The month of March celebrates the contributions women have made to history (or HERstory!), culture, and society.
In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980 as National Women’s History Week. Presidents after Carter continued to proclaim a National Women’s History Week in March until 1987 when Congress passed Public Law 100-9, designating March as “Women’s History Month.”
Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, each president has issued an annual proclamation designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” President Biden followed suit on February 29th, 2024 and invited citizens to learn more at WomensHistoryMonth.org.
I’m not the President of the United States but I invite you today to learn more about one group of women and two individuals who have made historic and ground-breaking contributions to the professional organizing industry. There are so many women I could have profiled. I chose these three (and a *bonus* fourth) because I felt they were pioneers in the field of organizing. Their work has had a remarkable ‘ripple effect’ on the professional organizing industry and on those who have benefitted from their knowledge and efforts.
Where to begin? At the beginning, of course!
The APO 5: The Founders of NAPO
It all started in 1983, when a small group of women who all offered organizing services gathered in a Los Angeles living room to exchange ideas. As trailblazers in a new and up and coming industry, they recognized the value of sharing their knowledge and becoming a support system to one another. They called themselves APO, Association of Professional Organizers.
Two years later, APO formalized by electing officers, who later that year would be named as the founding members: Beverly Clower, Stephanie Culp, Ann Gambrell, Maxine Ordesky, and Jeanne Shorr. In 1986, APO changed its name to the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO).
What came in the decades afterward is remarkable. Thousands of members. Education and professional credentialing. Publicity initiatives. International relationships with related associations both domestic and international. All stemming from a meeting in one person’s living room.
Below, is a short video created in honor of the 30th anniversary of NAPO. In the few minutes that it plays, I heard three heartwarming quotes that echo the sentiments of why we celebrate Women’s History Month:
“We were all like sisters in this together.”
“We were women helping other women.”
“What made it all work was that five women came together to form a once-in-a-lifetime team.”
Thank you Beverly, Stephanie, Ann, Maxine, and Jeanne for coming together to dream and work together to create an organization that enabled women (predominantly) to start and grow organizing businesses that help bring order, calm, and efficiency to their clients’ lives.
Julie Morgenstern
Julie Morgenstern is an internationally renowned organizing and time management expert, New York Times best-selling author, consultant and speaker.
In October 1998, Julie published her first book, Organizing From the Inside Out. In the book, she writes about how she had lived most of her life in a ‘constant state of disorder.’ That all changed when she had a baby and realized that if she didn’t get organized, her child would never see the outside of their home! Her daughter’s diaper bag was the first thing she successfully organized and she says that “it was truly the beginning of my path to organization.”
Julie began her business, TaskMasters in 1989 and soon thereafter created an organizing philosophy called ‘organizing from the inside out’ that focuses on one’s individual habits, needs, goals, and personality. She also invented an acronym for an organizing system now-famous in the organizing world called the S.P.A.C.E. system (Sort, Purge, Assign a home, Containerize, Equalize). I, as well as many other members of the professional organizing industry use this intuitive five-step system to help our clients get and stay organized.
I had the good fortune to train with and work for Julie at the very beginning of my career as a Professional Organizer back in 2001-2002. I learned many organizing and client management tips and techniques from her that I still use in my business today.
Julie was the recipient of the 2002 NAPO Founder’s Award and has continued to offer her organizing expertise on television, magazines, and in books on the topics of time management, workplace efficiency, and parenting.
Thank you Julie for creating an organizing system that makes the art of getting organized easy to understand and easy to apply to one’s own life. Thank you for trusting me with your clients as a professional organizing newbie and for sharing your knowledge and experience so that I, too could help people live an organized life.
Judith Kolberg
Judith Kolberg started FileHeads, her professional organizing company in 1989 and is credited with launching a field of professional organizing that addresses the needs of those who are chronically disorganized (CD). She founded the National Study Group on Chronic Disorganization, which later become the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD).
She has authored and co-authored books on the topics of ADD, Chronic Disorganization, Emotional Labor, Organizing in the ‘Era of Endless,’ and Disaster Preparedness–all topics related to the professional organizing industry. Even though I do not work with clients with ADD or Chronic Disorganization, I own a copy of one of her earliest publications, Conquering Chronic Disorganization. I was advised to add it to my professional bookshelf because the ideas, techniques, and examples in her book would not only help a chronically disorganized client, but would work for most people wanting to get organized. And those people who advised me–were right! My favorite strategy in the book is called: “Friends, Acquaintances and Strangers” which I have successfully used with my clients for years to help them declutter.
Judith is the recipient of the 1996 NAPO Founder’s Award and continues to be a future-focused trend strategist in the field of organizing.
Thank you Judith for your foresight and on-going dedication to our profession.
Bonus – Joyce Dorney
You may not recognize her name but if you’ve been ‘in the biz’ for a while, you’ll recognize what she created for our industry. Joyce Dorney was the Editor-in-Chief and the woman behind the idea of Organize Magazine.
I recall balancing my not-yet-toddler son on my lap while checking email one day in 2007 and there it was–a short note from a woman named Joyce who was starting a magazine about organizing. She had done a Google search and found me through an article I had written for my website (before I started blogging) on the topic of organizing on a budget. She was looking for someone to author the recurring ‘Organizing on a Shoestring’ section of the magazine and I jumped at the chance. Joyce gave me the opportunity to write for her ‘baby’ and I could not have been more grateful.
Although the magazine stopped publication a few years later, Joyce was a pioneer. She saw a need in the market and had a vision for filling it. She was quoted as saying,
“I looked and I looked and I looked and I looked, and it [a magazine dedicated to organizing] just wasn’t there,” Dorny said. “And kind of in this moment probably of insanity, a lot of people would say, I thought, well I could start an organizing magazine.”
It’s in that moment of ‘insanity’ when ideas are born and turned into reality. Thank you Joyce for your vision, your passion, and for bringing a magazine all about organizing to those of us in the professional organizing industry and to the general public.
Over the course of their careers, the NAPO 5, Julie Morgenstern, and Judith Kolberg have all won the NAPO Founder’s Award. The NAPO Founders’ Award “is presented to a NAPO member, or a group of NAPO members acting in concert, for outstanding innovation, inspiration, and creativity both within, and outside of, the field of professional organizing and productivity consulting.”
The achievements and contributions of these women will be felt for decades as the professional organizing industry continues to grow and flourish. Thank you NAPO 5, Julie Morgenstern, and Judith Kolberg, and Joyce Dorney for making organizing (HER)story.
You know how some kids wait by the mailbox for the Target/Amazon (former Toys R Us) holiday catalog to arrive? For me, it’s the Container Store Stocking Stuffers catalog. I know the holiday season has begun when it appears in my mailbox nestled between bills, requests for donations, and holiday-themed junk mail.
My usual reaction to it’s arrival is to jump up and down with excitement, run to get a pen, and plop myself down in a comfy spot to peruse the pages (I consider this routine to be an act of self-care…). After flipping through the pages once or twice, I then take that pen and start circling the items I may want to talk about in my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers post. I also draw a big star next to the few items I’ll consider purchasing for myself.
For the past five years (plus one post in 2013), I have done the jumping, the running, the plopping, flipping, circling, and starr-ing. and the writing of the I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffers post.
This year, except for the writing, none of the above occurred. Like Charlie Brown checking his mailbox for a valentine, I checked my mail pile every day for a Stocking Stuffers catalog. In the past, it usually arrived in the middle of November but as I prepped for Thanksgiving, it never showed.
Sadness.
Maybe it got lost in the mail?
Maybe The Container Store chose to be ecologically responsible and didn’t print the catalog this year?
Maybe The Container Store decided NOT to curate a stocking stuffer collection for the holiday season?
FORGET I even SAID that!
Maybe all the stocking stuffer items fell victim to ‘supply chain-itis!’
I’m not crying–you’re crying!
OK, it wasn’t really that dramatic but I was still concerned about the stocking stuffers.
I decided to ask Google to take me to the Container Store website. Stocking stuffer page, please–and step on it!
And then, it took about 2.3 seconds for my fears to disappear. There were the stocking stuffers–all six pages of them. No circling items on my iPad or putting stars next to the ones I thought I might buy. I plopped on the couch, clicked instead of flipped, took notes on a scratch pad, and drew a big star next to the few items I considered purchasing for myself.
After all that drama, here is a list of some of my favorite Container Store Stocking Stuffers. They’re useful, great for organizing, perfect for the kitchen or kids of all ages, cute and fun, and one is an improvement over last year’s choice:
If you own handbags and have the room to hang them in a closet, this product would be worth a try. They’re similar to an ‘S’ hook but the bottom half can twist, offering great flexibility. And they’re not just for handbags! People who have purchased this product posted pictures of the hooks being used for holding kitchen utensils, boots, and holiday decor.
I am a big fan of OXO products. They are thoughtfully crafted and designed with the user in mind. To me, this product screams, ‘Necessity is the mother of invention.’ I can imagine that someone working at OXO had the experience of cooking a big meal with many pots and nowhere to place the lids while tasting, stirring, or sautéing. They came into work the next day and said to their boss, “I have an idea for a new product!”
I know that I am often looking for a place to put my pot lids–especially when I have four or five burners going at once. It’s a little pricey, but I may have to try this. And bonus–it folds flat for easy storage. Thank you OXO!
Every apartment dweller or homeowner should own a tool box filled with basic tools. This 10-in-1 multi-tool fits the bill for someone who may not have room for a tool box or the resources (or desire) to fill one. Includes a hammer, wire cutter, pliers, flat and Phillips head screwdrivers, knife blade, file, saw blade, reamer and bottle opener.
At a bit over eight inches long, it’s portable enough to carry to a friend or family member’s house to assist them with a basic repair. And, you’re the hero!
Unless you live in a cave with no wifi, it’s most likely you’ve spent the better part of the last eighteen months using your phone to communicate via video. And after all that time, if you haven’t invested in a product to create a hands-free spot for your phone, this could be the time to make a small investment.
No more leaning your phone against a tissue box or precariously placing it on a shelf. Something as small as a tripod can offer big rewards in terms of keeping your phone from falling and allowing you to move freely while on video. And–a bonus ring light!
This type of product piqued my interest when I profiled the Thumb Scraper Tool in last year’s Stocking Stuffer post. Although I haven’t had a manicure in a while, I still don’t enjoy chipping a fingernail while removing a price tag. I bought this to have in my home to try and view it as a small, yet worthwhile investment. I think it will come in handy whether I’ve painted my nails or not!
I am not the biggest fan of washing dishes. But, if I had to stand and scrub a bunch of dirty pots, I think this brightly-colored sponge would make the task a little less distasteful and a whole lot more joyful. It comes in a two-pack and it’s safe to use on non-stick cookware. They even have a loop at the top so you can hang them to dry easily.
As I wrote earlier, I am a big fan of OXO products. I have a bunch in my kitchen such as spatulas, tongs, peelers, and one of my faves–OXO POP containers. They have all lasted for years and make the cooking part of my life more manageable and less energy-sucking.
When I saw these, I thought, ‘Do I need them? Because, they sure are cute!” Cooking for a family of four (with a teen and tween boy) doesn’t usually lend itself to such small measurements so I passed on purchasing them. But, aren’t they adorable? And they nest, too! Even when they’re next to each other, they barely take up much space.
Each set includes 2-oz, 1-oz, 1-Tbsp and 1-tsp measuring beakers and they’re dishwasher safe (top rack). And colorful! And, they match perfectly with the Rainbow Sponges! Ok, maybe I need to take a ride to The Container Store…
Raise your hand if you love pigs-in-blankets! (Ooooh, me me me!)
In 2018, I profiled a similar product called ‘Little Pigs in Blanket Mold.’ The Rocket Dog Bites Tray appears to be a comparable product–insert rocket ships instead of pigs.
Yes, you can buy pre-made pigs-in-blankets (or as they’re called in my household:’ little hot dogs’) but you might have a blast (off) making your own rocket ship-dogs. Looks like a fun product to use with kids to teach early cooking (and cleaning up) skills. It’s oven-safe and made of easy-to-clean silicone. So easy-to-clean, you probably don’t even need the above Rainbow Sponge…
No time to enroll in Clown School? Here’s the next best thing!
It’s amazing how much joy a balloon animal can bring to a child (and many adults, too!). Learn to make six different animals. This kit includes 20 balloons, an air pump and an 80-page instruction book with photos. With this kit, your days of only being able to create a balloon snake are over!
Just looking at these brought me back to my childhood. There was always one kid in my class who had fruity-smelling magic markers and didn’t mind sharing them. I loved sniffing them (admit it–you know you did, too…)!
Now, there are sweet-smelling pencils! Made from recycled newspaper, they’re packaged in their own recyclable tube and topped by a cute character cap. The set of five color-coded scents include grape jelly, orange, kiwi, blueberry and strawberry. If your kid shudders at the thought of eating fruit, using these pencils may bring them one step closer to tasting the real thing…
I’m not a fan of ramen noodles, but I looooove post-its. And I love the fun and whimsical products made by the Fred & Friends company. It’s the post-it note with the most amount of sodium I’ve ever seen!
If you have a friend or family member who enjoys ramen noodles, this would be a cool stocking stuffer for them. The pad has 155 sticky notes and comes in a resealable zipper storage bag. A great addition to one’s kitchen counter or desk.
WHY is this a STOCKING STUFFER??? Is it just me or does anyone else feel that this is just NOT appropriate to give as a ‘gift?’
Doesn’t this kinda ‘reek’ of telling someone that their feet smell? “Hey! Here’s some Shoe Pourri–and Happy Holidays to you, too!”
If you must, try gifting this to the active spouse or teen in your life. Just make sure they won’t be offended by it. The last thing you want during a holiday celebration is a surly teen or horrified family member. #howtoruinaholiday
Interested in seeing the rest of The Container Store Stocking Stuffer Collection. They’re all right here!
If you received a Container Store Stocking Stuffer catalog this year, please let me know in the comments section below!
Twelve years of blogging! Could that really be true?
It feels like only yesterday when I attended the 2009 NAPO Conference in Orlando and signed up for a workshop called, “Become a Blogging and Podcasting Genius.’ I had no desire to start a podcast but a blog–yup, that was right up my alley.
I’ve always enjoyed expressing myself through the written word. I found writing to be an enjoyable creative outlet–writing about organizing was going to be FUN (and it still is…)!
Who would have thought there would be so much to write about on the topic of organizing?!? It’s twelve years later and I still haven’t run out of ideas. In fact, I keep a list of ideas in a file in one of my favorite productivity apps, Evernote. I’ll be checking my list over the next few weeks to plan out my blog post topics for 2022.
Happy blogiversary to me! As part of my blogiversary celebration, I set goals for my blog for the year ahead and I look back to see if I met the goals I set for myself the previous year. Here’s how I did…
Goals I had set for 2020-2021
Continue to Blog 1x a Month
I got off to a great start! Beginning with October of 2020, I published a blog post consistently every month and lined a guest blogger up for the month of March. Around that time, both of my parents became ill within a few weeks of each other. When a crisis occurs, it’s vital to focus on what’s most important and put non-essential tasks aside until the crisis passes and that’s what I did. They’re doing much better now and I started blogging again over the summer.
I also took time to complete three NAPO Specialist Certificates and a program that certifies me as a Certified Virtual Professional Organizer ( CVPO™ ). The timing was right so I put blogging aside to fulfill the requirements. Now that I’ve completed them all, I can focus more of my time on my blog. I’m looking forward to publishing my annual I ‘Heart’ Container Store Stocking Stuffer post next month!
Consider Using Tailwind
Due to the circumstances of the past year, I barely got to spend any time on Pinterest (insert sad face here). Thus, I didn’t even begin to think about Tailwind. It’s not totally off the table–it’s just not a priority. I’ll keep it on my to-do list and put a reminder in my calendar to learn more about it.
Create Canva Images for Older Posts
Started! I began blogging on the Blogger platform before I even had a WordPress website. WAAAAY back when, blog posts were more about the writing than the photos. Now, I’m starting to add images to some of those ‘vintage’ posts. Years ago, my website designer helped me migrate the old posts over to my new WordPress website. They have good SEO juice–they’re just not pretty enough yet for ‘prime time’ (Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook).
Continue to Tweak Content on Older Blog Posts to Make More Evergreen
Every so often, I’ll scroll through my blog posts to see if they need updating. I’ve made some tweaks along the way to ensure their status as ‘evergreen.’ In fact, the last one I tweaked was a roundup post I curated for Halloween.
Create a Second Blog Post Showcasing ‘Ted Talks’ on the Topic of Organizing
I did not get to write it this year, but I have been curating a list of Ted Talks on the topic of organizing that would work nicely for a second similar blog post. My first blog post titled, 3 Thought-Provoking Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized was and still is very popular on Pinterest. It’s on my to-do list to create that second Ted Talk blog post for Winter or Spring of 2022.
Goals I’m setting for 2021-2022
Create a Round-Up Blog Post
I love reading ’round-up’ posts–so many creative and ingenious ideas all in one spot for the reader. I’m considering creating one for my blog in 2022–topic: To Be Decided…
Create Downloadable Printables for My Most Popular Blog Posts
My ‘Ted Talk’ blog post blew up on Pinterest and until a short while ago, it was my most ‘pinned’ post. Then, about nine months ago I started seeing a constant stream of people pinning my ‘Tales of a Town-Wide Garage Sale’ post. It seemed as if half the world wanted to read about my garage sale experience and use my garage sale tips. I get Pinterest notifications on our family iPad and at least a few times a week my son yells out, “Mom! More people pinned your ‘Garage Sale’ post today!”
In an attempt to gather more email addresses for my email list, I thought I’d create a *freebie* downloadable printable for this post. I recently created the printable and now I’m working on figuring out the technology part to make it downloadable and how to collect the email addresses. I hope to report in my next blogiversary post that I was successful!
Invite Guest Bloggers to Share their Posts
In the past, I used to invite guest bloggers to share their knowledge and ideas on my blog–usually around the times of the year when I’d be most busy with my kids (school holidays/summer vacation). I don’t recall why I stopped doing this, but I’d like to get back to it–perhaps having guest bloggers offering tips and advice on topics that are not my specialty. I had a very positive experience hosting a guest blogger in March–I think I’ll try it again this year.
Thanks for joining me on my adventures in blogging–onward to year thirteen!
Would you agree–2020 has not exactly been a banner year for most of us? But, that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate holidays and celebrate each other. In fact, all is right in the world, even just for a few minutes, when you have a new crop of Container Store Stocking Stuffers to talk about!
I’m lucky enough to live about ten minutes away from The Container Store of Paramus, NJ. Towards the middle of November, I usually take a mini field trip there to cast my eyes upon a new season of stocking stuffers–to hold them in my hand and imagine them in my home. This year, I’ll be using an abundance of caution and opting to not take my usual field trip to the store. I’ll be drooling over my keyboard instead.
Over the years, the Container Store Stocking Stuffer collection has become more fun, functional, and kitchy and less about ‘organizing.’ In my first stocking stuffer roundup post written in 2013, some of my faves included well-designed kitchen tools, colorful page markers, and a rubber ducky shower cap (for organized hair?!?). This year, I’ll be highlighting some of my current ‘faves’ and throwing it back to one from last year’s stocking stuffer post.
I’ve split up this year’s crop of stocking stuffers that I ‘heart’ most into the following categories: ForOrganizing, Useful, Fun and Cute, and Really?
For Organizing
OXO Good Grips Mini POP Canister $5.99
OXO happens to be one of my favorite companies. I have praised their products many times on my blog. Plain and simple–OXO does design well. If you haven’t added an OXO POP container to your kitchen yet, I implore you to start small and try the OXO Good Grips Mini POP Canister. I could see using it as a salt cellar next to a cooktop, for storing your favorite spice mix, or as a place to store daily vitamins or medication. Opening the lid with it’s big button design is a piece of cake–easy for children, seniors, and those with arthritis or dexterity impairments. It’s too cute to not buy and try. And if you really like it and want more, they’re sold in a four pack, too.
Crayola Travel Set $4.99
If you’re a parent or someone who spends time with a child who likes to color, you know that crayons have a habit of rolling off tables, rolling under appliances, and rolling right into the crevice between a child’s car seat and your car’s seat. The Crayola Travel Set prevents all of this from happening by providing a ‘home’ for the crayons when in transit or at the site of being used (the diner, Aunt Peggy’s house, or the car). It comes with some coloring paper but once that’s used up, there’s extra room to store more crayons inside. Comes in red or blue. I don’t know if it fits in a car’s cup holder but that would be an added bonus!
Black Password Keeper $9.99
No one ever said every stocking stuffer had to be fun, flashy, or frivolous. Sometimes we should fill a stocking with functionality. After putting the traditional orange in the toe of the stocking, consider the gift of online safety with the Black Password Keeper. It may look boring and unassuming but a password keeper (as long as you take the time to fill it with passwords) takes your passwords out of your head, off your desktop, and onto paper in an organized way and that’s one of the many reasons why it’s so fab. Yes–boring and unassuming can be fabulous, too.
Useful
Lotta Light Purse Light $14.99
I’m petite and I prefer to carry a small handbag. But, if you carry a large tote and are often searching your bag for what you need, consider the Lotta Light Purse Light for your handbag scuba diving needs. Useful in other small and dark spaces such as a school locker, gym bag, or tool box. Has a clip and keychain attached for versatility.
ThumbScraper Scraper Tool 2pk/$5.99
Have you ever broken a fingernail or even worse, ruined a manicure while trying to scrape a sticky price tag off a recent purchase? If that has happened to you, you may want to check out the ThumbScraper Scraper Tool. This small tool has a thin edge that slides under adhesive and eliminates the goo so you don’t have to. The days of sacrificing a fingernail for the sake of a price tag are over! (also can be purchased separately for $2.99)
Kikkerland Precision 8-in-1 Screwdriver $7.99
My cousin and his wife are expecting a baby soon. I told them one of the most important gadgets to have when baby arrives is one like the Kikkerland Precision 8-in-1 Screwdriver. I am grateful we had something similar in the tool box when my kids were small. Many of their toys came with batteries and the screws that needed to be unscrewed in order to change the batteries was so small–no regular sized screwdriver was going to do the job. Perfect for new parents!
Fun and Cute (and I May Need to Own a Few of These)
Wavy Man $10.99
The Wavy Man is that large, goofy looking fabric tube often found waving or dancing over car dealerships and at trade shows. But, it’s not just for outdoor use! This Wavy Man stands 13″ high–perfect for your home office desk or table top. It’s silly and entertaining–just what we all need in 2020!
Potato Chip and Tortilla Chip Clips 4pk/$9.99
Unless the events of 2020 have led you to eat entire bags of chips (no judgement here…), you’ll need to use something to keep the bag closed after you’ve eaten a few. These Potato Chip Clips (shown above) and Tortilla Chip Clips are a great match for the job!
Chilly Mama Fridge Freshener $9.99
I keep a box of baking soda in my fridge. It’s orange. It hangs out in the back with some infrequently used condiments silently doing it’s job. But, it would be fun to open the fridge door and look beyond yesterday’s leftovers to see the Chilly Mama Fridge Freshener. Fill it with baking soda–it vents from the top and the back. You can set the dial for three months to remind you to replace with a fresh batch of baking soda. I do wish that she had a smile on her face. I know it’s cold in there but it if there’s a little person in my fridge, I’d prefer her to be smiling at me when I open the door to grab a snack…
Kikkerland Dog Treat Selfie Clip $4.99
Is your Instagram feed filled with photos of your dog/cat/ ferret/household pet? Wouldn’t it be great if your furry friend would look at your phone’s camera when you wanted to snap it’s picture? Your chances of getting that shot are higher using the Kikkerland Dog Treat Selfie Clip. I don’t have a pet but I think I should stick a chicken nugget at the end of this selfie clip–then maybe my kids may actually look at the camera when I attempt to take their picture (“Not funny, Mom!” my kids would say. Insert age-appropriate eye roll here).
Really?
Drinking Straw Glasses $3.99
I grew up in the era of Crazy Straws so I can appreciate the novelty of this but for the most part when I drank from my Crazy Straw, I could watch the liquid going around the curves–tons o’ fun! When you’re drinking and wearing the Drinking Straw Glasses you can’t easily see the liquid going around the glasses. It’s really for the entertainment of others. If the Dog Treat Selfie Clip doesn’t get your pet’s attention, maybe try these?
Bought Last Year and Enjoy!
Sombrero Taco Holders 4pk/$9.99
Last year, I not only profiled the Sombrero Taco Holders in my Container Store Stocking Stuffer blog post–I also bought them! Taco Night is very popular in the Murray House and I thought they would be a fun and functional addition to our dinner table. After a year of use, I can honestly say that Taco Night is more colorful and less messy because of the Sombrero Taco Holders. Everyone has a place to rest their tacos for when they want to enjoy the rice, avocado, or other side dishes I serve with the meal. They work with hard shell and soft tacos and wipe clean very easily. If you and your family enjoy eating tacos at home, you may want to consider adding these to your holiday wish list.
Did any of these stocking stuffers pique your interest? Take a few moments to check these and the other stocking stuffers out on The Container Store website. You never know what you’ll find that will make you smile this year. Happy shopping and Happy Holidays!
Which Container Store Stocking Stuffer do you ‘heart’ the most?
I recently entered my eighteenth (!!) year as a Professional Organizer and this year marks eleven years of blogging. Happy blogiversary to me!
I love to write. I love to organize. So starting a blog about organizing was not such a far-fetched idea. In fact, it was a match made in blogging heaven! Back in 2009, I took a workshop at the NAPO Conference in Orlando which gave me the know-how and the push I needed to jumpstart my blogging career. I started out using the Blogger platform and in 2014, decided to merge the blog with my website which was going through a logo and platform redesign. As much as I enjoy it, it still boggles my mind that I’ve been doing it for eleven years.
As part of celebrating my blogiversary, I set goals for the year ahead and look back to see if I’ve met the goals I set for myself the previous year. I recently read my first blogiversary post–my goals were a bit different then. I was barely using social media and my blog was where I ‘posted’ all information. Creating blog categories and helpful content were my top priorities. Pinterest was barely out of it’s infancy. Canva had not even been launched yet! Blogging has certainly evolved since then. I’ve worked hard to keep up with writing and the tools that make my blog beautiful and in front of more eyes than I ever could have imagined.
Here’s how I did…
Goals for 10/2019-10/2020
Blog 1x a month
I thought for sure I’d be able to make this happen but sometimes life has other ideas for your time and brain space. I came pretty close, though blogging in October and November of 2019 and March, May-October 2020 consecutively.
Tweak and Update Existing Posts
Did it! I created Canva-generated images for many posts that previously had no images and added a new ‘connect with me on social media’ footer to the end of my blog posts (look below!)
Consider using Tailwind Scheduler for Pinterest
I chose to take this task off my plate for 2019-2020. I am still considering it’s usefulness and the monetary commitment but since much of my blog traffic comes from Pinterest, I’ll be keeping it on the back burner until I have the time and brain power to look at the pros and cons for adding it to my marketing plan.
Create new and relevant content
Did it! In 2019, I created my annual Anniversary Post and Container Store Stocking Stuffer Review Post and in 2020 focused my blog posts on helping readers during the time of Coronavirus. I had always considered writing a blog post on getting organized for meal planning and decided that 2020 was the year to do so. I felt it’s relevance was so timely, I wrote five consecutive posts on the topic.
My Most Popular Blog Post on Pinterest: Garage Sale and Ted Talks
My post, 3 Thought-Provoking Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized has gotten tens of thousands of impressions on Pinterest. In an interesting twist, a blog post I published over seven years ago about participating in my neighborhood’s town-wide garage sale has rocketed to similar fame and fortune on Pinterest. I guess people across the globe have been purging their homes during the pandemic and are looking for tips on hosting a garage sale. It’s November and it’s still getting pinned like crazy!
And guess what happened this year?
I was presented with the ‘Best Organizing Blog’ Award by Sacred Space Organizing. I felt honored to be recognized for my body of work and I’m thrilled to be in such talented company. To check out the list, click here.
Goals for 10/2020-10/2021
Continue to Blog 1x a month
With 2021 just around the corner, I’ve started thinking about what I’d like to blog about. Even after eleven years of blogging, I haven’t covered every topic related to organizing. If you don’t want to miss a post, subscribe to my blog (enter your email address above the picture of me on the top right of this page).
Consider using Tailwind
I’m going to save this goal for the second half of 2021. I need some time to research it’s ease of use, it’s usefulness to Organized Artistry, and whether it is worth the cost. If anyone has any experience with Tailwind, I’d love to hear about it.
Create Canva images for older blog posts
I have many older blog posts (including the one about my neighborhood’s town-wide garage sale) that still don’t have Pinterest-worthy Canva photos on them. I’ll be revisiting old blog posts that still have relevance and make them Pinterest-ready and Pinterest-worthy for new readers.
Continue to tweak content on older blog posts to make more evergreen
When I started blogging eleven years ago, some of my blog posts were short announcements of events or quick tips. I’m writing blog posts more in long-form now and saving the events and announcements for Organized Artistry’s Facebook Page. If I find making certain blog posts evergreen to be a challenge, I’ll consider eliminating the posts or refreshing them for a new audience.
Create a second blog post showcasing ‘Ted Talks’ on the topic of organizing
The ‘Ted Talk’ blog post I mentioned above blew the roof off of Pinterest. It is definitely my most popular post with a ton of traffic. Not Kardashian Instagram type of traffic but an incredible amount of traffic for my less-famous organizing blog. Everything I’ve read about blogging says that if you have a popular blog post and people are showing interest in that topic, write something very similar. Keep your eyes open in 2021 for Ted Talks That Will Inspire You to Get Organized–Part 2.
Eleven years have gone by quickly–I’m looking forward to writing for the next eleven. Thanks for joining me on my journey as a blogger!
I created my first organizing product ‘Container Store Haul Video!’
Maybe you’re scratching your head and asking–what’s a ‘haul video?’
A ‘haul video’ is “a video posted on a social media site, in which someone shows and describes products they have purchased during a particular episode of shopping.” (Thank you, Oxford Dictionary)
Last week I got an email from The Container Store. They were having their 25% off Closet Essentials sale (woo-hoo!)–that’s when I usually stock up on whatever hangers I need for the laundry room and closets in my home. It’s not just my clients that need organizing supplies–I do, too!
So, off to The Container Store I went. Luckily, I live about ten minutes away from the Paramus, NJ location and instead of rushing in and rushing out of the store (Busy Mom Syndrome) and just grabbing what I needed, I allotted extra time to be able to walk around the aisles and check out some new products.
And literally, the first aisle I walked down, I found the first product I talk about in my video. It wasn’t on my shopping list but I had been looking for something like it for a while.
These products are going to make my life a lot easier. If you need one (or all!) of these products, here’s what I bought:
Thanks for watching my first Container Store Haul Video! Would any of the products I purchased be helpful to you? Share in the comments below.
This video can also be found on my new YouTube channel which is in it’s infancy. As I get more familiar with the platform, I’ll be creating more videos to help guide you on your journey to an organized life.
Jack Canfield, the guy behind the wildly successful Chicken Soup for the Soul empire, has some great planning advice for 2014. I read a similar article at the end of 2011 and set goals based on his ideas below. It took me two years, but I accomplished 90% of the goals I had set for myself and turned the other 10% into longer term goals. Why not give it a try and turn your dreams and aspirations into reality? Thanks for your words of wisdom, Jack!
Are you ready to make 2014 your best year yet?
It’s easy to start the new year full of enthusiasm and optimism. But to maintain your momentum through the year, you need to set powerful, crystal-clear goals.
The first step to getting what you want out of life is to decide exactly what you want.
What do you want to accomplish?
What do you want to experience?
What do you want to acquire?
Who do you want to be?
One of primary reasons most people don’t get what they want is that they aren’t clear about what they want. Others will recognize what they’d like to have, but when they can’t see how it’s possible to get what they want, and they dismiss their desires as foolish and unattainable.
Don’t sabotage yourself this way!
After decades of research into how the human brain works, scientists now know that for our brains to figure out how to get what we want, we must first decide what we want. Once we lock-in our desires, our mind and the universe can step in to help make our dreams a reality.
Dream Big
We start the process by getting clear about what we want. So, what do you want? To create a balanced and successful life, write down a minimum of 3 goals in each of the following 7 areas:
Financial Goals
Career/Business Goals
Free Time/Family Time
Health/Appearance Goals
Relationship Goals
Personal Growth
Making a Difference
If you have more goals than this, don’t limit yourself – write them down! On the other hand, if writing down 21 goals seems like a lot, remember that we can have a mix of long- and short-term goals. For example, in the financial area, you may have a short-term goal of paying off a $5,000 credit card balance, as well as a long-term goal of amassing a net worth of $5 million dollars. You want to keep both goals present in your mind, even though you’ll be working more actively on the short-term goal first.
Stretch Yourself
When setting our goals, it’s important to include a few that will make us stretch and grow to achieve them. These might be learning a new skill or trying something that is uncomfortable and maybe a little frightening, such as public speaking. It also helps to set a breakthrough goal that would represent a quantum leap. Examples of breakthrough goals include publishing a book, starting a business, getting on Oprah, winning a gold medal at the Olympics, or getting elected president of your industry association.
Material goals are important, but the ultimate goal is to become a master at life. In the long run, the greatest benefit we receive from pursuing our dreams is not the outer trappings of fulfilling the dream, but who we become in the process.
The outer symbols of success can all be easily lost. Houses burn down, companies go bankrupt, relationships end, cars get old, bodies age and fame wanes, but who you are, what you have learned, and the new skills you have developed never go away. These are the true prizes of success. Motivational philosopher Jim Rohn advises that “You should set a goal big enough that in the process of achieving it, you become someone worth becoming.”
Turn Your Dreams Into Goals and Objectives
Once you are clear about what you want, write them down and turn each item into a measurable objective. Measurable means measurable in space and time – how much and by when.
For instance, if you were to tell me that you wanted more money, I might pull out a dollar and give it to you. You would probably protest, saying “No, I meant a lot more money, like $20,000!” But there is no way I’d know how you’d define “more money” unless you tell me, right?
Similarly, your boss, your friends, your spouse, your brain, God, and the Universe can’t figure out what you want unless you tell them specifically what it is. What exactly do you want and when do you want it by?
Your Goals Impact Others
As soon as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, your subconscious creative mind will come up with big ideas to make it happen. You’ll start attracting the people, resources, and opportunities you need into your life to make your dream come true. Big dreams not only inspire you, they compel others to want to play big, too.
You’ll also discover that when your dreams include service to others – that is, accomplishing something that contributes to others – it accelerates the accomplishment of that goal. People want to be part of something that contributes and makes a difference.
Work on Your Goals Daily
To keep your subconscious mind focused on what you want, read your list of goals everyday. For an even more powerful approach, close your eyes and focus on each goal and ask yourself, “What is one thing I could do today to move toward the achievement of this goal?” Write down your answers and take those actions.
As the old joke goes, “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” Steady progress in bite-sized chunks puts even the most audacious goals into reach.
Jack Canfield, America’s #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul® and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com
You never know where you’ll find extraordinary examples of organization…
Yesterday, my family and I attended an event sponsored by the Junior League of Bergen County, NJ called Touch-a-Truck. It’s a little kids’ paradise–a parking lot filled with a variety of vehicles. There are garbage trucks, ambulances, dump trucks, diggers–you get the idea. Kids are allowed to sit in the vehicles, honk the horns, ask questions and Mom and Dad get a few photo opps, too. It’s always a fun time–even in yesterday’s rain.
My three year old loves garbage trucks–he was in awe of their size up close. Yes, I’ll admit that was pretty cool. But, what was I in awe of? A vehicle that had what looked like ‘pull-out’ drawers!
Mystified, I walked over to the truck and struck up a conversation with one of their Riding Members. The vehicle was from Rescue Squad 23 of Ramsey, NJ. I learned that the truck and the people who work on it help to rescue people trapped in accidents and structural collapses as well as in confined spaces, water and ice rescues.
Fascinating!
But what I found to be most fascinating was the truck’s organization. This truck has PULL-OUT DRAWERS!
These rescue trucks carry equipment to assist with dangerous scenarios. Not only do the trucks have to be loaded with the correct gear, the rescue squad must be able to find the tools they need within seconds. I was told that these pull-out drawers utilize up the extra space the truck has in the center. Brilliant! Squad members ride in the front cab and all of their supplies are stored in the back of the truck.
It just goes to show–you never know where you’ll find organizing inspiration! Can’t wait to find more examples of organization at next year’s Touch-a-Truck event!
OK, brides and grooms–the Super Bowl is over. Now it’s time for you to participate in your own Thank You Note Writing Championship. No protective gear necessary–just pens, notecards, your address/gift list and stamps.
My organizing colleague at ‘There is Always Room’ just posted a few note writing organizing tips that I offer to brides (and grooms). So, hop on over to the There is Always Room Blog for my top 4 ways to stay organized and stress-free when writing your wedding-related thank you notes.
Don’t forget to thank Aunt Martha for that chip-n-dip set she sent you. You can use it for next year’s Super Bowl party! (Tip: Mention that fact in your thank you note…)
I carry two bags to my client’s homes. One holds my client’s folder, a few odds and ends supplies, something to nosh on and the contents of my everyday purse. The other bag holds my supplies. It’s not the size of a carry-on suitcase but it’s large enough for me to cart around some basic and not-so-basic supplies I might need while working with a client.
In the ‘What’s In My Work Bag’ blog entry, I’ll be sharing with you some of the items I take with me ‘on-the- job’ to make my job and my client’s lives a bit easier.
Today’s item is a 3.5″ plastic tab used to label a hanging folder. Standard size for these ‘tabbies’ as a I like to call them are 2″. But, have you ever tried to describe the contents of your hanging folder in 2″? Whether you’re using a label maker or your own handwriting, it can be a challenge to fit all those words in 2″ and then be able to read what you wrote or decipher your abbreviations.
Enter the 3.5″ ‘tabbie.’ Almost double the size of a standard plastic tab, you can fit many more words on it to describe the contents of your hanging folder such as ‘Medical: Scott’s Egg Allergy’ or ‘Financial: Fidelity SEP.’
If you are considering organizing your files anytime soon, take a walk into your local office supply store and ask for a package of 3.5″ tabbies. You’ll be glad you did…
A blog by Professional Organizer Stacey Agin Murray bursting with cool products, 'gotta-tell-a-friend' ideas, and a whole lotta organizing know-how. Learn more...
Subscribe to the Blog
Subscribe to the blog and never miss a post!
About Stacey
When you grow up in a 5’x12′ bedroom, you learn to organize pretty quickly! I chose to take that knowledge and turn it into a business helping people find what they need when they need it. I’m also the author of The Organized Bride’s Thank You Note Handbook–a book that offers wedding thank you note-related organizing tips and how-to’s plus 101 unique sample thank you notes (what bride can’t use that?).
As I wrote earlier, I am a big fan of OXO products. I have a bunch in my kitchen such as spatulas, tongs, peelers, and one of my faves–
Raise your hand if you love pigs-in-blankets! (Ooooh, me me me!)
Contact Stacey to Get Started!
