***2nd Look Services presents ME, a Professional Organizer!!***

Greetings to all who are in a cluttered space...or not ;)

I am extending an invitation...okay more like a request, to all family, friends and everyone else in need of my organizing services, to help join me in expanding my professional organizing business!!! [inserts happy dance].

Yes, I am going for it, full out! After much delay of beginning this venture, I have decided to just go for it. I have been looking for and expecting perfection in an less than perfect world. I wanted my website to be up and running, have tons of clients every week and all the other benefits of running your own business. Then I realized, great things always start off small and nothing worth having comes without some struggle. For some reason I was not willing to except that...until God dropped some words in my ear and honey, I have been listening ever since.

Although I have had some friends over the last couple of years that have been extremely helpful in offering to be my geniea pigs and allowing me to work my magic in their cluttered closets, its time to bring in some revenue for my skills!

Currently, I am revising my business plan but meanwhile I am in need of some assistance with other areas of my business. So if you or perhaps you know someone, locally, that provides quality yet affordable work, that is a web/graphic designer, familiar with marketing & advertising (other than word of mouth) or can help with funding ideas (yes, some funding is needed to start builidng my inventory), then PLEASE let me know.

But most importantly, I NEED CLIENTS!!! Not one person can run a successful business without clients, customers, patrons etc!!! Therefore, if you have not already witnessed my artwork, contact me today to book an appointment! Find the smallest or most challenging cluttered space you want cleared in your home and that you are tired of looking at then call me so I can take care of it for you! At a more than reasonable price too (fyi-cost of service is a case by case basis, not hourly). Call, email, text me! Send me a DM on Twitter. Let's get started now!

Good to know info

• I specialize in residential projects; closets (all sizes), kitchens, home offices and play rooms. This is a one woman show for now so more challenging projects such as garages and hoard-like projects are out of my league at the moment. 
• There will always be a consultation! Whether we know each other personally or I don't know you from a can of paint, the first visit is necessary to see if my services will satisfy your needs and for me to assess the chaos!
• 2nd Look Services wants to give your space a look that was better than the first. I will customize a system specific to your needs so once I'm gone you will know how to maintain your 2nd Look!
• I love a disorganized mess!! It screams for order and I dive into a pile of mess easy. Its as refreshing to me just as dancing or painting! Therefore, I view a cluttered or disordered space as my blank canvas and use my hands as the tools that illustrate the vision you have for that space. To put it simply, I’ll turn your chaos into my artwork.

I have huge plans for this business and I need your help to get there! If you don't have anything in your home for me to declutter, then pass this info on to someone else. I am definitely open to referrals and would greatly appreciate it. It is pertinent to sharpen my organizing skills to continue being successful at this innate ability but I must book some appointments soon.

For those who have been huge encouragers and have helped me in anyway with this business venture, THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU if I have not already said it a million times, THANK YOU.

Thanks for reading and hope to see you soon!!!

Always,

J

Hosting my first baby shower!

A few weeks ago, I hosted my first baby shower for my big sister! It was such a success (despite my nerves and over analyzing). We went for a Nursery Rhyme and color scheme theme and the guests really enjoyed it. The food, games, prizes and overall atmosphere was fun and filled with lots of love & laughs! 

I didn't get as many pictures as I intended, but I have a few ideas with pictures below for those who need ideas for a nursery rhyme baby shower. In my searching for ideas, I did not find a lot, so hopefully some ideas will influence you to create your own or use some that are floating around on the internet on other blogs.

Disclaimer: Since I'm a Virgo, I have a tendency to over analyze and thoroughly explain everything, just to make sure I cover all points and leave nothing out (a gift and a curse I suppose). With that being said, some of the photos I took were taken before guests started to arrive, so it the shower setup may seem incomplete, but you'll get the idea. 

 

  I decided to focus on the "Hey Diddle, Diddle" nursery rhyme, sort of, since it was used for the invitations, although the theme was based on any rhyme for decorations. Tissue pom poms: I made myself (fairly simple, check out Youtube for a tutorial). A few of them I placed in the dining room and along the banister of the stairs. Mom-to-be chair: not my best work, pressed for time so I skipped the streamers and threw some girly tissue poms on it. Fireplace: I got the foam stars and created a moon from the craft store. Books: to keep the shower cost effective, I got nursery rhyme books from the library to display throughout the room for decorations. Framed pictures: I used printables of nursery rhymes, colored and framed them (dollar frames). I also picked up some used stuffed animals from a thrift store ( cow, cat, dog, sheep, pig etc) to bring the nursery rhyme theme to life.

 





A fun icebreaker I created simply by using Microsoft Word. Added a border, cut & paste some images and printed off in 4x6 to save some paper. Got a pack of pens as well for all the guests. I used cardboard (painted black) to use as a clipboard. I was over thinking everything!

 A semi ready display for the buffet table

 I got this idea from another blog, where you could easily connect some of your food choices with a Nursery Rhyme (Humpty Dumpty = deviled eggs) to keep everything theme-related. I used some colored & patterned scrapbook paper from the craft store and printer paper to print on for the food labels. Much cheaper than card stock. (Deviled eggs were missing paprika in this pic, but were to die for!)

 Instead of having actual peppers to eat alone, we used dill pickles for "Peter Piper picked a pepper blah blah blah" lol

 My mom was the chef of this wonderful buffet and just to show, not every food item went along with the theme, such as these delicious pinwheel wraps. The cake definitely tied in with the color theme and nursery rhyme theme a little. 

 

Unfortunately, the bakery we used didn't have the skills or edible characters to create from the rhyme, "Hey Diddle, Diddle"...le sigh....still looks great though! :)

 The "Pat-A-Cake Cupcakes" were completely devoured by guests. The flavors were strawberry, red velvet (first ones gone), chocolate, and vanilla. Variety is always a great way to go for desserts!

 

 The party favors were a bit last minute, but convenient. I had other plans but I ended up picking these swirled blue and white lollipops up from Party City and tied some inexpensive ribbon on the sticks, with "baby boy" printed on them. Presented on the cake pop stand that I had from a previous event. 

I used this table to collect the shower gifts as well as the game prizes....until it got swarmed with gifts!
 

*Mom-To-Be looking oh so fabulous!*



 My assistant for the shower. She was great with helping me from decorating to distributing game prizes, a huge help for the day! Thanks a lot Nikki



GlamMom & Mom-to-be!

No New Year's Resolution??...finish what you started in 2013

People always have these New Year's resolutions they NEVER finish and sometimes do not even attempt to start and yes I am guilty of being one of those people. So instead of drafting up new resolutions, I shall continue with the old but also add some new things to achieve on my 'to-do' list.
From my professional to spiritual goals or even my so-called "bucket list" I created for my 25th, I am determined to continue to achieve these goals throughout 2013.

Care to join me?

What are some New Last Year's Resolutions that you have that were not completed? Look at them again if you've written them down somewhere or remember what you wanted to get done in 2012 that you didn't and reinstate them...finish what you started. Sure a lot easier said than done, but YOU CAN DO IT!! : )

Here are some things that I did not get done in 2012 but its a must in 2013:

Get a passport

Get professional camera (a Canon preferably)

Strengthen my walk with God

Take a Helicopter ride

Enroll in an art class

Launch party for business

Pay off private loan

Take a cruise

Go skydiving!

Much more on that list and I am still adding!! Don't worry, my future posts will give an update
with my progress.


Welcome 2013.

Happy New Year!!


Always,

J

Walking in a Winter Wonder....Mess?!

Does your closet look the same year round? Trying to squeeze all four seasonal wardrobes in a average closet? Are you...are you wearing a sleeveless shirt? Its 40 degrees outside! o_O

Drop your eyes to the next line. Please & thank you.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are literally around the corner. Which means plenty of shopping  will be happening. Whether its for yourself or others, you're going to need room in your closet to fit in the new clothes or other items you'll receive this holiday season.

  Below, I"ll provide several helpful tips to get your closet ready for the Fall/Winter season so that you can achieve and maintain a "2nd Look" throughout the season. 

WHAT'S IN YOUR CLOSET??

1. Make room: No, you don't have to toss your clothes away, it would help, but that's for another post :). If you have ANY Summer attire still out, it should be boxed up and put away. Get a storage bin or two & fill it up. Sure there are exceptional pieces that are great for layering but if it does not qualify, then proceed. Create more space by keeping what you NEED & what's season appropriate. After you're done with storing your clothes away, if there is limited flexibility or fluid movement between clothes or hangers, then time to get another storage bin!

 

2. Shoes: Closed-toe or leather shoes are a must for in your closet this season. However, open-toed shoes should be thrown in the storage bin. Again, there are exceptions (ladies, peep toe ankle boots), but keep your everyday shoes accessible & expensive shoes covered on shelves or a shoe rack. Keep your floors clear! No shoes on the floor people. I don't care for shoe boxes b/c they take up space, but if you have the space, great. If not, go to a local organizing store for shoe storage options or create a system that works for you (i.e. under the bed on the perimeter, huge shopping bag etc.).

 

3. What's hanging? Keep dresses, pants, dress shirts (ex: men-collared shirts, ladies-blouses), skirts and outwear in your closet. Most of those items are easier to hang and are not as thick in fabric. Sweaters, jeans or clothing items that have weight, are best kept in drawers or shelves in closets. Keep them folded and neat. Regular tops (cotton, long-sleeve and quarter length) are also better served in a dresser/chest. The objective is to create more room, so work with your storage options between hanging or folding clothes.

 

4. Accessories: Utilize organizing tools, small open bins, baskets etc. for scarves, hats and gloves. There are plenty of unique organizing tools available nowadays for ties, special hats & scarves for both men and women. If you are fortunate enough to have a walk-in closet with a space big enough to have an area for your jewelry (watches, necklaces or bracelets) definitely use it. If not, use hanging hooks i.e. coat racks, to hold your necklaces or scarves ladies. By far, one of the easiest transitions to creating more space in your closet without spending a lot of money.             

Tips given by 2nd Look Services Professional Organizer.....me! :)

FYI:

I am currently in the process of establishing a professional organizing business specializing in organizing closets, residential rooms and small business offices. I am in my "practice makes perfect" stage, where my skills are being perfected, logo/branding, website are being created and finalized in addition completing other components of my business plan. Although my business is a work in progress, that has not prevented me from continuing to organize any project that I can get my hands on while providing helpful tips to those who are in need. More organizing posts coming soon! Happy shopping and organizing everyone!!

Always,

J