Let's start with the entry way. The simple addition of hooks to this mirror from Crate & Barrel makes it a great place for keys, your purse and a good once-over before you head out the door.

Mudroom. Laundry Room. Garage. Back Door. Front Door.  Wherever it’s located, it’s your family’s direct route into your abode.  They come home from school, soccer practice, or work and they are simply too excited, tired or preoccupied to even think about putting their stuff in its proper place.  Books, jackets, shoes… the list goes on.  Where can we put it all?  I am not offering any miracle solutions but there are some stylish storage options that may make things easier to find when they are heading out again.  And let’s face it, you could use a place for your jacket, purse and keys.

The Painted Cottage Locker from LL Bean comes in 5 colors and is durable enough for jackets, boots and whatever else the kids bring home with them.

If you only have a corner to spare, then this is the perfect place to kick off your boots.

A modern approach keeps it simple but with lots of storage for shoes, leashes, and compact umbrellas.

So whether you are looking for a bench, mirror or bin, jump over to My Secret Database to find what you need!

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Man Caves are all the rage.  These hideaways for the men folk are retreats for hobbies, watching the BIG game and all other things manly.  I agree that everyone needs a place to kick back, so when I saw the website for Car Guy Garage, I knew I had to share it.

They sell all the components you will need to get your garage up to snuff.  They have diamond plated cabinets in slick finishes and stainless steel for the purists.  The shapes and sizes of the components are endless.  They also carry a large selection of storage systems as well as cool flooring options such as vinyl and epoxy in lots of cool colors.   You can actually order an 8 foot wide, 7 foot tall unit with lights and a work bench welded right in. And when it arrives at your home, all you have to do it plug it in! 

I don’t think it’s fair to leave the girls out because I have to admit I got a little flutter in my chest when I think about my garage looking like this.  What a beautiful thing to have an organized AND sexy looking garage. 

Check out Car Guy Garage!  Ladies and Gentleman start your engines!

Today I am happy to welcome guest blogger, Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer.  She has a fabulous website and blog for those of us with a home office or anyone who just wants to get organized!  She does a great job of sharing her expert tips along with links to other sites that are immensely helpful.  I am glad she is with us today and I hope you enjoy her tips as much as I do!

~Lorrie

Get Organized: 6 Steps To Get Started

Ready to get organized?  If you’ve decided to get organized, you’re not alone.  Have you tried before and been unsuccessful? Don’t stress! It is possible to get organized and stay that way.  Pick one area at a time, and move onto the next.  Here’s some tips to help you get real and get going:

1. One project at a time.  Don’t tell yourself “I’m going to get my life organized”.  Guaranteed you’ll be burned out in two weeks.  Pick one room that you want to work on.  If that seems overwhelming, pick one bookcase or drawer.  Small successes will build your confidence and motivate you to move forward.
2. Simplify, simplify, simplify.  I’d just love to take credit for this quote, but I can’t - it’s Henry David Thoreau.  Part of getting organized is evaluating what you have and what you really need.  This is the first step, no avoiding it.  Yes it’s work, but if you don’t do it all the other efforts are wasted.
3. Work with what’s left.  Once you get down to what you really truly need you’re ready to go the next step.  What’s left will determine what sort of products you’ll need, and help you….
4. Assign homes.  Here’s a tip: “being organized” simply means everything has a place (and everything in it’s place…).  If it doesn’t have a home, it’s homeless and will wander aimlessly for all eternity.  So, do yourself a favor and commit to giving a home to everything you’ve decided to keep.  Take it one thing at a time, and put things together that make sense to you.  If that seems a little daunting and permanent, don’t worry - you can always move it later, but you have to start somewhere.
5. Put things away.  You don’t have to live in Perfection Utopia - it’s a myth and just not real.  Period. What you need to do is put things in their homes (see previous step) consistently.  Just like anything else you’ve got to do this and make it a habit.  Once you do, you’ll see your space change for good.
6. Change and re-evaluate as necessary.  Sometimes people move from one home to a new one. The only constant is change, so don’t worry if things in your space change - because they will.  So, go with it and re-evaluate as needed.

You really can change your life with organization.  And honestly, when I type that it sounds caddy and simplistic - but I know it to be true.  Start with changing your space.  Organize your stuff, get real with it, dig deep.  You just might surprise yourself!

Brandie Kajino, The Home Office Organizer, is a dynamic speaker, author and professional organizer.  Brandie helps home office professionals get organized.  Her website includes free resources, teleclasses, personalized services and a blog with dozens of articles. For a free copy of her Top Ten Organizing Tips, visit her web site at www.thehomeofficeorganizer.com, or call her at 971-533-7735.

When it comes down to it, we all work from home.  Whether it’s the place where you earn a living or where you keep your family’s lives in order, you need space for the computer, paperwork and a few paper clips.  Otherwise it’s a constant game of “Where did that bill go?” or “Please don’t play with my computer.”  A clearly defined workspace not only creates an area for all the “stuff” but it also creates a private space that gains respect from those around you.  From closets, to guest rooms, to an entire dedicated room, here is a simple plan to help you create a beautiful, comfortable and productive atmosphere.

Here you go:

1. Know your needs - Assess what currently works and what does not.  Clean out the space and make sure your storage is adequate.  Beyond file cabinets, consider baskets, bins and shelving.
2. Develop a floor plan - Don’t try to crowd too much furniture in the room and consider pieces that can pull double-duty.  Ballard Designs has a cool little Home Office Kit to help you plan your space.  Or just get out some graph paper, pencil and ruler and design the space yourself.
3. Create the Right Environment - Make it a comfortable and supportive environment for your creativity and concentration.  Though I encourage you to go with your gut on color, here are some basic color/mood associations that might give you a boost:

• Blue - calm, orderly, water
• Green - nature, health, renewal
• Orange - balance enthusiasm
• Purple - spirituality, wisdom
• Red - energy, strength
• White - pureness, simplicity
• Yellow - joy, optimism

4. Architectural Elements - If your budget and time allow, then go for the gold with new flooring, molding and lighting.  My friend and trusty web developer, Andrew, is redoing his office so I put together these tips with him in mind.

• Flooring: I recommend hard surfaces with wood topping the list.  Carpeting can get dusty and I like to keep the area around the computer equipment super clean. 
• Molding:  Be bold with base and crown moldings.  Don’t look to the original molding for size.  Often they are wimpy and small.  If you have 9 foot ceilings then anything up to 9″ each for the crown and the base is fair game.  I usually make the base a couple of inches less than the crown.  Mixing traditional moldings with modern furniture gives the space a designer touch.
• Lighting:  The best lighting for a workspace is a combination of good general lighting (such as recessed lighting) highlighted with some task lighting (lamps).

5. Personalize- Working from home allows you to personalize your space and really make it your own.  There are no rules!  Highlight the room with your favorite painting or a lamp with a cool shade.  Use a cork-board for special mementos or family photos.  Just make sure your office portrays an air of professionalism if you meet with clients in your home.

It doesn’t take much to turn a simple space into a home office.  And the boost to your efficiency and peace of mind will be priceless.

Good luck with your Home Office and be sure to use My Secret Database to fine everything that you will need!

I bet that over the past year you have accumulated more clutter than you are willing to own up to.  It’s okay, most of us are in the same boat.  There is the coat closet that explodes at your feet each time you open it; neglected toys stashed and stacked in out of the way places; pantries that are home to 3-year-old chocolate chips.  I won’t tell anyone but I will give you a few tips that might make life a little easier and a little more organized.

• Start Small - Choose one room, closet or even a small area to conquer.  If you set out to do too much in one sitting you are setting yourself up for failure.  For instance, just start by working on one bookshelf.  Sort out the books you must keep and then donate the rest to your local library.  The library will often sell them to raise money.
• Assess the Situation - Before you start, consider why the area has gotten to this point in the first place.  Then figure out what organizational tools and accessories you need to improve it.  Take measurements and buy what you need so you can immediately start putting things in order after you clear out the clutter.
• Easy Identification - For the items that are going to be stored away in bins or containers, make sure they are clearly labeled or in transluscent bins so you can find things in a jiffy.  Clutter can often be a product of rifling though a closet to find something while in a rush.
• Make it a Family Affair - Kids will hang on to toys forever if you don’t ask them to make some tough choices.  If they have not played with the toy in a while, then it’s time to clean it up and donate it to a child that will.  Donating old toys provides a great opportunity to teach your child a valuable life lesson.
• Reward Yourself - Give yourself a pat on the back for the small victories.  A clean closet = an ice cream cone.  A well-ordered pantry = a bubble bath.  We must treasure our triumphs!

Summertime is for vacations and sipping lemonade in a hammock, but there will be a few rainy days here and there.  Take advantage of those days to make some headway in your home.

Visit some of the great companies that carry Organizational Products in My Secret Database!