I recently arrived home from the National Association of Professional Organizers Conference and Expo

in New Orleans. As usual, the conference and expo proved to be a much worthwhile trip. Just when you thought organizing products couldn’t get any better, they did. Manufactures pulled out all the stops when it came to bells and whistles or reinventing the wheel. I was like a kid in a candy store.

While I can’t share with you all the amazing products I had the privilege of

If you’re wondering how to save space in your dresser drawers, it’s quite simple. Store you clothing vertically. Vertical storage provide two huge benefits, the first and foremost is the space that you save by using the height of your drawer. Secondly, you can see all your clothing at a glance allowing you to quickly see what’s there (not there) and make a quick select of what you want to wear. I call this a quick pick vertical storage system.

I have been teaching this vertical storage methodology for years and showcasing the clear bins to make vertical storage quick and simple. To add to the mix of simplifying there is a new product coming on the market to make t-shirt folding a breeze. It is my pleasure to introduce you to pliio™.

pliio™ is the fool proof method of folding t-shirts and vertical storage. Think of pliio™  as a folding board covered in a lightweight fabric. To fold, lay your t-shirt flat (emblem side down). Place a pliio™ centered (both vertically and horizontally) on the t-shirt. Next, fold in each arm/side (how you normally would fold a t-shirt). Then, fold up the bottom portion of the t-shirt 1/4 way up and the top of the t-shirt a 1/4 way down. Next, fold the bottom halfway up, and the top halfway down. Then fold or “close” the t-shirt in half. You’re done! Place the t-shirt in your drawer vertically (with the pliio™ inside). Repeat the steps to fold the rest of your t-shirts. You can also watch a video on folding with pliio™.

Going on vacation? Just grab your t-shirts and pack with the pliio™ inside. When you unpack your suitcase, place your t-shirts in the drawer vertically. Even on vacation you’ll maximize your space and enjoy being organized.

Happy organizing!

Wondering where to begin with spring cleaning? The first step to spring cleaning is de-cluttering. De-clutter one room at time by using our de-cluttering categories. Start with the room that will have the most impact for you and your family. Be sure to set a realistic goal in the time you have allotted on a given day for de-cluttering. Be sure to save time at the end for clean up. Even if you have just 10 minutes a day to devote to de-cluttering, it will help.

Items that you no longer need consider donating or recycling. If you struggle with where to donate or recycle items view our comprehensive list of where to donate or recycle. Request a receipt when donating items. This will allow you to take a tax deduction. To learn the value of items in good condition go to Goodwill’s Donation Value Guide.

Be sure to research the recycling laws in your state. Pennsylvania has a new electronic recycling law. Beginning Jan. 24, 2013 desktop computers, laptop computers, computer monitors, computer peripherals, televisions, and any components of such devices may no longer be disposed in Pennsylvania with municipal waste. Click to learn more about the PA electronics recycling law.

If you struggle with what to keep and what to toss in your clothes closets, turn all of your hanging clothes so the hanger is going over the rod the opposite way. After you wear and launder an item, put it back in your closet with the hanger going over the rod the normal way. At the end of the season you’ll easily be able to see which items you didn’t wear by looking for hangers that are going the opposite way. This also works great for kids clothing and a spouse’s.

Once you have de-cluttered, organize what you have left by creating designating places for everything. Label each spot so you and your household members can easily locate and put back items. Labeling is the key to maintain organization.

Once you have de-cluttered, keep an ongoing giveaway box. Then every time you come across something you no longer need or want, you can toss it in the box with the goal to giveaway or donate. By keeping an ongoing box (your garage or coat closet is great place) you’ll never have to go through a massive de-cluttering project again.

Every household needs a few set categories to reduce clutter. Click to print labels for our 5 top categories to keep clutter at bay.

Happy spring and happy de-cluttering!
Diane

You might be surprised that as I professional organizer I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. I view New Year’s resolutions as goals to diligently striving for during the first few weeks of the New Year and then you’re done.

Instead I focus on a strategic plan for the year, both professionally and personally. I don’t have to worry about failing because if I have set back, I get up and continue plugging away because it is a plan.

It’s the New Year and it is also Get Organized Month, or GO Month. This is the time of year to keep those promises of getting organized and simplifying. Today on WFMZ-TV’s Sunrise Show I shared with news anchor Eve Tannery and Channel 69 viewers ways to get organized:

Upcoming Seminars to Get Organized

Organize & Simplify Your “Life Data”

Share Documents & Photos Over Multiple Computers, Phones, and Tablets for Free!

Automatically Backup You Computer Files & Photos

Lego Organizers – Cool Ones on the Market  

  Sort and Store Lego Pieces & Bricks

  3-Drawer Lego Storage Unit

Please “like” us on Facebook to receive tips on organizing.

If you wish a little “elf” would come back up you computer files every day, look no more. For as low as $59 a year that little “elf” will back up you computer almost every time you turn your computer on. You don’t even need to remind the “elf.”

The “elf’s” name is Carbonite. Carbonite protects all of your irreplaceable computer files. It works both on a Mac and PC. You can rest easy knowing your files are encrypted and backed up safely offsite. Try Carbonite for free and receive a $20 Amazon gift card when you subscribe.

Just last week the power cord to my business computer, stopped working. It was a cord that had to be special ordered and wouldn’t arrive for 2 days (the cord was coming across the country but I did pay extra for express shipping). I had no fear, Carbonite was here.

While waiting for the cord to arrive, I logged onto another business computer and downloaded the database to keep our business up and running. Downloading the file was a quick and simple. I logged onto my account at Carbonite on the web, clicked the icon of the computer that was on hiatus (I have 3 computers backed up by Carbonite). I then browsed to the backup file that I needed. Next, I downloaded the file to the computer I was going to temporarily use. Simple, as simple could be!

All my best,