OrganizingLA Blog

Dell Inspiron 530 - We're Ready to Rock and Roll

Following National NAPO Conference in Reno we did away with the old, and welcomed the new.

My tech support pro Steve purchased our office a new Dell Inspiron 530 and as of now, we couldn't be happier.  Our new Dell replaces a Dell Dimension 4100 (pictured right) purchased just prior to 9-11. 

What went from a clunky 512MG of RAM (we think somewhere more memory was installed, who who remembers) and a mass of various downloads, software, wires, and completely nonfunctional technology into something sleek, clean and forward thinking.  Now, we're happily on Windows Vista with 4 times the memory-- 2GB.

We learned a few things along the way, allow us to share them with you.

HomeHero Fire Extinguishers - Save Your Stuff in Style

There's nothing like a fire to do your decluttering for you, without your permission and consent.

Take the HomeHero BC kitchen fire extinguisher for example. With this simple, stylish device, you can stop a simple kitchen fire from getting out of control and save your space.

We credit our client for telling us about this handsome knockout.  So on Friday, we headed down the hill to Sunset Boulevard and picked up six of them for the client at the local Home Depot. 

The design blogs have gone crazy-- and for good reason.  These units promote safety while remaining stylish.

• The unit sits stylishly on your kitchen counter.
• The stylish design keeps it visible for rapid accessibility.
• Design features ergonomic grip and one hand push button dispensing.
• Innovative wall-mount bracket (they call it a docking station) included and is U/L Listed.

Did you know there are two kinds of extinguishers?

1. ABC extinguishers - fights wood, paper and cloth fires, plus flammable liquid and electrical fires.
2. BC extinguishers - should only be used in kitchens because the chemical agent in ABC extinguishers may damage ovens and other kitchen surfaces. Good only for flammable liquids and electrical fires.

Listen, if you've ever had to use a fire extinguisher, let us know your tips.  Do you think this stylish design would blend so well in your decor that you may not find it during that moment of panic?

O-Magazine Offers Organizing Tips and a Sweepstakes

If you're feeling lucky, Los Angeles organizing expert Chris McKenry can help you.

Chris is part of an advertisement in O-Magazine this month for Microsoft's HP Pavilion IQ 770 TouchSmart Computer.  Our colleague offers great tips for organizing your kitchen, home office, wardrobe, mail and time-- many of those tips includes ways you can incorporate technology into your daily life (like we continue to do) by using the TouchSmart.

The HP Pavilion IQ 770 TouchSmart Computer helps plan your family's schedule, manage events and leave personal messages – all at your fingertips, on a touch screen. 

Here's a sample Conquer Your Clutter tip we love:

"Another key to staying organized is keeping items where they are used. You normally don’t leave the milk, fish, and eggs sitting on the dining room table when returning home from the grocery after a difficult day. Think of the mail as perishable and keep those surfaces uncluttered. No matter how tired you are, get in the habit of placing the mail on your desk.

Record events in your TouchSmart calendar and recycle the invitations."

To read more of Chris' Get It Together LA! organizing tricks, check out this month's O magazine on newsstands now.  You can also read the online version and enter to win a variety of prizes (including a TouchSmart and a visit by a professional organizer), by clicking here.

Vern Yip and Microsoft Home Office Want to Give Your Office a Facelift

Vern Yip and Microsoft Home Office are sponsoring a makeover sweepstakes.  Let them know how dreadful your space is, and you could win up to $25,000 in prizes, including:

• A home office makeover designed by HGTV's Vern Yip (pictured right, along with Oprah Winfrey.)
• HP Compaq tc4400 Tablet PC (pictured below, left)
• HP Photosmart C6180 all-in-one
• HP Color LaserJet 2605dtn
• HP Photosmart R967 digital camera
• 1 ream of HP color LaserJet paper and HP ColorLok inkjet paper
• 60 sheets 4 x 6 photo paper
• Microsoft Office Professional 2007 software
• Subscription to Office Live Premium
• Microsoft OneCare
• Zune digital media player

Your office space must be between 12’ x 12’ and 20’ x 20’, have high-speed internet, no known structural, electric, or safety issues, and have at least two (2) standard, functional outlets.

You have less than 1 week to enter.  Click here for rules, prizes and obligations should you walk away as the winner.  Make sure you read the guidelines carefully, a quick scan of the (almost) 4000-word rules notes many important details.

Enter the contest here.  There is no talk about organizing your space, but because Vern is such a super-achiever, expect to see some improvements in that area too!

Electrical Outlet Located in Siberia? No Problem. Use This Simple Product To Charge Your Phone

The other day a friend of ours was locking up the beach house, closing the blinds, and unplugged their phone charger (as well as picking up the phone off the floor.)

We didnt' really say anything, but that one of those A-HA moments that makes us think.  It's always so frustrating to find a convenient, consistent spot to plug your phone-in.  After all, consistency is what make organization possible.  Find a place for everything, and put it back, right?  Sure.

So we were checking-in on one of our fav sites, Little House In The City, and found this (via Core 77) totally cool, very usable cord storage/plug-in thing for your cel phone.

The flocked tray actually sits on the wall, so your phone/iPod doesn't sit on the floor.  Solves a lot of problems, and we can't wait to try it out.

Unfortunately, it doesn't come in blue to match the beach house.