VIDEO: New Year's Resolution; Get Organized!

De-clutterista, Tracy McCubbin, owner of dClutterfly was featured on Good Day Sacramento and shared her secrets on how you can get organized in 2012!

VIDEO: Pet Problems Solved

Pet expert and owner of Pets In the City was welcomed back on "Good Day Sacramento" to answer viewers' questions. Got pet problems? Aaron has answers.

New Years Resolution: Get Organized!

New Years resolutions are nothing new – literally.  Each year we make the same resolutions only to find they’ve gone to the way-side a few short months, weeks, or even days later.  Right behind “getting in shape” is often, “getting organized” but founder of dClutterfly and home organization pro, Tracy McCubbin says just having it on your list isn’t enough. 

“ ‘Get organized’ is such a broad and unspecific goal that it’s almost destined to fail. Our resolutions are only as good as our plans to put them into action, so the first step is to purge.”

McCubbin says the easiest way to have less clutter is to have less stuff.  She encourages everyone to really pay attention to their wants versus their needs.  Additionally, just like with your resolution to lose weight, you’re not going to get organized overnight.

“Starting with one task in one room is the way to go,” encourages McCubbin.  “Having one desk completely organized is better than having three rooms torn apart because they are in-progress.”  

6 Home Organization Resolution Solutions

Resolution #1: To live in clutter free home.

How to keep it:  Start with the items that are easy to toss, donate or recycle.

• Recycle old magazines and newspapers.
• Donate clothes you’ll never wear and toys your kids don’t play with anymore. 
• Start with 15 minutes a day and start in a specific room working clockwise. 

Resolution #2: Reduce the paper clutter.

How to keep it:  Know what to keep.  The biggest cause of paper clutter is over-retention. 

• Start with a phone call to your accountant and ask what you need to keep for tax purposes. 
• Shred old bills and any unneeded sensitive material.
• Store a handful of your favorite school projects or art pieces from your child, toss or recycle the rest.

Resolution #3: Create a filing system.

How to keep it: Develop a simple, easy to follow filing system.

• Use clean, neatly labeled files.
• Show others in the family how to use your system.
• If you already have a file system, go through and purge all of the unnecessary paperwork from 2011. 

Resolution #4: Give everything a “home”.

How to keep it:  Stick to the old adage, ‘a place for everything and everything in its place.’ 

• Put a hook by the door for keys.
• Place a basket on the desk for incoming mail.
• Take the time to put things away when you’re done with it.

Resolution #5: Purge the closet.

How to keep it:  Realize you that you wear 20% of your clothes 80%  of the time.  

• If you haven’t worn it this year, you’re not going to wear it next year.
• For every new item you buy, donate three old items
• Color coordinate wardrobe.

Resolution #6: Streamline morning routine.

How to keep it: Spend your time preparing for the day instead of wasting your time rushing to get it started.

• Pack lunches immediately after dinner.

• Put work bag, backpacks and gym clothes in the car the night before.
• Do dishes before going to bed.  A sink full of dishes is visual chaos and cause unnecessary stress.

Tracy McCubbin is the founder of dClutterfly (www.dclutterfly.com) and award-winning home and office organization expert.  She is based in Los Angeles and travels across the country helping clients develop livable organization in their lives.

Help Santa Pick the Perfect Pet for Your Family

While toys and technology are surely on your family’s wish list this holiday season, so too may be a new furry family member. 

Whether you’re looking for a small dog or a miniature horse, professional pet trainer and owner of Pets in the City, Aaron Hill, suggests families think long and hard before opening the doggie door to their home. 

“There are as many options for selecting the right pup for your family as there are types of families and living situations.  A family with older children on a farm in Virginia will be looking for a different kind of dog than a young couple with a newborn in New York City. “

Being honest about your family’s needs as well as the dog’s needs is the first step in finding the right pet for you.  Once you’ve seen those puppy dog eyes it will be hard not to welcome him home, so Hill is helping narrow your search with the following guide.

Kid-friendly dogs:

·         Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever – Retrievers have long been held as one of the best family dogs around.  They are easily trainable with positive reinforcement, highly intelligent and very sweet.

·         Newfoundland – These dogs are great for families with kids of all ages.  They’re very patient and docile and don’t need a lot of exercise.  But, Newfoundlands are very big dogs, so be sure you have some space so they can spread out.

·         Basset Hound – This pooch is fantastic with other dogs and kids of any age, though little ones need to be reminded not to tug on their droopy ears or put pressure on their long backs.  Bassett hounds are great indoors but need access to sniff outside and exercise. 

Independent dogs:

•  Pug – This breed is a well-tempered and sturdy little dog with lots of personality, very playful and confident when left alone, making it a good fit for a busy family.  Typically, pugs are not barkers so you don’t have to worry about driving your neighbors nuts while you’re at work.
•  Mutt – Some of the easiest dogs to take care of are mutts.  They generally have fewer health issues than purebreds and will likely live longer.  As an added bonus, they combine some of the best traits of many different breeds.

City dogs: 

• Maltese – These little fluff balls are full of personality and wonderful in small spaces, making them a good fit for a family that lives in a small home or apartment.  But keep in mind they will still need some exercise.
•  Papillon – This breed may seem like the perfect lap dog, but in addition to being cute these pups are also a highly intelligent and playful.  They are one of the most obedient and responsive of the toy breeds.

 Once you’ve determined what kind of dog you want, its time to determine where you’ll find it.

• Animal Shelter / Adoption Agency – Many shelters have more animals than they can handle so when you’re adopting a dog you’re literally saving a life.  Most of the pups in shelters are mutts, which is actually a good thing because they have fewer health risks than purebred dogs.

• Rescue Groups – If you have a specific breed in mind that you really want, do some research to see if there is a rescue group in your area.  You may have to do a little more work to find the exact age or sex you want, but it’s worth it because just like shelters, you are giving a pup a second chance at finding his/her perfect family. 

• Online Breeder – If you choose to use a breeder they must be licensed.  Be sure to visit the breeder’s home and check references to make sure you are not supporting a puppy mill.

• Pet shop – Unfortunately pet shops have a long history of getting their pups from puppy mills.  Before making a purchase from a pet store, check their credentials and ask where they get their puppies.  You should only shop at stores that get their pups from rescue shelters.

The last thing puppy parents need to keep in mind is that they’ll need as much training as the dog.  A reputable, professional trainer who uses positive reinforcement can help make the transition for everyone as smooth as possible.

Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner of Pets in the City (www.petsinthecity.com) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitting/ Training service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.

VIDEO: De-Clutter Your Home Before the Holidays

Tracy McCubbin, de-clutter expert and professional home organizer was LIVE on "Good Day Sacramento" today sharing her expert tips on getting organized before the holiday guests come a knockin'.

Click HERE for tips to de-clutter the kitchen.

You can also check out Tracy's tips HERE for quick and easy ways to get your guest room clean and clutter-free.

Got 5 Minutes? Get Organized

Tracy McCubbin, de-clutter expert, professional home organizer and founder of dClutterfly in Los Angeles has a monthly column featured in the Cincinnati Enquirer.

This month Tracy offers advice on how to get just a little bit more organized is just a little bit of time each day.

Check it out here on the Cincinnati Enquirer's website.

Pet Advice: Viewer Questions Answered

Today, Chatterbox Media Relations client, Aaron Hill, owner of Pets in the City appeared on Good Day Sacramento to offer advice on the Do's and Don'ts of pet training.

From "my dog won't listen to me" to my "dog piddles on the carpet" to "I have a biter" the viewers chimed in and asked the expert all their questions. Check out Aaron's TV debut!

Ask the Expert: Viewers Questions Answered - Watch here.

TIPS: Get Organized in 5 Minutes a Day

Do you feel like your home, office, closet or life in general is out of control?  If so, take 5 minutes a day and get organized!

Chatterbox Media Relations client, Tracy McCubbin, owner of dClutterfly shared her great tips with UltimateCoupons.com.  Check them out here!

Happy de-cluttering!

Chatterbox is ready for its close up!

Great news for two of our Chatterbox clients - we're hitting the road and will be hitting the tube!

Pet expert and certified animal trainer, Aaron Hill, owner of Pets in the City will make his TV debut on "Good Day Sacramento" on Friday October 14th.  Aaron, along with his "best friend", Bronco, in tow will bark...uh, we mean talk about the do's and don'ts of dog training.  Got a question for Aaron?  You're in luck, he'll be answering them all during a LIVE web-chat after the show.

In November, Tracy McCubbin, de-clutter expert and professional home organizer will be LIVE on KCAL 9 News in Los Angeles on the as well as Good Day Sacramento.  Tracy will offer great tips on how to get your home organized just in time for all your holiday guests to arrive.

More TV news to come....

Pet Safety Travel Tips

Whether you’re packing up to go across country or just a few miles away, if your four-legged family members are in tow there are some safety measures every pet owner needs to have in place.

“Many people think it is cute when they see a dog with its head out the window going 65 miles an hour down the highway, but in reality, it is quite dangerous,” says pet expert and certified trainer, Aaron Hill.  “When it comes to travelling with a pet, owners need to take the same safety precautions as they do with children.”

More people travel with their pets these days, but most still don’t buckle them up.  Not only is an unrestrained pet a distraction for the driver, but it can also turn into a danger for passengers if an accident occurs.  According to safety experts, a 25-pound dog turns into a 1200 pound projectile in a 35-mile an hour crash. 

Hill strongly encourages pet owners to buckle up their pets and offers these tips for getting where you’re going safely.

TIPS FOR SAFE PET TRAVEL

Road Trips

• Plan ahead, make a lot of rest stops, and take plenty of water as well as a pet first aid kit. 
• Purchase a harness seatbelt for your pooch or use a carrier for really small dogs or cats.  Animals should never be loose in your vehicle while it is motion.
• Never leave your pet in a car unattended.  Dogs and cats can overheat quickly because they have a higher respiratory rate and need air flow and moderate temperatures.
• Be prepared, dogs can get carsick just like people so prepare for the worst ahead of time.

Flying

• Pet Airways accommodates dogs and cats.  It flies to select cities and provides concierge service for your pet including potty breaks within two hours of the flight and pet lounges.   The airline also secures pet carriers on the plane and checks on the animal every 15 minutes!
• For Domestic Air Travel, be sure to check the airlines weight and size restrictions for cabin flying before heading to the airport.  Additionally, if your pet will be flying in the cargo bay, ask about climate restrictions. 

Hotels

• Pet friendly hotels are everywhere now, with some specifically catering to your pet with special food, massages, room amenities, etc.
• For regular hotels, book a room on the ground floor so you have easy access to grass for walks and potty breaks. 
• Request a room at the end of hallway as to avoid disturbing other hotel guests. 

No matter what your mode of travel is, it is always a good idea to bring extra leashes, food and comfort items from home to make sure your pet enjoys a little R & R as much as you do.

Aaron Hill is a certified professional animal trainer and the owner of Pets in the City (http://www.petsinthecity.com/) a premiere Dog Walking / Pet-sitting/ Training service in Los Angeles.  He is certified in pet first-aid and CPR and is a member of Pet-Sitters International.

TIPS: Taming the Kitchen Clutter

The kitchen isn’t just the gathering place for holiday get-togethers, often times it is the gathering place for clutter.

Whether it is a mound of mail, a cabinet full of souvenir cups or a drawer full of useless utensils, the kitchen is a drop zone.

“Over the years all that stuff really adds up,” says Tracy McCubbin, professional home organizer and founder of Los Angeles’ premiere organization company, dClutterfly.  “I recommend homeowners do a clean sweep of the kitchen once a year, right before the holidays is a great time to clear the cabinets.”

The name of the de-cluttering game is purge, purge, purge.  McCubbin suggests following the tips to get your kitchen in order for the holidays.

Purge the pantry

Go through your pantry and get rid of any expired items.  Dump out the cans and recycle them, or if the item is just past the ‘use by’ date, call a local food bank as some may accept donations that are just slightly expired. 

Next, remove the food you don’t eat or don’t like anymore.

“If those cream-based soups are no longer on your diet or if your taste buds didn’t care for that natural peanut butter the first time you tried it, it’s doubtful it’ll be a hit the second time around, so donate it and feel good about doing so,” says McCubbin.

Clear the cabinets

If you have a cabinet (or three) busting with plastic water bottles from the cruise you took five years ago, mismatched wine glasses and souvenir coffee mugs, it is time to purge.  Keep a few favorites then donate the rest.

And if your kitchen looks like an infomercial stock room, it is time to be honest about how much you use (or don’t use them) and let the one-hit-wonder kitchen trinkets go.

The ice cream maker, waffle machine or food dehydrator seemed like a good idea when you purchased it, but now, ten years and only a few uses later, they’re likely just taking up valuable real estate in your kitchen.   You may not have a use for the item, but someone else may so take it to a local donation center like the Habitat for Humanity Re-store.

Get organized

Now that the cabinets are clutter-free it is time to get organized. 

“Bamboo drawer organizers are my favorite for getting and keeping drawers tidy,” McCubbin says.  “I like the modular ones because you can pick what fits your needs the best.”

Next, pull out all the plastic storage containers and match up lids with bottoms.  You won't believe how many orphans you have!  Anything that doesn’t have a mate goes in to the recycling bin.

Consider replacing your plastic containers with glass ones.  These are better for you and the environment and also stack more easily that plastic ones.

Another great way to cut down on clutter is to stop using plastic baggies and switch sandwich sacks.  Not only are these adorable, but they’re also great for the environment. 

McCubbin says, “Getting organized isn’t a one day chore, it’s a lifestyle that takes time, patience and practice.”

If you don’t think it’s a lifestyle change you can make yourself, hire a pro to do it for you.

Tracy McCubbin is the founder of dClutterfly (www.dclutterfly.com) and award-winning home and office organization expert.  She is based in Los Angeles and travels across the country helping clients develop livable organization in their lives.

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