Compass & Coffee Spoons

Lose 40 Pounds Fast!

Good news! I lost over 40 pounds! In one day! What's my secret? I cleaned out my closet! I had to drag out my summer clothing this weekend when temperatures reached 85 degrees on Saturday. So, what better time than the subsequently rainy Sunday to do some cleaning out? I am somewhat obsessive about tracking what I give away, and not because I ever deduct the donations from my taxes. I think I just like knowing. I got the idea for weighing it from Alana at Prairie Home Therapy. I tried weighing it by itself, but my digital scale wouldn't pick it up. I had to hold it and subtract my weight--hence, why I'm not including a shot of the scale!!!

Resource: Archival Storage

I recently bought some archival file boxes from University Products. They sell archival products to, as their name suggests, university libraries and museums. However, they're also a good resource for home organizing and crafts. I got several of the same (or at least they appear exactly the same) file boxes that the Container Store sells for $19.99 each for $5.20 each. They give volume discounts (for small to large orders), and my mom and I split an order of 10.

I particularly like these because they look unobtrusive on a shelf. And, when you split up your files into different boxes, they aren't as heavy or bulky, which I feel is key to actually using the files. Having separate boxes gives you flexibility that drawers just don't.

In addition to these, they sell all kinds of useful products, including,(Beware, this can excite "oh hey look at this, I need it" syndrome):

• Display cases and stands
• Photo and scrapbooking supplies
• Bone folders, cutting tools and other things used for paper crafting/book binding (including cool French marbled paper)
• Framing supplies
• Stools and shelving

Check 'em out!

It's a Shoe In!

One of the things I bemoaned about my home was how I always ended up w/ a pile of shoes by the door. I take off my shoes (though if Mr. Loudy-pants downstairs doesn't shut-up, I might break my own rules, get some wooden Holland shoes, and stomp around...) and they tend to end up there until I corral them.

I considered a shoe cabinet, but who needs extra furniture in what is essentially my living room? So, my new solution is to bring my shoes to the door in my shoe box. When I come home from work, I put them in the box, and pop them in the closet. Seeing the box is another reminder to PUT THEM AWAY!

Going Paperless: Scan it

I stayed home from work today--wasn't feeling well. Well, I won't get into the details, but I wasn't completely bedridden, so around 4 or so, I got a little bored (Unfortunately, Oprah had the Osmonds on...that didn't entice me). I turned to the pile of old newspaper clippings that I had slated to scan and then throw away. These newspaper clippings were from my "clips" files--they were articles I had written.

These once served a purpose. I used them to apply for writing/editing jobs. However, you don't have to be an archival expert to know that newsprint isn't the most stable of materials. Just look at some old newspapers you have sitting around. You can practically see the acid eating at it. Anyway, I realized I'd had these clips for (gulp) over 10 years! I couldn't bear to completely throw them away, but on the other hand, having a yellow pile of clips wasn't great either. So, I decided to scan them. Now that I own a scanner, this is the answer to a lot of my paper-related "should it stay or should it go now" questions.

Here's an incomplete pile of what I threw out (for effect...I spread it out!)

Fortunately, some of them I'd had photocopied. This made them easier to scan--the ones that weren't were either yellowed, curled, or too big for my scanner glass.

Next--I'm going to tackle those work-related articles!

Clipmania 2008!

After my guest post on Unclutterer, I thought I'd post these supercute clips I found on Etsy from seller SusyJack:

Look! My Binder Clips on Unclutterer

 

I was excited to see a post on Apartment Therapy about my guest post on Unclutterer. I get disproportionately excited about seeing new visitors coming to my site. So, if you're hopping over from one of these places, welcome! Leave comments--they make my day!

A Cheap & Easy Organization Project

Unlike trips to the Container Store or ideas for "simplifying" found in Martha Stewart Living or Real Simple, I have a good idea that's fairly simple. Though not as cheap as my binder clip filing system, it's very easy and makes a big difference.

This idea is great for organizing your necklaces. I was forever trying to neatly store my necklaces, either in my jewelry box or in other containers, to no avail. Finally, I decided to put up hooks on the back of my closet door. Here is the result:

The hooks are 3M Mini Hooks with Command Adhesive (Available online at Amazon for $2.22/6). {As an aside, if you've never used Command Adhesive, you're missing out on one of the manmade wonders of the world. You can easily remove them without wall damage. I have used the velcro version and poster version for holding up various items such as power strips, cable modems, etc etc...}

No closet door? Use a wall or the side of a dresser (that's the beauty of Command Adhesive!) Here's a close up of the hook. The fabric behind the necklaces was an afterthought, mainly to prevent the BANG BANG BANG of the necklaces when I opened and closed the door. I put a piece of batting underneath the fabric, too. As it turned out, it adds a little something.

Secrets of the Clutter-Free

I have always envied those pictures of perfect houses with not a pile of papers or dirty dish in sight. Do they exist? I'm realizing more and more that even if that isn't achievable, in order to have an easier time keeping the place neat and clean, you have to be ruthless. Especially when you live in a small space.

Most people who know me wouldn't consider me to have a clutter problem. Most people who know me would also say I'm good at organization and that I organize often. Catching on? I spend a LOT of time maintaining my stuff and the order of my stuff. I don't have serious issues with clutter, especially with the obvious ones that are problems for most people like mail and magazines. Occasionally, they'll pile up, but I keep that stuff mostly under control.

For me, the big culprits are all those extra things I don't use regularly and things I KNOW I don't need but hold on to either a.) "just in case" or b.) because it has some emotional attachment of some sort. Sometimes that emotional attachment can just be longevity. Having something for a long time can create pseudo emotional attachments.

I'm trying to start a ruthless but gradual process of elminating all that hiding clutter so that I can spend less time organizing and more time enjoying my space (admittedly, I enjoy it or I wouldn't do it so much, but enjoying in non-organizing ways). I am trying to do a little at a time so that I can really think through and complete each category.

I started with the linen closet and linens, which I also had stored under my bed and in a chest near my bed. I don't know why, but I tend to keep linens that aren't necessary. I guess because they are simultaneously comforting and practical--it's hard to say they're useless. That being said, I have enough blankets to house a large family of refugees. I keep many of these "for guests," but seriously, who visits? Aside from my mom, exactly 5 people have stayed at my house in the over 2 1/2 years here: Aunt Ginny, Leigh, Philip, Dad, and Ted. 4 of the 5 are relatives, 3 of which would be able to bring blankets if need be. Ted, the outlyer, normally wouldn't have been staying here seeing as he lives 5 blocks from me, if it weren't for his flooded apartment. And, honestly, I have enough to give each of the 5 a blanket ALL AT THE SAME TIME. So, as you see, the massive quantity of blankets is simply not necessary. The pile at left is only the linens I've either decided to give away or that I *may* give away. Princess & the Pea comes to mind.

I'm making some progress--here's the one presentable shelf so far:

Of course, living in a small apartment, my linen closet is not just for linens, so the next stage will be dealing with that other stuff!