“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” -J. K. Rowling (1965–) British writer

When I’m not sure what I want to do and get ‘stuck’- this quote helps me focus on what is truly important to me. It helps me come to terms with the ‘failures’ and making the decisions that best resonate with me. I want to look back on my life and feel at peace with the choices I made.

Zele was quoted in Stephanie Calahan’s organizing blog.

One simple way to organize- play one of your favorite songs and tidy up a room at the same time. You will be surprised what you can do in 3 minutes or less. Do that for a week. Then add another song. Keeping doing that until you get to 15 minutes.

15 minutes every day of tidying up is equal to 3.8 DAYS of tidying up a year!

You will be surprised how much clutter you can clear away a little bit everyday. It all adds up. Just imagine how many more weekends you can enjoy!

Check out NAPO- New England for more New Year’s Organizing Tips.

Organizing Stress-Free Holiday Parties

My favorite tips include:

Soak dirty dishes during the party. Your dishwasher will love you too.

Clear the air. Leave a window open about two- inches to clear the air (before, during and after the party). Why waste money on air-fresheners?

Keep prepared food warm.  “A 200-degree oven works as a warming drawer,” says Kelsey Nixon, the host of Kelsey’s Essentials, on the Cooking Channel. This also frees up counter space and provides insurance that your food won’t burn if you forget to take it out

Finishing up the home-improvements before the holiday season goes into full-rush?  Rushing to paint a room, a door, the kitchen  while the weather is good and before the guests arrive in a few weeks?

Save time, headache and paint thinner.  Use foil to wrap door handles and kitchen hardware.  Saw this on Real Simple and had to share: New Uses for Aluminum Foil

For simple and easy food prep, store and stow kitchen tools (ladles, spoons, knives, etc.) together and within easy reach of your cooking area. Storage solutions  can include using vertical space between your counter and upper cabinet, like a strip with hooks or magnets. Or decorative containers on your counter near your stove. Or a drawer with dividers.  Whatever storage solution you decide, keep it simple and make sure it works for you.

My mom taught me how to repurpose before it was fashionable.  Below are tips and tricks to help you repurpose and save money.  By the way, I still use these tips and tricks to this day…

1.  Peanut butter and jam jars- are great for storing legumes and pasta.  To get rid of the label- fill a pot with water, put jar in the middle.  Heat the water but be careful it doesn’t get too hot otherwise the jar may crack. Watch as the water heats up, you will notice the paper and glue begin to melt.  Take the jar out and pull the label off.    Clean jar with soapy water to remove paper and glue.  Viola!  You have a ‘new’ jar!

2. Plastic bags from loafs of bread, muffins and other baked goods.  These are great to use again for sandwiches and to cover dishes that the entire meal hasn’t been eaten.

3. Plastic twisties-great to use again for the above.

4. Plastic containers from store- deli, yogurt, cheese tubs.  Yes- clear plastic containers for leftovers are ideal.  But, these containers can be repurposed with leftovers too, as long as you label them clearly.

Zele Avradopoulos, owner of ZOrganize- Professional Organizing Services for Homes and Home-based Offices, www.zorganize.net is also a member of NAPO, NAPO-NE and ICD.

Plan. Pack. Go. Enjoy! Organizing tips for your trips.

Just like ‘regular’ organizing, the same rules apply with travel organizing: Containerize Have clear zip lock bags in assorted sizes : One for dental products (travel toothbrush, toothpaste and floss) One for hair products One for make up One for face And label. It makes it easier to find things.  It’s easier to pack and unpack.  It’s easier to travel- especially when flying because you take out and plop those baggies  in the bins when going through security. For more details, check out  more travel tips, click on the image above.

Kitchen Organizing at IKEA

New York isn’t the only city where storage and space are expensive commodities. IKEA has some great kitchen storage products for cabinets and shelves.  I use this shelving for my own small pantry in Boston and it has doubled my storage.

IKEA Kitchen Organizing Tip

‘There is always a reason not to do something’ – Kate Sands Professional Organizer

I’ve assisted Kate on projects and worked with her through NAPO-NE. Her ability to hone in and focus on what is truly important is something I have always appreciated and respected. Her statement really resonated with me. So I share with you as the beauty of spring (and all the ‘stuff’ that comes with spring) unfolds…

Life is about making choices. Whether re-organizing the garage, de-cluttering the closet, going for a swim, eating that 3rd piece of chocolate, making a phone call we don’t want to make, going shopping or not. It’s all about choices. Take a deep, deep, deep breathe and take the step forward.  It’s a lot less painful than you think!