Amazing that Spring flew by so fast and with the weather being so great, it's a fabulous time to get organized!  Summer is here!  We are so lucky living in Orange County, California with the weather averaging 76 degrees year round.  And Californians love summer.  We know that Summer is distinctly its very own season and most people's favorite and fun filled time of year.  So what will you do ton have a great and organized Summer Season?  Well it depends on what you want to accomplish this summer.

Some people move in Summer, some people go on vacation and some people just chill out by their pool.  Other people have family reunions, big 4th of July celebrations, while many have weddings and family celebrations to go to.  Summer is so fun and can be so exciting if you make plans now.

My suggestion as a Professional Organizer would be to look at what you truly value in life.  If you value having company, but there is too much clutter, you won't have that opportunity to entertain.  If you value vacationing but you didn't pay your taxes and you are worried about money, that will put a dent in all vacationing plans.  So I suggest preparing a plan of goals based on what you value most in life.  A plan starts with GOALS.
If your goal is to move, then you would write down a heading of MOVE, but the sub goals would be:


1. Find A Home to Buy or Lease. (easier said than done with the high prices and low inventory, but contact a local realtor for assistance).

2. Find a Professional Organizer, Family Member and or Friend to help pack and prepare schedule for moving.

3. Start Packing NOW, since it can be cumbersome and overwhelming if you wait until the last minute.  
Items to be packed would be the items you will not want or need prior to moving. 
Winter, spring, fall clothing, much of the bedding/towels, kitchenware and knick knacks can be packed NOW for a Summer move.   You can pack in phases or all at once and have it ready to go. 
Most people move in the beginning of Summer so get your motor running and get going on that task.  
Using a Professional Organizer can make moving quick and easy without a lot of stress.  Professional Organizers will pack you by category making it easy to unpack when you get to the new home.  They will also assist in unpacking you and setting up your home in an organized manner.

4. Find a Professional Organizer, Family Member and or Friend to help unpack.  
Having a Professional Organizer who specializes in Feng Shui is a plus when the movers are bringing in the furniture.   A Feng Shui and Decor specialist will organize the movers and tell them where the furniture will go for the best placement and to increase Harmony and Prosperity.  The placement of furniture in your new home will mean great success or negative patterns.  Having help will support and prepare your home long term and  for years to come.  

5. Spring and Winter items can remain packed, if there is limited space, and will be available when you want them, while keeping boxes available for your Summer and Fall items to be stored.  
Having a rotating seasonal wardrobe storage system is a good idea for limited space and for keeping precious real estate free in your home.

Recently I had two clients who did not hire a Professional Organizer / Decorator / Feng Shui Specialist when the movers moved in the furniture, and their bed was placed in the death direction which means there head is facing West.  For most people, depending on their birth date, time and place, in the Western World, when your head is facing west, while you sleep, it is very bad Feng Shui and considered deadly.  Much of the furniture was also plopped down by the movers without much thought at all and most had to be be re-arranged for good CHI (energy) to kick up its heels and move around.  Having someone with a design, Feng Shui and Organizing background is optimal when moving into a new space and will save you time, energy and money later.

If you are going to go on vacation, or to visit family and friends start getting dates set and putting a schedule for traveling together as soon as possible.  Find out dates for Family Reunions, Weddings, Bar/Bat/Bnai Mitzvahs, and other summer plans, like kids going to Summer Camp.  Plan your summer now and book NOW!   

Don't wait to book flights and rooms until later, you will pay the big bucks.  
Making a lot of money is not everyone's world now, and spending less and being cautious of overspending is a good idea.  How you spend money is a spiritual thing.  It is called THE law of economy.  A good example of The Law of Economy is if you are going to order a large cup of coffee just because it "seems" better and you only drink what would have been the amount in a small or medium, you are wasting your money! 

Wasting money is the opposite of being spiritually aware. 

I think the whole world is starting to notice this factor now, but some people still trail behind with poor spending practices.

If you are going to just chill out by your pool I think that is a great idea. 
Save some money, live it up in your beautiful home and Barbecue, go to the beach, take hikes and just CHILL.  

I have lived in Coto De Caza for many years, where the Orange County Housewives reside, and where sometimes appearances mean more then genuine interaction and authenticity.  One of the unnamed residents there told me that she was going to stay home for the summer and do day and weekend trips since she could not afford a big vacation or Summer Camp for the kids.  I mentioned that she could just go to the clubhouse with the kids, where she belonged, and she exclaimed "No way, you can't be seen around town during the Summer".  I asked why?  She claimed that if you are seen in Coto De Caza or around town during the Summer you are a "loser".   She really believed that staying home and not fighting Summer crowds and paying Summer prices was being a "loser".  I think staying home and having quiet time and a restful, peaceful and economically sound Summer is being a winner.  This person's philosophy of laying low over the Summer never made sense since the person that would spot her around town was also home for the Summer.             So whatever you do for the Summer just enjoy!

Marla Stone, Professional Organizer, Lifestyle Coach, Feng Shui and Decor Specialists
www.i-deal-lifestyle.com
949-709-7000

Feng Shui has been a hobby of mine for years.  It started with a book I found in a thrift shop to collecting and reading hundreds of Feng Shui books over the years.  I might have thought, at times, what is this huge fascination with this Chinese philosophy, principles and practice?  After getting Feng Shui'd by a Feng Shui lady...obviously not a master, I began to get more and more intrigued by the things that started to take place in my life.  The Feng Shui lady taught me about the Bagua of my home.  The home is equally divided into 9 parts. The Feng Shui lady had me put a Money Tree in the prosperity area of my office, and some actual money, and voila I passed my licensing exam after 2 attempts to pass, passing on the third round.  My private practice then blossomed and a few years later expanded to two offices.  The love and relationships part of my home was the kitchen, so I put up some beautiful Lesal flower plates and pots and some heart shaped objects with splashes of purple and pink and alway cooked up a storm in there.  My marriage, friendships and relationships with others has always been consistant, strong and unconditional.  The prosperity corner of the home was the den, and also where the TV resided.  In order not to radiate our wealth, emotional, mental and spiritual prosperity I put lots of purple and gold pillows and beautiful peices of rich looking art to neutralize the TV blast.  The Master bedroom was painted a subtle color with soothing neutrals, greens and blue colors to make it peaceful and a wonderful place to rest.  The chi was flowing through the Master.  The guest room on the other hand was a bit brighter, but symetrical looking, and was great for guests who stayed for a night or two.....but not too soothing that they would want to move in.  I had a candle of George Washington, and Lincoln in the helping people section, which was my office, and a picture of The Thinker, and a ceramic owl.  I was able to concentrate so well in that room that sometimes I would have to force myself to take a break from work.  The creative children area wore a gorgeous painting of children playing blind man's bluff on the wall sending my creative spirit into  full gear.  The health area was the living room, and I filled it with yellows and greens and blues to increase the health and well being of ourselves and the home.  The family area was the place for all the family photos.  Remember family photos should not be on refrigerators or above a fireplace.  It symbolizes that you are radiating and burning up your family relationships and could not fare well on them.  The fame and recognition area of the home was a back door and so, in order to prevent my fame and recognition going out the door, I put a red mat outside with bright and spikey plants in the patio area outside the door.  This kept my chi turning and yearning for more to do and more to give to others. 

So you ask does Feng Shui really work? Yes!  Actually I realized that there is something so profound about placing certain stuff in certain places with the intentions that it will increase your health, wealth, recognition, relationships, creativity, protection etc....  In fact I also noticed that I had been doing Feng Shui instinctively for years.  I have been moving furniture and tchochkes for years, ever since I was a small child. I always felt compelled to move things and then I would feel better, relieved and would usually sleep better.  Also, I can go into another person's home and see natural Feng Shui occuring, without the person ever hearing of Feng Shui and I mean to a T.  I also see bad Feng Shui in homes and the people are scratching their heads as to why their business, relationships or homes are failing them.

Some people are very resistant to change and therefore resistant to Feng Shui.  Others love the idea of Feng Shui, but won't really know how successful it is until they participate in the placement of special items in special places......and you are so special I would love to get you Feng Shui'd.

Marla Stone owns www.i-deal-lifestyle.com a Self and Space Organization Service.  Marla is a Lifestyle Coach and Feng Shui Practitioner.  [email protected]

​Orange County Professional Organizer helps you get your home, office, and business organized! We serve all of Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego.  We also serve your area by special request.

Please call 949-709-7000 for a free 30 min. phone consultation.

Marla Stone Lifestyle Expert is featured in the Orange County Register as the clutter buster.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/stone-370146-says-carbone.html