The Organizing Cafe

The Chicken Or The Egg?

2008-09-30T11:28:00.000-07:00

I love simple questions. The classic chicken or the egg question came up at my house this past week. My husband and I were having a political discussion and my husband commented that our discourse had classic elements of the chicken or the egg debate. My 10 year old son looked up from his homework and said "that's an easy answer, it's the egg." We both asked him to explain his thoughts. He said, "dinosaurs were here before chickens, dinosaurs laid eggs so...eggs came first." My husband and I were speechless because we had no argument and his answer seemed so logical. After all, the question was not "which came first the chicken or the chicken egg?"

This got me to thinking. How often do we make a simple question or a simple solution so much more complicated than it needs to be? How often do you do this throughout your day as you make choices both large and small? As a Professional Organizer I see the simple being made complicated all the time. Sometimes with myself or with my clients I forget to stand back and ask the most obvious question to get to the best solution. Next time things start to get complicated I'm going to ask myself the age old question, "which came first, the chicken or the egg?" and I'll get the answer.

ciao,
Ellen

Where'd You Get That Laptop Bag?

2008-09-29T10:27:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE my laptop bag and I am often asked "where did you get that bag?" Here's the answer, casauri.com. Two women started this company in 1999 as a class project while at Columbia University. Their bags are great looking and well made. My bag has held up really well over the past two years, it almost looks brand new. So if you're a creative or like a unique looking bag, tote, carry on or pencil case check out all of the great looking stuff these gals have to offer. Their prices are reasonable too! I'm coveting the cute, new the pencil case! I may just have to buy myself one this week.

ciao,
Ellen

Gone In 60 Seconds

2008-09-28T10:29:00.000-07:00

I used to read a lot of books.
I was an English major in college and prided myself on being up to the minute on classic literature, poetry and current popular fiction. When my children were young I joined a book club, as many women do for the socializing, wine and seriously, some intellectual discussion. The women were all well educated and I found the monthly meeting a real bright spot in my month.

But then life happened. I got busy, the kids got busier, I started my own business, I volunteered and I got tired. I would settle into bed with a cup of coffee (yes, real coffee) and begin to read. Then, gone in sixty seconds. I was asleep. How come I could get through ten novels in 10 weeks when I was in college and I couldn't even get through one book in a month? I tried to keep up with the book group and it worked for awhile. I was getting three quarters of the way through the book and was still able to participate in the lively exchanges. Then I was getting through half of the book, then a quarter of the way and finally, I was seriously faking it. I dropped out of the group citing a growing business and the need to read books on business, organizing, time management, etc. It was partly true but really I had just given up on the whole reading thing.

Most of my reading from then on was done on the fly, a shelter magazine here or there, the paper every morning if I got up early enough and the fliers that came home in my kids backpacks. That was it, that was the extent of my "literature." I became an embarrassed ex-English major. I missed reading and I wanted it back but there was no time in my life to sit and just read. Reading was for leisure, for pleasure, for vacations and I felt guilty not "doing" something. Then it hit me, I had a time management problem. I wasn't making time for reading and if it was important enough for me to feel guilty about it then I needed to make it a priority. I did just that.

I discovered books on CD and it opened up a whole new way of reading for me. I thought, how many hours a day was I in the car driving kids, driving to clients? I could listen to a book in the car! That's how it all started. Then I realized I could capture a few hours here and there throughout the day and read while doing household chores or making dinner. All of a sudden I was looking forward to weeding the garden and trimming the wisteria because I had Detective Lynley or Kinsey Millhone with me. By thinking outside the box I made room in my life for reading again. What are you leaving out of your life that is important to you? My next goal; get an iPod. My fifteen year old daughter just rolls her eyes at me as I carry around a portable CD player in a fanny pack. Yeah, it is a little embarrassing but I'm reading.

ciao,
Ellen

Welcome.

2008-09-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

Welcome to The Organizing Cafe!
So, "what's on the menu" you might ask and what are they serving up at an organizing cafe? Do I get file folders and plastics bins as a appetizer, post-it notes™ and a label maker for the main course and then move on to matching closet hangers for dessert? No. In fact I will resist using tempting little blog titles like "Starters" or "Entree Ideas" or "Just Desserts" because, admit it... it is a little cheesy and predictable.

Why am I calling my blog a 'cafe'? Well it all started on Twitter™ where apparently I talk a lot about food. Yeah, I guess I'm a little obsessed with eating, baking, cooking and growing things to eat. I was after all in the restaurant business for 15 years and I am a classically trained pastry chef. I am also a Professional Organizer, a Certified Professional Organizer (CPO®) in fact, so I decided to join my two passions together and cooked up The Organzing Cafe. Oh, I just did it didn't I? Couldn't resist, sorry.

Here's what I'm going to talk about:

Quick & simple organizing ideas and solutions that are for real people and real life.
Practical advice for balancing work and home life.
Funny anecdotes from family and friends that relate to time management, simplicity, organizing or are just too good not to share.
Food references.... lots of them!
Thing that are Italian or about Italy.
Some parenting ideas.
Reviews on cool looking and great functioning products I find.
Links to great blogs and websites I think you may be interested in.
Videos to watch that are helpful to simplify everyday living.
Occasional random posts that probably have nothing to do with any of the above.

Here's what you won't find:

Same old, same old organizing mantras and ideas.
Preachy content that makes you feel badly because you haven't gotten to the root cause of your disorganization.
Blatant promoting of my services.
Links to fast food restaurants and recipes using processed foods.
Invitations to CAbi parties or "Pampered" something parties.
Posts bragging about my kids.
Videos from my vacation.

So sit back with your laptop, have a cup of espresso and enjoy!
ciao,
Ellen