Guest Blog Post: Roomations

I'm back over at Roomations, a site for all things interior design, blogging about one of the most classic organizational pieces out there. When I say that I couldn't do my job without it, I'm serious. 

Cue suspense! You'll have to click on over there to check it out...

You can find me at Roomations every month (well, at least one more month) for just the right mix of organization and interior design. 

NAPO Does NOLA

I’m back from the Annual National Association of Professional Organizers’ Conference in New Orleans. It seems that organizers are almost as good at partying as they are at, well, organizing.

Despite all the distractions NOLA has to offer, I was able to attend numerous information-packed seminars on everything from moving techniques to productivity strategies for clients. The conference also offers a chance for attendees to get a sneak peak at some of the latest and greatest organizing products and apps out there. This week, I’m writing about two of my finds, one high tech and one low tech. 

theSwizzle

Two months ago I became pretty much obsessed with obliterating the junk email in my inbox. Come to find out, there is an easier way. theSwizzle easily unsubscribes users from unwanted email and rolls up the emails you do want into one simple daily digest. You enter your email address, they safely scan it for commercial email, and then you decide what to keep.

• Coolest Feature(s) – You can get all the commercial emails sent in one daily digest, which means no more immediate inbox distractions. And it’s free.
• Why Use It to Organize? – Because less emails means less stress.
• Bright Idea – It’s okay to “Just Say No!” to emails, too. 

Now the low tech…

PackAways

You’ve heard me go on and on about the perfect bins. PackAways are a unique twist to the average storage solution. Made in the USA of heavy-duty corrugated plastic (think USPS containers), these bins are collapsible, lightweight, and water-resistant. Plus they come in a classic box, open tote, and under bed version.

• Coolest Feature(s) – They have a wipe-away end panel, so you can label and then erase.
• Why Use It to Organize? – No more investing in cardboard boxes, taping them up, and then trashing them after a big move. PackAways are also a great tool for organizers to use when sorting through a room during a session with clients.
• Bright Idea – Consider leaving a PackAways in the car to make toting groceries easy.

Disclosure: Urban Simplicity was not compensated for this post.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Come Clean and Win Big

Hey, New Yorkers! Do you dream of a closet that looks like this?

Photo courtesy of One Kings Lane

If the answer is yes, today might be your lucky day. The New York Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-NY) is prepared to send a team of organizers into your home to whip your closet into shape.

All you have to do is submit a photo of your messy closet, and tell us in 200 words or less why NAPO-NY should revamp your closet. You’ll be entered to win a full closet makeover that includes:  

• One-on-one organizing session with a group of NAPO-NY organizers, valued at $5000
• One year all inclusive subscription to Garde Robe, valued at $4200, which offers museum-quality storage for clothing, shoes and accessories, plus complimentary pick up and delivery. All stored items can be viewed and requested on the Garde Robe Cyber Closet. Garde Robe is the only service of its kind here in NYC and in the nation.
• $250 gift certificate to The Container Store

That’s a prize value of $9,000!

So seriously, enter today. The deadline is 5pm on Friday, May 24. Read the other fine print here. You can thank me later if you happen to win.

P.S. I’ve mentioned this before, but I just happen to serve as Marketing Director on the Board of Directors for NAPO-NY. We’re celebrating our Silver Anniversary all year, which is the reason for all this amazing opportunity.

Guest Blog Post: Roomations

Get ready for this month's installment of awesomeness with me blogging over at Roomations, your spot for interior design inspiration. 

This month, I'm blogging about something near and dear to my heart... books. I'm sharing five simple steps to organize your bookshelves. Seriously, follow these tips and you'll have bookshelves that even Nate Berkus would envy. 

Read on and find me next month blogging about one of the most classic organizational pieces around. Sorry, you'll just have to wait until then for the full scoop! 

Spring Recycling Events

Grab your old stuff, and mark your calendars. Spring recycling season is here!

Between the events hosted by the Lower East Side Ecology Center and the New York City Department of Sanitation, you’ll find an event near you.

Happy Earth Day!

SATURDAY, APRIL 13

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Bushwick, Brooklyn

Maria Hernandez Park – Knickerbocker Avenue between Starr Street and Suydam Street

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Ft. Greene, Brooklyn

Habana Outpost – Fulton Street between South Portland Avenue and South Oxford Street

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

SUNDAY, APRIL 14

Stop 'N' Swap, 10:30am-1:30pm

Forest Hills, Queens

Central Queens Y – 67-09 108th Street

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Melrose, Bronx

Landmark Courthouse – 3rd Avenue and Brook Avenue, Bronx

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Van Cortlandt Park, Bronx

Broadway between Manhattan College Parkway and Post Road

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

NYC SAFE Disposal Event, 10am-4pm

Staten Island Mall

Parking Lot F near main entrance, 2655 Richmond Avenue cars enter at Marsh Avenue, turn right on the mall drive

Click here for full list of what’s accepted.

THURSDAY, APRIL 18

Stop 'N' Swap, 4pm-7pm

Far Rockaway, Queens

P.S.215 Lucretia Mott / W.A.V.E. Prep

535 Briar Place (near the Beach 25th A train station)

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

SATURDAY, APRIL 20

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Park Slope, Brooklyn

Old Stone House / JJ Byrne Playground – 5th Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Dyker Heights, Brooklyn

Poly Prep Country Day School – 9216 7th Avenue

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

NYC SAFE Disposal Event, 10am-4pm

Yankee Stadium – 151st Street Lot, River Avenue and 151st Street

Cars approach from 150th Street up River Avenue

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

SUNDAY, APRIL 21

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Upper West Side, Manhattan

Amsterdam Avenue between W. 74th and W. 75th Streets

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Earth Week Extravaganza, 2pm-5pm

Washington Heights, Manhattan

YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood – 54 Nagle Avenue b/t Elwood & Broadway

Recycle clean and dry clothing and textiles, discover simple ways to go green at home and enjoy entertainment for the whole family. 

SATURDAY, APRIL 27

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Forest Hills, Queens

P.S. 101Q – Standish Road between Slocum Crescent and Childrens Lane

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Stop 'N' Swap, 12pm-3pm

Jackson Heights, Queens

P.S. 69 – 77-02 37th Avenue

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

SUNDAY, APRIL 28

NYC SAFE Disposal Event, 10am-4pm

Manhattan

Columbia University/Teachers College – 120th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam Avenue

Cars approach from 122nd Street down Amsterdam Avenue

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

SUNDAY, MAY 19

Electronics Recycling Collection, 10am-4pm

Stuyvesant Town, Manhattan

14th Street Loop, enter at 14th Street and Avenue A

Click here for a full list of what’s accepted.

Do you know of any Earth Day recycling events in your neighborhood this spring? Please share details in the comments.

Organizing Tips Featured on Refinery29

Lotions, nail polish, and make-up, oh my! Organizing a mess of beauty products is no simple task, but it's one of my favorites to tackle. 

And I couldn't be happier that that fabulous folks at Refinery29, a cornerstone site for fashion, beauty, and shopping, are featuring my tips. 

Check out all the full story. 

Top Seven Closet Accessories

If you’re in the mood to put away those heavy wool sweaters and pull out your summer shorts, my Spring Closet Cleanse special is exactly what you need. This week in honor of the seasonal closet switch, I’m sharing my favorite closet organizing accessories.

No closet is alike, especially in New York City, but these seven closet saviors work in almost any space. Whether you’re lucky enough to have a custom closet or are just dealing with a basic clothing rod and shelf, these accessories work almost every time.

Acrylic Shelf Dividers from Clos-ette Too

Shelf Dividers – These acrylic babies are the best shelf dividers around. Sleek and sturdy, use them to keep stacks of sweaters or even clutches upright and organized.

Booti, the easiest boot shaper

Booti – Most boot shapers take up lots of space when they aren’t being used. Not the Booti. All you do is insert it tightly rolled into the boot, and let it unroll itself.

Simple Division Closet Rod Organizers from
The Container Store

Closet Rod Organizer – It’s easy for clothing to get mixed up. It just happens and before you know it, you’re weeding through tees to get to work tops. Talk about a time waster. This is where the Simple Division Closet Rod Organizers save the day.

Modern Twig Coat Hook from StudioLiscious on Etsy

Cool Hooks – Hooks with a purpose, particularly hooks that give your closet some style are the best. Use them to hang items you need quick access to on an everyday basis like belts, your robe or even your guy’s baseball cap.

Real Simple Slimline Hangers from Bed Bath & Beyond

Real Simple Slimline Hangers – There is nothing like a closet full of coordinated hangers. Enough said.

Our Shoe Box from The Container Store

Clear Shoe Boxes – The Container Store’s basic shoe boxes are: 1) affordable 2) classic, and 3) stackable. Adhere a photo of your shoes to the box if you’re really feeling awesome.

Firenze Bin from The Container Store

Richard Eyelet Tote from Gracious Home

Open Canvas Bins – Nine out of ten times I suggest open bins for clients’ closets. For busy folks on the go, these bins make grabbing items and putting them away so easy. Two of my favorites are the Firenze bin from The Container Store and the Richards Eyelet Tote from Gracious Home.

As an added tip, store a simple folding step stool in your closet to make it easy to reach items on high shelves.

Would love to hear from you! Do you have any favorite closet organizing accessories?