Inside The Organized Brain

Atlanta Update: Kick Off = Success!

2012-01-31T15:29:00.002-05:00

Thanks Atlanta, GA for making my National Tour kick off a success!

Special Thanks to:

The Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples Club

The BookishATL Families Club

My hosts: Deborah & Jonathan

My videographer, James Futch

My Atlanta clients

and my sweet cousin Natalie for having the Bat Mitzvah that drew me to Atlanta in the first place!

Stay tuned for:

Workshop Highlights & Trending Topics

The Get Your House in Order promo video featuring the amazing Butler Family!

(YouTube release: Feb 2012)

Introducing... The Butler Family from Decatur, GA

2011-09-25T20:40:00.002-04:00

I'm headed to Atlanta in three weeks to kick off my national 'Organizing Homes Across America' tour. One of my stops is an evening talk at the Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples Club. To drum up excitement, I decided to raffle off a session. Much to my delight, the lucky raffle winner was...

... Mrs. Jacqeuline Butler and family of Decatur, GA!

The Butler Family, Decatur, GA. Ready to Get Organized!

Jacquie and I were introduced via email where she exclaimed, "I am so super pumped!!!!!!!!!" I liked her immediately.

Jacquie and her family are going to be prominently featured in a promo video that I'm filming while in Atlanta. Starting in November, you'll see quite a bit of the Butler family as Jacquie, her husband Daniel, twin 1-year olds Isaac & Talluluh, two cats and one dog are featured in all their life-at-home glory.

I'll also chronicle their 'Get Organized' journey on my blog, sharing over time the story of their organizational home make-over using the Get Your House in Order method.

For now, a teaser on the fabulous Butler Family, in Jacquie's own words:

"The house is full of action with two 1-year olds, a dog and two cats. The twins are in the running-climbing-deconstructing phase of development, and most of our furniture is currently arranged to either entrap them or circumvent their exploration of "interesting" parts of the house (like the fireplace and stairs)."

Daniel with the literary Isaac & Talluluh, age 1

If this picture is any indication, it looks like Jacquie and Daniel are already doing an amazing job with their 'management and entrapment' systems. Who wouldn't want to stay put in a sunny porch area sporting Daddy, a red plush floor pillow and a stylish zebra throw rug!

See you in a few weeks, Jacquie!

Best,
Maeve

More.com Feature

2011-09-20T21:01:00.000-04:00

Reinventing as a Professional Organizer

By Jennifer Jeanne Patterson

Maeve, as featured in More.com (Page 5)

Organizing Homes Across America: National Tour

2011-09-15T18:13:00.000-04:00

Announcing the...

Get Your House in Order

Organizing Homes Across America Tour!

Mission: to teach American families how to get - and stay - organized at home for a lifetime.

First Stop: Atlanta, GA

October 17-22, 2011

2012 Destinations:

Denver, CO

Washington, DC

Sarasota, FL

Boston, MA

Would you like me to visit your town or city? Send me a post here (or via email) and I'll be in touch to discuss.

Best!

Maeve

Check out:
Introducing... The Butler Family from Decatur, GA

Maeve featured in New York Family

2011-09-06T16:21:00.001-04:00

Thank you New York Family! You featured me quite a bit over the past year. I have not yet brought my 'old' website into the modern age, which means it's not yet easy to update my site content. I've got this pop off blog, but I've been bad about updating it.

So, here's a year's worth of press in one fell swoop! I'm particularly proud of the featured profile in Resolved! Four New York Moms Tackle Their New Year's Resolutions (scroll to section II for a photo of me at work with a client) and my web article The Psychology of Small Space Living.

Contact me with questions: 212-627-4279!

Enjoy!

Maeve

Maeve in New York Family Magazine

Initial Client Session: A Photographic Journey

2011-09-01T19:44:00.000-04:00

Maeve & Nicole: Home Office Makeover

Meet Nicole Wells. If you visit her website you'll learn that she turned her greatest fear - public speaking - into her greatest passion: teaching others how to to the same.

Nicole is my public speaking coach. She is one of the most professional, fun and hilarious women I know, and when she asked if I'd help her to get her home office in order, I jumped at the chance: Nicole gets results.

Enjoy Nicole's two-hour journey, as we discover the joys and challenges of the home she shares with her husband Mark. And, we get to work!

A shout out to Pulitzer Prize winning photographer, Kelly Guenther, who tracked us silently and captured the emotional reality of a Get Your House in Order session.

Maeve & Nicole: Home Office Makeover

Intown Atlanta Parents of Multiples Club: Tues. Oct. 18, 2011

2011-08-27T17:20:00.001-04:00

Getting organized at home with twins, triplets or more takes more than just an extra pair of hands. New York City-Based Professional Organizer, Maeve Richmond, will teach parents of multiples easy-to-apply skills so they can gain control of house and home when feeling a little bit…outnumbered.

Parents! Come with stories and/or photos of your top trouble spots.

One person from the first 10 RSVPs will be selected randomly to win a FREE two-hour Private Session with Maeve while she is in Atlanta. Contact Samantha for the exciting details!

Maeve is Coming to Atlanta, GA: Oct. 17-23, 2011

2011-08-23T18:26:00.001-04:00

SAVE THE DATE! Maeve will be in Atlanta GA Oct. 17 to kick-off her national 'Organizing Homes Across America' tour.

That's right, after 8-years headquartered in New York City, Maeve is hitting the road in an attempt to help de-clutter America.

That's right, folks, it happens one closet at a time.

Here's my schedule to date:

Monday, Oct.17,2011, 7:30pm: BookishATL Families Club (this event is sold out).

Tuesday, Oct.18,2011, 7:00pm: Intown AtlantaParents of Multiples Club (click here to register).

Private Sessions:

3 hours with Maeveon-site in your home Reduced ATL Fee: $350

Monday, October 17
(sold out)

Tuesday, October 18
(sold out)

Wednesday, October 19
9am-noon

Thursday, October 20
9am-noon
2pm-5pm

Friday, October 21
9am-noon
2pm-5pm

To schedule: MaeveinATL@organizemyhouse.com or 212-627-4279.

Maeve Richmond is the founder of Get Your House inOrder, a NYC-based home organization firm. Clients call her hands-on sessions,“better than therapy”. Maeve is a frequent contributor to national lifestylemagazines and author of the upcoming book Clutter Confessions. She proudly livesin a 400 sq. ft. studio apt. in NYC.

Tim’s Teenage Room

2011-08-10T14:37:00.000-04:00

Tim's well-organized desk: "it makes me happy."

Tim is a neat, 12 year old kid – and the only one in the family who keeps a meticulous room – except for clothes on the floor. I asked him for a tour and he showed me what he liked, and what he didn’t like. I gave him credit for his innate sense of order, and style – and he loved the compliment! I learned that he enjoyed keeping things neat, but stopped short with laundry – his closet was overrun with his brother’s hand-me-down clothes, many of which he didn’t like and many of which were still too big.

With his mom on board, Tim learned that he could ‘say no’ to clothes he didn’t like and that the ones that were too big could live on a high shelf. Soon, the closet began to reflect his style and he finally had a reason to keep it in order.

Organizing Multiples: What to do with two (or more!)

2011-08-10T13:31:00.002-04:00

Joyce, mother of twin 2-year old-boys, is always on her toes. "I'm constantly two steps behind," she said at a recent meeting of the Manhattan Mother of Twins Club, a support group for parents with multiples. “The boys have two of everything. My husband and I are out-numbered.”

I reminded Joyce that her boys did not need equal items, but equal stimulation. Also, to rely on powerful twin intuition: let the boys learn to share items between them.

Joyce recalled a day Jake snatched a toy from Scott and crying ensued. She wished she had two of everything to appease them.

I reminded her the boys’ behavior was no different than non-siblings at play: kids give and take all the time as a way of learning about ‘yours and mine’.

“Re-direct Scott next time. Focus your crying son on a different toy. This will reduce the need to over-duplicate at home, and reinforce independence and sharing.”

Joyce realized her need to soothe both sons got in the way. She chose to observe them ‘giving and receiving’ and reported: “They love to share. We’ve stopped buying double!”

Maeve in Woman's Day: Spring Cleaning Tips

2011-03-31T18:11:00.000-04:00

8 Speedy Spring Cleaning Tips

By Brynn Mannino

Maeve, as featured in Woman's Day

(Kitchen: Refrigerator Tips and Basement, Attic and Garage: Clutter - woo hoo!)

Get Organized at Home: Holiday Edition 2010

2010-12-01T13:59:00.000-05:00

Photo Credit: M. Bartosch

Every home should be ahaven, a place of serenity for you and your family. This holiday season, taketime to organize your home – before and after the holidays – and keep theseason of giving and celebrating relaxed and enjoyable for all.

Less Clutter for the Holiday

The ‘I Can’t Have Anyone Over’ Syndrome afflictsmillions of New Yorkers. Remove the top layer of household clutter from yourhome and confidently open the doors of your home to family and friends thisholiday season:

Put Away 2010: Take a trip around your home with a sturdyshopping bag or basket and remove from remove shelves, the refrigerator andtable tops memorabilia from 2010 not worth taking into 2011: summer sea-shells,catalogs, magazines and unwanted books. Your home will feel ‘lighter’ and morewelcoming for your family as well as for holiday guests.

Clear the Air:Simmer a pot of water with vanilla extract, orange rinds of clovers. The smellwill permeate your home, invigorate senses and freshen the air.

DeepClean: Dirt collects in the tiniest places. Use a mild cleanser orrubbing alcohol and Q-tips to clean crevasses in your computer keyboard, phonekeypads and electronic equipment power buttons. Don’t bring old dirt into your holidayseason, or into your New Year.

One Size Fits All Gifting: Keep gifting simpleby offering the same thoughtful present to everyone on your list: home-bakedcookies, a best-selling novel or iTunes gift card. Pre-wrap the gifts and setaside on a shelf or table in your home. Personalize with a heartfelt card, anddistribute – with a hug and a smile – as guests come to your home (or grab onyour way out the door).

Health & Wellness Fair @ Transform Fitness

2009-05-04T12:05:00.000-04:00

Thanks to those who came out for the SuperSlow Studio Health Fair last week at Transform Fitness.

The event featured the following NYC health & wellness practitioners:

Ana Neito, Master Trainer
Stephen Fulgham, Wellness Coach
Marie Huerter, Wellness Coach
Ben Fleisher, Certified Zero Balance Practitioner and Massage Therapist
Bonnie Liakos, Chiropractor and Applied Kinesiologist
Maeve Richmond, Professional Organizer
Sharon Ludke, Acupuncturist & Chinese Herbalist

Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day

2009-04-15T08:25:00.003-04:00

It has to be done. The Holidays are over and I am definitely taking a half hour to clean out my fridge. Plus, as soon as I do I can have a treat in my crisp spring dress. Here's how:

Maeve's Five Steps to a Fresh Fridge:

1. Expiration Date: If it is past its prime toss it. Especially condiments. They may look ok, but...

2. Clean with a mixture of vinegar and water. Use a fresh sponge. Remember, this is where your food lives. Treat it with respect.

3. Store food by frequency of use. Is milk a mainstay in your household? Give a home front and center. Use soy sauce only once a month? Put it on your door's lowest shelf.

4. Wipe down the front and sides of your fridge. Remove sticky fingerprints, stains and residues.

5. Place an open box of baking soda inside your fridge to soak up smells and replace every three months. Mark today's date on the box so you don't forget.

Now go stock up on fresh foods! And don't forget your daughter's matching bobby socks!

Don't Throw That Out

2009-02-24T16:11:00.006-05:00

Just my luck. We are in the midst of a cold spell and my heat is out. Thanks to my hearty Vermont blood I've been able to withstand it for three days, but last night was bad. Like a child I stood in my bedroom ready to tantrum (arms flailing, pointing towards the walls of neighbors with working radiators) thinking, how can I get warm?

Which is when I remembered the hot water bottle. I picked it up at an antique fair outside Madison, WI. It could have cost $20, it could have cost $50. The moment I saw it I had to have it because it reminded me of the one my Grammy tucked under my covers when I'd visit her in chilly Boston. It cost $5.

Out of pure dedication to the memory I used it one winter, but my apartment is generally warm, so I put it in a closet.

Each year during my annual New Year's pitch-a-thon I look at it, think about it, wonder if I should move it to basement storage or toss. And then I remember that the night will come when I just want to be warm.

I am back in love with The Best Hot Water Bottle Ever. Together we slept, keeping each other warm. Ok, it was keeping me warm because the truth is, even hearty Vermont blood is no match for really, really hot tap water encased in incredibly reliable rubber.

The Best Soup Stand in Manhattan

2009-01-27T15:36:00.005-05:00

51st & 7th, NYC

Yesterday was freezing. Bitter cold. I left an early morning meeting in midtown and stumbled into Sahki and his Soup on Wheels Stand at 51st & 7th. Tomato Bisque, Chicken Gumbo, Split Pea, Pasta Fagoili, Chilli con Carne all homemade and piping hot in industrial kettles.

What does this have to do with Home Organization? Everything. I ran out of the house at 7 a.m. with $5 in my pocket, no time for breakfast and my hat accidentally dropped on the floor.

Sahki saved me. For $4.50 I got a 12 oz. bowl of steaming hot lentil soup - the best I've ever had in NYC - which filled my tummy, warming me long enough to make it home and pick my hat up off the floor.

Sometimes haste pays off.

I Refuse to Participate in a Recession

2009-01-20T16:29:00.002-05:00

There's a groundswell in the NYC business community. Entrepreneurs, like myself, are using the economic downturn to our advantage by leveraging Social Networking. There are events going on all over the city (BNI, The Real Deal, Ladies Who Launch) that bring together entrepreneurs to talk about and sell services in fun, social settings. This is great for business and great for our brains.

Busy people need to keep busy and Social Networking forces us to get out and be social. Everyday provides an opportunity to make a new personal or professional connection. The recession has, in fact, forced our hands. Business owners can't afford to sit at desks fretting about falling stocks. And why would we want to when their are boundless opportunities to get busy doing business in unique and socially acceptable ways?

Social Networking events and mixers are cheap with many comped. No more swag bags with free pens, hats, T-Shirts and branded keychains. But that's ok, we've got stacks of shiny business cards and cash-bar drinks in our hands. After all, it's the recession, stupid.

Social Networking is extremely, well, social. You can do business AND get a date. True story: I attended The New York Times Small Business Summit in November and during the speed networking mixer met a man who owns a moving company. We exchanged business cards over drinks. I got asked out on a date - two birds with one stone.

Social Networking is a recession-proof strategy for professionals who want to stay on top of their game. After all, if we don't keep each other in business and engaged, who will? Find an event today.

Swap 'til you Drop

2009-01-16T17:00:00.004-05:00

Last weekend my friend Anna and I went to our first clothing swap of '09 (see post below on how to throw your own). It was loaded up with designer clothing and accessory treasures. Anna made a clean sweep. Check it out:

In this jumble of heels...

which I straightened,

Anna found...

Oscar de la Renta shoes!

And on the coat couch...

Anna Sui!

Of course we made offerings. I LOVE this Jade necklace but decided to give it up. Sarah, 25, Lower East Side snatched it.

If YOU have Swap photos, email them to me and I'll post: maeve@organizemyhouse.com.

Confessions of a Clothing Swapper

2009-01-15T14:30:00.002-05:00

'Tis the season for shopping, right? Not anymore. But how about swapping? And I don't mean bartering goods. I mean willingly laying your stuff on a table for anyone to pick up, and for you to do the same.

I was introduced to the art of swapping by veteran swap producer, Victoria C. Rowan, known to New Yorkers as writing coach extraordinaire and Creatrix-in-Chief of Ideasmyth (Victoria is up for a Daily Candy Sweetest Things 2008 Award - VOTE!). Victoria's swaps are legendary, combining an endless stream of shoes, bags, jeans, dresses with great women and great fun. At my induction swap I gave away a pile of painful, pointy-toed shoes and nabbed a pair of size 10 rubber duck boots.

I went to my first swap of '09 this past Sunday. But, before I share those photos, Victoria is here to inspire us all with invaluable trade secrets. Thanks, Victoria!

I'm a native New Yorker who knows that fashion is fleeting, so why pay for it? Since I've remained the same size since high school, there's little practical rationale for buying new clothes. What's good for practicality, however, is bad for a girl's inner fashion-lust. Swapping saves one from the fashion doldrums. And, swapping is shopping for free - WITH a guaranteed good karma booster shot! What more can a budget-conscious material girl hope for?

I hate shopping, I hate the fluorescent changing room lights, the guilty time away from more important things. It's far more fun to combine 'acquiring' with quality girl time. And how nice to share clothes among your favorite folks, or friend-vetted friends?

Swapping is great for my closets: the methodical culling reconnects me with my full wardrobe and I start wearing a wider variety of my remaining clothing. Getting dressed starts to feel like I'm shopping in my own closet.

And, it's amazing for my morale: swapping encourages me to LET GO. For whatever psychological reason, it's easier for me to give away really great items when I know the end beneficiary. The hardest ones to admit to yourself they no longer fit or flatter - no matter how much you spent on them - those items usually find a happy home with a friend who's thrilled.

After every swap I feel an emotional high, particularly from shedding things imbued with negative stories. When I give away clueless family gifts gone are the reminders that my family still, after all these years doesn't understand my taste. Instead, I'm left with the relief of knowing I never again have to figure out how to wear things I never want to wear, under any circumstances, even at family reunions! When I give away terrible bridesmaid dresses, I also lose all the fury that I had with friends who chose styles that highlighted my worst physical features, and memories of how much fun we had together that weekend resurface. The joy that other women express - especially after releasing themselves from bad ex-mother-in-law or ex-boyfriend gifts - is sheer jubilation by proximity.

Some of my best swap scores: new rollerblades, the PERFECT cut pair of black business slacks, fantastically beautiful damask napkins, a slinky baby-blue and lace nightgown and a crimson crushed velvet turtleneck that is the most comfortable and sexiest thing in my wardrobe!

Ah, there are so many reasons to love swapping, the challenge is containing my enthusiasm to something of manageable length. To really grasp the swapping thrill, you'll have to attend or throw one yourself!

THE GROUND-RULES:

Invite people a month in advance with weekly reminders to start combing through their homes (I have a SWAP bag I'm always adding to at the back of my closet.)
Encourage people to bring non-size centric things (fashion accessories, small-sized home decor items) so everyone will be able to go home with something
Only bring items you don't want to see again or ever hope to make money on consignment. No money is exchanged
Swaps do not have to be equal exchanges of goods - anyone can take anything that fits or suits them. The golden rule is fairness - if one person already has lots of stuff, then someone with less should get the item in question
Come ready to try things on! And bring your stuff in a bag that you can use to bring home scored items

WHAT'S SWAPPABLE:

Clothes in good condition (no stains or holes)
Accessories like jewelry, bags, scarves, new-ish shoes
CDs, books, DVDs
Small home accessories: file racks, African masks, dishes, tablecloths, vases have all found happy homes from swaps of yore

WHERE DO THE REJECTS GO?

Find a charity; the tax write-off goes to the schlepper and/or hostess. Last time my swap sent everything to a NYC women's shelter. On previous ones, we've sent rejects to a village in Latin America. (Many charities, like Housing Works Thrift Shop, will give receipts for tax deductions which often can be of legitimately high amounts)

Happy swapping!

Victoria Rowan,
Creatrix-in-Chief
www.IDEASMYTH.com

Tip of the Day - Get Rid of Unwanted Holiday Gifts ASAP

2009-01-06T10:00:00.002-05:00

The holidays are for giving, yes, but that doesn't mean we must LOVE everything we receive. Do yourself a favor and get rid of holiday gifts you don't like ASAP. This means the thoughtful but not your style candle, frame, juicer, self-help book, gift certificate, sweater, scarf, child's toy. Bring things to your office, offer them to your colleagues, friends, tourists standing in line at Starbucks. Bring them to the trash or laundry room of your building with a note that says, 'I work, please take me, Happy New Year!'.

Don't let unwanted December gifts become January 2009 clutter.

PS: And yes, that's my Buddha. I own this exact one so I passed the gifted one on. Actually, good kharma, don't you think?

The World's Longest List of Clutter

2009-01-01T12:00:00.019-05:00

I sent my previous post as an email and my
inbox is now flooded with things
people have tossed/are tossing.
(see Happy New Year 2009!)

This begs a follow up... What did you/are you getting rid of???

Comment and forward this question
to everyone you know
with that little there email icon below.

Let's Go Global.

Happy New Year 2009!

2008-12-31T17:00:00.006-05:00

Even the organizer needs inspiration...

I dumped 1,000 emails
3 bags of paper
1 bag of misc. stuff
And tacked up this note.

Happy New Year!

Maeve's apt. Self Portrait: Scrap Paper on Motivation Mirror 12.29.08

Reduce Holiday Stress

2008-12-17T14:00:00.004-05:00

With a little effort you can breeze through holiday stress triggers:

Foods To Avoid: Many of us have foods we know we can't eat (wheat, sugar, dairy, caffeine, soy). They trigger energy spikes, induce cravings and affect our mood. So what's a holiday reveler to do? Be disciplined: sit out cookies, cakes and alcohol for at least one party.

Accept Your Cluttered Home: Entertaining in a cluttered home can be stressful. Kindly remind yourself that guests are not there to judge - they've arrived for drinks and cheer! Do cursory dust-busting, toss blankets over piles and wipe surfaces with citric cleanser. Abundant candles, bowls of snacks and a dazzling outfit will keep visiting eyes on the prize (you!).

Be Charitable: In this economy, the need to help others is greater than ever. Make gifting easy with a charitable donations on behalf of family and friends and save the presents for the kids. Visit www.charitynavigator.org for a list of organization, or purchase gift cards so recipients can pick for themselves.

Last Minute Gifts

2008-12-09T10:00:00.005-05:00

Gift Cards: Major retailers and pharmacies carry gift cards starting at $15. Walk in or log on to The Home Depot, Barnes & Noble, CVS and others. Buy the gift that lets them choose.

One Size Fits All: Save time by giving the same thoughtful gift to everyone on your list: from home-baked cookies to a best-selling DVD or novel (with gift receipt). It’s one stop shopping.

Take Time for You

2008-12-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

Wish List: Think about what will make your home more livable: Perhaps fresh paint or reduced clutter. Write it down.

Goal Plan: List practical things you can do each week to keep your house in order: sort photos, toss voluminous kid art projects (!).

Write a Letter: Address it to yourself. List your dreams for 2009, then tuck it in with holiday decorations to be discovered, reviewed and updated for 2010.

Home Office Transformation

2008-11-25T13:00:00.006-05:00

My friend Kristin Duarte called last week and said, "I'm sort of organized but if I have to sit here and look at things they way they are, it will drive me crazy." Sort of organized? Kristin is one of the most highly effective people I know. Nevertheless, with the changing economy and a couple of careers, she's working a lot from home these days.

In two hours Kristin journeyed from chaos to total home office control. We locked down her priorities, reduced paper volume and re-arranged existing furniture to build out an airy, motivating work space. I left Kristin with a list of to-dos before our one-week phone check-in. She called 24 hours later: "It's Tuesday. I scheduled five client appointments today. That's my goal for the entire week. Thought I'd give you a quick share!"

The secret to Kristin's success? "We put everything where I need it. The visual and mental clutter is gone. There's no excuse for me to mess the place up."

Congratulations, Kristin! We'll check up with you in a couple of weeks. See before, in-process and 'I'm working!' photos below.

Love The Way You Live

2008-11-01T10:00:00.000-04:00

Every home should be a haven. A place of serenity for you and your family. Make peace with yourself and learn to love the way you live:

What I Love: Name activities that nurture - like dinnertime or bedtime reading.

What's Missing: Name activities you'd like to introduce - like game night or a stress free way to get your kids to school.

Next Steps: Honor and contain the things that work. Grow one new activity that will foster the relationship you have with the place you call home.

Clutter Out, Not In

2008-10-27T10:00:00.001-04:00

Remember, your goal is to reduce volume. A clutter free New Yorker is a happy New Yorker. Try each of these tips this week and let me know how it goes:

Toss Five: Toss five expired items from your fridge, kitchen or medicine cabinet. Renew your home, body and spirit.

Re-Gift: Give away a gift you've been hanging onto (because your mother gave it to you) but that you'll never use. A re-purposed gift is better than one that has turned into clutter.

Donate: Bring quality clothes, books and toys to a local charity. Enough said.

The Easiest Kids' Party on the Block - Moey's Music Party

2008-10-26T19:52:00.032-04:00

Yesterday I did what every single, 35-year old New York City girl should do on a Sunday afternoon: I rocked out to a concert for tots.

The 1-7 year olds dancing in the aisles at the Daryl Roth Theater where no match for my audience-participation maracas but they expended more energy which made me think, what's the easiest way for a busy NYC parent to throw a spectacular and unique kids birthday party?

Bring in Moey and her fabulous Moey's Music Party.

Programming a child's birthday party can be stressful, so leave the heavy lifting to a pro. One phone call is all it takes to book Moey who will arrive at your home or venue with costumes, pom-poms, toys and the catchiest repertoire of new and classic songs seen north, east, west of south of Central Park. Moey will even custom write a song for your child (check out the above authorized bootleg of ‘The Birthday Party Song’).

Moey original sing-a-longs like "I Gotta Go Potty" and "I’m a New York City Kid" will leave your children and their friends bopping and rockin' to a new set of tunes. And her production value is so top notch it inspires fresh ideas on dress up for girls and boys alike.

Moey is a pro so watch her real videos at www.MoeysMusicParty.com. For bookings contact Moey at 917-680-6739 or MoeysMusicParty@gmail.com.

Two plastic container lids up to magical Moey (a.k.a. award-winning Off-Broadway songwriter Melissa Levis) for turning NYC kids entertainment on its head!

Pssst: I edged out a kid for the below purple-tiara photo with Rocker Mommy Moey.

Look Beyond the Mess (otherwise known as 'go easy on yourself')

2008-10-21T10:00:00.000-04:00

Every home has something to love. Look beyond perceived household mess and discover the treasure within:

Comfort: Notice things that without fail make you smile, as simple as morning sun across the kitchen floor.

Color: Locate colors that frequently appear in your home. You chose them for a reason - embrace this instinct.

Display: Find the rhythm behind how you display your things. Don't think of it as mess, but as inspiration.

Musings by Maeve - Daytime Notebook

2008-10-14T13:00:00.000-04:00

Today I'm at Half King in Chelsea just below the High Line. As you can see it's a gorgeous fall day. Sit down lunches are rare for me but my mind is on overload and I need my Daytime Notebook.

For me, blank paper is like the adult version of a binky. I drain my brain onto the page and feel better. Today all I have on me is an itty-bitty book but it's doing the trick. I don't expect you to care about my list but I thought I'd share the scrawl anyway:

Blackberry software
Plumber
Sarah's visit
Biz card entry

My burger and fries are here and food is my other binky so blogging stops, but the notebook stays because I am most certainly not done.

Moving Made Easy

2008-10-07T13:00:00.002-04:00

Facing an upcoming move? Perfect, because moving is the best time to declutter. Pack with intention and you'll save money on moving costs (fewer boxes, fewer hours):

Here's how to get down to brass tacks:

Like Things Live Together:

Before you box, gather like items into piles: books with books, office supplies with office supplies. Don't worry about the mess - you're moving. If your pile of electronic equipment reaches the ceiling it will do the same in your new home. Downsize.

How to Downsize:

Like Things Live Together revealed 5 staplers, 2 vacuums and a box of tape cassettes (with no tape cassette player). Avoid packing excess (or useless).

Be Attentive As You Pack:

There are three choices: Keep, Toss, Not Sure. Pack 'Keep', throw out or donate 'Toss' and put 'Not Sure' in a pile. The sheer volume of boxes and furniture as you approach moving day will force your hand on items where you are ambivalent.

Reduce before you pack and avoid cluttering up your new home.

I offer a great moving package - here's more info: www.organizemyhouse.com /making_moving_easy. Or, call me. I'll answer what I can over the phone: 212-627-4279.

Mail Phobia

2008-09-24T16:14:00.008-04:00

Avoid scary piles by reducing the volume of your incoming mail. Take control of your burgeoning, bulging inbox with these simple tools:

Eliminate Junk Mail: Let your garbage can be your friend. Toss junk mail as it comes in - before it turns into clutter.

Go Paperless: Register online for credit card, bank and financial e-statements. Watch the volume of envelopes in your mailbox reduce each month.

Stop Catalogs: Remove yourself from unwanted lists with a toll-free call to customer service. Locate the number and customer code on the catalog's back cover.

Getting Ready for Baby, from inBloom

2008-09-16T10:00:00.002-04:00

Yael Denbo, co-founder of inBloom - NYC's premiere baby planning service - knows how to nest. Here's how Yael (pictured here in May at her baby shower - she gave birth to an amazing baby boy in July!) readied her home for baby:

Kitchen Prep: Your kitchen will be a hub of activity. Sterilize cabinets and surfaces, from the top down. And eliminate clutter. You'll need the space.

Pre-wash: Baby clothes, sheets and blankets can be filled with chemicals. Pre-wash anything that will touch baby's skin with a safe detergent like Dreft.

First Aid Kit: Keep an infant nail clipper, cotton balls, thermometer, nasal aspirator, infant Tylenol and baby gas drops within reach. And always discuss medications with your pediatrician before giving to baby.

Wardrobe Rotation

2008-09-09T10:00:00.001-04:00

Seasons change, and so should your wardrobe. As you rotate summer clothes to fall, follow these guidelines:

Empty all bags and shirt, skirt and jacket pockets
Wash your clothes to remove dirt, stains and odors
Fold clothes neatly before you put them away - avoid wrinkling
Make a pile for donation. Hint: anything you'll never wear again

Musings by Maeve - Flinging Clothes

2008-09-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

"You must be so organized," they all say.

I am. That's because I've structured my life to meet my needs.

Here's an example: At night I'm prone to flinging clothes over my shower doors. Many would call this disastrously disorganized. I call it wonderful. It's a harmless habit that reduces stress and makes my life easier.

I started flinging in the '90s. New York nightlife was a smokey affair and I'd return home smelling like cigarettes. You better believe I wasn't putting those clothes in my closet so I'd fling them over the shower doors to air out.

In the morning I'd put my fresh smelling clothes away. No harm done.

Instead of condemning this seemingly brazen act (tossing clothes at night - shame shame!) I embraced it. Flinging turned out to be incredibly fun and I'm far more concerned with fun than with self-induced stress. And, I discovered that I'm far more efficient hanging and folding in the morning. Who knew a sloppy habit could save time and reduce stress.

A decade later I'm still flinging, long after the smoke has cleared.

Call To Action: Post a habit someone in your life has condemned but that makes you happy. I'll help you sort it out.