Tips to Help You Get Organized for the Holidays

Here are some ideas I put together to help you get organized before the Holidays season and stay organized afterwards too. I created a Holiday Checklist which allows you to check off all the things you may need to do to be ready for this busy time of year. If you want me to send … Read more

Holiday Perfectionism Will Get You Nowhere!

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

How Childhood Affects our Relationship with Stuff

At some point in my 20 years of working as a Professional Organizer I began to notice just how much your childhood experiences with ‘stuff’ can affect your success or lack thereof with managing stuff in adulthood.  It’s not an unusual phenomenon but it may be difficult to change your behavior and relationship with stuff … Read more

The Pros and Cons of Changing Out Seasonal Clothing

I was recently working with a client changing out and storing summer clothing for winter wear.  It got me thinking about the pros and cons of this bi-annual to quarterly process and how it might be simplified. Let’s look at the benefits of swapping out seasonal clothing: It’s an opportunity to take inventory and determine … Read more

Finding Just the Right Container Isn’t Easy!

Trying to find just the right bin, basket, container or shelving unit for organizing a clients’ space can be so time consuming. Even after 20 years of helping my clients find just the right solution, it is still a challenge.  It is so important to spend the time to find just the right product so … Read more

Back to School Tips for Organizing Your Family

Can you believe it’s time to send your children back to school once again? Now, now, don’t get that excited, they might notice.  Parenting experts suggest that at this time of year the most important thing to do for your children is to get them back on a regular schedule a few days before school … Read more

Who’s Responsible for the Stuff?

Most of us are faced with dealing with other people’s stuff at some point in our lifetime.  It could be our parents’ stuff if they have to move to a senior care residence.  It could be other family member’s stuff if they sadly pass away. I have had discussions with many of my clients over … Read more

Don’t Be Afraid of Color Outside

In my last blog post about kitchen design one of the things I shared is not to be afraid of adding a little color or a lot of color. Well, I must tell you I saw some fabulous color while on vacation in Prince Edward Island last week. At the suggestion of my dad’s girlfriend … Read more

What I Learned While Exploring the History of Kitchen Design

I have just finished reading the most fascinating book simply entitled The Kitchen by John Ota.  The book is a series of stories about the authors’ tour of kitchens across Canada and America not only in search of design ideas but also to fulfill his love of cooking.  As an architect he has a keen … Read more

Designing Storage Solutions is Not Just About Tidy

One piece of advice I always give anyone who is planning to organize and/or redesign a space is, “store and organize things the way you use them”.  Think about the things you use most often and store them in the most accessible spot.  The goal is to find what you need and put it away … Read more

Three Decorating No No’s and How to Avoid Them

There are three things I suggest you consider in your home if you want to make it feel more pleasing to the eye, more cohesive and more comfortable.  I find myself having these conversations with almost every client I work with whether its decorating or organizing their space. Choosing Paint Colors Paint color, in my … Read more

To Rent or Own – That is the Question

I absolutely love the thought of home ownership, even though I no longer have a house. Not to say that I won’t again one day but likely only if I can design and build it myself to my exact needs. I just need a piece of land to put it on – no small feat … Read more

Is Open Plan Living A Thing of the Past?

I was thrilled to attend a seminar with author, TV show host, and professional organizer Peter Walsh recently with a group of my professional organizing colleagues. One of the benefits of being locked down with this pandemic is that everyone is open to teaching via Zoom, even famous people. Peter Walsh is one smart dude, … Read more

Lessons from Combining Households

It’s done. The move is behind us.  Moving is one of the top three most stressful events in your life.  I don’t know how some people move over and over and over.  We are absolutely exhausted and don’t want to do it again any time soon, that’s for sure. There are so many moves in … Read more

Not Minimal Enough to Move

You would think that someone such as myself who is considered by all accounts to live a fairly minimal existence would very easily be able to pick up and move.  Well . . . much to my dismay that doesn’t appear to be the case.

Yes indeed, I am moving after just over three years of living in 600 square feet with one bedroom.  It has been a wonderful sanctuary and I am going to miss my little abode and the neighbourhood.  Again, just another life lesson to reinforce that things change.  Don’t get me wrong, I am very much looking forward to the move and to the brand spanking new place. However, it turns out even I have some excess clutter to deal with.  Who knew?

 A Few Easy Things to Let Go Of:

Body Pillow

Cane (from the broken foot)

Books (I’m never going to read them)

Extra Wine Glasses, Picture Frame

Cutting Board (I found it above the fridge, forgot it was there)

Boogie Board (I used it twice and I don’t really like the color)

 

Is it Worth Packing?

One piece of advice I always give to clients when they are decluttering is to consider whether they would keep what they have if they were moving.  When you are actually moving it’s a good idea to decide if it’s worth packing and moving everything you have.  Or can you let go of things you don’t really need and start in your new space with less.  It seems that I really dislike packing so I am highly motivated to keep a little less.

Can You Shift Energy?

I would also suggest that you consider the movement of energy and how it brings new and exciting opportunities into your life.  When I first started my business, I met a woman who was a Feng Shui practitioner and I think her work still affects me and how I work with clients to this day. One of the foundational principles of this practice is that shifting stuff can shift energy in your home and your life. Therefore, when you can let go of extraneous stuff, you are inviting new energy into your life. I am keeping that in mind as I go through closets, drawers, and bins and somehow that is making it easier to let go.

What Fits Comfortably in Your New Space?

The other thing to keep in mind is how you will make a home for everything you are keeping in your new space.  I believe the goal is to be comfortable in that space. Please consider if you want to fill every nook and cranny of your new home with furniture and belongings or if you want to have room to move, space to breathe, perhaps even a few empty spaces in case new things arrive in your life.  My approach has always been to let go of as much as I have to in order for everything I keep to fit comfortably in my new home with a little extra room if at all possible.

I must sign off now and get to work on living with less. There truly is freedom in that.

 

 

Small Space Design on a Budget

Two years ago my boyfriend moved into a 500 square foot apartment after selling his four-bedroom house. It was meant to be a temporary stopping point for a year to re-think his next steps. The only thing he took from the house was a double bed and mattress and a bunch of bins and boxes … Read more

Design Inspiration from a Toilet Roll Holder

Yes, it’s true. Really.  I am finishing up a project with a client who asked me if I could design their powder room around a toilet roll holder.  Now that’s a first and perhaps a last.  However, there is nothing I enjoy more than an unusual challenge. As you can see, said “inspiration” piece is … Read more

3 Things You Must Do Before Starting a Kitchen Renovation

I have worked on dozens of kitchen renovations over the last ten years. Some involved a complete demo and replace and some just a “refresh”. With a couple of smaller kitchen projects just completed and a couple of larger ones about to begin, it seems to me like a good time to share a few … Read more