Several thousand poured onto the Paramount Studio back lot last Saturday for the Concern Foundation’s annual Block Party. This year’s Block Party honored one of LA’s top interior designers Donna Livingston. Donna Livingston Design was establish in 1980 and her spectacular projects are found around the world. She is on the list of “Top 100 Interior Designers” named by Architectural Digest and is a supporter of the American Cancer Society. Cancer Research is a cause dear to her heart.
Also honored were Mary Moebius, M.D. a Child and Adult Psychiatrist in private practice in Tarzana since 1997 and Susan Inwood, CIMA a Senior Investment Management Consultant with Smith Barney.
The Concern Foundation has raised over $41 million dollars to fund cancer research since 1968. Only 5% of funding goes toward administrative cost which means 95% of funds go directly toward cancer research.
We all have been, or will be, effected by cancer. My sister-in-law has survived breast cancer, but unfortunately I lost my brother this past year to bladder cancer. If you have not known someone with this horrible disease, chances are you will. Even if you missed the 2009 Block Party, you can still contribute to this worthy organization. Thank you 2009 honorees for raising awareness and funding to help win the battle against cancer.
It’s summer and vacation time. On a recent business trip to Philadelphia, I enjoyed a day to myself sight seeing the historic area of the city. The week before I was working in the picturesque beach community of Newport Beach in California featuring scenic views reminiscent of the Italian coast. Now I was back in time at Elfreth’s Alley. This neighborhood has the distinction of being the oldest residential community in our nation. The homes have been occupied since the early 18th century.
As someone who appreciates colonial architecture, loves history, and is a professional organizer I can’t help but apprecite how our ancestors lived 250 years ago. Then beauty was appreciated along with simplicity. Walk-in closets, let alone most any closets, were not even in these homes. It’s a good thing Costco was not around in 1776.
A few organizing tips for your next business/pleasure trip:
Plan your time off.
Research the city’s website before the trip.
Keep travels to a limited area.
Walk and take in the city.
During lunch ask the wait staff what is not to be missed in the area.
Don’t forget to use a Travel Checklist to keep from forgetting power chargers, reservation information, and other essential needs. For a complimentary checklist from Get It Together LA!click here and write Travel Checklist in the subject line.
This weekend I enjoyed going to the movies and seeing Star Trek. It seems others thought it would be a good place to send text messages and check e-mails. Even the week before the person next to me was continually using his Blackberry during the first act of a play.
During the ”Time Management at the Age of Speed” session at the NAPO Conference in Orlando last month, Harlod Taylor shared that the fast devours the slow. Think about it, we have more information to manage than ever before. Not so long ago, we became overwhelmed by the fax machine. Now we are averaging over 190 message a day because of the phone, email, Facebook, Twitter and more.
Need to See Time?
Time is essential to staying organized. Do you find it is difficult to see time as it passes each hour? Are you constantly running in circles to meet deadlines?
Visit TimeTimer.com and check out their products available to actually show time as it passes. This especially helpful to those with ADD.
If we don’t respond to an inquiry quickly we stand the chance of loosing an opportunity. But how is clutter effecting your schedule by multitasking throughout the day? As the saying goes, “stop and smell the roses”. The same can be said for enjoying the movie or texting your friends. Don’t dilute your activies and productivity by not focusing on one project at a time.
Check out our latest “O-Tips” for more information to make your life easy.
Environmentally friendly materials are now available for your Get It Together LA! storage system for closets, garages, and home offices. Recognizing the demand from consumers for “green-build products” we are offering the SkyBlend™ line from Roseburg.
The line is SCS and EPP certified 100% pre-consumer recycled week fiber particleboard that has no Urea Formaldehyde added during the manufacturing process. Third party testing verifies SkyBlend™ formaldehyde emissions (.00-.01 ppm) are no greater than levels occurring in outdoor ambient air conditions according to the manufacturer.
Roseburg is North America’s largest, fully integrated manufacturer of melamine and specialty panels with lands and facilites in California, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon and South Carolina. Ask for “green” when you build your next closet.
Green Tip: Remember to return your hangers to the dry cleaner for reuse. Ask for your clean clothes to be placed in reuseable bags from your dry cleaner and cut out the plastic.
Newborn babies bring joy, but with the joy comes stroller, cribs, toys, diapers, gifts, changing tables, more diapers and clothes, car seats, more gifts…well you get the idea. Recognizing new parents need to be organized as they prepare for their family addition, Kijiji.com has partnered with us to help educate parents on the best ways to organize and maximize space for their “Baby On Board” campaign.
Kijiji.com is a free, family friendly site that is easy to navigate and a great place to buy and sell items for the home and find necessary services. The name Kijiji is Swahili for village. This is really a community to share information and resouce to get rid of unwanted clutter. In their online survey, it was discovered that only 7% of parents resale baby items once they are no longer used. So 93% of families have the opportunity to gain more space and raise some money by selling these unused items.
Check out our tips and let your baby develop organizing principles that will last a lifetime.
Thank you Blount County Chamber for the warm welcome at last month’s seminar “Organizing Secrets Revealed for the Home and Office”. The 40 plus who attended enthusiastically participated in the program. The facility was first class, the professional staff and members showed true southern hospitality.
The program revealed seven secrets to getting organized. The citizens of Blount County asked provolking questions and give their insite throughout the 90 minte program.
I support chamber’s of commerce for they work provide in nurturing the local business community. The West Hollywood Chamber is my hometown business community. If you are looking for foundation for your business, check out your local chamber.
Would your chamber like a program to inspire its members to be more productive and organized in their business? Contact us for more information.
The National Associationof Professional Organizers (NAPO) just completed their 21st annual conference and it was rejuvenating, inspiring, and motivating. The theme was “Making Business Dreams Come True” and Orlando was the setting.
Lorie Marreo of The Clutter Diet and me at the NAPO Conference
The education was only equalled by the networking with my peers. Time spent in the hallways, at the lounge, or around a restaurant table was as beneficial as learning a new technology.
The keynote by Scott McKain focused on the importance of making your business stand out from the competition. He shared the principles outlined in his book Collapse of Distinction. He encouraged us to live in the moment and not wait to enjoy the simple things in life; the ocean view, a mountain breeze or even just a clear sunset. How fitting we stayed a extra day for down time and visit EPCOT.
If you have never attended a conference or convention for your business or industry I suggest you plan to check one out this year. The investment just might help set you apart from others not sharing your dedication to professional excellence. And take time to enjoy the journey.
Tax day is over and it is time to celebrate! The third week of April is National Organize Your Files Week. If you are in the Knoxville/Blount County area Wednesday, April 22, 2009, join the Blount County Chamber of Commerce for a workshop sure to be fun while demystifying the steps to organization.
April 22 – 9:00 – 10:30 am
Blount County Chamber office
Los Angeles organizing expert Chris McKenry will be in Tennessee on his way to the NAPO National Conference in Orlando. During his stop over he will be addressing chamber members in an interactive setting sharing information and answering questions to make you more organized and clutter-free. Besides recognizing the Organize Your Files celebration the seminar will look at ways to be more organized in the garage, kitchen, closets, office and with your time.
Click here for more information and to save your spot.
I barely remember waking up on Easter morning and rushing to see the great basket of treats left by that annual unseen rabbit. It would be filled with yummy chocolate bunnies, Malamar Bars, marshmallow treats, and jelly beans. Not a thing was wasted.
This week a friend said he had a craving for a Easter basket. So yesterday while walking home from The Grove I stopped in K-Mart to up pick one. I know it has been…well lots of years since I have been on the receiving end from the Easter Bunny but of all the hundreds of baskets the store had were definitely different from what I remembered. Instead of sweet treats and yummy candy every basket had plastic toys that would certainly become clutter and unwanted by later in the day.
For about the same amount of money of the pre-packaged baskets I purchased quality candies, colored grass stuffing, baskets and stuffed rabbits were available to create a custom basket. For a hostess gift I even filled grass stuffing and chocolates in a sewing basket to take to a dinner party this evening.
The commentary to all this is any event, holiday, or gift is what you make it. As an organizing expert helping my clients keep clutter at bay it is evident that habits start at an early age. So even those gifts your children receive can start traits that are not seen for years to come. Don’t just spend to buy something. Have a clear goal when you go shopping. If something doesn’t look like what you are looking for, don’t settle. Keep looking or make the gift yourself. And by the way, my friend loved what the Easter Bunny brought him!
The interior design industry desended upon the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood last week for West Week - an annual gathering to examine the latest products, styles, and trends for home decor. Kicking off West Week was an elite panel of experts discussing The Business of Design, sponsored by Architectural Digest.
Donna Livingston, Martyn Lawrence-Bullard, Mimi London, and Stephen Shadley shared their beginnings in the design industry and answered questions on how to succeed during the current economic conditions. All are at the top of their field and recognized as Architectural Digest’s AD100 list.
When asked how to thrive during this economy, all emphasized that they are focused on the future. All but one offers product lines. Stephen Shadley principal works out of a live/work space in New York where he enjoys working late if necessary. Martyn Lawrence-Bullard stressed his products are highest in style and quality but price for a broader market. Commenting on his new candle line he shared “you may not spend thousands on furnishings, but almost everyone can afford a $30 candle”.
Donna Livingston shared “difficult times define who we are.” She went on to emphasis the importance of on-line networking and the power of blogs. Ms. Livingston’s portfolio has appeared in numerous international publications. Though she does not advertise she likes to feature “rooms of the month” for direct marketing pieces to clients.
Mimi London, like the rest of the panel emphasized the importance of learning the “business” in design. It’s not enough to be creative, you have to invoice, market, and make your business work. Those new to the industry were encouraged to began their careers working and learning in established firms before branching out on their own.
The organizing industry shares the same business principles as the design industry. Both industries work to make homes a place for enjoyment. The ability to work closely with clients and understand how they live is something both groups share.
The entire panel was optimistic for the coming year. While spending may not be as it was a year ago we all agree having a beautiful and organized space gives comfort and enriches everyones life.
Chris McKenry started Get It Togehter LA! with the desire to help people overcome their clutter and benefit from a more organized life. This blog fulfills this mission by providing information on techniques, products and events that will help keep you organized.
Call 866-266-3237
TO BE ORGANIZED
BY CHRIS McKENRY
Getting organized does not have to be a laborious task. Whether you are too busy, too embarrassed, or just uncertain it is really possible Chris McKenry and his team will guide you through the process.
Get It Together LA! is the place to turn to for clutter control, managing your move, and custom closet and garage design. Turn to the same organizing firm Los Angeles’ most successful clientele trust. Get It Together LA! provides unique solutions in a confidential manner.
The Concern Foundation has raised over $41 million dollars to fund cancer research since 1968. Only 5% of funding goes toward administrative cost which means 95% of funds go directly toward cancer research.
Environmentally friendly materials are now available for your 
SkyBlend™ formaldehyde emissions (.00-.01 ppm) are no greater than levels occurring in outdoor ambient air conditions according to the manufacturer.
specialty panels with lands and facilites in California, Georgia, Mississippi, Oregon and South Carolina. Ask for “green” when you build your next closet.
Tax day is over and it is time to celebrate! The third week of April is National Organize Your Files Week. If you are in the Knoxville/Blount County area Wednesday, April 22, 2009, join the Blount County Chamber of Commerce for a workshop sure to be fun while demystifying the steps to organization.
way to the NAPO National Conference in Orlando. During his stop over he will be addressing chamber members in an interactive setting sharing information and answering questions to make you more organized and clutter-free. Besides recognizing the Organize Your Files celebration the seminar will look at ways to be more organized in the garage, kitchen, closets, office and with your time.
