We've been so busy working with organizing clients the past two months (and doing some physical therapy for my fall last February) that we completely forgot that our Green Plug "What's Under Your Desk" lunch is on Wednesday!  As the winner of the sweepstakes, yours truly will be helping himself to a fabulous lunch with two Hollywood eco-expert celebrities.

We've attached the press release from Green Plug.  If you have a "green" question for Christopher Knight or Adrianne Curry, post it in the comments section below and we'll see if we can get them answered.

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZER JOHN TROSKO DOES LUNCH WITH GREEN ADVOCATES CHRISTOPHER KNIGHT AND ADRIANNE CURRY IN GREEN PLUG’S ‘WHAT’S UNDER YOUR DESK?’ SWEEPSTAKES

L.A. Resident Enjoys Top Prize from Spring Campaign Promoting Green Power Standard for Consumer Electronics

WHO:

• John Trosko (www.organizingla.com), President of the Los Angeles Chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO-LA)
• “Green Advocates” Christopher Knight and Adrianne Curry, co-hosts of the VH-1 reality show, “My Fair Brady”
• Frank Paniagua, Jr., founder and CEO of Green Plug (www.greenplug.us).

WHAT:

The environmentally ugly status quo inspired Green Plug to conduct its “What’s Under Your Desk?” photo sweepstakes last spring.  The company asked consumers to literally shine a light on the mess of cables and cords that lurks under virtually every desk and capture the scene digitally.  The sweepstakes highlighted the need for a single, universal power architecture for electronic devices.  Such a standard could prevent hundreds of millions of power supplies every year from being tossed into landfills – maximizing resources, minimizing solid waste, and conserving energy. 

Taking home first prize in the sweepstakes – lunch with VH-1’s Knight and Curry -- was John Trosko of Los Angeles.  Says Trosko, a professional organizer, “I am a huge fan of Christopher’s and Adrianne’s careers.  I admire their work for the environment and they ways they use their celebrity to introduce people to a more socially-conscious lifestyle.  Both Christopher and Adrianne are popular eco-advocates and I am a professional organizer.  We all have a common mission to better the environment, whether it’s the earth or inside your very own home or office.”

Green Plug is the first developer of digital technology enabling real‐time collaboration between electronic devices and their power sources.  The company’s innovative green power components allow manufacturers to standardize on one universal power connector, exceed all current US and European governmental efficiency regulations, and eliminate environmental waste.  CEO Frank Paniagua, Jr. is available to demonstrate the technology.

WHEN:

Wednesday, July 23

WHERE:

Top-tier restaurant in West Hollywood

HOW:

To speak with John Trosko, Christopher Knight, Adrianne Curry or Frank Paniagua, Jr., contact:

Bobbie Wasserman
Edge Communications, Inc.
310-305-4018

• picture courtesy of America's Next Top Model Blog

OrganizingLA Blog and Hecht of an Organizer are teaming up this week to give away one organizer (valued at $35.00) to a lucky blog reader.

To submit an entry, all you have to do is post a comment of value telling us how you'd use the organizer should you win.  We'll select a winner at random and contact via email.  Keep reading the comments, because the inventor herself will be monitoring and responding to comments as necessary.

Winner of a 2008 Los Angeles Organizing Award "The Green Award for Most Eco-friendly Organizing Product," inventor Linda Hecht (accepting her award last February) has one helluva product.

Linda told us this weekend how far the positive impact from her Award reached.

"Local cities around Indianapolis heard about our Los Angeles Organizing Award and began purchasing the organizers for their city police, fire and other city head departments.  The City of Greencastle, Indiana was the first to get their city organized while going green.  The Clerk - Treasurer then shared it with INDOT (Indiana Dept. of Transportation) who is now making Hecht Of An Organizer units available to their employees.  Other cities in Indiana are also following suit.  I am amazed at the sales and even more excited about the new 2.0 design improvements we've completed in just the past two weeks."

So what is Hecht Of An Organizer and what are all those new design improvements?

Hecht Of An Organizer is based around the simplicity of a basic recyclable cardboard box used for auto storage, crafting, medical equipment and school supplies.  In her updated version-- which is brand new and just two weeks old, Linda tells us the box now actually ships flat, which saves on postage costs and make the units more desirable for retail stores to carry them.  The boxes have color coded flaps, and lines to follow along with instructions which you set up yourself.  They snap together and can be assembled in minutes.

A canvas cover slips over the top of the box providing 18-plus pockets for storage.  The upscale fabric and durable handles make the organizer attractive and easy to transport.  According to Linda, the bottom cover is now made from nylon pack cloth (keeping the bottom of the box from getting wet) and zips up making it easier to assemble.

The last change in Hecht Of An Organizer 2.0 came from a customer and that was to make the top cover all one color.  Bright colors such as royal blue, red and tan make it easier to find loose items on the bottom or in pockets of the organizer.  However, they will carry and sell a lot of black organizers too.

Contest Rules:

To enter, add a comment of value to this post, telling us how you would use Hecht Of An Organizer if you had one.  We'll randomly select one winner from all entries received.  Entry collection begins 3am PST Tuesday, May 20 and ends Friday, May 23 at midnight.  Winner will be contacted through email the following weekend.  Winner to provide address in order to mail out the organizer and may choose color of product.  Good luck!

For shy readers, here is how you enter a comment:

1. Spend two seconds and read the post, click on product links, evaluate for yourself
2. Scroll down to the bottom of the post, and even further down past the existing comments
3. Enter your email (will be kept confidential and will not be displayed or shared)
4. Type your name and a comment of value, first name works, too
5. Press "post" and you're entered!

Update 5/26 - Hello!  We're no longer accepting comments/entries for this giveaway.  Please stay tuned for the winner!

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

The Downtown LA News has a piece this week about indoor air quality and surprising health dangers.

Many, many times when we're working with our Los Angeles organizing clients in their homes and offices, we identify chemicals sitting underneath sinks, tool sheds, garages and even food preparation areas.  These items may have been carelessly left or a large amount was purchased and the remnants sit rotting away.  These chemicals have the potential to contribute to poor air quality, and even poor health short term or long term.

Sometimes the act of getting organized means not only identifying what you want in your space, but also what you don't want.  The news article written by Dr. Rick Morris identifies several hazards he found in his downtown Los Angeles loft and his tips for future responsibility.  Here are 7 we picked up from the piece.  If you have time, check out the entire article online.

1. Ventilate your home by opening windows and doors
2. Use natural products
3. Use chemicals responsibility, do not mix chemicals
4. Only buy small amounts of chemicals and store as little in your home
5. Visit dry cleaners who use wet cleaning or a CO2 process
6. Wash permanent press sheets and clothes three times before using
7. Have carpets and drapes aired out for a few days before having them installed in your home

• Downtown Los Angeles News - It's What's Inside that Counts

picture courtesy US Davis Health System

What chemical dangers have you identified in your home or office?

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

Announcing the winners from our Internet Password Organizer Giveaway:

We enjoyed over 3 dozen entries with great comments and professional tips on how you organize your passwords and vital online information.  Thank you to everyone who took the time to enter the contest.  Winners have been contacted and your password organizers will be mailed out from Innovation Lab's headquarters in Cary, North Carolina.  Congratulations!

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

Welcome to the weekend when we post videos OrganizingLA Blog readers have sent to us.

Is procrastination a part-time job for you?  Here is an oldie but a goodie.  We've even posted it in 2005, but that was prior to being able to actually post video directly onto the blog.

These pieces are for the amusement of our weekend blog readers, we're continuing to feature organizing videos that are satirical, irreverent, smart or just plain fun.  If you are reading the blog on RSS or Feedblitz and want to see the videos you should click over to the main site.  Do you have a video you'd like to have us feature?  Check out this post first, then email us.

Oh, and last week's video was courtesy Hazel Thornton, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Forgot to mention that.

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

In our decor8 Interview we posted recently, the question came up about the behaviors that guide you when you tackle an organizing project.

We came up with such guidelines, allow us to also present them here.

The 10 Commandments of Clutter:

1. Thou shall not directly worship the Container Store Goddess.  The purity of organizing products does not preclude you from clearing your clutter, first.
2. The Organizing “Secret” is no secret at all; keepith space available brings you untold fortune.
3. Thou shall not commit adultery (however, ‘tis honorable to ask for organizing helpith during Spring Fling.)
4. Devote thy days to mess maintenance, but thou nights to wine and dine.
5. Honor thy elders. Thou shall not nag if items are in wrong place; put them back without saying anythingth.
6. Getting thyself organized is easier then staying organized.
7. Avoidith keeping clutter as a yardstick of thy achievements. Thou must not give false evidence against thy neighbor.
8. Stop chasing thy paper chase; lose thy “to file” box and handle immediately by putting it away in its rightful place.
9. Thou shall not covet thy neighbor’s goods. Thy grass may be greener around thy neighbor’s lawn mover shed, but inside may be a dark surprise.
10. Eat, drink and be merry. Organizing thyself is reflective, but should be funneth.

• Check out the entire interview by reading Decor8 and our mention OrganizingLA - a great blog, decor8 from our press kit (PDF).

Do you have any personal "commandments of clutter" to share with fellow readers?

If you've enjoyed this post and want to see more, please subscribe to our daily emails (Feedblitz) or through the RSS Feed (click here).  Options are now available for Twitter (Feedblitz) and your mobi through FEEDM8, too.

Last Monday, our 250,000th visitor to the OrganizingLA Blog signed on.  Was it you?

To celebrate, we've once again splurged on a weekday rental of the iconic Hollywood Sign.

Here is our annual "progress report, since November 2005.

• 250,000 visitors
• 425,000 page views
• 315 daily Feedblitz readers
• 400 active readers through RSS
• 625 posts
• 1000 reader comments
• 45 trackbacks

Thank you so much for your continued support, feedback, blog partnerships, linking, following, insider tips and business referrals.  Our small site continues to grow and we're so honored to have you with us.

This site was originally an opportunity for us to post an occasional piece or two in-between hands-on organizing appointments with Southern California professional organizing clients.  Over time, with your support, we've become a really fun place to stop by everyday and read the latest celebrity news, watch videos, hear about technology, personal stories, product spotlights, recalls, organizing industry reports and how life in Los Angeles, and the nation, continues to speed forward faster than we can sometimes keep up.  But it's all about how you can be your organized best no matter your own personal view of perfection.

Again, thank you-- and we really mean that.

Recently, John made his radio debut alongside Peter Walsh and Monica Ricci, Organizing Experts and Authors.  Such an honor!

Organizing Playground Hosts Allison Carter and Sara Fisher grilled John on the Los Angeles Organizing Awards (pictured above is Mr. Walsh speaking at the podium at the Organizing Awards last February).  On the radio show, John says:

"The Los Angeles Organizing Awards" is a public celebration honoring the people, products and services that make the nation neater and more productive."

What else does John say?  Does John tell all?  You'll have to listen to the show by downloading the podcast.  There is great information all through the broadcast.  John calls in around 40:00 and joins in on the fun.

Links for the show, hosts and guests:

• Organizing Gym - Allison Carter's Blog
• Sara Fisher's website
• Monica Ricci's blog
• Peter Walsh's "clutter-free" website
• Organizing Playground Radio Show - Archives
• Go directly to the podcast with Peter Walsh and Monica Ricci and hear John, too

Listen to the show and come back here for some feedback.  How do you think John did for his "first time?"

Related Posts:

• BusinessWeek interviews John for small business podcast - listen or read the transcript (PDF)

One of the biggest reasons people get organized is so they can find what they need, when they need it.

How many times have you said to yourself: "I know I have that... somewhere. Just give me a minute (or a week) to find it."

Even Astronauts seem to lose things too. Could it be from random carelessness or disorganization?  1990 Toys is a blog dedicated to the best toys of the 1990’s.  They've written about many well-documented items lost in space.  And NASA is actually tracking those lost items. What are they?

1. Glove
2. Spatula
3. Rubbish
4. Camera
5. Toothbrush
6. Pliers
7. Nuclear Fuel
8. A rocket
9. A pen
10. Bolts (as in nuts)

What is the strangest thing you've ever lost in YOUR space?  How do you keep track of your stuff?

images courtesy Art.com and NASA

OrganizingLA and Innovation Lab are giving away free copies of the Internet Password Organizer to four lucky blog readers.

To submit an entry, all you have to do is post a comment of value.  We'll select winners at random and contact via email.

For shy readers, here is how you enter a comment:

1. Click on the link above (or below)
2. Spend two seconds and read the post, click on products links, evaluate for yourself
3. Scroll down to the bottom of the post, and even further down past the existing comments
4. Enter your email (will be kept confidential and will not be displayed)
5. Type your name and a comment of value
6. Press "post" and you're entered!

• Internet Password Organizer - Enter and Win!

Welcome back to the weekend, where we post videos OrganizingLA Blog readers have sent to us.

Ikea has a series of commercials featuring household chores, relationships and managing clutter.  Here are a few of our favorites (especially the lighthearted second video.)

Clutter Breeds:

Tidy Up After Yourself:

These videos are for the amusement of our weekend blog readers, we're continuing to feature organizing videos that are satirical, irreverent, smart or just plain fun.

If you are reading the blog on RSS or Feedblitz and want to see the videos, you can click over to the site by clicking here.

Do you have a video you'd like to have us feature?  Check out this post first, then email us.  Update 5/17/08 - forgot to mention this video was submitted by Hazel Thornton, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

We are all looking for practical solutions for everyday organizing around the office and home.  But we're also looking to win a contest, right?

Innovation Lab, Inc. of Cary, North Carolina is giving OrganizingLA Blog readers an opportunity to receive one of four copies of the Internet Password Organizer, a nifty high-quality book designed to provide computer users with a centralized location to organize and store user names and passwords for the websites you subscribe to.

If you've been to art school, these books are very similar to Cansen Field Sketch books. 

The books feature:

• Reinforced laminate tab dividers
• Spiral binding, allowing you to write the full length of each page
• Double-sided tab dividers
• 5.5" x 8" (W x H) pages
• Hard black cover which discretely protects the contents inside
• Bonus sections provide fields for service providers, email settings, wireless networks, licenses and notes.  You could use it for product keys, too.

We particularly love that the books are non-descript in order to hide in plain site and there is a VERY thorough information section on the website outlining the pros and cons of an internet-based password system vs. paper/book form.  So you can stop forgetting your passwords and up your productivity!

• Internet Password Organizer - official site

The Internet Password Organizer is also available for $19.99 through Hallmark Stores, Target, Amazon.com, Borders and OnlineOrganizing.com.

Contest Rules:

To enter, simply add a comment of value to this post.  We'll randomly select four winners from all entries received.  Entry collection ends Tuesday, May 13th midnight.  Winners will be contacted through email on Wednesday, May 14th, and we will be requesting addresses in order to mail out the organizers.  Good luck!

Update 5/14/08:  We've closed comments on this post and will be drawing/contacting the winners sometime late today.  Thank you to everyone who submitted a comment.

We discovered this humorous cartoon on the speaker's page for The International Institute for Modern Butlers, LLC.

We were searching for some client information.  Come on, do you really think less is more when organizing your home or office?

• International Institute for Modern Butlers, LLC

If you've checked out last weekend's Los Angeles Times, you may have seen their cool special wedding edition in the Magazine.

In Love and Marriage, writers profiled wedding branding, Meetup.com, ultraluxe and eco-chic gowns, eye popping gifts and the hottest honeymoon destinations.

But one section really got our attention--- Meet the Experts, where they profiled a bridal down expert, a caterer, a wedding planner, a photographer, dance instructor, filmmaker and a honeymoon specialist. Just about everything you need to kick off a special life with that special someone.

But what did they forget?  A professional organizer-- yes.  So this undersight prompted a kind response to the editor, which we sent off Sunday evening.  Many thanks to Claire Flannery, our colleague here in Los Angeles who helped us draft the letter:

Professional Organizers to the Rescue

"Loved your special Wedding Magazine, but you forgot one thing: what to do with all those wedding gifts, videos and photographs, not to mention that incredibly expensive wedding dress that needs to be cleaned and stored professionally. And just who will write all those thank you notes? Enter the professional organizer, sometimes referred to as a “merge manager.” While the newlyweds may disagree on what stays and what goes, a professional organizer will work with them in the delicate consolidation process. Two dogs maybe, but how many dog dishes, leashes, toys do they need? Your Wedding issue was lacking in the one thing that can truly bring newlyweds marital bliss forever and that is getting organized. And staying that way."

John Trosko
President, National Association of Professional Organizers, Los Angeles Chapter
(www.napola.org)

photo by Elizabeth Stewart and L.A. Times

So readers, do you think being organized makes a difference in a successful relationship?  We know touch question.  What are the ways you cope when your spouse is organized, or not organized?  Do you secretly toss their "junk" when they're not at home?

We just about fell off our crutches this morning when website "hits" started coming in from simply stated, Real Simple Magazine's new series of blogs devoted to the home.

Folks, this is big, really big. The OrganizingLA Blog was added to their list of "Sites We Like" in the home and organizing category!  And at this time, we are a permanent addition you will see each and every time you surf this category and check out their sidebar.

A new fabulous group of home and organizing blogs joined the site yesterday including Absolutely Beautiful Things, All Things Bright & Beautiful, Design for Mankind, More Ways to Waste Time, My Marrakesh and OrganizingLA.  These sites joined blog behemoths Apartment Therapy, decor8, Design*Sponge, Style Files, Unclutterer-- well, the list goes on and on.  You can view all the "Sites We Like" by clicking here, and scrolling down on the right hand side.

We want to thank writers Holly Becker, Erin Doland and their Editor for inviting us onboard.  New internal staffers joined today too.  We're excited to see their new site evolve into an organizing, housekeeping and lifestyle powerhouse (9 blogs cover just about everything.)

By having our blog listed on Real Simple's Simply Stated, we continue to grow with a larger readership.  And of course, in turn, push traffic in their direction as well.  That's the way it is supposed to work.  It's all about our individual voices.  It's all about the conversation.  Please join us for the fun and add your personal experiences, often.  Simply stated!