Growing up, everyone knew that girl-the one who was always perfectly coiffed, impeccably dressed, and, damnit, on the honor roll. Sure, sometimes you had to resist the urge to trip her, but mostly you were dying to know how she managed to make it all look so . . . effortless.

Lucky us that one of those girls is willing to help the rest of us look and feel a lot more pulled together. And the secret, as it turns out, has to do with a little thing called organization.

Mary was clearly born with a proclivity for color coordinated closets, file folders, and seating arrangements, and after gaining experience working with Pottery Barn buyers, fashion retailers, & the folks at InStyle magazine, she's become a veritable expert on the art of living well. Adding a touch of style and class to everything she gets her hands on (including you), Mary brings professional experience-and her irresistible that girl charm -to all of her clients.

So, whether it's re-vamping a closet and stocking it with the latest must-haves or putting your homes and offices into tip-top shape, Mary makes sure that your life runs smoothly-and that you look good.

-EJ, Los Angeles

10 Ways to Simplify Your Life and Be Happier at Work

By Alan Chatfield

Simplifying may be a fad, but it’s a darn effective one. And here’s the best part for us career-minded 20-somethings: whether you just get rid of all the physical things you don’t need or change your life in a more radical way, simplifying your personal life will benefit your work life, too.

Here are 10 ways to simplify that will leave you with a smile on your face at work:

1. Make home your safe space

At work, you may have pressing deadlines to meet, you may feel you have to rush and multi-task to get things done, or you may feel that slowing down is not an option. This doesn’t mean you have to operate at the same speed at home. Give yourself a break when you’re off the clock and focus on your wellness.

The contrast in pace between your home life and work life will do you a lot of good, allowing you to fully appreciate and enjoy both more, as well as energizing your work life.

2. Shrink your problems

Is your house too big? Move to a smaller one. Big car? Trade it in for a smaller one. In other words, remove the things – especially the BIG things – you don’t need from your life.

In other words, occupy only the space you need and many of your problems and expenses will become much smaller.

By having fewer things, you will use, care for and appreciate the things you have that much more. Here are some extreme examples of minimalism that may inspire you: The 100 Thing Challenge and Living with 72 Things.

3. Be mindful of the green

You can take “living green” as far as you want. Buy Less. Use Less. Waste Less. Eat organic local produce.

If you’re really serious about this aspect of simplifying, check out the No Impact Project’s one-week challenge that will help you to reduce your carbon footprint.

4. Make more time for the people you (really) care about

Are you so busy focusing on your career that you tend to neglect the people you care about?

You’re not the only one. Most of us lead busy lives, and it’s easy to get wrapped up in all of the things we have to do. Yet when we simplify life, we have more time for the people who really matter.

Which is better: a modest life of freedom spending time with your loved ones, or a rich life of excess but at the price of neglecting those relationships that really count? Your answer will make this decision easy.

5. Appreciate the little things

Stop for a moment and take a look around. You are well on your way to a happy life when you find appreciation in simple things.

Enjoy the things that are right in front of you every day. Enjoy experiencing life. Enjoy sharing, learning, giving and receiving. Enjoy nature. Go for long walks. Breathe fresh air.

Again, the balance between being able to do this, then being able to shift gears when you need to in the workplace, can be really powerful – so powerful that it will ultimately lead you to more success in both your personal and business life.

6. Eat healthy – even when you don’t want to

Eat simple, nutritious food. Eat slowly and enjoy every mouthful. Exercise moderately and often. Drink plenty of water and live in the moment. BY focusing on these simple principles, you will be much healthier, both mentally and physically.

It’s nearly impossible to improve your health without having a healthier mind, becoming more alert, seeing an increase in your energy, and ultimately finding that you are more enthusiastic about the challenges ahead.

7. Make reducing stress a priority

Not all stress is bad, but a surplus can be detrimental to everything from your personal life to your work life. Busy people with a lot on their mind often get stressed when they surpass a limit. And too often, we think of “being stressed” as something we can’t control.

Try to identify your limits and take control of your time and your life by taking small steps when dealing with big challenges. Remove the word failure from your vocabulary. Replace it with experience and you will shift your view of stress.

8. Save money by not buying things you don’t really need

Live within your means, and keep those means modest. This will enable you to enjoy life more by giving you more resources (not just money but also time and energy) to invest in the things that really matter. You are effortlessly being more efficient.

And here’s another perk: being more efficient about how you view and spend money will increase the relative success of your career.

9. Make new connections

If you really commit to simplifying your life, you are going to make new connections. Believe it or not, by slowing down, you will meet more people – because you will notice more people – and you will have more time for them.

Not only will you connect with new people, you’ll also connect with new thoughts and with your surroundings. Being open to these connections could lead to career advancement you hadn’t expected before.

10. Let life become easier

Be true to yourself and take only what you need. Give what you can. Don’t hold on to things. Make time for the experiences and people that are really important to you and let go of anything that really isn’t. In time, you’ll find your biggest difficulties will fade away. Life will literally become less cluttered, and in turn, easier.

The result will be amazing – and your life, both personal and business will benefit tremendously. This concept is both simple and practical, and it’s up to you how far you take it.

You can find Alan Chatfield at Life’s Too Good, a blog about helping you gain more out of life and enjoy it to its fullest.

Clutter Free in 4 Simple Steps

1. STORE IT, IN ITS HOME Everything in your home or office should have a home- a consistent and appropriate place where that object is normally kept. some items that you use every day may be on display and/or readily available for frequent use. Other items, like holiday decor or out of season clothing, can be stored in an out-of-the-way area until needed.

When an object strays from its "home", it can easily be misplaced, thus causing stress and frustration. Clutter build-up naturally occurs when items are not kept and/or returned to their homes.

2. GIVE IT When you have something that you never use, giving it to someone who will make use of it can really brighten your day. Give it to a friend. Pass it on to a relative. Or, put it in a special Charity Box and make a donation to a favorite organization once a month.

3. SELL IT Need some spending money? Consider selling those thigns you don't use. Hold a rummage sale. Sell them to a consignment shop. Or, try an online auction company, like eBay.

4. DUMP IT Items that are outdated, faded, broken, or otherwise unusable can often be dumped. If you don't want it, and you don't know anyone else who wants it, dump it today! You'll be freeing your space - and your mind!

Call me and I can help to eliminate YOUR clutter!

Deep Breaths...and Baby Steps

Life can be overwhelming at times. Decisions, deadlines, timelines, and to-do lists. It's life in the city. When I find my head spinning and not knowing which step to take, nor the direction in which to take it, I take a step back. (And sometimes, call my mom- yes, at 32, I'm still calling my mother.) I know that it will all get done and do my best to remember what's most important... for that day, and in my life. It's different for everyone, but perspective, and a few deep breaths, gets me back in gear. Baby Steps.

Keep it Simple

In fashion, and in life, keeping it simple offers such a sense of calm, and in my opinion, an easier way to tackle the world. Once basics are set, schedules defined, and the green tea has kicked in ;), additions seem manageable... whether a new fun accessory (those Ipolita bangles you've been eyeing) or a last-minute dinner party (did someone say girls night at Blue Ribbon?!). So, let's keep it simple. Or, at the very least, start the morning off that way.

California Style

It’s our ranches, our beaches, our little apartments in the city…
We’re laid back, yet stylish and sophisticated. We’re classic, yet still so fresh and new. If we want to, we can entertain outdoors all year round, wear Louboutin slingbacks in the heart of winter and create an interior space, contemporary or classic, that, uniquely, fits right in.

I love it here. The juxtaposition of city life, ocean breezes, mountain air, and open space. It’s where I grew up, lived, and learned. And after all of my travels, I always return. It’s the look and the feel of this place, of California, that consistently inspires, and has always made me feel, at home.

Creating Blank Palettes

With fashion, events, or interiors... white is a such a fabulous foundation. White basics like tanks and tissue ts, white tulips for spring get togethers, or crisp white bedding are all essentials in my book. You create a blank palette of sorts and can now add any splashes of paint, or accessories :), you like!