OrganizingLA Blog

Gotta Get My Stuff Done - Weekend Video

Welcome to the weekend when we post videos OrganizingLA Blog readers have sent to us.

Is procrastination a part-time job for you?  Here is an oldie but a goodie.  We've even posted it in 2005, but that was prior to being able to actually post video directly onto the blog.

These pieces are for the amusement of our weekend blog readers, we're continuing to feature organizing videos that are satirical, irreverent, smart or just plain fun.  If you are reading the blog on RSS or Feedblitz and want to see the videos you should click over to the main site.  Do you have a video you'd like to have us feature?  Check out this post first, then email us.

Oh, and last week's video was courtesy Hazel Thornton, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Forgot to mention that.

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

10 Commandments of Clutter

In our decor8 Interview we posted recently, the question came up about the behaviors that guide you when you tackle an organizing project.

We came up with such guidelines, allow us to also present them here.

The 10 Commandments of Clutter:

1. Thou shall not directly worship the Container Store Goddess.  The purity of organizing products does not preclude you from clearing your clutter, first.
2. The Organizing “Secret” is no secret at all; keepith space available brings you untold fortune.
3. Thou shall not commit adultery (however, ‘tis honorable to ask for organizing helpith during Spring Fling.)
4. Devote thy days to mess maintenance, but thou nights to wine and dine.
5. Honor thy elders. Thou shall not nag if items are in wrong place; put them back without saying anythingth.
6. Getting thyself organized is easier then staying organized.
7. Avoidith keeping clutter as a yardstick of thy achievements. Thou must not give false evidence against thy neighbor.
8. Stop chasing thy paper chase; lose thy “to file” box and handle immediately by putting it away in its rightful place.
9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods. Thy grass may be greener around thy neighbor’s lawn mover shed, but inside may be a dark surprise.
10. Eat, drink and be merry. Organizing thyself is reflective, but should be funneth.

• Check out the entire interview by reading Decor8 and our mention OrganizingLA - a great blog, decor8 from our press kit (PDF).

Do you have any personal "commandments of clutter" to share with fellow readers?

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

250,000 Visitors to the OrganizingLA Blog

Last Monday, our 250,000th visitor to the OrganizingLA Blog signed on.  Was it you?

To celebrate, we've once again splurged on a weekday rental of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Here is our annual "progress report, since November 2005.

• 250,000 visitors
• 425,000 page views
• 315 daily Feedblitz readers
• 400 active readers through RSS
• 625 posts
• 1000 reader comments
• 45 trackbacks

Thank you so much for your continued support, feedback, blog partnerships, linking, following, insider tips and business referrals.  Our small site continues to grow and we're so honored to have you with us.

This site was originally an opportunity for us to post an occasional piece or two in-between hands-on organizing appointments with Southern California professional organizing clients.  Over time, with your support, we've become a really fun place to stop by everyday and read the latest celebrity news, watch videos, hear about technology, personal stories, product spotlights, recalls, organizing industry reports and how life in Los Angeles, and the nation, continues to speed forward faster than we can sometimes keep up.  But it's all about how you can be your organized best no matter your own personal view of perfection.

Again, thank you-- and we really mean that.

John Joins Peter Walsh In His Radio Debut

Recently, John made his radio debut alongside Peter Walsh and Monica Ricci, Organizing Experts and Authors.  Such an honor!

Organizing Playground Hosts Allison Carter and Sara Fisher grilled John on the Los Angeles Organizing Awards (pictured above is Mr. Walsh speaking at the podium at the Organizing Awards last February).  On the radio show, John says:

"The Los Angeles Organizing Awards" is a public celebration honoring the people, products and services that make the nation neater and more productive."

What else does John say?  Does John tell all?  You'll have to listen to the show by downloading the podcast.  There is great information all through the broadcast.  John calls in around 40:00 and joins in on the fun.

Links for the show, hosts and guests:

• Organizing Gym - Allison Carter's Blog
• Sara Fisher's website
• Monica Ricci's blog
• Peter Walsh's "clutter-free" website
• Organizing Playground Radio Show - Archives
• Go directly to the podcast with Peter Walsh and Monica Ricci and hear John, too

Listen to the show and come back here for some feedback.  How do you think John did for his "first time?"

Related Posts:

• BusinessWeek interviews John for small business podcast - listen or read the transcript (PDF)

Top 10 Strangest Things Ever Lost in Space

One of the biggest reasons people get organized is so they can find what they need, when they need it.

How many times have you said to yourself: "I know I have that... somewhere. Just give me a minute (or a week) to find it."

Even Astronauts seem to lose things too. Could it be from random carelessness or disorganization?  1990 Toys is a blog dedicated to the best toys of the 1990’s.  They've written about many well-documented items lost in space.  And NASA is actually tracking those lost items. What are they?

1. Glove
2. Spatula
3. Rubbish
4. Camera
5. Toothbrush
6. Pliers
7. Nuclear Fuel
8. A rocket
9. A pen
10. Bolts (as in nuts)

What is the strangest thing you've ever lost in YOUR space?  How do you keep track of your stuff?

images courtesy Art.com and NASA

Contest Ends Tuesday Evening - Internet Password Organizer

OrganizingLA and Innovation Lab are giving away free copies of the Internet Password Organizer to four lucky blog readers.

To submit an entry, all you have to do is post a comment of value.  We'll select winners at random and contact via email.

For shy readers, here is how you enter a comment:

1. Click on the link above (or below)
2. Spend two seconds and read the post, click on products links, evaluate for yourself
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the post, and even further down past the existing comments
4. Enter your email (will be kept confidential and will not be displayed)
5. Type your name and a comment of value
6. Press "post" and you're entered!

• Internet Password Organizer - Enter and Win!

Ikea Tackles Clutter - Weekend Video

Welcome back to the weekend, where we post videos OrganizingLA Blog readers have sent to us.

Ikea has a series of commercials featuring household chores, relationships and managing clutter.  Here are a few of our favorites (especially the lighthearted second video.)

Clutter Breeds:

Tidy Up After Yourself:

These videos are for the amusement of our weekend blog readers, we're continuing to feature organizing videos that are satirical, irreverent, smart or just plain fun.

If you are reading the blog on RSS or Feedblitz and want to see the videos, you can click over to the site by clicking here.

Do you have a video you'd like to have us feature?  Check out this post first, then email us.  Update 5/17/08 - forgot to mention this video was submitted by Hazel Thornton, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Contest - Internet Password Organizer

We are all looking for practical solutions for everyday organizing around the office and home.  But we're also looking to win a contest, right?

Less is More?

We discovered this humorous cartoon on the speaker's page for The International Institute for Modern Butlers, LLC.

We were searching for some client information.  Come on, do you really think less is more when organizing your home or office?

• International Institute for Modern Butlers, LLC

Los Angeles Times Magazine Special Wedding Issue Forgot Professional Organizers

If you've checked out last weekend's Los Angeles Times, you may have seen their cool special wedding edition in the Magazine.

In Love and Marriage, writers profiled wedding branding, Meetup.com, ultraluxe and eco-chic gowns, eye popping gifts and the hottest honeymoon destinations.

But one section really got our attention--- Meet the Experts, where they profiled a bridal down expert, a caterer, a wedding planner, a photographer, dance instructor, filmmaker and a honeymoon specialist. Just about everything you need to kick off a special life with that special someone.

But what did they forget?  A professional organizer-- yes.  So this undersight prompted a kind response to the editor, which we sent off Sunday evening.  Many thanks to Claire Flannery, our colleague here in Los Angeles who helped us draft the letter:

Professional Organizers to the Rescue

"Loved your special Wedding Magazine, but you forgot one thing: what to do with all those wedding gifts, videos and photographs, not to mention that incredibly expensive wedding dress that needs to be cleaned and stored professionally. And just who will write all those thank you notes? Enter the professional organizer, sometimes referred to as a “merge manager.” While the newlyweds may disagree on what stays and what goes, a professional organizer will work with them in the delicate consolidation process. Two dogs maybe, but how many dog dishes, leashes, toys do they need? Your Wedding issue was lacking in the one thing that can truly bring newlyweds marital bliss forever and that is getting organized. And staying that way."

John Trosko
President, National Association of Professional Organizers, Los Angeles Chapter
(www.napola.org)

photo by Elizabeth Stewart and L.A. Times

So readers, do you think being organized makes a difference in a successful relationship?  We know touch question.  What are the ways you cope when your spouse is organized, or not organized?  Do you secretly toss their "junk" when they're not at home?

Chaos Theory - Say Yes to Chance, Say Yes To Chaos

We have to admit, when we first heard about Chaos Theory, we had secretly hoped the producers would hire us to consult.

"The story of an obsessively organized efficiency expert whose life unravels in unexpected ways when fate forces him to explore the serendipitous nature of love and forgiveness." - IMDB

What is your life was completely in order?
What is your day was completely on schedule?
What if your world was completely controlled
What about it was all about to change?
By accident?
Now a guy who had it all figured out,
Is about to leave everything to chance.
From Warner Bros. Pictures,
Comes the story of a man,
Who's getting his life together,
by falling apart."

If you are reading OrganizingLA on RSS or Feedblitz, click here to view the YouTube trailer, staring Ryan Reynolds, Emily Mortimer, Stuart Townsend, and directed by Marcos Siega.

The official movie site

Readers-- do you find that organized people get a bum rap and we like to see them unraveled for a laugh?

Related Posts:

• Actors Emily Mortimer & Ryan Reynolds find order in 'Chaos'
• See all our posts from October, 2005

Real Simple Magazine's Blog - Simply Stated, Names OrganizingLA To Their List Of "Sites We Like"

We just about fell off our crutches this morning when website "hits" started coming in from simply stated, Real Simple Magazine's new series of blogs devoted to the home.

Folks, this is big, really big. The OrganizingLA Blog was added to their list of "Sites We Like" in the home and organizing category!  And at this time, we are a permanent addition you will see each and every time you surf this category and check out their sidebar.

A new fabulous group of home and organizing blogs joined the site yesterday including Absolutely Beautiful Things, All Things Bright & Beautiful, Design for Mankind, More Ways to Waste Time, My Marrakesh and OrganizingLA.  These sites joined blog behemoths Apartment Therapy, decor8, Design*Sponge, Style Files, Unclutterer-- well, the list goes on and on.  You can view all the "Sites We Like" by clicking here, and scrolling down on the right hand side.

We want to thank writers Holly Becker, Erin Doland and their Editor for inviting us onboard.  New internal staffers joined today too.  We're excited to see their new site evolve into an organizing, housekeeping and lifestyle powerhouse (9 blogs cover just about everything.)

By having our blog listed on Real Simple's Simply Stated, we continue to grow with a larger readership.  And of course, in turn, push traffic in their direction as well.  That's the way it is supposed to work.  It's all about our individual voices.  It's all about the conversation.  Please join us for the fun and add your personal experiences, often.  Simply stated!

Press Release - John Trosko Wins Green Plug Contest

   

When I was in 7th grade, I won a big contest with my local radio station WPST 94.5 in Princeton, New Jersey.

My mother was interviewed for the radio broadcast and told the reporter that I was so happy I was "prancing" around the kitchen.  For months I couldn't shake off the comments from my schoolmates.  Ah, I had such a tough childhood.

But this week I was happily prancing around again, because Wednesday evening I discovered I won the Green Plug "What's Under Your Desk" Sweepstakes.  The Green Plug people announced it all publically last Friday.  Our announcement is on PR Web today.  Please allow us to share all the fun with you through a shameless press release below.  More to come.  Can't wait. 

Pamela Anderson Holds an Estate Sale in Malibu

   

We've been in a springtime garage sale mindset lately, people in Los Angeles are starting to break out the folding tables and setting up shop.  Our whole mind is wrapped up around this at the moment because of our beloved professional organizing colleague Aby Garvey over at Creative Organizing.

Aby has an intensive post with some constructive criticism about the pros and cons of having a sale.  We're always on the fence about whether or not a sale is a good investment on your time.  What do you think?  If you check out Aby's garage sale post, make sure you check out the comments.

Yesterday, E! and Craigslist are reporting that Pamela Anderson is holding an Estate Sale this weekend in her Malibu home in a rented property on the beach in Malibu.  I wonder what Aby and her readers would say about this?  The sale is in preparation for what some call Anderson's retirement.  The former Baywatch-beauty plans on moving to Canada but not for a few years and the sale is being filmed for her new documentary (reality) series to air Summer, 2008.

What's being sold?

• French furniture
• Decorative items
• Chandeliers and lamps
• China, silver crystal and depression glass
• Vintage linens, designer bedding and window treatments
• Jewelry and designer clothing, jeans and accessories
• Pool and garden furniture
• Collectible toys, bicycles, scooters, skateboards, fishing and show equipment
• Architectural pieces,
• 6-passenger Gen Global Electric Motor Car by Chrysler

Park your car at Malibu High, then you will be given a number then you will be shuttled to her house.  You cannot get into the sale without a number.  Numbers are only given in the shuttle on the way to her house the rented property where the sale will be held.

• Helping Hands Estate Sale Service (Tricia Benitez) - Coordinator
• Friday, May 2nd - Sunday, May 4th
• 8am-4pm
• Malibu, CA

We're sure it's tough for Anderson and her family to part with so many personal items.  And to have strangers going through her things making personal comments.  Will she be present to overhear the conversations?  We don't know.  But readers, can you weigh-in on the Estate Sale/Garage Sale dilemma?  Do you have a success story you can share?

Pamela Anderson's official Estate Sale site

Related Posts:

• Pamela Anderson cleans out her closet

Los Angeles USPS Heads Sexy Pilot Program For Recycling Electronics

Could recycling ever become a day at the beach?

The United States Postal Service last month began a pilot program for USPS customers to recycle their small small electronics and inkjet cartridges by mailing them free of charge.

Los Angeles is on the short list of cities participating in the program called "Mail Back."  Designed to help consumers make more environmentally friendly choices, the mail back program includes free envelopes inside Post Offices to mail back inkjet cartridges, PDAs, Blackberries, digital cameras, iPods and MP3 players, free of charge with no postage due.

Clover Technologies Group is paying for the postage, and re-manufacturing the products, including refurbishing, reselling or breaking them down further for recycling. It all depends on the type of part, quality and age.

In addition to Los Angeles, the program is set for Washington, D.C., Chicago and San Diego.  More cities to follow in the fall of 2008 if success is met.

Could this be a big break for the American consumer wanting to recycle but finds it too difficult?  Will the infamous USPS, known for its award-winning customer service, be diligent in stocking the supply cabinets inside each and every store?  Sometimes we can't even find envelopes for Express Mail.  Well, we'll all soon find out.

What do you think of this program?  Would you drop by your local post office to mail ink jet cartridges?

Source:  Shredstation, USPS

Santa Monica Beach Image:  Faris on Flickr

Decor8 Interview With John And OrganizingLA

We've been interviewed by decor8, one of the web's top design blogs!

Yes, we're finally getting around to posting it-- the interview happened last December.  Many of the tips are related to spring, and since it's that time, we decided to put it out there.

In fact, we first met decor8 principal Holly Becker when she blogged about our company back in April, 2006.  Her mention hit 48 hours prior to our explosive Daily Candy article.  At that time, decor8 enjoyed just a few dozen readers, probably a few dozen more than we had.  Today, she's grown so big that her daily worldwide audience currently numbers more than 17,000.

In addition to her blog, interior design practice, and work with Real Simple Magazine's Simply Stated, Holly has contributed to Domino, The Boston Globe, HGTV.com and Apartment Therapy.  Holly has a warm comforting style.  Every time we check in on her blog, we feel as if she is writing to us.  And not 17,000.

In the decor8 interview, you can get some of these answers:

1. What advise and motivation do you have for organizing anything?
2. Do organizing tools really help us get organized?
3. How do you handle people who are complete slobs?
4. Effective ways to maintain a space?
5. How do you help someone figure out what part of their home should be organized first?

There is more...

Next week, we're going to post some highlights of the interview, too.  So please keep reading.

• Check out the entire interview by reading Decor8 and our mention OrganizingLA - a great blog, decor8 from our press kit (PDF).

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

OrganizingLA Interviews Krista Colvin, Principal of The Whole She Bang

Today, we're presenting an additional video we shot at the NAPO National Conference in Reno this month.

Meet Krista Colvin, of Organize In Style of Porland, Oregon.  Krista shares some of the information she is walking away with at conference as well a special announcement about her new project, The Whole She Bang.

Again, shaky camera because we were navigating with crutches.

Like Monday's interview with Brandie Kajino, Krista Colvin will be available via the comments section below.  If you have a question on how today's stylish women can manage a home, family and life, post it below and Krista will address them here on the blog.

Krista Colvin, Organize In Style

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

OrganzingLA Interviews Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer

At the NAPO National Conference earlier this month, we had an opportunity to interview a few movers and shakers in the professional organizing industry.

Meet Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer of Portland, Oregon, Vancouver and Washington Metro areas.  Brandie specializes in working with home-based businesses, performing on-site consultations, teleclasses and virtual activities.  She helps her clients increase productivity, reduce stress and love where they work.

Please forgive the camera shaking, it's tough to balance a camera while you're on crutches.

Brandie will be available for a limited time on our blog to address your home office organizing questions.  Feel free to post them using the comment section and Brandie will address your concerns.

Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too. 

Call Me John "Crutches" Trosko

2 months ago, I was in a terrible accident.

Why do I talk about this now on the blog, finally?  I don't know.

Just a few weeks after the Los Angeles Organizing Awards concluded, I was finally gathering up my bearings to re-ignite organizing Los Angeles and in a split second, severely injured myself, bad.

While working, I was wrapping up my day (or rather, night) and went checking on some details in a backyard up in the Hills above Hollywood.  In relative darkness, I mis-navigated a set of outdoor stairs/rocks/dirt and slipped/fell into a funnel-shaped drainage hole filled with hard cement.  How horrible it really was!

After the fall, organized emergency assistance was needed-- stat.  When I was able to get going, temporarily, I hobbled to the car and checked with my navigational buddy for the nearest urgent care center.  TomTom whisked me off to Hollywood Community Hospital, not too far from where I was in Hollywood.

Hours later I discovered from the doctor that I fractured my left foot just under my small toe.  Almost immediately, my life changed.  Within two days I had a non-weight bearing cast from my toes up to my knee, and two stainless steel crutches I would become very good friends with.  Oh, and a bottle of Motrin, too.

Again, why do I talk about this now, finally?  I don't know.  Obviously many friends, family, some clients and organizing colleagues all know about this.  Some don't.

Earlier this month I traveled to the NAPO National Conference in Reno on my crutches and various wheelchairs (you can see my LAX visit above with the fabulous Betty Vasquez, Passenger Assistance Specialist with LAX G2 Secure Staff-- love her!)  And I had pictures taken all over conference including these two of the Los Angeles Chapter winning a big award (you can see my crutches being held in the background.)  Do I even need to tell you which one was me?

The outpour of support and love has been incredible.  Imagine not really being able to do anything for yourself. No shopping.  Very little driving.  No pool.  Limited commercial breaks for drive-by cappuccino.  It's been tough.  And I have a new deep appreciation for people who are handicapped, injured or disabled.  Like I told my Beverly Hills podiatrist, I can totally see someone moving into a health-care career after an accident or illness-- to fight for global wellness and disabled rights.  The world is not necessarily designed for them/me.  I have fallen down three times on staircases and while crossing Wilshire Boulevard.  I have slipped on wet pavement.  I have a handicap placard for my car, but I hardly ever can park at a handicap space because the spaces are full of people illegally parked and "waiting for their friend who went into the store for one quick thing...."  At one point I had to drive a grimy Whole Foods scooter around for my Pelligrino.  What's an Angeleno to do?

My recovery continues, with lots of support.  The healing will take time.  And time has shown me what kindness lives inside friends, family and especially strangers.  I am not the same person I was two months ago.

***Have you ever had a life changing experience?  Are you willing to share?  I would love to hear your stories, as would our readers. Use the comment feature below.

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How To Organize Your Hunting Gear

Living in an urban "oasis" like Southern California takes us away from a popular hobby-- hunting.

The closest to hunting some of us will ever get is to drive our Camo Hummer down to the Santa Monica Airport for the annual Barney's Warehouse Sale.  Bargain hunting galore.  You take your life in your own hands though in the parking lot across the street from Barker Hanger.

But growing up on the East Coast, you had to keep your eyes peeled for real hunters.  And there was the annual take-home, where a large piece of venison would be stuffed into the freezer for our mother to later disguise it as beef, or something we'd surely eat.

But if you are into hunting (or even fishing), you probably realize that all the gizmos and gadgets needed to effectively pursue your hobby could get into the way of having a good time.  Just look at the picture below.  Stores sure make it easy to purchase all that gear, but never show you how to actually store it so you can find it when you need it.