Today on Channel 69’s Sunrise Show I was thrilled to show fabulous finds from the 2012 National Association of Professional Organizers Conference and Expo. Of course to a professional organizer like me, the expo is like a kid in a candy store. I was in good company with 850 other professional organizers representing 13 different countries.

Some of my favorite finds from the expo are below:

Bento™ boxes by Rubbermaid

2 in 1 Recycler by Rubbermaid

Hidden Recycler by Rubbermaid

Clever Container Organizing Trays by Rubbermaid

Tote Buddy

Getting Organized Magazine

ShelfGenie Toll-free 1-(888)-218-8548

Ready Tab™ File Folders by Pendaflex

Clear Command® Hooks by 3M

Chalkboard Adhesive Labels

SmartTrakr Free App & Website Account by CubeSmart

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Happy organizing!
Diane

Whether you love to organize or are in need of organization, there is a new magazine on the market for you – Getting Organized Magazine. I discovered this magazine while attending the 2012 National Association of Professional Organizers Conference and Expo. The magazine was launched in January by Stacey Anderson a former Professional Organizer with a number of years of experience.

Getting Organized Magazine sets itself apart from other magazines. Other magazines may touch on the topic organization but this magazine is fully engulfed in storage and organization from front to back.

Getting Organized Magazine offers product solutions and step-by-step instructions that work. The layout is simple, yet eye-catching with pictures that draw you in to read the articles. While the magazine is filled with information it is kept simple so not to overwhelm you. It’s what we as professional organizers always say – keep it simple.

The tagline for the magazine is “Treat Yourself to Some Sanity” and it lives up to its promise. When you read the magazine you feel like you can actually use the advice and tips in every article. The magazine is available in a print or digital version and distributed quarterly. Learn more about Getting Organized Magazine at http://www.gettingorganizedmagazine.com

Happy reading!
Diane

New and innovative products are always coming on the market but Rubbermaid’s new Bento™ boxes take top prize when it comes to storage, innovation, and style. Bento™ boxes, a new line of storage boxes, are meant to divide and conquer your clutter. I discovered these unique storage boxes at the 2012 National Association of Professional Organizers Conference and Expo.

What sets these sturdy, fabric covered storage boxes apart is their hidden flexible storage compartments. The compartments pop back in and out of

place when needed and then not needed. The pop-outs form a square or rectangular compartment in the corners of the box. Pop out just one, two, three, or all four compartments depending on your box and storage needs. When you bring home a Bento™ box it’s like bringing home multiple boxes within a larger box but the smaller “boxes” (aka compartments) disappear when not needed – how great is that!

The sleek and stylish Bento™ boxes are so attractive they can be used at home and at the office. Wherever you use your Bento™ boxes they can change configurations as your needs change. Go from toys to crafts, or college to home office. Bento™ can stay with you all the way.

“Bento™ toppers” are also available. These tops can be used as a tray at the top of the box or as a lid to cover the box. Either way makes it easy to stack other Bento™ storage boxes on top of one another.

If style is what you are looking for, stack graduated sizes of Bento™ boxes on top of one another and consider alternating coordinating colors or patterns such as solid color Bento™ boxes with patterned Bento™ boxes. Your stack of stylish boxes will look just like that – stylish boxes, not storage and organizational boxes.

Prices for the Bento™ boxes range from $8.99 to $25.99. Currently the Bento™ boxes are available at Rubbermaid.com, Target, Joanne’s, Fred Meyer, Amazon.com, and Macy’s.com. Please note that Target does offer some exclusive colors and patterns like the one pictured at the top.

Click for more information on Rubbermaid’s Bento™ boxes.

Happy Bento™-ing!
Diane

Tired of holding up the checkout line behind you while you look for your store membership card? The type of card I am referring to are the reward cards for the grocery store, pet store, office supply store, hotel, airline, etc. with the bar code on the back that provides you extra rewards as a frequent shopper. There are three quick and easy solutions to choose from so you never waste time again looking for a card.

1.  Gather all your store and travel membership cards and put them in alphabetical order. Next, either put a rubber band around the cards or place them in a business card holder/case. When you are at the grocery store next time pull out the card you need, hold the card’s place until it is scanned by the cashier, then put it back in place.

2.  If you prefer you can have 6 store membership bar codes along with the membership numbers printed on one card. When you go to www.keyringthing.com you can print out a wallet card for free or you can have it made into a key ring card that is plastic. There is a charge for the key ring card ($4.95 as of May 2010) which is double-sided, full-color, credit card-size, 100% biodegradable; and earth-friendly plastic.

3.  If you have a smart phone you can download an application from the same company above to store your card numbers and bar codes in the application on your phone. Typically the cashier will need to use the handheld bar code scanner to scan your card instead of the larger built in scanner on the checkout counter. To learn about the application go to www.MyCardStar.com. The application is available for the iPhone, Blackberry, and Droid.

Happy card organizing!

As a Professional Organizer I work with clients to help them get rid of clutter so they can simplify their time and space. But while helping clients de-clutter, I encourage them to think green and donate or recycle when possible.

If you struggle with where to donate or recycle view the list below of places that take items such as batteries, computers, printers, cellular phones, TV’s, DVD and VHS players, cords, computer cables, Styrofoam chips, papers, clothing, hangers, household items etc. No matter where you live, this comprehensive list should be of assistance as many of the donation and recycling locations are nationwide. If a location is not nationwide, go to 1800recycling.com. On this site you can enter your zip code and type of item you would like to recycle or donate. A list will automatically propagate for recycling and donation locations that meet your item category and zip code.

If you have an item that is still in working or wearing condition, consider donating it to a local charity or use freecycle.org.  Freecycle.org is a site to give away items free of charge in your community to other individuals with no strings attached. Freecycle’s mission is to “build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources and eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community.”

Batteries - Recycle

Books – Recycle or Donate

Cellular Telephones - Donate or Recycle

Clothing – Donate or Recycle

Dry Cleaning Bags (Plastic) – Recycle
  Your local dry cleaners

Electronic Items - Donate or Recycle

Eyeglasses & Sunglasses – Donate
  Pearle Vision
  Lens Crafers

Hangers (Clothing) - Donate or Recycle
  Dry Cleaners
  Churches
  Coat Rooms

Household Items – Donate or Recycle
  Good Will
  Salvation Army

Grocery Bags (pastic)
  Grocery Stores

Ink Cartridges - Recycle
  Staples
  Office Deprot

Papers – Recycle or Shred
  Paperretriever.com

Pet Items and more – Local Humane Society

Go green!

Whether you have electronic items that work or are in need of major repair, you can recycle or donate them. While some places refurbish the electronic items and resell them at low cost to needy individuals or organizations, others will recycle the parts. No matter what type of electronic item you have, there typically is a place to recycle it.

If you have any of the following items, consider recycling or donating them – computer, laptop, printer, fax machine, copier, PDA, cellular phone, keyboard, cords, cables, telephone, batteries (chargeable and non-chargeable). If you are not sure where to recycle in your area, go to 1800recycling.com.

Places that take electronic items:

Team Children - collected, repaired, and distributed over 9,000 low cost refurbished computers to families, schools and organizations.

Staples - Will take computers, monitors, and printers for $10 per item. If it is a Dell it is free

Office Depot – Fill the tech recycling box (Small $5, Medium $10, and Large $15 weight limit also) with as many acceptable electronic items. Acceptable items

Best Buy - Takes just about anything electronic, including TVs, DVD players, computer monitors, cell phones and more. You can bring in up to two items a day, per household, and most things are absolutely free. However, there is a $10 charge for TVs 32″ and under, CRTs, monitors and laptops — but they’ll give you a $10 Best Buy gift card to offset that cost.

All Bright Ideas – has a weeklong recycling event every two to three months. Takes just about any electronic item including batteries. They have a year round drop off for batteries (household and rechargeable but must be leak-free).

 Go green!