San Diego Professional Organizer and Image Consultant

Entreprenuer Upgrades to a Board Of Director Image

2010-07-17T21:03:46Z

Situation:

This successful entrepreneur has an incredibly casual work environment so jeans and sports garb were common office attire. As he began serving on numerous city boards and running for council, he wanted to step up his image for the increased community visibility.

Challenge:

Helping this client realize that ‘stepping up his image’ would not mean wearing uncomfortable clothes. Getting him out of his day-to-day tennis shoe routine. After all, tennis shoes should only be seen when going to and from the gym or a sporting event!

Solution:

Finding separate pieces that were casual and comfortable but were a tad dressier than the clothes he normally selected. I found dark washed jeans that he could pair with a nice shirt and even a sport coat, if necessary, for board meetings. Also, dark green and brown jeans that had a bit more edge than blue jeans when paired with a sport coat.

I found incredibly stylish shoes that had tennis shoe soles and similar fit and feel but were constructed in dark brown leather.

*Please note: This photo was taken during shop phase and before tailoring and alterations.

The Balcony that was used for Storage Space

2010-07-17T21:04:19Z

Situation:

This balcony was used as a catch-all for items that needed to be moved to other places within the house. It all began with the laundry. The family needed a central location to gather laundry and the ideal spot was on the balcony outside two of the bedrooms. This was a OK idea but, as we know, when items outgrow their space, clutter grows into more clutter!

Challenge:

The baskets being used did not provide enough space for all of the laundry as it landed there. Once the laundry began to overflow, other totally unrelated items began to gather there as well. Surprise! OK, not really…

Solution:

We cleared away everything that was not laundry related and either donated it or moved it to other parts of the house. The kids were old enough to safely remove the mesh barrier. We purchased a set of nice wood cabinets that held three large laundry bins. Now the landing area is clean and clear and the laundry is behind closed doors! The view from the front door looking up is fantastic and even the dog loves the new perspective.

*Please note: the picture does not show the new three drawer laundry system. It was taken after we had cleared the landing and before the new cabinet was installed The photo above is representative of what we used for the cabinet solution.

Mastering Your Goals Through Thought, Speech and Action

2010-07-21T02:49:11Z

This is an excerpt from my new book~ How to Master Your Muck. If you are in the process of setting goals for your life, this chapter might help make the process a bit easier.

Think and Speak Specifics

Create a mission statement for your goal. Effective mission statements should include components such as values, vision and purpose. One of my clients created this mission, ”My mission is to help others to grow personally, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually by using my compassion, my unique perspective and my belief in others’ inherent goodness and enormous potential.” Create your own. Learn to say it aloud to yourself and others. Be specific and keep it simple. How many new clients or how much revenue do you wish to make in what period of time? Think about your goals in the way that comes naturally to you. Some think short term, some think long.

Although I’m not an avatar, sometimes I see a goal and it magically manifests without all of the baby steps in between. It can be done! I would wager that, if you were to seriously consider the accomplishments in your life, you have also done this a few times yourself. The key is to keep it so simple, clear and real in your mind that you never forget what it is that you are aiming for. You also need to state it clearly and frequently to yourself and others and see it ”as so” on a daily basis. Enough metaphysical science for now . . .

Write the Path to Your Goal

Lay out your vision step-by-step in your mind and write all that you see on a piece of paper. When you write down the path to your goal, keep it simple but add as many details as you see.

If you are one of those people who don’t bother writing their goals because they always fail, realize this: those people who do write their goals on paper will actually accomplish some, if not all of them. I have a friend from South Africa who always has a list of 10 goals in writing at any given time. This is what he wrote to me about his life:

“When I was young, I figured out my life somehow played out in cycles of seven years. I decided then to create a plan to include 10 definitive objectives that would manifest into tangible goals that I could achieve within each seven-year period. If I didn’t reach some goals, it was okay because they rolled over into the next period. So, in essence, I had this ferris wheel of hope and desire that always seemed full of ideas. The tools to accomplish this was the key… I had immediate and weekly goals that served my monthly goals, which in turn made my seven-year plan reachable. ‘Start small but visualize big’ is my motto I suppose.”

A few of the goals Kevin has accomplished to date includes getting his green card without an attorney and, against all odds, after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, taking a camping holiday through Europe, hiking the Grand Canyon (which he has now done three times) and meeting his childhood hero, Mohammed Ali, in person by simply knocking on his door.

It helps to surround yourself with visionaries. Their ability to reach their own lofty goals affirms that you can do the same.

Everyone visualizes the progress towards an end result differently. The analytical businessperson might plot their progress in percentages towards the goal. Artistic creative types might find the most rewarding tracking method is a graph that allows them to see their progression to the final outcome.

There is no perfect single method for accomplishing your goals. Your chosen path simply needs to motivate you and allow you to see and feel clearly defined results every step along the way. This visible progress will keep you motivated and enthusiastic as you move towards your goal.

Keeping goals simple and definable means that they are organizable. As Epictetus said: ‘First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.” I would add a side note to this statement. Being organized and having the path clearly defined as you proceed towards your goal is invaluable. This way, if something does go awry, you can shift and still move toward your goal, even if from a different direction, because it has become crystal clear in your thoughts. You might need to tack away from the wind, but your course will still remain true.

Click here to read more and find out how to purchase How To Master Your Muck ~ Get Organized. Add Space To Your Life. Live Your Purpose!

Two Ways to Style a Suit

2010-07-17T21:02:59Z

Situation:

An upper level manager who travels frequently and needs to look professional. She is required to dress up for formal meetings but at other times does not want to appear too formal or intimidating to her staff.

Challenge:

The biggest challenge for most women is finding suits that are not black! Most women beyond their 20’s, and unless they are true winter complexions, are best served to keep black away from their faces. Unfortunately, when it comes to suits, it is very difficult to find very many choices besides black.

Solution:

This client looked good in almost every color except black and especially great in lime green and navy. After much searching, I was able to find a navy suit and a lime/brown suit that we could dress up or down based on her schedule for the day. Two suits can turn into at least 6 outfits when paired perfectly together.

You can see that this suit looks just as nice during “Jeans Friday” when dressed down with jeans, as well as during formal client meetings.

Check out the incredibly fun and sexy shoes that she is wearing with her jeans outfit above!

The outfit below shows how to combine a suit coat with a jersey knit dress to create another style.

The Quest for the Perfect Little Black Dress

2010-07-17T21:02:06Z

Situation:

Everyone needs one perfect little black dress. It is one of my 18 Essential Wardrobe Elements. This client wanted to reinvent her style. Many of my clients request the same shift after they have been out of school and in the work force for a few years.

Challenge:

Amazingly, this job was not a challenge at all! I was searching specifically for 40’s inspired pieces and was lucky enough to find several with little effort. That will probably never so easily again, but sometimes the stars align perfectly with my desires!

Solution:

This client looks and feels great in classic vintage inspired clothes. The lines are a perfect fit for her body and her personality. As you can see with this dress, it is ultra feminine and very flattering. It is so unique and form-fitting, it should be couture! We also found beautiful cardigans with interesting beadwork, lacy camisoles and peep-toe pumps to reinforce her new style throughout her entire wardrobe.

We even found this simple and stunning ivory satin dress below which later became her wedding gown!

Garage Becomes a TV Lounge, Play and Craftsroom

2010-07-17T21:02:26Z

Situation:

This garage was used for watching tv, working on crafts, and an extra playroom. At the same time, it had to be used to store the usual garage items including holiday décor, extra entertaining supplies, etc.

Challenge:

In the beginning there was no storage in this garage, only some assorted furniture, TV and a desk. As with many garage conversions, this space had to accommodate many different types of activities and serve as a comfortable retreat /playroom for the two boys and a space for mom and sons to create craft projects and read.

Solution:

My client had wall-to-wall cabinets installed along the longest side of the garage without windows. The cabinets made it possible to create order with the deep freeze storage items like holiday décor and also made a place for sporting equipment and extra entertaining items to live while not in use.

I shifted furniture around to create zones for each type of activity. The desk was moved to the back wall so that all craft supplies were in the same zone with small table and chairs positioned for action.

The lateral file cabinet was moved next to the door into the house as this contained the permanent family records.

The large cube shelf was moved behind the couch to create division between storage and TV zone. All extra toys were grouped together ‘like with like’ and stored in baskets behind the couch. As the boys decided to play with different activities, they brought out one basket at a time and learned to put the first one away between activities to keep chaos at bay.

New Vertical File Organizer by Smead

2010-07-17T21:04:52Z

I recently had the chance to try out the new Stadium File Organizer from Smead.

There are a few things that I really like about this product. As a Professional Organizer I find myself saying over and over again, ‘keep your papers vertical and away from piles on your desk.’

Unless you are one the rare, and there are a few I admit, professional paper pilers, papers need to stay far, far away from horizontal stacks of any variety.

A few of the features of this system include lightweight construction, the ability to hold numerous sheets of paper (900+), and the flexibility of your filing categories. You can choose to organize your papers by month, A-Z, or by household subject. If you need to subdivide your categories, this system also accommodates letter size file folders.

The thing that I like best about this system is that it is tiered and stepped so you can see all of the tabs and headings clearly. As you insert papers into the system, they fall nicely into their own category and because the bottom is also stepped up, the papers are easily retrieved later.

One downside to this system is that is is not easy to pick up or move when it is full and again, a plastic version would last a bit longer. It is a quick fix, however, and should be considered if you have piles of papers clogging up your desk or kitchen counter right now.

For those of you who have only a small amount of papers to manage, this might be a good tool to use. It is cardboard so it won’t last forever but this also keeps the pricing reasonable. If your papers are piled right now, consider checking out this new Smead organizing product.

Smead 70211, 12-pocket Tiered Stadium File

What to take to bed with you – not a joke.

2010-07-17T20:58:47Z

Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr’s office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across. Put your car keys beside your bed at night.

If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.

This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this: It’s a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.

If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won’t stick around. After a few seconds, all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won’t want that.

And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there. This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.

Lamanai, an Amazing Archeological Site in Belize

2010-06-21T18:58:32Z

My husband Rob and I recently visited Lamanai in Belize and it was fantastic. During our trip to Belize, it was very difficult to pull ourselves away from the islands. On the last day, we decided to hit the mainland and take a boat trip up to a Mayan ruin and visit Lamanai.

Lamanai means submerged crocodile in the Maya language and it’s also the name of the third largest, and possibly most interesting, archeological site in Belize.

We had a little visitor who jumped into our boat on the way up the river after following us for awhile onshore swinging through the trees. Her name is Greedy and she frequently jumps aboard and asks for handouts from the tourists. Smart girl and oh so cute! Ok, I admit, I gave her a banana after she gently put her hand on my knee and peered inside my bag.

Another unexpected sighting was this Jesus bird, who appears to walk on the water. The guide told us that the male makes a floating nest and tends to the upbringing of his babies while the mom flies away to another guy in waiting.

All in all, I am glad that we took one day to see the mainland of Belize and choosing Lamanai was a great idea. I do however, already miss the islands and the gentle waters of the Carribbean.

The photo below shows a close up of the face of a jaguar on the Jaguar temple.

Recycling Your Old Computers

2010-06-21T17:47:02Z

You just purchased a new computer but might be in a quandary because you still have 2-3 old computers stuffed into your closet and have no idea where to take them. First of all, congratulations on not tossing them into the trash! They contain many toxic materials including mercury, lead and cadmium.

So, what to do with your old relics? Fortunately, there are now several options. Dell has now made it incredibly simply to get rid of your old electronics. They are now combining their efforts with Goodwill and recycle all of your old televisions, VCRS, telephones, printers and computers when you drop them off at a Goodwill donation center.

If you don’t have a Goodwill drop station nearby, here are some other options.

Freecycle.org ~ Offer your old electronics on this site but remember to wipe off your old data.

Gazelle.com ~ Sometimes you can sell your smaller devices on this website. Please do not get caught up in waiting to post for money. Be realistic and determine whether it is worth your energy to try to sell or better just to let them go quickly.

Cristina.org ~ This large non-profit organization will give your used computer a second career after a small tune-up. They refurbish computers and give them to local charities and schools.

Dell.com/recycling, Apple.com/environment, HP.com/recycle ~ These computer manufacturers will recycle for free under some conditions.

Staples Stores ~ they recycle old computers and peripherals for a small fee.

BestBuy.com/recycle ~ Recycle laptops, monitors and small TV’s for a $10 fee which goes towards for a $10 in-store gift card. Some gadgets are free to recycle here.

MyGreenElectronics.org ~ Information posted by the Consumer Electronics Association

ElectronicsTakeBack.com ~ this agency requires recyclers to pledge not to ship e-waster to third world countries.

Whatever avenue you choose, just do it. Give yourself a deadline and stick to it. Your closet space is too precious to store old useless computers!

First Aid Travel Kit

2010-06-20T19:55:18Z

One thing I have learned after several trips to third world countries is that first aid and medications are not not the same as in the US or easily accessible when you need them quickly.

I put together a pretty good first aid kit this time around and the best part was that it was tiny. I will use it from now on with a few additions.

This is what we brought along in a little plastic zipper bag that measured only 6″x 2″ x 4″for our journey to Belize:

Band-aids ~ I learned that, although they are cute, plastic Dr. Seuss band-aids are inferior to cloth. I will pack accordingly next time. My new friend and island doctor George berated me for my plastic band-aids when he treated my foot!

Triple Antibiotic Lotion ~ George treated my foot bite infection with a local plant called Vervine. After crushing the leaves and applying them directly onto my bite, my swelling went down. He was correct about the plastic band-aids, they were definitely inferior to cloth in a tropical setting.

Pain Medication

Antibiotics – 1 round

Alka Seltzer

Ear wax removal drops

Eye Drops

Anti-sting Analgesic

Swim Ear

Aspirin

Theraflu

Tums

Arnica Gel

New Skin

Ear Flush Bulb

Other Miscellaneous Tools:

QTips, Cotton Balls, Small Scissors, Tweezers, Swiss Army Knife

In the end, these items were given to us without even asking by friendly local folks after hearing about our challenges. This is what I will add to our first aid kit next time:

Benadryl

Immodium (duh, cant believe I forgot this!)

One thing that ever ceases to amaze me is the caring attitude of locals when I travel. At one point in Costa Rica a few years back, I came down with a severe case of the flu. From out of the jungle (literally) comes an expat carrying a huge pan of hot lemongrass tea sweetened with honey. It made me feel better almost immediately. To this day I still have no idea how he knew I was sick or what I needed! This is one of the many wonders of traveling and experiencing the world. People around the world are loving, generous and naturally give back if you only give them the opportunity!

What to Pack for Off the Beaten Path Island Hopping in the Carribean

2010-06-20T18:56:43Z

Many readers have requested a list of what I packed on my recent 2 week vacation to Belize. I learned that traveling with a single backpack is not as much of a challenge as I had anticipated. In fact, even though I believed I packed only the bare essentials, there were many clothing items that were never used. If I didn’t get so cold in airplanes, I could have forfeited the jeans, hoodie, socks, hiking shoes and long sleeve shirt.

One of my major challenges in packing for this trip was that I agreed (upon my husband’s request) to not plan anything except where we would stay the first night. For business trips, I typically chart out each days activities in advance and then make a list of what I will wear each day.

My fabulous hubbie prefers to travel during vacations in a completely open, receptive and unplanned fashion. His intuition and synchronicity is incredible and he feels that if you let vacations run organically and go where it feels best in the moment, you have much more fun. While I have experienced incredible adventures that I could never imagined and agree completely with his philosophy, as a professional organizer I have a hard time letting go of the details.

My compromise this trip was that I only purchased one travel guide and did a lot of online research in advance. With the multitude of options saved into a word document and stuffed into my travel book, I felt comfortable stopping at this level of planning. At least I knew what we could do if we needed guidance at some point during our trip! In the end, our compromise paid off, we found a sailing charter and set off for 3 days on a whim which turned into 6 days when we jumped ship and decided to stay on a tiny island for a few nights.

Here is the list of what I packed for my 2 week vacation. In the end, I did not need as many clothes as I packed.

2 cotton skirts ~ lived in them!
2 pairs of shorts ~ never used
1 little black dress ~ of course!
2 pairs of Reef flip flops ~ dressy and everyday
1 pair of water sandals ~ never used
3 swimsuits ~ only used 2
1 lightweight sweater ~ never used
4 t shirts ~ only needed 2
3 sleeveless shirts ~ could have used 1 more, we had a freak heat wave and temperatures soared over 100 degrees a few days
1 pair of all purpose hiking shoes ~only wore on airplane because my feet freeze without socks in the air
1 pair of jeans ~ only used in transit
1 long sleeve cotton t-shirt ~ only used in transit
1 cashmere hoodie ~ only used in transit
2 pairs of socks ~ only needed 1 for airplane
1 organic cotton hat ~ thank goodness
1 pair of cotton dress slacks
7 pairs of undies
2 bras

We had our laundry washed half way through at Tobacco Caye and it worked out perfectly. In retrospect, I could have culled down my clothes collection even more. The challenge was since we had no set itinerary, I was not sure what types of activities we would engage in. The hikers and shorts might have been used if we spent less time island hopping and more time exploring the jungles and ruins. We ended up spending 13 days sailing and exploring islands and only one day on shore visiting ruins and forests.

As you can see, some of my items never left my backpack.You will be better able to pack if you know exactly what you will do during your trip.

The one thing I have learned after years of being a road warrior is that the worst thing that can happen if you forget to pack something is that you have to buy it when you arrive. It is possible to replace almost everything you might have forgotten, even in third world countries.

I will continue this travel diary with a checklist of the first aid items that we packed for our adventure. Stay tuned for more!

Makeup Storage Solution by an Inventive Client!

2010-06-16T15:34:40Z

Most women wonder what to do with their makeup collection. For the more visually oriented among us, myself included, we don’t want to see it spread all over our bathroom counter.

I am very pleased and excited to show you what one of my more enterprising and creative clients designed to overcome her makeup challenge. She purchased a jewelry box and turned it into a make-up storage cabinet It worked out perfectly and keeps her makeup out of site but quickly accessible. She also confided to me that having a contained small storage space, keeps her collection from growing out of control.

Most of us have more make-up than we actually use. As you can see by this photo, she has exactly what she needs, no more, no less. She also has a safe place to keep her daily rings and earrings when she showers. Kudos to my brilliant client!

A Busy Writer Has Her Image Edited

2010-05-24T22:19:42Z

This extremely busy and successful writer loves to do yoga and had a very casual appearance even in her work place. Her sandals, casual cotton and yoga attire did not reflect how really talented she is. She holds a very prestigious job as a writer for a well-known and respected celebrity.

This was her daily image before her makeover:

My mission was to glam her up a bit and give her clothes that were as easy and comfortable to wear every day as her yoga clothes. This way, she could run out the door in a hurry, work long hours and still look like she spent a lot of time getting ready for the world each morning.

We changed her hair a bit so that it was easier to maintain and found clothes that were literally ‘throw and go’ dresses and other easy to match pieces. Getting rid of the ankle straps on her sandals elongated her legs and added height to her stature. Now she is just as comfortable as before the makeover but appears much more polished with the same amount of effort as before.

Ten Tips for One Suitcase Packing

2010-05-24T22:18:09Z

You are faced with many tough decisions when you decide to pack light and travel with only one suitcase. Stuffing everything you need into one suitcase might seem impossible until you learn how to simplify and employ a few tricks and tips from professional travelers.

Once you discover the ease that comes with traveling with only one suitcase, you will probably never look back. You will also discover that amazingly, there are some things that you never wish to pack again! Follow these tips to pack fearlessly and add more space to your single suitcase.

1. Begin your packing process with a list. As you work on your list, consider what activities you will do each day while you are gone. Only choose clothing pieces that will combine well with at least 3 other items. As you pack, check each item off of the list, Always check your list one more time the night before you leave.

2. If you are going to stay at a hotel, plan to use their complimentary soaps and shampoos. As long as you have no allergy challenges, there is no need to pack them. Most of us, end up taking them home for future use, so why not skip that step and instead use them when you find them?

3. Eliminate large and hard case containers. Use large zip-lock bags instead. Zips work well for cosmetics, hair products and other items. They not only keep liquids from draining out onto your clothing, they save a lot of space in the process.

4. If you can find moisturizers that also act as sunscreens or sunscreens that provide bug repellant, pack these, It will save you space.

5. Plan to wear only a few pieces of jewelry. Don’t pack pricey jewelry or other valuables. I have heard many sad stories about missing diamond earrings and other expensive items. For one suitcase packing, they are not really necessary and if they are, wear them on the plane and plan on wearing them most of your tripi. When not wearing them, make sure to place them in the room safe while you are away from the hotel and buy insurance in advance. If you are not going to wear them while flying, make sure you keep them in your carry on.

6. Choose your guidebooks carefully and carry only one when you depart. Most places now have internet connections. This allows you to plan your trip online and access your information while you are there. My new favorite website is http://www.virtualtourist.com/. If the internet is not going to be readily available, photocopy useful pages from other books and fold them into the one book you have decided to bring with you.

7. Make sure to check into the current local weather at your destination before you pack. Choose your outfits accordingly. Pack one lightweight sweater and long sleeve shirt with rain poncho to layer if temperatures drop unexpectedly during your trip.

8. Choose neutral colors for your extended trips. With proper planning, every item will combine with the others to create many outfits from only a few select pieces. Pack shoes that will combine with most, if not all of the outfits. Remember to pack light and choose wisely, especially when it comes to shoes. Wear the bulkiest shoes when you fly.

9. Magazines or newspapers can be purchased at your destination or at the airport. Once you are done with them, leave them behind for others to read. Many hotels have lending libraries. I always bring a small paperback onto the plane and exchange it for another during my trip.

10. Final tip: You can replace almost everything you might have forgotten at your destination, even in third world countries, so lighten your load and make a pact to pack only what you know you will need for your next trip!

Every Woman Deserves a Little Black Dress Regardless of Her Size!

2010-05-24T16:58:00Z

My phone rang one day and the lady on the line waged a challenge to me. She had recently found my article online about the little black dress and desperately needed a to find a new one for her formal affairs. She was frequently invited and often celebrated for her work at black tie affairs and with her physical challenges had nothing to wear. She said that finding a little black dress for her shape and size was impossible! I knew with enough searching, I could find the perfect little black dress for anyone. I have never been foiled yet!

This was her current day wear:

Her challenges were that she was a plus size woman and had back and foot problems which normally prevented her from wearing off the rack clothes. I decided that the best route was to find her separates so that we could acomodate her back and still provide coverage for her arms. The black dress that I found was perfect because it fit her in all of the right places and had see-through sleeves and back so it did not appear overly heavy on her frame.

The fabric was light so she was not uncomfortably hot throughout the evening. I found a silver pashmina to keep her warm and add a bit of glam to her outfit during the holiday months.

Here is another outfit that we found that day for every day wear:

Once the wider leg on the trousers are hemmed properly, they will help to balance her top half. BTW – the v-neck is good for almost every body!

Three Sure-Fire Ways to Organize the Canned Goods in Your Pantry

2010-05-18T00:51:43Z

Although my family eats mainly fresh vegetables, we still need to keep cans of beans, quick sauces and condiments available for nights when we are pinched for time. Thank goodness that there are several wonderful ways to organize our caned goods! My three favorite solutions are shown below with the pluses and minuses listed.

Favorite #1 The Extra Large Lazy Susan

I love this organizer! It not only holds massive amounts of cans, it also organizes the pantry areas that become dark and deep black holes. So, instead of piling cans or boxes in front of one another, simply stack and spin until you find what you need. These organizers are a little pricey ($25 + each) but they are worth their price in gold. I currently have over 35 cans on one and loved it so much that I added a second one on the shelf below!

The minus ~ if you do not have a deep dark recessed hole in your pantry, this is not for you, The smaller lazy susan is great for condiment bottles but this boehemoth only works in areas 25″ or larger.

Second Runner Up ~ The Can Stacker Shelf

This organizer makes you feel really efficient and official. Once this shelf is in place within your pantry, all cans are visible and accounted for just like in the grocery. These shelves expand and contract to fit the length of the shelf at hand.

The Minus ~ Make sure to buy the extra large shelves, the others will hold only small spice bottles or micro-sized cans.

Third Place Contender ~ The Drop-Down Wire Organizer

After using this ditty for a year or so, I determined that it was only useful for items that I use repetitively and buy in mass. For me, this means my favorite Mexican sauce (for everything) El Pato, and my cat food. Items are organized behind each other and it is designed to roll the next one forward after the first one is used.

The Minus ~ It takes up too much shelf space unless you have a large quantity of the same items that you use over and over. As you can see in this photo, this was the beginning of my experience and my cans were not necessarily as organized as I had hoped. The size was a bit wonky so I even ended up storing packaged goods along with the cans. Not the best solution! Once I began using it strictly for my cat food and El Pato collection, it became more user friendly.

We Want Your Ideas!

Please let us know if you have created any other solutions for organizing your canned goods or your pantry. All ideas are welcome here at addSpace. The more minds that ponder a problem, the greater the results. Go ahead and take a moment to post your solutions below so others can learn from you as well!

San Diego Book & Writing Awards names How to Master Your Muck as Finalist

2010-05-19T22:14:52Z

How to Master Your Muck has been named by the judges as a finalist in the Self Help category of the San Diego Book & Writing Awards.

How exciting! Click here to see other contestants and for more details about this competition.

Organizing and Preserving Your Family Photos

2010-05-17T23:53:05Z

What You Should Know About Photo Storage

Everyone has pictures. Our photographs hold a special meaning for each of us, and it is our desire to cherish them for as long as we can. For this reason, it is to your advantage to learn ways to organize your photos and the various materials and resources that you can use to both preserve and store these precious memories.

Photo Organization

There are no strict rules or categories for photo organization. You can certainly use your creative freedom when it comes to categorizing your pictures. Here are a few categories that you can use to separate your photos and keep them in order as your photo library expands over time.

-individuals (son, daughter, parents, etc.)

-family (immediate, distant relatives, family history)

-friends (best friend, events with friends, etc.)

-events (birthdays, vacations, anniversary, parties, etc.)

-dates (special dates, months, years)

-locations (old residence, visiting family, vacation)

The possibilities go on and on. The important thing is that your pictures are placed in groups so that you know exactly where to look when you want to show someone a particular picture.

If you have aging photos, it is important for you to know how to store them so that they can be preserved in the best possible way.

Photo Storage Materials

There are certain chemicals that can cause damage, wear and tear on your pictures. If you avoid the materials found on certain envelopes and plastics, you will be able to protect your pictures for a long period of time. Here are some basic tips.

Use Kodak Storage Envelopes to store your pictures. These interior of these envelopes are made of polyethylene-coated aluminum foil. Kodak Storage Envelopes can also be sealed using heat. If you would like to choose another type of envelope, make sure that it is made from acid-free, high alpha-cellulose papers. Stay away from envelopes that have a seam in the center or envelopes that use vegetable or animal-based glues for sealing.

If you would like to view and handle your pictures while protecting them, cellulose acetate sleeves are a good option for storing your photos. These are transparent so that you do not have to remove your pictures from the sleeve to enjoy them.

Polyester, triacetate or polypropylene folders can also be used to protect and store your photos. These are similar to manila folders, but not exactly the same. You can categorize your pictures, and store them in folders together. Place interleaves (paper or plastic sheets) in between the photos so that they do not touch each other.

The most well known type of photo storage is a photo album. Unfortunately, not all photo albums are created equally, and some albums won’t serve the purpose of long term picture storage. Invest in a high quality photo album that is made of materials that are meant to preserve aged documents or photographs. You can find them at archival dealers or suppliers.

Photo Storage Resources

I recently helped a client organize her photos into categories and then had them all scanned and saved online. Over 5000 photos were saved onto only two discs. She can now play her photos in rotation on her television and also send them to any of her friends from her private online webpage. Her photos are now preserved forever and always safe from the loss of a fire or burglary because they are being saved on an offsite server. The company I used for this job is Scan Digital and they have a very friendly and knowledgeable customer service center. They also take the time to color correct and repair damaged photos before they scan and save them. They could become your solution to preserving your family memories for generations to come!

An entertainment center that was no longer entertaining

2010-05-17T22:52:18Z

SITUATION: An entertainment center that no longer entertained, but instead, simply annoyed the owner.

CHALLENGE: This entertainment center was in the footpath of the way into and out of, the family/great room. I think that the basket was originally intended to hold remote controls.

Instead of being a storage area for entertainment supplies, it was housing keys, glasses, and any other loose toy that was found in that area.

SOLUTION: I recommended getting rid of the basket. Baskets are often a tricky solution to implement. Unless the intended purpose for each basket / container is agreed upon by all family members, it will begin to attract miscellaneous objects almost like magic.

We got busy and emptied and reorganized the drawers that were part of this massive entertainment center. Many of the drawers were underutilized and did not contain entertainment related items. After creating a cabinet space for cameras and other video related tools, we were able to get those supplies off the shelf. Also, in the process, we found memory cards, charger cords and bags that were scattered throughout the area. Now, when it is time for a quick photo or action video of the baby, all important items are quickly located.

It was determined that the basket was not the solution for this area. Instead, using a drawer was a better alternative. This way keys and could gather without becoming an eyesore during tv time.

We also spent a lot of time sorting through electrical cords and moved all of them into a tub to be stored in the garage for future needs. Every house that I visit has too many unidentified cords.

Look at this from my perspective for a moment because this is a very common problem. If all of the electronic devices that you own and use right now are hooked up and functioning, it is a good idea to let go of the unidentified cords that are jamming up your drawers and cabinets. If you can’t convince yourself to let them go, at least move them out of the house and store them in the garage in the tool zone.

Consider this, what is the worst thing that can happen if you don’t have the proper cord later? Well, for starters, right now everything you own is working and hooked up just fine. If you do one day need a cord, go out and spend the $10- 20 to replace it. The money that you might possibly have to spend later is better than living with a drawer or cabinet space that doesn’t function every day in the meantime. Right? Well, at least I think so…