What's Really in the Room During the Holidays~Stop Opening the Gifts and Listen

The day after Thanksgiving my mom and I headed out for our annual Black Friday shopping extravaganza, which marks the official start to the holidays. While we don't participate in the wee hours of the a.m. we certainly still find ourselves deals amongst the crowded aisles throughout the stores. I suppose everyone's motives that day are essentially...

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Control that Clutter!

We've all had those weeks. By Friday our mail is stacked up to the high heavens on our kitchen counters, the kids toys have become unintentional decor in every room and our closets have now become the floor. If you can't seem to catch it before it begins over time the weeks turn into months and the result is a cluttered homestead. One of the first things people will say is "I just can't find the time to keep up with it". That should be your Aha! moment. Can't find the time, so now time has decided to interfere with your day by making you spend...

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Thoughts on a Society Fueled by Consumerism. Deciding When Enough is Enough

~ In a consumer society there are inevitably two kinds of slaves: the prisoners of addiction and the prisoners of envy ~ Ivan Illich In 1998 I went out and bought my first cell phone. There was nothing fancy about it and I recall not being overly thrilled about the idea. I just concluded that it would be a good idea in case of an emergency. Imagine that, a cell for emergency purposes only. Fast forward 13 years later as thousands across the country are racing to stores to purchase the new iPhone, and more than half of the recipients are more than...

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Making a List and Checking it Twice...Or Not? My "To Do List" Experiment

 We wake up every morning and begin with thousands of thoughts running around in our heads of what needs to get accomplished that day, that week, or even that month. On a personal note my life has become so consumed by to do's that I felt as though I was just living off lists with my sanity linked to the pen that crossed off the tasks.  I...

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Getting Back to School Ready! There's Something About Autumn...

I've always wondered if seasons can sense our excitement, anticipation or reluctance as they begin to creep up on us. For New Englanders we welcome summer with open arms. After bitter cold winters and a spring that only seems to last about a month summer is that breath of fresh air that makes its way into our homes with welcoming smiles. There is...

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Jewelry Revamp!

This jewelry armoire was beginning to look like a bunch of junk drawers, and was clearly defeating the purpose! Our hanging jewelry organizer was an easy fix. I was able to organize the armoire to just hold bangles, the many many bangles I might add! Earrings, hard to find earring backs, rings and smaller bangles are conveniently stored and hanging...

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Why I'm Choosing the Road Less Traveled and My Top 5 for De-Cluttering Lives

There is a long road ahead with two paths to follow. The first road is named "Practical Purposes" and the second, "Embrace Your Talents".  Imagine, just for a moment, a world where everyone can give themselves the chance to embrace their passion, talents, true self and decided to take that path. A world where individual circumstances do not always dictate the path that is chosen. A road that is followed because individuals do not make career choices based on financials or the choice being a "practical" decision. While most of...

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A Retail Queen's Quest for Living Simply

Recently my parents were cleaning their basement and came across a journal I kept when I was about 9 years old. There was one entry that I came across that described in great detail the type of closet I wanted when I was all grown up. "It will be big enough to hold my thousands of pairs of shoes and purses" and house a Jacuzzi as well.  As a 9 year old little girl the mere thought of having so much "stuff" meant I would be happiest girl in the world. Even as a child one thing was clear, I loved to shop. This love of shopping manifested itself into...

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Man Cave Matters vs The Organized Woman

Although I dont have any scientific evidence to back myself up here I'd like to believe that women are far more organized than men when it comes to keeping the house from looking as though a bulldozer ran through the front door. Toilet seat up? Check. Dirty clothes on the floor? Check. Just as I was sitting down to write this on my couch my fiancee's PS3 controller was conveniently wedged between the cushions. My purpose of this blog post is not to create a heated debate over who does more at home when it comes to cleaning, but rather come to the...

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Organizing Our Photos From Years Passed

I love old photographs. They capture a moment in time before all the events that shape our lives could be digitally captured from start to finish. Before they were shared through social media and email. They serve as a gateway into the lives of our ancestors and loves ones who have passed on, or who may be still with us today. Their history almost...

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Basement Got You Down in The Dumps?

I'm all about an inviting home. A place that your friends and family can walk into feeling comfortable and relaxed, as if they could stay the week. This goes beyond being tidy and organized. It also incorporates creating a space that's bright, peaceful and characteristic of your life and the things that make you happy. The one place in the home that...

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Finding Your Balance and Why Rainy Days Never Get Me Down

Busy- “engaged in some business; hard at work either habitually or only for the time being”.  Let’s go with the habitually busy, because it seems that’s the most realistic way to look at our lives. The common phrase I seem to hear every day is, “there just aren’t enough hours in the day.”  It seems the outdoor/indoor activities and commitments are endless, on top of balancing all of our other daily to dos. If you are looking at your calendar and asking yourself when you’re going to have time to fit in sleeping I’d say you need a moment...

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On the Move? Get Started on the Right Foot!

When the Boxes are goneAnd you’ve cleaned up the messYou’ll make a home of the houseThat was just an address ~ You’re getting your first place, or moving into your brand new home. Maybe you’re relocating for your job and traveling across country. Whatever the reason for you to call a new place your home, look at it as a new beginning or a fresh start! With so many things to pack up, put away and get settled it can be easy to become overwhelmed. Here are a few tips and ideas to get your move started on the right foot. Rid yourself of the...

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The Great Toy Challenge

Wouldn't it be great if all the toys in your child's playroom came alive like in Toy Story and magically walked themselves back into their "designated" spots? Sadly your child's Woody doll is not going to organize the troops and have them jump back into the toy chest, I know you were picturing it. I was able to reach out to some moms recently on their...

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It's All About the Kitchen!

What is that one room of your home, other than the living room, where lots of activity is going on? The kitchen! Other than cooking of course, it can serve as the designated spot for the kids to do their homework, arts and crafts and the area of the house where people tend to socialize. There is certainly nothing worse than being in a room that you...

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Spring In the Air!

Spring has sprung, well sort of, which means life returns to the outdoors! Flowers start to bud, birds start singing and the fresh air fills your home. We can all agree it's been a long winter, and as we dive into what hopefully will be months of sunshine, what better way to celebrate the fresh air than to make a fresh start in cleaning and organizing your home! A little hint... it doesn't cost much, but the mental benefits are great! So read on, hopefully learn some tips and feel free to add comments! Winter Clothing Storage If you...

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