Cheers! Cocktails and Spring Cleaning with Chaos Organizing
Cheers! We are so glad you could join us. We hope you and your family are staying safe during this quarantine. How are your routines going? Mine went well for the 1st two weeks then Spring Break happened and it all went to hell in a hand basket. Trying to get back on schedule. Are any of you organizing and cleaning out spaces during this quarantine? Here are some of my Spring organizing tips!
Cheers!
We are so glad you could join us. We hope you and your family are staying safe during this quarantine.
Did you happen to see our Facebook live at my Bourbon Bar? Here is the link to the recipe for the Bourbon Smash.
How are your routines going? Mine went well for the 1st two weeks then Spring Break happened and it all went to hell in a hand basket. Trying to get back on schedule. Adjustments had to be made. The biggest adjustment for us was time. With a house full of college students, we are staying up later and sleeping in more than I have in years.
Meal planning is a must because of ordering groceries via Shipt. We only shop for meat and fruit because my husband does not trust other people to do that for us. Between my garden and my friends organic garden, we don’t need to buy much.
Spring Organizing
Are any of you organizing and cleaning out spaces during this quarantine? I started on my attic but haven’t finished that just yet. Totally procrastinating. I’ve been spending as much time outside as possible since the weather is so nice. My yard and garden are beautiful…I’ll get back to the attic…eventually.
Here are some of my Spring Organizing Tips:
When cleaning, put all cleaners in a bin or bucket that you can easily carry around. Don’t forget appliances, shower doors, air vents, baseboards or fronts of cabinets.
Go ahead and use all the left over paper goods from past parties so you don’t have to store them!
Toss magazines from the Fall or Winter.
Toss junk mail and flyers.
Check coats/jackets. Do they need cleaning?
Switch Fall/Winter clothes to Spring/Summer clothes if you need to.
Pack winter sweaters in sealed containers with cedar chips or blocks.
Check your boots. Do they need cleaning, polishing? Do they need to be stored in the top of your closet so your flip-flops and sandals have the prime real-estate spot?
Check your linens. Is it time to refresh, get new?
Check your towels (Beach towels included). Any holes or tears? Do they need replacing?
Do you need sunscreen or mosquito repellent? Check the expiration dates.
Clean and organize your garden tools. Here’s the link.
Make a list and order items needed for Spring projects. Does your house need washing? Do your windows need cleaning from the outside? I will be painting fences this year!
Clean or replace patio furniture cushions.
Power wash or hose your outdoor rugs.
Wipe down outside surfaces.
If you are cleaning out old towels-dog shelters and vets can use them.
Old baby blankets, burp clothes and bibs can help make masks for nurses. Message me about where to donate in Baton Rouge.
Want a more detailed Spring cleaning?
Check out our Spring cleaning guide
Make sure you are following us on Facebook, as we are going live in different areas around my house. Tonight at 7pm CST, we will be live in my closet making a Mojito Mocktail! (For those of us that need a little break from the alcohol or don’t drink!) You can see it on our Facebook page if you miss it.
Don’t forget Mothers day is coming! Gift certificates available.
If you are quarantined and needing a little advice, a Virtual Organizing Session is just what you need.
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Spring Newsletter 2020
Our hearts go out to those who are struggling during this COVID-19 pandemic. Springtime is normally full of family celebrations, crawfish boils, graduations, and fun. We are right there with you missing all of our friends, family, and our normal way of life! We thank those of you continuing to support small, local businesses via gift certificates, online shopping, drive through services, or virtual sessions. Thank you. We are here to support you in any way we can! We will get through this TOGETHER! Stay home and STAY SAFE!
Spring Newsletter
Our hearts go out to those who are struggling during this COVID-19 pandemic. Springtime is normally full of family celebrations, crawfish boils, graduations, and fun. We are right there with you missing all of our friends, family, and our normal way of life! We thank those of you continuing to support small, local businesses via gift certificates, online shopping, drive through services, or virtual sessions. Thank you. We are here to support you in any way we can! We will get through this TOGETHER! Stay home and STAY SAFE!
It's Chaos Organizing's 7th Birthday!!!
"No one will ever PAY someone to come into their private spaces and see their mess." "My wife wouldn't NEED that service!" These were quotes from 2 successful businessmen who I went to for advice before setting off on this new adventure. Neither had the vision that in our busy world of duel career families with busy kids running in a thousand directions, that having an organized closet, pantry or any other space in one's home would bring a sense of calm to the proverbial storm of life. Neither of them understood that chaos and clutter add to your stress and unhappiness, therefore leaving your home as a to-do list instead of a place of peace and respite. They didn't see a path of success. For a brief moment, I felt the wind go out of my sails. Then I looked at my husband and said, "I'm doing it anyway." and he looked back and said, "How can I help you?"
I've discovered that I'm apparently pretty stubborn lol. (My mother also apparently knew this about me and I'm sure she is laughing hysterically as I am now discovering my daughter has the same trait!) You see, I wasn't looking at my organizing from a business perspective. I was looking at organizing as a way to HELP people that are struggling just as I did at one point. Juggling a life with kids, a husband and a career is HARD and I had a gift that could help others enjoy their home. It wasn't always easy. When I felt overwhelmed, I had my sisters and mother showing me a path that I could now share with others. I don't see the mess as mess; I see it as possibility. It's a puzzle waiting to be solved. My stubbornness helps me keep that perspective. There is always a solution.
Well, here I am now with over 240 clients, countless new friends and an amazing team of women who organize with me. To say I feel blessed is an understatement.
Thank you! Thank YOU for following along with me on this incredible journey. I hope I have been able to bring you solutions that can make your life a little less weary and make your home a place of peace.
Due to the quarantine, we are not working in homes, but we can help via our virtual organizing sessions. As a thank you, we are offering a COVID-19 Special. See below for details.
Are you a "Do it yourself" kind of person? Are you bored during this quarantine and want to tackle some small projects around your home? Is there an area that has been driving you crazy but you don't know where to start? Virtual organizing might just be the right thing for you!
For $25 you receive:
5-10 minutes of consulting about your space. We ask a lot of questions so we can put together a plan that will work for you.
A written step-by-step plan with links to products we recommend for your space.
20-25 minutes of one-on-one coaching with a professional organizer to review your individualized plan.
Access to our "Chit Chat with Chaos Organizing" Facebook group where only our clients and organizers can ask questions, offer solutions and talk organizing!
This special discounted pricing will only go on as long as we are quarantined!
Chaos Kids
Easter Activity ideas
Hide and Seek the eggs
Pin the tail on the bunny
Draw a picture for the Easter Bunny
Bunny hop races
Easter Egg letter hunt-Hide letters in the eggs
Sort or match the plastic Easter eggs. (Sort by size or color. Match the colors)
Scavenger hunt
Egg and spoon races
Egg toss
Check Pinterest for Printables or other activities.
Card games
Easter books
Water guns or water play
Don't forget to take pictures! Have a Happy Easter!
Refer a Friend, Get a Discount!
Like us? Don't be stingy! Share us with a friend. When they book their organizing session, you get $50 off of yours!
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Coping with and Surviving the Coronavirus Quarantine
The Stewart family is doing our part to keep everyone safe! I have 4 college students and 1 high school student that have been quarantining here for the past two weeks (2 of the 5 are mine!). I was a bit nervous about this, but I must say, it’s going really well!
While organizing during this time may not be top priority, we know that chaos causes stress. Here are a few of our tips that might help ease you and your family’s stress during this time.
Hi Friends,
I’m hoping you all are doing well and staying safely quarantined. My heart is with those of you away from home and helping our community. I know many of you have it tough right now! Thank you!
The Stewart family is doing our part to keep everyone safe! I have 4 college students and 1 high school student that have been quarantining here for the past two weeks (2 of the 5 are mine!). I was a bit nervous about this, but I must say, it’s going really well! We have fallen into nice routines and everyone has been so respectful and helpful. They are learning all kinds of new skills as my husband is getting all of his “to-do“ list done with their help.
We are calling this Camp Corona-The Stewart Version!
While organizing during this time may not be top priority, we know that chaos causes stress. Here are a few of our tips that might help ease you and your family’s stress during this time.
• Set a routine. Consistency and routines help ease stress. The events may not happen at the exact time, but your goal should be to keep them in the same order. Predictability is comforting to children (and adults!) and may help us get some things done!
• Set up a workplace and homework place. This should be a quiet space with ONLY the tools that you need for work or homework. I moved my home office to my bedroom so that my office could be set up as a virtual classroom (If you are watching my live video’s on Monday’s at 10am, you already know this!). So far, it’s working!
• Create a cleaning schedule. Having everyone home 24/7 and not having housekeepers come (if you have them) during this quarantine time may have you drowning in “to-do’s” which can be exhausting. First, breathe, the neighbors aren’t stopping by anytime soon. Second, creating a list of chores and who is responsible for them may help alleviate some of the stress. If you have small children that means you (and any other adults) are getting the burden of all of the chores. As a former stay at home mom, I remember that stress clearly and want you to know you are not alone. So many parents are feeling the same way. Having a cleaning schedule for yourself may be key to keeping some order to your home and some of the stress at bay. An example of the one I created for the crew staying at my house is attached to this email. If you need help creating one, call me and let me help you!
• Rotate the toys. Your children do not need access to ALL of the toys right now. By rotating them weekly, it allows you to bring out something new and exciting when they get bored. If there is a toy that makes you absolutely crazy, it may be time to secretly put that in the donate box. (If they see it, it will instantly become their FAVORITE!)
Also, try new methods of entertainment for your kids. Have a friend or family member that’s not with you virtually read a book to your children so you can get the dishwasher loaded. Get creative!
• Get outside. If you can, go play in the yard. Not only is the fresh air and sunshine great at brightening your mood, they aren’t inside destroying your freshly cleaned house (lol).
• Be flexible. The best plans may work on paper and not in real life. THAT’S OK! Hold your theoretical ideas of what your day will look like loosely and find freedom in flexibility. There is grace for yourself and others when things don’t go as planned.
We hope these tips help keep your chaos under control. If you’re feeling like there’s more chaos than you can manage on your own, 30-minute virtual organizing sessions are available for $25 if that would help you.
Call us: 225-205-6400 Let us know if we can help you in any way!
Thank you
I truly appreciate all of my clients who have understood about rescheduling their appointments. Thank you so much for being flexible. My business is small, and we will certainly be affected during this time. By rescheduling, you are helping us keep our doors open and recover from this loss. THANK YOU!
LensArt Photography by Tobi Gomez • The Front Porch Project BR
Did you Know?
• Coffee with Martha-Carol is live on Facebook! Join us on Monday’s at 10am to answer your organizing questions or just to take a break from the people in your home!
• Virtual organizing sessions are now available. 30-minute sessions for $25. These will come with a written plan for your space including product recommendations. Call Now! 225-205-6400
• We were on WAFB this week. Watch Here!
• The Purple Cow Decluttering Challenge 2020 is still going strong on Facebook. We are in the kitchen this week! Here’s the link
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Out With the Old, In With the New! A Guide to Spring Cleaning
Lent coincides with the Spring season which makes it the best time to embrace decluttering while Spring cleaning! If you don’t celebrate lent, no worries, just join us on a 6 week journey of Spring decluttering! In fact, plan a party or a crawfish boil in 6 weeks because a party ALWAYS motivates me to get things done! A black trash bag can hold 40 lbs so let’s see how much “stuff” you can lose in 40 days!
Mardi Gras season is sadly coming to an end. Out with the parades and King Cake and in with the Lenten season. Lent is 40 days, not counting Sundays (6 weeks), beginning with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter Sunday. Participating Christians are fasting, as well as living in moderation and repentance.
For me personally, it’s a time of sincere reflection where I truly look at the things in my life that need change, ask for God’s guidance, and take the steps necessary to make that change. Some years, my lenten commitment has been been prioritizing my time. Other years, it’s been as simple as adding exercise to my routine or even checking the mail everyday. It’s setting a personal goal and sticking to it for 6 weeks!!
Lent coincides with the Spring season which makes it the best time to embrace decluttering while Spring cleaning! If you don’t celebrate lent, no worries, just join us on a 6 week journey of Spring decluttering! In fact, plan a party or a crawfish boil in 6 weeks because a party ALWAYS motivates me to get things done! A black trash bag can hold 40 lbs so let’s see how much “stuff” you can lose in 40 days!
Week 1: Closets.
Each day spend 30 minutes gathering items to toss or donate out of each one of the closets in your home. This includes the storage room off of the garage too. How many bags can you fill? Lastly, vacuum the floor and wipe clean any lighting or shelving.
Week 2: Kitchens and Outdoor Kitchens.
Start at the top cabinets and work your way down to the bottom.
Top cabinets - wipe items you're keeping, toss or donate items not used often or ever, and wipe spills and fingerprints off the doors and shelves.
Counters - clear them and then clean them.
Refrigerator - toss old, expired items, wipe shelves. Do you need to change the water filter?
Bottom cabinets - wipe items you are keeping, toss or donate other items. Wipe shelves and doors.
Appliances - Clean. Donate the ones you aren’t using.
Week 3: Office/Desk.
3 piles: Toss, file, action
Toss all junk mail. All of it. No, you won’t go back and read that article from 2015 about the hummingbirds. Let it go! It’s online if you really want to read it. (Take a picture of the recipes you want to try and store in a file on your phone or computer.)
File: Just do it. No whining allowed. We all hate it, but no one else will do it so just fix a glass of wine and get to it!
Action: Make a list. Get it done this week. All of it. No, you don’t get a sticker. But email me and I’ll tell you that you’re a rockstar!
Week 4: Living Room and Entry Way.
Time to change the throw pillows to the spring colors! Seriously, who does this? (Ok, Lisa, my partner in Houston does this. Maybe she will come do this for us all! I’m concocting a plan for Lisa to help us under achievers without seasonal throw pillows!)
Books: I love books! I’m a former teacher so, of course I love books! Unless you have a library at your house, let them go! You can get them from your local library if you are dying to read them. Only keep what fits on your bookcase.
Throw blankets: I have 30. Ok, maybe exaggerating a tiny bit, but these teens end up using them for sleepovers all the time. Donate the ones you don’t use to an animal shelter. They love them! I store the rest in a blanket chest or linen closet.
Sofa: Flip the cushions, checking underneath for the winning lottery ticket. When you find one, call me and let’s celebrate! If not, just vacuum on top and underneath the cushions.
Fireplace: If Spring has sprung in your area as it has in ours, it’s time to clean out the fireplace and toss the ashes. Be sure to follow the guidelines found here. I’ve seen a house catch on fire because of hot ashes, so be extremely careful!
Your entry ways set the tone for entering your home. What is this space saying about your life and do you want to change that tone? When my children were younger, this space was a hot mess because of all the activities! Now’s the time to put away the items that don’t belong there. Straighten the ones that do.
Everything else: Y'all know everything else lands in this room. Send it to its home. Bye!
Finish this room by cleaning any lights or fans and vacuuming the rug and under all the furniture.
Week 5: Bedrooms.
I’m about to get all serious on you now. Bedrooms need to be a place of rest! Look around your bedroom. Does it feel like a climate controlled storage unit or a peaceful place to rest your head after an exhausting day?
All flat surfaces need to be cleared. Sweet family photos (Limited!), maybe a lotion next to your bed, possibly a jewelry holder and maybe the current book you are reading or studying. That’s it. You need nothing else on any surface in this space! It distracts from your peace and rest!
Whats under your bed? My wedding box of stuff from 24 years ago was under mine. What the heck am I waiting for? Do my kids really care who came to my wedding? I know who was there. We have photos and videos (In color! HA!), the rest of the “stuff”…..bye! (You know you're hanging onto those wedding receipts….let them go!)
Bedding: Wash the pillows, then the bedding! Dry clean if necessary. (Clean the ceiling fan right before this.)
Hang or fold the clothes on that chair. We all have one, you aren’t alone. If they are clean enough to wear again. they are clean enough to be hung or folded and be put away. If you are Cajun, save your clothes. Now, cher!
Week 6: Bathrooms.
Wet places need a good cleaning. Clear the counter of the clutter. Any items needing to be on the counter deserve a pretty tray. This also helps keep a neat appearance on the counter.
Toss out old products. (Hair care, nail polish, body lotions, and soaps that you didn’t like the smell…) Don’t donate. No one wants old, expired stuff. Sorry, but just being honest. Contain like items and clean the shelves/drawers while you are there. Containing items helps the floor of the cabinets to stay clean.
Is the extra toilet paper cabinet all filled up? Don’t have one? I found a narrow basket at HomeGoods that works perfect. Time to clean that toilet too. Your loved one will appreciate this clean space if they catch the flu. Nothing worse than a dirty potty.
Where do you keep the bathroom cleaning products? I keep mine right in the bathroom! Easy to use when you just have a few minutes.
Check your towels and washcloths. Make a list of anything needed.
This is also a great time to get new toothbrushes and clean the hairbrushes.
Well, that gets you through the main areas of a house.
Here are a few odd things to add:
Check your filters and smoke alarms if you haven’t in awhile. Most are to be changed once a month.
Wipe down your doors, windows (Inside and outside) and walls. My back door gets really dirty with fingerprints since it’s white.
Check all ceiling fans. Gently wipe and clean.
Clean the outdoor furniture and cushions.
Make sure the pool is ready to go! Only a few more months!
Power wash house and patio as well as all porches.
And it’s time to clean out the garage too!
Now, folks. It’s time for a good ol’ Southern BBQ or Crawfish boil outside in that nice clean space!
If Spring cleaning seems too daunting on your own and you need some support, our team of organizers are happy to help!
Give us a call at 225-205-6400
Bonus Tip: Click the link at the bottom of the page to our Facebook and Instagram Pages to find out where to donate left over Mardi Gras Beads and join our new Lent Challenge!
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Spring Newsletter
Happy 6th birthday to Chaos Organizing! Read our Spring Newsletter for the latest and greatest from Chaos Organizing.
Spring Newsletter
Have you Spring cleaned your pantry and other areas in your home?
Make sure to check out our Spring cleaning guide.
What Our Customers are Saying
"The team made the process fun, fast and easy --not the way I'd describe organizing on my own."
"This is worth EVERY PENNY!!!Not only is my house organized but I had a BLAST doing it because of their GREAT personalities!!! They couldn't be more professional and they never waste a second! They even take everything AWAY for you. I never wanted our time to be over, I was even sad because we were done. My husband thinks they have a true gift!! He was thrilled with what they did with our mess! My life so much lighter and happier! Now I WANT friends to open my closets and drawers! In fact I show them because I am so proud. Call Chaos...you will be sooooo happy you did!"
Give your mom a treat she will truly appreciate!
Chaos Organizing
Baton Rouge
Happy 6th birthday to Chaos Organizing!
In April, The Baton Rouge Chaos Organizing team celebrated with a luncheon and team training along with champagne and Sweet Carib cupcakes for dessert! We discussed The Chaos Method of organizing and reviewed all the fine details that make us Baton Rouge's premier professional home organizers.
I'm incredibly proud of the integrity of our team and the quality of our work. Try us, we won't disappoint!
Are y'all loving this Spring weather We have been busy with lots of Spring cleaning projects which means A LOT of donations! If you are also Spring cleaning right now and want to help our community, see the following list of just a few places that will take your donations. I hope you find this list helpful.
Electronics:
CACRC: http://www.cacrc.com
Housewares and Furniture:
The Purple Cow: http://thepurplecow.net
The ReStore of Greater Baton Rouge-Habitat for Humanity: https://habitatbrla.org
Inner Wheel Club of Baton Rouge-Attic Trash and Treasure Sale:
Email: caitlyn@habitatbrla.org
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Baton Rouge: https://svdpbr.org
Medicine:
https://www.endtheepidemicla.org
Hazardous Materials
https://www.brla.gov/893/Household-Hazardous-Materials
Car seat trade-in event
Target stores from 4/22-5/4
Thank you for being part of our organizing adventure.
Chaos Organizing
Houston
Chaos Organizing of Texas is proud to be a new part of the Chaos Organizing family as well as the Houston community. Houstonians truly believe charity starts at home. The sheer number of organizations set up throughout our city serve as evidence of Houstonians history of philanthropy.
At Chaos Organizing, we encourage our clients to use the de-clutter and downsizing process as an opportunity to make donations to the charity that speaks to them. Houston has no shortage of organizations collecting items to help those in need. Below are just a few of the charities available to receive donations within our community. Most of these charities offer multiple drop off locations.
Goodwill – www.goodwillhouston.org
Star of Hope – www. sohmission.org
Salvation Army – www.salvationarmyhouston.org
Charities of Houston – www.thecharitiesofhouston.org
Helping Hands Charity Inc. - www.houstonhelpinghands.com
Baker Ripley – www.bakerripley.org
Car seat trade-in event- Target stores from 4/22-5/4
For those that need a little extra help or feel overwhelmed with getting organized, give us a call.
Thank you for trusting us with your home organizing projects.
As part of our services, our Chaos Organizers will take your donated items off site to the selected donation venue and give you a donation receipt for tax purposes. Chaos Organizing is focused on providing high-quality service and customer satisfaction. We strive to do everything we can to exceed your expectations. With a variety of organizing sessions and services to choose from we’re sure you will be happy working with us.
www.chaosorganizing.com
Check Out Our Latest Project
Spring signifies fresh, new things so why not give your closet a a good spring cleaning? That's just what we did for this lucky client!
It may look AWESOME now, but it wasn't always that way.
Most people think their closet won’t ever be this organized. Look at the before pictures and you be the judge!
Chaos Kids
Summer is coming!
Make a summer bucket list with your children.
Don't forget to plan Dr. and dentist appointments
Plan summer camps
Plan sports camps
Buy summer reading books
Plan vacations or staycations
Plan quality time
Refer a Friend, Get a Discount!
Like us? Don't be stingy! Share us with a friend. When they book their organizing session, you get $50 off of yours!