Book it

Book shelves are an undeniable asset to any room. They add height and texture to the wall and of course they are a perfect place to store your books and valued possessions. They add color and personality to the space, capable of  telling a story to any guest that walks in the room. The Simplified Bee, an inspiring blog that talks about organizing, but also suggests tips for design, puts together a list for creating a bookshelf like an interior designer. Most of it is elementary, but I think the best ideas are!


A Clean Slate
Clear it all out! Remove and donate books that are in rough shape or that you are able to let go of. (wipe down shelves so they are dust free.)


Add Some Color
Pick a great print or vibrant paint color and add to the back of the shelves. It is a great contrast against white shelves and molding.

Be creative!
Take your books and display them together by size, subject and color. Play with the arrangement, some should go horizontally while others can remain vertical. Do not overcrowd, leave some space to add other personal items.


Add Beautiful Objects
Family photos, sculptures, ceramics, boxes or anything from your travels can create the perfect mix with your books, adding personality and interest. Try to choose objects that will not get lost or blend easily into the shelves; they should be pieces that stand out without being overbearing. Your shelves do not even need rows and rows of books- display objects that exhibit your own taste and  everyone will think you have become a bookcase designer!

Love the contrast of the gray and white.

Who Wants My...

Time to purge!

A stack of old magazines in my desk was calling my name, so I quickly leafed through the pages to find out why I had felt so compelled to keep them. I re-discovered this gem of an article from O magazine's march 2011 issue.  If you now have cleared the clutter and are looking where to donate, recycle and sell your castoffs, here is a quick list of the best of the best! She compiled a great resource of companies that will take our junk and do something good with it.
1. Stuffed Animals: we all could get rid of some of these! Send them to SAFE, 
(stuffedanimalsforemergencies.org) which will donate them to homeless shelters, hospitals and paramedics, who give the toys to kids on their calls.
2. Used DVDs: If your little ones are not so young anymore, consider donating their childhood DVDs to Kid Flicks. This organization is run by 4 sisters whose goal is a family friendly library for every children's hospital and pediatric department. (kidflicks.org)
3. Mobile Phones: instead of tossing your old cell phone when you upgrade to a newer model, flipswap will give you cash for your old phone and keep it out of the trash! Print a free-shipping label at greenphone.com.
4. Office Supplies: iloveschools.com will lead you to dozens of nearby classrooms in need of paper, pencils, markers and much more. Type in your zip code and help lighten the load of a classroom teacher who is forced to spend 500$ a year for these items.
5. Any gently used children's book is a great item to pass along and the Children's Book Project has helped thousands of disadvantaged children learn to read giving books to school, shelters and community centers. (childrensbookproject.org)
6.The best for last-  Freecycle, reduces waste by connecting trash bound household items, (bikes, boxes, tables, appliances) with local people who want them!! 
Throwing out clutter is liberating, but donating items to those who really need it will make your soul joyful and a more organized house is not bad either!

Who are you?

The closet no one should open!!

I miss Oprah. I know it is a little silly since she really isn't gone- (OWN, her website, O magazine etc), but I loved sitting down with her daily and learning about almost anything- she covered so many topics and all of it was so interesting and relevant; I miss that daily lesson where I almost always came away with something very valuable. Luckily she introduced us to so many experts of all sorts- including Peter Walsh, who just like all of her proteges, has become a master of his domain, the organizing world. This month in O magazine, which is entirely dedicated to clearing clutter (a must get), he identifies 5 types of clutterers. Find out what type of clutter you are and learn how to slay the mess for the final time!!!!
1. The Behind the Door Clutterer: I can fall into this sometimes, especially when you are hosting an event! House looks clean and neat, but you open closet doors and mounds of folders, coats and old appliances come falling down. People who do this- control freaks and busy working or stay at home moms, 
(Ringing any bells!) Here is what you do: start with manageable chunks and a time frame, tackle one small space and quit after half an hour. Also enlist a friend or friendly organizer- they will keep you on task and force you to make decisions you have been avoiding. Clutter will be reduced along with your guilt!
2.The Knowledge Clutterer: There are piles everywhere- books, magazines, articles stuffed in folders, most of it unread! Who does this- book lovers and knowledge seekers. Here is what you do: Go digital, so much is online and can be saved to the computer or read on your Kindle. Manage the magazines, keep your favorites, but let go of the old ones when the new issue arrives. Always try to read the current issue right away- no back up piles! Get storage, a bin or basket designed to hold magazines will give you a clear limit- if it can only hold 3-4 books then you will have to remove the old to add any new.
3.The Techie Clutterer: Drawers and cabinets are tangled up in cords, chargers and remotes. Who does this? Almost anyone with many tech devices, scared to throw out a cord they may need someday. Here is what you do: get rid of any boxes, no need to hold on to those anymore and donate used devices when you update. Label wires with a marker and masking tape and then store- you can separate the cords and chargers into categories, (he suggests look, listen, travel and data) I think one under the bed organizer is a great way to keep it all together and dust free!
4. The Sentimental Clutterer/ Family Historian: hoards baby clothes, keeps every report card and kindergarten creation, family memorabilia etc. Who does this? The empty nestor, women who feel responsible to preserve family heirlooms and history (this may be ringing bells again) Here is what you do: keep only the most meaningful items. With our kids everything is meaningful, but pick pieces that will stand the test of time (will it be meaningful in 20 years?). Start a family history wall, next to old photos use shadow boxes for special items or frame your favorite art work from your children. As the art work and school papers come in, pair them down immediately- keep only their best efforts. Display current papers in one area and change them as new projects come home. For all the masterpieces you cannot discard, buy an accordion art folder found at craft stores or poster tubes.
5.The Bargain shopper/Coupon Clutterer: Takes pride in clipping coupons and sourcing online promotions. Keeps the house stocked with bulk items that may never get used. Here is what you do: Again, designate one area or shelf for bulk items- when it is full stop buying!! Most bargains are designed to create a sense of urgency- like you have to have it or else! this is by design and is getting you to buy really more than you need. Find a new hobby- instead of patrolling stores and flyers for bargains do something more worth while with your time.
So you may fall into 3 of these categories- so what. We all fall in and out of organizational ruts, letting magazines pile up or closets junk up. But remember perfection is not the goal, sanity is! When the clutterer inside of you wants to take over just squash her down with these tips or hide everything in an upstairs closet no one will ever open!!! ( ha ha) 

Family Memory Wall