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Sixteen Years Ago

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on August 24, 2015 No Comments

Sixteen years ago this month, I started my business. I was an actress tired of bar tending and looking for something to keep my sanity while I waited for my big break. I decided to start a business doing the stuff no one else wants to do except me- like sort through boxes of papers and organize a garage. I found the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) in the back of the one organizing book I had. Here I thought I was coming up with a new business- but there was already a national organization for people just like me! Back then, there were about 1,200 NAPO Members. If you told someone you were a Professional Organizer- they would be confused and not know what you meant. I had people think I sold Tupperware or organized people to fight for social causes.

Now things are so different. There are almost 4,000 members of NAPO. Professional Organizers are on all kinds of TV shows. Magazines constantly quote organizers and feature organizing tips. There are tons of books, programs, blogs, YouTube Channels, and articles on organizing. There are Certified Professional Organizers and Chronic Disorganization CPOs. Now when I say I am a Professional Organizer- the response is usually, “Oh- I really need you!”

I was very involved in NAPO for many years. I was on the NAPO-Los Angeles Board of Directors for 4 years and served as President. I think I held almost every volunteer job there was- often many simultaneously. I learned so much through volunteering and it boosted my confidence and my business. We even had award shows for organizers- complete with red carpets! Now that I have small kids, I can’t help but get involved in their schools by streamlining volunteer procedures, creating new forms, and helping organize events, classrooms , lounges, or storage areas. Organizing skills sure do come in handy!

: Event at Organized Living 2002

: Competing at the Eldon Office Challenge 2002

: I won with the best time!

: With Niecy Nash filming “Clean House” 2004

: With Allen Lee Haff on “Clean House” 2004

: With Monica Ricci at the 2011 Organizing Awards. I was 7 months pregnant =)

: With Justine Micele and Mishele Vieira at the 2011 Organizing Awards.

: I presented the award for “Best Show Incorporating Organizing on National Television” to Hoarders; Cory Chalmers, Standolyn Robertson, Geralin Thomas and Dorothy Breininger.

: With Dorothy Breininger at the 2013 Organizing Awards

It has been a great ride. Sixteen years later, I still love what I do. I still love reading about organizing theories and challenges as well as finding new products and gadgets. I love the people I get to work with. I love the challenge of a new project and the blessing of being able to make a difference and change someone’s life for the better. I’ve learned so much from the great organizers and dear clients who have crossed my path and shaped who I am today. I’m so glad that 16 years ago, I started Organizing Wonders!

Categories : My Blog

Outgrown Kid Clothes

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on August 1, 2015 No Comments

As every parent knows, kids go through a lot of clothes- and fast. My first child was 9 1/2 pounds at birth and basically skipped all the 0-3 month clothes we had for her. Did not see that coming! The amount of clothes and the constant turn over is enough to drive anyone crazy. Here are some ways to handle outgrown kid clothes:

1. Save: If you are on baby #1 and keeping clothes for future baby #2, put washed outgrown clothes away in bins labeled with sizes like 3-6 months, 6-9 months. I liked the Deep Sweater Box from the Container Store’s line of clear storage boxes. They were the perfect size for baby clothes and I could stack them in the closet.

2. Pass Along: If you are all done with babies, it is the perfect time to pass them along to a friend or relative who can use them. It works great when you know someone with a child 1-2 years younger than yours. You can keep passing things down the line- and hope they do the same.

3. Donate: Most charities are happy to take baby clothes. Some like Baby2Baby even specialize in them. You can also check with your local women’s shelter.

4. Sell: You won’t make much at yard sales for baby clothes- but they are popular if in good condition. If you have high end, name brand baby clothes in good condition, you can sell them on-line at places like ThredUp. Mail your clothes to them and they will send you some money for the ones they can sell!

5. Raise Money: My new favorite thing to do with my kids’ clothes is send them to Schoola. They send me a postage paid bag. I fill the bag with the good clothes and send it in. They sell them on-line and 40% goes to my kid’s school. A very easy way to raise funds! You can see photos of your clothes on their website, watch as items get sold across the country and see how much money is coming to the school.

6. Recycle: If your kids clothes are past their usefulness to anyone- don’t throw them in the trash. Use them as rags. Give blankets and towels to the local animal shelter. And recycle the rest at local H&M stores through their Don’t Let Fashion Go to Waste program. A fantastic way to keep textiles and clothes out of the landfills.

Whatever way you decide to part with kids clothes, just make sure you keep doing it. If you fall too far behind, you might get buried in clothes!

Categories : Closets/Clothes, Donating & Recycling, Kids

Don’t Lose Your Rewards and Miles

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on July 1, 2015 No Comments

We all have credit cards with some sort of reward points and frequent flyer accounts where the mileage accrues. The problem is that you might lose all these points and miles if you aren’t careful and keep an eye on them. Most people don’t look at their statements that carefully and can easily miss the warnings and depletion of points. I saw someone lose 80,000 airline miles due to inactivity. The airline had no sympathy. All gone. I recently noticed reward points expiring on someone’s credit card statement. We logged in to redeem them- and got a $1,500 statement credit! That would have been a terrible thing to lose. Here are a few ways to keep a handle on your rewards.

If you have a lot of miles and allegiance to one airline, get their credit card and use it. You’ll never have to worry about losing a lot of hard earned miles if you are constantly adding to it with a credit card.
Make your birthday month the month that you sit down and go through all of your reward programs and frequent flyer accounts. Treat yourself to some reward gift cards, cash back, or statement credits. Make a quick purchase through your airline’s web mall to reset the expiration date if you have had no activity. If you are doing this at least once a year, you’ll know where your points stand and be able to cash them in or keep them safe another year.
Keep a simple spreadsheet that lists the Airline/Hotel/Car Rental Company, your account numbers for all members of your family, the current mileage or rewards, and expiration date. This will help you see at a glance where you stand. Or if you like apps, try AwardWallet. You’ll have to enter all your account log ins, but then you will see all your balances and expiration dates on one screen.

A little organization and planning can ensure that you never lose a reward or mile again! Use and enjoy the rewards you spent a lot time, effort, and money accumulating. Happy saving or redeeming =)

Categories : My Blog, Paper, Travel

Organizing Kids Toys

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on June 1, 2015 No Comments

Kids have a lot of toys. Big toys. Small toys. Toys with all kinds of little parts and accessories. And it all keeps changing every few months. I’m only 7 years into dealing with my own kids’ toys on a daily basis- but I have 2 favorite things that have really helped keep toys organized.

1. A Storage Bin Rack

These are designed for kids toys and come in different varieties and colors- but the concept is the same. Moveable bins that are tilted forward a bit for easy viewing and access. The bins are usually in 2 sizes that you can easily remove from the rack when needed. This picture shows my younger daughter’s toys when she was 3. It included categories like purses, wallets, puppets, blocks, puzzles, trains, cars, music, kitchen, blocks, and balls. Now at 4 years old, the puzzles and blocks are gone and replaced with My Little Ponies and a plastic food set. When other kids come over, they all gravitate towards the rack. There are labels on each bin which make clean up so easy. I love it- especially since my daughter can put away her toys all by herself.

2. Cubby Style Shelving

I got these from IKEA and I have one in both kid’s rooms. They are perfect for creating areas for different toys and books. Use various bins and containers for the smaller toys. My younger daughter has bigger toys like an airport set which has big chunky pieces- that all fit in one cubby. A large amount of blocks all fit in a pull out fabric bin. My older daughter’s shelves have a lot more books as well as space for all her Barbies, Barbie clothes, and a place to park the Mini Cooper =) The great thing about these shelves is that they keep growing with my kids. In a few years, we’ll turn the shelves upright when toys no longer live on their shelves and I have teenagers that can reach higher- yikes!

When thinking about organizing and storing toys for your kids remember these things:

Keep like toys together and keep storage systems simple.
Easy access means kids can not only see and find their toys- but they can also learn to put them back “home”. The more lids and things hidden from view- the harder to find and put away.
Label with pictures when they are young, and with words as they are learning to read.
Use storage bins and furniture that are flexible and can grow with your child to get maximum use.
As new toys come in, make sure some lesser used toys are heading out to help maintain the space. Let your children be a part of deciding what to let go of. It will help teach them the life long skills of prioritizing what is important and giving things to other people who can use them.

Categories : Kids, Toys

Yard Sales

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on May 11, 2015 No Comments

I just had my 2nd yard sale in 6 months. I had one 10 years ago and it was such a miserable experience I swore I would never do it again. But as an avid donater and recycler, I’ve been a little disappointed to see dumpsters at some local donation places full of things that someone could still use even if the place couldn’t sell it or electronics that should be recycled. I started to think maybe a yard sale would be a good way to make sure my stuff went to someone who wanted it and not to a landfill. A like minded neighbor with 2 kids also wanted to try a yard sale so we did our first one together right before Christmas. There was a learning curve, but the experience was good enough for both of us to do it again.

Our second yard sale this past weekend was…pleasant! I am not a yard sale pro by any means- but here are some tips that have worked well for us:

Start a yard sale box or corner way ahead of time to start dropping things as you come across them in the weeks or even months beforehand.
Also start a box for freebies- anything that is still useful but you can’t really sell. No one is going to pay for a free mug from the dry cleaners that you don’t want either. Did you try a new shampoo and hate it so you stuck it under your sink to die? Put it here! Someone else will want them!
Knowing you can do another garage sale in a few months relieves some pressure to do it all now and try to go through your entire house at once. That is a lot of work!
Make it a multi-family yard sale if possible. More for people to buy and more fun for you to do with a friend.
Group like items together and display them on tables or blankets. If you have a clothes rack, use it!
Buy the sets of Yard Sale stickers or dots to write on. You can also just use painters tape to tag items.
Don’t put the yard sale sign up until you are ready and set up. On both of our sales, we did not advertise or post them anywhere. We set up at our own pace and when we were ready, we put out the signs on the corner. We live in a great area for yard sales because people start coming immediately. It is amazing!
Have change, shopping bags, a printing calculator, labels and a Sharpie for when you start to drop prices at the end.
Have the box of freebies available to people who bought a lot from you as a bonus.
As things get sold and the tables start to empty, reorganize and make it look nice again.
Towards the end, you have to start making decisions on prices you want to drop, what you will donate afterwards, and what you’ll try and sell next time. Keep in mind if it didn’t sell this time, you have to drop the price next time or admit that it might not be as great as you once thought it was.

In 4 hours, we were done with our yard sale. A lot had been sold. Leftovers were donated or held for the next time. (As long as we have kids outgrowing things at record pace- we will have stuff for a yard sale.) The boxes of free stuff had been taken by lots of appreciative people rather than added to a landfill. I don’t do this for the money but more for the process of clearing out things and watching them go to a new home with someone who is excited about them. It is also a great reminder to think before you buy something new and to realize the electronic gadget you spend $200 for today isn’t worth $5 at a yard sale 2 years later.

Categories : Donating & Recycling, My Blog

Organized Headbands & Hairclips

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on March 30, 2015 No Comments

I have two little girls- and that means a lot of headbands. I tried putting them in a little bucket, then a divided container, but neither worked well. Then I decided to hang them. I took two Command hooks and put them on my daughter’s closet door. Then I put a small curtain tension rod on the hooks. An instant awesome headband rack was created right at my daughter’s level so she can pick which one to wear.

To remove a headband from the middle, simply lift one side of the rod, pull the headband past it, replace the rod, and then pull the headband down and out from the others. It was fast and easy to make. It looks great, was inexpensive, and is so user friendly.

What about all the hair clips? Even easier. Just put up another Command hook. Use a leftover piece of ribbon and attach all the clips. So easy to see and easy to put away. If you are doing hair in another location, just pick up the ribbon and all the clips come with you. These things have been working really well for my girls and hopefully they will for you too.

Sometimes you need to think outside of the container for the perfect organizing solution!

Categories : Closets/Clothes, Kids, Simple and Organized

Birthdays- To Gift or To Do?

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on March 9, 2015 No Comments

I just celebrated my birthday last week and the only gift I wanted was to go to a non-animated movie in a theater and eats lots of popcorn without sharing. Before I had kids, I could do this every week. Now I can only pull it off on my birthday or anniversary. My how times have changed. I’m not sure if it is getting older, living in a time where many people get themselves whatever they want whenever they want it, or the fact that I spend my days helping people get rid of stuff- but I don’t like gifts anymore. I like experiences. I like things my kids make for me. Gift certificate for a massage or my favorite store or restaurant- thank you! Stationery, candles, picture frames, or gift cards to places I never go to- thank you but no thank you.

My husband tried to get me gifts for awhile but unless it was an electronic gadget- chances are I might not use it/need it/want it. Dresses that would have looked good on me 10 years ago- very sweet, but my post 40- post-children gut just makes me look pregnant in the wrong outfit now. My favorite gifts from my husband are when he does something I have been wanting to get off the list for a long time. One Valentine’s Day, I came home from work to find a huge bag of trash on the front porch with a bow on it. Turns out he had finally gone through some of his boxes in the garage that I had given up asking him about. This year he cleared out two of his “crap buckets”. Perfect gift for me! I don’t want flowers- I want stuff done!

I know a lot of people get gifts that they don’t actually want or need. They end up hanging around, gathering dust and guilt. Don’t give clutter as a gift! Give a loved one a memorable experience, a gift card to a place you know they like, or do some chore they will never get around to doing for themselves. If someone had come over singing Happy Birthday and cleaned my refrigerator coils and dryer vent, I would have been so excited!

Categories : My Blog

Switch It Up!

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on February 17, 2015 No Comments

A few days ago, our bathtub in “mommy’s bathroom” backed up during shower time for the kids. After various failed remedies, we just showered in “daddy’s bathroom” until we could get a plumber. Turns out both girls preferred it and I thought it was easier in the shower stall. It has a shower door that I always hated but my husband liked. It also has twice as many drawers than my slightly larger bathroom and an additional small storage wall cabinet. The wheels started turning. What I thought was a total inconvenience manifested into a complete bathroom switch and redecorating. Even though I had picked the other bathroom 6 years ago, the kids were older now, and we had different needs.

My daughter organizing her new hair accessory drawer.

The next day, I went shopping for a few supplies like a new shower curtain and rod. I came home and took that shower door down! Rails and everything! I have never done something like that before, but I was really motivated. It felt so good to get rid of that awful shower door and put up a pretty shower curtain. Then I moved all the bathroom drawers to the living room to work on the switch. Clean everything out, purge, switch and organize. It was fun! My daughter even wanted to organize her new hair accessory drawer by herself.

My husband loves his “new” bathroom now and the girls love ours! This bathroom is a little smaller, but actually feels bigger because the storage better meets our needs. A week ago, this was nowhere on the agenda. But then a stopped up bath tub led to the realization that switching bathrooms would work better for everyone! You never know when a random event can lead to figuring out a better way to do things.

Categories : Kids, My Blog

Dish Drying Mats Rule!

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on January 26, 2015 No Comments

Over the years, I have used many different dish racks. Inevitably they would get a little grimy or rusty or not hold enough dishes. There was never one I loved- until I got rid of the dish rack all together and got dish drying mats! I’ve been using dish drying mats for over a year and I haven’t missed a dish rack for a minute.

You just lay the dish drying mat on the counter against the wall and start playing reverse Jenga as you line up your dishes to dry. The mats are thick, highly absorbent, and cushion your dishes. I have 2 extra dish mats for the days when there are a lot of dishes. I throw them in the wash when they are dirty. Hang them up if they need to dry. Fold them and tuck them away if I don’t need them. They are so simple, inexpensive, and easy to find. They are awesome! I will never go back to a dish rack!

Categories : Helpful Products, Kitchen

Elfa Closet Sale!

By Tanya Whitford, CPO® on January 5, 2015 No Comments

January brings fresh starts, goals, resolutions- and the Elfa Closet Sale at The Container Store. I got an Elfa closet 9 years ago when I moved in with my then fiance and had to use the most ridiculous closet space for my clothes. The closet was very high and long with very little access to it aside from a tiny door. There was no way around it. I needed Elfa. We designed a double hang closet that accommodated the space and made it functional for me in a way I didn’t think possible.

A year later, we moved and that Elfa closet moved with me. In our house, the master closet was done, but my daughter’s room needed a better closet. With just the addition of 3 parts, my old closet was reconfigured and became my young daughter’s new closet. As she grows up, the low hanging bars and shelves will move upward. This closet will work the whole time she is growing up! Now that is a worthwhile purchase.

Once my father gave up trying to share a closet with my mom, he moved his clothes to the guest room closet. Only problem was, that closet had also turned into a kitchen pantry. I used Elfa to turn one closet into a clothes closet for my dad on one side- and a pantry with shelves on the other side. It created much more space in the closet and made it functional for its dual purpose.

I love Elfa for it’s ease and flexibility. You customize it to your space, budget, and tastes. Keep it simple and inexpensive with just the basics or go for everything from mesh drawers to jewelry trays. There are usually 2 sales a year so try and time your closet purchase accordingly. Right now it is 30% off until February 11, 2015. Their designers are great. They can install it if you can’t. (It is pretty easy.) I love the way the catalog looks- but let’s be honest- no one’s closet has only 7 shirts and 6 pairs of shoes. I wish they would show what a real closet looks like with Elfa- so here is one =)

Categories : Closets/Clothes, Helpful Products, My Blog