I must live in a time warp. Somewhere between getting out of bed and getting to the sink, I gain four minutes. From the time I head down to the stairs till the time I my feet hit the kitchen tile, I’ve lost them again, and then some. By the time I get into the [...]

Hello, dear readers!  As most (all?) of you know, as much as I’d love to have all the answers, pretty much nothing could be further from the truth.  I struggle and learn (and repeatedly screw up) every day, from scheduling carpet cleanings on days that don’t actually exist to assuming that my Roosevelt was aware [...]

Browse any furniture or home goods catalog and you’ll likely get the impression that elegant furnishings, designer pillows, factory-fresh tchotchkes and carefully placed objects d’art are what turn a building into a home.  Perhaps if you buy a set of apothecary jars and fill them with something unique or fresh, your house will also feel [...]

First, a confession: I have a lot of clothes.  I got hand-me-down closet transfusions from my stylish older sister for years, and it completely corrupted me. I can’t imagine wearing the same few pieces week after week. Still, I’ve had a couple of readers email me asking for information and advice on simplifying their closets [...]

A giant toy toothbrush.  Empty almond tins. An atrocious red lipstick, used once. What do all of these things have in common? They’re all items that are sitting around my house because I might use them someday.
 
“But I Might Use It Someday” Syndrome is one of clutter’s biggest defenders. Not many people want to be [...]

Being organized isn’t an absolute cornerstone of simplicity, but it also doesn’t hurt. As some have commented, they can relax easier and work more efficiently in an organized home or office.  I, however, am only an amateur organizer. I tend to function on a “works for me, works for now” basis. In other words, I [...]

Wish you had an extra closet? You can have one, if you’re willing to use some of most underused real estate in most homes: under the bed. Underbed storage has a few key benefits, my favorites of which are:
It’s cheap
It’s out of sight
It’s easy to organize
Convinced? Here’s what’s worked for me; mileage may differ based [...]

If you’ve got a hobby, you’ve probably got hobby clutter that goes along with it. Do any of the following sound familiar:

Piles of unread books
Baskets of yarn
Cabinets full of specialized power tools
Piles of fabric
Car magazines and Blue Book editions strewn about
Headphones, pedometer, and running magazines in a clump
Notes and scraps of paper with inspirations and [...]