Finally, a book to help you get organized without requiring you to clear everything off your desk, put away your piles and throw out anything you haven’t used in a year. Puleeze. Lee Silber “gets it” and proves it with this groundbreaking new book. The following excerpt is from chapter nine, “Organizing Tips And Tricks: Quick Fixes For Any Mess you Get Yourself into”. To read excerpts of other chapters, click here.
CHAPTER 9
Organizing Tips And Tricks
“Worrying is less work than doing something to fix the worry. Everybody wants to save the earth—nobody wants to help Mom with the dishes.” —P.J. O’Rourke
The goal is to get a system in place so that getting and staying organized is a no-brainer. The tips and tricks in this chapter have helped others who were even more disorganized than you. Even though these ideas take into account the right-brainers natural tendencies, each of us has our own unorthodox way of doing things. So as you read through this chapter, see which suggestions literally jump off the page and make the most sense to you. I have test driven almost every single one of these ideas in my own life and I know they work. Will they work for you? There is only way to find out—try some of these suggestions on for size.
Most times we achieve our dreams and goals through a series of small steps. So think big (everything flows in and out of your life effortlessly and you can find what you need when you need it) but start small (organize a drawer in the kitchen or the contents of your wallet). The first step to an organized home or office may start with a clean kitchen or a purged purse. So included in this chapter are tons of tips to organize almost everything in small, simple steps. Look around and start to notice what really bugs you. These are areas that you continuously tell yourself, “Someday I am going to organize this,” but don’t because you don’t have the time, tools or the techniques to do it right—or right now. Well, that excuse is now bogus because here are so many simple solutions that will work wonders on just about everything that ails you. You can’t fail. Make a list of 100 things that annoy you. This should take about ten minutes. (Or put sticky notes on the things that frustrate you). Think about it. You pick up your cell phone and realize you are scrolling through hundreds of outdated names and numbers. You get in your car and can’t find your keys. You have more books and magazines than your local library. Wait, some ARE from the local library and the late fees are piling up. Find at least one solution to each situation and then DO IT. Try to get rid of a couple of annoyances a week. Maybe you hate the lump of clothes in the corner. Simply put a wicker basket there, dress or undress next to the hamper or make nice, neat piles. It’s really that simple when you take it pile by pile, room by room, mess by mess.
Bathrooms
My wife and I have separate showers because our styles of getting ready are so different. I have a combo shampoo and conditioner, a bar of soap and a towel. That’s it. Simple, easy. She has ten different treatments for her hair, all kinds of washcloths, scrubbers, shavers, body washes, gels, treatments and things I don’t even know what they do. She also cleans the shower during each use, I don’t. My total time taking a shower is about five minutes. Her’s is like fifty. Then there is the battle over the toilet seat. I like it up, she insists it should be down. I argue, why should I put it down when I am going to simply have to lift it up again later? Well, the night she practically sleepwalked into the bathroom and fell into the toilet was a turning point. The scream she let out literally scared me into being better about “doing the right thing” and putting the seat down. Picture this. Both of us standing over the toilet, label maker in hand as we affix a little reminder to the underside of the toilet seat cover that says, “PUT ME DOWN, DARN IT!” (This is a true story.)
We do a lot of things in the bathroom. I’ll spare you the details but I think it’s safe to say that for many people, what we call a “bath” room is also used for reading, relaxing, reflecting and “other” stuff. It’s also the room where many right-brainers get their best ideas. Yakov Smirnoff, the Russian born comedian/actor and his wife invented Shower Notes in the late 1980s. It’s waterproof paper for jotting down notes in the shower. One artist I know writes notes to herself and doodles with a dry-wipe pen on her bathroom mirror. To make your bathroom into an idea center, put in a basket, bin or container with the needed supplies so that when inspiration strikes—even if you are naked and dripping wet—you can capture it. Your bathroom can be a sanctuary or an insane asylum, it’s your call. With a few clever adjustments we can make getting ready simple, easy, fast and functional as well as quick to clean.
  Privacy Please. According to a study I read, nearly half of all people who come to a party will take a peek at what’s in your medicine cabinet, so be careful about what you leave “out in the open” (anywhere that’s not locked).
Bathroom Groupies. This tip comes from Laura Love, a Feng Shui expert living on Kauai. “A mental trick that I use (and this works especially well with kids) is to create ‘homes’ for things, where they then ‘live’. It often helps to subdivide storage spaces so that everything doesn’t slide back into one big jumble of ‘stuff’. For example, one single drawer in my bathroom has a basket with hair ties, several separate small boxes for different types of jewelry, and a couple of small open bowls for hair pins and elastic hair bands. That way, when I take them off, I know right where they go, and when I’m getting ready in the morning, I can find things easily! It’s especially nice when I’m only half awake.” Along these same lines a bowl with soaps, scents and other bath paraphernalia works really well. Containers and baskets are great for grouping items such as curling irons, hair dryer, hair clips and backup supplies. Keep cleaning supplies in the bathroom in a carry-caddy.
Hookers. Many bathrooms lack storage space and that’s the most common cause of clutter on and around the counters. The solution is to be creative with how you store things. Putting hooks on the back of the door, inside the shower, on the wall or on the back of cabinet doors can double your space. My friend’s home is done in early Hawaiiana, and he installed a bamboo pole with hooks to hold robes, toilet paper rolls and towels. A shower caddy can be useful for all those loose little lotions and gels or a squeegee. Hanging a shoe bag on the back of the door can hold a hair dryer, brushes and other assorted items. Install a hook by the sink for the blow dryer. How about a hook to hang the next day’s outfit or to “steam clean” a wrinkled suit while you take a hot shower.
Mini-Storage Units. Actually, you can use any kind of container for storage in the bathroom, even if it was designed for elsewhere. I bought small containers at the hardware store which I believe were meant for nuts and bolts (a five-inch tall tube with a removable top), and I put my nail clippers, eye drops and other small stuff in them to make more space in my medicine cabinet. You can add more storage by putting in another medicine cabinet. The aftermarket over-the-toilet shelf systems are also helpful. Under-sink containers with drawers are one of my secrets to sorting my supplies. Skirt the area under a freestanding sink for more storage. Countertop acrylic containers are perfect for cotton balls and Q-tips. The idea for this next tip came from my boat. I installed mesh holders in various places (near the engine, on the back of the seat) to hold the things that are often used in that area. The beauty is that they drip dry because the nylon mesh material allows it to breathe. You can put these on the back of the door, inside a cabinet drawer or with suction cups in the shower. They are perfect for bath toys because they drip dry.
The Reading Room. I have heard quite a few people say they do their best reading in the bathroom. If these people are willing to admit that, then there must be many more who feel the same way but keep it to themselves. A magazine holder fits nicely next to the commode or install a magazine rack to the wall. A basket in the bathroom where you throw articles or catalogs you want to catch up on also makes sense. Would a bookshelf be too much?
Something Stinks. One of the lessons I learned the hard way is that many of the things contained in the medicine cabinet go bad after only a matter of months. I was rushing to give a speech and I grabbed an old bottle of cologne (Drakkar, the name alone lets you know how old it was) and it had taken on an entirely different scent after sitting around for a few years. Not good. When I got home I showered and then I went through my bathroom and got rid of a lot of old or expired items. Take inventory of your bathroom. I’ll bet you have duplicates, outdated and disgusting items whose time has come and gone. Many cosmetics go bad pretty quickly. (Eye shadow and mascara should be replaced every few months because of contamination.) With a Sharpie pen, put the date you bought something on the bottom.
Move It Out. Keep frequently used items in the most convenient places and rarely used items out of the way or out of the bathroom altogether. Things you have in duplicate can go in your travel kit. Move your ratty old towels to the garage for use in washing the car.
Fast Fact
If you work for 40 years you will have spent 5,000 hours getting ready for work. (That’s figuring only thirty minutes a day of grooming.)
Bedrooms
Since your house is now divided into zones based on use, it’s clear what goes where, right? The bedroom is probably the main exception. It can be used for reading, relaxing, sleeping and, uh, “other stuff ”. Most of these are not messy (oh, stop), but eating in bed is one thing that may be a big turn-off. Leaving crumbs is one thing. Leaving dirty dishes or an empty Ben & Jerry’s carton on the nightstand is gross. (It’s stuff like this that makes me believe there ARE monsters under the bed.) Monsters and all, under the bed is a good storage space for nonperishable, clean things.
A bedroom should be the one place you can really rest and relax. This isn’t the place for half-finished projects. It should also be a sanctuary where clutter is kept at bay. Anything that doesn’t make you feel restful or relaxed should be kept elsewhere. If it has to stay, stash it out of sight. How about a trunk at the end of the bed for your blankies, jammies and “other” goodies? If seeing clothes strewn all over the place isn’t doing it for you, put a hamper in the place where you change and drop clothes. (If you have to pick them up and carry them to a hamper, chances are you won’t.) If you read in bed or watch TV, make storage that matches that need. Have a basket or container with all the supplies—glasses, books, magazines, paper or a cool box for your remotes.
Sidebar: Going Overboard
Everything I learned about organizing I learned on my boat. (These very same lessons can easily be applied elsewhere.) On a boat you learn lessons fast or you are in serious trouble. If my engine quits and I want to keep my boat from banging into the rocks, I need to get that oar out quickly. When approaching the dock I need ropes at the ready. What if I drop my keys overboard in the middle of the ocean? It’s a good thing I have an extra key stashed on board. If the Coast Guard decides to board my boat, it’s helpful to have all my paperwork in order and accessible so they don’t start digging around in the boat looking for contraband. When a line from a lobster trap wraps around the prop, it is a lifesaver to know that I have a mask and dive knife stored under the seat. It’s never a good thing when someone trips on something left out and falls overboard. That’s why everything that’s nonessential is kept in a container and stored out of the way. When I run out of room for storage, I rotate the gear based on the activity that day or the season. I have also come up with creative ways to hold all my gear. All the above scenarios have happened—and then some. The solutions I mention have also saved me from some harrowing situations and would work on land, too.
Fast Fact
Of readers questioned, forty-three percent said they finish a book once they start reading it. Forty-two percent use a bookmark. Thirty-nine percent fold the page.
Books
“I’m not intellectual, but I’m very curious. I love reading everything I can,” says Nancy Bass, owner of The Strand, Manhattan’s famous bookstore. Wow, if I could own my own bookstore I would be in heaven. Most people will say that reading is one of their favorite things to do. I agree! I LOVE books. L-O-V-E books. The problem was I had too many. (I really could have opened a bookstore.) I was keeping more books than I had room for. My books were crammed into every corner and two deep in my bookcases. Most of these were titles I would never look at again. Still, I knew that getting rid of any of my books would be too much of challenge to do alone, so I invited my mom to come and help.
With her help I set a limit (four bookcases) of how much space I’d dedicated to books and thus how many books I could keep. As we went through my extensive collection of books, my mom had to literally rip some of them from my hand, even though it was a title I had in triplicate. (I would buy the same book over and over again because I was never quite sure what was already on my bookshelf.) Since I was donating my excess books to the library, it wasn’t as traumatic as it could have been. (I could go visit them if I needed to.) Some of my reference books were so old the information was obsolete. (I had an Atlas with countries that no longer exist.) Any old reference books with really old copyrights were thrown in a recycling bin. A lot of books I gave away to friends which made me look like a great guy. One of the great things about this process was that I decided to reread some of my favorite books instead of going out to buy more.
When it came time to organize my remaining books, I used my favorite independent bookstore as a model of how to do it. I put the new releases up front and the rest were divided by category. I now keep only my own personal best-sellers. I added extra shelves for my small books to take up wasted space.
Did you know that thirty-six percent of U.S adults haven’t visited a library in the past year? Sad. So I also decided to create a lending library for some of the books I could live without for a while. I put a pad of paper on top of the bookcase with titles I have lent out and to whom. As Edward Robinson said, “Friends: People who borrow my books and set wet glasses on them.”
Finally, I now keep reference books close to where they are needed. I put automobile repair books in the garage, my dictionary and thesaurus are in my office and cookbooks are kept near the kitchen. I also moved my gardening books near my gardening tools. It makes no sense to run upstairs with muddy boots to check and see if a plant is full sun or partial shade.
Music
As Summer Brannin made her way to work she would often pass a truck that was covered with British-pop bumper stickers. She didn’t know who owned the truck, but based on the stickers she made a mixed tape of songs that she thought the owner would like. This was something Summer loved to do. She loved making tapes for anyone and everyone—especially her boyfriend. Summer died of cancer at the age of 21, two months after she was diagnosed. At her funeral her boyfriend made a mixed tape of Summer’s favorite songs and gave them away to her friends and family. Music is meant to be shared. That’s why I started to better organize my music and gave away the CDs I no longer liked or needed. Other CDs I lent out (and kept a list of who had what). Some I sold for cash. From what was left I made my Hot 100, and these most important CDs are in a tower that is truly a work of art and a part of the decor. (Of course this tower is next to the CD player.) For portable CDs I bought the carrying case that came with the most sleeves. (Having your loose CDs stacked is asking for scratches and makes it harder to find what you want when you want it—like when you are driving.) The rest I archived and put on shelves, organized simply by genre. It’s not perfect, but it works. No matter where I pull a CD from, I always leave the case sticking out a little so it will be easier to put back.
My way is one of many ways you can organize your CDs. For example, on the HBO show G-String Divas, the DJ at the strip club (er, gentleman’s club) has a BIG binder with sleeves. This can be a good way to go if you don’t want or need the case. (Many artists do not list the songs or even their own name on the actual CD so sometimes the cases are worth saving.) With a big binder you can carry all your CDs with you and store a lot more. Using binders with loose-leaf sleeves allows you to have a binder that stays at home and one you can carry with you. I have seen these binders organized by style, artist, alphabetically and even according to mood. Baskets are great for quick storage. I throw videos and DVDs into one that looks a lot like a grab bag at Blockbuster. Who says CDs have to be neatly arranged by title. Add more shelves and space them close together to hold your CD collection. Label the shelf based on how you sort them. (I know, all are sorted under “miscellaneous”.) There is no right or wrong way to do this. There is only your way—as long as it works.
All this talk about CDs is mostly mute. Downloadable music is changing everything. However, give a right-brainer iTunes, a CD burner and allow our wandering minds to go wild and you have a logistical nightmare. (Think: Half-finished compilation CDs.) Keep blanks and a Sharpie handy and mark as you go. Organize songs by grouping them together (love songs, break-up songs, dance songs) so you can match your mood.
Fast Fact
In a recent survey of what motorists keep in their glove compartment, fifty percent said they keep a map, thirty-three percent said they have insurance information and twenty-three percent said they stash their sunglasses there, according to a USA Today poll.
Car
Whenever one of my friends says, “Let’s take your car, Lee,” this usually means his is full of junk and out of gas. A disorganized car can be a killer when it comes to taking clients out to lunch or a date to dinner. However, some clutter is okay when it comes to a car. I often wonder what one of Tony Soprano’s “associates” would keep in the trunk. Guns? A shovel? Duct tape? Plastic? Cement? I guess it depends on the “job”. Believe it or not, there is a lesson to be learned here. If you have a shelf in the garage near your car, you can use clear plastic containers and pack what you need based on what you will be doing that day. Where you are going? Going to the beach? Badda bing, grab the container with the towel, sunscreen and other beach supplies. Doing a workshop? Grab the container with your seminar supplies. A container that you use to carry stuff to and from your home to the car is handy.
The thing to remember is, your vehicle has many uses. It can be used as a shuttle for the kids, a tour bus for trips, a school bus when you listen to books on tape, or a race car when you are running late. What it isn’t is a trash truck. The reason I bring this up is that a guitarist I was jamming with offered to pick me and my drums up in his truck. Hey, I’m cool with a little clutter, but this was out of control. Remember when Burger King’s logo was orange? Exactly, that was a long time ago. There were literally dozens of old wrappers with half-eaten Whoppers still in them. Yech. I also could have done an experiment on all the dirty coffee mugs strewn about to find if a caffeine-laced mold may make for a better form of penicillin. I asked him, as I gingerly put one butt cheek on the seat, “So, do you date much?” He replied, “Nah, I’m going through a dry spell.” Wonder why. On the other hand, a friend of mine that always “hooks up” keeps a blanket, cards, poetry, portable CD player, thermos and other romantic items in his trunk for an impromptu picnic or some star gazing—and his car is clean.
So how much stuff is too much? That depends on the size of your vehicle and what you use it for. Here are some suggestions for items that will make all that time you spend in the car more efficient and enjoyable, whether or not you are taking multitasking to a new level with one knee holding the steering wheel, the other pedal to the metal and one hand is holding a nonfat latte and the other cradling a cell phone.
Join AA. That’s short for Astute Automobile owner. And an astute automobile owner is a member of the Automobile Club Of America.
This Is The Key. Have an extra set of keys around the house or give them to a trusted neighbor. You can also get a credit card-sized plastic card with a cutout of your car key from AAA.
Home Away From Home. A car is more than a car, it’s a home on wheels. Some of us will eat, sleep, drink (sodas only, please) and transport people and things. For others it serves as a mobile office. Keep toys in clear plastic containers, office supplies in a tackle box and have trash bags handy.
“Can I See Your License and Registration, Please?” There are quite a few papers that are kept in the car. Of course you carry registration, proof of insurance and a blank accident report. No? Keep your papers organized using a set of envelopes or a checkbook organizer. Both are good for the glovebox. In these put coupons, receipts or a mileage log.
Roadside Safety. In addition to your cell phone, it’s helpful and handy to carry flares or flashing triangle, a first aid kit, Fix a Flat, flashlight, traction pads, a severe weather survival kit, Swiss Army knife, extra oil, jumper cables and most important of all, water. I also stashed a fifty dollar bill in an envelope in case of an emergency—of any kind.
I’m A Promotion Machine. One of the most important things I keep in my car is a promotional kit (in a plastic container) complete with business cards, press kits, postcards with my book cover on them, point of purchase displays, copies of my books as well as pushpins and tape (to hang flyers), and a camera for photo opportunities.
Oh, Brother. It’s such a pain to refold maps. That’s why a Thomas Brothers Guide is such a Godsend when lost. No, I won’t ask for directions but I will look them up.
Think Tank. It’s a fact we get good ideas while driving so have some way to capture them (without crashing). A hand held GPS is handy, too.
Mobile University. Butch Trucks of The Allman Brothers is on a continuous program of self-improvement. When he motors around Florida he likes to listen to college lectures on audiotape. This makes perfect sense, since we spend more time in our cars commuting—so make it count. Carry articles to read or correspondence to complete.
You Never Know. That’s why (if you have the room) keeping a couple of things in your trunk (containerized, of course) to counter any situation that comes up is a good idea. This can include books and magazines to read in case you are waiting for someone or have some found time. An errand box is a also handy. In it you carry items to return to stores, cleaning supplies in case you pass a self-service car wash or library books that need to be returned. Other items to carry are workout wear or yoga mat, an extra coat or sweatshirt, camera and spare hosiery.
A Trunk In The Trunk. A box or bin for stuff that you have to schlep in and out of your home is helpful. Installing a shelf next to your car where you keep related supplies works well. Then, depending on where you are heading, you can grab the container with the gear you need and go.
Ten and Two. That’s the position I learned in drivers education of where to put your hands on the wheel. Cup holders are not a novelty, they are a necessity. A hands-free cell phone car kit is also a must. So get a grip and keep from crashing.
Fast Facts
The average wallet contains $104 and change. Seventy-five percent of people polled store their bills in numerical order—singles in front and larger bills behind. Also, one-third carried condoms.
Carrying Cases (Backpack/Purse/Wallet/Briefcase)
We carry around all kinds of things (mostly “emotional” baggage). There’s more to carry than ever before. I saw a woman falling down the stairs while juggling a cell phone, planner, keys and a book. Bestselling author Mattie Stepanick doesn’t let muscular distrophy slow him down. Maybe you’ve seen the young poet on Oprah or Larry King Live promoting his Heartsongs collections. When he goes on a cross-country book tour he has to tote a lot more than most. His wheelchair is loaded down with equipment and also his personal stuff.
Sidebar: What’s In Your Bag?
I did a little study asking friends (and even strangers) to dump out their backpacks, purses and empty their pockets. In addition to finding some truly frightening things (moldy and hairy candy bars and an assortment of unmentionables), I found some fascinating things, too. Backpacks are not just for kids and campers anymore. What do you put in your pack? Circle anything you may want to add to your bag: Aspirin. Breath freshener. Calculator. Cappuccino mix. Cell phone charger. Coin holder. Condoms. Coupons. Diary. Deodorant. Dog treats. Extra car key. Gloves. Handy Wipes. Inspirational little mini books. Lighter. Loose change. Lotion. Mending kit. Mini-portfolio. Nail repair kit. Notepad. Panties. Pantyhose. Paper clips. Pen. Photo album. Polaroid camera. Post-It Notes. Promotional materials. Scrunchies. Sketch pad. Snacks. Speedos. Sunscreen. Workout wear.
As a writer, my backpack is one of my most important pieces of equipment. Of course it contains my laptop, plus a lot of other supplies vital to my “survival”. Angelina Jolie, the actress, is learning to play the drums and brings her drumsticks with her everywhere. I have been doing the same thing for years. Einstein got many of his insights and ideas while sailing. I’m no Einstein, but I got a backpack with lots of little pockets so that loose items don’t fall overboard when on my boat. I can’t tell you how many times I said, “I wish I had my camera.” Now I don’t miss those Kodak moments by carrying a small disposable camera. Did you ever notice that Clarence, the angel trying to get his wings in It’s a Wonderful Life, carried around a Mark Twain book? He read it while George was busy “discovering” himself and the meaning of his life. Having a book “on board” is perfect for reading while waiting in line or when you want a break. In the book, The Stars On The Set: Stolen Moments, numerous photos appear of stars like Marlon Brando, John Wayne and Marlene Dietrich playing chess, checkers or cards between takes. Anyone can carry a deck of Uno cards. Or, if you know what you’re doing, a deck of Tarot cards can make any party more fun. I carry a memo pad like reporters used and sticky notes for quick notes to myself and others. I love to doodle, and when I was single I would draw caricatures of people and use them as an icebreaker. I have made sketches while at the nursery looking at plants so that I would remember the care or watering instructions. For the artist within, I have to haul around all my supplies including canvases, brushes and paint. How do I carry all this stuff without getting a bad back? I use the bag-within-a-bag system. That way I can mix and match what I need for the day.
WALLET
In a man’s wallet there is probably one photo. In a woman’s wallet there is every person they ever met, and most of these photos are years old. In addition to more photos, a woman’s wallets can be a clutter catcher. Although, Sheryl Crow wears a leather wrist wallet designed by Tamera Lyndsay, herself a rocker who performed in girl bands and needed a place to hide money while playing late into the night. Even if you carry a “George Costanza” wallet (stuffed) it can be organized. A lot of lessons can be learned when it comes to organizing a wallet. It’s a microcosm of organizing in general. Dump out everything in your wallet onto the counter. Make piles for credit cards, cash, business cards, other cards, photos, driver’s license and other “stuff” you carry around. Let’s start with what you MUST have in your wallet. You need your license or picture ID, medical insurance card and credit card. Then there are the things you WANT. This includes cash and things that help you reach your goals (library card, business cards or an association card) or make you feel safe, secure and happy (AAA card, family photo and condoms). Items that are handy and helpful include claim checks for a quick pick up of repairs, your kids’ shoe and shirt sizes or model numbers for copiers and printers that need cartridges. Keep numbers instead of the actual cards (like frequent flyer). If your wallet is lost it is easier if you only have to replace the essentials. (Photocopy everything in your wallet and store in a safe place.) What you don’t need is a wallet stuffed with irrelevant receipts and all kinds of papers and cards that take up room and do you no good. (You can keep some receipts but do a dump-out once a month.)
PURSE
Is it time to clean out your two ton purse and lighten up? It’s time to take out some of the items that no longer serve your life and organize the rest. How do you do this? Since I do not carry a purse, I turned to my wife and some of her friends’ for ideas. Here are some of the best. One suggested carrying items that do double duty. For example, Bazooka gum is a good thing to have since it gives you good breath, a sugar rush and something to read. Another woman says she carries a product by Lola that is both a lipstick and a keychain. Many of the ladies I talked to keep their things in small clear containers so there is not a bunch of loose stuff they have to sift through to find what they need. Have two bags in one—a big bag and a clutch. One for when you are lugging everything and the kitchen sink and a smaller bag for a lighter load. Organizing your small stuff makes it easier to find things. Most of the women have divided their purses into zones so they know in general where everything is. Have a portable manicure set or nail clipper for down time, floss for a moment when you have spinach stuck in your teeth. One woman had a credit card size set of tools that contains a knife, pen, scissors, tweezers. One of the single girls carries cab fare for when she might want to bail out of a date gone bad, as well as a few items in case she gets lucky. Make sure you have an extra pair of stockings, spare set of keys, and a bottle of quick-stain remover. Stash some cash in case of emergencies. Have a place where you can hang packs and purses like a coat rack or shelf with hooks.
MAKEUP
Anne Archer has two complete sets of makeup—one is set up at home and the other is organized into a portable bag she carries with her. She learned how and likes to do her own makeup. A friend of ours is an actress and she shared some of the stuff she uses to create the glitz and glamour that is Hollywood. Her makeup kit includes the usual: Eyeliner, mascara, blush, lipstick and lip liner. It also includes foundation, concealer, pencil concealer, finishing powder, lip balm, bronzing powder, a sponge and Q-tips. She always takes her makeup kit to a shoot just in case the makeup artist doesn’t show up. She thinks actresses should learn to do their own makeup anyway. Use a clear container for your makeup so you can see what’s inside rather than rummaging around.
Chores/Cleaning
According to a Time Project study, women spent fifteen hours a week on housework in 1995 which (surprisingly) is thirteen hours less than they did in 1965. According to a poll by Clinique Laboratories, only 43 percent of the women polled predict that men share household duties equally. Most feel they will always be primarily responsible for those chores. My wife asked me, “What’s on the TV?” I said, “Dust.” Next thing I know the remote was ricocheting off my skull. Now I help with housework, and I would like to offer these ten tips to help any of you out there who hate this stuff as much as I do.
1. Not just health department clean, but Monica clean. This is in reference to clean freak Monica Gellar on Friends. Lower your expectations of what clean is. When having people over, focus on key areas—toilets, for example. Go ahead and push things into the closet. Dim the lights and light some candles. Let some things go that people don’t see (like under the bed) so you have more time to entertain.
2. Multitask. Clean the shower while in it. Catch up on your “reading” by listening to books on tape while cleaning. Talk on the phone while dusting.
3. The faster, the better. Cleaning your house vigorously can burn about 450 calories an hour. Time yourself and see how much you can pick up and toss within ten minutes. Do a five-minute cleaning run before bed and pick up and put stuff away as fast as possible.
4. Make it fun. Put socks and terry cloth outfits on your kids and allow them to slide across the floor to get it clean. Make it fun for everyone to help. In Dave Barry’s syndicated column he shared a letter one of his readers sent him. “Julia” told her husband that watching him do the laundry made her hot. (Not true, but the effect was the same.) She insisted that watching him fold the laundry got her even steamier. Her wiles finally got him to do the housework. She has even made love to him right by the washing machine to prove her point.
5. Keep cleaning supplies near where the messes occur. Keep carpet cleaner close to where you eat. DustBusters are cheap enough to have in more than one place. Stash pop-up wipes in every bathroom in the house and swipe the counters, mirrors and sinks regularly.
6. Do a little each day and then you don’t have to waste a weekend cleaning. Clean things as you notice them and do what’s in front of you. Do a quick pickup every day. Take a second to clean up before you leave. Wouldn’t it be nice not to have to spend your weekend cleaning up and doing chores? Just a few minutes a day and you won’t waste a weekend. Break down cleaning up a rather large area into thirty-minute increments. You can clean out a fridge in half an hour or scrub a bathroom in that amount of time.
7. The more clutter you have the harder it is to clean. Enough said.
8. Be a basket case. Use a laundry basket and go around the house picking up stuff and put ting it back where it belongs. A friend of mine always has a kid on one hip and a basket on the other. I forget what she looks like without either one.
9. Keep dirt out of the house. When I lived in Hawaii it was a constant battle with the red dirt that got tracked into everyone’s homes. It’s a good thing it’s “Hawaiian Style” to take your shoes off before entering a home. On the mainland, there are all kinds of pesticides, poop and other foul things that would be tracked in if you didn’t get into the habit of taking your shoes off outside and keep them organized with a shoe rack by the door.
10. Hire help.
Sidebar: A New Wrinkle
Whirlpool Corporation claims that fifty-seven percent of all clothes taken to the cleaners were done to remove wrinkles. So how about this? Steam clean while you shower.
Closets/Clothes
“I’m such a pack rat that when I lost over a hundred pounds I couldn’t throw away my fat clothes. I just bagged them up and put them in the garage, next to my dead husband’s clothes—next to my dead husband,” jokes Johnnye Jones Gibson. A well organized closet is one in which it’s easy to take things out. Closets are not a place to pile stuff in and leave in there. For the things that are piled high and stuffed in the back of a closet or on a high shelf, it’s almost as if they are not there at all. To make matters worse, when it’s difficult to put things away in a cluttered closet, guess what? You won’t do it which creates a mess in other areas of the home. Getting a handle on your clothes closet is the beginning of an organized home. The same rules apply here as they do to organizing anything. Make the items that are worn most the easiest to get to. For us writers, it’s our best loose and baggy flannels, sweats and comfy clothes that get prime position (easy to reach) with the suits and dress shirts in the back. Workout wear in front? Not! My fat clothes are in my closet (again) and my I-wish-I-was-this-thin-again clothes are in another closet—in the garage. If you live in North Dakota, do you really need your thongs out where people will see them? (Not those kind of thongs.) It’s nice to have an overflow closet to keep your out of season or out of style clothes in and then “rotate your stock” based on seasons.
Are you afraid to open a closet door because an avalanche of loose items will topple on you? Are your closets so crammed full of random clutter that you can’t find anything without a long and (usually fruitless) strenuous search? That’s why I find it better to designate a closet for one type of clutter so that you know (generally) what’s in that closet and it doesn’t get too crowded. Perhaps the way to start in your clothes closet is to get rid of all that stuff that doesn’t belong there—gift wrapping supplies, boxes, bags and luggage. Then weed out old and unwanted clothes and make room for a better wardrobe. I know, your closets are full and you still have nothing to wear. Move out the things you never wear, don’t fit or are ripped or stained. The truth is, we all have our favorites—clothes that make us look good, feel good or are from a good designer. Yet, we keep a bunch of crap that we almost never wear. What if we just kept the best and stashed the rest? Well, I did just that. During a move and a change of seasons, I evaluated my entire wardrobe and ditched or donated the clothes that, “hello” didn’t fit me anymore or didn’t fit my current (casual) lifestyle. It became a lot easier to organize my clothes when I had less of them to deal with. To help me, I held a marathon make-over with my wife and her fashion-forward friends. I tried on and “modeled” my clothes and they gave me a thumbs up or thumbs down. The result was I ended up with a lot less clothes that did nothing for me—or those around me. (I also ended up with a slight fashion inferiority complex.) Comedienne Rita Rudner’s take on shopping is this: “A saleslady holds up an ugly dress and says, ‘This looks much better on.’ On what? On fire?” I can now see the wisdom of having a personal shopper. At Nordstrom they’re free and they show you the right look for you, help create outfits and mix and match items together. This can save space and money. Maybe you don’t need more clothes but just need to make better use of your existing clothes. It’s a lot easier when black is the base “color” for the bulk of your clothes. (That’s how I simplified my wardrobe and my life.) Inventor Kamen wears the same outfit no matter what the occasion—even the National Medal of Technology awards ceremony at the White House—blue jeans, a denim work shirt and Timberland boots. Come up with your own simplified color palette.
The Clean Closet. Imagine a closet that is clean, uncluttered and color-coded. It can happen and you don’t have to become an obsessive compulsive clean freak to do it. I recommend you hang a picture on or inside the door of what you want your closet to look like. (These photos come from catalogs or magazines showing you what’s possible.) Step one is NOT to pull everything out all at once. This is way too scary. You clean out a closet a little at a time. (This is not our normal approach to anything, but it works for this project.) First, organize all the stuff lying around the outside of the closet and on the floor. Then do the racks one section at a time. To do this, you’ll need some supplies. Boxes are best for sorting out the clothes by the category they fall into inside the closet (pants, shirts, skirts and so on) or those that you need to mend or clean, donate to charity, give to friends or family, sell, store elsewhere, trash—or burn. You can also have a box for the “undecided” items. Leave them out for a designated time and then, if they don’t fall into one of the above categories, tape up the box, put an expiration date on it and store it out of the way. Now it’s time to deal with what’s left. If you can afford it, get good hangers. (Empty hangers go in the front so they’re easy to find.) The next decision is how to hang your clothes. There is no right or wrong way to organize your clothes, but is easier to get dressed if you do it by color, category or group outfits together. You want it to be visual, easy to mix and match and most of all, easy to maintain. Along those lines, each time you take something out or put it back, do a little straightening up.
The Creative Closet. Closets do not have to be boring. Why not make it an expression of your personality and creativity. What if you painted it a pleasing color or did a mural on the doors? Would beautiful baskets or colorful containers make it more appealing? What if you made it smell nicer? How about a dry-wipe board or a pad of sticky notes on the door to leave yourself reminders and (positive) messages? You might also pin up pictures of possible outfits and ideas you I’ve seen in fashion magazines and want to try on for size. You could also come up with creative solutions to organizing challenges. A friend of mine mentioned that she put a corkboard on the inside of her closet door and uses pushpins to hang necklaces and bracelets. My buddy’s girlfriend assembled a week’s worth of his outfits on a rolling rack kept in a corner. (Trust me, this is a BIG help for this “fashion emergency” friend.) Old-fashioned hat boxes can be decorative and hold a lot of loose items. My wife uses clear containers with different colored lids on a shelf in her closet to sort accessories. Faced with purses piled high in her closet, a reader wrote me that after the pile collapsed on her (while already running late) she bought a hat rack and converted it into a purse tree.
The Custom Closet. Even the people who are picky about almost everything else in their life will usually leave a closet the way it came. The people who designed and installed your closet likely had no idea what your needs were and how it would better suit your clothes. That’s why there is so much wasted space. With a quick trip to the home improvement store and a few tools, you can create a custom closet that is adjustable, flexible and fits YOUR needs. Need more shelves? More rods? Both can be added by creating a wood divider to cut your closet in half while doubling the amount of bars and shelves (and with adjustable runners and hooks there are a lot more options when you want to “raise the bar”). If you add a shelf also add a rod underneath it so it does doubly duty. If you have a high ceiling in your closet, add another shelf to take advantage of space at the top. Use the high space to store luggage which can double as a container. For a wasted area underneath your clothes, you can put an old dresser into a closet for more drawer space. You can also add cubes or crates for additional storage. Hang all the short things together so that you can use the bottom space for other clutter. Create more closet space in an alcove or corner by adding a bar and covering it with a curtain. Use a bookshelf to store folded clothes like they do in retail stores. There is a product that is both a bookcase and a closet door. Hang stuff on the wall or the back of the door. Use a heavy hook to temporarily hang your dry cleaning, the next day’s outfit, or clothes that aren’t quite dirty enough for the hamper. Have you ever considered hanging a stain remover on a string? How about hooks for a flashlight, lint brush or iron. You can also hang a mini-sewing kit in the closet so when you notice a loose button you can pull out a needle, some thread and stitch it up.
The Shoe Closet. Shoes, shoes and more shoes. I saw an interview with diva Mariah Carey. Her closet is a full-blown salon. I half expected Jose Eber to pop out. It looked like a clothing store. Of course she has a shoe room. A shoe ROOM. One thing I took away was the fact that she had amazing lighting. It’s dark underneath your clothes (which is not the best place to put shoes) and it’s hard to find anything in the dark. Add a light in your shoe closet if there isn’t one now. (They make push lights that don’t need to be plugged in.) Kimora Lee Simmons takes Polaroids of her shoes and puts the pictures on the outside of clear containers. You can do the same with original shoeboxes. Granted, she has 300 pairs of shoes. She also calls the area she keeps her shoes in her meditation room. I read in a woman’s magazine the following tip: Don’t let your man count your shoes. He’ll never understand why you need so many. I poked around in my wife’s shoe closet (yes, she has a whole closet for her shoes) and counted 50 black pairs, all varieties of white including off-white, sand, salt and powder white. Hmmmm. I never see the new shoes come into the house. How she does it is a mystery to me. Shoes were one area that my wife and I spent the most time trying to get a handle on when we moved—and we did it. In addition to allocating half the house to her shoes, we came up with a system. She shifts shoes by season and keeps the out-of-season shoes on the shelves or behind the more current and often-worn shoes. Shoes she wears the most were put in a prime position. We got an over-the-door shoe holder for sandals, and running shoes and slippers are stored by the door and the rest are kept in plastic containers with a Polaroid photo on the front. The shelves we got are adjustable so we can adapt them to type and time of year. (Boots in winter, sandals in summer.) By the way, my three pairs of shoes and flip-flops are on a rack by the back door. Speaking of racks, women who use a shoe rack are seven times more likely to be on time to work, according to a survey by Ikea.
Fast Fact
Fifty-four percent of people polled hang their clothes up right away. Who are these people?
There are a lot more organizing ideas contained in this chapter, but you’ll have to buy the book to read them. (Wink) |
