Usually picking favorites is bad. In the realm of parenting, for example, it can result in years of awkward holiday gatherings and large therapy bills (except for, you know, that one kid). In the world of education, being the teacher’s pet is like holding a...
"Take it to Goodwill. They accept everything." This is always my advice to clients who are looking to unload donation items. Yet despite encouraging clients to donate to Goodwill (and regularly donating there myself), I didn't know much about this organization until recently, when I toured their Dayton...
You may think you have friends, but when it comes to organizing, you have no friend as dear as clear plastic. Shun those non-see-through tubs, especially the large blue ones that are probably in your attic, housing who-knows-what. Sure, they were a few bucks cheaper than...
Whenever I eat donuts I feel like I am doing a good thing. I feel good before the donuts, in anticipation of their sweetness, I definitely feel good during the donuts, when the carb/sugar rush hits my bloodstream like a jolt of sugary white lightning, and...
It never fails. We find it every time I sort a space with a client. It might be in a closet, a basement, even the bathroom. I guarantee you have it in your home right now. What is it, you ask? A guilt gift. Guilt gifts are just gifts,...
Sometimes people hear my voice in their heads. It's not unusual for a friend to come up to me and say, "You would be so proud of me! I looked in my closet the other day and thought, 'What would Rose do?' and I donated two...
"Mom! I'm out of comfy shorts!" "This is my last pair of underwear!" "My dinosaur pajamas are dirty!" These are my signals to do laundry. I've tried those systems where you pick one particular day to do all the laundry, but that's never really worked for me. (If it works...
"Um, aren't you forgetting something?" Megan asked as she picked me up for the airport. "What?" I asked. "Your luggage?" "All set," I said, patting my one backpack with confidence. Megan eyed my choice of luggage doubtfully, probably thinking she'd have to provide my toothpaste, shampoo and underwear for our...
"That's it! Done! Perfect!" I think, each time I declutter my kitchen (which happens at least every few months...
Many of my clients are creative people--photographers, writers, teachers, and the like. One thing I've noticed about creative people is that they tend to like stuff. And I have a theory about why: creative people see the potential in everyday objects the rest of us don't see. How...
