent lint.
7. Purge clothing that no longer fit and those that you have not worn in the past year. Bring to consignment shops or goodwill, saving cotton t-shirts for rags. Clean & pack away winter clothes, using our canvas bags with cedar blocks for wool & silk to prevent moths from chewing holes.
8. Take all bedding off to launder, storing winter blankets (in bags with cedar blocks if wool). Vacuum bed for dust mites.
9. Clean out refrigerator and freezer, temporarily placing fresh foods in cooler. Compost all non meat foods if applicable, disposing of the remainder. Scrub down refrigerator and freezer with caldrea all purpose cleansers and place open box of baking soda on shelf in refrigerator to absorb odors. Place a plastic lazy susan on one or more shelves in refrigerator to find jars of condiments easily.

The Main Event!

2010-01-19T11:37:00.001-08:00

Streamlining Your Life!
Clutter affects all aspects of your life

By Donna Sommers

“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking
we used when we created them.”
Albert Einstein

Clutter is simply the accumulation of “stuff.” It encompasses memorabilia, “to do” projects that seem never to be 'done’, and family members’ additional contributions to the disorder. This can result in feeling overwhelmed and frustrated which leads to unhealthy stress. This stress may be a blessing in disguise as these overwhelming feelings may be the final push you need to make you take action for change.

For some, this first step may mean seeking guidance and support. Making this commitment to yourself to simplify your life and get organized is a significant investment in yourself to achieve personal inner peace and outer success. Change on any level can be a challenge because it affects everyone in the home - not only you!

Professional Organizers not only help to coach clients through this tough process, they suggest simple systems and keep them accountable to their goals. “Developing good organizational skills can greatly reduce stress in people’s lives,” says professional organizer Kristin Mastromarino. “However, some people struggle with mastering these skills on their own, this is where I am most valuable!”

Organization is only the beginning. It is one thing to organize and yet another to allow for the life changing healing that will follow. Organizing is not only about putting “stuff” in its place; it is about putting something in order deep within you so you can feel free and unencumbered for the successful, stress-free life you wish to achieve!

Disorder often becomes a reflection of what exists inside our emotional self. Clutter can mean there is disarray, discomfort, or unhappiness in your life and this cluttter doesn’t happen overnight. Change becomes non-negotiable if we plan to move on to a more satisfying and simplified lifestyle. We cannot keep doing the same things over and over and expect different outcomes.

De-cluttering involves what, where, and how the “stuff” will go. By discarding and/or moving “stuff” from your home, you create a void and enter into a process of letting go, of some of these “things” that served you in some way. This is a time to be gentle on yourself and seek as much support as you can to achieve even the smallest goal. The smallest step is the largest accomplishment. Short-term counseling is often utilized to help remove existing emotional obstacles to reinforce the organizational process.

Remember, it is a process! Just like renovating a room in your home, it will get messier before it gets tidy. Patience and trust, along with the assistance and support you receive from family, friends, and this workshop will be required for the process to work.

This process of change requires commitment, patience, inner strength, and support. As mentioned, all involved in this process become affected and, therefore, all will feel different emotions throughout this activity. This means the endeavor may involve agreements with family. Gathering at family meetings to prioritize plans can help successfully set your goals in motion. These meetings may open up communication between family members that may have been absent for a long time. You may need to develop new communication skills and be willing and open to learn how to relate to each other. Too often what arises from this issue is a breakdown in communication; a misunderstanding that becomes only about the mess instead of the change as a whole.

While there are many situations that are resolvable by simple persistence and communication, there are other more serious considerations of which to be aware. It is vital to maintain a sense of purpose and non-judgment while keeping focus on your goal.

Just as eating, alcohol, and drugs can be problematic when done to an extreme, so too is clutter. We address this as Chronic Disorganization (CD). This on-going pattern is a result of grief, overwhelm by life situations, and feeling hopeless and out of control. It begins as situational disorganization and evolves into Chronic Disorganization. There are indications of being Chronically Disorganized and out of control.

We all share some aspects of these Chronic Disorganization tendencies. When our life feels seriously out of control it is necessary to consider this CD can be a side effect of our emotional state. It is important to acknowledge that CD is resolvable with determination and emotional support.

Some professionally recognized indications of the existence of CD are:

- Disorganization, clutter and poor time management that regularly disrupt your marriage, parenting, relationships, work and health;
- Great difficulty letting go of things even when you no longer need them;
- Clutter is preventing you from using areas of your home as you would like;
- You have tried to organize many times but nothing seems to stick;
- You have purchased organizing books and organizing containers but not been able to apply them to your situation;
- You feel there a sense of hopelessness when you can’t maintain organizing systems.

Do not give up. You are worth it! In a short time these patterns will be in the past and replaced with consistent healthy organization on many levels.

This on-going column is to help dispel and dismantle old thought patterns and help create concrete solutions for new healthy patterns for success in your relationships at home, at work, and most importantly, in your self!

Donna Sommers, RN, Counselor, Life Coach, Energy Medicine Practitioner, has a private practice in Branford, CT. For over 25 years she has offered her expertise and guidance and compassion for healthy change and ultimate healing.

Join the forming four week support group, “De-clutter and Live Free” Support Group, facilitated by Counselor, Donna Sommers and sponsored by Professional Organizer, Kristin Mastromarino of The Organized Lifestyle Store in Guilford. This is not a therapy group but a support group with weekly themes and assignments to facilitate the changes about which you have requested. Each group will be tailored specifically for the members.

2010 is a great time for change as we begin a new decade.

New Decade — New Patterns — A New You!

A free one-hour introductory session is being offered on January 26 at 12:30 and again at 6:30 p.m. at The Hearth at Tunxis Pond, 100 Bradley Rd. Bring your friends and/or family members to the introduction to assess if this is indeed for you. See you there so we can begin effective work together for your success!

Duly Noted Desk Organizer

2009-12-28T08:18:00.000-08:00

Get organized this season with a beautiful organizer, address book, notepad and weekly calendar all in one! Open the colorful cover of the Duly Noted Desk Organizer by Vera Bradley and unlock a new level of organization. The center perpetual calendar has no pre-set dates, so you can start scheduling activities in weekly blocks anytime you like. An address book and notepad balance the calendar on either side. With a magnetic closure and pen loop.

To see more products like this or get tips on how to organize your lifestyle visit our website or join our facebook fan page!

Ornament Chests

2009-12-21T10:19:00.000-08:00

This Canvas Ornament Storage Chest provides a great way to store and protect all of your ornaments year after year. This long-lasting ornament storage chest is crafted with a durable vinyl backed polyester shell and strong frosted metal handles that will provide many years of use. The thick cardboard and plastic dividers hold up to 54 ornaments and the transparent walls make it easy to quickly identify the contents inside. After spending time and care on decorating the tree, extend that same treatment to the ornaments that adorn the holiday tradition. This storage chest will protect the ornaments from breakage, dirt, water, and other harmful elements. With enough room to fit all your new and old decorations, this chest will help your holiday collectibles withstand the test of time and ensure that they will provide years of joy.

To see more options on holiday decoration storage visit our online store! Or visit our Facebook Fan Page for more holiday tips!

OXO Containers

2009-12-07T11:52:00.000-08:00

For snacks that are sure to last, these innovative pop container are the perfect storage solution. Simply press a button on the lid to activate an airtight seal that protects the food within, keeping it fresh and tasting great. OXO Containers are perfect for any kitchen pantry, cabinet, shelf and more!Save space while keeping all your dry goods fresh with these multifunctional containers. Also great for organizing the home office, playroom or sewing room!

Look at how one of our proud and organized customers organized their kitchen pantry with these amazing containers!

Congratulations on your organized pantry! Enjoy!

Accordian Organizer

2009-11-23T08:51:00.000-08:00

This Holiday Season be prepared for the chaos and the sales with this accordian organizer! Organize and file tickets, receipts, miscellaneous business cards, coupons, etc. with this small and stylish accordion organizer. This organizer measures 1 x 4 x 6-1/2" so it can easily be carried around in purse or in hand! Equipped with a notepad that has 40 lightly lined sheets, 6 divider pockets, an elastic pen or pencil holder, and an elastic closure to keep everything secure and together. It also makes an attractive gift for your less-than-well-organized friends!

Buy this item and much more at The Organized Lifestyle's online store. Simply visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com and click on the products section!

Relax!

2009-11-16T07:50:00.000-08:00

Things get stressful this time of year with the upcoming holidays, travelling, eating, shopping and family. The Organized Lifestyle Store has just what you need! Eliminate stress and tension with the Head Massager. Gently massage pressure points and sensitive nerve endings on the head and neck to stay relaxed and congenial this holiday season! This head massager reduces tension by stimulating sensitive nerves in the scalp to instantly invigorate you. Headaches will disappear instantly! And it makes a great gift for anyone on your list! Great for home or office use.

Get this item and much more at the Organized Lifestyle's online store! Visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com and give the gift of organization!

Pop Containers

2009-11-03T08:48:00.000-08:00

Getting ready for Thanksgiving guests and groceries this year? These POP Containers are the perfect way to organize any pantry. With this sleek stackable system you can customize smart storage for counter or cabinet space. Airtight containers in 11 sizes and shapes strike a streamlined profile. The innovative pop-button mechanism creates an airtight seal and doubles as a handle! Makes any pantry or countertop look stylish and perfectly organized!

Now get organized this holiday season with these sleek containers and much more at The Organized Lifestyle's online store!

Modern Toothbrush Caddy

2009-10-19T08:19:00.000-07:00

Tired of your electric toothbrush never fitting into ordinary toothbrusy holders? This modern Tooth Brush Caddy will hold your toothpaste and toothbrushes - even the large battery operated toothbrushes - and other dental accessories. A clear plastic divider sits inside the brushed stainless steel cup and is removable for easy cleaning. Accessorize your sink, and keep your toothbrush clean and sanitary with the Forma Tooth Brush Caddy.

Home-to-Work Memo Set

2009-10-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

This Home to Work Memo Pad Set includes 4 check list pads in a sturdy carrying case (case is a hardcovered box). The 4 pads include a To Do Pad, To Buy Pad, To Remember Pad, and To Get Pad. The To-Get Pad is a pre-printed grocery list with a magnetic strip on back to keep your grocery list right on the refrigerator. These great checklists are helpful at home and at work to keep your mind clear and your tasks organized! Plus the decorative fun colors will make you want to look at them!

You can purchase this product and much more at www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com.

Mini Binders

2009-10-05T08:10:00.001-07:00

These stylish mini binders from Russell + Hazel have the same features as a full sized binder-reinforced corners, dry erase interior, and colorful linen cover-at a size that goes where bigger binders can't. Organize your day to day life, keep important notes and dates, and always have somewhere to jot down your thoughts with this adorable mini-binder.

Purchase these mini-binders and many more helpful organization tools like these at www.theorganizedlifestyle.com! And during the month of October sign up for our First Annual Scary Desk Contest. Rules and entry form on the home page!

Over the Cabinet Basket

2009-09-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

Add a convenient trash can or storage basket in a kitchen or bathroom cabinet with this chrome Over the Cabinet Wastebasket. This cabinet organizer fits neatly on cabinet doors and can function as a wastebasket, plastic bag recycler, kitchen wrap organizer, or deep all purpose storage basket. The wastebasket features metal wire construction with a durable polished chrome finish. Square hanging hook design fits on cabinet doors and the hooks are lined with a soft foam rubber to protect cabinet surfaces. Makes a convenient trash can offering a four gallon capacity. Also ideal for use as a recycle bin plastic bag recycler kitchen wrap organizer or extra deep storage basket. Over the door organizer perfect is for utilizing otherwise wasted storage space in your kitchen bathroom or laundry room cabinets.

Now you can purchase this item and MANY more online at www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com!

Mounted Cleaning Storage Caddy

2009-09-21T10:53:00.000-07:00

Keep dishwashing essentials handy yet hidden away with this versatile Mounted Plastic Storage Caddy, complete with Towel Bar. This great under the sink cabinet organizer provides convenient storage for dish soap, sponges, a scrub brush, and even a dish towel and has drain holes to allow greater air flow to damp items. The single storage ring can hold your favorite dishwashing scrub brush. Made entirely with durable, recycled white plastic and includes two wood screws for simple mounting on the inside of a cabinet door. Plus, this storage caddy can be easily lifted from mounting hardware for mobility while cleaning!

Caldrea Countertop Cleanser

2009-09-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

In recognition of Fall Cleaning, Caldrea Countertop Cleanser is the perfect eco-friendly cleaning solution! The convenient and hard-working cleanser comes in a handy spray bottle with trigger. It contains the basic formula of All-Purpose Cleanser plus a special Vegetable Protein Extract, a naturally fresh way to clean and remove odors from your kitchen and bath. It is safe and effective on all non-porous surfaces. Plus the luxurious scents of ginger pomelo, sea salt neroli, or lavender pine will make your home smell beautiful and clean!

Now you can purchase this line of eco-friendly cleaning products and MUCH more at The Organized Lifestyle's online store! Simply visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com, click on products and explore the ways in which you can organize your lifestyle!

Market Tote

2009-09-08T08:50:00.000-07:00

Finally the perfect go anywhere tote! This stylish market tote is great for picnics, going to the farmers market, bringing your favorite treat to a party and so much more! The aluminum frame even collapses for easy storage. This is one tote you won't be able to be without! Padded handle for comfortable carrying, aluminum frame, and collapsible fold up design for easy storage.

Now you can purchase this item and MANY more online at www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com!

September Product of the Month!

2009-08-31T07:26:00.000-07:00

School Years Momento Keeper

This is the ultimate interactive keepsake for you and your child! The all-too-quick sprint to adulthood makes it hard to keep track of a child’s ever-changing personality, but now you can capture everything while it’s happening—from pre-K through high school graduation—in this attractive keepsake album that you and your child can fill out together. Sections include: Treasured Items—store report cards, photos, awards, and the like in handy pouches. About Me—vital statistics from height and weight to allowance and career aspirations. Favorites—from book to band to TV shows, everything your child loves. Drawings and Signature—see how your child’s artwork and handwriting changes over the years. School—teachers, friends, extra-curricular activities, awards, and more. Special Occasions—all the details about each year’s birthday, holiday celebrations, trips, and summer vacation. For Friends and Family—places for you, your other children, and extended family or friends to share their reflections about your child!

Now you can purchase the ultimate interactive keepsake for you and your child online at The Organized Lifestyle Store's online store! Simply go to www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com for this product and much more to help you organize your lifestyle!

Hapeez Clipper

2009-08-24T07:51:00.000-07:00

Stylishly post reminders, children's artwork, to-do lists and more with the Happeez Clipper! The revolutionary material works like a magnet, but can grip to smooth surfaces such as stainless steel, wood and even glass and mirrors with no residue. Plus, the vivid and cheerful patterns will spruce up even the dullest memo! Firmly clip important notices in style with this happy clip!

Now you can find this product and many more at The Organized Lifestyle's online store! Visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com to check out all the products you can use to organize your lifestyle!

Charging Station & Picture Frame!

2009-08-17T07:53:00.000-07:00

Charging your tech gadgets has never been so stylish. This charging frame is the perfect desktop accessory because it holds two of your everyday electronic devices, tames and hides all the unsightly cords on your desk, and displays your favorite 4x6 photo! Maximize your desk space and never lose your cell phone or iPod again. Two protective slings cradle gadgets while charging. Plus its easy to change the photo display so you can rotate your favorite photos as much as you want and brighten up even the most boring desk!

Dimensions: 9"L x 3"W x 7 1/8th" H

Now you can find this product and many more at The Organized Lifestyle's new ONLINE store! Visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com to check out all the products you can use to organize your lifestyle!

Handy Hold All

2009-08-10T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Handy Hold All is at long last a stylish solution to the problem of efficiently storing handbags, baseball caps, scarves and more. Equipped with 7 hanging loops with silver snaps, this holder can easily store up to 28 items (each loop can hold 2-4 items). The metal grommet at the top allows the holder to be hung on a door, hook, nail, hanger or closet rod so you can effortlessly organize and store your growing collection. The stylish pattern means that storage solutions no longer need to be kept hidden. Perfectly sized for house, dorm or apartment living.

Now you can find this product and many more at The Organized Lifestyle's new ONLINE store! Visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com to check out all the products you can use to organize your lifestyle!

Flexible Shower Caddy

2009-08-03T07:52:00.000-07:00

Taking your shower necessities on the go has never been easier! This flexible shower caddy has convenient compartments to hold every bathroom essential and drainage holes to keep things safe and dry! Your bathroom products will be organized in one easy tote ready for you to grab when you head for your daily shower down the dorm hall or on vacation!

Bedside Storage Caddy

2009-07-27T11:51:00.000-07:00

Nightstands, end tables, and other bedside solutions can become cluttered and ultimately useless. The Bedside Storage Caddy keeps everything conveniently close by without the clutter! Keep reading material, glasses and other personal gear handy while relaxing in bed. This versatile bedside organizer fits securely between the mattress and box spring to keep everything on hand at all times and out of the way! The caddy offers 3 deep storage pockets for books, magazines, and even a box of tissues. Then 3 more smaller mesh pockets on the outside are perfect for your remote, glasses, cell phone, mp3 player, and any other smaller essentials. And just in time for back-to-school this bedside organizer is perfect for any dorm room! No bedside table, no problem! This roomsaving bedside caddy can be placed directly where you need it for space saving convenience and efficiency in even the smallest dorm room!

Organized Family Dinner with the Napkin Spinner

2009-07-20T09:03:00.000-07:00

Need to organize your family dinners? Lazy susans are a great way to store, organize and serve a wide variety of kitchen supplies. Perfect for the counter or tabletop, this Napkin Spinner is set on a Turntable which spins to offer napkins, seasonings, and more in reach of anyone at the table. Features a basic clear design that blends seamlessly with any decor and is easy to clean!

3 Piece Snap & Seal Containers

2009-07-13T08:35:00.000-07:00

Now you can store delicious summer vegetables with ease! These 3 sturdy and durable containers offer a unique snap top that will keep your food safe and tight. They are made of odor resistant plastic. Plus, each container has an adjustable month and date reminder window, so you'll know just when it was made (or put away). And bring them on the go as a great alternative to clutter causing tupperware. Keeps your lunch or summer picnic perfectly fresh and tasty all day! Freezer, dishwasher and microwave safe. Set includes 40, 70 and 120 ounce containers.

Organize Vacation with the Pack This Pad

2009-07-06T08:28:00.000-07:00

Whether you're coming or going, this pad of packing checklists will make sure you always arrive fully equipped. The "Pack This" notes have an exhaustive checklist of everything you need when you travel. Toothbrush... check, cell phone charger... check... From suitcases to carry-ons, your packing can now be stress-free. Perfect for long vacations or short weekend getaways. Never leave behind essential items that make vacations this summer more fun!

Cooler Bags for Summer

2009-06-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

These stylish cooler bags are great for camp, school, work, the beach, picnics, sporting events, and all other summer fun! You will love the over-the-shoulder strap to carry all your items and the insulated interior keeps everything cool! Made of a polywoven material. This product is ultra durable and water resistant. Sizes: 9" x 7" x 6" (Small) 11.5" x 9" x 8" (Medium)

2009-06-22T08:53:00.000-07:00

Introducing the newest travel solution: the Personal Media Travel Pouch. This clever case is a smaller sized option for organizing personal electronic devices when on the go. When going on vacation or a weekend getaway you don't need to bring along all those gadgets! The Personal Media Travel Pouch is just right for keeping up to 3 essential items like a cell phone, mp3 player and digital camera, and all of their chargers. Each item is nestled in its own separate compartment with its charger stored neatly below it. Available in Camel/Chocolate.

Last Minute Gift Idea for Dad

2009-06-15T09:10:00.001-07:00

Instead of buying Dad another tie this year, buy him something to organize his collection! This revolving tie rack mounts and secures to a closet rod and lights up while rotating to show Dad up to 64 tie options! Also features belt hooks so all his accesories are conveniently located in one place.

Weighs about 2 pounds and uses 4 "C" batteries. Dimensions: 5.5"L x 15"W x 6"H.

Organize Dad for Father's Day!

2009-06-08T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Golf Trunk Organizer will keep all Dad's golf items organized and in one place. This case helps store in-car golf gear to make finding golf shoes, tees, balls and more easier than ever. It keeps shoes tidy and accessories neat. Two outside zippered pockets hide wallet and keys. There are three quick-access pockets and soft faux leather trim. Ventilated compartment keeps shoes fresh and tidy, wipes clean. Also three inside pockets. Compartments adjust for balls, tees, etc.17”x14”x5.5” (black)

Purchase this product at: http://www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com/

Organize Your Purse

2009-05-30T11:34:00.000-07:00

Lighten your load in your purse with a flat wallet. These wallets fit more inside than they appear to. They easily slide into any purse, briefcase or laptop bag.

We feature a variety of colors and two sizes.

Small Flat Wallet (5"x3.5"): $14.95

Large Flat Wallet (7.5"x 4.5"): $21.95

Purchase at http://www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com/

Get Your Kids To Help You Organize

2009-03-30T15:15:00.000-07:00

Getting your family in the act of organizing can greatly cut down on stress levels. Here are some ways your kids can help you.
HOUSEHOLD JOBS A 5-YEAR-OLD CAN DO
1. Make her own bed every day. It may be a little sloppy at first, but it’ll improve with time!2. Put clothes back in the closet or proper dresser drawer!3.Put toys back in the toy chest!4.Water houseplants!5. Feed the dog, cat or goldfish (if she is reminded)!6. Set the table!7. Clear the table..ONE thing at a time!
SOME HOUSEHOLD JOBS A TEENAGER CAN DO
1.Empty wastebaskets.2.Carry out trash cans.3.Vacuum rugs and floors.4.Clean and sweep the kitchen floor.5.Iron his own clothes and the family napkins and tablecloths. (using real cloth takes a little more effort but is nicer than a paper napkin in this rushed world we live in today as well as an environmental saver!6. Polish silver, brass and copper!7.Carry in wood and lay fires!8.Vacuum the inside of the car!9.Wash the car.10.Check kitchen cabinets for household staples and list them (paper goods, sugar,flour etc) - good practice for life after Mom and Dad’s house!

SPRING CLEANING: Garage

2009-03-19T16:55:00.000-07:00

With spring on the way, time to think about cleaning out the garage.Are you using your garage as a storage room?Are you able to drive your car into the garage?Here are some tips to guide you in getting things in order.
1. Start by purging what you no longer need, use or want.
2. Discard anything that is broken
3. Sell or give away what you can
4. Place everything you are keeping in the driveway, grouping items by categories (auto, sports, etc.)
5. Place small items in stackable bins and dangerous or valuable items in bins that lock
6. Hang what you can (garden tools, brooms, folding chairs, bikes, etc.)
7. Put shelves or cabinets up and/or free standing shelving units
8. Make use of rafters by laying sheets of plywood as a floor

Streamlining the Morning Routine to Save Time

2009-03-18T14:13:00.000-07:00

Do you find that you are running out the door frantic in the mornings trying not to be late or forget anything important? Here are some ways that you can combat the morning stress.
1. Empty your bags/briefcase as soon as you walk in the door at night and prepare them for the next day. Having a landing station for mail and other items that must enter and leave the house will help.
2. Put everything you will need for appointments, work or errands in the car the night before so you are packed and ready to go.
3. Know what you are wearing the next day before you go to bed. Pick out every detail from the outfit to the accessories and have them ready to go. When you are tired in the morning it is much easier to not have to think, but just follow a thought out plan.
4. Prepare lunches for the kids or work the night before. Grabbing food in the morning can seem like it will only take a minute or two, but a minute can turn into ten. You are more likely to opt for unhealthy take-out and spend more money on food when you already have the supplies to make a healthy meal from home.
5. Be consistent when you go to bed. Ensure that your bedtime will allow you enough sleep to wake up easily the next morning. The more you push the snooze button the greater the chance you will be stressed getting out the door in the morning.
6. Try to get gas or run errands that will affect your morning on your way home. There is nothing worse than running late and realizing your gas tank is empty. Taking the extra five minutes to fill your tank at night will relieve some pressure in the morning.
7. Create a good morning routine with your family. Be sure that the showers are not full when your small window to get out the door on time requires you to be in it. Everyone should know what time they must be up and follow the plan to prevent waiting (and arguing!) in the early morning hours.
8. Build in time to relax a little in the morning. If you are rushing around you will spend the rest of the day feeling that stress. Make sure you allow yourself enough time to wake up, enjoy that cup of coffee, check out the weather, or accomplish that one thing you forgot to do to prevent you from falling behind schedule.

5 Things You Can Do Right Now to Limit Distractions At Work

2009-03-17T13:09:00.001-07:00

1. Shut off your e-mail for short periods so you can avoid the temptation to leave your current project and rush to read the pop-up.
2. Have a screening process for your phone calls. If you don’t have caller id sign-up for it. If you have caller id, answer the phone calls you deem timely. If it is someone who you know you will talk to too long, make an appointment to talk to them or call them on your ride home from work tonight.
3. Be short, but specific with your responses. Limit return questions by phone or e-mail by stating everything clearly. Much of e-mail traffic is follow-up questions that could have been avoided the first time around.
4. Politely end conversations that are taking you away from your work or goals. For example, “I am really excited to talk to you, but I am caught up in a project right now, can we schedule a time to chat when I am less distracted?”
5. Knowing what you want to accomplish in the time period is important. By identifying your goals and making them visable you will have greater success at focusing on them and not the new ones that pop up during the day. Being reactive will allow you toget sucked into activities and conversations you are not interested in and don’t have time for.

Preventing the Paper Pile from E-mail

2009-03-13T09:26:00.000-07:00

Do you find that e-mail is just another way for your paper to grow each day? This could be because you are too quick to print out every e-mail or attachment that is sent to you. Here are some tips to deal with e-mail more efficiently and preventthe paper pile up.
1. Immediately delete e-mails that are junk, spam or un-important.
2. Create folders within your e-mail program for frequently used topics to get them out of your inbox. For instance, “Family”, “John”, “Project X”.
3. Place e-mails in these folders for quick retrieval and searchability when you are looking to work on the project or refer back to the person.
4. Only print e-mails that require your immediate action or are necessary for a reminder. If you print every one you will start to become inundated with paper and lose track of important ones.
5. If you print e-mails have a designated folder on your desk related to the general topics of the e-mail. That way you can pull the folder when you need it quickly and easily.
6. Only keep the e-mails you must act in your immediate inbox. Otherwise your inbox will get just as confusing as a paper pile.
7. Immediately download pictures, documents etc. attached in emails to your computer. Then you can delete the e-mail and place items in their proper location on your computer. For instance, photos in your photo folders or a work document in the work folder on your desktop.
8. Use search tools like Google Desktop www.google.com to quickly find e-mails through keyword searches. You will find this much quicker for retrieval than sorting through papers when you need to get your hands on a document.
With these quick implementations you will save money on ink and paper, help the environment and feel a little less frantic looking for correspondence.

Free Workshop on Organizing for a Kitchen Remodel

2009-03-10T09:10:00.000-07:00

Workshop: What's the Key To Successfully Remodeling A Kitchen? Organization!
When: Sat Mar 14, 2009 11am – 12pm

Where :map
The Organized Lifestyle Store, 725 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT 06437

Description:
Kim Spanier, of Everything Under the Roof will present this workshop on preparing and organizing for a kitchen remodel. Get information on how to organIze design ideas that are most helpful to the design/construction company. Also organizatonal components to consider within the design, (ex. spice racks next to the stove, multi-level pantry storage for non-essential items, etc.). Kim will also show you how to prepare and organize for the construction (setting up a temporary kitchen station in a separate room with essentials). Join us for this interesting discussion whether you may be planning a remodel now or in the future.
Cost: Free
Pre-registration: 203-458-7674

5 Ways to Instantly Improve Your Closet

2009-03-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

1. Hang items in color coded order
2. Use all of the same type of hanger (I reccommend wooden or non-slip felt hangers)
3. Maximize the shelf space above your bar with dividers, bins or extra shelving.
4. Always add a second rod to at least half your closet. Closet doublers can be an easy way to accomplish this with no tools.
5. Purge, Purge, Purge. Always make sure what you have in the closet is what you enjoy wearing and actually fits you.
For more closet organization products and ideas visit The Organized Lifestyle Store www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com

Making Tax Paperwork Less Taxing

2009-03-09T10:52:00.000-07:00

Paper is the number one problem for my clients and customers. Tax season tends to highlight the flaws in our paper filing systems each year as we scramble to figure out where to find everything we need. Having the right system from the start can make it a lot easier. Knowing what was challenging this year, can make it a lot easier to decide what will work best for storing 2009 papers.
Studies have shown that 80% of the paper that is filed each day is never looked at again. That’s a lot of storage for useless documents! This statistic highlights why it is even more important to establish what you actually need for taxes and household reference.
Let’s start with the basics for a filing system. The first step is figuring out where the paper is going to go. Do you already have multiple file cabinets throughout the house? If you do, then you are going to want to be sure to clear some of them out before you rush to buy another one. Keep a filing cabinet near where you process your paperwork. If it is in the kitchen or dining room, then it might be good to keep either a portable or permanent filing system within quick reach. You are much more likely to deal with filing your papers immediately if the filing system is nearby. If that is not possible, then make it a habit to walk any papers to be filed to the file cabinet the day you work on them. “To File” piles end up being endless abysses of paper that you will end up sorting through for taxes next year. And you will be kicking yourself for not dealing with it sooner!
Once you have established where the files will go there are many ways you can set-up an easy and effective system. First, there are products out there that label your files for you. So all you have to do is drop in the categories. For instance, the Homefile system that sells for $24.95 gives you every major category for household and small business paperwork, including Banking, Insurance, Investments, Medical etc. If you are more into personalizing your files into categories you choose, you should check out Smead Viewable hanging file tabs. These three dimensional file tabs allow you to use a simple color-coding program on the computer to label and print custom tabs that can be viewed from the top as well as the sides. Placing them in a straight line when you attach them to hanging file folders will make finding your files extremely easy.

Remember, as you are creating your files, keep the categories simple. Getting too detailed will make it hard to remember what category you filed something and too broad will make it difficult to track down a paper quickly. If you keep most of your categories focused on what you need to refer back to for everyday financial records, taxes, home and medical, you will find that you really don’t need to keep that much paper.
If you have a lot of hobbies and are finding that you clip every magazine article with a new recipe or every tip you see on gardening, ask yourself how many times you have actually referred back to them once you have filed them. There is a good chance every time you revisit your files you are going down memory lane and seeing paper you didn’t even remember keeping.
Lastly, make sure that you purge your files constantly. If you get a new insurance policy, throw out the old one. Continuing to pile papers into a category that are not current will only make finding the current ones harder. Each year, archive the old paperwork together and remove it from your everyday files. It is a constant shuffle, but worth the time throughout the year. You will thank yourself when you prepare your 2009 taxes!
Kristin Mastromarino is a professional organizer and owner of Livable Solutions Professional Organizing and The Organized Lifestyle retail store in Guilford, CT. (http://www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com/). You can e-mail her your questions at Kristin@livablesolutions.com.

5 Ways to Become More Efficient

2009-03-03T13:33:00.000-08:00

1. Set your top 5 goals for the day at the beginning of everyday.
2. Don’t let meaningless interuptions derail you from completing those goals.
3. Multi-tasking is not always more efficient. Don’t interupt yourself constantly while trying to complete a task. It is better to hold off on the temptation to check the e-mail that just came in and finish what you started.
4. Do not try to achieve the world each day. Prioritize what is most important and put your energies into those items first. You will probably find you have extra time if you focus.
5. Schedule items you didn’t get to in a block of free time on your upcoming schedule. By mapping out your time you will be able to get more done and be more efficient in how you get it done.

2009-03-02T07:12:00.000-08:00

1. Clean out a junk drawer in your kitchen
2. Pull out 10 items from your closet that you know don't fit any more.
3. Match all of your Tupperware lids to their corresponding containers. Toss the mismatched items.
4. Match all of your pairs of socks. Pull aside the mismatches and toss after all of your laundry loads are complete.
5. Throw away expired condiments and old leftovers from your firdge.
6. Read one magazine that has been sitting in a pile on your coffee table.
7. Find three books to donate to your local library.
8. Clean out your medicine cabinet.
9. Sort through your pile of mail.
10. Relax because you have done more than enough!

We want to hear what you are doing to organize this snowy day.

The Organized Lifestyle Store has moved!

2009-03-01T19:03:00.001-08:00

The Organized Lifestyle store has moved. We are now located at 725 Boston Post Road, Guilford, CT, 06437. In addition to offering organizing products for your home and office, professional organizing services and custom closet design we are now offering digital organization through Vandertech, LLC. computer consultants. For more information on our products and services, visit www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com or www.livablesolutions.com.

Quick Tips from a Professional Organizer - Meal Planning

2009-03-01T18:39:00.000-08:00

I always suggest making a meals ahead of time for the week on Sundays to get a head start on a busy week. If you take the time to store soups, stews, sauces etc., after a tiring day at work you can have great healthy meals at your fingertips.
If you don’t like having the same meals a couple of days in a row, consider making sauces and soups in bulk and freezing them. Pour the liquid in sealed freezer bags with a label and lay them flat in the freezer. You will save room, by avoiding bulky plastic or glass containers. In addition, you can quickly defrost a flat freezer bag under the sink.
With these small changes to your routine, you can make your work days a lot less hectic.

Paper Purging

2009-01-14T18:06:00.000-08:00

I am looking for ways to purge files and photos efficiently. They seem to pile up and there are so many papers I am not sure what to keep and for how long? Anyone with any suggestions?

Organizing tip

2009-01-14T18:03:00.000-08:00

I have found that when you fold your sheets if you put them inside one of the pillow cases you will keep them neat, organized and easy to find. They also fit better this way inside the linen closet.

The Fifteen Minute Pick-Up

2009-01-12T15:15:00.001-08:00

Taking care of a household is a never-ending job. There are always chores that pile up, messes that get worse with time and millions of other things in life that keep household chores low on your list of priorities. Avoiding regular upkeep on these household tasks will surely allow them to spiral out of control. However, gaining control over household tasks and staying on top of them can be simpler than it seems! Taking fifteen minutes out of your day to spend on these tasks can produce remarkable results with a low sacrifice.
At first you will need to catch up with the clutter, repairs and cleaning that have begun to get out of hand. This means you will have to choose one room per day or even per week that you will spend your fifteen minutes on each day. Anything from getting trash thrown away and clutter organized to changing light bulbs and dusting surfaces. Once you have caught up with the household you can now begin your Fifteen Minute Pick Up! Spend your fifteen minutes each day to get ahead of the game. You can choose to set up a schedule for yourself each week, i.e. Monday is laundry day, Tuesday is dishes, Wednesday is vacuuming, etc. Or you can choose to tackle tasks spontaneously as needed. Either way, by making a habit of taking only 15 minutes out of each day you will get ahead of your household tasks. You may even find you have more time to do the things you truly enjoy now that your household duties are out of the way!

Organizing Tips for Stress-Free Holidays

2008-11-03T19:50:00.000-08:00

The thought of getting ready for the holidays can be enough to take the joy out of what is supposed to be a time for family, friends, for some, spirituality and of course great food! But, getting everything off of the to do list in time can be a daunting task as it seems the stores and our peers start preparing earlier and earlier each year.

Often many professional organizers point out that the best way to get your house in order is to plan an event. If you are the sibling that has to host Thanksgiving at your house this season, don’t look at it as a ton of work, but a blessing to kick your family into gear to get everything in your home the way that you would ideally like it.

My first recommendation to lower holiday stress is to make lists. It seems very basic, but some people don’t look at the big picture early enough. I recommend taking a journal or a notebook and setting up a series of To Do lists on various topics surrounding the holiday season. For instance you may need a list of people you are buying gifts for, a list of people to send holiday cards to, a gift idea list, a party/holiday meal list for ingredients and supplies or a list of what gets done before guests arrive at the house. There are even online websites that can help provide templates to help you such as www.organizedchristmas.com. Products are also available which help you map out your holiday gift giving and ideas.

If you have trouble following lists, hand them off to someone who doesn’t. While this may seem like a luxury that many people don’t have, you may be surprised when you have mapped out a plan how easy it is to find people to help get parts of it done. Involving every family member in the planning will help everyone get on the same page to get the house prepared in time. Consider asking a loyal babysitter to do some errands for you this holiday season or hiring a professional like me who can quickly organize your holiday card contact list into printable labels.

In addition to delegating, I suggest trying to do as much as possible without leaving your house. Whether it is using a service like Stop & Shop’s Peapod to order the groceries you need for the holidays to be delivered right to your house or shopping online for your gifts, you can eliminate a lot of the frustration that holiday shopping can bring. Starting now is critical not only because you will be done earlier, but it will ensure that you don’t pay higher shipping costs to get packages delivered on time.

While being stressed is never pleasant, the good thing is that you are being signaled to act early. The most important organizational tip I can leave you with this holiday season is to plan now and get as much done as you can by early December. If you do you will be more relaxed and will be able to enjoy the most important times with your family.

Kristin Mastromarino is a professional organizer at Livable Solutions, LLC (www.livablesolutions.com), owner of The Organized Lifestyle retail store (www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com) and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can email her your questions at kristin@livablesolutions.com.

Holiday Decorations -- Collecting and Organizing

2008-10-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

The holiday decorating season well underway with Halloween, and I see a lot of my clients failing to utilize the decorations they already have in your house. Especially as the economy forces many of us to maintain tighter budgets, it is important to be even more aware of where we may be wasting money. Over buying decorations and losing them in your house can be a quick way to throw away money.
Over and over again I see people storing an abundance of holiday decorations with no clear system to find them. It is wonderful to be festive every year, but collecting the items and actually displaying the items are two different activities.
It is important to first evaluate what you actually have. Now is a great time to begin pulling out the seasonal items before the rush of the holidays overwhelms you. If you find you are wandering all over the house to uncover all of your holiday treasures, that may be the first signal you need a better system.
As you sort through the items you should note the following:
· Do you have each holiday separated by theme? (i.e. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Chanukah, Easter.)
· Are there broken, torn or damaged items that just got shoved in a box at the end of last season?
· How many items still have price tags and were never used?
· How many decorations haven’t been used in years because they are outdated or don’t fit in with your home’s décor?
Once you have answered these questions you will have a good idea what should be purged and what should be kept.
Creating a system for storage during and after the season will also help you maximize your utility of these items. It is important to choose one area of your home whether it is a closet or a corner of your basement or attic to store your decorations so you always know where to go to find them. Choose containers that are clear or color coded for the holiday to easily find them next season. Stackable lidded containers will work well for most items. There are also specialty storage boxes, and bins on the market for wreathes, ornaments, and fake trees, which will provide the proper protection for off-season storage.
By clearly labeling and storing these items in one area you have much greater success of creating a go to spot when you are ready to decorate. But, it is also important to note, that while it is smart to shop at the end of the season for next year’s decorations, if you find yourself buying more than you use just because of the price tag, you are probably wasting your money and time. In addition, you are making the decorating process much more overwhelming and frustrating when you have too much to find.
Keep it simple this season by prioritizing your favorite pieces, only re-packing what you used in a clearly labeled storage system and limiting the shopping spree for new decorations.
Kristin Mastromarino is a professional organizer at Livable Solutions, LLC (www.livablesolutions.com), owner of The Organized Lifestyle retail store and is a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO). You can email her your questions at kristin@livablesolutions.com.

2008-03-14T14:57:00.000-07:00

When your purse is overflowing it is hard to find what you need. How many times have you dug in your pocketbook to find your phone? This purse organizer gives you easy pockets to line the inside of your purse so finding objects quickly is a breeze. It also helps you transfer your pocket books quickly without having to reorganize everything every time. Visit the Organized Lifesytle Store, http://www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com/ for more information.

Busy Moms Get Organized with the Mom Agenda

2008-03-11T09:50:00.000-07:00

Keeping track of schedules when you are a busy mom can be difficult. One of my favorite products to help busy moms is the Mom Agenda. The Mom Agenda creates a simple system to track your own schedule and has rows underneath your schedule to track each of your kids activiites. In one portable place you can know where each of your family members is supposed to be. In addition, there are sections in the back of the Mom Agenda which list birthdays, addresses, help you with party planning and more. The Mom Agenda retails for $39.99 and can be purchased at The Organized Lifestyle Store (http://www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com/). Call for more information at 203-458-7674.

More Spring Cleaning Tips

2008-03-10T14:21:00.000-07:00

Simplify your cleaning supplies. Many times I see people with cleaning supplies overflowing under their kitchen sink, filling up a linen closet on the second floor and spilling out into bathrooms. If you pull out all of the cleaning supplies and look at them collectively you can start to see many duplicate items, empty bottles and old supplies that haven’t been touched in years because they were buried in the back pile. Remember too many choices can be just as bad as too few.

My suggestion is just keep the basics. Most houses can be cleaned with window cleaner, a multi-purpose solution, a tub and tile cleaner, bleach, toilet bowl cleaners, dusting polish and a good floor cleaner. Be careful not to fall into the trap of buying all the newest products without throwing out some of the old ones that haven’t worked. Cleaning is so much easier when you only have a few choices to deal with and one central location to grab them. Inventorying supplies is also a cinch because you will quickly see when items are running low. You will save money, space and avoid overbuying items you don’t need.

Easy access to your cleaning supplies will also make it much easier to grab what you need and get the job done. Paring down supplies will allow you to have a kit that you just pull out when you are ready to straighten everything out. Put your most essential supplies in a bucket that you can take from room to room. Make sure your vacuum is not jammed in a closet that makes it so difficult to get out that you never want to use it. Items like mop and broom holders mounted inside a closet, basement or garage wall can also make these items easily accessible and more appealing to use.

Spring cleaning time is here and there is no better time to put these items in order so you can breeze through your responsibilities and begin enjoying the warm weather in your free time.

Organization Workshops offered at the Organized Lifestyle in March

2008-03-09T14:20:00.001-07:00

The Organized Kitchen

Do your cabinets take on a life of their own? Do you spend time searching for items or money on duplicates? We can teach you how to make your kitchen simply organized and functional.
Taught by Professional Organizer Kristin Mastromarino

Tuesday, March 18, 20087-8 pm @ The Organized Lifestyle Store

Thursday, March 20, 200812-1 pm @ The Organized Lifestyle Store

Pre-Registration Required: call 203-458-7674
Cost: $10

The Paper Chase

Is your desk overflowing with paper? Old bills, piled magazines, junk mail invade our homes and officesat rapid pace. Learn tips and tricks to gain control of paper that is creating physical and mentalclutter in your life. Discover the different ways to file, discard and keep paper.

Taught by Professional Organizer Kristin Mastromarino

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

12:30 -1:30 pm @ East Haven Chamber of Commerce's Women in Business Luncheon, The Village At Mariner's Point, East Haven, CT
For more information call 203-458-7674

Spring Cleaning Tips

2008-03-09T14:16:00.001-07:00

Many of us fall into the trap of using our free time just to keep up with what is around us. I live in a small apartment by myself and I still find it difficult to keep everything in order! Throw in a family or a spouse that doesn’t care as much about keeping order and you could be saying good bye to your spare time just to get it together each week.

Most people do not have the luxury of hiring a cleaning service. And even those that do can do a great injustice to the house during the time between visits. Being as organized and as simple as possible in your home will help decrease the time and energy you must place on keeping everything clean and dust free.

One of the first things that I suggest is really simplifying your surface areas. The more small knick knacks, picture frames, candles etc. you have taking up your counters, bookshelves and tables the more you are going to have to clean. In addition to creating more surfaces to clean, too many of these types of objects in a space can create visual clutter that detracts your eyes from focusing on the beauty of the pieces.

Rotate your pictures instead of adding a new frame every time you want to show off a new photo. Put away candles that you are not currently burning. Focus on displaying pieces that have meaning and decorative impact on your room not just throwing things up on shelves because there is a space for them. By editing these small things dusting will be much easier and your room will feel more streamlined.

Paper Organization Tips from The Organized Lifestyle

2008-03-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

Here are five tips that owner and Professional Organizer, Kristin Mastromarino, offers to make an immediate impact in your paper piles:

1. Use one To Do list every day to document the papers that you are keeping just to remind yourself of an action you need to take, then throw away the paper. If you have a place that you regularly refer to you will keep less paper.

2. Use one calendar to document the events you need to schedule. As soon as you get a paper letting you know about a speaker coming to town or a meeting you must go to, write all important information in your calendar and toss the paper.

3. Set a deadline to read magazines and newspapers. Most news is old news by the time the next newspaper or magazine issue comes. In addition, articles get recycled every season. Only keeping the latest issue will help you unbury yourself from too much paper and limit the guilt you have when you look at your pile of unread articles.

4. Use a tickler file system on your desk or on your kitchen counter to file all your current projects. For instance, have folders labeled “Bills to Pay”, “Addresses.” “Schedules,” or “John’s Wedding” and you will have a spot for to place all of that paper that just ends up sitting on the counter or desk.

5. File for retrieval not for storage. Ask yourself when you are about to file something away, “Do I really need this?”; “Can I find this information on the Web?” Most of the time the answer is no. We are just putting it in a file to avoid making a decision on it. (Buy the HomeFile System Pictured above at www.theorganizedlifestylestore.com for $24.95)

Welcome to the Organized Lifestyle Blog

2008-03-08T14:06:00.000-08:00

The Organized Lifestyle store is a retail store located in Guilford, Connecticut that sells products with a focus on home and office organization. In addition, to products, the store has partnered with Carl’s Closets, a custom closet organization company and Livable Solutions Professional Organizing, which offers on-site services with a professional organizer to help with home and office organization projects. Through excellent customer service, advice and these outside services, the Organized Lifestyle achieves a one-stop shop for all organizational needs.
Established in August 1, 2006, the OLS’ uniqueness lies in the fact hat it is the first store in the state of Connecticut to offer professional organizing services through a storefront. A professional organizer helps his or her client create organizational systems in his or her home or office to maintain order, access items more quickly and increase efficiency.