This article was so apropos of how I am feeling this weekend. It is amazing how a small step can have a great impact. Yesterday, I went through two closets and this morning I went through my food cabinet. I can't say I tossed a lot but it still felt good to see what I had and weed out the items I didn't need. Today, it's all about dropping off the items for composting and textile recycling at the Greenmarket. I'm buying new blinds and attempting to install them myself. Tomorrow, I will finally get around to painting a rusting metal cabinet in the kitchen that has been bothering me for a while. What projects do you have gnawing at you in your house?

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/break-these-5-bad-habits-around-the-house-that-sap-your-energy-208644

2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

As I sat down to prepare for my Downsizing for Seniors event at Seabrook in Tinton Falls, NJ on Tuesday, this post popped into my inbox. These are all points that I discuss with my clients and I think it is very relevant to seniors as they downsize and have to face years of emotional and physical baggage. One note I would like to add to Apartment Therapy's list is to be realistic about your expectations. If you are a clutterer but desire to have less stuff in your home, realize that this will be a gradual change through baby steps. If you find it hard to keep your home 'Martha Stewart' perfect, take it down a notch and come up with a plan that works for you. Enlisting a friend or personal organizer with an objective eye is always recommended when you undertake this type of project. Remember it takes 28 days before an action becomes a habit, so be patient. You will achieve the space you desire.


http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/6-ways-you-are-making-staying-organized-harder-than-it-has-to-be-206369

Home Therapy

What a great reminder from Apartment Therapy to be happy with what we have accomplished in our homes. I used to feel that my home didn't compare to friends' since they had more rooms and land. After a while, I realized I had exactly the amount of space I needed. I didn't want to spend all my time on upkeep so a bungalow is perfect for my needs.Yes, friends have to sleep on the day or aerobed in the living room but that doesn't seem to stop them from visiting. What aspects do you appreciate about your home?



http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/9-things-ive-learned-about-making-a-home-206367




2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

Tackling Household Tasks

I've been tackling a lot of household tasks over the last few months and sometimes I feel like I have ADD. I start something, get distracted and then take on another task. It is definitely counter-productive until I focus. I think what is making me feel scattered is the fact that I want to get everything done NOW!!

I want to take advantage of the warm sunny weather to clean and paint my doors and furniture. Sometimes my deadline is dictated by my contractor's schedule which actually grounds me. I finally sat down and broke down my tasks room by room in a notebook. Surprisingly, the list wasn't as long as I thought it would be and is quite manageable. Having all my tasks in a central place makes me feel less anxious about getting things done.

How do you focus on accomplishing tasks around your home? Do you follow the ideas outlined in Apartment Therapy? Let me hear from you.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/7-secrets-to-getting-anything-done-around-the-house-203705


2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

The Urge To Purge

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/the-shopping-bag-method-for-staying-clutterfree-203281

The shopping bag method mentioned in this recent Apartment Therapy post definitely works for me. In fact, I am going even further and practicing "the box method" at the moment. As I continue to settle into my newly-remodeled home, I have been uncovering items I really don't need or suit me any more. What to do with these items at this time of year?  I am  having a yard sale!

Before you hunt for bargains at the Atlantic Highlands Town Wide Yard Sale next Saturday, be sure to stop by my multi-family sale  in the neighboring town of Highlands.

We are offering selections  ranging from architectural salvage, vintage housewares, linens, boat/ship bells, and horns to estate jewelry. Here's a preview of some of my
items for sale.

These lights are brand new unopened in the box. I have 2 of the double vapor jar lights and one single. All are in painted aluminum finish and wet weather compliant, perfect for beach living.

These glasses are from a long-gone East Village restaurant, Sugar Reef.

I bought this bin before I moved into my house but it's not my taste for the new place.

The fabric and beading on this top are in excellent shape. It just needs a new zipper for those of you who are handy or have a good seamstress.

Spread the word. I hope to see you there.

Saturday, May 17  
296 Highway 36 (across the road from Kavookjian Field)
8:30AM - 2PM

 


2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

 This article in TREEHUGGER.com offers some very practical strategies in living a lighter life and keeping clutter under control. These changes will not happen overnight so take baby steps to make the best use of your space. If you can't go it alone, this is the perfect time to consider hiring a professional organizer for help. Contact me if you would like a free consultation.



http://www.treehugger.com/culture/living-lot-less-small-space.html



2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

It's the time of year to clear out your house, so why not follow these tips from Apartment Therapy when cleaning out your clothing closet.



http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/spring-closet-cleanout-the-7-questions-you-need-to-answer-right-now-202790?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=DAILY+--+22914+Spring+Closet+Cleanout+The+7+Questions+You+Need+to+Answer+Right+Now&utm_content=DAILY+--+22914+Spring+Closet+Cleanout+The+7+Questions+You+Need+to+Answer+Right+Now+CID_52879f6984d5707bdb02dc105e54d051&utm_source=email_newsletter&utm_term=Spring%20Closet%20Cleanout%20The%207%20Questions%20You%20Need%20to%20Answer%20Right%20Now







2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.

It may sound trite, but make every day Earth Day. You can start by following these simple tips from Huffpo.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/22/easy-ways-to-save-earth_n_5168684.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000063




2014. Rosemary Flannery. All rights reserved.

Busman's Holiday

So many of my clients think I live in a pristine, always put together environment, but I hate to tell them they are wrong. Working and managing my life can be challenging especially over the last year with my rebuild. So I found it very interesting to read a recent post on Unclutterer about how even organizers need to take time to get organized.

http://unclutterer.com/2014/03/04/even-professional-organizers-need-to-unclutter/


For the last six weeks, I have been moving gradually into my new home in New Jersey. As  I adjust to my rebuilt space, I am going through items that survived Sandy, things I haven't thought about since family and volunteers packed me up over a year ago. It's actually been kind of fun and even easy to get rid of items I no longer need. My garage sale box is overflowing already and now that I've discovered the local scrap yard, so is my metal pile. My niece is a partner in an online vintage site in LA, facebook.com/pages/Rummage-LA  so I have been preparing a box for her too.

This weekend my goal was to get my bathroom linen closet in order - it is the last piece of the puzzle to complete the room. Thanks to a good friend who came over and sorted and folded my linen collection. I was able to get this done. While unpacking today, I came across my aunt's vintage Heller tray from the '70's. My instinct said to put it aside for the future yard sale, but then it's unusual shape inspired me to cull bathroom cosmetics.

Next week, I am tackling a pile of clothes in my bedroom in between priming my new china cabinet. I cannot wait!

Do you find it easy to edit your home? Tell me how you cope.

2014. Rosemary Flannery. All rights reserved.

I know 19 tips may sound like a lot for uncluttering, but I think many of you will find these tips from ivillage useful, especially if you are moving out or moving back into a space. Let me know if you need help.

http://www.ivillage.com/things-know-about-downsizing/7-a-558058?nlcid=hh|02-04-2014|&_mid=5041935&_rid=5041935.7000.22955.1

2014. Rosemary Flannery. All Rights Reserved.