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April 03, 2009
March 25, 2009
February 14, 2009
Happy Valentines Day!
Hello Hello!
Just wanted to wish you all a Happy Valentines Day! Now, please do forgive me for not writing to you as often, but the blog is going through a makeover and will be back with even more goodies for you!
Now, smile and enjoy your chocolate, flowers, and everything else!
Ciao,
The Office Stylist
January 20, 2009
January 08, 2009
January 03, 2009
December 02, 2008
You Don't Have to be Perfect to be Chic
I have worked with a lot of clients since I started my business. One thing I repeatedly hear is that clients think that they have to be perfect to be organized or have a beautiful environment. That is just not true! I'm not perfect. I do the best I can and I create a space that works for me. Also keep in mind that chic does not also have to mean high maintenance. With a few simple supplies - a couple of storage boxes, a letter tray for sorting mail, sturdy file folders - you can create an organized space. Buy items that will appeal to your own aesthetic. If you don't like what you have or don't like your system - you won't use it. That is bad for two reasons - you'll continue to remain unorganized and frustrated and you'll have wasted your money.
Bottom line: create simple systems that work for you. Focus on
creating a space you love, and not on perfection. You'll be much
happier - trust me.
Alaia Williams is a Professional Organizer who loves helping people create spaces they can feel good about. You can find out more about Alaia at her website and get more organizing tips at the One Organized Life Blog.
November 27, 2008
November 26, 2008
Ten Things to Toss Today
Harboring an an excess of stuff can definitely be a downer. Clutter often effects people in ways they don't realize. A cluttered environment can often deplete your energy, put a damper in your productivity, and in general, can bring on negative stress and unnecessary frustration. Why not toss all the junk and replace it with a few chic things?
The following is a suggested list of ten things you can get rid of today that will help create a little more space in your life.
- Trash. Empty your trash cans on a regular basis. Gather up trash that's laying around and throw it out.
- Junk mail. Need I say more? Okay, I will. Get rid of your junk mail. Sale papers from stores you don't shop at, credit card offers, and other junk that comes in the mail - get rid of it immediately to avoid a pileup. Get a couple of nice letter trays to sort the mail you DO need to keep.
Items you no longer like. If you bought a shirt you once loved, but not it's out of style, or you just don't like it, there's no reason to hold on to it. Ask a friend if they'd like it, or donate it. If you have a lot of items you no longer like, combine them with the things that fall into the next category and have a yard sale! There's no room in life for stuff you don't want. Only keep things that are useful and make you happy.
- Items you no longer need or that have become useless to you. Just like items you no longer like, if you bought something at one point because you needed it, but you know you really don't need it any more, donate it, sell it, or if you know someone who (genuinely) needs it, you can ask if they'd like to have it.
- Outdated materials. Old store sales papers, catalogs, periodicals, event invitations, coupons - these are all perfect examples
of irrelevant material than can become overwhelming if we let it pile
up. Recycle it! Only store or file what is necessary. Get some new supplies and ditch the boring manila folders that are falling apart because they were jammed full of catalogs.
- Duplicates and excess "stuff". I've walked into
many situations with clients where we've come across 10 pairs of
scissors, five staplers, and even a couple of irons. I've fallen victim
to this myself - you don't remember you have something, or you can't
find it, so you just buy another one. Well, not only is that a waste of
money, but now you're left with more stuff taking up space than is
really needed. Pick the best pair or two of scissors and get rid of the
rest. If you have way too many pens, just keep the ones that write the
best. Only keep the stapler that doesn't keep getting jammed.
- Free giveaways or tchotchkes. Just because it was free doesn't mean you need to keep it. If you collect free stuff from festivals, meetings, conferences, or from people who just give you stuff in passing, you are in no way obligated to keep it. I must admit, there are some clever tchotchkes out there, but appreciate it, have your laugh, and let it go.
- Things that no longer work. If that toaster isn't
working - get rid of it. Toasters are inexpensive, you can get another
one if you need to. I know an older woman, approaching her 90's, who is
of the mindset of getting things fixed. She recently paid $350 to get
her TV repaired. First off, the repair man should have, in my opinion,
told her that her TV wasn't worth $350. He chose to take advantage of
her instead. No one would buy that TV for $350 if you tried to sell it,
and she could have purchased a much better (and lighter) television set
for less money. When she moved in with her daughter a month later, she
had to give the TV away. If your kid's toy is broken, please get rid of
it. Old broken cell phone? Donate or recycle it to an organization like CollectiveGood, please. Again, don't keep junk. Keep things that are functional and attractive.
- Things you keep in your off-site storage unit. Why are you paying for storage? I suppose for some people out there, legitimate reasons exist. But if you rarely visit your storage unit, how important is the stuff you are keeping in there? I had a storage unit once. I was living in a studio apartment and maintaining a storage unit to the tune of $80/month. While I did go every once in a while to retrieve things, my mom pointed out that I could put that money toward a bigger place. That made sense. Did I get a bigger place? No, I just got rid of the stuff in storage because I realized it wasn't important enough to want to move it all in with me.
- Items that have negative associations. I mentioned this in my 10 Minutes, 10 Days series on my blog. Keeping items that bring up negative emotions for you continue to stir those emotions whenever you encounter them. Free yourself from the negativity by letting go of these items.
Alaia Williams is a Professional Organizer who loves helping people create spaces they can feel good about. You can find out more about Alaia at her website and get more organizing tips at the One Organized Life Blog.
November 13, 2008
Lipstick Jungle Canceled - Yes it is true
I am so sad and sorry to report that one of my favorite shows, Lipstick Jungle, is being canceled. I think maybe America's audience was not ready to have a show about career focused women.
No one knows yet whether they will allow the rest of the season to air, but I don't see why they wouldn't do it. They already moved it to Friday's, so perhaps it won't hurt to let them to let the show ride out.
So, my question for you is...who was your favorite Lipstick Jungle character and why?
My favorite is Victory's character because I can relate to the struggles she has as a business owner. It is quite another ball game to own your business VS. work in the corporate world.
Photo credits: NBC
I have a bit of Victory Ford in my office with the same tape measure she uses in the first season.
Click on the picture to get one for yourself:
Until next time,
Chicaholic
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