Renovate Responsibly – Sustainable Kitchen & Bath Remodeling

Posted on January 24, 2020February 11, 2020 by In Order to Succeed Team

The importance of sustainability has become extremely relevant in today’s world. Most of us already recycle, metals, plastics and cardboard but did you know that entire kitchens can be recycled too? Especially when dealing with luxury cabinetry brands and top-tier appliances and fixtures there is often a “second life” for these when they are new or gently used.

According to the NYC Department of Sanitation, facilities for processing construction and demolition debris handle over 2 million tons of waste per year, representing about 20 percent of all trash. Some environmentally minded homeowners, designers and contractors however choose to take things apart more carefully — a process known as deconstruction. They then may donate the materials to salvage operations, so they can be reused by others. For budget-conscious homeowners willing to do a little hunting, and to be flexible about design decisions, that means there’s a ready supply of high-quality building materials available for surprisingly low prices.

In NYC and CT we have worked with buyers of multimillion-dollar residences who are willing to do whatever it takes to create a home that reflects their personal taste so our organizing and moving coordinators at In Order to Succeed have seen brand-new or like-new kitchens and bathrooms removed. Unfortunately, the traditional way of dealing with unwanted appliances and materials is to demolish and dispose.

Fortunately, there are organizations that provide eco-friendly demolition and repurposing. A leader in the field since 2005 is Renovation Angel. Steve Feldman, a recovered addict of thirty-two years, came up with the idea for recycling kitchens and baths when he witnessed the demolition of the Queen of Iran’s 10,000 square foot residence in Greenwich, CT. He was fundraising at the time and thought “why not recycle the luxury kitchens, fixtures, and furniture from homes being demolished and earn the money rather than ask for it.” So, here is how their process works…Renovation Angel offers a free assessment so homeowners may determine their financial upside. If a kitchen is approved for donation, they provide white-glove removal, pack, and transport, free of charge for luxury kitchens, appliances, bath fixtures, furniture, home decor, and architectural elements. This turn-key process is completed most often in one day by insured, experienced professionals. The money saved on the demolition and disposal fees may go toward the remodeling project while the removal, transportation, and resale of these items creates construction, logistics, and retail jobs as these items are prepared for re-purposing. Steve says that this is how to “get rid of your kitchen for GOOD”.

Now located in Fairfield, NJ, Renovation Angel sells recovered kitchens, baths and furniture from their 43,000 square foot showroom as well as online at www.renovationangel.com. Proceeds go toward protecting the earth, creating jobs and supporting charitable programs that focus on addiction recovery, youth-at-risk, job training, and social entrepreneurship.

Since Renovation Angel is a 501(c)(3) organization, product donations are tax-deductible. Estimated donor savings range from $10,000 to $20,000 or more depending on the age, condition, and number of items. “We give people an estimate of the value of the items they donate,” explains Steve Feldman. The organization also has the names of appraisers, since the IRS requires that property donations valued at $5,000 or more be verified by an independent entity. Donated goods are charitable contributions homeowners get a full tax deduction for the fair market value. Restoration Angel recovers and sells some 600 kitchens per year from homes across the country and operates throughout the U.S and Canada.

Other companies in the New York area specializing in this field of repurposed kitchens are BIG Reuse and ReStore (a division of Habitat for Humanity New York City) Restore’s Queens location will pick up donations without charge, but don’t offer deconstruction. Even without the deconstruction option, homeowners may experience savings on removal and disposal fees that would otherwise be charged by their contractors.

George Oliphant, host of NBC Universal’s Home renovation series George to the Rescue teams up with top designers and contractors to help deserving families and communities with much needed home renovations. He says: “A big part of what makes a kitchen renovation so expensive is that high quality items come at a premium. Natural stone countertops, custom cabinetry & top of the line appliances are made to last and shouldn’t end up in a landfill just because they don’t meet the taste of the homeowner. The beautiful thing about recycling a high-end kitchen vs throwing it away, is you’re giving savvy consumers an opportunity to incorporate luxury elements in their kitchen that would normally be out of their budget. This is a win/win for all parties involved. The client/GC get a tax right off for recycling plus they are doing their part to protect our environment & the new owners get superior caliber materials at below market value”.

As part of our company’s commitment to sustainability, In Order to Succeed is offering Recycling Evaluations to homeowners who are renovating, remodeling, and relocating within the NYC tri-state area. We’ll source the best charities to receive contributions, outline the recycling process and whenever possible, provide estimated donation values.

Reusing and repurposing makes solid sense from an environmental perspective and many people wouldn’t be able to afford a lot of these products at retail prices. Remodeling in this sustainable manner requires some retro-fitting and compromise but it’s an option to seriously consider if a kitchen has not yet lived fully. A smart and socially responsible way to create new spaces with gently used high end products.

In the secondary market, consumers find that most items are priced at about half of what they would cost new. The trade-off is that there is more work involved in reuse, because you have to make what you find work rather than having new cabinets or floors built to your exact measurements. And the discards, however high-end, may not come with a warranty. Still many find the pros outweigh the cons. Reusing things just makes sense from an environmental perspective and many people wouldn’t be able to afford a lot of these products at retail prices. Remodeling in this sustainable manner requires some retro-fitting and compromise. It’s an option to seriously consider for kitchens that have not lived fully and a smart way to create new spaces with gently used high end products.

How To Plan An Office Relocation

Posted on June 25, 2012September 12, 2015 by Denise Caron-Quinn

By: Guest Blogger: Clare Moorhouse of Help Moving Office. Help Moving Office is an online resource that guides companies through the entire office relocation process. Help Moving Office offers free Office Relocation Checklists and Planning Guides to help plan a successful office move.

As companies try to reduce their overheads and prepare for the future, office relocation is proving to be an effective strategy for getting into better, cheaper and more appropriate office space. It can enable a business to consolidate, reduce excessive costs and build a stronger platform from which to grow. But planning an office relocation can be a time-consuming and challenging task, and with so much to do, it can be difficult to know what to do – let alone where to start!

Help Moving Office has put together five key steps on planning a successful office relocation:

1. Are you in a position to move office?

There are many reasons why a company might want to relocate; better facilities, bigger/smaller office space, the need for a better location or simply to reduce overheads. Whatever the reasons, it is important to be clear about the motivation behind the relocation in order to define criteria and map out your new office requirements.

Questions to ask yourself:

Is an office move necessary will it prove beneficial to the business?
What are the lease conditions for leaving your existing property (notice period, option to break etc.)
How do we exit our office lease and what is the required notice period?
Can the business afford to relocate?

Asking these questions, and being clear about the goals/objectives of the move, is a key starting point from which you can formulate a clear and Office Relocation Project Plan.

2. Start the planning early

Many companies make the same mistake and underestimate the amount of time and effort required in planning an office relocation, and this can result in escalating costs, drop in productivity and unnecessary disruption to your staff and business. It’s never too early to start planning your office move, but best practice suggests that, depending on the size of your business, between 9-18 months in advance of your lease expiry date is recommended.

Starting the planning of your office relocation early will not only give you the best possible chance of achieving a smooth transition, but it will also enable you to make the right informed decisions and help to avoid any costly or operational mistakes that might affect your business during the move or even throughout the course of your new tenancy.

Companies moving office should always err on the side of caution and assume that everything will take longer to organize than imagined.

3. Break-down the Office Relocation into manageable bite-size chunks

An office relocation might seem like a daunting project to undertake at first, but by breaking down the process down into simple steps and tasks, it makes the entire project much easier to manage. Help Moving Office has a range of Office Relocation Checklists to help manage and execute your office move effectively. It’s the easiest way to manage your office move and ensures that everything gets done on time and nothing gets forgotten.

4. Hire Professionals

Calling on the help of external professionals plays a big role in helping you achieve a successful relocation and will ensure that neither time nor money is wasted.

The expert advice needed to help with the key stages of your office move should include:

Tenant Rep Broker – to help find and secure the ideal office space and negotiate the best office lease terms for your business.
Real Estate Lawyer – to review the office lease to ensure everything is properly documented and that your commercial interests are fully protected as a tenant.
Office Design Company – to create a functional and inspiring workplace which increases productivity and enables your business to thrive.
IT & Telecom Solution Provider – to ensure your IT and phone systems are set up properly in the new office and minimize any disruption to your business throughout the move.
Office Moving Company – to ensure your office move day goes like clockwork with everything working and in its right place.

Getting professional help for your office relocation is the single, most important “MUST DO” for companies wishing to achieve a successful outcome.

5. Make sure you don’t forget IT!

Your IT systems and business phones are an indispensible element of the running your business, and without these working properly in your new office – your business could suffer dire consequences. Planning your IT relocation early will get your business fully operational quickly in the new office without any IT delays or disasters.

Use the IT Relocation Checklist available at Help Moving Office for a step-by-step guide to the migration, infrastructure set up and testing of your IT systems so that disruption is kept to an absolute minimum throughout the relocation.

An office relocation is a huge undertaking for any business, but with the right planning and support you will be in a better position to plan a successful office move that your business deserves.

Decluttering as Zen Meditation

Posted on August 17, 2011August 2, 2016 by Denise Caron-Quinn

Decluttering your home or workspace can often seem overwhelming, but in truth it can be as peaceful as meditation, and can be a way to practice living mindfully and in the moment.

Decluttering can be your zazen, as it is often mine.

Recently I was honored with the chance to speak to a class at the San Francisco Zen Center, with the wonderful Zen priest Susan O’Connell (one of my favorite people in the world, and my favorite movie star friend). I talked with the Zen students about decluttering, and a couple things stood out for me as I talked:

Clutter is a manifestation of a) holding onto the past and b) fear of what might happen in the future.
Letting go of clutter is a way to live more mindfully and in the present.
The act of decluttering itself can be a mindfulness practice.

Let’s talk about each of those things briefly.

Clutter is holding onto the past, or fear of the future

Why do we have clutter in the first place? Why do we keep it when we don’t really need it? Maybe we think we do need it — for two reasons:

1. We don’t want to let go of the past. Often clutter comes in the form of emotional attachment to objects that have significance to us. They might remind us of a loved one, or a vacation, or a special event like a birthday, funeral, graduation, etc. It might be a gift from someone. All of this is living in the past. I’m not saying we should forget about the past, but letting go of these objects (and they’re only objects, they’re not the events or loved ones themselves) … it is a way of releasing our hold on the past. It’s a way of living more in the present. I never forget the past, but it’s not a place I try to dwell.

2. We’re afraid of the future. Clutter might be things we think we might need sometime in the future. We hold on to them just in case. Over-packing for a trip is a good example — we bring more than we really need, just in case we need them. It’s the same in our houses — we have a ton of things we don’t really need or use, just in case. We’re afraid of being unprepared for the future, but the truth is we can never be totally prepared. We can’t control the outcome of the future, and trying to do so means that we’re never really living in the present moment. We’re always preparing for what might (or might not) come.

Look at your clutter carefully, one object at a time, and ask yourself why you’re holding onto each object. It’s probably for one of these two reasons, if you’re honest.

Btw, books are usually examples of one of these two reasons. We hold onto books we’ve already read, as trophies of our reading accomplishments. We hold onto books we might read in the future (but probably won’t), with the optimism that our future selves are going to be more amazing readers than we’ve ever been in the past. In truth, you only need three or four books — the ones you might read in the next month. Then after you’ve read those, donate those books to charity, and check out a few books from the library.

Let go of clutter to live mindfully

So if clutter is holding onto the past, and fearing the future … how can we live in the present instead?

I slowly get rid of clutter, and in doing so, I release my mind of these attachments and fears. It’s a liberating process. Clutter is the physical embodiment of these attachments and fears — emotional stuff that we don’t realize we have. By decluttering, we are clearing ourselves of these tangled webs.

And when I’ve gotten rid of clutter, I’m freed. I can forget about those things, and live instead in this moment. I can fully appreciate life as it happens, instead of looking back on what has happened before, or looking forward to what might happen later.

It’s of course possible to live in the moment even if you have clutter. There is no prerequisite to mindful living. But decluttering can be a beautiful process of helping ourselves let go of the things we don’t realize we’re holding on to.

Clutter as mindfulness practice

And so, as I declutter, not only am I freeing myself up to live in the present … I am living in the present during the process of decluttering.

It’s a form of zazen — which is sitting meditation, but at its core zazen is really a way to practice being mindful. It’s a way to prepare us for dealing mindfully with the rest of the things we do in life. And really, anything can be used as a way to practice mindfulness. I’ve often used running and walking, but also washing dishes and sweeping.

And decluttering is one of the best mindfulness practices, in my experience. Here’s how I do it:

1. Pick one cluttered flat surface. It can be a tabletop, countertop, shelf, the top of a dresser, floor of a closet, floor of a room (just a section of that floor to start with). Don’t worry about all the rest of your cluttered spaces for now — just pick this one space. Small is good.

2. Clear that surface. Take everything off and pile it on the floor or another table. Clean the surface while it’s clear — wipe it with a cloth, slowly and mindfully.

3. Take one object from the pile. Forget about the entire pile — just look at that one object. Ask yourself why you have it. Is it for emotional reasons, or do you really use it? Is it for “just in case”? When was the last time you used it? If you don’t really need or use it, put it in a box for donation or trash it. If you do really use it, put it in another pile to be put back on your now-clean surface. If you’re on the fence and can’t bear to give something up, put it in a “maybe” box and put that box away for six months (mark the date on your calendar).

4. Repeat, one object at a time. Practice doing this mindfully. Make a decision with each object — keep, donate, or maybe box. No waffling or putting off decisions. Deal with each object once, then move on.

5.Put the objects back, and make a “home” for each one. Each object needs to have a spot that is its home, and you should always put those objects back in their homes. If you can’t find a home for an object, you don’t have space for it. Donate the items in the donation box, and put away the maybe box. Eventually you won’t need a maybe box as you get good at this.

Learn to focus on one thing at a time, mindfully, and deal with each object once. This is a good practice for doing things in the rest of your life.

Original post written by Leo Babauta of Zenhabits.com

College Dorm Storage Ideas

Posted on August 23, 2010July 25, 2016 by Denise Caron-Quinn

Across the country students are beginning to move into their college dorms.Whether you or your college student is returning for another year or just starting figuring out how to store things in a college dorm is a daunting task.. Read this article from Jenna Hart, a freelance writer who specializes in home decor and organization tips.

Storage Ideas For College Dorms

Moving into a college dorm room as a freshman is always exciting. But many students are not prepared for just how small their new space on campus is. With most rooms only averaging around 228 square feet, it can be tough to squeeze all of your stuff into that area, especially if you’ll be sharing the space with a room mate. Fortunately, there are all types of great storage options to look into that can help maximize your living area as well as give you some much needed storage.

Consider a Trunk: A storage trunk is a great piece to have, as it can often store everything from sweaters to jackets to blankets to even your everyday supplies. It adds a nice decorative touch, especially with so many different styles available. Best of all, it can double as seating or a coffee table, eliminating the need for extra furniture.

Maximize Closet Space: You and your room mate likely each get your own teeny tiny closet, or you may share a somewhat larger one together. One of the best ways to make sure you use your closet space is to use temporary organizers, such as baskets or hanging closet organizers. This makes it much easier to know exactly where everything is.

Use Your Wall Space: Your school may have rules about putting things on the walls, but there are a number of temporary wall adhesive based hooks which can be removed easily from the walls when you move out. These can be used as hooks alone for hanging towels and jackets, or you can use them to hang a dowel rod across the walls to hang other items from.

Raise the Bed: While some schools may restrict what type of furniture you may bring, bunk beds and loft beds can certainly help make up for a lack of square footage if you are permitted to have them. By lifting the bed up in the air, you can either fit two beds in one spot, or use the space below for other uses. If you’re absolutely stuck with beds the school provides, use dorm bed risers or concrete blocks to raise them and give you extra storage under the bed.

You don’t have to sacrifice on style or the things you bring with you on campus when it comes to storage ideas for college dorms. With a little creativity, you’ll be able to fit in to your new room easily and comfortably!

Further Reading
Jenna is a freelance writer who writes on home decor and organization tips. You may enjoy her articles on closet organizing and dorm storage ideas.
Storage Ideas For College Dorms was originally published on Ezine Articles.
Organizing Tips For Every College Dorm Room (August 2010)
Tip Day Wednesday: 4 Tips for Packing to College (August 2010)
Image via flickr by Flutterbright.

Tip Day Wednesday: Have a Stress Free Vacation

Posted on June 23, 2010September 12, 2015 by Denise Caron-Quinn

Each Wednesday In Order to Succeed‘s blog features at least one tip on organizing, time management, moving and relocation, balancing home and business or well anything else we think you will find helpful. This week’s Tip Day Wednesday is about having a stress free vacation. Here are three tips to having a stress free vacation:

Create and use a travel checklist There isn’t anything worse than arriving someplace and remembering you forgot something. While you can buy things such as toothbrushes what if you forgot to turn off some of the lights. Take a few minutes to come up with a travel checklist that includes both things you need to do both you go away as well as things to back. Reuse the list each time you go away.

Take at least a week. One vacation of at least seven days is more relaxing than taking several three-day vacations. It allows you time to settle into your new surroundings and truly enjoy the break.

Give Yourself Permission To Do Nothing Vacations are suppose to be about rest so don’t plan everyday. Give yourself time just enjoying being where you are and remember it’s okay to do nothing while on vacation.

Share your travel tips with us by commenting below.
Further Reading
Check back for our travel checklist that you can download and for your trips.
Get more travel tips: 7 Tips For Creating a Healthy Vacation (May 2010)
Image via flickr by m o d e

How Can A Professional Organizer Help You?

Posted on May 5, 2010June 22, 2023 by Denise Caron-Quinn

iStock_000009194822 Have your asked yourself, “how can a professional organizer help me?” Professional organizers help people decrease stress and increase the time they have to spend towards friends and family. Professional organizers help people regain control of time, space and improve the functionality and appearance of their home and office. Professional organizers work with clients in their home or offices to enhance efficiency, boost productivity, allowing clients to channel more energy toward individual talents. Professional organizers help to simplify lives.

In Order to Succeed is a full-service professional organizing firm providing home and business organizing solutions, moving and relocation assistance, and time management to people in New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey and downstate New York State. Our Professional organizers help clients throughout the tri-state area make their homes and offices less stressful and more streamlined.

Our professional organizing specialists and professional organizing assistants work with people in New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey, and downstate New York state to de-clutter homes, offices, or calendars and create sustainable organizing systems to keep lives organized and clutter-free. By hiring a professional you’ll be able to increase productivity, save time, and optimize your resources.

How do you know if you should hire a professional organizer? If you answer yes to any of the following questions a professional organizer could help you simplify your life.

You feel overwhelmed when you open drawers and closets
Do you feel stressed out more often than not?
Do you want to understand why you accumulate stuff?
Do you want to learn how to efficiently sort, purge, and organize the stuff you have?
Do you want to design an effective organizing system for your home or business?
Do you want that organizing system to be one you, your family, and employees will actually use?
Do you want to find space within the space you already have?
Do you are moving your home or business and want it to be as stress free as possible?
Do you can’t see the surface of your desk in your office under piles of paperwork?
Do you frequently miss important deadlines?
Do you have difficulty keeping track of work and family schedules?
Do you want to learn how to work more efficiently?
Do you are embarrassed to invite people to you home due to all the clutter?
Do you want to create an efficient and effective organization system for your kitchen?
Do you have trouble completing tasks and feel there is never enough hours in the day?
Do you want to learn to work more efficiently?
Do you want to save money by being more efficient and productive?
Do you want to learn effective time management skills?
Do you have boxes in your closet, basement, or garage you haven’t looked in in three years?
Do you want to learn how to simplify your life?

In Order to Succeed has professional organizers in Brooklyn, New York City, Connecticut, New Jersey and downstate New York who need to organize an office, tame their paper piles, and technology, fill out insurance claims, de-clutter any area of a home such as a kitchen, or office space. Our professional organizers handle clutter clearing, wardrobe editing, cabinet, closet and storage area organization to make the most of any space. They define and a create a space for things most often used, create filing systems, develop simple systems for mail management, bill-paying, and household maintenance, and offer time consulting services to figure out your key life objectives and priorities. Our professional organizers will manage properties, set up email management and technological support, and handle lifestyle management and concierge services. Basically our professional organizers take on projects based on the needs and wishes of our clients. We want to help you be more productive, feel a sense of balance, recapture time and take the stress and complexity out of your home, work or move. Professional organizers simplify lives.

Image from iStockphoto.

Smart Kitchen Storage Solutions

Posted on March 31, 2010February 7, 2026 by Denise Caron-Quinn

More than ever before has it become essential to be organized, as kitchens become more of a living and entertaining space, and with just about everyone getting into cooking and entertaining. In any kitchen, especially a small one, day to day living becomes more of a pleasure if you have planned your kitchen and dining areas well. In a large kitchen, it is equally important to optimize the space to realize its potential. If your kitchen is already fitted, you can rationalize and implement extra touches to your storage even more effectively. If you are putting in a new kitchen, then you have no excuse not to be really putting into practice the ‘science’ of storage. Here are my ten essential tips for smart kitchen storage:

1 ] Utilize redundant space.

This is important if you already have a fitted kitchen to add personality to bland units; a small area of shelving with your own quirky objects combined with practical kitchenware. If you are installing shelving, think laterally with your installation – you can go floor to ceiling for example. Use insides of cupboard doors for hanging, quality hooks are good if well installed, however, be ‘clever and don’t crowd’

2] Display rather than conceal.

Be creative when storing your utensils, pots and pans and ornaments and make it fun. Create open and closed storage by combining closed cupboards with open displays units, these can be bought or custom made.

3] Get rid of the fitted kitchen look.

Free up the walls, use freestanding antique dressers, [glass fronted ones let you see everything at a glance] rails for hanging, metal industrial shelving units, or bakers racks from catering suppliers – store the least used things at the top!

4] Organize drawer space.

You can get an array of different drawer dividers, my favourites are the wooden ones which add a bit of interest and don’t mark like their plastic counterparts, make sure you measure accurately before purchasing

5] Thoughtfully load your larder.

If you are lucky enough to have a larder [or pantry as it is also called] you should use the space thoughtfully, mainly for storing groceries. In our house we have shelves in the upper half, with containers at the back with less used ingredients and the good looking jars, containers, packets and tins at the front which are a display in their own right. The lower section has two wire basket trolley units which are pulled out for ease. The design of your pantry should be a bit like the inside of your fridge – with all the surfaces utilized.

6] Group items by function.

Whether it’s an interesting ceramic pot with your wooden spoons in, or bake ware in a dedicated drawer – it is always far easier to find things in logical places.

7] Circulate your gadgets.

We are all proud of our latest gadgets, but more often than not we build up a space hungry collection – too much to display all at once. So put away the sandwich toaster in the summer and get out the zinc beer cooler ready for that barbeque.

8] Get Containers for every use.

Clear plastic containers are good for cereals, but best stored in a cupboard and bought out only at breakfast, whereas tall elegant glass ones containing pastas and pulses in great shapes, textures and colours can go on display in large glass containers. Square containers are good in cupboards for space savers, although we use a collection of wooden square Cuban cigar boxes, Victorian enamel bread bins and flour containers can be found at your local bric-a-brac/antique shop and make a great authentic addition to any kitchen.

9] Be Clean and safe.

Long gone are the days when you had a plastic bin hidden under the sink unit, where dirt and germs collected – this space is now freed up for cleaning and utility product as bins and recyclers are designed to be space effective and look great. Corner bins are often practical where space is limited. Make sure you have a good range of clips, pegs and fasteners to keep food fresh and plan a cycle of storage cleaning to ensure everything hidden is kept regularly spic and span. Think of kids and pets when planning to keep certain things like cleaning product out of harms way.

10] Cut out the distance.

Utensils and cutting knives are best near their place of use. There are now a diverse range of storage products for knives from work top freestanding units to wall magnets. Also consider practicality of where things are, i.e.it is good to have your large dinnerware quite close to the dishwasher to save time and effort. With a bit of planning and enthusiasm you will be able to treat kitchen storage as a creative project – not just a functional chores.

by Guest Blogger Mike Furniss, a keen cook and kitchen enthusiast.

Further Reading
Mike Furniss has worked successfully in retail and interior design in London and Europe for over 25 years. To find out more about enhancing your home kitchen and dining experience, go to; http://www.kitchendesires.com, http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Furniss
How to Successfully Organize a Kitchen (September 2009)
Image courtesy of Rubbermaid Products.

5 Reasons Your Business Should Hire a Professional Organizer

Posted on March 17, 2010February 7, 2026 by Denise Caron-Quinn

Professional organizers help clients decrease stress, regain control of time and space, improve the functionality and appearance of their office, enhance efficiency, boost productivity and help simplify lives, but you didn’t here it from us. Here are 5 reasons your business should hire a professional organizer, spoken by 5 people who did:

Stacks of various paperwork were scattered throughout my home office, and it became beyond burdensome. My family members and patients alike were dismayed to see the disarray. I knew something had to be done, but my tight family and work schedule allowed little time to do so. When I found In Order To Succeed®, I was more than happy to leave it to them to create order out of my chaotic situation. The results were dramatic! Denise immediately understood my working style and designed a plan to specifically fit my needs. She systematically eliminated the chaos and developed a system of filing and organization that is efficient and easy for me to use. And, anyone else who comes in to assist me finds the system seamless as well. I was worried that the vast amount of paperwork and clutter in my office would be too daunting, but Denise tackled the barrage head on, and then showed me ways to keep my office neat, organized and smooth- running from now on! I am forever grateful for her help. I cannot stress enough how much time and money In Order To Succeed® has saved me. My office is now a well-oiled machine! GR, Physician, Hoboken NJ

We hired In Order To Succeed® for a project of conducting much needed research. Our firm needed to determine whether to launch a new product our medical center had been considering for quite a long time. Our problem had been that we did not have the time or resources to take the first step. In Order To Succeed® managed to gather all the data necessary, both quickly and accurately, which helped us to make the decision to take next steps for new product development. In Order To Succeed® enabled us to get the ball rolling on an initiative that has been well received by our clientele, and profitable to our Center. In retrospect, we wish we had made the decision to hire In Order To Succeed® years ago. Major Medical Center, NY, NY

Nina, working with you was such a pleasure. I had been procrastinating about organizing my office. It just seemed like it was too much to do. Especially so, when I considered my large, time consuming regular work schedule. You made it easy, efficient and fun. Before I organized my workspace with your help, I had papers and magazines everywhere. I could never find anything and did not have a good paper flow. I had supplies in several different areas and I was constantly getting up from my desk, consistently disrupting my work. Now, I have organized files – both electronic and paper; and, my desk is clean and no longer cluttered. I’m so much more efficient. I no longer must get up from my desk all the time. SH Interior Designer, Fairfield CT

If you are starting a new phase in your personal life or business practice, I highly recommend utilizing Denise and her team of professional organizers. She helped me evaluate what was working and what was not working in my practice. She helped me develop a plan that I could achieve, and she kept me accountable for accomplishing the changes. Because she understands business processes and has a strong handle on what enhances professional effectiveness, she helped me go to the next level. If your hesitation is about giving up time out of your already crammed schedule that is all the more reason to hire her – with a little help from Denise in the time management arena you will have MORE time, not less. CC, Marketing Consultant, New Canaan, CT

I really benefit from knowing that our convenient weekly phone call is scheduled as a “standing meeting,” and that I’ll come out of the discussion with very concrete and customized goals for the coming week that suit MY specific needs. Denise keeps me accountable for making real progress each week. She’ll stay on top of me and always offers fresh ideas and sound advice. I never knew how much more I could accomplish by being more focused and organized. ASC, Advertising Executive, NY, NY

Further Reading
Learn more about In Order to Succeed’s Business Organizing Solutions
Image Courtesy of Adam Saponara

5 Green Kitchen Products We Love

Posted on February 24, 2010February 7, 2026 by Denise Caron-Quinn

These tools are beautifully designed and easy on the planet. Here are 5 of our favorite green kitchen products:

1. Charcoal Water Pitcher: The natural charcoal and stones, which come from the mountains in Kanazawa, on the Sea of Japan coast, fit into the pticher to filter and deodorize water. Design Within Reach $85 for the pitcher, $25 for the stones.

2. Twist Sponge Blossoms: Biodegrable, dye free, and made of natural products these small space saving cards become a full size sponge when added to water. Sponge Blossoms: $5 for four at twistclean.com.

3. Sigg Lunchbox: A durable, lightweight, leakproof resuable lunch box. Sigg $36

4. Composter: Turn food waster into organic fuel for your garden with this electric composter. NatureMill $400.

5. Stainless Steel Soap: Eliminate strong odors with this stainless steel soap. Blomus $14.

Further Reading
How to Survive a Kitchen Renovation (February 2010)
Green Kitchen with Spaghetti Scrub (January 2010)
How to Successfully Organize a Kitchen (September 2009)

Image courtesy of their respective company websites.
Useful Link: Rating Diet Plans

Easy Green Living at Home

Posted on January 8, 2010February 7, 2026 by Denise Caron-Quinn

By Munyaradzi Chinongoza, a writer for the blog Green Living 101.

We have all heard the terms global warming, carbon footprint, carbon dioxide and recently we have had a lot of talk about recession and inflation. Today we are going to talk about living green.

Americans account for just 5% of the worlds population yet they use 25% of the resources of the world. That is a very significant number. So here are some easy things you can do, even just to make a little bit of a difference in your life and your wallet.

First of all have a home energy audit. Call your local utility company have them come out to take a look at your windows and insulation. They will tell you where you can beef things up, this will help you save money in the winter and the summer when you are heating or cooling your house.

Another thing, a lot of the appliances that you have plugged in and are not using, they are still sucking power. That plasma television that you just love, guess what that is a huge energy guzzler. One of the things you might want to do is plug it into a power strip, you can plug your computer into it as well. When you are not using these appliances just flick it off, to turn all your appliances off at once and save on energy.

How about light bulbs? This is one of the easiest things you can do in your home to go green. Simply switch out traditional lighting that you have in your home with compact florescent light bulbs which you can pick up at your local hardware store. They are full spectrum lighting which is good for your plants and great for your house too. If you live in a gray environment in the winter months they are probably good for your mood too. These light bulbs use less energy and last ten times longer than the traditional light bulbs.

In the bathroom you can replace your shower head with a low flow shower head and you can replace your toilet with your a low flush toilet too. In the laundry room, always do your laundry back to back. Think about all the energy it takes to heat up that dryer, it is going to be more efficient if you dry load after load as opposed to doing one every few days. Also make sure you fill your washing machine every time you run it.

While planning for the green leaving, you can also think of hanging hammock chair which is eco friendly & is used to give a decent look to your home. Swings and hammock chairs are great for outdoor entertainment and indoor fun. Modern interior design with swings and hammock chairs are one of latest trends in decorating home.

Further Reading