OrganizingLA Blog

Founder of OrganizingLA to Lunch with Celebrity Green Advocates on Wednesday

We've been so busy working with organizing clients the past two months (and doing some physical therapy for my fall last February) that we completely forgot that our Green Plug "What's Under Your Desk" lunch is on Wednesday!  As the winner of the sweepstakes, yours truly will be helping himself to a fabulous lunch with two Hollywood eco-expert celebrities.

We've attached the press release from Green Plug.  If you have a "green" question for Christopher Knight or Adrianne Curry, post it in the comments section below and we'll see if we can get them answered.

The Farmer's Market in Los Angeles Can Make You More Productive

Can a shopping center really make you more organized?

Take this billboard at the famous Farmer's Market at 3rd and Fairfax in Los Angeles.  We snapped a picture of the billboard last week, on the way to dinner at Maggiano's next door.

"YOUR TO DO LIST HAS MET ITS MATCH.  Get more done at Farmer's Market."

For many years, shopping centers and malls have pushed the thinking that life would not be as much fun or as sociable without them.  They add amusement parks, carousels and Hunky Santas to get us to spend more time there.  Even the Farmer's Market has valet parking.  And now, they're telling us we can be more productive if we shop there.

But a lot of shopping is about wasting time, and malls want you to spend as much time there as possible so you buy more.  What are some examples of big mall time-wasters?

• Having dinner sucks 2-hours out of your day
• Having to walk clear across the mall to get to one store sucks 15 minutes 
• Seeing a movie sucks 2-hours out of your day
• Getting out of the damn parking lot can take 1-hour (okay, maybe not... but you get the idea. )

It's incongruent for an owner of a shopping center to say that you can be more productive at their mall because their main goal is to get you to spend more time in their shops.

Besides, this campaign is moot, Organized Living next door at the Grove shut down 2 years ago.

What time sucks does your local mall have that are hidden behind a veil of fun and family?

 

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Hecht Of An Organizer - Winners Announced!

Happy day-after Memorial Day.

We honored Memorial Day by hosting 5 dozen friends and family for a Hawaiian-style poolside luau, complete with tiki torches, pineapple chicken, a volcano, silk flower leis and music from Don Ho.   We even had some impromptu hula dancing, grass skirts and coconut shell bikinis tossed into the mix.  Islanders played water volleyball in the "lagoon."  Limbos were not allowed (John is still recovering from his fractured foot) as was fire-eating.  Such much fun and a nice departure from what we normally do with a beach theme, or red, white or blue.  What did you do this weekend?

Well, there's a different kind of celebration going on today, because we're announcing the winners of our Hecht of an Organizer giveaway.  The winners of the giveaway are:

• Julia Wilson, Carrollton, Georgia
• Kim Jaeger, Columbus, Ohio

Linda Hecht, the inventor of the products was so thrilled with our response (over 32 entries) that she is giving us an additional product.  That's generous.  Each winner will receive one Hecht of an Organizer in the color of their choice.

"What a great idea, and it's green, as well! I would use this organizer as my portable "office" for my upcoming kitchen remodel. I need one place for idea files, receipts, and all those bulky tile and counter-top samples. I could keep this in my car and easily have everything near as I'm out comparing and gathering new ideas/samples."  --Julia Wilson

"I am a Professional Organizer in Columbus, OH.  I've heard of this product and would love to give these as gifts to clients! I have a smaller version that is a sentimental favorite (a gift) and my clients always want one.  I would like to test drive the larger version.I have recommended this product as similar to mine but I would love to order them in bulk and distribute as holiday gifts if nothing else!  Cheers!"  -- Kim Jaeger

Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the giveaway.  Stay in touch for more organizing products contests and you could be the next winner.

So what did you do this past weekend?

 

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OrganizingLA Travel Schedule

This Friday, John will be traveling to Philadelphia, Central New Jersey and Manhattan.

We'd love to be able to work with you.  Please e-mail us or call (323) 512-7039 if you'd like to schedule organizing time while we're in your area.

• Philadelphia, PA:  May 30-31
• Central New Jersey:  June 1, 3-4
• Manhattan: June 2, attending NAPO New York general membership meeting

This is a work trip to meet with clients.  While we're gone, we still plan on posting new material as always!

Image courtesy Family Vacation Getaways

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Donna Smallin Introduces "M by Staples" - Video

Last Tuesday, we attented an organizing seminar hosted by Staples and our friend Donna Smallin.

Donna, author of The One-Minute Organizer, flew in from Phoenix to present a series of organizing seminars and give Los Angeles-area writers and bloggers an opportunity to learn more about a new line of fun, stylish organizing tools designed for M by Staples.

 

Donna was such a good sport.  She agreed to be filmed in a few exclusive videos for OrganizingLA reviewing segments of her seminar while talking about the great new M products we're all sure to love.  This is the first of three-- you can see this one, 14 stories high above Wilshire Boulevard.

 

 

If you're reading this post on Feedblitz or RSS, click here to see the video.  You can see all our YouTube videos by clicking here.

 

Stay tuned for more videos from Donna and the M by Staples line, including some fun product giveaways!

 

Any thoughts on the new product line that we can pass along to Donna?

 

Hecht Of An Organizer 2.0 - Giveaway!

 

OrganizingLA Blog and Hecht of an Organizer are teaming up this week to give away one organizer (valued at $35.00) to a lucky blog reader.

To submit an entry, all you have to do is post a comment of value telling us how you'd use the organizer should you win.  We'll select a winner at random and contact via email.  Keep reading the comments, because the inventor herself will be monitoring and responding to comments as necessary.

Winner of a 2008 Los Angeles Organizing Award "The Green Award for Most Eco-friendly Organizing Product," inventor Linda Hecht (accepting her award last February) has one helluva product.

Linda told us this weekend how far the positive impact from her Award reached.

"Local cities around Indianapolis heard about our Los Angeles Organizing Award and began purchasing the organizers for their city police, fire and other city head departments.  The City of Greencastle, Indiana was the first to get their city organized while going green.  The Clerk - Treasurer then shared it with INDOT (Indiana Dept. of Transportation) who is now making Hecht Of An Organizer units available to their employees.  Other cities in Indiana are also following suit.  I am amazed at the sales and even more excited about the new 2.0 design improvements we've completed in just the past two weeks."

Getting Organized Could Improve Your Health?

The Downtown LA News has a piece this week about indoor air quality and surprising health dangers.

Many, many times when we're working with our Los Angeles organizing clients in their homes and offices, we identify chemicals sitting underneath sinks, tool sheds, garages and even food preparation areas.  These items may have been carelessly left or a large amount was purchased and the remnants sit rotting away.  These chemicals have the potential to contribute to poor air quality, and even poor health short term or long term.

Sometimes the act of getting organized means not only identifying what you want in your space, but also what you don't want.  The news article written by Dr. Rick Morris identifies several hazards he found in his downtown Los Angeles loft and his tips for future responsibility.  Here are 7 we picked up from the piece.  If you have time, check out the entire article online.

1. Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors
2. Use natural products
3. Use chemicals responsibility, do not mix chemicals
4. Only buy small amounts of chemicals and store as little in your home
5. Visit dry cleaners who use wet cleaning or a CO2 process
6. Wash permanent press sheets and clothes three times before using
7. Have carpets and drapes aired out for a few days before having them installed in your home

• Downtown Los Angeles News - It's What's Inside that Counts

picture courtesy US Davis Health System

What chemical dangers have you identified in your home or office?

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Internet Password Organizer - Winners

Announcing the winners from our Internet Password Organizer Giveaway:

We enjoyed over 3 dozen entries with great comments and professional tips on how you organize your passwords and vital online information.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the contest.  Winners have been contacted and your password organizers will be mailed out from Innovation Lab's headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.  Congratulations!

Sheila Jones, Colorado Springs, CO

Dustin Weeks, Jersey City NJ

Ann Guns, Lake Oswego, OR

Angie Newton, McHenry, IL

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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.

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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?

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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!