Like many of you, I wear many of hats throughout a day. Between being a mom, running a full-time business and managing my team, plus keeping my house and personal well-being in check it feels like there never is enough time. We are always searching for time to add to our day. Clients always tell me that if they had more time they could do XYZ and I get it. I know that I can’t change how many hours are in a day but I can change what I do in the environment where I spend my days. There are things that I can do throughout the day and week that can get me—and you, too—more in control and grounded so that when I lay my head down at night I’m not running through the laundry list of items still on my to-do list. And while I can’t dish out tips for how to master the work/parenting balance (is there even such a thing?!), I can tell you that there are things that can be done in your home to help save you time and sanity, which is a pretty big “win” if you ask me!

What I love about organization is that it allows for you to see what you have in each category of your home, so you’re less likely to buy duplicates or overbuy items that you don’t need. During the decluttering process, it’s important to take note of the items that you are discarding and determine if they are in sellable condition. Between yard sales and apps that make it easy to sell items, your clutter could easily turn into cash! But, is it worth the effort? It depends…

I have to say, there has never been a time quite like now in my career where there has been so much buzz about organization. After Netflix released it’s new series Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on New Years Day, there’s been so much chatter surrounding the tidying expert across news channels and press outlets, social media feeds, and friends, clients and family have brought it up on a daily basis.

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.

Have you started your holiday shopping? My girls’ big present this year is a puppy (coming Monday!), and for everything else on their list I’ve turned to online shopping (who’s with me?). I’ve been made sure to take advantage of some of the crazy sales that have been going on during Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. Of course, it’s no surprise that nearly every sale has been extended (seriously, there is no reason to pay full price these days) and I have a few more things I’d like to grab for people on my list. I know how difficult it can be to come up with ideas for people on your list—especially those who fall into tricky categories like co-workers and tweens—which is why I’ve compiled ideas for everyone that you might be shopping for in this year’s Holiday Gift Guide.

The holiday season seems to bring an influx of everything. From the decor that gets pulled down from storage around Halloween, the food and extra hosting commitments that start around Thanksgiving, and the holiday parties and work events that spike around this time of year, it can be a lot to handle! When you really break it down, organization plays a huge role in each aspect of the holiday season. Whether it’s how to get ready for overnight guests, how to prep your pantry and fridge for upcoming events, or how to declutter your kids’ toys before a fresh round of items start arriving this holiday season, organizing is a critical piece to getting each of these tasks accomplished.

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.

When you’re working on decluttering your home, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment and feel the need to get rid of everything. Yes…that happens! And while there are no real “rules” to getting organized, there are general guidelines that are helpful to keep in mind when you are deciding what should stay and what can go. If there are items or categories that you don’t use or need any longer, that’s usually an indicator that you can and should part with those items. But, there are a few categories that—despite their lack of use—should be the exception to the “rules”. Check out my recommendations below for seven things that I suggest you not throw away while decluttering (or at least take a second look and pause before you do).