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Happy Thanksgiving

Holidays are wonderful time markers for reflecting on the blessings in our lives: our friends, readers, clients, and supporters.

We are always thankful when you:

• allow us into your homes — openly sharing your struggles and allowing us to create success with you

• forward our news to friends, helping us spread our organizing advice

• respond to our facebook posts, newsletter ideas, and comment on our blog

• refer us to colleagues and family, allowing us to help more people and gift you a 1/2 hour FREE organizing time

Wishing you blessings around the holiday table this year!
Joy and Kelly

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Ask “Where” and “Why” Before You Buy

Kelly is this week’s NAPO-GPC featured blogger:

As the holidays approach, ASK before you make a single purchase:

Where will it “live”? This is probably the last question people ask… but it should be first! If you don’t want to invite clutter, make sure you know where something will be stored when not in use; otherwise, it will sit out, collect dust, and get in your way.Why do I need this? If you’re purchasing a gift… do they really need it? Would they appreciate tickets to an event more than an object to clutter their home? Recent studies have shown that experiences have longer-lasting JOY.

Can I afford it right now? This is not just a monetary question… electronic purchases require an investment in time to set up; new phones beg for back-ups before you transfer over to a new device and don’t forget about learning curves!

What would happen if I waited? Shopping can be fun. I am the first to admit that it’s neat to re-envision your table set for the holidays, or a seasonal lift to your bedroom (I am a sucker for linens!), but your brain doesn’t know the difference between the fantasy of seeing your table set and the reality of seeing your bed made with cozy soft colorful sheets that say autumn. Go ahead and put it in your cart (be it physical or electronic)… just don’t hit “confirm purchase.” Resist placing that order. Do NOT hand over your credit card.

If you KNOW you need it, and you can afford it, but you really haven’t a clue where to put it, hire a professional organizer to help! We’re terrific at thinking outside the box, or cabinet, or fridge, or pantry, or laundry room, or bedside table or linen closet… Our list goes on for fabulous solutions to your everyday challenges.

As the holidays approach, try keeping a list of these shopping questions in your wallet or taped to your computer screen to help avoid unnecessary purchases. List the where’s and why’s in an order that makes sense to you and your purchasing patterns. This year, go into the holidays feeling in control of your spending, your space, and your holiday experiences. Your budget and your loved ones will thank you!

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My “bedside” manner revealed

While working with clients in their bedroom, I shared that my husband and I switch sides of the bed weekly. Though Tony and Trish were initially uneasy about switching sides, they realized their reasons for who slept where had NOTHING to do with their current house. Two apartments ago Trish needed to be closest to the bathroom. Now her side is furthest from the bathroom. Once they saw that there was no backing behind their sides — and agreed that Tony wasn’t going to change — it was easy to experiment with switching sides permanently.

Added benefits to anyone switching sides on a regular basis:
• Alternating sides is great for your mattress.

Personal benefits to switching sides:
• Switching sides makes me keep my bedside items to a minimum (one book, one pair of reading glasses, one box of tissues). My husband moves the alarm clock to his side and that is the end of the swap.
• Our kids know to bother the parent closest to the door in case of an emergency so neither of us gets taxed too often.
• We have the privilege of working with many families after the loss of a spouse. One difficulty that many face is dealing with personal artifacts left on the other spouse’s side of the bed. While we handle these situations very sensitively, I often return home from an organizing session with relief that I will not have to suffer that hardship when, God forbid, I am faced with loss.

What would the benefits be for you?

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4 Steps to Organized

A peek into Kelly’s “re-done” medicine chest:

1. Empty the space entirely.

2. Start with a clean slate by scrubbing, wiping, or vacuuming your space. Cleaning is it’s own reward toward an organized space.

3. Only put back what you absolutely use. I used the bottom two shelves for my everyday items because that is the prime real estate in my cabinet. I also created zones for dental, hair and then skin care.

4. Add your favorites — sparingly! I added back my occasional hair products, some additional remedies, plus make-up and skin care items that demand weekly (but not daily) use. I’ve maintained my zones and I am not storing ANY duplicates (they stay under the sink til I need them).

I’d love to help you sort any closet in your house: 610-896-6896.
If you enjoy our advice, please leave a comment!

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Moves (and renovations) make for a better life

Some moves are exciting and upbeat — a real step up for a family. Some moves are emotional and a jolt to the system. When an emotional and physical change is involved, having a professional organizer’s expertise is a tremendous benefit.

Organizers know how to set up spaces:
• to create a sense of home
• to configure rooms that function for multiple household members
• while being sensitive to your needs throughout the process

Working with a pro guarantees you:
• a specialist to advise how to pack
• a schlepper to get boxes, wrapping paper and bubble wrap
• an expert to handle logistical stress
• a professional to keep you on track, on deadline, and within budget
• peace of mind

Let us make your (or your friend’s) next move into a new kitchen, bathroom, or whole house painless and stress-free.

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Happy (Jewish) New Year

Fall is here! We are ever mindful that this new season and the new Jewish Year are opportunities to start anew and look toward a future of peace and good health.

Thank you for your support, friendship, and continued trust in our organizing expertise.

It is our privilege and pleasure to work with you on your life and space goals.

To a Good Year — L’Shana Tovah
Joy and Kelly

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An Organized Organizer’s Confessions

My closet isn’t (always) perfect…

I’ve made some poor fashion purchases over the years: Just ask my mother! But you don’t have to be tied to your less than ideal decisions of the past. You have my permission to let go. Part with the misguided choices, bad buys, and remnants of your youth; go-ahead and purge mistakes, even if they were expensive.

If you let go of what doesn’t fit, flatter or bring you joy — you will get:
• more compliments
• more space on your hanging rod
• a clearer vision of what fits your lifestyle
• Chi! That fabulous feng shui energy that invites creativity

If you don’t believe me, let us show you the power of eliminating excess from your closet. Without judgment, we will help you weed any items that don’t belong. Sometimes you need permission to embrace space and calm.

Call 610-896-6896 to schedule your appointment.
If you enjoy our advice, comment!

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How to Prepare for a Wardrobe Consult

Start the New Year IN style with an hour long wardrobe consult

• Be prepared to try on clothing
A wardrobe check goes beyond how things look on the hanger.
Be dressed in your favorite nude undergarments when Joy arrives
Ladies: plan to be barefoot or in heels (socks ruin every outfit!)

• Pre-select 4-5 outfits
Pick items you think would work – or that you want help coordinating — so you and Joy can refine the look…or switch directions altogether

• For kids and spouses

Know your guidelines for color, modesty and tone so you and Joy are on the same page.

Schedule your fashion consult now: 610-745-1236

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Enter the New Year dressed and ready

Dissolve pre-holiday stress: Enter this month of Elul knowing you are set — at least on the outside — for Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur.
Joy will help you sift through your clothes to:
• find what’s appropriate (according to the tone and season)
• select your best fit and look
• help you accessorize to maximize what you already own
• identify any wardrobe gaps that you need to fill…in plenty of time

Maybe YOU are set, but your kids outgrew everything over the summer!
Joy is a master at working with all ages to find what is wearable, alterable, destined for donation, or ebay-worthy. Invite Joy to work with your kids (or spouse) now so there’s time to complete your family’s High Holiday needs.

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Clutter Control DOs and DON’Ts

If you DON’T want clutter — DO something about it!.

Don’t allow things to build up: When you let clutter take over — like papers, travel bags yet to be unpacked, and items to return — you complicate your daily tasks. If you need motivation, set a date by which you want everything handled and treat it like a hard deadline. We advise putting returns (especially on-line packages that must be returned by mail) in your car so they are ONE step closer to their destination — and you’re one step closer to a refund.

Follow the in-one, out-one rule: Each time you acquire something — it doesn’t have to be new, it can just be new to you — decide what you already own that can go to a charity or a friend — so you maintain order. If you’re really overwhelmed, adopt an in-one out-TWO rule until you feel more in control.