October 22, 2012

Cool Product - Fridge Binz Part 2

A year and a half ago, I discovered a product that revolutionized my sandwich-making abilities. No, I didn't hire a chef--I bought a Fridge Bin for my refrigerator.

My food, especially my bread products, was getting lost, smushed and squashed. While strolling through the aisles of The Container Store one day (Yes, that's where Professional Organizers stroll...) I happened upon the Fridge Bin. I thought the concept was great--but would it function well in my fridge?

If you read my first Fridge Binz post you know that it was a success. And, I'm happy to report that almost a year and a half later, it still holds my bread products and saves them from being mutilated on a daily basis.



That's some of my bread products safely nestled in the Fridge Bin...

I was so happy with how it functioned in my refrigerator, I bought another one! This one wasn't for keeping my bread organized--it was for baby food. Those dang jars and little containers are very good at hiding! And when they hide, the food inside of them goes bad. Can't feed that to a baby...

I had tried organizing my youngest son's food on the top right shelf of our refrigerator but somehow, it would all migrate across the shelf, and start hiding behind and mingling with other foods--not to be seen for days.

Back to The Container Store I went and here's what I came home with...


It's deeper and more narrow than my first purchase. It's perfect for corralling my little guy's food items and it's BPA free, too.



It lives on the right side of the top shelf of my refrigerator--the spot where I had begun my organizing process. It's a place for me to throw my son's little containers, baggies of leftovers or anything I'm defrosting for him. No more lost toddler food which means the Fridge Bin is saving me money and time. I like that!

Another Fridge Bin success story!




October 15, 2012

Anniversary Post - Organizing in October

It's the third anniversary of my blog!


October of 2009 is when I dove into the world of blogging. My three year old had just started preschool and I was pregnant with child #2, when I wrote my first post. Three years later, that three year old is in first grade and the little one who kicked my insides while I blogged is in preschool!

In past Anniversary posts, I've talked about the improvements I had made to my blog and what I'd like to add to it in the future. This year, in honor of my three years as a blogger, I'd like to take a short walk down memory lane. Here are a few highlights from my blog's anniversary month.

Ah, memories...

Circa 2009...

Blogging Beginner
My first blog post

Organizing on the Cheap
The first category I created for my blog, inspired by the articles I used to write for Organize Magazine called 'Organizing on a Shoestring'

De-Cluttering Tips
My first post that offered readers organizing tips

Circa 2010...

Anniversary Post
Celebrating one year of blogging. Goals met and more to meet in the future...

Helpful Organizing Tips - Back to School
Good advice for anytime of the school year...

Circa 2011...

Anniversary Post
Reflecting upon my second year as a blogger. Some goals met, some I'm still working on...

Professional Organizer Humor
I like to keep this blog light and funny...

Wire Pull-Outs for Kitchen Organization
One of many posts to show how a Professional Organizer keeps their home organized.

As I've said in my past Anniversary posts, I love writing this blog.I hope that each post you read brings you either a good laugh or a good idea. I'm not going to end this post without discussing my goal for next year. My biggest goal to reach by October 2013 is to merge this blog with my website. I've been doing some research and by anniversary post #4, I hope to be able to present you a new and improved place to bring you cool products, 'gotta-tell-a-friend' ideas and a whole lotta organizing know-how...


October 3, 2012

Peter Walsh Organizes Rachael Ray's Kitchen

If you watch television and you have even the teeniest tiniest interest in organizing then you know who Peter Walsh is. If not, here's the short version: Peter Walsh is an Organizing Expert from Australia who has a 'tell it like it is' attitude but also uses compassion and empathy while organizing with his clients. He has worked miracles in tiny spaces, as well as in the homes of hoarders. I first saw him on an organizing show called 'Clean Sweep' and from there, he occasionally appeared on The Oprah Show as well as other daytime shows.

I 'Like' Peter Walsh on Facebook. He's always posting about projects he's working on, easy organizing tips, and when he'll be on TV next. So, a short while ago, he posted that he was going to be de-cluttering Rachael Ray's home kitchen on The Rachael Ray Show. Sweet! My DVR was set. If you didn't get to catch it last week, here's what happened...

Rachael Ray, America's sweetheart of the kitchen had a secret...

She told her audience that she has a tiny NYC apartment kitchen and that she's just as guilty as other homeowners when it comes to de-cluttering her kitchen--it never happens. Cluttered cupboards, out-of-date food in the pantry and cabinets overflowing with pots and pans were just some of her organizing issues.

If I had her hectic schedule, I might not have time to de-clutter my kitchen either...

She decided to bring Peter Walsh to her home to see if he could get her kitchen organized again. Rachael gave him a quick tour of the room and then he kicked her out and started organizing. Peter started with the pantry--he emptied it, sorted the items and tossed all expired food in the trash.



Some of Peter's pantry tips:

-Store platters upright for easier access. Use an organizing product that stores baking trays to do the same thing for platters.

-Keep flat surfaces clear. They are for food prep--not for storage.

Peter then headed to a spot most people wrestle with in their kitchen--the junk drawer. Like the panty, Peter emptied the drawer and sorted out the trash. He then grouped 'Like with Like' and used containers to keep 'like' items together.

Peter used drawer dividers like these to organize Rachael's junk drawer

What junk drawer items did he hold up for all the world to see? Four pair of gardening shears! Since Rachael didn't use them very often, he promptly moved them to a different area of the kitchen.

He then removed all magnets from her refrigerator. I have a ton of magnets and children's artwork on my fridge--Peter Walsh would have a field day with my fridge!

He and his crew worked to de-clutter the rest of Rachael's kitchen and then brought her back in to see.

The first spot he showed her was the pantry--she loved how de-cluttered it was and how Peter had grouped 'like' items with like items on clear trays from The Container Store. They then moved on to the junk drawer--Rachael was so thrilled with the way it looked, she gave Peter a high-five! He had removed many of her household tools and placed them in labeled bins in a cabinet over the refrigerator to get them out of the way.

Rachael then walked over to the fridge and saw that most of her magnets were gone! She almost had a heart attack because a magnet with her deceased dog's picture on it was no where to be found. It was quickly placed back on the fridge--organizing crisis averted!

As I often do with my clients, Peter gave 'Organizing Homework' to Rachael...
-go through all cooking utensils
-separate out the ones she uses often from the ones she barely uses
-keep drawers neat and tidy

Peter offered up two tips and advice for the viewing audience:
1. Stop using the word LATER as in, "I'll put that away later." Do things as you go and he promises it will make a huge difference.
2. Flat surfaces are for PREPARATION not STORAGE.

Peter also gave the viewing audience five 'Double Duty' organizing products to use in the home:
1. Use an empty tissue box to store plastic bags (I do this in my own home.)
2. Use a tension rod to create hanging space under a sink
3. Thread a tab from a soda can over a hanger and hang another garment from it to double your closet's hanging space. (I LOVED this tip!)
4. A tag from a loaf of bread can be used to wrap around and label electrical cords.
5. Use extra glass vases to corral multiples of items.

I thought this was a great segment. Kudos to Rachael Ray for being brave enough to have Peter Walsh organize her kitchen for all the world to see!

*Author's Note: I love watching de-cluttering segments on daytime television--I pick up great organizing and product ideas all the time. But, what I'd like you to know is that de-cluttering a room takes hours--sometimes days and sometimes weeks. It looks quick on TV but what you don't see is a multi-person crew working arduously to get the job done in a certain amount of time. When it's just you, or you and a friend, or even you and a Professional Organizer the process takes a LONG time.

 If you are de-cluttering an area of your home, don't despair that it's taking a while to emerge as a clutter-free space. Make good decisions, have trash bags at the ready and look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Here are a few tips to make sure your organizing efforts are taking you in the right direction.