OrganizingLA Blog

Organizing Emergency: My Barley Flour Went Bad. Was It The Container?

"I've got critters in my containers!  Last December, you and I purchased some neat looking containers to store dry goods (oatmeal, flour, beans, rice, sugar, etc.)  The containers look terrific on the counter, and really free up space in the cupboards, which you know in my beach condo are T-I-N-Y!  But I don't think the containers we purchased are good to store food in.  I found thousands of small bugs in with the barley.  I wonder why that happened?  Maybe this is a question for the OrganizingLA Blog?  -- Signed, 'Varmints in Venice'"

Lindsey Lohan Avoids Getting Organized

Actress and member of LA's glitterati club, Lindsay Lohan is selling her Sierra Towers condo where she never actually lived.  She'll just continue to live at the Chateau Marmont, the hot hotel on West Hollywood's Sunset Strip.

Lohan purchased the condo in 2005, in the indulgent digs who's owners also include Cher and Matthew Perry.  It looks like Lohan hadn't read our article in Estates West Magazine, where we provided organizing tips for luxurious high-rise living.  But who can blame the Mean Girls star, the maids at the Marmont probably pick up after her, keep her clothes color-coded and make her bed.  And she avoids all the hustle of downsizing, packing, coordinating movers and unpacking (things we all do with a smile).

Lucky devil.

Picture courtesy of People Magazine and AOL.  Story inspired by Luxist.

Closet and Garage Organizer Systems Reviewed by Consumer Reports

I am not a big do-it-yourselfer these days.  I know the value of my time.  And a lot of the do-it-yourself products lack true quality and elegance (read:  cheap.)

So it wasn't a surprise to read July's Consumer Reports Magazine where they reviewed garage and closet organizing systems by California Closets, GarageTek, Elfa, Rubbermaid, ClosetMaid, Mill's Pride, Sauder, Gladiator, Shulte, Stanley, Craftsman, Coleman and Ikea's Stolmen:

"The dream of an orderly closet and a clutter-free home is very compelling. But reality intrudes: Our tests found many install-it-yourself systems are poorly designed, made of shoddy materials, and a nightmare to install."

Check out the article and review, on-line.  When we're back from Italy, we'll do some more research from the Consumer Reports story to bring you closets systems that are well-made and full of value.

Code of Ethics - Let's Review What We Promise Our Clients

Before traveling abroad to Italy, we've renewed our membership for NAPO, the National Association of Professional Organizers.  We're also are about to seal the deal for local membership in NAPO-LA, here in Los Angeles, for which John serves as Vice-President (see picture of our Board of Directors, with John standing third from right).  The national conferences, education, information, networking, organizing industry research, community service programs and the unique affiliation with the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization has proved so valuable to us.  It really makes our company stronger.

We thought it fitting to review our Code of Ethics we promise our clients.  Ethics are important to us, as they should be for everyone you bring into your home or business office.

Smart Storage Solutions from Japan - Overboard or Over-Organized?

You choose:  design preference or survival technique?

Japan architect Yasuhiro Yamashita designed floor-to-ceiling storage solutions for his client, a 50-year old woman.  His name for the design?  "Cel Brick."  We call it Organized Heaven.

"Cell Brick's other significant space-saving device is its striking checkerboard wall system, composed of bolted steel boxes interspersed with glass inserts, some of which are movable. Combining the building's skin, structure and storage all in one, the cubbies hold stacks of dishes, small appliances and bottled condiments as well as books, clocks and plastic drawers for smaller items, completely eliminating any need for free-standing cabinets and filling the house with a patchwork of quotidian objects."

Photo courtesy of Reinhard Hunger of the New York Times Style Magazine.

Method Home - At Home in LA at H.D. Buttercup?

Because Dirty and Disorganized are no-no's for our company, we thought you'd be interested in this:

Method home is taking up temporary residence in Los Angeles at H.D. Buttercup.  And no, they're not filming a movie.

They'll be showcasing the entire line of specialty products, including their new microfiber cloths and their new blog, People Against Dirty. And each week, they're raffling off Method promotional goodies.

Since we'll be in Italy and New York through October 1st, tell 'em hi-- and pick up our crew's latest fav product, Cucumber Cleaning Wipes.  Easy to use, and great for cleaning those dusty, dirty organizing containers.