The Posh Blog

Do you need to get organized, but you don’t know which area to tackle first?  If you have many spaces that need a little organizing TLC, it can be difficult to choose which area to begin with.  They all seem important.  You want to get each and every space organized.  So what do you do?  First, yes, the obvious, you have to choose one area to focus on.  Singling out an area to focus  on will help you stay on track and get the space organized quicker.  When you try to organize multiple areas at the same time, it drags the process out and you feel like it will never end.  Who wants that? So how do you choose? 

1. Is the organization of the space time sensitive?  Do you have a party or gathering coming up, do you have taxes due?  If the space is time sensitive, it needs to be the priority.
2. Ask yourself what is my biggest area of struggle or what area is causing you the most pain?  Gaining control over an area that is causing you pain can be incredibly empowering.  Even if you have to start with small steps, begin with the area that is causing you the most pain.
3. Start with the area that will give you the quickest result.  Not to contradict what I just mentioned in the above number two, but if you are the type of person who gets motivated by seeing the visual process then you may be better off by choosing a space that you will be able to have a quick turn around time on.  Completing one smaller space may be just what you need to get motivated to complete a larger project.

 Choosing one area to focus on will help you conquer your biggest organizing challenges.   

What is your biggest organizing challenge?  Share by adding your comment below.   

Enjoy the good life,

Angela

Oprah’s at it again.  She’s on a mission to get America organized!  Oprah Winfrey has teamed up with organizing expert Peter Walsh to motivate people to get organized.  On Thursday’s show Peter and his Clutter Crew did “ambush decluttering” on unsuspecting New York residents.  Visit Oprah’s site to see some clips from the show.    

As a little extra organizing inspiration The Container Store is offering a very rare 20% discount to Oprah viewers.  Visit Oprah’s web-site to download the coupon.  The discount is only available until March 1, 2009.  So start decluttering and then reward your hard work with a sweet treat from The Container Store.   

Organizing for less, now that’s the good life! 

Enjoy! 

Angela

I’m so excited I just got a very large piece of clutter cleared from my home office!  About a month ago I added a new shelving unit to my office and as a result I know longer needed a large storage piece that I had been using.   

I have noticed that often times when people get new furniture they don’t have any idea of what they are going to do with the old furniture.   

If you don’t have the space or need for the furniture piece one option is Craigslist.  Craigslist is a free service that allows you to post things on their web-site that you are trying to sell or give away in your local community.  This is great for larger pieces that can not be easily shipped such as with e-bay.  Think of it as recycling your furniture!

 Craigslist allows you to post a picture and a description of your item on their site and people can send you messages when they are interested. It is very easy to use.   

Be warned that furniture is often priced much lower than original purchase price.  So if you are wanting to get a lot of money for your item, Craigslist may not be the best way to sell your items.  The good thing is that before you list your item you can do some research on Craigslist to see how items similar to yours are priced. If it looks like a number you are willing to accept then move forward and post your item.  If not then you may want to consider a furniture consignment or resale shop.   

Do you know of a great way to recyle furniture?  I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Being able to open the closet door in my office…priceless! 

Enjoy the good life! 

Angela

February is officially Archive Your Files Month.  How funny is that?!  I actually think this is a little premature.  With the majority of my clients I use a filing system called the FreedomFiler.  This filing tool is unlike anything else available, trust me I have looked.  With the FreedomFiler you file things based on the length of time you need to keep them.  What an amazing concept!  The FreedomFiler also reminds you when it is time to purge paper and in many case you are easily and effortlessly tossing paper each month.  I love this because it keeps your filing cabinet from getting stuffed with old out of date information and it prevents you from having to do an annual purge of your files or from having to archive many files at all.  

In fact, with the FreedomFiler the only files you are archiving are your old tax files.  These files are also saved based on the length of time you need to keep them.  So each year after you file your taxes you will then add your completed tax records to your archived files and you will also be removing old records and purging them.  Again, this is great because it keeps you purging items each year.  This promotes archiving your files after your taxes have been completed. 

If you don’t have a FreedomFiler, I highly encourage you to get one, but I would advise you to be very selective on the files you are archiving.  Why are you archiving the documents?  Do you really need them?  Will you ever reference them again?  Keep in mind that 80% of the papers we file are never referenced again.  My second piece of advice is to store the files you are archiving in a filing cabinet or in plastic file boxes.  If possible do not store your archive files in cardboard boxes.  The chances of you paper withstanding pests and water damage is higher if the paper is stored in plastic file boxes or in metal filing cabinets.   

In honor of Archive Your Files Month I am extending a special discount to anyone who purchases a FreedomFiler in the month of February.  This is the only time I have offered this discount! Call or e-mail me for my special coupon code if you would like to order your FreedomFiler online. 

Also, now through February 28th only, if you purchase a four hour FreedomFiler Session you will receive your FreedomFiler at no charge!  You will also receive a special bonus, the POSH Space Favorite Products Guide.   Savings and bonuses worth $67!   

A file cabinet that actually closes, now that’s the good life! 

Enjoy,

Angela  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com. 

So Clean Our Your Computer Day was officially Monday, but who’s counting?  I would like to declare it Clean Out Your Computer Week!   

This is a great time to purge old files that are no longer relevant, clean out your e-mail inbox, or to clean out your contact list.   

I don’t know about you, but sometimes as I am going through my contacts I run across a name and I have no idea who that person is. I also run across names that are a blast from the past.  These are people that I knew 10 years ago when I was in another job and who may have been great contacts at the time, but are really not relevant to my life today.  Both of these are examples of contacts you can delete.  Here are three sure fire reasons to hit the delete button on a contact:  1. The contact information is so old you don’t remember the person.  2. The contact information is so old you know it is not accurate and you have no way of contacting the person.  3. The contact is no longer relevant in your current life.   

As the old saying goes:  when we clear out the old we make space for the new.  This could be the new person or contact that you have been waiting for.  You never know.   

Take some time this week to purge some old e-mails, contacts, or computer files.  Remember, this doesn’t have to take all day, just try 10 minutes a day or 30 minutes on a Friday afternoon.  You will feel much better with less computer clutter.   

Enjoy the good life, 

Angela 

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

In 2009 new trends are emerging.  We have left the days of over-indulgence, abundance, and “no time” and moved to the days of family first, home, and finding joy in the simple things in life.  If you are looking to make some changes in your space this year here is a list of trends for 2009.  Many of these trends can be applied for no or very little money.    

1. Make your home casual comfort.  People are spending more time at home so they want their home to be their retreat.  I am hearing this a lot from the calls I am getting from clients.  They are talking less about “I don’t have time” like they were last year and more about the importance of making their home a sanctuary.  People want their homes to feel casual, comfy and to be something that supports them.  You may not be able to control the economy, but you can control your environment. 
2. Clear the clutter.  Bare surfaces are in and clutter is out.  Again, we have been in an age of abundance and now we are putting more attention on family and home rather than possessions.  So letting go of the things that don’t have meaning to us is the best way to accomplish this.  The use of armoires or using decorative boxes and containers more on bookcases to conceal things can visually reduce eye clutter.  It’s all about a sense of control.
3. Spruce up your space with a fresh coat of paint.  Paint is a quick, dramatic, and inexpensive way to instantly change the feel of a room.  Purple was the trend color of 2008 and it will be replaced by Coral and Orange in 2009.  You will also see gray replacing tan as the new neutral.  You’ll see these colors in accessories and décor pieces at Pottery Barn and The Container Store.
4. Platinum and dark silver are coming back as well as copper however, the oil rubbed bronze is out.
5. The green movement is here to stay.  This can include the use of organic cleaners, vintage furniture, natural-fiber upholstery, and low- or no-VOC paints.

 Remember you can not control the economy but you can control your environment at home.  So invest in your own personal happiness by taking the time to get just one space in your home organized this month.  Incorporate some small inexpensive touches to make your project something that beautifully supports you.   

Enjoy your beautiful new space,

Angela  

Copyright (C) 2008 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.