Houston Professional Organizer // Client Acupuncturist Bathroom Organization

Finally catching up from years of past projects that have been sitting in our blog drafts. This sweet organizing client is an acupuncturist in Houston, TX and we organized several areas of her home. This is the bathroom linen closet that we revamped. The closet had to hold a lot of different items and products, so we used products that were economical and functional. 

Here is what we did:

• Sorted. We sorted like items together.
• Organized by type. We organized by type. 
• Contained. We contained in bins these white bins that she purchased so we used was on hand along with what she already had.

How to Organize for a Weekend Getaway

With summer right around the corner, vacations will be in full swing for many people. Especially now that more and more people are getting the COVID vaccine and more places are opening back up. We often help personal assistant and concierge clients plan, organize and pack for their trips whether it is a weekend getaway or longer trips. For getaways that are quick when you just have a weekend to getaway here are some tips to plan for. 

Plan your budget. Before you go on any trip you should decide what your budget is because this will determine a lot of factors like where you will go, how you will get there, what you will do while you are on vacation, etc. 

Decide on where you want to go. Do you want to go somewhere to relax, off the grid, adventurous, a big city, a small city, near water, near mountains, etc. There are so many options that you can choose from.

Do you want to fly or drive. Depending on whether you want to fly or drive has a lot to do with where you will go. Also, it makes a big difference on your budget. If you have a limited amount of time off you will need to decide how much of the time you want to be travel time to and from places. 

Check the weather. Wherever you decide to go, check to weather because that will determine what you will do and what you will need to back. 

Book a place to stay. Will you be winging it, staying at a camp ground, hotel, hostel, airbnb, etc.?

Decide what to pack. I always suggest packing as light as possible because it makes traveling a lot easier and so much less stressful. This will be determined mostly based on where you will be going, the weather and what you will be doing.

Decide what types of snacks you will be taking. Decide your snack options based on if you will be driving or flying. If you have kids or don't have kids. I always like to have snacks on hand in case we get delayed somewhere, travel somewhere with limited pit stops, restaurants, gas stations, etc. 

Plan activities. Either plan or have an idea of activities that will be available based on where you are going. Maybe you don't want to do any activities and just completely decompress. If you have kids or know that you are the type that likes to get out and do things than plan, schedule or at least know of some things to do in the area.

Have fun! Above all else try to have as much fun as possible and if there are challenges along the way try to make the most of them because they will be great stories to tell one. 

Photo by Element5 Digital from Pexels

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2020 Gift Guide: Organization

 

At Eco Modern Concierge being a professional organizer and personal concierge in Houston, we shop a ton for clients and they often turn to us for ideas. Here are some ideas for gifts for organization items. 

Nail Polish Holder: For those who have a nail polish collection.

Fridge Shelf: Perfect if you need a little extra space in your fridge.

Russell & Hazel Acrylic Monthly Calendar: Love this new wall calendar. 

Pantry Basket: This is similar to the ones at The Container Store and are great if you are leaving out in the open.

Sunglass Organizer: Great for someone who likes to switch up their sunglasses regularly and see them in the open.

Seat Gap Filler: I have something similar in my and it is perfect for catching most things from falling in between the seats. 

Squeegee with Spray: For those that like perfect clean.

Utility Holder with Rail & Hooks: One of my professional organizing friends recommended this and said they liked how it slid. Plus, it has hooks.

Wad-Free Bedsheets: I haven't used this yet, but my friend Jessica sent me the link to these. Looks like a must try.

Cowboy Hat Holder for the Car: I saw and immediately thought this is extremely useful here in Texas. Plus, it is made in the USA.

Drill Organizer: My husband just got this for the garage and loves it!

Acrylic Nursery Organizers: I saw these online and they are a bit different than your normal acrylic organizers.

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Client Awesome Writer: Closet Organization Before & After

I am still trying to catch up on blogging organization projects we worked on from years ago and this is one of them. This client was located in the Boulevard Oaks / Southampton area of Houston. She is a writer and her husband is a pilot. We spent many hours organizing and she went through every single item in her closet. Here is what we did:

1. Take everything out
2. Declutter
3. Put into keep and donate piles
4. Put everything back in the closet
5. Put like items together like shirts, pants, dresses
6. Arrange by color
7. Rearrange the shelves and get rid of a lot of things on the shelves and put items from the shelves into drawers

We went through the racks, shelves and drawers and the client was really able to clear a ton of clutter. 

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January is Get Organized Month

January is Get Organized and Be Productive Month! What are you doing in January to get organized and be productive?

Here are some are some quick tips to get started organizing.

Start small. Don't decide one day you are going to organize your whole house because you will become very stressed and overwhelmed very quickly. Start small and pick one cabinet, drawer, area, etc. This way it doesn't feel so overwhelming.

Purge / Declutter. Go room by room or area by area and start to get rid of things you no longer want, need or have room for.

Sort. Put like things together and take items that don't belong in a certain area to their appropriate places.

Contain. Then begin to contain like items together whether this is in a shoebox, bin, basket, etc.

These quick tips are will hopefully feel more ORGANIZED once you begin. Happy organizing. Send me your progress pictures.

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Houston Professional Organizer // Pantry Organization

As a professional organizer you have to constantly get creative with small spaces. This client moved into a new apartment in Houston with no pantry and I converted the coat closet into a pantry for them. We used an over the door organizer, a metal shelf, oxo containers, white bins, a can riser, and montauk bins with label clips. Are you in Houston and have an apartment you need help with? I would love to help you get it organized. 

These photos are also the most liked Eco Modern Concierge photos in March on our Instagram page. 

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A Houston Professional Organizer's 3 Tips to Get Organized at Night

Here are 3 tips to do at night to get more organized. What do you do at nighttime to get more organized for the next day? 

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How to Organize Halloween Decorations

Gather all decorations. Gather all decorations from various rooms, cabinets, areas, etc. and put it all in one place.

Purge. Donate, recycle or trash decorations you no longer like, use or want.

Contain. Contain the decorations in very specific bins. Orange bins or lids like these are popular for storing Halloween decorations or weathertight bins. Use silica gel packets to keep moisture minimal and to help preserve some of your items, especially fabric decorations.

Wrap. Wrap breakable items in bubble wrap or tissue paper.

Make a list. Make a list of everything you may want to buy or need to replace for the following year.

Inventory. Inventory what is in each box, so you can find exactly what you are looking for.

Label. Label each box. I like using these labels.

Store. Store in a place where you have room. This could be in a closet, attic, basement, etc.

How do you like to organize your Halloween decorations?

Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

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First Day of Fall: Time to Purge & Organize

Today is the first day of fall. What plans do you have for fall? It is the perfect time to do a refresh in the house. I often get calls to come back and help purge & organize in preparation for the holidays. Here are some common things to organize and purge in the fall:

• Closets
• Kitchens
• Offices
• Children's rooms
• Holiday decor

When you purge items, consider giving the items to organizations in your community. 

If you are in Houston and are in need of a professional organizer to help with your fall organizing, feel free to email us at info@ecomodernconcierge.com.

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Client Use What You Already Have: Pantry Organization

Sometimes when you look at blog posts you expect to see things that are completely pretty, but the fact of the matter is, that is not always real life. This blog post is real life and how a majority of my clients have things. This particular client we used things that they already had to organize the space. They used their walk in pantry for multiple things like child toys, food, appliances, dishes and liquor. 

1. We got rid of expired food. 
2. Put like items together.
3. Organized the shelves in a way that worked best for them.
4. Put least used items towards the top.
5. Put most used items at eye level for the adults and toys at bottom for the little one.

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Car Organization Must Haves

Headrest hooks: These are especially helpful when you need extra space and can go vertical.

Back of seat car organizer: I love how much storage is in this.

Trash can: Something to hold trash is almost a necessity in the car.

Roadside emergency kit: I have had an emergency kit in my car since I started driving and it has come in handy many times.

Trunk organizer: This is great for groceries and making sure they don't roll around in the trunk.

Gap filler: These are great to hold random things that you keep in the car.

Car visor: Perfect to hold little things that you need to grab quickly.

Dog barrier: Great so you don't have unwanted guest in the front seat while you are driving.

Mini document file: Useful to hold necessary documents you may need to keep in the car.


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Client Busy Mama: Pantry Organization

As I have talked about on here before, a lot of clients that hire me to help them get organized don't always necessarily want new products and we use what they already have. With this client we purged old food, rearranged some of the shelving and then put accessible items on the bottom and things that are not used a lot on the top. 

Here are some items that are good to use when organizing cabinets with deep shelves:

• Turntables
• Can riser
• Pouch holder
• Divided lazy susan

'

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Target Organization Items

• Closet rod extender
• Under the sink expandable rack
• Kid's tassel bin
• Drawer organizer
• Multipurpose basket
• Metal file holder
• Shelf divider
• Divided organizer
• Cubbies
• Hangers
• Basket
• Command hooks 

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Summer Camp Packing List

Lately, I have been helping with summer camp organization and thought I would compile a list of everything needed. Let me know if I left anything out. 

Clothing. This includes shirts, shorts, pants, sweaters, outwear, layering items, pjs, workout gear, etc.
Socks. Regular and hiking socks.
Underwear.
Shoes. Tennis shoes, hiking boots, flip flops.
Raincoat / poncho. In case it rains.
Hat. To protect you while you are outside.
Swimsuit. In case there is a lake or pool.
Toiletries. Include shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothbrush, tooth paste, hair brush, hair ties, face wash, make up, razor, deodorant, vitamins, etc.
Sunscreen. A must for being out in the sun.
Bug spray. Great to keep off unwanted bugs and mosquitoes.
Camera. This can be digital, disposable or underwater or instant film camera to get photos with friends.
Film. For camera that need it.
Batteries. To power your fan, radio &/or clock.
Fan. To keep you cool.
Sheets. For your bed.
Comforter. For your bed.
Blanket. For your bed.
Pillow. For your bed.
Bed pad. For your bed.
Towels. Have several to switch off and don't forget the beach towels.
Laundry bag. For all of your dirty laundry.
Backpack. To take with you for various activities, such as hiking.
Shower caddy. To hold all of your toiletries for the bathroom.
Journal. To write down all of your memories.
Stationary. To send letters.
Pens / pencils. For the journal and stationary.
Stamps. To send letters.
Address book. To send letters.
Art supplies. Include markers, coloring books, scissors, glue, etc.
Pouches / baggies. In case you need them for various things like mementos, toiletries, etc.
Medication. Include medicine taken on a daily basis, pain relief, heart burn, allergies, etc.
Flashlight. A necessity for camp.
Personal photos. To remember those at home.
Book. To read in your spare time.
Book light. In case you want to read at night.
First aid kit. Just in case you need something immediately and can't make it over to the medic.
Outdoor gear. Such as fishing poles, life jackets (if needed), chairs, etc.
Radio. To listen to.
Clock. For the alarm to wake up or to just see what time it is.
Cash. Just in case you need it for the camp store.
Snacks. In case you get hungry.
Compass. To know what direction you are going during hikes.
Waterproof matches. In case you need them while camping.
Wipes. To clean off surfaces, your body, etc.
Multifunction tool. Just in case you need it for various things while outdoors.
Water bottle / canteen. For your outdoor activities.
Mini disinfectant spray. To clean down surfaces.

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Made in the USA: Weathertight Bins

Lately, I have been purchasing Weathertight bins for clients. They are great especially if you store items in the garage or attics. They are ideal for sports gear, camping gear, travel gear, etc. An awesome bonus is that they are made in the USA!

Currently they are on sale for 30% off at The Container Store until May 12th.

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A PEAK INSIDE OF A HOUSTON PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER'S CLOSET

Ever wonder what the inside of a professional organizer's closet looks like? This is my small closet and how I make it work. Do you have a large or small closet?

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Client Bad Ass Mama: Office Organization Before and After

If you have been following along, you know I have been working with this client for a while now. This is a before and after of her office. There are of course some tweaks that still need to be made, but a HUGE improvement. 

Before:

After: 

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Spring Cleaning: Items You Forget to Clean Pt. 3

The last few years I have written posts on items you forget to clean. There is SO much to clean in your house and the things that you use everyday that you often forget. Here and here are past posts.

• Keys
• Toys 
• Keyboard
• Air filters
• Shower curtain
• Tools
• Credit cards
• Outdoor furniture
• Brooms, mops and vacuum cleaners
• Houseplants
• Vents
• Bookcase shelves
• Sky lights
• Car

Photo by Roman Kraft on Unsplash

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January is Get Organized Month

January is get organized month. The beginning of the year is always a great time to hit the reset button and declutter / organize. I personally have been doing a lot of that this last month. Here is a look back at a post I wrote last year are on the Eco Modern Concierge blog. I get calls from all over Houston from clients needing professional organizing help whether that it checking things off of their to-do list or organizing a closet. 

Here are some additional tips to think about:

• Getting organized this year? Here are some challenges that are currently going on right now: January Cure, Simplicity Challenge, 31 Days to Get Organized and Home Organization Challenge. 
• Purge unnecessary holiday items. 
• Create a daily to-do list.
• Make a list of yearly goals and check in each month.
• Go through mail when it comes in.
• Put those returns in your car and head to the store after work or during a lunch break.
• Hire a professional organizer / productivity consultant whether it is Eco Modern Concierge or other professional organizers. 

Happy Organizing this year! Feel free to call or email Eco Modern Concierge to get started on your organization journey. info@ecomodernconcierge.com / 281.961.1914

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5 Things to Organize This Weekend: Last Minute Holiday Organization

Christmas is just days away and you are scrambling to get everything done.

Here are 5 things you can organize this weekend:

Plan. Set out dishes you will need, clothes you know you are going to wear, make to-do lists with top priorities, etc. This will help things go so much smoother.

Get rid of all old food in the fridge. Do a quick scan of your refrigerator and get rid of anything that is expired, you don't need or leftovers that have just been sitting in there.

Spot check the guest room. If you have guests coming over make sure the room is tidy, you have clean sheets for them, extra hygiene products, etc.

Use Amazon Prime &/or Amazon Prime Now. If you haven't finished your shopping yet utilize Amazon to get your last minute gifts in or give clutter free gifts like experiences, tickets, etc.

Delegate or outsource. If you know you will not be able to get everything done, delegate to others &/or outsource what you need done.

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Photo by Sam Beasley on Unsplash