NO WIRE HANGERS-Professional Organizing

Cable Labeling

2012-02-06T08:58:00.000-08:00

Label everything! I love this simple yet smart idea. How do you label?

Tights and Pantyhose Recycling

2012-01-27T09:31:00.000-08:00

The average life span of tights and pantyhose is not very long. Well now you can extend the life of your tights even after they rip and snag. Sheer No Nonsense has created a recycling program that will recycle your unwanted hose into material used to make park benches, toys and playground equipment. They accept all brands. You will have to pay for shipping but it will be worth it to know that your tights are not clogging up the landfills.

Under Sink Storage

2012-01-13T09:23:00.000-08:00

I love to clean and I love to organize. So you could imagine my excitement when I saw this idea. Looks pretty easy to install with a tension curtain rod. Now just make sure you are not using toxic chemicals to clean your house.

How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

2012-01-09T10:21:00.000-08:00

Martha Stewart's- How to Fold a Fitted Sheet

1. Stand holding the sheet by the two adjacent corners of one of the shorter edges. With the sheet inside out, place one hand in each of these two corners.

2. Bring your right hand to your left, and fold the corner in your right hand over the one in your left, enveloping it. Next, reach down and pick up the corner that is hanging in front; bring it up, and fold it over the two corners in your left hand; the corner that's showing will be inside out.

3. Bring the last corner up, and fold it over the others; with its right side showing, it should envelop the other three corners.

4. Lay the folded sheet on a flat surface and straighten it into the shape shown.

5. Fold the two edges in so all the elastic is hidden.

6. Fold the sheet into a rectangle.

7. Continue folding until the rectangle is the size you want it to be.

Stuffed Animals for Emergencies

2012-01-03T14:16:00.000-08:00

After the Holidays your kids are overloaded with stuff. This is a great time to appreciate the new items and recycle the old. Stuffed Animals for Emergencies is a great organization to donate stuffed animals to. They distribute the stuffed animals to kids who are in need after emergency situations such as fires, illness, accidents, neglect, abuse, homelessness and even weather emergencies. So while your kids are enjoying their new toys help out another child who is less fortunate by donating today.

Escape Your Stuff

2011-12-14T09:46:00.000-08:00

I love this commercial for Smart Car. If you can relate to this you might want to give me a call.

The Knitwear Doctor

2011-12-05T12:36:00.000-08:00

Winter is here and it's time to break out those sweaters. You might have noticed your sweater has been nibbled on by some unwanted creatures. If there are only a few holes in your favorite sweater send it to the Knitwear Doctor. The Knitwear Doctor will repair and restore your sweater back to new. So before you recycle that damaged sweater see if can be repaired.

Semihandmade

2011-11-28T10:27:00.000-08:00

Everyone dreams of having their ideal kitchen but the reality is that not everyone can afford it. Enter, Semihandmade, an affordable sleek eco-friendly cabinet design company. Simply order your custom kitchen cabinetry from Ikea, minus the doors, and send your plans over to Seminhandmade. Then you can pick and choose your very own custom cabinetry. Super sleek and eco-friendly.

Recycle Your Crayons

2011-11-08T10:56:00.000-08:00

Crayons are great to color with and create beautiful pictures. But what do you do with broken crayons? Don't toss them in the garbage. Crayons are made from petroleum and do not biodegrade in landfills. You can package up your unwanted broken crayons and send them to the Crayon Recycling Program, where they will be made into new crayons. Or you can recycle them yourself with your own crayon maker. The Crayola Crayon Maker turns crayon bits and pieces into new crayons. What a great way to recycle and create you own crayola colors!

Lego Storage!

2011-11-03T10:13:00.000-07:00

There are many ways to organize your kids legos. You can sort by color by size and by project. But in reality, unless your child loves to organize keeping it clean can be difficult. Swoop Bags keeps legos contained and can easily be cleaned up and stored.

Recycled Notes

2011-10-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

While I am not a huge fan of post-it notes, it's good to know in most places you can recycle them. Just make sure your local recycling service accepts mixed paper. Post-it notes can be dangerous if not used properly. I've seen them clutter up walls and get lost with important information. So post wisely and recycle!

Less = More

2011-10-07T10:01:00.000-07:00

Environmentalist Graham Hill's presentation "Less is More" fully encompasses NWH beliefs. I met Graham at an event in New York City a few years back. It was actually at his apartment on the lower east side, not the 600 sf one he lives in now. When I told him I was a professional green organizer he face lit up and he asked me if I would take a look at some of his stuff in a back room he was unsure what to do with. He liked my approach and the concept of my business. His talk at TED is inspiring and I really hope it gets people thinking about what they consume and how they live.

Pet Organizing

2011-09-16T08:32:00.000-07:00

Bebeto Matthews/AP

I love hearing about lost pets being reunited with their owners. My cat is an indoor pet but I still had a microchip inserted in her. You never know what could happen and it's better to be safe than sorry. Home Again is a lost pet's best chance at returning home. After reading about Willow, the lost cat from Colorado who ended up in NYC, I'm not so sure she was lost. I bet she wanted to see one of the best cities in the world.

Everyone Needs An Alice!

2011-08-31T08:34:00.000-07:00

I just about love anything that makes your life easier. Don't you hate it when you run out of toothpaste or finish off a roll of toilet paper only find out it was your last one? Alice.com will take care of all of your household shopping so you don't have to worry about it. Simply sign up for a free account, enter in your products and how often you want them delivered. Alice will look for coupons for you and ship it all for free! Alice carries all kinds of products. They have Tom's of Maine and Seventh Generation for all of your eco needs. So get to it and sign up and check off household shopping on your to-do list forever.

Could Your School Win The The Recycle Bowl?

2011-08-29T12:50:00.000-07:00

Keep America Beautiful is kicking off the school year with a recycling competition for grades K-12. Register your school for a chance to win prizes and help raise awareness about recycling. The competition starts October 17th so get your school involved and sign up today!

Have a Plan and Be Prepared

2011-08-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

Having a clear and precise inventory of your home is probably one of the best ways to protect your property in case a disaster strikes. DocuHome is a simple, easy to use tool to help you do this. All you need to do is photograph all the rooms in your home and upload the pictures to the site. Then simply tag each item in the photo and type the price. When you sign up you will have unlimited photo and document storage so you can store anything that is not easily replaceable like your mortgage and other important docs. Protect your investments and document your home today.

Closet Makeover!

2011-08-16T12:40:00.000-07:00

Seriously, just give me a couple of hours in your closet and I will change your life. My client was in need of a closet makeover. She was thinking about installing doors to hide everything or even paying a closet installation company to come in to build shelves. But I told her I could work with what she had and make it look so good that she might not even need doors. Since she did not have doors, her cat would make little nests throughout the closet, so I would have to make it uninhabitable for her furry friend. The first step was to rip everything out. Then take a hard look at what she owned and purge. Another important step in this process is to "try it on". Clothes can look completely different on you than on the hanger. After the great purge we needed to buy a few items. She invested in black velvet hangers that streamline the closet and utilizes space. Clear plastic shoe boxes that protect the shoes from dust and allow her to see whats in them. Hanging boot shapers, that will keep the boots in shape and off of the floor. My client was thrilled with the results and was shocked how quickly it takes her to get dressed now. And don't worry I found a new place for her cat to sleep; in his cat bed.

Cash for Your Electronics

2011-08-05T12:02:00.000-07:00

Junk drawers have been replaced by spaghetti drawers filled with unused electronics. Ebay has a great new app for you iPhone users called Instant Sale to help you untangle this mess. This app will look up what electronic device you want to dispose of and offer you cash. Working or not, look up what you can get for that old cell phone. They'll send you a free shipping label and once they receive your item, they'll mail your payment via Paypal.

Food Education

2011-08-02T15:18:00.000-07:00

Do you ever wonder if the food you are eating is good for you? Fooducate is a great app for your smartphone that will scan the barcode of the food and tell you if it's good for you. If it's not healthy it will suggest better alternatives. So shop scan and make smarter choices.

Let Go of Your Receipts

2011-07-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

If your house is cluttered in the form of receipts have I got the website for you. Shoeboxed.com is like the magic fairy holder of receipts. They send you these big blue envelopes. You shove all of your receipts into them and pop them in the mail. Showboxed.com uploads all of the receipts and eneters the information into a personalized website for you. It's recognized by the IRS and it's an easy way to help you prepare for tax season. Talk about low maintenance!

Green Weddings

2011-07-07T13:15:00.000-07:00

Getting married soon? Have you registered? I can't tell you the amount of clients I work with that have so much clutter in the form of wedding gifts. Fondue sets, bread makers, you name it. Every day I see these unused items that ultimately get donated to charity. What if instead of asking for gifts you ask for donations to charities? Or maybe half gifts half charity? It's a great way to celebrate your love and give back without over consuming. The I Do Foundation will do just that for you. They help you set up a registry for different organizations. Just imagine how your wedding day could raise money for people who really need it.

De-Clutter Your Wallet and Key Chain

2011-06-10T12:33:00.000-07:00

I'm always looking for ways to minimize what I carry in my wallet. Many retailers offer free memberships and rewards when you join their programs. This leads to multiple cards filling up your wallet and key chain. The solution for you smart phone users is CardStar. CardStar is an app that holds everything from your grocery store rewards card to your library card. The app allows you to manually install the numbers or scan the bar code right into your phone. And those of you without smart phones can ditch the cards if your phone number is associated with your account. Just enter it in on the keypad at checkout. Easy solution to live lighter.

To Do or Not To Do Lists

2011-05-27T08:40:00.000-07:00

Are you getting done all that needs to be done? I have been crossing off my TO DO list quicker than I can add to it lately. Maybe it's because my TO DO list is staring at me everyday, there is no escaping it. Stickies on my MacBook allows me to see my TO DO list and helps me to stay off Facebook and other distractions. It's simple, easy, won't leave you alone and most importantly eco friendly.

Recycle Your Books

2011-05-17T12:35:00.000-07:00

Are you overloaded with books and not sure of the best way to recycle them? Well if you live in Los Angeles, Books for People is an excellent organization that will use your books to benefit local charities serving homeless children and raise funds for local libraries. So declutter your books, and keep only the ones that are meaningful to you and donate the rest for a good cause. Did I mention they will pick them up for free?

Label Your Kid's Clothes

2011-05-06T09:53:00.000-07:00

With the school year coming to an end kids are getting ready for camp. I'm often asked what's the best way to keep track of kids clothes while they're away. Or I work with families with multiples who need to keep track of whose is whose. Label Daddy is the answer to all of these problems. They make customized, peel and stick labels that are washable. The labels require no sewing, ironing or pens and are safe for the dishwasher, washer/dryer and microwave. So keep your kid's organized and labeled!

Casting Call for Los Angeles!

2011-04-28T08:52:00.000-07:00

If you or someone you know answer yes to any of the questions below you might be eligible to be on a de-cluttering organizing TV show with an internationally known organizing specialist.

Do you know someone who needs a "clutter intervention"?
Do you have multiple storage units you can't seem to let go of? Or are hiding from your partner?
Is your partner ready to leave if you don't clean up your clutter now?
Has clutter cost you relationships with friends and family?
Are you a compulsive buyer? A shopaholic? A bargain hunter? Is it out of control and taking over your home?
Are you fed up with your roommates' overwhelming clutter?
Are you blending two families into one home but have way too much stuff and argue over what stays and goes?

You must be a legal resident of the US living in Los Angeles CA, be at least 18 years or older and be available to shoot sometime between May-August 2011. Please contact me if you are interested at julie@nowirehangersbiz.com

Where do Flip-flops Go?

2011-04-27T08:59:00.000-07:00

Flip-flops, everyone owns a pair. I love them because there are easy to clean with a rag and a little water. But when they are past their prime and it's time to say good bye what do you do with them? Old Navy has teamed up with Terracycle to recycle your old flops. From now until May 21st you can drop off your old flip-flops to any Old navy location to be recycled. Terracycle will use the broken, worn out flip-flips to build play court surfaces for kids.

Everyday is Earth Day

2011-04-22T10:41:00.000-07:00

Track Your Airline Miles

2011-04-19T10:50:00.000-07:00

Do you know how many airline miles you currently have? Did you know that they can expire?AwardWallet.com is a great website to keep track of your miles and hotel points all in one place. They will keep all of your account numbers and passwords on one screen. They will even notify you if your miles are about to expire. Oh and of course it's free.

NAPO Organizing Conference 2011

2011-04-12T10:06:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended the 23rd annual Nation Association of Professional Organizers Conference in San Diego. It was such an amazing experience to be surrounded by some eight hundred organizers from all over the world. I learned a lot from the classes but the best part was being immersed with fellow organizers. It's a very supportive and nurturing community where we can share our experiences and tips of the trade. While we all work in the same field, it's amazing to me how unique each one of us really is. The opening keynote speech addressed "The Future of Organizing" , which was very inspiring because this business is booming and has no boundaries. Everyone can benefit from organizing; homes, schools, large companies and small businesses. Organizing is on the rise and I feel so lucky to be a part of it. I also need to send a big thanks to ebay classifieds for sponsoring me at conference. They are an amazing eco-friendly tool for selling your unwanted items and also a great place to buy secondhand!

The ebay classified organizing team, Monical Friel, Karen DeClark, Lisa Zaslow, Suellen Germani, and myself.

What Labels Really Mean

2011-03-29T09:58:00.000-07:00

Deciding to stop using toxic chemicals in your home is a great step toward saving the planet and your health. There are a number of different labels out there that claim to be green and it can be confusing when shopping. "All Natural" or "Animal Welfare Approved" what do these really mean? The NRDC, The Nattural Resource Defense Council, has developed a label lookup so that you can check what these labels really mean. They have even given it a four leaf rating systems so that you will know what labels to trust and which not to.

Buy a Pair Glasses Give a Pair Glasses

2011-03-16T12:03:00.000-07:00

If I had been around during the caveman years I would have been killed right away. My eye sight is so bad I would have mistaken a tiger for a monkey and been eaten alive. Fortunately now we have access to prescription glasses and contacts. But did you know that one billion people in the world today don't have access to glasses, which means that they are unable to effectively learn or work because they can't see clearly. Warby Parker is an amazing eye glass line that will donate a pair of glasses to someone in need for every pair you buy. It's kind of like Tom's Shoes but for glasses. The designs are killer and really inexpensive, only $99 including the prescription lenses!

Please Vote for Julie Naylon

2011-03-04T09:19:00.000-08:00

I'm very honored to be nominated for "The Local Hero Award" at the 2011 Heart of Green Awards. I would not consider what I do to be very heroic, but I feel like I am making a difference even if it's a small one. I believe we can all be heroes by reducing what we consume and living lighter. Thanks for all of your support and please take a second to vote for me "Julie Naylon", it only takes one click!

Good for your teeth; Bad for the planet

2011-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

On my walk around the Silver Lake reservoir I came across this on the path. It's not the first time I've seen one laying around but my hope is that it will be the last. Disposable floss tooth picks used once and then tossed away. It's great that you're flossing and these are very convenient but where is all this plastic going to end up? And if everyone is using them on a daily basis and flossing like the dentist recommends we are going to see these washing up on the beach and polluting our parks. We really need to limit our use of plastic. My solution, buy a reusable floss holder and use natural floss. A reusable holder can last you for years and years. Natural floss is not coated with chemicals and is better for the planet. So smile confidently knowing you are helping to create a better world.

Bowling for Furniture

2011-02-09T10:33:00.000-08:00

Reclaimed wood from bowling alleys is the inspiration behind Jim Malone's furniture line CounterEvolution. Beautiful wood furniture that saves trees, you can't beat that.

Don't Buy Me Flowers

2011-02-04T10:09:00.000-08:00

Unless they are fair trade certified organic. Why you ask? Seventy percent of US flowers are imported from South America where they use pesticides that harm the workers and the environment. These pesticides have long been banned in the US because they can cause serious health problems. The International Labor Organization estimates that 20% of flower workers in Ecuador are children. Children are more vulnerable to the the chemicals because their immune systems are not fully developed. So if you are going to buy flowers buy fair trade certified organic ones like California Organic Flowers.

The 2011 Los Angeles Organizing Awards

2011-02-01T09:32:00.000-08:00

Last Saturday night I attended The 2011 Los Angeles Organizing Awards. I was nominated for the "Most Eco-friendly Organizing Service". It was an amazing event filled with the best of the best in organizing. Peter Walsh, Oprah's go-to guy for organizing, was there to present an award and promote his new show "Enough Already". Peter is an organizing wiz who is as kind and generous in person as he is on TV. His show is sure to be a hit!

Donating Working Computers

2011-01-27T12:12:00.000-08:00

Do you have a working computer and want to give it to someone who will truly benefit from it? The National Cristina Foundation will take your working computer and give it to an organization or individual in need. All you need to do is fill out the simple form telling them what you have to offer and within two weeks they will facilitate the donation.

Medically Organized

2011-01-20T10:16:00.000-08:00

I recently underwent surgery and beforehand I was asked if I had an Advanced Health Care Directive. I didn't have one but I filled one out as I didn't want to be medically unorganized. An AHCD is a document that allows individuals to appoint a person who has power of attorney to make care and treatment decisions on your behalf if you are unable to make them. It's a simple document to download and fill out. If you're in California you can download the document here. To find an AHCD in your state type in "health care proxy" and your state, into Google for a free form. It may not be something you want to think about but it's better to let your family know your wishes so they are not left guessing.

Film Biz Recycling NYC

2011-01-13T09:18:00.000-08:00

I worked in the film and television industry for eight years before starting No Wire Hangers. I've never seen so much waste. From craft service to paper consumption the ecological footprint of a film is enormous. On the up side things are changing in the industry and it's non-profits like Film Biz Recycling that are leading the way. The Brooklyn based organization sells props from film and TV sets and also donates a large portion to local charities. These items might otherwise end up in the landfills. So next time you're out shopping for your home you might want to check out their store. You never know who might have been sitting on that couch.

Recycle Text Books

2011-01-10T10:10:00.000-08:00

Are you holding onto some old text books and are not sure what to do with them? Or know of a school that is about to buy new books? The International Book Project is collecting books for kids in need in underdeveloped countries. Books that are in demand and currently accepted are:

Books for native speakers of Spanish and French
English grammar
Science texts (K-University)
Math texts (K-University)
Dictionaries and picture dictionaries
Medical Texts
Agriculture and Animal Science texts
Vocational books (plumbing, electrical wiring, carpentry)
Children's library books (picture story and chapter books)
Encyclopedias newer than 1990

Just box up the books and ship them "Media Mail" at your local post office. If you are shipping books under "Media Mail" you can send a box weighing seventy lbs. for only $30.00!

Green Wallpaper

2011-01-06T12:00:00.000-08:00

I've never seen anyone lay down wallpaper like my Mother did back in the day. I wondered if there is a wallpapering gene as I laid my eyes upon MadisonGrow. Green wallpaper in the most beautiful designs. They use 100% nontoxic water based ink that emit no VOC's throughout the entire manufacturing process. Killer designs produced on recycled paper.

Apple and the Environment

2011-01-04T09:56:00.000-08:00

Apple rules the school in my book. They are green from the inside and out. Are you familiar with their recycling program? They will take back your old computer, working or not, and if it has some value they will give you an Apple Gift Card and cover the shipping. Or you can bring in your old iPod and receive 10% off a new one.

Go Green and Get Organized in 2011

2011-01-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

No Wire Hangers has teamed up with Sustainable Silver Lake for a FREE workshop this weekend. Sustainable Silver Lake presents a series of programs that provides information and guidance to local residents about various different aspects of sustainable living.

"This New Year, get organized and go green with Professional Green Home Organizer Julie Naylon from No Wire Hangers. Through this workshop you will learn how to declutter and reorganize your home. She will break it down room by room giving you tips on how to live a more efficient and eco-friendly life."

Hope to see you all there!

Get organized in The New Year!
Saturday January 8th, 2011
11:00am-12:00pm
The Silver Lake Library 2411 Glendale Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90039
Admission: FREE

The Los Angeles Organizing Awards

2010-12-08T11:30:00.000-08:00

The National Association of Professional Organizers Los Angeles chapter is hosting it's sixth annual Organizing Awards on January 29th, 2011. "The Organizing Awards recognizes the best in the professional organizing industry. Professional organizers who set the standard for home and business productivity will be acknowledged for their accomplishments, along with those products and services that help consumers and businesses organize anything and everything." No Wire Hangers is honored to be nominated for "The Green Award for the Most Eco-friendly Organizing Service." We believe that being green and being organized go hand and hand. So please take a moment and vote for No Wire Hangers. And if you're curious about the awards show buy a ticket and come see what all the excitement is all about!

Milk Carton Coin Purse

2010-12-07T10:18:00.000-08:00

See Milk Carton Coin Purse and 1000's of others - or share your own on Cut Out + Keep

I love to see how people are finding different ways to re-purpose products. This one is not only fully functional it's very eye catching. Recently during a meeting I was handed two coin purses made from milk cartons. I asked how she made them and she sent me a website with step by step instructions. Most recycling facilities do not accept wax coated milk cartons, so this is a great way to keep them out of the landfill. They also make great gifts for the Holidays!

Trophy Recycling

2010-11-08T12:24:00.000-08:00

You played, you won, and you were awarded. Now you are grown up and making room for your kid's awards but what do you do with your old trophies? First check with your local Boys and Girls Club to see if they need them or you can send them into Lamb Awards. Lamb Awards will accept your old trophies, plaques and medals and recycle them to charities or break them down for parts. Keep the awards out of the landfills and in the hands of a smiling child.

The Furminator

2010-11-04T10:42:00.000-07:00

The Furminator is a tool every cat and dog owner should own. It is the best deshedding tool on the market and I recommend it for all of my pet owning clients. The Furminator is a fine comb that removes your pet's undercoat. You will be amazed at how much fur comes off. Your pet will feel better and your home will be free of excess hair.

The Birthday Club

2010-10-29T10:48:00.000-07:00

I love organizing children's bedrooms. They get so excited to see their room organized and never even notice that I have taken away bags of toys to the women's shelter. Everyone is happy until the parent realizes that after all of the work of downsizing and clearing out toys, they will be back in the same situation when the next birthday rolls around. The Birthday Club is the perfect solution to this problem. They offer other options to the normal gift giving and focus on giving back to the community. Instead of having other kids bring your child a gift they would bring food to be donated to the local food bank. It might be hard at first to tell your child that they will not receive gifts from their friends but you might be surprised how engaged they become at wanting to support others. You can even pick a charity of your choice to support. If you are having a swimming party why not support Surfrider Foundation, which helps keep our oceans clean. Your kids have enough, why not give them the best gift of giving back.

Preserve

2010-10-21T10:07:00.000-07:00

All products should be made this way. Since getting braces on earlier this year I have become quite the toothbrush connoisseur. I've mentioned before my love for Preserve's recycled plastic razors but this toothbrush takes it to a whole new level. The handle is made from recycled yogurt cups and comes in packaging that has a postage-paid label to be returned to the manufacturer. Imagine that, a company taking responsibility for their product full cycle.

Organizing Photos

2010-10-19T09:49:00.000-07:00

Organizing digital photographs is so easy to do. But what about all of your pictures that were taken before the digital craze? It could take hours to scan and digitize all of your photographs. Scandigital.com will scan, color correct and remove dust from your old photographs. You can choose to have them sent back to you on a disc or on a hard drive. Now you can easily enjoy your memories for years to come.

Blog Action Day: Water

2010-10-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Blog Action Day and the topic this year is water. Nearly 1 billion people lack access to clean water, which causes a litany of struggles, diseases and even death. Unsafe drinking water and lack of sanitation kills more people every year than all forms of violence, including war. Here are five facts about water that you might not know about. We are far from implementing solutions to secure basic access to safe drinking water. But what can you do? Stop consuming so much. That cotton t-shirt you're wearing right now took 1,514 liters of water to produce, and your jeans required an extra 6,813 liters. Consider giving to charities like water.org who are committed to providing safe drinking water and sanitation to people in developing countries. Remember to think more about the water coming out of your tap. Conserve and don't take it for granted.

Recycling Overload

2010-10-08T08:17:00.000-07:00

I took this picture while out on my walk the other day and it's not the first time I've seen it. Your blue bin is overflowing with recyclables and the overflow ends up in the black garbage bin heading for the landfill. Did you know that in the City of Los Angeles you can order an extra blue bin free of charge? Contact the Bureau of Sanitation call center at 800-773-2489 to order an extra blue bin. Let's help Los Angeles keep the title of the largest residential curbside recycling program in the United States.

Recycle Your Blues

2010-10-07T10:03:00.000-07:00

Rule of thumb; when a new pair of jeans comes into the closet an old pair must leave. Otherwise you will disrupt the natural balance of the planet. Well maybe not the planet but definitely your closet. The Gap has a great deal going on right now until October 20th, 2010. Bring in a pair of your old worn out denim, any designer, and receive 30% off a new pair of 1969 jeans. Your old jeans will be recycled into insulation for homes to keep families in need warm.

Shoebox Your Receipts

2010-10-05T10:38:00.000-07:00

Every so often a company comes along that I'm blow away by. Right now I am crushing on www.Shoeboxed.com By signing up with this biz you will no longer have to house all of those receipts for tax purposes. All you have to do is shove all of your receipts into one of their big blue envelopes and pop it in the mail. Shoeboxed will scan and upload the receipts into your online dashboard. From there you can sort, organize and view. You also have the option to email receipts in from items you order online; or you can snap a photo with your smart phone and send it in. They offer many affordable plans, even a FREE option. I'm not only a fan but also a member. I've sent in all of my receipts from the past years to lighten up my load. You also have the option to have your receipts returned but why not have them disposed for you? Shoeboxed recycles making them both Organized and Green!

Clean Well

2010-10-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Could it be an all natural antibacterial soap? Clean Well's antibacterial hand soap cleans 99.99% of germs, has all natural ingredients and contains no toxic chemicals. Hands down this is the best soap in town.

Never Wait on Hold Again

2010-09-27T11:08:00.000-07:00

There is nothing that bothers me more than sitting on hold. Yes, you can multi-task by putting the phone on speaker but then you have to listen to that annoying music. LucyPhone.com can change all of that for you. All you need to do is go to their site and type in the 800 number and then type in your phone number. When they get a human on the phone Lucy will call and connect you. So stop waiting on hold and sign up for a free account today.

Kindle

2010-09-14T11:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, one of my clients received the new Kindle as a gift and I could not stop looking at it. To make her carbon footprint smaller I signed her up to receive the New York Times on it for only $19.99 a month. Yes, the Kindle has a carbon footprint too but it's definitely a smaller one with the energy and paper that it saves. Over 125 million trees are used every year to produce books, newspapers and magazines. Of course the greenest solution is to go to the library or buy used books but the Kindle is not a bad option for reading junkies.

Memories Transferred

2010-09-03T16:07:00.000-07:00

As an organizer I really try to practice what I preach. So in my quest to be fully organized, I decided to have all of my VHS tapes transferred to DVD. This included not only my shorts from film school but also my Grandmother's wedding from 1947. My Grandmother didn't even know this film existed until about ten years ago when my family found it in her basement. I don't own a VHS player anymore so getting the films transferred seemed like a great idea. Additionally VHS tapes can deteriorate over time so to preserve them I had them put on to DVD's and digitized onto my computer. It's great to have all of the family home movies right at my finger tips and know that they will be there to view for years to come.

Back to School PVC Free

2010-09-01T10:22:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to an end and it's time for back to school shopping. But before you head off to the office supply store you might want to check with CHEJ's (Center for Health, Environment and Justice) Back to School PVC-Free School Supply Guide. PVC plastic is very toxic from production to use to disposal. The guide lists the most common back-to-school supplies made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC or vinyl) plastic and suggests safer PVC-free alternatives. Children are at risk from even the smallest amount of exposure so it's important to make smart shopping choices.

Blog Talk Radio

2010-08-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow I will be interviewed on Doc Heather's Live Natural Live Well blog talk radio show. Heather Lounsbury, L.Ac. is a leading health care advisor and acupuncturist. Tune in live to hear about how I got my start and get some green home organizing tips!

Cosmetic Recycling

2010-08-23T10:51:00.000-07:00

Everyday packaging accounts for one third of the waste in landfills. Cosmetic containers are most often not recognized by curbside recycling. Origins has developed a program where you can bring any brand of empty cosmetic containers into their store for recycling. All returned packaging will be sent back to a central location where products will be recycled or used for energy recovery.

Baby2Baby

2010-08-13T10:41:00.000-07:00

Babies grow up pretty fast. If you're not going to have another baby or don't have a friend who could use the clothes you might want to check out Baby2Baby. Their organization supplies Los Angeles families in need with essential baby gear and clothing for their children 0-4 years old. Clothing must be in excellent shape and toys must not have any missing parts. They also accept car seats but a safety form must be filled out with the donation. Get your donations to people who really can benefit from them.

Clothing Swap

2010-08-11T10:04:00.000-07:00

Want to update your wardrobe and clean out your closet at the same time? If you're in Los Angeles you might want to check out the clothing swap tomorrow at the W Hotel in Westwood sponsored by Your Daily Thread and Yelp. Just bring ten items that are in good, wearable condition and in exchange you will be allowed to take 10 items home with you. And did I mention it's free too? When: Thursday, August 12 from 7 to 9 p.m. Where: ESCAPE at W Los Angeles-Westwood 930 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90024

Be Aware Be Very Aware

2010-08-10T10:06:00.000-07:00

Forest Ethics is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect Endangered Forests and wild places, wildlife, and human well-being. Climate change, which threatens to undermine all of our conservation efforts, is also one of their campaign focus areas. They will approach a company that is causing harm to the environment and offer to find a better solution for their business. If the company does not comply look out because they will publicly launch a campaign to expose the company's wrong doing. For instance right now they are targeting Walmart and Safeway for using oil from Canada's Tar Sands. Oil from the Tar Sands is the worlds dirtiest.

To produce just one barrel of Tar Sands fuel, three barrels of freshwater are consumed, and the resulting wastewater is left in toxic lakes large enough to be seen from outer space.
Tar Sands mining permanently destroys vast tracts of Boreal Forest, and if unchecked, development could see the ecological health of an area the size of Florida sacrificed for the fleeting use of fuel.
The Tar Sands’ energy-intensive production generates 3-5 times the greenhouse gas emissions of conventional oil production.

Bed Bath & Beyond and Whole Foods are two large companies that have stopped using oil from the Tar Stands. Tell Walmart and Safeway to protect us and their brands by signing the petition here.

Freecycle

2010-08-05T09:48:00.000-07:00

Freecycle is a site where you can find a home home for your unwanted items. By setting up a free account you can easily list items that you would like to give away to someone who really needs it. My experience with Freecycle is that stuffs moves very quickly. Freecycle's mission statement is pretty simple and pretty awesome. "Our mission is to build a worldwide gifting movement that reduces waste, saves precious resources and eases the burden on our landfills while enabling our members to benefit from the strength of a larger community."

Dirty Dishes

2010-07-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

Growing up I lived in a household where dishes were not allowed in the sink. Instead you would just rinse and load it into the dishwasher. I never really thought about how much time and energy this saves. It's one simple step that will keep your house looking clean, that is if you own a dishwasher. And washing a full load in the dishwasher is actually better for the environment than hand washing.

Going Home

2010-07-26T08:18:00.000-07:00

After returning home from your summer travels the first thing you should do is unpack. I'm sure you're probably tired and the last thing you want to do is unpack but if you don't do it now it will be even harder later. I don't even sit down until I have unpacked everything. And unpacking is even easer that packing because most of your clothes will end up in the hamper. So enjoy your travels and enjoy your home by unpacking.

The Story of Toys

2010-07-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

Have you seen Toy Story 3 yet? I've seen it twice now and think it's a film that every kid and adult should see. The movie mentions "Toys are meant to be played with". Such a vital message when it comes to getting organized. If you're not playing with your toys pass them on to someone who will.

Books Through Bars

2010-07-14T07:36:00.000-07:00

There are many options for donating your unwanted books. From the library to Goodwill books are widely accepted and appreciated. But did you know that prisons are in desperate need for donated books? If you're located in New York you might want to check out Books Through Bars. They have some specific regulations about what they will accept such as paperbacks only. But with their easy drop off locations it's a great option.

Going Green with The King

2010-07-12T07:09:00.000-07:00

The King of Green is Gary Walker's green talk radio show. Gary's show covers all types of issues pertaining to the environment. I was lucky to be one of his guests recently. To listen to the broadcast click here.

Amazon Green

2010-07-09T06:48:00.000-07:00

So you want to go green by shopping smarter but not sure where to buy green products? Amazon has an entire section set up for buying green. They even break it down by category and offer an electronics exchange program for Amazon cash.

Clothing Labels

2010-06-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

Recently I've been organizing a home with a set of twins. I was asked what's the best way to identify their clothing? Because writing their name with a Sharpie eventually comes off in the wash. Iron on name labels like these will help you and your kids identify who's shirt is who's. You can easily apply these labels with an iron and they won't come off in the wash. With summer approaching it's also a great way to keep track of their clothing while away at camp.

Recycled Building Supplies

2010-06-03T15:32:00.000-07:00

I'm sure you're all familiar with Habitat for Humanity. They're a wonderful organization that builds affordable, energy efficient houses for low-income families. Working as a professional organizer I often come across old building supplies like leftover stone slabs for a patio or appliances that are in working condition. Habitat has what they call ReStore's in which they accept used and unused building supplies which they then sell. The proceeds are used to build new homes. It's not only a great resource to donate but a great place to shop. Habitat will pick up your items for free but check with your local store as they all vary.

Summer Organizing Tour

2010-06-02T11:48:00.000-07:00

Summer never looked so organized. No Wire Hangers is excited to announce it's summer travel plans to Chicago and New York. If you'd like to schedule an appointment for July please contact us today!

Bed Bath and Never Expires

2010-05-26T12:44:00.000-07:00

You know those Bed Bath and Beyond coupons you receive in the mail? The ones you hold on to until you realize they've expired and toss them into the recycling bin? Well guess what, they lie, they never do expire. You can use them anytime and as many as you like for multiple items. I keep mine in a zipper pouch in the car and use them when I'm out shopping for a client or myself.

Recycled Bride

2010-05-24T11:00:00.000-07:00

Deals, steals and eco-savvy. Recycled Bride is the place to go for any new or old bride. Get great deals on recycled designer dresses or sell anything from you wedding that you think someone else could use. They cater to the anti-bridezilla.

Composting in Los Angeles

2010-05-21T10:37:00.000-07:00

Interested in learning how to compost? Well if you live in Los Angeles you should check out the free composting workshop this weekend. Workshops are held in Griffith Park every 4th Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. You also have the option to buy composting bins that are offered at a discounted rate. Composting is good for the planet because according to the EPA, roughly 25% of the garbage in the U.S. is made up of yard trimmings and food scraps.

Help Clean the Gulf

2010-05-18T11:39:00.000-07:00

It's hard for me to write about this as I find it so utterly disturbing and it only seems to get worse and worse. Luckily there are people who are trying to make a difference like my friend Jenelle, owner of WeeBee Tees, who has designed a t-shirt with all of the proceeds going directly to help clean up the gulf. Help bring awareness and money to remedy this horrible disaster.

The Book

2010-05-13T11:30:00.000-07:00

Are you constantly looking for information you know you wrote down somewhere? Is your home cluttered with post-it notes? Well I have the perfect solution. Look around for a note book or journal with a design you truly love. I recommend using a composition size note book, but choose the right size for you. Then write down everything you need in this book. Ban yourself from writing down any notes or phone numbers anywhere else. The book will be an amazing reference when you are trying to remember the name of the contractor that your friend recommended. It will require some discipline in the beginning but it only takes thirty days to form a new habit. You can't beat thirty days to being uncluttered and organized!

Mother's Day

2010-05-10T12:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was Mother's Day and honoring that I thought I would do a post on my Mom. I'm extremely close to my Mother and in fact I would consider her my best friend. We talk on the phone multiple times a day and I often joke that I owe her a huge cut of my business. What I do for my clients is basically what my Mom did for me, and even today at thirty-three I'm still learning. She's one of those people that can take care of anything and knows how to handle any situation. She was the one who set me up with my first file system and measured my bedroom to scale so that I could play with the space as a child. I was constantly moving my bedroom around. She supported and nurtured all of my interests and most importantly she believed in me. There is no way NWH would exist today if it was not for her.

Junk Mail

2010-05-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

The average adult receives 41lbs. of junk mail a year. By signing up with 41 Pounds you'll rid your entire household of junk mail for five years even if you move. 41 Pounds donates more than 1/3 of each new subscriber’s fee to an environmental or community organization of their choice. Each year, 100 million trees are used to produce junk mail and about 100 million households receive 16.6 billion catalogs. If you are concerned about identity theft stopping junk mail is important because it keeps unsolicited personalized mail out of your mailbox. You'll also have the ability to pick and choose what catalogs you want to receive if any at all.

Cork Recycling

2010-05-04T08:28:00.000-07:00

We all know to recycle wine bottles but what about the corks? Cork Reharvest is collecting your discarded natural corks and recycling them. They are also promoting education about natural corks and why they are so important over the recent screw tops. "Since starting in 2008, Cork ReHarvest has led the cork recycling movement in the US and Canada, helping to collect and recycle some of the 13 billion natural corks that are produced each year. Equally important is our work to educate the public about the Mediterranean cork forests. These forests contain one of the world's highest levels of forest biodiversity including endemic plants and endangered species such as the Iberian Lynx, the Iberian Imperial Eagle, and the Barbary Deer. It is also vital source of income for thousands of family farmers, who for generations have worked these forests. It is our calling and our passion to protect the Mediterranean cork forests, not as a relic of the past, but as an integral part of our planet's biosphere." So collect your corks and drop them off at a participating organizations like Whole Foods.

Rise Above Plastic

2010-04-30T10:38:00.000-07:00

Rise above plastic and take the pledge to stop using disposable plastics. Their mission is to reduce the impact of plastic on the marine environments by raising awareness of the dangers of plastic pollution and by advocating for a reduction of single-use plastics and the recycling of all plastics.

Recycling Open House

2010-04-28T10:24:00.000-07:00

When showing my clients what they can recycle I often get asked the question "How do you know it's really being recycled?" Well I've actually been to where the blue bins end up and witnessed the recycling process. Once the bins are collected and arrive at the MIRF station they are sorted by machine and hand. If you'd like to see how it all works you can check it out at an open house this Saturday in Sun Valley. At the City Yard's Open House you'll enjoy truck demonstrations, tours, free food, refreshments, games and prizes.

Eco Sponge

2010-04-27T13:48:00.000-07:00

Sponges can only clean if they are clean themselves. When was the last time you cleaned your sponge? A University of Arizona study found that about 80% of tested kitchen sponges contained some combination of up to 15 different kinds of dangerous bacteria including E. coli and salmonella. You should clean your kitchen sponges in the dishwasher or boil them in hot water. It is also wise to buy a sponge that is natural and biodegradable like this one from Twist.

Recycled Office Furniture

2010-04-26T13:47:00.000-07:00

If you're in the market for a file cabinet or vintage metal desk you might want to check out Steel Casey. They comb through old offices to salvage steel metal furniture and repaint it to a color of your choice. Their storefront will be closing June 21st so make sure to stop by before they're gone.

Earth Day

2010-04-22T10:11:00.000-07:00

Today April 22, 2010 reminds us that every day is Earth Day.

My Eco Bag Set

2010-04-21T10:26:00.000-07:00

Back to the basics. By now I'm sure you're bringing your own bag to the store. The ocean's ecological system is severely being threatened by plastic. Each year, thousands of sea turtles choke on plastic bags after mistaking them for jellyfish. I'm a firm believer in quality over quantity, meaning I believe in spending a little more money on our everyday shopping bags. My Mom bought my shopping bags over five years ago in France and they are still my main bags today. I'm very impressed with this four bag set from The Container Store. The bags are roomy, sturdy and stylish. One of the bags for chilled foods is even insulated and comes with a zipper closure.

Routine

2010-04-20T10:01:00.000-07:00

Do you have a routine? Having a routine, a regular course of procedure, will help you stay on track. They say it only takes thirty days to form a new habit. So if you feel you're not getting things accomplished develop your routine today. And soon it won't feel like something you have to do but it will become routine.

Clothesnik

2010-04-19T14:27:00.000-07:00

If you're doing a bit of dry cleaning you might want to look into picking up one or two of these reusable dry cleaning bags. Clothenik is a dry cleaning bag that doubles as a duffel bag and as a hanging bag. Use the duffel to bag your clothes and drop off at the dry cleaners. Then pick up your clothes in the same bag only now it's hanging. Say good bye to all that plastic but make sure to recycle those wire hangers.

Save Money and Ink

2010-04-16T09:31:00.001-07:00

Arial

Century Gothic

While I know we're all being conscious not to print unless necessary I was excited to read a new tip about printing. It seems if you switch your font from Arial to Century Gothic you can conserve more ink. And judging from the different fonts above you can see how it would make a difference. Century Gothic also happens to be my font of choice with its thin clean lines.

Tax Paperwork Purge

2010-04-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

It's one of the most often questions I get asked as a professional organizer. How long do I need to keep my paperwork for tax purposes? I advise my clients to keep their information for seven years. And being the greenie I am I prefer to keep it all electronic. All of my bills are paid online and at the end of each month or year I download pdf copies of bank statements, bills and save them to external hard drive. If you are concerned about backing it up check with your bank to see how long they will keep the records for you. Chase will keep statements available for free up to seven years. Also make sure to read this great New York Times article about what to save. Happy Tax Day!

Green Target

2010-04-13T12:26:00.000-07:00

Target has gone green and they want to reward you. They'll give you five cents back towards your total purchase for every reusable bag you use. Not sure what to do with those old electronics. Simply log onto their website and enter in what electronics you have and print out a pre-paid shipping label. In return you will receive a Target Gift Card. Also in every Target store you can now find recycling bins for plastic bottles, bags and ink cartridges.

No More Plastic Bottles

2010-04-12T10:12:00.000-07:00

You probably already know I am a big fan of The Story of Stuff with Annie Leonard. And if you have not seen The Story of Bottled Water or if you buy bottled water you definitely should check it out. Buying bottled water is wasteful to your wallet and the planet. Bottled water is not regulated by the government so who even knows what you're drinking. About 80% of plastic bottles are never recycled. And for people who think they are justified by recycling, most of the bottles are shipped to other countries and down-cycled into products that will end up in the landfill. And people forget about all of the energy that went into making the plastic bottle. If we all start thinking full cycle we will help to create a better future.

Zenergy House

2010-04-09T10:45:00.000-07:00

Last Friday I was lucky enough to attend the grand opening of the Zenergy House. Not only was I an attendee but I'm also a proud sponsor. The house was created to demonstrate how easily you can have a green home using the latest technology. "This High Performance Green Home is the first home that combines the Home Performance with Energy Star program with environmentally responsible design and construction to create a zero energy, healthy, whole house remodel."

Consideration

2010-04-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm sure by now you have received an email with this saying at the bottom "Please consider the environment before printing." It's a nice reminder to think about whether it's really necessary to print. Think Before Printing estimates that 50% of all pages printed are never looked at. And I believe it since 80% of what we file never gets looked at again. I recommend organizing your tabs on your computer for web pages you want to save. You can also save them as a PDF to your desktop or copy and paste into a word document. And if you want to help spread the word you can add the link to your email.

P Please consider the environment before printing this email.

Get Your Tea in Order

2010-04-07T10:37:00.000-07:00

If you're a big tea drinker here is a great eco option for keeping your tea organized. The box is made from bamboo an easily renewable source. I love being able to see through the box for all of my tea options and it's pleasing to the eye to pass around at a dinner party.

Contacts

2010-04-06T09:49:00.000-07:00

Not all organizing products are necessarily good. To me the Rolodex is a step up from the junk drawer but not that far off. The Rolodex was invented in 1958 and though it has gone through many transitions it operates the same. In theory it was a good idea but the functionality is where I have a problem. One, it's not the most attractive and two the cards can flop out pretty easily over time. I suggest to my clients to go digital by entering all of your contacts into your computer. And for those business cards that you want to hold onto but not necessarily have in your personal contacts I recommend the business card book/binder.

Prom 2010 Dress Drive!

2010-04-05T12:37:00.000-07:00

No Wire Hangers is helping to clean out your closet by donating dresses that you no longer wear to girls who otherwise would not be able to afford one. I've never worked with a client on their closet and not pulled out at least one dress they will no longer wear. Bridesmaid dresses are a great option to donate and most people don't think of them in a prom sense. So take a look in your closet and help to make a young girl's dream come true today.