Well, not exactly, per say. I exaggerate. But organization is quite important; it is the key to feeling prepared and confident when entering into something new. Every day is a new adventure, after all. Spontaneity is of course, important, but feeling at least a little prepared for what’s to come can ease you into something new, whether it be a new day, event, place, etc. That, my dears, is the beauty of organization.
Mademoisselle Chic, a fellow blogger, had requested some organization tips after reading how much I love my planner on a TiLT list a while back. So here goes!
Isn’t this Kate Spade planner the most darling thing?
Being organized with time…
- Make lists. I always make lists, not because I’m OCD about organization, but simply because I like to – they’re quite fun, actually! Try jotting lists for everything; before you leave the house for a shopping trip (grocery, clothing, party, etc.), make a list of what you are looking for. It’s the best way to remember what exactly you need/want, and can shorten shopping trips. Which gives you more time to do what you want!
- Post-It notes are your best friend. I carry around a stack of pretty sticky notes in my purse at all times. If you should ever get a sudden revelation, a brilliant idea, they do come in handy. But most importantly, they serve as reminders that can go just about anywhere. Stick a note in a binder reminding yourself to do pages 56-100 of the reading for English; put one on the refrigerator so you know that you need more iced tea for tonight’s party. You get the point.
- Buy a planner! It’s quite crucial to being organized. Always write down any deadlines, dates, appointments, and events alongside their respective times. That way, you won’t forget that Saturday’s already booked and plan something that day and have to scramble to cancel one of the events. It also allows you to see ahead of time what you have in store for you in the next week or so, allowing you ample time to be prepared and make sure you have everything you need! Having a pocket-sized one that can easily be tossed in a bag is a plus; a wall calendar for your home is good too!
The shoe wheel. Purely for the purpose of entertainment. EDIT: A lovely reader informed me that Target has a similar “shoe pod” for $49.99!
… and with everything else!
- Your closet. It’s a sanctuary and a home for your clothes – so treat it well! There’s plenty of amazing closet organization gurus out there (and I, my dears, am not one of them!). My not-so-legitimate take on closet organization? I think of it as an art, organizing everything so that it is aesthetically appealing when the closet doors open. Dresses on one side, hung by color and occasion (formal & casual). Skirts and dress pants take their space next to the dresses. The center of my closet consists of clothes that can be folded: denim (never hang your jeans – they can lose their shape!) and shorts. The right side of my closet is then divided into two; the top half is designated for cardigans, jackets, etc., and the bottom half for nicer tops that need to be hung. Once again, everything is organized by color! (I just realized that the majority of the clothing is cream, gray black, with an occasional green, yellow, or purple thrown in.)
*Remember to put everything back where it belongs immediately after their wearing! And color isn’t the only way to organize it; you can go by type of clothing, season, material…*
- The dresser. If you have one, do organize it so you can find that tee in a snap! All my fold-able clothing goes in here; the top two drawers are dedicated to tee shirts/short sleeves, one is for sweaters and long sleeves, the next for pajamas (half the drawer is for undergarments, the right half is for actual pjs), and the bottom for socks (half for socks, the right half for tights & legwear).
- Shoes. IKEA (one of my favorite places ever!) has the best organizational systems for quite amazing prices. I have a wall sized shelf system that holds more than an adequate number of shoes for only a hundred or so dollars. My shoes, once again, are organized by color and type.
- Bags. Bags are works of art in itself, so why not treat them with due care and display them on shelves (which also makes them easily accessible!). Special occasion clutches or purses that are rarely used should be store in their proper dustbags in boxes to prevent any damage or accumulation of dust. Mine are hung in my closet, or (by color, once again) put on shelves in my closet.
- Jewelry. Investing in a lovely little dresser specifically for jewelry is always a darling idea. But if not, buy a few trays and organize it by color and occasion, so that it is easy to find matching jewelry in a snap!
So, Miss Chic, I do hope that my rather wordy list will help you, even if it is just a bit! I’m sure that there are a plethora of legitimate organization professional who would give a much better rundown on tips, so do check those out!
xoxo,
La C.
Thank you so much, Pretty Portobello and the ever fabulous Nita Karoliina for these awards; thank you!!
I pass the “I love Your Blog Award” (since I’ve already done the “Your Blog is Fabulous” award!) to… Nita Karoliina, Petra B., Just Jr., Valentine, Hui & Rachel, Chey, and Lady D!
One of the biggest criterias for my future residence of living, is that there must be enough room for all my clothes, shoes, bags and the rest of it. Now everything is currently cramped into two tiny closets/in a box under my bed/on the shelf above the window/in various boxes, and it’s really annoying that I can’t have everything in one, big space… I liked your tips, though, particularly the one about making lists (yes, I’m a listoholic too). And Ikea is heaven, no doubt about it (that’s probably another of my criterias; that there be an Ikea within a day’s drive)!
I use Google Calendar for planning and it’s helped me a ton.
I also make lists for work, so I agree with you that they help!
Putting deadlines into my calendar and then getting email reminders is nice.
Great suggestions!
great suggestions. I myself am very organized myself. It’s the only way I can get through the day!
The hardest part I had was organizing my jewelry as I put them in jewelry boxes but they still all got tangled up. My husband but up a big perforated metal board on my wall that I can just put tacks in to hang all my necklaces, earrings and bracelets! It’s like organization but artwork as well!
I’m very organized too…I use a planner…i have a jewelry armoire….my closet ..drawers and bags are organized and neat..and i’m thinking on getting that shoe wheel…gonna do a post to get bloggers point of view on it…i have my shoes in their boxes…but then when i need a certain pair..its a mess to get to it..since i cant see them right away
Amazing! You’re the best! Thanks for doing this for me. It really does help! I’m going to start doing lists and keep post it with me. Great idea! I will definitely use my planner everyday also! 🙂 The clothes,shoes and jewelry organization is a must! Thanks again!! 🙂
seems i’m not the only one who’s an organized freak. 😛 i always believe organizing simplifies my life because it gives me peace and order and i’ll always know where to find things or clothes. before i go to bed each night, my clothes for the following day are hanging on my dressboy and the bag is already arranged except for the make-up kit & the perfume which usually depends on my mood the following day.
i arrange my clothes according to season and according to fabric. not color-coded though because evening tops are on a different shelf. And yes darling, i agree, i fold all my jeans. as with my shoes, they are in their boxes with photos of it outside and with their description marked with pen in really huge font so i can see it from afar. my jewelries are in a jewelry box and my accessories, too. only the huge neckpieces are hanging on the wall which are driving me mad as of the moment. and my bags are all in their dustbags arranged according to size.
and i do write notes as often as i can because i always believe in this saying, “memory is weaker than the faintest ink.”
well then i reckon i’ve got to stop now for this looks like an essay already.
take care, sweety! =)
Lovely post!!! I love it, 😛 Perfect for me, lol Since I am not organizated at all. My house are all messy with papers, clothes and books everywhere, but Id better do soemthing about asap.
aww! thanks again darling! that’s a second award from you!!! =)
kisses,
chey*
you gave me some new tips again like ina ll of your post. I organize my clothes by colour too! and I have my own personal planer wich is always with me!
x0xo
I love post-it notes and planners too! They are the only way I can stay truly organized, because once it’s on a list it MUST get done. Your close organization tips are good too, I am constantly battling my closet and dresser for control.
What great suggestions! I like using pretty ceramic trays and saucers to organize my jewelry, especially the stuff I wear often like stud earrings.
You are too kind! I read your update on Twitter and came running here as I love your organization posts! This was super helpful as you can see on Twitter it has made me find my New Yorker Planner!
I hope you have a super night / day / week! 😀
xo
it’s been a great read! the photo of the jewellery is so beautiful! i’ve always had problems with jewellery boxes, there’re great for fine jewellery, what about statement ones? the litte trays are so cute & a much better idea!
Wow, that shoe wheel is fabulous!!
I totally agree, IKEA is a god-send when it comes to organizing!
As always, amazing post and very helpful!
Definitely one of my favourite blogs 🙂
Have a beautiful day darling
Bisous
u explaining makes me wana c pics of ur closet for sum reason…i wish i can b as organized
I agree with you – organisation is very important! i’m quite a perfectionist so everything is organised with me! my wardrobe is in order (eg, all tops are together etc) and in my room everything has its own place. I am also the ‘organiser’ in my group of friends, I am always organising when we’re going out and stuff. I actually prefer it that way though!
have a great week 🙂
xx
lol I have the worst of organization in my closet and with my jewellery, this list will help me I’m sure;) Thank you so much:D I love it when you write tips and such:D
great tips! thank you so much! I organize not by color but only by clothing type 🙂
congrats on the awards!
xx
Thanks for the great tips. I always start out doing so well, and then stuff just seems to happen and things keep getting more out of hand. If I was at home more I’m sure I could keep it cleaner. 🙁
Great tips though – love that shoe wheel!
Congrats on the awards, yet again! I always love your tips; they’re so helpful!! I don’t think you realize how much your tips have helped me – or your other readers!
That is exactly what I did this morning! Top to bottom cleaning! I loved that shoe wheel…haha. My favorite planner is from kate spade. Simply, cute & helpful! Have a great Monday!
Miss LA C.!
I completely agree with you, I love sticky notes and I have many many planners stocked up for future uses. Im actually such a dork still because I buy hello kitty planners with refills and everything! =D My life is not so hectic but my mind is always so cluttered so I find organizing veryyy zenfulll!
I LLOVE your blog! hihi.
i do love your tips posts (your monday one and the basics of your wardrobe are also some good ones), and this one has been really good, as i am an organising freak myself 🙂
congrats on the award too!
mxx
great tips! 😀
i’m always in love with your tips articles. they’re always really helpful & informative! they’re all bookmarked in my favorites folder of strictly stuff from your blog! ~kristine
I’m a Virgo, so I was born a perfectionist! However I think I’m a lazy organised. I love lists and I keep a planner (must implement your post it note idea!), and my clothes all have a home – except they never seem to stay there for more than a week once organised.
Great article. Love it! xx
I am addicted to post it notes! And my closet is arranged like a rainbow… It makes my life happier, I think, to have rainbows in my closet…
JustJr: You are always the sweetest! Yay for Twitter! =]
Elle: Aww, thank you!!
Delightfully-Tacky: I completely agree. Even though my rainbow consists of a few pinks, cream, a bit of yellow, one green, some purple, and then all black and gray =]
Wooo love the shoe wheel, I want one now! You are an organisation genius! It’s funny I have a super-booked black planner & I copy it all on my I-phone in case I forget, haha!
Thanks for your sweet comment on my love for blue, it’s funny I was just posting a new article about designer Charles Anastase!
Your Valentine’s posts were great as well, I hope you had a lovely day with the one(s) you love.
Alizé x x
great tips dear!! i just started to clean/organize my closet last night.. i got a ways to go still
Only in the past few years have I actually understood how important it is to be organized (after missing an important appointment due to not having written it down!). Now I am never without my planner, and have tried organizing other aspects of my life as well 🙂
This was a great post (as always, darling), and it made me think of all the other ways I should get better organized!
Lovely post, darling. xo
Honey, I love those gorgeous photos that go with this article. And I love Ikea, their storage goes right up to the ceiling and sometimes on the ceiling, too. But most of all, I love the shoe wheel. I would not use it for storage, though. Only to give my shoes some exercise, as the poor things never get out enough. xo
Oh gosh! I like to make lists too! Its funny though, cause I’ve joined these shopping websites where you make lists of things you love, and I’ve told my
sister about them and she says, “You’re weird for actually enjoying list making.”
Great post on organiztion:)
altho i always remember that i should put my clothes where they were.. i tend to just stack them up due to my laziness. haha
Thanks for the tips, I love making lists – my family are constantly remarking – “are you going to write that down?” So I’m known as the organizer.
I wanted to say that I’ve been enjoying reading your blog, you’re a good writer and I will be adding you to my blogroll or list or whatever it’s called!
Rachael 🙂
I am DEFINITELY saving up for that shoe rack!
Ahhh I love to be organised! It makes everything so much more peaceful and easy. Great post!
I am obsessed with lists, diary’s/planners and cleanliness 🙂
xx
ps. I have tagged you! And thank you so very much for the award. You are so wonderfully sweet! 🙂
I really enjoyed this post, I can relate so well, since I have slight OCD, I never plan and organize I do it on auto pilot.. hehe “wink”! But I like lists, and I love organization and ikea.. is the best place to get a closet!!!
Spring cleaning is on the top of my list…. and YES post it are everyone’s best friend! 🙂
yay, congrats on the awards!! I completely agree, organization is essential–sometimes a hit or miss thing with me but that doesn’t stop me from trying!!
p.s. post-its are life savers 🙂
Oh dear! I fear to be truly organised you have to have the neat and tidy gene as well. Which I don’t think I’ve inherited.
awww,thanks for the Award!!! <3
and you have deserved all those awards!xo
Thank you so much, darling La C 🙂
You are always so lovely to us, always supporting us and enthusiastically being a part of our blog. I truly believe that if we were all to meet one day, it would be in Paris, sipping coffee and savouring macaroons, whilst chatting about all the beautiful, Parisian things. 🙂
And what a great post by the way! I’m going through a terrible patch at work, and reading these tips have refreshed me and in a way, has kept me plodding on.
If your blog were a magazine, yours would be the only one whose lifestyle section I would read religiously – because they really inspire, and really work!
Lotsa love,
SEAH! 🙂
Hi there-Such a fabulous and inspirational post my dear, I’m very organised with my wardrobe and finances too! I would like a better shoe system, they are in boxes under the bed, so I forget what I have!
Hi,
I take an inventory of my wardrobe in this period. The spring comes, I hope! 🙂 There are so much useful information and a council in this post. One of my fav post. Congrats to the awards, you deserve it totally…
xoxo: Janet
You think so greate!I need some organization!!xo
I actually love organizing my closet. If you think of your clothing as works of art, it makes sense to want to display them with care, no? Love the list, brilliant as usual my dear 🙂
I am so obsessed with keeping things organised! So much so that I tidy things away and forget which place is for what, and inadverdently create chaos!
i have to add that i cannot live without my hello kitty calendar! AND post it things! the human who created those things is the best 😉 LOL
I’m totally a list maker. I write down everything I need to do the next day–otherwise, I’ll forget something! Same thing with the grocery store, Target, you name it.
Gah, it’s been forever since I last came here. I’ve seriously missed your posts with all my heart. <3
Yes it’s me FIF, I started over and am now inisdemode.com. So, forever give me if I bombard you with comments in the coming days…I just seriously need to get back up to date. ^_^
Congrats on your awards, La C!
That shoe wheel is TOO cool!
xoxox,
CC
i’m kind of an organization freak myself jeje.
Congrats on your awards 🙂
You’re such a darling! Thank you for the award 🙂 and i love making lists as well and i make one daily. I carry an old-fashioned day planner that i’m absolutely lost without. But i don’t see myself as an organization freak tho..
That shoe wheel is incredible, what an idea:) Life’s all about organizing, again and again…the listed things here are those few that can be fun!
Inside Mode: Aww, you are truly the sweetest! I don’t mind at all; in fact, I love it!! Comment away, darling!
Couture Carrie & Dexter: Doesn’t that shoe wheel look so fun? A reader of mine actually just found a similar shoe organizer at Target! (P.S.: Did you get my email back, Dexter?)
Have a lovely week!
i love your site just found it today. ur such a great writer & have such great taste. are you in the fashion industry like an editor or stylist? cuz you shud be!
I’m not really am a boss for organization ( I love disorganization actually xD ) but I do love to make lists -though I never follow them- and my closet is almost maniacal because otherwise it’s just im-pos-si-ble to deal with !
But my bags and all are pure mess !
Anyway this post is brilliant and fun, thank you !! 😀
I love you. Will you be my wife? xx
Anonymous: I’m so honored that you would think that! I’m actually not at all; I’m an intern for a fashion magazine as of now, but I do wish I was that high up in the industry! Thanks!
Kat George: Hahahaha! Your comment just made my laugh out loud, literally. Gladly! Shall we have a celebration?
i actually obsessively write to do lists and maybe finish 50%, if that. the rest, for me, is easier said than done. i will read this post again on Saturday to get myself motivated to clean my room.
Love this post, I’m a organizer freak as well, actually a moleskine freak – I could do a bit more organization in my closet though 😉 How do you always make your posts so chic and fresh!!?
I’m not organised 🙁 I wish I was more… I do some trying, I try a lot actually, I improve a bit sometimes…
Organised people are role models for me 😀
kiss
OH i needed this badly.. i get so inspired after reading your posts..especially on organization..one of my weakest points..what happens when you dont have enough space? maybe this is why my room is always so messy 🙁 i need a walk in wardrooobee!! x
i use a planner, (old habit since elementary school!!), i keep my bags on shelving but all in their dust bags. and my jewelry in a tray vs a box because i like to see everything and grab and go.
i need to organize my closet, so far only my work wardrobe is perfectly organized.