Things We Love!
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Absolute heart-throbs; check out our tips and tricks for getting your life organized and our favorite organizing products that we positively can not live without.
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ON THE BLOG
Explore insightful tips, inspiring stories and expert advice that transform everyday tasks into efficient and meaningful routines.
10 Tips to Reduce Clutter - Thoughts by Sam
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Creating a space of calm for you and/or your family allows us to be much more present and spend time doing what we love. Here are my top 10 tips for reducing clutter and bringing that peace of mind:
✅ Make your bed daily. Completing one task makes completing more likely.
✅ Keep flat surfaces clear. Our brain likes a tidy space.
✅ Look for duplicates. Do you really use all those pots & pans, makeup accessories, or leggings (okay, this one, I get!)
Read MoreIt's Love Month!
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Love Yourself, Love Your Home, Love Everything
It's February and everyone's celebrating love (thank you Hallmark) and this year we want to focus on the best love of all: self-love, specifically organization as a form of self-love.
Read MoreOrganizing Your Pets
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Pets are family members and just like other family members, they accumulate a lot of stuff. Pets have many accessories and their own needs, with a little bit of organization you can really make a great impact in your lives.
Keep important documents in a file
It’s important to have a dedicated space in your home for pet records, such as immunizations, pedigrees, adoption and microchip records. Keep these records up-to-date and if they aren’t current, ask your veterinarian to send you updated copies. These will come in handy when the time arises and will help friends or family find the documents easily. Don’t forget to add an updated picture to this file as well. In case they get lost, you will be able to print flyers quickly.
Gather all of your pet supplies
Once you have all of your pet supplies laid out, you can quickly view what you have and start getting rid of broken food bowls, damaged toys, expired treats, etc. The next step is tossing old or damaged supplies, then you can organize what your pet really uses. Most pet rescue organizations love donations! Things you might consider donating include, old pet towels, belongings from a pet you no longer have or old collars and leashes you no longer use.
Time to organize
Once you have your piles in categories of donate, discard and keep, you can begin organizing your pet’s belongings.
Start by sorting the item type around your home. For example, put your pet’s toys in a basket, put your grooming supplies such as nail clippers, brushes and shampoo in the room you would groom your pet, then, put leashes and collars in a basket or bin near your entryway. Another option is to install peg board or hooks in a closet near your entryway for hidden storage.
Pet food can be stored in a variety of sealable container which keeps food fresh and bugs out. I prefer tubs on wheels for easy maneuvering.
Organizing your pet supplies doesn’t have to be a complicated project and it will make a lasting impact. Our team at Organization and Relocation would love to see your before and after photos of your pet’s new and organized home!
Written by: Angie Spann, Project Coordinator
Read MoreTake a Mental Vacation
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We’re over halfway through the summer. If you didn’t have time to take a relocation vacation, make sure you at least take time for yourself by disconnecting. Follow the tips below.
3 Ways to Take a Mental Vacation
Start your morning reading a book or a magazine - If only for 15 minutes while you have your cup of coffee. So many of us jump right into work thoughts the second we wake up. Escaping into some fiction for a few quiet minutes in the morning will do wonders for you throughout the day.
Hit the mute button - Find a spot where you don't hear the noise you can not control. So often this is the sound of cars and trucks speeding down our roadways. Sitting in a park listening to footsteps, church bells, bicycles, trees swaying, or rain splashing on the sidewalk can be most refreshing.
Turn off the hand held devices -Everything is on the phone - work emails, Twitter, Facebook, family, friends so we constantly check it. Twice a day set your phone down on your desk and take a 10 minute walk. When you get back you will feel refreshed. Also, never take your phone to bed, leave it in the kitchen.
Have you tried any of these in the past or have additional tips? We’d love to know - comment below!
Read MoreMarrying Two Households – “Do you stuff take me stuff”
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Recently we just did a full house, many room, closet by closet organization for a couple who although were married 2 years ago, just recently decided they needed to purge items that were overwhelming them as a couple, because their “stuff” came with them when they married.
Marrying Two Households – “Do you stuff take me stuff”
As the average age of individuals getting married increases, the reality of each person coming into the marriage with their own household full of contents is very real. AND that is on top of all the new items acquired through showers and wedding presents!!
So let the decluttering and elimination begin!
Read MoreOut of Site, Out of Mind
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When you think of organizing, we generally think of purging and decluttering and reducing what the amount of contents we store and have in general. While that is true, how we store, and accessibility of our contents also need to be taken into consideration.
Being able to see stored contents makes a huge difference in being able to utilize products long term and prevents purchasing duplicate items which leads to the feeling of clutter and being overwhelmed.
Although wicker and linen baskets can offer a lovely design or decorating touch, they offer can “hide” stored items and contribute to the continued cycle of clutter. We recommend clear storage solution or labeling a not visible storage container. There are a variety of beautiful labeling options that can satisfy even the most discriminating design palate AND make sure everything stored is still visible!
Read More“Going Shopping” When Organizing
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When I work with clients during an unpack and organize, before I begin to put the items away I like to sort, categorize, and present them as if the items were on display in a store. I find that if you present the items in a visually pleasing way people tend to make quick and concise decisions about what stays and what goes. Even kitchen utensils deserve to be presented in an appealing way. When a client sees that they have 10 spatulas and really only 2-3 that they use, it makes it easier to decide what goes. I like to call it “going shopping”. When I am doing a master closet that’s when things get really fun and you can be creative as well as efficient in the way you lead a client through the closet, by categorizing clothing in groups such as: workout, casual dress, fancy clothes, etc. I also like to practice this at home when I am seasonally changing out clothes in my closet or sorting my grown children’s left behind items in the mudroom. Sometimes I will FaceTime them with all the items displayed so they can make quick decisions. It may take a little more time on the front end, but it’s worth it in order to move through the decision making in a quick manner. So next time you are organizing a part of your world, put everything on display and go shopping!
Written by: Leslie Dietrich, Project Manager
Read MorePaying Attention to Detail
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On a recent vacation, my husband I stayed in a very small resort in the Bahamas. The resort is run by an older couple from Italy who have made a new life building and running an amazing vacation getaway. The secret to their success has been personally seeing to every detail and going above and beyond to make sure that every little corner of their establishment is perfect. They also had clear systems in place to ensure that each day certain areas of the resort were cleaned and organized. Basically the secret to a successful and well organized home/resort/workplace is consistent and detailed daily upkeep. It certainly made for a relaxed and pleasant vacation!
Written by: Leslie Dietrich, Project Manager
Read MoreSpring Organizing Made Easy
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MAKE A PLAN
Choose one room at a time. Prioritize what area is the most important or require attention first. “Without clarity of a plan or a goal, there is a tendency to be overwhelmed with the task of organizing,”LESS REALLY IS MORE
In order to organize you need space and that usually requires reducing, or "purging" what you already have. But it need not be a negative process! Set up bins so that sorting is easy, or hire Org & Relo where we can walk you through the process and dispose of items you no longer need.SETTING UP SYSTEMS
You may want to start with small spaces first and build confidence. Try and keep yourself from being distracted and emotional about the task ahead. Org & Relo offers services that can help you ease the burden and stress of any space large or small.
RELOCATION TIP:
It is important to use the correct box based on weight and size of the item.
Small book boxes – ideal for books, small heavy items, pantry.
Medium boxes – ideal for folded clothes, shoes, kitchen items that are not dishes.
Large boxes – ideal for bedding, large bulky items that are not too heavy.
Are you planning a move this year? Contact us today to get on our schedule! The best moving companies book out 2-3 months in advance, don't wait until 2 weeks before!
Written by: Corinne O’Doherty
Read MoreProject Recap: Getting Organized After the Death of a Loved One
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We recently worked with a widow whose husband had died 3 years ago and she is putting her house, which she has lived in for over 30 years on the market. The basement and garage were full of her husband’s old hobby equipment. To her and her grown children is was a mountain of “junk , a hurdle, a burden, an obstacle preventing her to move on with her life.
When she first spoke with Org & Relo, she just wanted everything “gone”. On closer analysis however, we were able to identify items of not only financial value but personal value to her and her family. With a team of four organizers we were able to sort items for resell and donation, cutting down on the amount that would be removed for trash. Saving her not only the cost of disposal but also making her money with the reselling of her husband’s tools and ham/short wave radios.
All those cost savings pale in comparison however to the true treasure on of our organizers found when culling through her husband’s old text books; a manuscript he wrote about his experiences during the Korean War. Priceless. Now that her basement and garage are empty of the mountains of old books and unused electrical equipment, our client can move forward with the next phase of her life with her children and grandchildren AND have important mementos that honor her late husband which she can share and pass on.
Written by: Corinne O'Doherty, Project Manager
Read MoreThe M Word
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Realtor √ Movers √ Move Coordinator…what is that?
It is no secret that moving (aka The M Word) is a stressful process. Whether you are moving 2 blocks or hundreds of miles, the same steps need to be done to get your family and all your belongings from Point A to Point B. For many, just the thought of everything that needs to be done keeps them from even entertaining the thought of moving. Is this you? There are many obstacles to prevent you from making that decision but worrying about how to orchestrate a move in addition to you everyday life responsibilities does not need to be one. There is help!
When I share with someone what I do for a living the number one response I get is “I didn’t even know that service exists!” Well, it does.
5 Reasons to Hire Org & Relo to help with your move
1. You are already operating at peak capacity. We deal with the movers, packing, unpacking, organizing and so much more. You could even go on vacation during the move!
2. You have no idea where to start. We do!
3. You are physically unable to oversee movers all day, pack, and unpack. It would take you years to get unpacked and settled. We have a team of experienced organizers to make your house a home in a matter of days!
4. You love to decorate and personalize your home. You still can! We do the “not so fun” tasks making it easy for you to add the final touches as you settle in to your new home.
5. You are a business moving. Yes, we do business moves or all sizes! Why burden your employees (or in many cases one employee) with everything that needs to happen to move an office to a new location? Hiring Org&Relo allows you to continue doing business and move with minimal interruption knowing you still have the control.
Don’t be afraid to shout the “M” word. Org & Relo has your back. Who knows… you may end up loving to move.
Written by: Jennifer Gowler, Director of Operations
Read MoreThe Professional Organizers Guide to Clothing Consignment & Resale
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Sometimes I will have a client that is purging clothing and some pieces are too nice to just donate. If the client is amenable to me handling the resale of these items there are a few things I consider before taking them to consignment. The first is checking the items for any holes, snags, or stains. Then I consider the brand, most high end consignments won’t take mass produced brands. They are looking for the luxury brands or unique one off brands. Another thing I consider is season. Most consignments only take clothes seasonally. I like to create separate piles of fall/winter and spring/summer items to consign at the appropriate season. Another option is selling them through an app like Poshmark, but keep in mind this is a time consuming task that requires photographing each piece, posting it then you have to send it to buyer. It can make more money, but how much is it worth your time?
I like to give my client all of these options and am always happy to accommodate their needs.
Written by: Leslie Dietrich, Project Manager
Read MoreNew Years Resolution Check In!
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It’s the resolution that’s as old as time - to lose weight in the new year. Right? So many of us, so many times, find ourselves on January 1st (or any other date, for that matter) resolving to take the weight off for good this time! But why is it that we keep ending up at the starting point over and over again? Does your workout fall to the wayside at the end of a busy day? Does it feel exhausting to find the time shop, prep and cook all of your healthy meals so you start to slip back into convenience and comfort foods? If you quickly lose steam on your weight loss plan due to these types of obstacles, maybe it’s time to change your approach, not your diet. Here are 4 simple steps to make your health and fitness goals a reality.
1. Hard schedule your workouts
You show up to work at a specific time each day, right? If you came in for half days or just didn’t show up for weeks at all, that wouldn’t bode well for your career. Well, if you don’t show up for your health you’re going to lose it, just like a job. Create a schedule that you can maintain for the workouts of your choice, and go for perfect attendance. Choose your workout time wisely, like early mornings for example, where no other appointment, errand or task could get in the way. For maximum results, try to workout at the same time each day to solidify the habit.
2. Prep your meals
This is a biggie and worth repeating. Prep your food each and every week. Choose one day to grocery shop, prep and cook your meals for the week. Not only is this one of the most sure-fire ways to maintain a consistently healthy diet, but it is going to save you time (not to mention money) in the long run. Cook in batches, portion out your meals, freeze the excess.
3. Log your food
Now, I’m no diet guru, so I won’t be advocating for any certain diet or exercise methods. However, the one common thread that most diets have is to highlight the importance of keeping a food journal and logging your meals on a daily basis. One of my favorite tools for logging food is the calorie counting app, Lose It! We all know there’s a lot more to nutrition than just logging calories, but from the standpoint of accountability and tracking, this app is the best. You can log meals, snacks and exercise. One of my favorite features is a scanning option that loads the nutrition information instantly from a photo of the bar code. Brilliant! Plus, it’s free!
4. Develop a bedtime routine
There are multiple reasons why sleep deprivation will destroy your weight loss efforts. Research shows that people who stay up late consume more calories than those who go to sleep at a reasonable and predictable hour each night. Sleep deprivation interferes with the hormones that signal hunger and fullness levels. Plus, when you're tired, your body demands energy and you’re more likely to cave in to sugar and comfort food cravings. An organized and consistent sleep schedule won't just make you feel better—it'll keep you focused and motivated.
5. Set actionable goals
Set your goals, then break them down into actionable steps. I know you want to lose 40lbs, but if you keep thinking of that number you will be discouraged when you only lose 2 pounds in two weeks. Set an achievable amount of weight loss for the month, write it down, and post it somewhere in your home or office where you will see it every day. If you’re following steps 1-4, then you will surely make it there!
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Org & Relo is 14 Years Old!
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Org & Relo is Turning 14!
Something about January and a fresh new year ahead always gets us thinking: What will this year bring? What will we conquer, what dreams will we fulfill? This month is especially exciting for us because Org & Relo is celebrating 14 years of business!
Organization & Relocation was founded by Sheryl Hadley in January 2005 after going to help a friend pack his home. Instead of packing even one box, they picked up trash and put away shoes to clear the space in order to be able to pack. Sheryl thought, “there must be a business in this.”
The next day, Sheryl called her friend Stacey Kramer (brandplay.com) who does naming and branding and the result (over a glass of wine, written on a cocktail napkin... of course 😂) was the name Organization & Relocation was born. Sheryl then contacted her graphic designer friend Ryan Batch, (parallelarts.com) who is a graphic designer and the logo was created around the coffee table at her home. Sheryl hit the town flapping her "big mouth" and three weeks later she landed her first client (thanks Cooper Schell)!
14 years later, here we are, coming off of our best year yet with clients all over the US! But we couldn't have done it alone! We have an amazing team of professional “problem solvers” aka organizers working tirelessly to transform the lives of clients all over the country! Thank you to everyone who has supported us throughout the years. We can't wait to see what 2019 has in store!
Holiday Organizing - and Some Old World Memories
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Snow crunching underfoot, houses outlined in sparkly lights, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting out of the kitchen--the holidays are here again!
Christmas always takes me back to warm memories of my mother’s nanny, Molly. My grandmother died in 1948 and Molly came over from Denmark to LA to look after my mom and her two siblings. She was a true mother to those kids and a grandmother to me. She loved Christmas, and every year she covered coffee tins with contact paper and filled them with her famous Danish currant cookies to give as gifts. My mouth waters just remembering their buttery texture. But what really makes me think of Molly is when I take out my Christmas boxes and carefully unpack the handmade yarn Santas she gave to my mother before she died. These Old World Danish decorations bring the holiday spirit into my home like nothing else I own.
While I was decorating and remembering Molly this past week, I started thinking about holiday organizing and how beneficial a good system is. Let’s face it: by the end of the season we all feel the temptation to simply stuff everything in boxes as quickly as possible and get them out of sight for another year. But there are other ways to do this that lessen stress, free up time, and create some welcome ease. It just takes a little planning. Next year, when the season rolls around again, I’m always glad I did it.
I thought I’d share some tips and tricks that make my holidays a breeze:
The Container Store sells affordable, see-through boxes in different sizes that will accommodate small items like table decorations and ornaments or larger items like wrapping paper and garlands (or to save money, you can hang on to segmented wine boxes and cardboard egg cartons to store ornaments and breakable items)
Label all boxes in full capital letters for easy readability (I use a label maker but you can also print them or neatly hand-write them)
Designate “open first” boxes to streamline your decorating
If it’s broken, if you hate it, or if you never use it, give it away or properly dispose of it
Test light strings before putting them away to make sure you’re ready to go next year
Wind light strings around cardboard and stack them in a bin to save you from detangling a mess next year
Keep a stash of “neutral gifts” already wrapped to give to guests who show up with an unexpected gift for you; olive oil, chocolate, wine or candles
Keep a list for next year of items you know you’ll need, or shop the after-Christmas sales to get inexpensive lights and decorations to pack away
When it comes to anything in my home, seasonal or otherwise, my philosophy is pretty simple. I ask myself: Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it? Any item I have must clear at least one of these hurdles. It seems to me that the holidays are an especially good time to ask myself these questions as I get out things I don’t see that often.
You’ll be happy to know that Molly’s Santas received my highest rating--a thumbs-up in each category. They’re staying.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate, and, of course, Happy Organizing!
Written by: Sheryl Hadley, President & Founder
Read MoreIn Death Do We Inherit
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My Dad passed away about two months ago which I shared with you in my last blog, In Death Do We Organize.Now, it's another take on this whole experience, In Death Do We inherit!
Some of you folks, have lots to potentially inherit; money, cars, homes, stocks, etc., and that is great, for you. But, there are many of us that don't have a pile of stuff coming our way, in fact, more than many. I'm one of those who inherited a few precious items from a few precious possessions. And make no mistake, I am so grateful!
See this picture of Saint Nickolas? That's a very old doll, over 100 years old, from the Swedish side of my Mom's family. Boy, do I remember every Christmas seeing him come out of the tissue paper for a few months of holiday. When I was a child, I was scared of Saint Nick, as an adult, he still freaks me out a bit! LOL Yet he is FABULOUS!
I remember to this day, the moment when my Father said in front of my sister, Janet, (thank goodness) that HE would be MINE. WOW, I felt then I won the lotto! And still feel so fortunate to have this amazing family treasure.
Next, you'll see a little basic cordial glass of absolutely no value. But, it's the memory of this that takes my heart away.
My Mom was a heavy smoker, (menthol, Salem Lights), and never stopped until the final last years.
However, her way of self medicating was to fill this little glass with maple syrup and as she stated,
"It will coat my throat so I won't cough as much." Now the medical establishment may disagree with Mom here, and as a kid I used to think, really? But I still see her sipping out of this glass while doing dishes at the sink, her yellow Playtex gloved hand holding carefully not to slip.
This Holiday Season, no matter what you own, may you embrace beautiful and hilarious memories and inherit them in your heart forever.
Happy Holidays!
Written by: JD Farley, Project Manager
Read MoreToo much storage!!! Is there such a thing?
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Yes, this is a real issue.
A big selling point to any living space is how much storage there is. The reality is that we like our stuff and need a place for our stuff. There is nothing wrong with that. I moved to a new home last February and was so excited about the walk-in closet. Having all my clothes (and my husband’s) in one closet and able to see them all, feels so great.
Not having enough storage is a very common issue but over the years I see more and more cases of too much available storage space. You may be asking how is that not a great thing? Here is what I have observed as a professional organizer…
Too much storage can…
Make it difficult to find what you are looking for as there are more options to where it could be.
Increases the volume of stuff you purchase since space is not an issue. A side effect of this is you increase waste as many bulk items may expire before they get used or you forget you have them and buy more.
Create more clutter – excess surface space just gives you more room to create “piles” that just stare at you and make you want to run away.
Cause procrastination in downsizing. Out of sight, out of mind….until you have to move and end up doing a stressful crash downsizing session or paying movers to move things you do not need or want.
These are just a few of the negative consequences of too much storage. I’m sure you can come up with more once you start thinking about it. You can acquire stuff to fill your storage or create storage to fit your stuff. I am a big supporter of the later. There are so many creative ways to create storage space when it is needed. And a good purging session can take so much weight off the shoulders!
So, what is your situation? Do you have just the right amount of storage? Are there cabinets, closets, rooms that you have no idea what you would find in there? Do you need to get those creative juices flowing (either yours or a professional organizers) and get smarter with the little storage you have? Come up with a plan and take action today – it will be well worth it.
By Jennifer Gowler, Project Manager
Read MoreIn Death Do We Organize
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There are times when our organizational work requires an added element of care, especially when a family member has passed. Recently, this happened to me.
My father, Peter, passed at at 90 years young, seven years after my Mom. He had a good run and died as they say, with his boots on. My sister, Janet, still living in the house was paralyzed on how to move forward through all of Dads stuff. Though I consider myself a professional organizer, it hit differently in my own circumstance, my own family.
But, I put my Org & Relo hat on and dug in. It was truly a moving and therapeutic experience.
We all grieve differently, however I decided that being in action was needed for my healing. I guided my sister through each room, drawer, closet and corner of the house. We sorted, purged, categorized and put aside Dad’s gems for family members to keep and cherish. It’s so much easier with someone who knows what they are doing by your side! We got through this process together and she is so grateful. In fact, the entire family is because no one else was able either by distance or health issues.
As a Organization and Relocation Project Manager, please allow me to be by your side not only during difficult but any huge transitional times. I and our team will help you move forward too.
Written by: JD Farley, Project Manager, Professional Organizer
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Transforming your Junk Drawer into a Junk Door
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One of the ways I like to control the junk drawer dilemma is by creating a junk door. On the door of our pantry I have taken a clear over the door shoe hanger and filled the LABELED pockets with various items such as tape measures, chip clips, small tools, string, tape, flashlights, and anything else that one needs quickly to complete a task. It is very important that the pockets are labeled otherwise it becomes a free for all when items are being put back. Our family really likes the junk door because they never have to hunt down random items.
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