The holiday season is already upon us—yikes! How did December get here so quickly? At this time of year, there is so much pressure to cram as much into your schedule as possible and “shop ’til you drop.” However, there is a limited amount of time in life, and how we spend that time matters. … Read more
As a professional organizer, I help clients make sense of the physical clutter in their lives. However, tackling basic estate organizing tasks is just as important, and it should be part of your organized life. Estate planning isn’t just for older people – no one knows when their last day might be. That’s why it’s … Read more
Is “get organized” one of your goals for this year, but does organizing your entire home and life seem overwhelming? I suggest starting with something manageable and developing new habits around purchasing “stuff.” No matter how much decluttering and physical organizing you do, continuing to buy more stuff will thwart your efforts. S.P.A.C.E. The S.P.A.C.E. … Read more
The final leg of our 10-day trip to Italy took us south to the Amalfi Coast. This area is a major tourist destination, and many Italians also choose the region for their annual vacation. Positano, Amalfi, and Revello are three of the most popular towns, but there are many others scattered along the coast. Getting … Read more
Venturing into the Chianti wine region of Tuscany was the part of our trip to Italy I was waiting for. Exploring this world-famous region was the highlight of our journey for me. Tuscany was everything I hoped for, with its picturesque landscapes, historical heritage, and exceptional wines. It turned a dream into reality, and I … Read more
As I’m sure you can imagine, two days in Florence, Italy (or Firenze in Italian) just isn’t enough time to experience even a few of the major highlights in this beautiful city. However, we did our best to enjoy our time there and drink in some of the Renaissance architecture, art, and culture that it’s … Read more
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the historic city of Venice, Italy, I imagine a romantic ride on a gondola through one of the city’s many canals. Famous for its historic landmarks, arts, and culture, no visit is complete without a trip to the island of Murano to watch a master … Read more
If you have tried to fly anywhere over the last few years, I’m sure you have experienced some unexpected delays or cancellations. Therefore, our story will not be a huge surprise to you. In preparing for our trip to Italy, there were a few things we did right and a few we did wrong. I … Read more
In the summer of 2023, we had a conversation with our good friends over a glass of wine about taking a trip to Italy together. A year later, we did it! Over the next few blog posts, I will share some practical tips for planning a vacation abroad and highlight some of the amazing scenery, … Read more
Many people have written about the concept of choosing a single word as a theme to guide your year. I have been doing this since 2012. Every year, I choose a word, or sometimes a short phrase, according to how I want the year to unfold. It’s a valuable exercise that helps me focus and … Read more
Do you have that little voice in your head that tells you there is no time to take a summer vacation? You are just way too busy! In the past, when I worked for someone else, it was a much easier decision because I had no choice. They made me book summer vacation several months … Read more
Do you find yourself checking email, surfing the internet, and scanning social media to avoid working on other, probably more important, things? Technology is a wonderful procrastination tool, and that phone you can’t stop looking at all day is undoubtedly the culprit. It’s time to reduce overwhelm from technology! Do You Have Smartphone-itis? It’s everywhere, … Read more
We have just wrapped up a household move project with one of my long-time clients. As with most projects, the less time it takes, the less stressful it will be. And one of the best ways to free yourself from moving stress is by asking for help. It takes a village of people to execute … Read more
If you want to accomplish your tasks and goals, organize your time using a calendar system. It can be an electronic calendar on your phone, tablet, or laptop. A shareable calendar (e.g., Google Calendar) can be beneficial if you are trying to coordinate your schedule with family members. You can also choose old-fashioned paper, such … Read more
It’s the time of year (again) to create a plan for celebrating the holiday season. You will likely find it challenging to decide on your priorities over the next few weeks, and I hope this post will help. As usual, I emphasize the importance of simplification. I know you’re tired of hearing about it, but … Read more
Merging two households into one can be challenging. I have worked with dozens of couples over the years who have come together later in life after living in their own homes. And I did it myself, just one year ago! If you’re planning on moving in together, consider the points below. They will help make … Read more
Are you thinking of moving and getting super stressed about where to start? During my career as a Professional Organizer, I have helped dozens of clients prepare for their move, unpack, and set up their new homes. With that experience in mind, here are four things you should consider when planning your move to a … Read more
Each new year gives us yet another chance for a fresh start. Maybe now is the time to ask yourself how you can live the next year in the best possible way. What goals can you set to help you have a happy and successful year? And more importantly, how can you make time to … Read more
Here are some ideas I put together to help you get organized for the holidays and stay organized afterward. I also created a Holiday Checklist so you can check off what you might need to do to prepare for this busy time of year. Declutter Kids’ Stuff It’s a really good idea to go through … Read more
Perfectionism can be a blessing and a curse. As a recovering perfectionist, I speak from experience. When perfectionists do something, they do it really, really well. Once they start something, they complete it but perhaps it takes them a little or a lot longer than others. Perfectionists hold themselves and others to very high standards … Read more