Organizing’s Biggest Celebs to Attend Awards Show

Some of the biggest names in organizing will be in one room on January 26 to celebrate the best in the industry.

The experts that dole out organizing help to the disorganized masses via their books, talk show appearances and TV makeover shows will be at The 7^th Annual Organizing Awards at the Sheraton Universal Hotel in Universal City.

Peter Walsh, a New York Times bestselling author and regular contributor on the Rachael Ray Show, will be presenting an award – and possibly picking one up.

“The Awards are an outstanding and entertaining way to bring attention to the best work being done by our peers in this ever-evolving, ever-important industry,” said Walsh, whose former show on the Oprah Winfrey Network, “Extreme Clutter,” is nominated for “Best Show Incorporating Organizing on National Television.”

A&E’s hit show “Hoarders” is nominated in the same category. One of the show’s organizing experts, Dorothy Breininger, will also be a presenter.

Dorothy Breininger and Peter Walsh at the 2011 Los Angeles Organizing Awards

The stars of the Style Network’s “Clean House” will also be joining the fun. Mark Brunetz is presenting an award. His book, “Take U Out of Clutter,” is nominated for “Best Organizing Book.” Trish Suhr, who was known on the show as the “Yard Sale Diva,” will be hosting the event.

Mark Brunetz and Trish Suhr at the 2011 Los Angeles Organizing Awards

“What makes the Organizing Awards special for me,” Suhr said, “is that it’s all the folks that I look up to and respect in the business.”

Whether you’re a budding professional organizer or someone looking for a little organizing inspiration, the opportunity to rub elbows with Suhr, Brunetz, Breininger and Walsh is, in itself, worth the price of admission.

To vote for these folks or anyone else who was nominated, go HERE (you must be a member of the National Association of Professional Organizers). Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. PST on November 30.

~Written by: Susana Enriquez, Downsize and Get Organized

20 Things You Didn’t Know About Trish Suhr

“We’re gonna laugh, have some fun and celebrate all that we do as organizers.”

That’s what Trish Suhr, the Yard Sale Diva from Clean House, said attendees can expect at the Organizing Awards on Oct. 20 with her as host.

After the 2011 awards, where she accepted the award for “Best Show Incorporating Organization on National Television” on behalf of Clean House, Trish said she knew she wanted to be at the helm of the event.

“What makes the Organizing Awards special for me is that it’s all the folks that I look up to and respect in the business,” the comedienne said.

Trish, who hails from Kentucky, lives in Los Angeles with her husband of two years, Dave McCoul, and their dogs, Truman and Bessie. She is gearing up to be the new Lifestyle correspondent for The Ricki Lake Show this fall on Fox.

She took some time out of her busy schedule to complete some statements for The Los Angeles Organizer (the newsletter of the Los Angeles chapter of the National Association of Professional Organizers).

My earliest organizing memory is helping my Papaw organize his “junk room” – a 1,000-square-foot room in my grandparents’ house. I was five years old and would literally sit and make piles of what needed to be thrown out and what needed a home. I did that instead of playin’ with Barbies. I had already organized my Barbie Dream House, so it was on to bigger things!

I can’t imagine life without my husband, my dogs and my label maker. They all make me so happy!

It drives me crazy when keys are out of place.

My garage or laundry room could be featured in Real Simple magazine.

I wouldn’t want a professional organizer peeking in my office. I share it with my husband and the area is frightening. But at least his mess is contained to there!

I have more than a normal amount of cleaning products (I love trying them all out and really seeing which ones make the cut) and shoes (I have them all stored in clear plastic shoe boxes so I can stack them neatly for days)!

My favorite organizing product is a toss-up between Slimline hangers and Elfa.

My favorite part about clearing out clutter is helping people lose the emotional weight that clutter costs them.

My least favorite part about clearing out clutter is the dust. I am a clean freak, so I really don’t like that people are literally living in such unhealthy environments.

The last time I held my own yard sale, I couldn’t believe I sold my snow globe collection. I started it when I was three years old, but I was good-and-over carrying around 200-plus snow globes.

The best thing I ever bought at a yard sale was an old church pew from a Lutheran Church in Louisiana from 1924. It’s got the stamp on the bottom that it’s property of – and it was only $25. I LOVE it!

I always forget to floss. I have to set a daily alert on my phone. I’m tryin’ to be good.

My ‘To Do’ list is crossed off everyday. I like to feel accomplished so I don’t make it bigger than a day at a time. There’s such satisfaction in crossing things off your list!

When I travel I make sure to carry Clorox wipes and clean EVERYTHING (the trays on airplanes are GROSS!!). And I always tip well up front. You get more flies with honey. Just sayin’.

I keep track of my comedy material on DVDs. I’ve never written a joke in my life – everything I say is in my head. I know it’s shocking. That’s why I have to watch my sets if I want to see how I say a certain story.

My wedding dress lives in pictures. I have sold so many people’s wedding dresses at yard sales over the years and I didn’t want that to be the fate of mine. So the day after our wedding my husband and I did a “Trash the Dress” [photo] shoot . . . so it did get beat up a bit. I had it cleaned and when we have a child, I’m having the dress made into its Christening gown – that way it gets kept in the family.

Merging my stuff with my husband’s was easier than I thought it would be. We have similar tastes. He was pretty good at letting stuff go and I was good about cutting down on all my pictures (I love having family up on the walls).

I would love to get rid of my husband’s bag collection in our office. It’s crazy makin’.

Truman and Bessie’s stuff is all in [two] Tribeca bins from the Container Store. Truman will pull stuff out and put it back – it’s awesome!! Bessie just leaves everything everywhere. We’re workin’ on her!

My family’s funeral home business taught me that you can’t take it with you, so live your best life right now!

~Written by: Susana Enriquez, Downsize and Get Organized

Ladies and Gentlemen, your host for the evening.

Drum roll, please. . .

Wait. You didn’t think we would give up the name of our host that easy, did you? Here are three hints:

1. She was born and raised in Kentucky (this hint is a threefer because you now also know that our host is a “she” and that she speaks with an accent).
2. She is known as the “Yard Sale Diva.”
3. She likes a Clean House.

If you guessed anyone but Trish Suhr, shame on you!

YesSUHRee, the funny gal we’ve come to love on the Style network’s Clean House will be sharing her comedic wit and love of organizing with awards attendees on October 20 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.

Trish is no stranger to the Organizing Awards. Last year, she and co-star Mark Brunetz accepted the award for “Best Show Incorporating Organization on National Television” on behalf of Clean House.

We are looking forward to sharing more information about Trish in the weeks to come. Until then, here’s one last tidbit about her:

~Written by: Susana Enriquez, Downsize and Get Organized