I am frequently asked about the products that I use when organizing client’s homes, which products are my favorite, where to buy them, etc. I get it! There are so many products out there and it can be overwhelming where to look and how to know what is needed. So, before I dive into my favorite organizing products, let me highlight a few important tips before you go out and purchase a single product.

In the midst of all the Thanksgiving festivities, I wanted to share a quick note of thanks for the long list of people that I want to recognize for making 2018 one of the best years yet. This year has been full of projects that have pushed our creativity and bandwidth to the maximum, goal-setting that has me looking forward to what’s on the horizon, and opportunities to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, organizers, and mom bosses that make me dream bigger than I ever thought possible. To say I’m really excited about what’s in store for the little business that I started nearly 11 years ago is an understatement. I am grateful for taking that leap what seems like a lifetime ago since it has given me the freedom and passion in a career that I truly love.

With the holiday season among us (Thanksgiving is only one week away!), this means that our schedules are about to become a bit busier and our fridges and pantries may become a bit more crowded. Between hosting obligations and the anticipated turkey and side dish leftovers, finding space in an already crammed refrigerator may seem nearly impossible.

So, what can be done?

Before you bring another Tupperware container or bulk-size box into the fridge, let’s use today—National Clean Out Your Fridge Day!—to make some necessary improvements to this space.

When it comes to closet organization, there are categories that easier to tackle than others. Regardless of what your storing, the first step to the closet organization process is to categorize all of your options and store them in a way that is the most function for how you live. That means keeping categories, like work blouses, towards the front of your closet, and giving priority placement to the shoes that are in your weekday rotation. While a lot of closet storage and organization is simple (i.e. requiring just a hanger or some shelving), there is a category that tends to trip people up: purses and clutches.

There are a couple of topics that win the title for “most requested” when it comes to creating content. It’s probably no surprise since you’ve likely seen the commercials and been inundated with ads and store sales pushing products and reminders, but back to school season is a big one over at Rachel and Company. I definitely see a rise in requests for clients asking for help around the home to get organized for the upcoming school year. As a parent, I totally get it! There are lists of products to buy, clothing and supplies to get prepared, and maybe even a rogue backpack or two left to unpack from the last school year (hey, no judgement!).

I’ve mentioned before that sentimental storage is the most difficult category to declutter, and as an organizer I’ve learned that what’s sentimental to one person is not necessarily the same for another. I have clients who have no problem donating or selling a household of their grandparents furniture, but they won’t budge on discarding an old college sweatshirt in their storage unit (even if they forgot that they had it in the first place!). I see, hear, and am witness to a lot of people’s personal items, which includes the sentimental items that are near and dear to their hearts. I think that there is a misconception that getting organized equates to…

We are in the midst of wedding season and–as I’m sure many of you know–the amount of choices and to-dos can make anyone feel a little overwhelmed. So, from one bride-to-be to another, I want to give some advice and share how I’ve stayed organized along the way with the hope of making this special time less stressful (and more fun even if you don’t like planning!) and allowing you to concentrate on what is most important to you throughout the process and in turn, the marriage. Using websites like Zola to organize registries and HitchSwitch to simplify the process of changing your name.

My 9-year old identical twin daughters and I were on Great Day Washington earlier to discuss spring organizing tips and to provide real-life examples of how families, including those with young children, can help out with getting organized (and not just create more chaos). Here are a few tips to get your family involved with spring cleaning the closet, toys chest, pantry and storage.

There are SO many organizing products out there, and in recent years more stores have stepped up their game to offer products that are aesthetically appealing. It’s overwhelming to know where to begin.I can hear the frustration in my clients’ voices as they describe their failed attempts to get organized on their own. If you’ve been in this situation know that there is ONE thing that you need to know to avoid this type of frustration moving forward: how to measure.

Over the years, I have come across interior designers, business owners, architects, and other remarkable individuals, as clients and in daily life, whose work and lives completely inspire me. After getting to know these women and men, I have found that one of the keys to their success is organization. As a result, I decided to develop a question and answer series, The Organized Lifestyle, which showcases their work and dives deep into the daily organizational systems, products, and habits they use and incorporate into their lives. I hope we can all learn a thing or two from them.