It's All Gonna Be OK!

I just gave some much needed TLC to a closet in NoHo, and my sweet client kindly allowed me to take some pics. 

How's your closet looking? 

This only took 4 hours, including the chest of drawers (in which ALL drawers were almost empty when I began) and a couple loads of laundry - Yes, I'll do some laundry if it means getting your closet and clothes in order! One thing I really wish we'd had were all matching, flocked hangers ~ but I can do that next time, she's a good repeat customer :-) 

Flocked hangers not only look nice, they keep your clothes ON the hanger AND they give you up to 40% more space on the rod -- it's really amazing! Try it, with or without me! 

BEFORE: 

AFTER:

Thanks again to my NoHo Mamasita, and thanks to you for reading! 

A little perspective and a lot of Gratitude for some Gratitude!

Hello Good People of Los Angeles and the World! 

It's been awhile, I've missed you :)

I just had a simple, kind text message sent from a client and it really got me thinking about what things are worth to people, what I feel my worth is and how I want to make sure I am not "taking anyone for a ride" professionally. Although I am one of the lowest cost organizers in town!

Here is the Text:

I overhauled her daughter's closet. She is a young actress and needed all her clothes separated, organized and labeled for call-backs and last minute auditions. And ALL the years of junk in the big walk-in removed. She is on a budget right now, I get it and I appreciate that she considered me a part of her budget last week. 

I love getting texts like this, because (well, because of ego, of course) but also because they are telling me that the money they spend has not been wasted. I have never thought domestic or personal services are a waste of money but we live in a very split culture about it. Especially in LA. I have often said "I'm a luxury for people." BUT if I wasn't me and I lived in chaos? I'd hire me w/o question. I can't do my eyebrows or nails for shit, so I NEED those people and I tip them fat! (I'm Italian, my eyebrows are no joke.)

SO....

I did a little research and I'm reminded of how extremely expensive this service can be - I mean three to four times my rate! I currently charge $35 an hour w/ a 4 hour minimum. Free phone consult, $50 in-home consult. Working lunch on 6+ hours.

These two companies in SoCal & NoCal alone charge DBL/TRIPLE my fee:

Bos Organization     Los Angeles Metro Area - Residential Organizing                                             Fee Structure + Pricing

• Free Phone Consultation
• 2-Hour Organizing Consultation + Assessment: $200
• Half day/3 HRS: $255
• Full day/6HRS W/ 1 HR LUNCH: $510
• Full week (with 2 organizers): $2900

Bay Sage      San Francisco Bay Area - Home Organizing
Fee Structure + Pricing

• Free Phone Consultation
• HALF DAY/4-Hour Session: $375
• 3 Half Days: $1175
•  5 Half Days: $2375

And a co. in a completely different economy is STILL much higher. This Cary, NC business has the following costs:

	LO*	LO + 1 SO	LO + 2 SO	LO + 3 SO	LO + 4 SO	LO + 5 SO
2 HOURS	195	275	375	475	565	665
4 HOURS	315	515	705	895	1,075	1,255
6 HOURS	470	765	1,050	1,325	1,595	1,865
8 HOURS	615	1,010	1,385	1,750	2,105

Most clients opt for our 6-hour package.      LO = Lead Organizer          SO = Supporting Organizer(s)

So, it's always good to do due diligence, but if you check back here once in awhile, I'll probably have done it for you :)

Be well, and as always ~ Thanks for reading!!! xo ruby

I have joined the masses. Finally. I'm now Pinning It!

Pin Pin Pin

http://www.pinterest.com/rubyshooe/ideas-for-the-house/

THE MOST incredible time suck that was ever created. 

But it really is damn cool~

DIY: Old Stove, New Finish, $10!

Do you have an old stove top that looks like one of these??

 

  

I must say, there is NOTHIN' in the kitchen that feels better than a CLEAN STOVE!! (Aside from the obvious homemade Snickerdoodle) But for $10 and elbow grease, that up there ^^ can look easily like this:

Simply lift the top of the stove off. It shouldn't be attached, 

as to get to the pilot lights easily. 

NOTE OF SAFETY: Do No Use Spray Paint INSIDE the house or ANYWHERE near stove, Gas OR Electric! I'm taking no chances!

Get all "removable" dirt and food off of it - if you have access, a hose and scouring pad works great. Even a putty knife can really help with that piece of rigatoni from 1964.... If there is a lot of uneven surface, sand it down with a fine "metal" sandpaper. 
Found at any hardware store, $2 - $4. 

Then I simply spray painted it. I found a High Heat (photo below) BBQ Paint from Rustoleum - withstands 1200 degrees F ~ That's Hot! At the moment, it only comes in white & black, and flat finish - so you will not get that high gloss look. I thought that might bug me, but it hasn't - not one bit. In fact, when it was completely dry, I rubbed it down with a very small bit of olive oil - really worked into the surface - gave it a very nice subtle sheen. 

 

     

$6, Lowes 

So, lay everything flat while spraying, so you do not get paint dripping down the surfaces. Include your drip pans and burner grates - the whole stovetop can look like new! Allow to dry at least a whole day, depending what climate you're in. Being in LA, I have an advantage, but I still let them dry about 12 hours. If you're not in a dry climate, spray paint them outside and carefully bring

 them into a garage or basement to dry over night.

UPDATE: 2 months later, it still looks great :) 

 As Always, Thanks for reading!  xo ruby

Change hangers, change a lot!

Before. Not horrible, but not great.

Before. Really hard to maneuver
and find what he wanted~

After. Nice. Details . . .

After. All thin, velvet hangers from Amazon:

50 for $30  

After. And no slip pant hangers from Amazon:

 12 for $11

                                                   

One more tip for a WOOD dowel rod ~
wipe it down with olive oil on a paper towel,
the hangers will glide like buuh-dah. Or oil.  

Landscaping for Manscaping!

Are mornings tougher than they should be? Or maybe you don't even know that they could be easier? To me, if there is any time of the day I wish were easier, um, yeah, it's morning!!! It's not hard to fix a few things that will make getting up and out a lot easier,  but also so much NICER with clean ears, trimmed nose-hair and flossed teeth! Because suddenly you can find all those tools :) The possibilities are endless . . .

Before. Morning brain.

Before.  Right lobe.

Before. Left lobe.

  

After. Wait! Wha~?
I have all these things?

After. In the event of an emergency,
look in here!

Safety First!

Towels folded in thirds,
so I could fit all the Dodger
Fan towels in too!

And finally, a nice arrangement above the toilet
to easily access your most used things.

So Many Shoes, So little Space....

I have been exposed....by myself! 

No shoe deserves to live like this.

For a long time I have lived small, but unfortunately my affection for shoes has not ~

The shit-show preperation, pre shelves.  

Shelves were measured, cut, and fitted in.

Shoes were placed gently and kindly.

Yes, there are so many I have to do them single file,
with the mate just behind them. 

I do need a stool to choose, but it's SO worth it.
It's like going shopping every time, 
because I've forgotten how many great shoes I have!