A little bit of organizing goes a long way...

Studies say that organized people experience less stress, now wouldn't that be nice?!

If you are in need of some organizing, the spring is a great time to get started. It's a time for renewal and re-evaluating. Start with the small 'problem' areas like your junk drawer, front hall closet or the linen closet. I tackled my linen closet last week and what a small change but a big difference.

Here's some great tips for the linen closet:

1 - If you can start with adjustable shelves, so you can control the placement of each item according to your needs.

2 - Organize by linen type. So keep bathroom linens together, kids' bedroom linens together etc...and stick to that system, when it comes to finding your linens - you'll save time!

3 - Try using baskets, you can label them or colour code them, for each member of the family that keep everyone organized.

4 - Dedicated linens for guests. That way they are ready at a moments notice when an over night guest pops in.

5 - Fold neatly. This will make more room for everything in the linen closet.

6 - Use the highest and lowest shelves for season items that you won't use year round.

7 - Face clots have a tendency to topple over so keep them together in a box for better organization.

8 - Keep a basket of extra toiletries in the linen closet, just in case

9 - So how many of each type of linen does a typical household need?

3 sets of sheets for each bed

2 sets of pillow shams

1 duvet or comforter for each bed

2 duvet covers for each duvet

1 blanket or throw for each bed

1 lightweight cover for each bed

For each bathroom: 3 sets of two hand towels

For each adult: 3 bath towels and 6 face cloths

For each child: 3 bath towels and 6 face cloths

For each guest: one bed sheet set, two shams, one duvet, one duvet cover, one blanket, one bath towel and two face cloths

Conquering kid clutter

If you have children or know anyone with children you know that kids come with a lot of baggage. Not the emotional kind but just things - clothing, toys, blankets, books, diapers, wipes, and other equipment like things needed for their hobbies.

Where can you put it all? Well, it can be a difficult task but getting your kids organized will really pay off in the end. Kids who are organized tend to do better in school, they will feel better in their space and you will feel better about their rooms too. It's never too early to start organizing the kids' rooms and for families with older children get your little ones involved in the process.

Look for storage solutions, try stores such as IKEA http://www.ikea.ca/ and stay Organized http://www.stayorganized.com/retail/ They have great ideas for any storage issues for any room. But first know what your issues are : over flowing dressers? Try adding an armoire or adding hanging organizers in the closet for toys, clothes and/or costumes. Everything is everywhere? Try creating zones. Have a desk and necessary study items in one area, add a mirror and small table with baskets for play make up and hair accessories in another area and keep a small square shaped bookcase for books and it could also double as a bed side table just add a lamp on top.

In kids' rooms don't be afraid to use big or adult size furniture - you'll have more room for everything. Sometimes bigger is better, as a large dresser could replace two small ones. Often children's furniture is not as well made (as it is not designed with longevity in mind) and it can be costly. Find furniture in a neutral tone and basic design and it could last quite a while.

What about the closet? Make it kid friendly by adding reachable bars, hooks and shelves. Use the higher space for seasonal items like extra blankets, sport equipment and snowsuits. Use clear plastic (and cheap) dressers for inside the closet. On the shelves you can keep items in boxes such as hats, scarves etc...

What about the other areas where the kid clutter exists?

The front hall is a hot zone for kids. They come home from school and drop everything - bags, books and jackets. What to do? A coat rack or coat hooks are a good idea. Consider getting a cabinet or bench in the front hall that has either drawers or baskets and assign one to each child. Show them the routine and have them practice. If you have additional drawers or baskets use them for storing seasonal items like mitts and hats.

The kitchen is a very busy space for families. Try adding an in-box in your kitchen this can help keep all of the field trip and invitations organized. The kids drop their forms and invites in the in-box and once you have had the chance to respond or fill them out they can be placed in the kids' drawers or baskets to bring back to school. If you have a desk in the kitchen a bulletin board with a family calendar is also a great idea to keep all activities straight.

Kids do not have to cramp your style. They just add extra pieces to the puzzle. Getting everyone organized will take time in the beginning but in the end it will be worth it.

What's in your fridge?

Storage containers have come a long way and they come in all shapes and sizes. There are even stylish storage containers to keep food fresh and fabulous.

Where to start?

Begin by taking everything out. Toss out leftovers and expired products. Start by grouping like-sized items together and re-arrange the height of the shelves accordingly. A space saving tip: decant bulky juice cartons into clear pitchers.

Access is key. Items that are left at the back of the fridge tend to stay there and we forget about them. Look for a plastic (easy to clean) lazy Susan to keep your small jars, be sure the lazy Susan has a lip around it to ensure items to do not fall off. This is perfect for hot sauces, mustard and other specialty condiments.

Re-purpose your crisper drawers. I have found that by keeping pre-cut veggies and fruit in produce-friendly containers, we eat healthier. When you open your fridge having the healthy foods visible and accessible makes sense, so why not use the crisper for other items such as food and drink you don't want to see tight away when hunger strikes like chocolate and pop.

Having an organized fridge will ensure you have less waste because everything is used. It is also easier to find out what you need for your next grocery run.

Favourite things - Purse Racks

I know Oprah has her favourite things list every November, but I have my own. I will be writing regular blogs on great product finds for the home. Here is the first one.


If you LOVE handbags (like me) or know someone who does this is the PERFECT gift for them!


Most of my life is quite organized and routine but my closet looked like a tornado in a Department store! I made a real effort to tackle the mess and get organized. One of my biggest problems is that I love handbags - kind of like how Carrie Bradshaw loves her Manolo's - but my bags would always end up in a heap at the bottom of my closet on top of my shoes. One day while at Bed, Bath and Beyond, I noticed a small non descript package at the front cash - it was labeled "Purse Racks". The package contained two adjustable and stretchy nylon ropes with a series of plastic hooks for hanging, and at each end a metal hook to latch on to the top and bottom of your door - no drilling necessary! Since I was well aware of my handbag problem - I thought this product was made for me! So I purchased two packages and took them home to test it out!


This product is fantastic and super easy to install. You can use it for other items too, such as clothes, hats, caps and scarves. Each package holds up to 16 bags and since there is no drilling necessary, your doors are free from any damage. It took me no time at all to install and organize my handbags: and it only costs $13.99 (before taxes). My purses are off the floor, and now I can organize the rest of my closet...

Got an hour? Organize your linen closet

Ooh the linen closet...a space that is often neglected and one that is just jammed full of towels and sheet sets that have seen better days. I know my linen closet was in need of some serious attention, so here's what I did and it only took an hour!

20 minutes - Empty. Purge and Sort.

Remove and inspect everything from the closet. Discard items that are not in good condition - items that are stained and frayed or ones that you no longer want. Separate the keepers - sheet sets, towels, blankets and tablecloths.

25 minutes - Fold and store

To keep stacks neat, find a folding method you like (for example you could roll towels to conserve space) and stick to your system. Aim for two to three sheet sets per bedroom - rotating your bedding is hygienic and extends the life of your bedding. Extra pillow cases are also a great idea - if you don't have time to change the entire bed, by just changing the pillow cases you'll still achieve that clean and crisp feel for bedtime. Once your sheet sets are in a pile, you can place them in a wicker basket or an open container with a label indicating the size or room; or tie them up using a light coloured ribbon. Place bed sheets and towels on shelves with easy access, eye level is best. Use top and bottom shelves for seasonal items, such as heavy blankets.

15 minutes - Protect and preserve

Never store blankets or duvets in plastic bins or bags, this can cause the material to disintegrate, use cotton bags instead. Don't fold tablecloths, hang them! Use natural bug repellents like lavender or mint sachets. To add a soothing scent to your linens, spritz your favourite scent (bounce sheets work nicely too) on a clean hand towel and tuck it discreetly behind a neat stack.

It feels great to be organized and see how much you can get done in an hour!!