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Here is a common phenomena that occurs in the closet of the American woman:too many shoes and not enough space! To solve this problem, I worked with my client to donate 15 pairs of shoes that either didn’t fit, were out of style or too tired to wear. We also discarded three rogue shoes without mates.

I then installed 5 vertical hanging shoe shelves to hold the remaining 50 pairs of shoes. The boots now live easily above her shoes on the top shelf. I inserted old magazines in the boots to keep their shape and absorb moisture.Sweaters with sweaters, purses with purses, plastic drawer bins organized and we were done!

Before / After Case Study:

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This closet challenge was a result of downsizing into a smaller home. We purged a few items and organized the remaining clothes into categories. The redesign included moving the dresser to one side, adding a high/low bar to double the hanging space, and installing a few hanging shelves for shoes.

What Our Clients Say:
“Your enthusiasm and energy made this project very enjoyable. You were
really good with creating systems and finding the space for all of my
clothes. I love my new closets.”

Ruth Rinek, La Jolla

Dear Kathi,

I am ready to clean out my closet and get rid of a lot of my clothes. I would like to create a new wardrobe that is better for my body type. I am wide at the hips and have really long legs. What type of slacks should I purchase?

Kristin, Encinitas

Kristin,

You should always try to create an elongating line over your torso. You can do this by wearing tops that fall below your hips with vertical lines. These lines will slim your hips and can be found designed into the seaming or literally in stripes woven into the fabric. Never wear horizontal details across your hips. Choose slacks that are cut wide at the bottom, either boot cut or flared, never straight-legs. The wider width at the bottom of your figure will offset the width of your hip area. Avoid wearing clunky, chunky shoes. Finish off the bottom half of your outfit with narrow, streamlined shoes. Pointy shoes look fabulous with wide pants. Keep an open mind if you haven’t tried them yet. There are many comfort styles now on the market where the point starts after your toe ends. The best pant style for most body types, and yours in particular, is flat front, no pockets and a side zipper. Avoid pleats, back flap and side slit pockets. These details will pucker and pooch in the areas you want to de-emphasize. Have fun shopping and take a friend or image consultant with you. It always helps to have another set of eyes on your backside when you purchase slacks!

Dear Kathi,

This is my year to finally lose weight. I know that getting organized will be half of the battle. What can you suggest to keep me on my plan throughout the week?

Dorothy, Del Mar

Dorothy,

The easiest diet to stay on is one that is planned in advance, leaving nothing to chance or last minute drive-throughs! Plan your meals for the week before you write out your shopping list. You’ll know what is needed and time will be saved. Your meals should be well-balanced and nutritious, offer variety and match your time and energy limits.

People generally cook more at home while dieting. Create an effective work area in your kitchen. A pleasant, well-equipped work area will be conducive to performing your cooking tasks. Make sure your kitchen contains all necessary supplies and equipment within arms reach or in easily accessible areas. Prepare individual portions of healthy snack foods and have them easily available at all times. Individual portions of grapes and other cut fruit make a quick snack and will keep you satisfied in between meals. Whatever diet you choose to pursue, have snacks ready to go when you leave for the day.

Prep-cooking on a Sunday afternoon will make eating healthy much easier. A great way to get the job done quickly is to throw a cooking party. Enlist your friends who also vow to drop a few pounds. Have each friend cook separate recipes. In the end, everyone will have several delicious and healthy meals ready to eat for the week. Good luck Dorothy! Let me know if you discover any other organizational secrets during your weight loss campaign.

Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner based in San Diego California.

Please submit your questions to: advice@addspacetoyourlife.com

Dear Kathi,

What type of gift would you recommend for my friends who have recently downsized and moved into a small condo. I would like to get them something really nice but don’t want to add to their already overcrowded space. Also, every year I am challenged to find gifts for the people on my list that seem to have everything. Do you have any advice for this weary shopper?

Melissa, Del Mar

Melissa,

It is really awesome that you are considering buying gifts that won’t contribute to your friend’s clutter. I think we have all experienced the challenge of trying to find a gift for our friends who seem to have everything.

The gift ideas below will save you time in the mall and work well for your friends that have everything or simply don’t have the room for any additional possessions.

Gift Certificates: for a special homemade meal, outing, or event. Make a creative, written invitation. Ideas include evenings out to include babysitting, or services at a day spa. To avoid appearing that this is a last-minute solution, show your sincerity by including plans for the event in your invitation, and suggest a tentative date for the activity.
Tickets: to the movies, a play, concert, or sports event.
Photographs: Look through this year’s photos to see if you have a nice shot of the recipient with his/her family or friends. Make an enlargement and present this in an original card or interesting frame.
Gift of the Month: to include wine, flowers, coffee, or other deliverable items. Instead of sending things now, send a gift card and arrange for delivery at a later time (or even at intervals throughout the year). Many florists and gourmet shops offer packages such as monthly delivery of seasonal arrangements or delivery of special treats at certain, prearranged times of the year. While this option isn’t for the budget-minded, it is a practical solution for that difficult-to-buy-for person.
Food: If you like to cook, you can make welcome and inventive gifts. Try something more original than the traditional holiday sweets and snacks. Think about items that can be used at a later time, such as homemade compotes or preserves, herb-flavored oils in attractive bottles, or even flavored liqueurs.

Another food idea is to present a prepackaged “dinner in a basket.” Make a pot of pasta sauce and freeze in individual containers. Add a package of dried pasta, some biscotti, and a bottle of wine. Attach a card, a bow, and you’ve got a gift that won’t become another unnecessary tchotchke and dust collector.

Dear Kathi,

My closet is full of clothes that I don’t want to wear but can’t seem to part with. How can I get rid of these clothes without feeling like I am being disrespectful to them by throwing them out? I have worked really hard to buy these clothes and wish I could justify removing them from my closet.

Tricia, San Marcos

Tricia,

It’s time to let go of the mistakes in your closet. It is a disservice to yourself to keep unwanted and unworn clothing in your possession. The most respectful thing is to give them to others less fortunate by donating them to a local charity.

We’ve all done it at one time or another - purchased something
expensive on a whim only to change our mind later. Most of us also have the “other” clothes that just didn’t work out like we thought they would.
Rather than letting these unworn mistakes hang in the closet as reminders that stir up guilt and regret, just let them go. Walk over right now, pull them off the hanger, and give them away.
You will be sending them on their way to others less fortunate and
they will finally stop costing you in space, time and anguish. Release and let go. There truly is no time better than the present to add space to your life.

Kathi is a professional organizer, image consultant and event planner based in San Diego California.

Please submit your questions to: advice@addspacetoyourlife.com