Design, Interior styling, Organization

The icing on the cake…

No Comments

I have to say organizing and design go hand in hand as far as I’m concerned. I love to help clients with refreshing and styling their spaces.  Once a space has been de cluttered and organized, the design touches are the reward and the icing on the cake! ( and for those of you who know me well then you know that icing is one of my favorite things).  Without these added touches the room doesn’t feel finished,  or new or revitalized.

I guess you could say its one of my favorite parts of my job. I love taking a space and giving it a whole new look.  A space that was once neglected and used as a storage area is transformed into one of the happiest spaces in the house.  Taking a clients vision or “wish list” and giving a space a whole new purpose is so rewarding.

The question is do you have a room like that in your house??

Maybe now is the time to tackle it…

Books

Gratitude

No Comments

I recently finished the book “The Gratitude Diaries” by Janice Kaplan. I have to say that I would highly recommend this book! Janice not only talks about her personal experience with practicing gratitude but includes lots of other research. The book is filled with many stories of how gratitude can transform your life. She interviews a variety of people including professors, friends, psychologists, CEO’s , actresses, artists and many others and has so many inspirational stories. One of my favorite lines from the book is from psychologist, Dr. Robert Emmons who is one of the worlds leading experts on gratitude. He says “You don’t need good events in your life to feel gratitude. Instead grateful people reframe whatever happens to them. They don’t focus on what they’re lacking; they make sure they see the good in what they have.”

Organization, Tips

Why buying in bulk does not always save you money…

No Comments

Lately, I have had quite a few situations with clients who like to go to Costco or Sam’s Club to buy in bulk and save money. There are also many clients who have embraced Amazon’s auto ship policy. But is this really saving you money??

As a professional organizer I have to say more times than not buying in bulk only creates a new set of issues.

The reasons I do not agree with bulk purchases:

-Some houses just do not have the storage space for bulk purchases. Especially cases of paper towels and toilet paper.

-If storage space is limited then these bulk items have to either be shoved into a space, left in garage or maybe even scattered in different places throughout the house.

-If items are scattered throughout the house then there is a good chance you will forget what you have and buy more.

-These bulk items also steal space from the items that you need on  a regular basis.  Making it much harder to find what you use daily.

-Haven’t we all gotten on a health kick with a certain new protein powder, vitamin, or snack that we really wanted to love? But with adults and especially kids we go through phases and may grow tired of a certain product.  Then we are stuck with cases of something we no longer eat.

-Plain and simple, food has an expiration date.  If you stock up on more than you can possibly eat before the item goes bad then the food is wasted.

-Once you tire of an item then it is much better to donate to a food pantry than to just let the item gather dust and expire.

-If you are about to run out of an item there are so many websites and stores at your disposal.  With one click of a button or a 10 minute drive to the store you can replenish in no time.

I know there are situations where a bulk purchase makes a lot of sense.  For example, you need to take snacks for your child’s classroom, you are hosting a party or maybe making holiday gift baskets for your neighbors and friends.  This is the case where you may save some money.  But again how much is that annual fee to keep your membership? And when you go to buy in bulk are you tempted to pick up other items that were not on your list?

Next time you are tempted to stock up on something ask yourself these questions.  Do you really have a place to store these things? Do you really need such a large quantity? How much are your really saving?  How much time will you spend trying to find a place to store the items?

Books

Minimalism

No Comments

I have been reading quite a bit about minimalism lately and what it truly means to embrace a minimalist lifestyle.  Many people hear the word minimalism and say that it is not for them. Some of us think of a typical empty house with white walls and no stuff.  But if I have learned anything lately from the various blog posts, podcasts and books I have read it is that minimalism is not easily defined.  There is not a right or wrong way to be a minimalist.  Minimalism can be defined by you and applied to YOUR lifestyle.  Anyone who is trying to rid their house of excess stuff and is willing to simplify is taking steps towards becoming more minimalist.

I just finished the book “The More of Less” by Joshua Becker. (Finding the Life You Want Under Everything You Own).  It was a great book and had some good insight into the benefits of owning less.  I would highly recommend it.

There are many resources available on the subject of minimalism, simplifying your life and intentional living.  All you have to do is have an open mind and be willing to make even one small change.  You just might surprise yourself.

Some of my favorite resources:

Books:

“Everything that Remains” by the Minimalists

“You Can Buy Happiness and its Cheap” by Tammy Strobel

Podcasts:

Slow Your Home by Brooke McAlary

(her new book just came out “Destination Simple”)

Related to simplifying your wardrobe:

Courtney Carver and her blog Be More With Less

(Project 333 and The Tiny Wardrobe Tour)

Unfancy.com

You can also check out Pinterest and search my boards for Capsule and Minimalist wardrobes for some inspiration!

Tips

Simplifying your mornining routine… start with the bathroom

No Comments

Organizing can sometimes seem daunting especially if you have limited time. However, an area that can have a huge impact are bathrooms. Products can pile up quickly and pretty soon cabinets and drawers are overflowing.  Counter tops end up  covered with things that just landed there.

After years of helping clients I have noticed almost everyone buys products that they don’t always end up liking. Because they spent money on that magic hair serum or beauty product they feel guilty getting rid of them.  But why should you keep things if they don’t work for you??

Take time to remove the products from your bathroom that you will never use. If they are practically new then you could give them away to a friend, family member or a charity that can give them to someone in need. If they are old or expired then toss and don’t look back!

Remove travel size items and store them in a bin out of the way as well.  Next time you pack for a trip you can go to the bin to replenish your toiletry bag.

If you buy extras of your favorite products then designate a place for “extras”. Either a linen closet or put away in a cabinet so they are not in the way of your daily routine.

Keep only what you use daily out on the counter in a small basket or a nearby drawer or shelf. This will keep your morning routine simple and quick and make cleaning your counter a breeze!

Fashion, Shopping

Fast Fashion…What’s in your closet??

No Comments

investinyouMost of us can relate to having a closet full of clothes but nothing to wear. Lately I have been reading a lot of minimalist blogs and articles about the concept of capsule wardrobes.

My husband and I also watched the documentary “The True Cost” on Netflix. It is a very interesting film about the fashion industry and what it has become over the last couple of decades, and explains what happens to all the excess clothing that is donated from the U.S. The documentary interviews many workers in other countries about the conditions they work in to make a lot of the clothing that we as Americans wear. The interviews are heartbreaking to watch and really make you think about these foreign workers making as little as $2 per day, often in unsafe conditions.

I am certainly not saying to get rid of all the clothes in your closet that are made in Bangladesh and other countries who treat their workers poorly.  And as another blogger said we should not be discouraged about donating our clothes to Goodwill and other places.

-The most important change we can all make it to buy less.

-Buy quality, not quantity.

-Be aware of brands and companies and do your research to support companies who are treating workers fairly.

-Support small businesses and artisans.

Resources:

If you would like to learn more here are a few of my favorite blogs and articles related to simplifying your wardrobe:

Unfancy (Capsule Wardrobes, Check out her free wardrobe planner)

Simply Fiercely (Minimalism, Intentional Living)

The Classy Simple Life (Embracing Simplicity)

 

Interior styling

Some fall tablescapes

No Comments

fallcenterpiececraftberry
Centerpiece by Ms. Craftberry Bush

feathersandbottles
Image from article at Apartment Therapy

fallpumpkinsandgreenery
Mollyoneblogspot.com

fallpumpkinsandantlers
Toneontoneantiquesblogspot.com

I can’t believe it is already September! I do have to admit I am relieved we may get a break from this heat finally. Fall is my favorite time of year and I thought it would be fun to share some inspirational decorating ideas with you.

We all get in a rut from time to time and think we have to decorate in traditional holiday colors or stick to a certain look or theme.

The main goal is to have fun and be creative!

-Kristina

Tips, Travel

Summer vacations are around the corner…

No Comments

summertravelSpring is flying by!  Has everyone finished their spring cleaning??  I am sure many of you are thinking ahead to the summer months and planning your next vacation.  There are many things you can do now so that your next trip is easy and you don’t  have all those last minute things to do.

Summer travel checklist:

-Go through purses, tote bags and luggage and make sure they are all empty from last trips.  Donate any pieces that you no longer use.

-Go through your toiletry bag and throw out and old expired products.  Refill travel shampoos and soaps. Make sure you have what you need for your next trip.  Make a list of anything you are missing and buy ahead of time.

-Go through your medicine cabinet and throw out any expired medications.  Make a travel first-aid kit with pain and allergy medicine, band-aids and any other travel necessities.

-Make sure your car and health insurance cards are current and keep in your wallet or car.

-Make a copy of the contents of your wallet in case it is lost or stolen.  Keep the copy in a secure place so you can access in an emergency.

-Stock your car with an umbrella, extra jacket, sunglasses, kleenex, hand sanitizer, a few trash bags and anything else you may want on the road.

-Stock your purse with a few snacks in case you get stuck somewhere and need a boost.

-Make sure your phone contact list is updated with important numbers such as doctor, vet , pet sitter, etc. in case you need to call from the road.

-Create a checklist for your next trip so you don’t forget anything.

 

 

Close Menu