XOXOrganizing

I’m finally getting my life and home organized with Sarah’s help! I love her calendar system! Her class is awesome! No more endless to-​do lists that never get done. No more late bills. No more missing birthdays or important events. No more letting things expire. No more feeling overwhelmed! But you have to commit yourself to it for it to work… so worth it! Sarah is also helping with my other home projects: file cabinet/​system, closets, kitchen/​pantry, garage/​storage, nursery… and so much more. She is fun to work with… no judgment/non-intrusive…she’s seen it all. Thank you, Sarah!

Stop your search now because XOXOrganizing is fantastic! Sara is anything but your typical organizer. Over the past 10 years and through 4 moves I have had multiple organizers try to help me declutter, organize and find a home management/​calendar system that works for me. Sara has accomplished more in 2 short sessions than all the others combined! She has given me the tools and assistance to not only survive a busy family life, but thrive. I now have time for what is most important to me and am well on my way to having the orderly home I have always wanted.
I started with her calendar class which quite frankly changed my daily life. Using her easy no frills system decreased my chronic procrastination and cleared my mental and written to do lists. Sara likens herself to a personal trainer who is genuinely interested in assisting and encouraging you to learn the skills and do the work needed to have and maintain the order you are looking for. She doesn’t just fix things and ride off into the sunset: she follows up, encourages and troubleshoots problems as they come up.
It isn’t often that you find someone who has a strong work ethic, an encouraging and enthusiastic spirit and a knack for getting things done and orderly! Sara is it. You won’t be disappointed!

My family and I had an awesome organizing experience with Sara. It started with just me… I wanted to organize my closet and master bathroom, and we wound up doing the whole house, including the garage! We have been in our house for 11 years and had accumulated a fair amount of stuff. I made many minor attempts at purging and organizing, but would always get overwhelmed and stop. Sara’s system helped break down the process, and before we knew it we were purging and reorganizing like champs! When my teenaged daughter saw the results, she asked if Sara could help her with her room! We donated bags and bags of clothing, housewares and toys to Goodwill, and we feel so much lighter. Everything has a place and we no longer spend time searching for things. The master closet we started with is now purged and staged so that we were able to meet with a cabinet company for a custom closet design.
On a personal level, Sara is prompt, professional, polite, respectful and fun to work with. She makes sure that her recommendations will work for you, and if not, she will have a different recommendation. She loves what she does and it shows. I would not hesitate to recommend her to my friends and family. If you spend too much time trying to find your stuff, have too much stuff, or just feel like you need get better organized, call XOXO!

You can stop searching if you need someone to help you get organized because Sara is probably as good as it gets! Big thanks to Sara for helping me organize my home and my office (I’m a small business owner and a mother of a 11-​month-​old). Sara is prompt, efficient and professional in what she does and she is kind, understanding, encouraging and non-​judgmental with her clients. I had a great time when she worked with me (but I’m not done with her help yet!). Sara didn’t just organize my stuff for me; she also gave me the tool to help me organize on my own, along with some life coaching :). I highly recommend her for any of your organization needs!
Before getting Sara’s help, I literally felt paralyzed at home and at work with piles of unorganized papers and random items. Now I feel I’m at a much better place because I actually have a system of knowing where things go. Sara also teaches me a great calendar/to-do’s/prioritizing system and it helps me move forward with my life (I think cluttered space probably tends to buddy up with cluttered time management…). I feel so much better with my life now because now I have a lot less clutter in my space and in my mind. Big thanks to Sara for all her help so far and looking forward to working with her more soon!

Sara was instrumental in helping me get not only my house organized by my life organized. I called Sara desperate for help with my cluttered house. We organized closets, cupboards, office drawers, laundry room, mud room and more. I hired Sara for only a couple of rooms but realized I needed her back to help with our garage and storage unit. She never made me feel like I had to get rid of anything. There were so many times that I tried on my own to purge and never could (though I knew I needed to). Having Sara there made me WANT to part with items that I knew I didn’t need. I haven’t missed one thing that I donated. (I believe after 3 days we had 14 bags to donate and I lost count on how much trash was thrown away). Again, the point wasn’t to have me get rid of anything, I just ended up wanting to and it felt so good. She helped me find a designated spot for everything that we went through. She taught me systems for organizing and bill paying that are so easy to stick with. I also highly recommend taking her calendaring class. I had lists upon lists of «to-do’s» which brought me so much anxiety. After her calendaring class I now schedule time each and every day for those to-do’s and never leave open ended tasks on a list. This has significantly allowed me to feel like I have actually accomplished things by days end. She taught me that if it doesn’t get done today, then just move it to tomorrow. I have successfully removed items and tasks that had been sitting on lists for months! Having an organizer come into your home may make you feel vulnerable and embarrassed… or so I thought. Sara NEVER made me feel ashamed for my disorganization! She is honest, so kind, sincere, hardworking and motivating. I feel like I ended up with not only an organized home and calendar, but came out of this experience with a new friend.

Thanks to Sara my house is always clean and organized and I never thought that was possible! Growing up, my room was always the «pig sty» of the house. Then caring for a home while working and caring for three young children, I felt like I was constantly tidying and never seeing progress, I just lacked the skills to keep a tidy home. I can’t believe how much has changed since working with Sara, Thank You Sara!
In our first few sessions, Sara really helped me get over some hording hurdles. Her kind words and common sense approach showed me what was really valued and needed in my home and what could go! There was no shame and she was so gentle and understanding when things needed to stay. As we started to clear stuff out, space was literally and figuratively made in our home and in my mind. As I gained control of the clutter I gained perspective on what could enter our home and what I could decline. Daily tidying became easier.
She truly is a junk whisperer! I am so thankful for Sara and the skills and lifestyle shift she supported me in making. I can say 2 ½ years later my house is clean and organized everyday and keeping it that way is now natural for me. Sara taught me skill to last a lifetime and I am forever grateful!

Sara definitely met all of my expectations!!! She asks you all the right questions so that the process runs smoothly. She is very personable, made me feel very comfortable and is very talented.
I loved how she involved me during the process of organizing AND love, love, love that she teaches you tips on how to stay organized along the way.
She also assists you in determining what you should throw out, keep, fix etc.
Sara is not just an organizer, she is a «Life Guru!»
Thanks so much Sara!!!

Sara is awesome. Very efficient, honest and friendly. She is easy to communicate with. I live out of state and wanted to find a unique gift for my sister. Sara made it clear that she would not consider any financial commitments from me until she felt confident that my sister was enthused and committed to her assistance and the gift. She met with my sister and gave her a free consultation, so that they both had a clear idea regarding her organizational needs and time commitments. My sister has been working with Sara for 2 months and is very pleased with XOXO Organizing. Thanks Sara!!!

Sara was awesome in helping organize my boyfriends closet and kitchen, she really knows to organize and teach others how to organize.
I felt like she was teaching me not only how to organize in the moment but also keep things organized for the future.
Sara really pays attention to the individual and what their needs are, the end result was amazing.
Highly recommend to anyone!

Words fail me when I try to describe what a godsend Sara has been to me and my family. My life was in chaos as a single working mom with a young child living back at home with my mom. I had a permanent «living out of a suitcase» mentality there, and had personal items in boxes and bags as well as in storage. I reached a point where I realized I needed to «unpack» and couldn’t do it alone. I wanted a partner to help me get back on track, not, as many other organizers appear to provide, an assistant. I’m a big believer in the idea that clutter comes from a deeper place than «busy-​ness». And for me, boy, is that true. Cluttered space = cluttered mind.
So I contacted Sara and she called me back really quickly. She is very confident and also understanding. I told her about my needs and my concerns, and she set up time for us to organize my home space that coming weekend. She came in excited to work. EXCITED. I was overwhelmed at the prospect, but she made it fun and engaging. We accomplished a lot in a few short hours, and set up some things for me to hold myself accountable to keep things the way they are.
Next, we did the Calendaring class. Holy wow, I got a LOT done in the month after that, because she gave me the tools to accomplish the tasks that we all keep rattling around in our brains, as «to do’s». The ones that never get done, because we don’t think of them until super inconvenient times. It’s hard to keep up the program when you don’t have as much to do, but she’s so great at checking in and helping you get off the ground with your goals.
Finally (for now — I have other issues I need to tackle), we went to my storage unit and went through EVERYTHING I owned there. Boxes, bags, etc. I mean, she’s pretty much my hero for that day alone. It was at the end of the summer, crazy hot, no A/​C… Ugh. And I get bogged down in the little things. Big stuff, I’m good. But all the little tchotchkes and baubles… Ugh. So she helped me go through everything and organize what I decided to keep vs. donate, then helped me figure out what to do with everything. I was discouraged when we left, because I felt I had kept more items than I wanted to, and we left the unit still full of stuff, because I didn’t have a truck to take it. Sara was so great and stayed and talked to me and wanted me to be encouraged by all the progress I’d made. So the next day, I realized I’d done it. All the things I wondered about were located, all the crap I’ve carried around with me through moves across the country because I wasn’t sure what to do with — a lot of it got donated, and hopefully people elsewhere might appreciate it. Now I’m saving that nearly $ 200/​month, and the investment of Sara’s time is priceless.
So in closing, if you are looking for the most organized, cutest, most fun and (most importantly) effective organizing partner, please, do whatever you need to do to hire Sara. No joke, best investment: OF. MY. LIFE.

I went to a Productivity Calendaring class taught by Sara at the Makery and she was fantastic, but more importantly realistic. She asked if we trusted her and that totally set the tone for how to begin making positive changes in terms of scheduling and using time wisely. After I finally shook the common idea of how planners are used and shied away from color coordinating events, I saw exactly how she NEVER DROPS THE BALL with the calendar… and now I’m set up for success! I’m so happy I met her and took the class because now I’m even more organized than I already was and even more productive, which is simply amazing and more than I could ask for.

Sheesh. Where do I start… I’m a mom of 2, have a house and a business. I’m always all over the place. I met Sara thru a mutual friend who was hearing my rants about how much I struggled with my chaos at home and well everything. At first I was a little embarrassed for her to see my life; however, once I spoke with her it was pretty easy going from there. She let me know this is what she does for a living and to not ever feel ashamed for the craziness. That’s why she is here… to help. So I’d def recommend her. She pretty much managed my schedule, from daily to monthly. She also helped me realize what was clutter in my house and what was valuable based off of questions. So she never makes you feel bad for what you have or don’t have lol. Thank you sara! I really appreciate your talent and knowledge in the most practical things. Love it.

I’m feeling mysteriously motivated after taking a class of hers! Very thankful I heard about her, she is the voice of organization I hear in my head now.

Sara is as good as it gets! I found her after reading several Unilocal reviews. I sent her some pics of my closets and work station and set an appointment. This was a huge step for me, because I usually do not spend money on anything extra. But I was at my tipping point. We had moved and a year later, we still had unpacked boxes. I felt overwhelmed and had no idea how or where to start.
My first appointment was spent doing the Calendar Class, which has turned out to be life-​changing. I now have the tools to keep on top of my super busy life with my three kids and all of their activities. I am more productive and I no longer flake on things that I forgot about. I’ve found it easier to fit in things for me, too. Sara checks in on me from time to time, too, and it’s a good reminder to keep using these newly acquired skills.
Sara also helped me get a jump start on organizing our inbox, outbox, and files. She also gave me good ideas to get started on our closets. I still have some work to do, but I am feeling much better and much less overwhelmed. Sara is super smart and fun. She has sensible ideas and solutions. She isn’t cheap, but in the end, I saved money because Sara steered me away from spending money on new cabinets and professional closet systems that would have cost me thousands. Sara is the real deal. I’m so glad I found her!

Sara’s attitude was incredible! So upbeat and positive, never made me feel insecure or embarrassed about my clutter. She just has this amazing can-​do attitude to accomplish and repair any situation. No obstacle is too big.
Together, on a total of 3 sessions, we organized my kitchen cabinets, pantry, garage and desk including implementing a simple system she set up for how to manage new incoming mail, paperwork, and growing to-​dos.
It may help to give a bit of back story on my situation: I can safely say I’ve never been a Type-​A personality. And when my boyfriend and his daughter moved in last year, two messy households merged without much sorting or organizing. We placed his favorite furniture and possessions around the house and basically threw the rest in the garage to deal with at a future date, which made it a very unpleasant space to spend time. And when something is already messy, it somehow makes it easier to allow it to get even messier.
Thank goodness my sister found Sara, she had used her herself, had rave reviews and referred her to me when I was struggling to keep up with my seemingly never ending tasks around the house to manage my things and maintain order. I was at the point where I wasn’t relaxed when I came home after work, I was frustrated and felt suffocated by clutter, not knowing how to tackle it effectively. Each time I attempted to tackle my messes, I would just turn one massive pile into 3 smaller piles, and not be quite sure where to go from there.
I am so grateful to have met Sara! Her philosophy of keeping a planner/​calendar to schedule your personal to-​dos, not just work tasks, was a godsend. Instead of keeping a thousand anxiety causing tasks from dry cleaning, sending out christmas cards, scheduling appointments, preparing taxes, buying more home supplies, locked up in your brain, she advocates writing EVERYTHING down and actually scheduling when you’re going to tackle it. It all seems so obvious but the truth is not all of our brains work that way. I can’t tell you how much valuable wisdom this girl has to share with people who have a personality like mine. She tells you exactly what you need to fix your bad habits and live your life happily.
Sara is an incredibly efficient and positive Type-​A personality who made the experience of organizing my home so incredibly pleasant, dare I say enjoyable! I really can’t say enough about this lovely girl. So positive, so sweet, so helpful, and the experience was truly better than I could have imagined! THANK YOU XOXO!

Sara with XOXO Organizing is AMAZING! She not only helped me organize my closet — but my life too! She was such a blast to work with, it didn’t feel like we were working, just friends hanging out and getting organized! I hired Sara about 3 months ago, and my life and closet have been so much better ever since! She gave me tips and taught me things as we went along, and I now have such an easier time staying organized. If you need help getting your house (or life, really!) in order, call Sara ASAP — I am so thankful that I did, best money I have spent in a LONG time… worth every penny! Thanks, Sara!

I booked Sarah as a Christmas gift for one of my family members, and I couldn’t be happier with that decision!
Sarah completely turned things around at my family’s home — giving them the courage to tackle one of our messiest rooms. Since I live in SF and my family is in Orange County, I wasn’t there to witness Sarah’s process firsthand, but could feel the magic that happened over the phone with my family while they raved about Sarah’s work.
If you know a friend or family member who needs help with a room or entire house, don’t hesitate to book Sarah even if you don’t live in the same city! Sarah was so great at filling me in on her progress and put me to ease with her check-​ins.
I can tell she’s an amazing person with incredible talent, and Id highly recommend her to anyone! Thank you Sarah!

My friends and I joke about my life B.S. and A.S.-Before Sara and After Sara. Sara literally transformed my home and my life! I have always wanted to be organized, however, never really had the proper tools to get started. Sara taught me that being organized is possible even for people like me! If you want to get organized but are struggling on how to go about it then Sara is your girl! She knows exactly how to go about organizing your space and comes up with a plan that works for you.
Our second bedroom, which was essentially an overflowing storage closet, is now a neat and tidy home office that doubles as a guest room that i’m finally not embarrassed to offer to friends and family! And the drawers upon drawers of paperwork and mail-​gone! Sara came up with a filing system for my husband and I to keep the seemingly endless clutter out for good! And for the first time since we moved in to our house, there is actually room in our garage. My husband just bought himself a work bench that never would have fit before Sara and I sorted through all the boxes.
I honestly can not image going back to the chaos and stress that loomed over my home before working with Sara. If you are ready for a big (and amazing) change in your life call Sara Barba!

TL;DR: Sara is smart, prompt, professional, and efficient. And she’s super fun to work with. Book her now!
I know, it’s hard to put down good money for something you’re supposed to be able to do for yourself. Believe me, I come from a Chinese immigrant family and not only are we famously penny-​pinching, we’re also not big on letting strangers see our messes and touch all our stuff. So, it took me doing lots of research and pitching the hell out of hiring Sara to get my family on board. In the end, everyone was really impressed with what she accomplished in just two sessions.
Right now my husband, baby and I are back in the house I grew up in. The three of us are living out of the room I had in high school. Not only that, but there’s about 30 years’ worth of accumulated junk scattered all throughout the house. Things were outta control. Sara helped us inventory and re-​organize our room on her first visit, then the next week she tackled several areas in our garage and decades-​old clutter in our hallway and living room.
When I spoke with her on the phone, she likened hiring her to hiring a personal trainer, which I felt was a really good analogy. You can’t get in shape without doing the work yourself, but a trainer will give you the right principles to work with and motivate you to push beyond what you’re normally capable of. That was totally how it worked with Sara. Cleaning out our room and getting things in their right places (or even deciding what systems to set up so there were «right places») would probably have taken hours, days, even weeks of dragging our feet and slogging through it. I was floored that we did it all in one four-​hour session with her leading the charge.
But also, just to temper unrealistic expectations that might make it unfair for Sara: She’s not meant to come in and wave some magic wand. It takes work, and you have to be ready to make changes in how you approach the things in your home. It’s like working out. If you’re not ready to get sweaty on your own, a personal trainer won’t do much for you.
As for getting rid of stuff, Sara’s great about helping you see clearly what you need to keep, donate or toss. But she’s not pushy or judgmental about any of it. In the end, she’ll tell you it’s completely up to you to figure out what you want to hold on to and how to store it so it’s not in the way.
I wish wish wish that we had the budget to have her come in and do our whole house, but for now I’m really amped on the great start she gave us. And will be looking for more opportunities to hire her in the future.

I am a busy executive with a part time home-​based office which tends to get neglected. I had allowed all my bills and documents to pile up for over a year. After moving I decided I needed to get everything organized and due to my type A personality I knew everything had to be perfect although, I was unwilling and didn’t have the time to take care of it myself.
I found Sara through her great Unilocal reviews and can only reinforce what everyone else has said. Sara is pleasant, intelligent, incredibly well organized and truly loves what she does. How many people can say that? I worked side by side with Sara over a period of several weeks and she was not at all invasive nor did she impact my ability to work while she was organizing my office. Sara deserves nothing less than the highest of recommendations. I will continue to use her on as needed basis to keep everything perfect organized.
Thank you Sara!
Evan