4 Tips for Stress Free Gift Giving

Image via theenchantedhome.co

The holidays are here again and what a lovely time of year it is. Ok, so now that I got the nice part out of the way, lets talk about one of the most stressful parts of the holiday season: gift giving. I'm not a scrooge, I actually love to give gifts. The stressful part stems from not having a set plan on who gets what and what gift to actually give. Well, worry no more. Here's your tool for the gift giving stress - The Gift List.

I'm sure your familiar with the song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town". One genius line in this song is "He's making a list and checking it twice". Santa is super organized!! Now its your turn to get that organized. Make your list and check it twice, three times if your feeling crazy!! Here are some tips on creating the perfectly organized holiday gift list.

1. Make a list of everyone that you want to give to this year. Include immediate family, extended family, friends, co-workers, the kids' teachers and coaches, mailman - you get the point. Just deal with the task of remembering everyone and write down their names.

Image via urbanblisslife.com

2. Once you have a clear list of who you would like to gift to, figure out what you would like to give. Its best to clump together those that will receive similar gifts. This way when your out shopping, you wont overlook anyone. Remember, not everyone has to get a "store bought" gift. Sometimes sentimental or handmade gifts are better than any store bought present. Check out sights such as pintrest.com to get an array of ideas.

Images via pintrest.com

3. Set a time on when you want to go out and shop for your gift recipients. Thanks to the internet, your shopping experience can be easy and relaxing (maybe sip a cup of hot cocoa while you shop?). Make a date that you want your shopping to be fully completed by. Remember, if you do shop online, factor in the time it will take for your items to ship. If you are doing some of your shopping in a good ol' brick and mortar, remember you don't have to complete everything in one day. Set several days and times that you will go out and shop.

4. Finally, shop wisely. Keep in mind that you can always compare prices of certain gifts to get the best deal. Also, be aware of the places that you shop, whether online or in stores. There are many scam artists out there just waiting for this time of year. If a website seems sketchy or maybe providing stuff that are too good to be true, think twice about shopping there.

Follow these tips this holiday season and you will be on your way to a more easy breezy holiday season.

Happy Holidays!!

Cozy Up Your Home For Fall

Autumn is such a beautiful time. The explosion of color and character along the trees and the need to dig out your sweaters that has been hibernating all summer long.   It’s also that time of year when you find yourself looking for that extra throw to cover up with at night. There's no longer a need to keep the windows wide open all night.  It's not hard to tell that I absolutely love this season . Autumn is my very favorite season of the year, for many reasons: the change and feel of a new season and the excuse to switch things up in your home! So lets look at some ways to cozy up your home for  fall.

Throw Some Comfort On Your Sofa 

A beautiful throw for the sofa is a great way to cozy up your living room. Look for one that is irresistibly soft and compliments the decor of your living room. A throw makes it all the more easy to cuddle up on the couch with a nice cup of tea, hot cocoa or a glass of wine. 

Pottery Barn Faux Fur Throw (Gray Ombre), potteryborn.com

Pottery Barn Chunky Cable Knit Throw, potterybarn.com

Cozy Up Your Home with Fall Candles

Fall inspired candles add such a priceless element to your home - whether lit or not. The colors are warm and inviting and the scents take your home to a new level of relaxation and comfort. Don’t forget the candle holders! Whether tea light or hurricanes, the candle holder is what really makes the candles shine!

Gold Quatrefoil Hurricans, pier1.com

Frosted Deco Mercury Hurricanes, westelm.com

Embellished Votive Holders, Set of 4, potterybarn.com

Add New Comfort to Your Bed Set

A thick and fluffy comforter or duvet will instantly bring your room from simply summer to familiar fall. When choosing the right bedding, keep the color and style in mind. Make sure it compliments the mood and decor of the bedroom while also focusing on the feeling of comfort and coziness.
 

Organic Stamped Dot Duvet Cover and Shams, westelm.com

Morgan 400 Thread Count Duvet Cover and Sham, potterybarn.com

 

Treat Your Windows Right

Updating your window treatments for fall is not only for the visual benefit of of your home, it will also save you money. Using insulated curtains help to keep in any heat while helping to prevent drafts from coming in from outside. Opt for warm colors to change the feel on the room for the cold weather.

photo credit: apartmenttherapy.com

Try these tips to cozy up your home this fall season. What are some ways that you switch up your home for the changing seasons? Comment Below.

 

Back To School Organized: Tame the Paperwork

Hi all! I've been on hiatus this past week. Getting the kiddies ready for back to school. I am happy to say they are all ready for the new school year (and very excited too!).

Now, I am back to share more organizing tips and tricks with you. With it being September, I figured this is the obvious time to talk about Back To School Organizing. In order to create smoother transition from summer to September and a better prepared set of pupils and parents!

Lets talk about all of those papers that your little ones are sent home with everyday. While its extremely informative and helpful, the papers can turn into a pile (even a tower) in a matter of days. Not to mention, become extremely overwhelming. Here are some tips for organizing the your kids school paper work (and art work) to make the important information more functional and easy to access.

Use A File Bin

No need to go all out and spend a lot of money on a file cabinet. You can purchase a clear filing bin from many retailers for under $10 and decorate the bin with printed paper (or better yet, your kids artwork). Next, purchase a pack of hanging file folders and label each file accordingly (artwork, important events, school procedures, etc.) Now all you have to remember is to file the paperwork each day and love your cleared table tops!

Lorell File Box, Walmart.com $9

Letter Size Hanging File Folders 6/pk, Containerstore.com, $6.99

Photo Credit: honeywerehome.blogspot.com

Use A Binder

If you're not so keen on the idea of a file box, you can always opt for a binder instead. Its best to use a separate binder for each child. Use sheet protectors to keep like papers together (important phone numbers, emails, etc). Blank sheets with tabs can be used to separate other sections (notices, lunch menu, math, grammar, etc).  Get you kids involved with the process and encourage them to create a personalized cover page for the front of the binder. They will love it.

Photo Credit: samsnoggin.com

Take It A Step Further...

Add an "About Me" page to the file box or binder to spotlight your child's interests and fun facts. Add the current school years photo to complete the page. 

Photo Credit: Preschoolpalace.org

Follow these steps when organizing your child's school paperwork and you'll find yourself on an organized track the whole school year! 

How do you keep your child's school papers organized? I would love to hear from you! Comment below.

Back to School, Time to Get Organized!

Contact us for your organizing needs and receive a special back to school rate of 20% off!!

Photo Credit: organizedbydesign.biz

Get Organized. Start Living.

Quick Tip: Closet Organizing

Need a quick way to make your closet look more organized? Try using matching hangers. This is stress-free, simple and will make your closet look immaculate!

Photo Credit: closetworks.com

Design to Inspire: Create an Inspirational Workspace

Are you a writer, artist or designer? It is important to create a work space that will inspire your art. As a writer, I know how challenging it is to create a piece of work when inspiration is lacking. Here are some components that are necessary in designing a room that will induce your creativity.  

Color

Color has long been proven to have an impact on a person’s mood. The color blue is linked to inducing a sense of calm and relaxation. While the color yellow is known to promote creative thinking and stimulate your memory (psychdigest.com). Try painting your room in a shade of blue and add yellow accents, if possible, to get the creative juices going.

Sex and the City. Carrie Bradshaw's Apartment

If painting your walls are not an option, try placing accents in the room that pop with these shades of blue and yellow (Olioboard.com)

Art

Art adds a certain presence to a room. Art can include paintings, photographs, sculptures, etc. Do you own a piece of art such as a sculpture that doesn’t fit into the decor of any other part of your home? Try placing it in your work space. Do you have a favorite phrase that describes you or what you do? Try getting this phrase in print to hang in your space.

  Olioboard.com

Room Layout

One of the most important factors in creating an inspirational space is to create a functional layout. If your work space is junky, dysfunctional and does not flow, than your work will not flow. The purpose of creating a separate work space from the rest of your home is to allow just that - to have a designated space for you to think clearly and get into the zone. 

This work space is ideal for creativity. Each item in this room is functional while adding to the room’s character. (Image via apartmenttherapy.com)

Photos

This includes pictures of you with your family and friends. Maybe you have a photo with a person that really influences what you do. Your work space is a great place to have portraits like these for you to view while you work.

Photo Credit: notonthehighstreet.com

Include these key items into the redesign of your workspace to inspire your art. What are some items that you place in your work space to inspire your works of art? Comment below.

5 Ways To Update Your Living Space

Are you sick of the look of your living space? Does your space have the same look from 10 years ago? Here are 5 ideas on updating your space:

Rearrange Your Space. Sounds a little obvious - but you’d be surprised how different a room looks after switching around the furniture. Try rearranging your space with this tool, Autodesk Homestyler. It’s a web based floor planning tool that allows you to plan out your furniture layout and overall room floor plan before you actually put the sweat and tears into moving your furniture.

Photo Credit: Kitchenhunter.net

Photo Credit: Homestyler.com

Add a Fresh Coat of Paint. A new paint job might be just what the doctor ordered to revive a blah room. Changing the color of a room can even change the way you perceive its size. Lighter colors can open up a small room while richer colors can add a sense of warmth to a large room. Check out this before and after photo of a freshly painted room.

Before Painting Photo Credit: ColinandJustin.tv

After Painting. Photo Credit: ColinandJustin.tv

Light Adjustment. It’s amazing how lighting can change the feel and look of a room. If your space is lacking on lighting, try sprucing it up with wall lighting or hanging lights. Keep in mind some key questions when changing the lighting of a room: What's the functionality of this room? What mood do you want to set in this room? What accents do you want to accentuate in this room? Here are some photos on decorative and functional room lighting.

Don't be afraid to go with the less traditional way of lighting. Candles can create a beautiful element to a room. Mason Jar Light Fixture. Photo Credit: Houselighting.org

Treat your wall lighting as an accessory. Let it add character to your space. Photo Credit: trendir.com

Update Your Windows. If completely taking out and replacing your current windows are over your budget at the moment, opt for a more wallet friendly idea. Update your window treatments. Add window panels that compliment your newly painted walls. Create an illusion of a bigger room by raising the curtain rod from 2 inches above the top of the window to directly underneath were the wall meets the ceiling. Here are some photos of updated window treatments. 

Photo Credit: thedeskofannie.blogspot.com

Photo Credit: elledecor.com

Revamp Your Furniture. This is an extremely budget friendly and fun way to update your space. Take your old dining room chairs that have seen it all and re-stain and reupholster them. What about that old coffee table? Grab a sander and make it a fun weekend experience. Sand down the table and stain it with a darker, more rich shade or paint it in a vibrant color.

Reupholstered bench. Photo Credit: copycatcrafts.com

So are you ready to update your space? Comment below with your ideas and before and after photos on updating rooms in your home!

The "Maybe" Pile

There's always room for a "maybe" pile or in this case, box. It's no surprise that making decisions while organizing can be anxiety inducing. Well, don't panic. Start your organizing project, take a break (maybe a cup of tea?) Then get back to it.

Stationary Box, Home Goods

This super cute box, from Home Goods, is the perfect place to hide your undecided paperwork and documents or anything that fits inside that may not have an assigned home yet.

What are some of your "I'll Organize This. Maybe" items? Comment below.

5 Tips To An Organized Pantry

The pantry can be your greatest ally when it comes to creating delectable dishes for yourself and your family. However, if it's a complete mess it can become your worst enemy. Don't let your pantry become the black hole of lost food. Here are some tips for creating and keeping an organized pantry.

Contain Your Stuff

Store loose, dry foods such as grains, pasta, sugar and flour in clear containers. Stick with uniform container sets for a simple, polished look. Storing your food in clear containers allows you to see what you have, which will eliminate the "ugh - we're out of pasta!" dilemmas. An extra tip - using square/ rectangular containers allows for maximized space. I like Good Grips POP Canisters, $8-$17, containerstore.com.

Photo Credit: www.decorate101.com

Label, Label, Label

Once you have all of your loose, dry foods contained, its time to label them for quick reference. Include the name of the food and (if necessary) the date of expiration.You can label with a label maker (my personal choice) or use blank labels and a sharpie. 

Photo Credit: www.foodfamilyfinds.com

Baskets are best

Use baskets to store lose packets such as hot cocoa, taco seasoning, small snack packets, etc. These even come in handy for storing potatoes and onions in an eye pleasing way. 

Photo Credit: www.running-w-scissors.com

Take Notes 

Get into the habit of jotting down any items that are running low or finished. Keep a notepad attached to the inner part of the pantry door to do just that. There are many types of notepads available in various shapes and sizes that are easy to attach to a door or wall.

Photo Credit: www.yumsugar.com

Maintenance is Key

Above all, the most important rule to an organized pantry is the practice of maintenance. Make it a habit to go through the contents in the pantry on a weekly or bi-weekly basis to see what you need as well as what needs to be dumped. Make sure to return items to where you got them from and your pantry will always be in order.

What are some tips that you use to keep your pantry organized? Comment below.

Simple Words

Out of clutter,

Find simplicity.

From discord,

Find harmony.

In the middle of difficulty

 Lies opportunity.

-Albert Einstein

Find your simplicity. 

Have a great weekend!

Top 6 Ways To Use Stripes In Your Home Now

What's trending big right now in home decor? Stripes! Here are the top 6 ways that you can add this trend to your home right now.

Ceilings 

If your feeling, well - up to it, striped ceilings can add a great pick me up to any room. This look is not for the faint of style. If your going to add stripes to your ceiling, you gotta own it! It’s a fierce statement.

Image via thekbfiles.blogspot.com

 The bright stripes on this ceiling adds a ray of sunshine to the room and pairs great with dark, matte walls.  

Image via hgtv.com

 Let the kids get in on this trend too. Striped ceilings bring imagination to life in this nursery.  

  

Curtains

Adding the striped trend to your home is as easy as a screw, a rod and some fabric - striped fabric! This pattern will add the look you want to any bland room. 

Image via madebygirl.blogspot.com

Throw Pillows

Using throw pillows to add the stripe trend to your home or space is another non commitment way to go. Its easy to switch things up as the seasons or your own design mood changes.

Image via allmodern.com

 

Image via etsy.com

  

Furniture

 You can go stripe with your furniture by means of fabric or you can go stripe by means of the actually structure. Its a personal choice. I love both! It’s a sure statement either way you choose.

 

Image via cassasugar.com

Make a statement in your home with this staple structured chair inspired by stripes. 

Image via decoist.com

Tabletop

Take your stripes out to eat! Stripes at the dinner table are another way to incorporate this trend into your home decor. It’s also a good way to ease into the trend if your on the fence about whether you want to dive right in!

Image via elledecor.com

Rugs

Create your own personal runway - with a striped rug. OK -  so its not an actual runway. But, rest assured that when you walk into your home and see that beautiful, bold stripe printed rug, you will feel like a super star entering your home!

Image via shophorne.com

 Which trend are you going to try first? Comment below.

Happy Monday

"Organized people are just too lazy to look for things"

Image via iheartorganizing.blogspot.com

 I love this quote. It couldn't be further from the truth. Why bother wasting time looking for something around your home?

Just get organized and take back your day!

Hope your enjoying your Monday!

Simple Answer: Folding

Tired of feeling like your closet or dresser drawer is too small for all of your clothes? Even after donating and disposing of so many pieces of clothing, is your drawer still regurgitating the remainders? The answer could be as simple as
F O L D I N G!

Here are some tips on expanding the space in your closet or drawer:

• Try folding for the space that you have in your dresser drawer.  Folding flat is key. Folding your shirts too small can cause your clothing more harm than good (i.e: too many fold lines).

• Fold your dress shirts and create shelving in your closet. If you have an abundance of dress shirts in your closet and are on the verge loosing your piece of mind because your closet is too full, try another option. Start folding your dress shirts to create more space for your other garments. Take the advice from RealSimple on how to properly fold dress shirts, eliminate wrinkles and create more space in your closet.

A closet shelving unit like this from Ikea is perfect for holding your folded clothes. Garnityr Storage with 7 compartments, $14.99, Ikea.com

• Reduce space by folding your denim. Sure it's great to have your jeans lined in a row in your closet. Nice and crisp. But what happens when your closet suddenly becomes packed like the clearance rack at Macy’s. Try folding your denim and placing them on a shelving unit in your closet to save on space (and to give you another excuse to go shopping).

• Fold by Seasons. If your closet is tight in space, try showcasing your in season garments. Keep your in season clothes at hand in your closet ready to go for when you need them. Fold your out of season clothing and store them in your dresser drawers. This will allow for ample space in your closet and allow for more time when it comes to getting ready.

So what do you think about these space saving tips? Let me know about ways that you save on space in your closets.

5 Tips on Creating A Beautiful Photo Wall

Do you dream of having a beautiful photo wall that showcases you, your family and your experiences? So, whats holding you back? Just because you’ve seen some photo wall disasters, this doesn’t mean that yours has to end up that way. Here are some tips on creating a photo wall that everyone will want to admire.

Take Time and Measure 

A visually pleasing photo wall is based on good measurement. The general rule is to allow two inches between each frame. If you want more space between each photo, just make sure the spaces are even.

Uncoordinated Coordination

Not all photos have to be the same size and shape. Just make sure that the frames are the same. Dark wood or all black frames are classic, modern and beautiful. If you choose to go with the same sized frame, a photo mat always works to tie in the smaller photos. 

Image via inspirebohemia.com

Image via shelterness.com

Create a Themed Look

Give your photo space a theme. Hang all black and white or vividly colored photos. Create a love wall with photos of you and your significant other throughout the years, from the first date to your wedding date. The possibilities are endless.

Themed family photo wall. Image via tatertotsandjello.com

Image via walldecoratingideasme.blogspot.com

When In Doubt, Use Shelving

Skip the stress of measuring spaces between frames and install photo shelving. Its versatile and allows you to change up your photos and frames easily.

Image via ideas4decorating.com

Forgo the Frames

Ditch the idea of frames all together and opt for canvased photos. They are a beautiful alternative to displaying your most precious moments. Your photos will instantly pop in any room that you decide to hang them. Most photo studios and photographers will transfer your already developed photos onto a canvas for a good price.

Image via jenniferbowen.net

So forget the bad images that you have in your head about a poorly planned photo wall. With a little work and thought, you can create a alluring show piece. What are your opinions on photo walls? Let us here it! Comment below.