Archives for Humor

Own This, Not That

A reader asked if we had ever seen the weight loss books Eat This, Not That and wondered if we might be able to create something similar for uncluttering:

Of course, uncluttering solutions are as varied as there are people, but I have to imagine there’d be a variety of things that would work for everyone.

We often do these types of suggestions in our Unitasker Wednesday posts when we encourage people to own multitaskers instead of 9,000 bizarre unitaskers that lack real utility. And, we thought it might be fun to come up with ideas on this theme for all areas of the home and office. Obviously, as reader Shalin mentioned in the suggesting email, these dichotomous scenarios won’t work for everyone, but they can still be entertaining on this first full day of summer (or winter, if you’re in the southern hemisphere):

What fun additions would you make to this list? Share your Own This, Not That suggestions in the comments.

Posted by Erin on Jun 22, 2011 | 39 Comments | Tweet This

How to organize a bookcase

This video is more fun than instructional, but I felt compelled to share the amusement. If only my books had magical powers and organized without any work on my part! Enjoy this video from Crazedadman:

via the wonderful SwissMiss

Posted by Erin on Feb 24, 2011 | 44 Comments | Tweet This

Pack rats illustrated in comic books

The website Comics Alliance, as its name suggests, covers comic books and all things related to the comic book industry. Reader Haley called our attention to the site to check out the post “Super-Hero Hoarders. The 7 Biggest Pack-Rats In Comics.”

Art often mimics life, so it’s not surprising that fictional characters struggle with clutter the same as everyone else. I really liked #4, Rick Jones’ illustrated mess. From the article:

At first glance, it’s pretty easy to call Rick Jones out for hoarding super-hero contacts. Over the course of his existence in the Marvel Universe, he’s sidekicked for the Hulk, Captain Marvel, Captain America, ROM: Spaceknight and the entire Avengers team, and been singled out as the bearer of the Destiny Force, which was so complicated that even Curt and Chris won’t touch it.

In reality, though — or at least, in one reality — Rick’s a straight up legitimate hoarder: In the alternate universe of “Future Imperfect,” the Hulk ends up killing all of the other super-heroes and super-villains, leaving Rick to amass a pretty hefty collection of memorabilia

Check out the full article to learn who took the top spot.

Posted by Erin on Oct 16, 2010 | 6 Comments | Tweet This

Assorted links for June 15, 2010

A number of really cool things have moved across my desk this past week, but none of them are necessarily large enough for a post all their own. Enjoy exploring these uncluttering and organizing tidbits:

Posted by Erin on Jun 15, 2010 | 11 Comments | Tweet This

Maybe you can take it with you…

I’m a big fan of furniture that multitasks. That’s why I’ve been (unsuccessfully) lobbying my wife to let me order this beautiful custom-made solid-wood entertainment center that will become my coffin once I no longer need an earthly place to kick back and watch Six Feet Under on DVD.

If my casket is going to cost a fortune, I might as well enjoy it while I’m still alive, right?

Note from Erin: No. No. No.

Posted by PJ on Mar 3, 2010 | 29 Comments | Tweet This

Saturday’s assorted links

Except for when a kind neighbor drove me to the grocery store in his all-wheel drive station wagon on Monday, I haven’t left my house in 10 days. Since I declared February as Super Simple Month, I guess I should think of this time as Mother Nature’s way of helping me to keep to my plans. (We’ve received about 4′ of snow in the past two weeks.) But, unfortunately, being shut up in my house for so long has negatively affected my creativity. I haven’t been able to run (usually this is my time to be alone with my thoughts each day), and I’m finding nothing in my house inspiring right now.

Instead of reading about my cabin fever, I thought you might enjoy checking out some links that have more valuable insights into uncluttering, organizing, and simple living than I can produce right now. Trust me, this is what is best for all of us:

Posted by Erin on Feb 13, 2010 | 27 Comments | Tweet This

Zipco closet organizer: Pies! Pies! Pies!

I had a good laugh at this sketch from this past weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, and I wanted to share the fun. Erin lost it at “Dirt!” and now I can’t stop chanting, “Pies! Pies! Pies!” And, we should definitely warn you, it’s probably not safe to watch at work because of the “testimonial” in the middle of the sketch.

Posted by PJ on Feb 1, 2010 | 20 Comments | Tweet This

Clutter-related fun

Since yesterday’s post was melancholic, today we’ll keep things on the lighter side. The first post today is a series of fun links related to clutter and uncluttering.

First up, Naomi Seldin at The Times Union in Albany yesterday posted a new Clutter Game (pictured). Using your arrow keys, catch the “clutter in the donation box before it fills the house.” My high score is a lame 270 — when you need a quick break, see if you can beat me.

Up on deck next is a strip from the comic Basic Instructions. Scott Meyer’s “How to Accept an Unwanted Gift” is a new favorite.

Finally, a number of Unclutterer readers forwarded me the links to two great strips on the cartoon site Wondermark. Enjoy “In Which Beth Keeps Her Books” and “A Rat Has Many Hobbies.”

Have you seen any fun clutter-related things recently? Share your cheerful discoveries in the comments.

Posted by Erin on Jan 14, 2010 | 13 Comments | Tweet This

K is for Kittens

I thought you might want a bit of P for Precious motivation to help with your filing:

Thanks to Cute Overload and photographer Mae for spreading this adorable image to the web. Enjoy this soul melting gift as a belated-birthday present to you. Awwwww!

Posted by Erin on Aug 6, 2009 | 15 Comments | Tweet This

Thought experiment: How would you organize Hannah Montana’s closet?

A year or two ago when Hannah Montana became the favorite topic among my young cousins, I decided to watch four or five of the episodes on the Disney channel to figure out what they were discussing. I’m not really sure I’ll ever understand the appeal of the show, but I did learn about Hannah Montana’s closet. (The link goes to a video of her closet. I couldn’t bring myself to embed the video.)

Hannah Montana has an enormous closet with library stacks filled with shoes, belts, and purses, and rotating racks of dresses, tops, and sequined pants. While a fashionista might see the closet and start salivating, my first thought was, “How could I better organize this space?”

A Closet Carousel would definitely be an improvement over the spinning metal racks in Hannah’s wardrobe. Getting rid of all of the clothes she no longer wears would be another good idea (but my assumption is that since she leads a double life, she has more clothing needs than most). And, Simple Division Garment Organizers wouldn’t hurt in such a large collection of clothes.

The pièce de résistance, however, would be a digital wardrobe database with images and descriptions of all of her clothing and accessories. This way, Hannah might be able to pick out what she wants to wear before setting foot into her closet for an evening of party hopping or whatever it is secret rock stars do with their time.

If she has a Mac, she might enjoy the Dress Assistant closet organizing software:

If she is a Windows user, she might like the Victoria Clothes Organizer:

Or, if she wants a custom solution, I’m sure she could whip one up in Access without too much trouble.

For those of us not living the secret rock star life, any and all of these ideas would be overkill. However, it’s still a fun mental exercise. How would you organize a fashionista’s closet?

Posted by Erin on Jun 10, 2009 | 24 Comments | Tweet This

Surprisingly bad multi-taskers

At Unclutterer, we love touting the benefits of multi-use items. However, there are times when maybe product designers go too far with their melding of purposes. Gizmodo recently identified “10 Gadgets With Too Many Stupid Features,” and we wanted to share a little of their humor with you.

My favorite misguided objects:

Spinning rims with LCD television screens. I definitely think these are a car accident in the making.

The cell phone razor. Just imagine if you accidentally turn on the razor when you intend to answer a call. Oh! Ow! My lip!

Okay, maybe the “Mug-Mouse” is fun, but how would you ever wash it??

Click on the first picture in the series, the “Gun-Knife” to start scrolling through the slideshow. Then, click on the right side of each image to move between the gadgets.

Posted by Erin on Apr 27, 2009 | 12 Comments | Tweet This

The multi-tasking unitasker: Bag TV

bagtvIf you are a bit sad because you didn’t get your most sought after holiday gift, then you’re probably not alone. There is some hope for those of you who didn’t receive that new designer bag and that new LCD television. BagTV could fill two voids with one incredibly ridiculous product.

Yes, two products in one amazing combination. It isn’t really a unitasker so I couldn’t include it in that category. BagTV will have to stand alone in all its glory. It is a multi-tasking product of excess.

From the product description:

Bagtv is a totally new concept in bag design, combining bespoke luxury bags with high tech electronic equipment.

The first in a range of new products, is a beautifully crafted ladies hand-bag, which comes in a range of cool colours, leathers, and fabrics, integrated with a high quality 7in TVscreen combining, DVD, and Mpeg player.

The screen sits behind a protective transparent shield and enables the owner to literally watch Films/Videos either on DVD or downloaded to the bag. 

The system comes with full connectivity for use with computers or digital cameras through USB port and SD card slot, allowing the playing of scrolling photos on the bag.

Use on the move, on the way to and from work, for holidays, on trains or in the car.

Use at night in bars, and clubs to show off your latest photos, or favourite videos.

The smart light weight battery system, allows the player to play up to 2.5 hours, movies, video, photos before re-charging.

It comes equipped with its own re-charger unit for use with the mains or in car, together audio/video cables for connectivity with TV .

All in all, bagtv is the latest fashion statement, and doubles as a really useful bit of kit for the ladies to rival their boys toys!

Sorry, gentlemen, this item appears to be just for the ladies — you’ll have to use your small, longer battery life iPhone as an alternative.

(via Red Ferret)

Photo courtesy BagTV.

Posted by Matt on Jan 8, 2009 | 16 Comments | Tweet This

The Onion’s fake gift boxes

In the spirit of Unitasker Wednesday, the always hilarious Onion has some great gag gift boxes for the holidays. The boxes feature six fake products that will surely confuse the recipient.

The boxes are available in a set of six or individually through the Onion’s online store. While these are obviously fake products, they aren’t that far out of the realm of some of the unitaskers we have featured here over the past year and a half.

I enjoyed the USB Toaster and the iFeast, an iPod dock for your pet’s food bowl, but they play second fiddle to my personal favorite: The Visorganizer. From the “product” description:

Use your head and stay organized! The Visorganizer is a revolutionary carrying case for everything you need to make it through your busy day whether you’re a pro golfer, a retired ship builder, a club DJ, or a busy mom on the go. And it clips on the front of your favorite hat. Pack it with up to 7 lbs. If it has a visor, it needs a Visorganizer!

I wonder how long it will take someone to actually invent a saleable Visorganizer?

Posted by Matt on Dec 19, 2008 | 11 Comments | Tweet This

2008 Gift Giving Guide: Gifts of clutter

It’s the holiday season, and we all need a little smile. Similar to our Unitasker Wednesday posts, we don’t want you to buy these items. We simply want you to have fun reading about all the awful gifts of clutter you wouldn’t really want to give this year.

Stumped on what to buy your favorite co-worker or loved one? Consider giving the gift of clutter!

Small Kitchen Appliances

Your mother-in-law hates coffee? No matter. Buy her an espresso maker anyway. Get the deluxe version equipped with steamer and grinder. It’ll take up lots of counter space and you can use it when you visit. Heck, buy her two!

Knick Knacks

If you really want to yank the chain of the minimalist in your life, buy knick knack gifts. These small shelf stuffers fit any budget. You can get a $1 replica of the Statue of Liberty. Inexpensive gifts not your style? Consider the pricey gem-studded Hello Kitty figurine for $163,000.00. (image from boredbored.com)

Arcade-Style Video Games

Who needs Rock Band when you can go retro and deliver a full size, 300-pound Ms. Pac-man to an eager child or adult? Cram it into the living room of a tiny studio appartment for easy entertainment. A fun and educational experience on the history of video games can be had by all.

Obscure Art

Who says you can’t impose your own artistic tastes onto others? Let’s face it, some people in your life need your artful guidance. At big box stores, garage sales, or art galleries, look for bizarre sculptures, abstract paintings, or anything that would leave the recipient asking: “What is it?”

A Pile of Boulders

For your suburbia-dwelling friends, don’t forget the garden. Call your local rock quarry and have a truck dump off a pile of rocks on your friend’s driveway. They’ll have hours of fun trying to pick up the boulders, one-by-one, and finding the perfect garden spot for each to occupy.

Hard-to-Use Electronic Equipment

For the technically challenged on your list, give the gift of complex electronics that will end up tucked away on a garage shelf. Universal remotes that require setup on a computer and web access are an option. Challenge the recipient to sit with the manual until he or she figures out how to program it.

Giant Vases

In his post Too many flower vases, Matt asked: “So what can I do with all of these vases?” There is no need to get rid of them when you can let them collect dust in a cabinet! Add to your friends and family members’ collections with a giant vase to obstruct the entrance through any front door.

Really, the possibilities are endless when it comes to lovely clutter gifts. Large, small, expensive, cheap — clutter gifts span the world over and can easily provide a lifetime of dust, maintenance, and storage fees for your most treasured friends.

What is the most outrageous clutter gift you’ve ever received? Let us know about it in the comments.

Posted by Sue on Dec 15, 2008 | 65 Comments | Tweet This

2008 Gift Giving Guide: What we want, but can’t yet have

This installment of the Unclutterer Gift Giving Guide explores the not-yet-invented or completely outrageous gifts that would make our readers’ lives more organized. We asked our Twitter followers what they would put on their dream holiday wishlists, and these were some of the fun responses:

Universal power cord
This cord would work with every electrical object. Need to power your laptop, cell phone, television, sewing machine, dryer, iPod, or oven? All you need to do is grab the universal power cord!

The perfect laptop bag
The perfect laptop bag has a pocket for everything you need to carry with you, has a comfortable shoulder strap, is made to last, is professional in appearance, and doesn’t scream I’M CARRYING A LAPTOP FOR YOU TO STEAL. This bag is so perfect that you want to name your pets after it. We have found many bags that come close to meeting these requirements, but none that are perfect.

A magic wand
The magic wand empowers its user to clean and organize his or her home and office by simply waving it near disorder. If it actually existed, I would also want for it to make a pleasant chime when in use.

A full-time cleaning staff
The benefit of having someone clean up after you make a mess was at the top of many Unclutterer readers’ lists. Unfortunately, a full-time cleaning staff comes with a very hefty price tag. A cleaning robot might be more affordable.

Food tracking software
As far as we know, this exact product does not yet exist. The reader who mentioned it said that the software should have a bar scanner that reads use by/expiration information off a product, enters that data into a database, cross-references the food item to recipes in your collection, and then tells you when to use the food. I think this software should also notify you when to preheat your oven and how long any leftovers might be good for using.

What not-yet-invented or completely outrageous organizing gift is at the top of your wishlist? Tell us about it in the comments!

P.S. If you are an inventor/programmer/industrial designer and would like to create any of the items listed above, we would really appreciate your efforts.

Posted by Erin on Dec 10, 2008 | 34 Comments | Tweet This

Humor: What not to do

I’m always on the lookout for reasons to laugh, and Ali Hale recently came to my rescue over on the blog Dumb Little Man. Her article “10 Ways to Create a Work Environment That Drags You Down” was splendidly entertaining:

9. Keep it Shabby. Make sure your workplace environment looks as run-down and shabby as possible. Paint should be peeling off the walls, posters should be torn, and noticeboards should never be cleared. Don’t ever replace the carpet. And any pot-plants should be left unwatered for weeks – there’s nothing like dying plants to give your workplace a real air of gloom and decay.

Well played, Ali.

If you were to add to the list, what items would you put on it? I would add a frustrating parking situation to the mix. Having to fight for parking in a lot blocks away from your office building is truly a great way to begin your day.

Photo credit: hoyasmeg

Posted by Erin on Nov 10, 2008 | 28 Comments | Tweet This

Clutter alert: Ridiculous Rock Band add-on

I warned about Rock Band clutter last year and Erin provided a possible solution to keeping Rock Band accessories in order, but neither of us could have foreseen such an incredibly ridiculous add-on to the Rock Band “experience.” The new add-ons for Rock Band 2 are a smoke machine and a strobe light. The Stage Kit from Performance Designed Products (PDP) is $99. The release date is November 2008, which makes it perfect timing to clutter up your holiday season! 

I’m not exactly sure what the Stage Kit will do for improving your game play (won’t it decrease visibility of the TV screen?), but it may increase your need to hire a Rock Band roadie. The roadie could carry all your Rock Band peripherals along with your new Stage Kit. He or she could even set up your Premium Drum Set. 

Check out Crave for more information and a cringe inducing video for the Stage Kit.

Posted by Matt on Oct 23, 2008 | 20 Comments | Tweet This | Tags: ,

Dear Container Store

Reader Shalin passed along this gem from NPR. It’s a “break up” letter from a suburban woman with The Container Store. It’s less than two minutes, and worth it for the smile it will bring to your face. Enjoy this light-hearted musing:

“Dear Container Store, I Almost Loved You”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=94176202

My favorite line: “I admit, I was checking you out. There was something seductive about all that sparkling acrylic.”

Posted by Erin on Sep 13, 2008 | 6 Comments | Tweet This

Turn your old CDs into a workout

Wondering what to do with all of your old CDs? Wonder no longer!

Gizmodo suggests turning them into free weights. The idea is certainly resourceful, and originally comes from the Make: website.

In the past, I’ve seen old CDs repurposed as coasters, artwork, and Christmas tree decorations. What clutter-busting solutions have you found for your old CDs?

Image from Make:, and thanks to reader Katherine for bringing this to our attention.

Posted by Erin on Aug 23, 2008 | 16 Comments | Tweet This

Say you’re sorry

I have mentioned many times before that organization and tidiness are not natural instincts for me. I spent years learning how to live an uncluttered existence, and most of those lessons are what go into my Unclutterer content.

Unfortunately, I inflicted my disorganization on many roommates and family members before I changed my ways. I was thinking recently about how awful it must have been to have lived with me. Yikes!!

For today’s post, then, I want to write a few (humorous) apology letters to all of those I wronged with my disorganized ways. Please feel welcome to add your lighthearted apology letters in the comments. We can get all of the guilt off our chests in one giant outpouring!

Dear Mom,

I’m sorry that I couldn’t figure out how to use hangers or the dirty clothes hamper when I was a teenager. Also, I’m not sure what my motivation was to change clothes three to four times a day, but I’m glad you didn’t throw me out of the house over it.

Love,
Me

P.S. Please apologize to the cleaning lady who discovered the two-year-old apple core under my bed while I was at Girl Scout Camp in the sixth grade.

Dear Jennifer and Libby,

You two were fantastic college roommates and I was abysmal. Sorry, Jennifer, about leaving that glass of rotting milk under your bed. You showed complete restraint by not kicking my arse when you found it.

And Libby, my apologies for never washing my dishes and often leaving dirty pans on the stove. I can see now why you had a problem with this. Ewwww. Thank you for not smacking a pan upside my head.

Oh, and I’m sorry to both of you for having an awful boyfriend during this time period. I am grateful for Jennifer’s advice to break up with him for Lent, and I will forever be grateful for this suggestion.

I hope you two are doing well!

Love,
Me

Dear Angie and Lori,

Pretty much repeat what I just wrote to Jennifer and Libby, but substitute Lori for Jennifer, Angie for Libby, and awful boyfriend for well, another awful boyfriend.

Love,
Me

Posted by Erin on Aug 16, 2008 | 14 Comments | Tweet This