Appleshine on Gilt City

Hey there, Appleshiners!  Just wanted to let you know about this awesome deal just in time for the Holidays.

Save up to 60% on Appleshine services with our Gilt City offer:

You can purchase a two, three or four-hour organizing session to help prepare for holiday guests, tackle  a new year's resolution or even gift to a friend-in-organizing-need.  

Enjoy the savings!!

Too Much of a Good Thing is Bad

This weekend, there was an article in the NY Times about overindulgence.  It states that "buying more, and buying for ourselves — are ineffective at turning money into happiness".  So think about it: the more you buy (for yourself), the less happy you are AND the more clutter you have.  

According to this article, "people are happier when they spend money on others rather than on themselves".  Save yourself space and money buy purchasing only what you really need and donating the excess to others.  

Tell me, Appleshiners, what could you buy less of to save space and money?

Also, remember this article about technology and productivity in the office?

(Photo by Brock Davis)

My IKEA Kitchen

When I moved into my apartment (7 years ago!), I immediately got to work on kitchen solutions.  I knew I needed to make the most of my wall space because, frankly, that's all this eat-in kitchen had other than 3 upper and lower cabinets plus one drawer.  So I went to IKEA and bought myself a kitchen.  

Fortunately, they had a plethora of wall storage.  (Plethora- fun word, right?)  I grabbed a couple of these rods with these hooks and this basket.  And I really liked this spice rack, too.

I added a few other pieces like a hanging produce basket and a butcher's block where I keep my 'garage bin', a cloth basket full of tools, batteries, flashlights and other miscellaneous items.  All in all, I'm pretty happy with my kitchen space; it's functional and organized.  Just how I like it.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what tricks do you have for an organized kitchen?

Also, remember this loft kitchen that I unpacked and Appleshined?  I had cabinet envy soooo bad; look how well it turned out.

Notability

 

You know I love making notes and lists to stay organized.  How psyched was I to find out about the Notability App for the iPad?  It lets you take notes whenever, wherever on whatever subject you'd like.  And you even get to use an old-school stylus.  How great is that?

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you like to take notes?

Nifty Wallet Trick

Happy Monday, friends!  I took full advantage of summer's first official weekend.  Hope you did, too.

I was all over town.  And you know what made it so easy to skip around?  My Metrocard.  And you know how I keep it close at hand?  My nifty little wallet.

I keep it in the side pocket of my purse so I can grab it easily while I'm running for the bus.  Cause that's about the only time I ever move quickly in the city: to catch the bus.  Otherwise, I'm a bit of a saunter-er.

Isn't it great, though?  I love my recycled-bottled-water-label wallet.  The family I used to babysit for made it.  Creative little kids.  Heck of a lot better than my paper-towel-tube-telescope.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what nifty wallet trick do you have?

Lists and Notepads

I'm always talking about making lists.  And I want you to use to lists efficiently rather than let them end up as more paper clutter.  So here are good notepads to keep on hand that let you scribble down things for your to do list and keep you on track without overtaking your desk:

I love my Moleskine notebook.  This tiny pocket size fits neatly into my purse side pocket, making it easy to grab when I need to quickly write something down.

These Post-It notes are lined; perfect for making lists.  And then you can stick them where you need them (if you're running errands for the day, stick it to the front door so you can double check everything before you leave) and toss them when you're done.

Very self explanatory, these notepads will keep you on track. 

This classic spiral notebook (with a cute little cover, I might add) is easy to tote around. I just ask that you use it consistently and consecutively and toss it when you're done.  Don't switch back and forth between pads, leaving a collection of half used notebooks.  That just adds to your piles of clutter!

Tell me, Appleshiners, what type of notepads do you prefer to use?

Back in the Big Apple

Appleshine is back in the Big Apple!  After traveling in and out to Southampton and DC in the last week, the blog has been a lil' slim.  I promise to make it up to you with some good before/after pics next week.

In the meantime, I've noticed quite an online buzz on babies lately.  (Does spring fever = baby fever??)  Here are some great articles on organizing everything from nurseries to toy boxes:

Some tried-and-true tips for organizing toys from A Cup of Jo's Joanna Goddard, pulled from the book Simplicity Parenting.

My friend, Marcela Barraza, is the queen of green cleaning.  Ok, I kinda just made up that title but she is so passionate about green cleaning and its benefits.  She spoke at The Pregnant New Yorker event about the importance of using safe cleaning products around babies and young children.

And if you need some inspiration for organizing the older kids' rooms, check out this before/after of a girl's bedroom, playroom or a boy's playroom.


Tell me, Appleshiners, what tips do you have for balancing babies and organization?

Whittling Down the To Do List

Hello, there!  Hope you had a fun weekend.  I love the first weekend in May for more than just the KY Derby (always the first Saturday in May) because, to me, it represents the official start of warm weather.  Even if there's a less than sunny day coming up, my mind stills tells me that it's Spring and it's warm.  And that makes me happy.

Know what else makes me happy?  Checking off things on my to do list. And I did alot of that this weekend, while still leaving ample time to drinks juleps and cheer on horse racing.  And come Sunday night, it felt great to settle for a 'night in' at my apartment with an unclogged sink, a working toilet, a new lightbulb in the fridge and an empty checklist.  Just in time, too, since I'm off to DC for a couple days to help a client get organized in their new home.  Remember when we were packing him up before his move?  Can't wait to show you how this project goes, too!

I might be gone from the blog for a few days while I'm away on this project but I'll be back (with good before/afters) soon enough ;)

Tell me, Appleshiners, what did you cross off your to do list this weekend?

Organization Inspiration: Quote

(Nan Lawson)

"Declutter the mess in your home and your heart. Don't let your past crowd out your future."

What a beautiful quote from Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis. And I couldn't agree more.  When you move out physical clutter from your life, you're also clearing out psychological and emotional clutter as well.  When you've relieved yourself of the extra baggage, your 'weight' is lighter and forward moving rather than heavy and stuck in the past.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how have you cleared out old clutter to make room for your future?

An Appleshining Weekend

Hi friends!  Sorry I wasn't around yesterday; I've been busy Appleshining a client in Southampton.  It was so lovely to get out of the city for a bit, especially to the lush, east end of Long Island.  I didn't have time to see the beach but I did get to smell the salty air.  Yay for summer coming soon!

I promise to get back on blogging track soon enough.  Just wanted to let you know what I've been up to.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how was your weekend?

PS- If you need a little organization inspiration, check out Part 1 and Part 2 of unpacking a kitchen.  Or this post on a home office.

Does Technology + Office = Productivity?

(Stuart Isett via The New York Times)

An office is a place for work.  Work is defined as an activity of mental/physical effort to produce a result.  Let's assume that our office is place of productivity. While the evolution of technology has greatly influenced the workplace, is it fair to assume that it's also increased our productivity there?  Or are we overrun with technological advances that leave us catching up to where we'd like to be?

I believe that a clear mind and a clear space are equally as beneficial to an organized lifestyle.  And technology, while proving to be organizationally effective and efficient in many ways, can also create mental clutter.  Sometimes, it's best to turn off the machine and go back to a slower pace in the workspace, if only for a few minutes.

David Allen wrote an interesting article in the NY Times about technology overwhelming an office. He mentions common complaints such as too many emails, meetings or new responsibilities brought on by technological progress to get any 'real' work done.  He challenges us is to find out "how to participate productively in this new and turbulent world and not be paralyzed by it."

Allen outlines 5 steps to enable yourself to be "present and able to trust your inner wisdom", ie- ways to slow down, define what's important and maximize your time and, therefore, productivity.  Those 5 steps are: Capture, Clarify, Organize, Review and Deploy your Attention Appropriately.  And he encourages doing all of this by grabbing a pen and paper and simply making a list.

I agree with the need to assess one's productivity and entertain the idea of looking beyond a computer screen.  In fact, I often use post-its to scribble down notes or ideas.  I guess it's my 'offline' way of evaluating my work, both what I've accomplished and what I've left to do.

So tell me, Appleshiners, does office technology ever slow down your productivity?

How to Organize Sports Balls

(via Spacehoppas Sports Facility)

Yesterday, I helped a client tackle her sports closet (pun intended).  It was packed full of equipment but as we sorted through, we realized that most of the space was consumed by sports balls.  Lots of basketballs, a few soccer balls and a handful of baseballs and tennis balls, totaling close to 50 altogether.  In one closet!

There has got to be a better solution for storing athletic balls indoors rather than shoving them in a closet.  Of course, my first direction was to pare down the number of balls, moving out any old, childish or deflated ones.  And when we were looking at a much more reasonable number, I suggested a few different options:

This chute is vertical and holds up to 4 basketballs.  You can mount it on the wall OR directly to the basketball post, keeping them on hand for a pickup game.

This holder is individual and comes in different sizes for a football, soccer ball or basketball.  Then you can pick the one(s) you need and have a bit more flexibility with where to place it.

Chances are that basketballs aren't your only problem with sports equipment clutter.  This rack can hold  lots more than just sports balls.  And notice the great detail on the netted bag- it has a top AND side opening so you can grab a ball from the bottom without digging too deep!

In the end, I think we're gonna go with the chute, since the closet has built-in shelving to use for other sporting goods.  And she'd like for her front hall closet to hold more than just athletic gear.  Even if you don't have a closet, you could adapt your mudroom to house some sports equipment, too.

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you organize all your basketballs and such?

Organization Inspiration

Hi friends!  I can't believe it's already Wednesday; this week has been so busy.  I was shopping for a client in West Elm yesterday and got excited about this wall display.  What a great way to add more storage on a wall, especially in a small space.  It's fancier than floating shelves and better than a build-in.  A few simple right angles turned a plain wall into a bookshelf.  And that's a good tip: one of the best ways to gain more storage space is to go vertical. (Remember this post about hanging scarves on a wall?)


Tell me, Appleshiners, how have you made the most of your wall space?

The Right Umbrella Stand for You

 Oh, April showers, I do hope you bring beautiful May flowers.  That'll make these rainy days worth it.  

What are you doing with all these soggy days- a closet clean out, perhaps?  Or might you like to take a stroll in the rain?  *Make sure to gather your galoshes in your mud room to keep from tracking sloppy steps around your home.  Either way, better keep your umbrella close at hand.  And when you're back home from running errands (or just running in the rain), here are a few stands to keep the drippy mess at bay:

What a sleek design!  It's so open and minimal, you'd barely notice it.  A great stand for a small space.

Um....did I mention how much I love owls?!  This would be my pick, for nothing other than it's whimsical hootie-ness.

This one has a linear spin to it.  It'd fit nicely behind an open door or in a closet, keeping the mess out of sight.

I'll admit that right now, I leave my umbrella in the hallway outside my apartment, letting it dry off.  I can't wait until I have a home with a foyer to place my cute owl umbrella stand.  Ah, day dreams...

Tell me, Appleshiners, how do you store your drippy umbrellas?

Save Money with your Lettuce

Oh, my goodness, it's going to be beautiful outside today!  Makes me wanna grab a book and blanket and spend the afternoon in the park.  Maybe I will...but before then, I've gotta pack a quick lunch.  Lemme check my fridge: some fruit, a yogurt, a bottle of water and a light salad should do the trick.  (Ooo, how 'bout a salad in a mason jar?)

Here's a little storage tip for you: when you grab a bunch of greens from the grocery, bring them home, wash 'em up and place them in this nifty contraption:

The plastic bowl is specially designed with ridges along the bottom to let the water drip down, allowing the lettuce to stay crisper longer.  And like other storage containers, it'll help save your time and money.

Living an organized lifestyle is about clearing out clutter in ALL areas of your life.  Learning how to create a healthy lifestyle affects what goes in your body as well as what surrounds it.  I like how this bowl saves money by keeping my lettuce fresher longer.  And it makes lunch easier, healthier and faster to prepare.  Appleshine success!

I'm off to enjoy the day.  Have a lovely afternoon and I hope you enjoy the rest of your weekend, too!


Tell me, Appleshiners, what other kitchen tools help you live a more organized lifestyle?

How to Sort Through Business Cards

(Oh, Hello Friend)

I kinda feel like my desk looks like this...times 50.  I've got lots of business cards to get through and follow-up on.  So I took my own advice:  take 10 minutes each day to tackle a task.

I separated them into 3 categories: record contact info, email a follow-up or email a referral.  The contact info was quick and easy to enter.  Then the follow-ups weren't too bad.  Each was a simple message of "nice to meet you, let's get together soon".  After I knocked out those piles, I moved on to referrals.  They took a little more time because it was usually an e-introduction or needed more info.  But over the week, with an average of 10 minutes each day, I got it all done.

Piles of paper clutter can be very daunting.  Yet if you break it down into 10-minute tasks, it'll be much more manageable.  And once you score down your cluster of business cards, try collecting the keepers in one of these cute card organizers.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what's cluttering your desk today?

PS- Look at this before/after of a Tribeca office or this before/after of a home office.  They were lot's of work but had great results!

When to Toss Out Expired Medicine

Yesterday, I was re-stocking my vitamin supply and sorting my medicine cabinet when I noticed- oops!  Some of my medicine had expired.  Time to toss it out.  

Here's the deal: the expiration date is a mandatory indicator of how long the medicine or supplement is guaranteed to be effective.  Taking it after the expiration date may not be harmful (I'll 'fess up- sometimes I've pushed it by a month or so) but it may not be helpful either.  

Bottom line is: time's up.  Expired items cause clutter and inefficiency.  So toss out the old and bring in the new; you'll feel all around better for it.

Tell me, Appleshiners, do you have lots of expired items in your medicine cabinet?

Organization Inspiration

Hi friends!  Did you have a good weekend?  I hope so.  I had a busy, busy schedule- most of it was prepping for my half-marathon on Sunday morning.  And now that's done, whew!  My legs are little sore but I'm quite pleased with it all.  After some rest (and a very cold ice bath), I wrapped up the weekend with a lovely concert and dinner with friends.  Remember my talented friend, Emily?  Her yummy dinner party inspired this post on organization and etiquette.

So when looking for inspiration for today's post, I went back through images of Appleshined bookshelves; they make this organizer a happy girl.

Holy moly, after working with my client, they organized this bookshelf all on their own!  I love the color-grouping with the books.  And the wall shelves are from CB2.

Remember this bookshelf from the Art Studio?  It houses all her instructional/copy books.  And I love the creative accents on top.

This dollhouse-shaped bookshelf was so cute in the girls' playroom.  And the wicker baskets made it more functional.

This is one of my favorite, whimsical shelving sets.  Staging the little things in your apartment or office with personal accents gives a more meaning to your space.

Again, I used wicker baskets to maximize the shelving space for more than just books in this playroom.  It's a great way to house smaller toys and clunky objects.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what's your favorite inspiration for an organized bookshelf?

Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Recently, I visited the Architectural Digest Home Design Show, not just to look around but also to support my very talented friend, Dwayne, and his gorgeous interior design firm, RDYC.  He was selected by DIFFA for their Dining by Design exhibit- congrats!

It was fun afternoon (especially since it was particularly cold and rainy outside) and I wandered about, finding plenty of organization inspiration and snapping a few photos along the way.

Of course California Closets had an enviable closet display.  I really like the natural, wooden shelving with glass shelving and cabinets- it's so light and airy.  I could totally see myself getting ready in that closet.

I like these little stools.  The soft colors are so pretty and they could double for an end table or extra seating.  Multi-tasking furniture is key for small space organization.

How gorgeous is this shelving unit?!  My taste usually doesn't go towards earthy elements but the simple beauty of this piece is stunning.  And the height allows for more shelves = more organizing solutions.

Shadow box shelving units are all over the place but I've never seen them assembled like this before!  They made the most of a corner space, taking storage vertical and maximizing wall space.

Remember my post on using a frame to hold sunglasses?  This company has a streamlined version of that concept.  Board by Design makes an iWear Rack so compact and attractive, you could place it right by your front door and never forget your sunglasses again.

I had a lot of fun with this little weekend activity.  

Tell me, Appleshiners, what are you up to this weekend?

Time to Rise and Shine

Holy moly, I'm just gonna put this out there- I've been getting up suuuper early for the past two weeks and it's starting to catch up with me.  I usually consider myself a morning person, provided I get a full night's sleep.  Yet, somehow, I talk myself into staying up too late every night.  It's like I just can't get enough of my already very long day.

But, alas, I need my sleep.  When it comes time to rise and shine, I get a little help from my alarm clock.  And not just any 'ole alarm clock.  But a really amazing, sunrise alarm clock that gradually increases it's 'natural' light, nudging me awake.  It's pretty fantastic and second only to the actual sun (because I haven't figured out how to set it to 6:15am on the dot).

Funny looking thing, isn't it?  Yet such a happy way to wake up in the morning.  And starting your day off right is a good beginning for a productive day.

Tell me, Appleshiners, what gets you going in the morning?

PS- Here are some helpful tips to getting things done when there aren't enough hours in the day.  Or maybe it's one of those days that you'd rather relax instead.