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Our Clients Ask the BEST Questions!

"From Kelly"
Client questions push us to teach how we know what we know.

Carole (not her real name) works with us on a regular basis to assess new purchases and pack for power business trips. Often when we decide a suit or top isn’t worth keeping, Carole asks: “How do you KNOW that?” Carole is really asking:
• How can she determine, on her own, what fits her body?
• What should she look for in future purchases?
• How can she tell if an item will fit into what she already owns?

Our answers always reflect the goal of the outfit based on the event:
• If you’re presenting to peers over lunch — how do you want to be regarded? powerful, competent, assertive
• If you’re interviewing for a new position — what do you want to convey through your appearance? put together, pays attention to details
• If you’re headed into the city (N.Y. not Philly) — are you spending all day walking or shopping? In either case you’ll want comfortable and easy-on/easy-off clothing that is fashion forward.

Joy and Kelly’s trained artistic eyes translate to the body; we consider fit, fabric, and form to help you put your best foot forward. We never want to clutter your closet with one-and-done pieces that aren’t versatile. Classic, conservative, cutting edge…whatever stance you need to take, we can outfit you. And of course, with every new entry into your closet, we’ll encourage you to let go of “an oldie and no longer goodie.”

Check out our range of services: www.joyinyourspace.com

Call to schedule a closet consult: 610-896-6896

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Happy Thanksgiving

As we prepare to spend lots of turkey time together we are also thinking of you — our friends, readers, clients, and supporters.

We are incredibly thankful when you: 

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

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

• refer us to colleagues and family, allowing us to help more people

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

 

Here’s to sharing lots of blessings around your holiday table,
Joy and Kelly
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10 Holiday de-stress tips

Make the most of your celebrations from beginning to END

PLAN 1. Make to do lists:
• Create a menu plan, shopping list, and meal sequence
    —Kelly’s family is mad for Anylist.
• Delegate tasks (even food shopping).
    —Pre-purchased gift cards make it easy to send a guest to the store.

PLAN 2. Do what you can as early as possible.
• Set the table days in advance.
   —Joy labels the serving pieces for each dish so guests can help transfer from kitchen to table.
• Purchase inexpensive tupperware or ziplocs to give guests left-overs.
PLAN 3. Decorate…a festive house sets the tone.
•  Build in time to dust wreaths, decorations, menorah’s, and folding chairs from the basement or attic.
PLAN 4. Decide what activity — other than eating — to share with guests.
• a walk around the neighborhood between dinner and dessert?
• hearing from family elders about thanksgivings past or their earliest Christmas memories?
• family touch football?
PLAN 5. Get enough sleep the night before so you enjoy the big day!
ENJOY 6. Take family photos while everyone is gathered.
• Write down the combinations you want.
• Put one guest in charge of making sure you capture the moment.
ENJOY 7. Assign teenagers the task of clearing between courses.
•  Delegate to guests while your event is still underway.
ENJOY 8. Be present and enjoy the celebration.
• Don’t think about the table and the dishes piling.
Sit back and soak in the people gathered together.
WRAP UP 9. Put your house back in order.
• Allow time to return borrowed chairs to the attic, basement, or friends.
WRAP UP 10. Make a photo album from tip #6!
• Kelly is a newly converted fan of MyPublisher (they offer special discounts on duplicates — we’re thinking next year’s gift!)

 

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October News: Happy Birthday To Us

Celebrate life’s blessings.

Opening presents sure can be fun — but dealing with the hassle of wrapping paper, tissue wrap, ribbons, and recycling trash can sometimes be the bummer at the end of the party. That task sometimes falls to US…even on our own birthdays. As Joy and Kelly turn one year older this month, we gave each other (and our families) the gift of captured moments with a professional family photo sitting. We got all of the shots we wanted PLUS. What kinds of gifts can you give this year that don’t involve packaging or plastic and don’t take up room on shelves? Theater events, spa treatments, and special meals out are just a few ways to celebrate the good times in life with the people you love.

Kelly with husband        Unexpected family shot: Hands     Joy with husband

FALL in-love with your Wardrobe

Real estate — not just a housing market term — is one approach we use with available wardrobe storage. Prime real estate should hold your everyday go-to items. Look at how you store your clothing…is there a better way to use your prime real estate? If you need help figuring out the best way to arrange your clothing, coordinate outfits, or pair accessories — call! Creating from what you already own is our specialty. We also advise if it’s better to invest in what you currently own with tailored adjustments or if you’re better off purchasing new foundation pieces for your cooler-weather wardrobe. Now is the time to put your best dressed foot forward!

In addition to storage expertise, we:
• coordinate wardrobe selections for big trips
• arrange your closet for easy dressing
• take the agony out of accessorizing
• create to-do lists for alterations, shoe repairs, and special cleaning to lead you into each new season ready and chic!

Clear Your Mental Clutter

Peter Walsh, clutter expert and organizational consultant says it best: “For me, clutter is anything that gets between you and the life you want to be living. While that can be the physical stuff, it can also be the stuff in your head that’s a hurdle for you — the ‘negative-speak’ that destroys your self-esteem, or the quick reflexive rush to judgement or the out-of-proportion angry response. It can be repeated poor communication or some behavior that you know you should change but just don’t seem to be able to. In my world, all of these are clutter and — just like the physical stuff — can be things that stop you living the best life you can.”

We agree and we offer help for clearing your mental clutter. Some of our workshop participants might remember our ‘clutter buddy’ system; a ‘mental clutter buddy’ can help you unlock the key to your own indecisiveness and mental wheel-spinning. Here are some questions to ask if you choose to engage in a meaningful dialogue toward a clearer mind:
• What’s holding you back from change?
• Do you have the information you need to make a decision that’s weighing on your mind?
• Will it help to set a deadline for your next action?

And the big question: Who in your life is a wise and patient sounding board to be YOUR mental clutter buddy? Please let us know whom you choose as YOUR mental clutter buddy. 

If you enjoy our advice or have a question, call: 610-896-6896.

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What’s on Fire?

Our clients ask the BEST questions…

What’s on fire? Nancy (not her real name) is Kelly’s Tuesday client. We work together 3 out of every 4 weeks a month. Our tasks range from handling paperwork to creating order in each room. Because Nancy takes a whole house approach to her organizing investment, she can afford to take a break from a room project when something is ‘on fire.’ The first time it happened Kelly was all set to start on Nancy’s craft room — a creative suite that had Kelly drooling to whip into shape  — only to find Nancy at the door in a panic: “We can’t start on the craft room…we have fires to put out!” Since then, “Is anything on fire in your life?” is a regular question we ask. Clients love looking at their lives —not just their home spaces – for ways to use the firefighting organizer in their life. And so a trend was born: “What’s on fire?”

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Be Prepared: Think Like a Squirrel

In honor of National Emergency Preparedness Month…

With one more week left of National Preparedness Month, what one step you’re taking to be prepared? If you think that getting ready for an emergency might bring one on…or if it feels like a paranoid state of mind to hoard supplies…consider squirrels. Squirrels are preparedness experts. They collect nuts (food and fuel) all fall and build cozy nests (shelter) to ensure a comfortable winter. Their natural reflex to collect doesn’t invite trouble. Storms happen. Being prepared will help you ‘weather’ any emergency.
These simple things can make emergencies less stressful:
• Post emergency phone numbers of contact people (and a neighbor) somewhere near a central phone in your house
—Paper phone lists are helpful when you can’t rely on your electronic devices.
• Stock your day bag/backpack and car with some healthy protein bars so you have mental energy to deal with a crisis if you’re delayed on the road.
Kelly was glad her purse was stocked during a shopping trip with her youngest!
• Blankets aren’t just for picnics! Store an extra blanket in your car and sneakers in case you have to walk a distance to find help while traveling.
• Plan a household firedrill and decide where family members should meet to make sure everyone’s okay
—When you walk through the physical steps of how to get out, you’ll realize what paths you need to clear to make an easy exit.
When Kelly’s family talked about an ‘exit plan’ it led to a single purchase: this cool window ladder to be stored in her daughter’s second floor bedroom, the only room without a tree or rooftop to climb onto. Figure out what will make your family feel peace of mind.This informative link

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September: Be Prepared, Not Scared

Since September 11, 2001, our nation has become aware of the need to be prepared. In 2004, FEMA introduced National Preparedness Awareness and named September the obvious observance month. In August, NAPO prepared organizers through a training workshop which Kelly attended entitled “Be Prepared NOT Scared!” led by Sam Levy, a wartime veteran and expert in army intelligence, search and rescue, and emergency preparedness. Sam led our group in a simulated crisis planning exercise aimed at comfortably surviving a week-long black-out — like so many local residents experienced during Hurricane Sandy. His number one lesson was Make a Plan! A guest from Homeland Security confirmed, Any family with a plan —even a flawed plan — has the better chance of surviving a disaster.

My takeaway lesson was Sam’s Rule of 3 AND I now store a pair of sneakers in my car in case I ever break down and am wearing heels! (Joy is always prepared since her tennis bag lives in her car).
The Rule of 3: In any emergency you have “3”…
• 3 minutes of AIR — while your brain is fully functioning to make a decision or react
• 3 hours to figure out your SHELTER situation — especially important in extreme weather conditions
• 3 days to survive without WATER
• 3 weeks to survive without FOOD
• 3 months to exist without COMPANIONSHIP and HOPE (remember Tom Hanks in Castaway and his “Wilson” invention!)

 

 

 

 

The links shared here offer instructions on how to prepare for any natural or man-made disaster. These guidelines are also smart preparations in advance of a family crisis.
• Use this engaging graphic website to create a family plan for emergencies. It even helps you figure out how to care for your pets:
http://72hours.org
• Check our blog for FEMA recommended guidelines in the event of an emergency:
You’ll learn how to Create a Family Plan and Stay in touch with Loved Ones
https://www.joyinyourspace.com/news

Permission to purchase duplicates!

• If it’s related to your ‘preparedness’ action plan — go ahead and BUY!
Water, protein bars, and canned goods (especially those that are full foods and don’t require cooking or heating to be edible) are great supplies to buy in bulk.
• Don’t forget you might not be at home if disaster strikes.
Keep a rotating supply of non-perishable energy-packed food in your car and on your person (this is a great habit for any parent!). Encourage family members to get in the habit of carrying a water bottle and a snack at all times.

Clear the Clutter for Safety’s Sake

With National Preparedness in mind, use our “eyes of a stranger” approach to your home. Make sure —  in case of a night-time or black-out emergency — to keep your floors, hallways, staircases, and egresses as clear as possible; you want to be able to get in and out easily and you want emergency personnel or neighbors unfamiliar with your home’s layout to have the best access in case you need outside help.

If you enjoy our advice, call us directly with a compliment or question: 610-896-6896:
invite friends to sign up for our newsletter and comment on our Facebook fanpage.

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FEMA tips for how to stay connected…

The following link and our tips will help your family connected in case of an emergency: 

Staying in Touch with Loved Ones

• Set clear guidelines for checking in with parents or kids in the event of an emergency when family members are separated. Make sure everyone has an updated phone list in their electronic directory and create a paper back up in case electronic delivery fails. A wallet sized card with emergency numbers is very handy for each family member and near phones at home.

• Teach older relatives and grandparents how to text — even when phone service is interrupted texts can remain a communications tool.

• Designate a physical check-point in the event of a fire or household emergency.