The Posh Blog

As you know, I like to share special offers and sales I find related to organizing products or getting organized.  Here are a few deals I found this week.

I’ve talked about the Command Hooks from 3M  in my previous blog posts Organizing Kids Jackets and Three Low Cost Organizing Solutions  so you know I think these hooks are fantastic.  If you are considering these hooks for a Spring organizing project now’s the time to get them!  Visit the 3M web-site to download a printable coupon for $1 off your next purchase of Command Hooks.  Act fast the coupon expires March 31^st.

If you have been wanting to give your home office a mini-make over head over to The Container Store and take advantage of the last weekend of the Work Smart Office Sale.  Many stores are also offering in store demos with chances to win gift cards.  See The Container Store web-site  for details or call your local Container Store.  

Here’s to organized savings!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

In the last few weeks I have said this phrase over and over again to my clients “if it’s too difficult, you won’t do it”.  This phrase can be true about so many things in life.  But I have found that when I’m working with client’s I often ask them to tell me about what they have tried before to help them get organized.  Or I will say “explain to me how you currently do things?”  After they show me, often times I can tell that they are putting too many steps into their process. 

For example, if you have files set up for some of your vital records (like your family’s social security cards, birth certificates, etc.) you might just have a file called “vital documents”.  Easy enough, right?  Okay, maybe you could take it one step further and have two internal folders, one for social security cards and one of birth certificates.  But sometimes people will go even further and make a folder for each member of the family.  That’s great, but sometimes adding more steps can make us less inclined to actually do something.  In this case, it can make us less likely to file the birth certificate after we have used it.  Typically you are not going to need to reference your vital documents frequently so if you do not have them separated into sub categories, it’s going to be okay.  The main thing is that when it’s time to put the paper back and re-file it, that it is easy to do so you actually do it. 

The same can be true with pots and pans, clothes, or anything for that matter.  If you have too many steps and you are overcomplicating things, the chances are that you won’t have success.  Keep it simple.  You are more likely to do something if it is easy. 

Is there something in your life that you are making too difficult?  Where can you simplify? 

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

If it doesn’t match anything you own, don’t buy it. It will never match anything you own.

-Stacy London, Fashion Expert

Paper or plastic?  Coke or Pepsi?  Do you prefer the toilet paper to go hang over or under?  These may be a matter of preference, but did you know that your preference of hanging clothes versus folding them can make a difference between whether or not you actually put clothes away? 

A few years ago I had an epiphany when I realized that I hated hanging my pants using the hangers with the clips on them (as pictured above).  I had always done it this way simply because when I was a kid those were the hangers I picked out at The Container Store.  Yes they were very 80’s, they were white with pink clips on them.  I loved the look of them and therefore made the purchase.  They may have worked then, but as an adult I have found them to big quite a pain.  I realized that I was not hanging my pants up and DREAD…they ended up in a pile on a chair next to my closet!  So I started to investigate different types of hangers.  After a little trial and error, I found that I was more likely to put my pants away if I put them on the center bar of the hanger.  I also found that I was more likely to put my jeans away if I folded them.   Problem solved!

So that’s my closet epiphany.  What’s yours?  Is there an area of your closet that you dread?  Are you getting a close pile up?  Is there something simple that you can try to change that might be a solution?  What about your children?  What could you do to make putting away clothes easier for your child or children?

Enjoy your clothes, enjoy your closet!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.

“To live content with small means;
to seek elegance rather than luxury,
and refinement rather than fashion;
to be worthy, not respectable; and
wealthy, not rich; to study hard, think
quietly, talk gently, act frankly…to
listen to stars and buds, to babes and
sages, with open heart; await occasions,
hurry never…this is my symphony”.

-William Henry Channing

Are you a collector?  Do you get a high off of getting every character from the Star Wars line?  Or an entire set of characters from the latest Disney re-release?  I was blown away the other day when I purchased my daughter’s some new water/juice bottles that had a tag on them that said “Is Your Set Complete?” (see photo to the left).  I thought “are you kidding me?  Now marketers are trying to persuade us that a $1.99 water bottle is a collectable”.  Really?!  As a Professional Organizer, it was like a direct hit into the chest.  Ugh!  This is not what people need.  Many people have a difficult enough time getting rid of things but when you add the label “Collect Them All” that makes it even more difficult for people. 

So here is my questions for you?  Do you care if your collection is complete or not?  Are you more likely to purchase something because it would complete your collection?  If you find yourself answering “yes” to these questions, then you’re a collector. 

If you find that you are a collector I ask you this; why?  Why are you collecting what you are collecting?  What’s the purpose of your collection?  Does it make you happy?  Do you use the items you are collecting, such as plates or tea sets?  Or are you just doing it because you always have collected these things?  Was the collection passed down to you?  Determining why you are collecting something can help you decide if it is something that is worth your time, energy, and space. 

The next big question is: how do you treat your collection?  What happens when you have completed the collection?  Do you cherish it or cast it aside?  What happens to your collection when you die?  If your collection is not well taken care of, used, or beautifully displayed then you should really consider whether or not you need to keep the collection.

Last but not least, let’s talk about prevention.  This is the simple rule of “one in, one out”.  If you decide to start a new collection you must get rid of an old collection.  The same holds true for adding new pieces to an existing collection.  If you find that sippy cups or ceramic figurines are taking over your cupboards or shelves and overflowing onto the floor then it’s time to cut the collection in half.  Yes, I said it.  Cut the collection in half.  Then start practicing the rule of when you bring a new one in you must get rid of an old one.  This will prevent the build up from happening again.

I know this may not be easy, but it is one small step in your journey to clearing out the excess clutter. 

Enjoy collection reduction!

Angela

Copyright (C) 2010 Angela Ploetz, POSH Space  www.theposhspace.com.