If the kitchen is the heart of your home, then making it an inviting, comfortable space that functions well should be a priority. But how? What can you do to make it more peaceful? How do you make it function more efficiently? Here are a few tips that can help:

1) Get rid of the clutter. Clutter creates visual confusion. Go through everything in your kitchen and decide whether you use it and love it. If it doesn’t meet these criteria, it’s clutter! You may find a dish set you don’t use anymore, glasses that don’t match, duplicate cooking utensils, or small appliances that were a good idea at the time.  Read more...

In January, I had the privilege of filming a segment on organizing for TrustDale TV which airs Sunday mornings on the local  NBC affiliate, WXIA-11Alive. The segment featured me and my client Tom DiGregorio, who hosts a regular feature on the show called Tom’s Tips. If you’ve never seen it, TrustDale is hosted by consumer advocate Dale Cardwell and features tips on how to find reputable contractors and avoid scams.

My interview with Tom and Dale ran February 24, 2013. If you’d like to watch it, here’s a link to it on YouTube.

Grand Opening Party! That’s me in the gray jacket (5th from right) with the The Container Store president (4th from right) and other corporate staff of The Container Store, along with fellow organizers from the Georgia Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers. The Container Store in Buckhead has moved and this was their grand opening party at the new location! It now has a Buckhead ambiance and is beautiful. They are located in the old Borders store off Peachtree Road near Target and Phipps Plaza.

   Read more...

If you love your family…take the time to read and act on this article from Health Central.com. Grieving is hard enough without an estate left in chaos.

http://www.healthcentral.com/alzheimers/cf/slideshows/how-to-die-organized-ten-tips/update-your-will/?ap=825

“If we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting” — Stephen R. Covey

I like how Stephen Covey’s systems tied the “to do’s” to values. For example, keeping my house in financial order is not the most fun, but it’s part of my value system. So any “to do” that is financial-related makes it to the top of the list. Thanks, Stephen!

Nice article on Stephen Covey’s impact:

http://www.usatoday.com/money/story/2012-07-16/stephen-covey-appreciation/56258068/1

I met the “Auction King” at a recent Marietta event. Paul Brown (L), star of The Discovery Channel’s reality show “Auction Kings”, said he’s enjoying being noticed around town. He owns Gallery 63 auction house in Sandy Springs, which is chock full of amazing things for sale at auction.

I’ve checked out the show — and the gallery — in my quest to help people get rid of their stuff. A jukebox is a tough one to get rid of. With hopes of selling one for a client, I contacted the gallery. They weren’t interested, but recommended a jukebox repair person, who eventually led me to a buyer! The client was so happy, and boy, do I know a lot more about jukeboxes now!  Read more...

I’m pleased to be the new Vice President for the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) – Georgia Chapter. NAPO, known as “The Organizing Authority (R)”,  is the leading network of professionals working as organizing consultants. We also have associate members who are local businesses that are retailers or manufacturers of organizing products or services. This is my second year on the Board of Directors. It’s a fantastic group!

Photo: 2012-2013 NAPO Board of Directors. Laura Ray is second from the right with the big smile.

I had a great time on Good Day Atlanta (Fox 5) today! The staff and anchors were so nice. Anchor Buck Lanford interviewed me about organizing your closet as part of their Get Organized Week series. They were most impressed with the Cap Rack, which can hold about 16 baseball caps or golf visors.

My philosophy about closets that I shared:  Your morning closet experience can be great or chaotic. Getting more organized helps set a better tone for the day.

Watch my Fox 5 clip or just check out my tips and product recommendations from the show:  Read more...

“The most compelling reason for most people to buy a computer for the home will be to link it into a nationwide communications network. We’re just in the beginning stages of what will be a truly remarkable breakthrough for most people — as remarkable as the telephone.” Steve Jobs, 1985 interview

I clean out a lot of garages. It’s rewarding, but not that easy getting rid of some of the contents that the homeowner doesn’t want anymore, like motor oil. But here are a few tips for you that I’ve learned along the way:

– Motor oil or gasoline that is still good can be given to a neighbor, a worker in the neighborhood (lawn maintenance crew) or a nearby service station.

– Old motor oil can also be given to a service station to be disposed of.  Read more...