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Organize My Chaos
National reality television has caught on to the fact that even the savviest people can have bulging closets and stuff piled to the ceiling. Shows like "Clean Sweep" and "Mission: Organization" depict teams of organization pros descending upon willing accomplices who just can't seem to get their belongings in order. The local chapter of National Association of Professional Organizers lists 22 members. Armed with huge Rolodexes, these professional organizers bring in experts ranging from antiques appraisers to closet builders—all to help you get organized or even help prepare your house to sell. Mary Jane Call of MJ Call Professional Organizers lives by the tenet, "A place for everything,
and everything in its place." Organizer Vickie Dellaquila
specializes in helping people who are recently divorced or widowed, noting that these periods of life are conducive to disorganization. She also works a lot with seniors.
"Some people have lived in their homes for 50 years
and cannot even begin to think how they'll part
with things in order to go into a nursing home or to move into a smaller place," says Dellaquila, "I help them work through it." The cost ranges from $45 to $75 an hour, depending on the job.
Mary Jane Call, 412/367-0636
Vickie Dellaquila, 412/913-0554, Pittsburgh Professional Organizers
Another resource is Nancy Scott of Your Personal Organizer, whose mission statement reads, "Together, we can
conquer the clutter!" 412/561-3678.  Bring Groceries to My Door
If you are so inclined to cook the holiday feast, let Shadyside Market or Select Food Market deliver the food to your kitchen so you can spend more time on that soufflé. These two family-owned gourmet markets deliver ingredients from Crisco to truffle oil the same day as long as you order by 10 a.m. Dominic Mineo, co-owner of Shadyside Market, says he does 10 to 20 deliveries a day: "It could be something as small as dish detergent and basics to imported Greek yogurt for a special recipe," he says. Marshall Morgan of Select Food Market in Sewickley attributes his 50 deliveries a week to the fact that it's all about service. No delivery charge, just minimum orders of $25 to $35. Orders are accepted by phone or fax.
Shadyside Market, 412/682-5420
Select Market, 412/741-4311.
 Take My Dry Cleaning... Please!
It's always an endeavor. Gather the clump of wrinkled suits, double park, run through sleet, then go back days later to pick up 40 pounds of clothes to lug home. Here's an alternative: Just in time for holiday parties, Pressed 4 Time, a dry-cleaning pick-up and delivery service, will do the gathering, cleaning and lugging for you. "I love them," says Mount Washington resident Michelle Reese, 37. "I use them so much that owners Dan and Peggy Hawthorn know my name." Dan Hawthorn says much of his business serves people who don't have time to sit in lunch-hour traffic to get their clothes. Companies such as Nova Chemicals and FedEx use the service as an employee perk. "People just bring their clothes in a bag and drop them off in a company's designated closet or room, and we quietly go in, take it out and return it a couple days later," says Hawthorn. "We also have a cobbler who fixes shoes and luggage, and a tailor who does alterations." Hawthorn says once people realize the time they save—often three round trips a week to different places—they can't believe they ever ran around before. "We have customers who have been with us 10, 12 years; we've become part of their lives," he says. The pick-up and delivery service is free.
For northwest Pittsburgh: 724/728-2799
Northeast Pittsburgh: 412/374-8177
A similar service is offered by Leff Marvin Cleaners in Bellevue, 412/761-4054.
 Get Me in Shape
It's the chicken or the egg: You want to get in shape, but you are too out of shape to go to the gym. That's where Sherry Locke comes in. She'll come to your house and whip your behind into that holiday dress in no time, ensuring that you survive the sweet-potato pie. "We also help people buy equipment so they aren't tricked into goofy gadgets they see on television," says Locke. "All they need are dumbbells, a stability ball and maybe a bench—you can do a lot with a few things if you have the right things." She says clients range from housewives to doctors. "People have no time to sit in traffic to get to the gym," she says. "They want more time with their families." Sessions range from one time a week for $45 an hour, to two times a week for $40 an hour, to three times a week for $35 an hour. Service is available to any home in Allegheny County and some in Washington County (rates increase with mileage). All trainers hold a degree in exercise physiology or are nationally certified by one of three organizations: The American Council on Exercise, the American College of Sports Medicine or The National Strength and Conditioning Association. "We have people who have changed their attitude and reduced stress," says Locke. "We've had some clients for 10 years."
Locke's Personal Fitness 412/835-5411
 Shop for Me
Saks Fifth Avenue, that beacon of beautiful items and people, takes luxury up a notch with The Fifth Avenue Club, an exclusive personal-shopping experience. Privately located on the second floor of Saks, The Fifth Avenue Club offers busy executives and socialites the assurance that everything from undergarments to evening gowns is personally selected for them and fitted to every curve. "It is a luxury suite," says Kelley Young, director. "It's private and we offer amenities. In addition to our regular business hours, if someone needs to be in at 6 a.m., we'll open; if they need us after hours, we're there. We have beautiful fresh flowers, beverages and food. We'll send the clothes to their home later that day." While Young can't reveal the average client expenditure, surely there's a reason the service is free. With benefits such as flying a customer to salons of the likes of Oscar de la Renta and Bill Blass in New York City, it can be assumed these shoppers are spending a whole lot of money on clothes. "These clients often have two homes, so we advise buying two of everything so they never have to pack," says Young. "It gives them more time for their families or careers." Serving 150 clients annually, the service is definitely a niche. But what a niche it is.
The Fifth Avenue Club, 412/297-5311
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