THE 2024 ULTIMATE HURRICANE CHECKLIST
Having lived in Florida for the past 25 years, I’ve experienced way too many Category 4 and Category 5 hurricanes to count, including: Hurricanes Mitch (1998), Ivan and Charley (2004), Wilma (2005), Irma (2017) and Ian (2022). And that’s not counting the “smaller”...
THE NEW & IMPROVED 2024 ULTIMATE CLEANING GUIDE
Here is an easy-to-follow schedule to help you keep your home and office neat and tidy. And while I can’t personally attest to doing each and every one of the following tasks on a set schedule, I can assure you that I make my bed every day, clean the showers and toilets twice a week and wipe down the ceiling fans once a month.
NEW & IMPROVED 2024 HOW TO ORGANIZE YOUR PASSWORD & AUTO-PAY LISTS
Most of us depend upon a variety of password programs, but it should be noted that they are not infallible; in fact, the number of password managers hacked in the past five years is too many to list here.
ORGANIZATIONAL BLISS IS POSSIBLE — ONE MONTH AT A TIME
June is the ideal month to sort through the linen closet and get rid of all those threadbare, stained and torn sheets; pillows, pillowcases, pillow protectors and mattress protectors; tablecloths and napkins. Remember: If you don’t have twin beds, pitch the twin sheets.
HINTS FOR A SUCCESSFUL HOUSEHOLD MOVE
Hire a licensed, insured and experienced Professional Organizer to help you declutter, downsize and prepare for the move. Yes, I know you could probably do it yourself and don’t need a professional to help with the process, but trust me, the task of decluttering and downsizing is so much easier when you work with a pro!
THANKSGIVING IS THE BEST TIME TO ORGANIZE YOUR KITCHEN AND PANTRY
When organizing and decluttering your kitchen, it’s important to remember that it’s more about the consequences of eating something that may be unsafe than it is about the clutter and overall appearance of your pantry, freezer and fridge.
LINEN ORGANIZATION MADE EASY
Towels: Follow the “pillow rule.” Two towels per person, per body. In other words, if your guest room accommodates two people, all you need are four towels, four hand towels and four washcloths! No more, no less.
WANT TO GET ORGANIZED? STOP SHOPPING!
To get — and stay — organized, you need to completely organize your closets so that you are left with only those items you truly love. Once your closets are organized, you need to make a pact to stop shopping for at least three months.
SNOWBIRDS: ORGANIZE YOUR HOME BEFORE YOU LEAVE
If you’re away for the summer, it’s imperative that your home be organized and that you do everything on this checklist, especially in hurricane-prone locations.
JANUARY IS GET ORGANIZED MONTH
In an attempt to get — and stay — organized, we set impossible goals and resolve to accomplish these goals in too short a period of time. We resolve to lose weight, to go to the gym every day, to stop procrastinating and, above all else, to get organized. Just the thought of making these resolutions can be overwhelming; and sometimes the pressure to succeed is enough to make us forget what we resolved to do in the first place.
IT’S NOT DOWNSIZING IF YOU’RE STILL HOLDING ONTO ALL THAT STUFF
October 2023 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
THE ULTIMATE
HURRICANE CHECKLIST
May 2024 | MARLA OTTENSTEIN
MAKING THE MOST OF YOUR HOME OFFICE
July 2020 | GULFSHORE BUSINESS
In Case of Emergency
June 2022 | MARLA OTTENSTEIN
THE ORGANIZERS CLOSET
January 2020 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
GET ORGANIZED
March 2019 | USA TODAY NETWORK
TRAVEL ESSENTIALS
July 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
BEST OF 2018
May 2018 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
AN ORGANIZED OFFICE
April 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
ON THE GO
MS. ADVENTURE
March 2018 | GULFSHORE LIFE
PRODUCTIVITY
BEGINS AT HOME
March 2018 | GULFSHORE BUSINESS
DOWNSIZING MADE EASY
February 2018 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
CREATING SPACE
September 2017 | GULFSHORE LIFE
ORDER UP
March 2017 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
IT’S A PICNIC
June 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
THE RIGHT WAY TO RECYCLE
Oct 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
WHAT’S A SINGLE
WOMAN TO DO?
June 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
READIED FOR THE STORM
May 2014 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
THE ORGANIZER CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
July 2014 | GULFSHORE LIFE
5Q SERVICE/BIZ PROFILE
June 2015 | NAPLES DAILY NEWS
BALANCE/CLOSET LIBERATION
June 2013 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
BEST OF 2012
May 2012 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
THE A-LIST
September 2010 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
TRAVEL LIGHT/LOOK FAB
April 2012 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
CLOSET CASE
September 2010 | NAPLES ILLUSTRATED
RESOURCEFUL SOUTHWEST FLORIDIANS
September 2009 | FLORIDA WEEKLY
ABOUT MARLA
Marla is a popular columnist, motivational speaker & teacher. She is highly respected in the fields of professional organizing & move management.
For more great organizing ideas,
please visit Marla’s News/Blog page.
To schedule an appointment, click here.
Licensed & Insured | Member:
National Association of Productivity
& Organizing Professionals