Every New Year, I decide to really do a good closet cleanout. I take the time to go through all the clothes that do not fit well or have not worn in a while. It’s so much easier for me to do it over a few weeks than all at once. I also keep a bag in my closet for donations. When I try something on and it’s just not right, in the bag it goes. When I have a pretty good accumulation, I contact Pick Up Please. It is so convenient. You go online and pick your date and then leave your donations outside on the morning of the pickup. I also send many things to the Real Real. I find it to be such a great resource for selling things with designer labels in good condition. I am so impressed with how fast things sell on the Real Real. Once I started getting rid of and organizing things in my closet, I start dreaming of what my perfect closet would look like. Here are some of my favorite closet/clothing storage ideas:
Jennifer Eisenstadt
Krystine Edwards
Lauren Conrad
I have been trying for a really good Home Goods Round-Up for you but the last few times I went to Home Goods it was really a letdown. The store has just not been packed the way it used to be prior to Covid. However, my friends in other areas, especially down south, are finding the most incredible things. I am hoping we are just a few weeks behind. I will keep checking. In the meanwhile….Here are some really fun things that I found in the Port Chester location this afternoon.
There were so many really pretty Ikat pillows..I love this color combo and also the pouf underneath (there was a pair of those too!)
These geometric placemats were giving me David Hicks vibes!
There was an entire set of these “marbleized” black and white china, diner and salad plates and pasta/cereal bowls too!!! So Fab!!!
These mirrors would be prefect for a cabana, or pool or beach house!!!!
This Gold and glass table was so chic in person…I really should have grabbed it…
The selection of decorative storage baskets was one of the best I have seen there in ages..
Batik tablecloths and napkins are all the rage and quite expensive…these were gorgeous and a fraction of the price…
I am always asked if I see end of the bed benches…LOVED this grey tufted upholstered one..
I am not a huge fan of artificial flowers but I do like a faux succulents from time to time and this greenery was really lush in person. Perfect for shelf decor or Zoom backgrounds!!!!
I have seen this design in the William Yeoward section at Hoaglands (one of my favorites)…these are just soo pretty and only 9.99 each. I should have grabbed them for my mom.
A woman was swooning over this assortment of French Chocolates, I picked up a couple for Galentine’s Day!!!!!!
Another really pretty and current side table…
I loved this trio of candles….
Just the other day Dabney of Dabney Lee was telling me I needed an assortment of candle holders to scatter together to hold her beautiful colorful tapers…..I thought these looked so pretty….
This little lamp really caught my eye….
I have seen oodles and oodles of rattan planters all over Instagram…how sweet is this little caned square one? I am kicking myself I left it behind. Not bad for $8.
These gold lamps were giving me Aerin vibes. They have the coolest crystal balls at the base…They were really stunning in person!!!
My friend from SC was raving over those UGG knit blankets. She said they are gorgeous and luxurious in person and make amazing throws for all over the house. I love this color. She’s right, what a great gift…I am thinking perfect for Father’s Day, if you can wait that long!!!!
Another William Yeoward look but this one I would give as a gift with pink Himalayan salt for someone to keep right by their stove or on their table to serve with a little silver spoon…
You know I cannot resist the holiday decor..I love these heart stemless wine glasses and this big red heart tray….
I am always looking for cool home office decor and how amazing are these storage boxes. They would look great stacked on a desk or on a credenza or on bookshelves…
And my favorite favorite item was hiding behind the registers, a robot vacuum..this was such a great deal for $120. If you know you know and if you don’t you need to try one!!!!
Spending time outdoors and relaxing with friends and family has become a way of life during this Pandemic. Why not transform your yard into a perfect space for entertaining your guests? Read on to find out how you can create a yard that’s always ready for a get together with family and friends.
Create an Entertaining Area
To make the most of spending time outside in your yard, it is a great idea to create an inviting space for entertaining guests. Adding an attractive patio to your backyard will make your yard look great and provide a practical space for you to welcome your guests.
When adding a patio to your yard, it is crucial to choose patio builders that are experts at what they do to ensure that you have a high-quality patio that will last you for many years to come. Your builder will work with you to help you select the best materials for your patio and a design that will help you make the most of your space. One of the great things about a patio is that it provides a low maintenance area of your garden that stays looking great with very little effort.
Choose Your Furniture
To make your yard a functional space for entertaining, you need the right furniture for the job. Choosing a furniture style that suits the look that you want for your space will help you to create a more attractive space with an added wow factor. There are so many different outdoor furniture styles to choose from, so you will be able to take your pick from a great variety of tables, chairs, loungers, and more. If you want to maximize the number of people you can seat without taking up too much space on your new patio, why not choose an outdoor corner suite. While choosing your furniture shade is also another thing to consider; so you may want to choose a parasol that coordinates with your furniture set at the same time.
Dine In Style
If you love to dine outdoors, why not treat yourself to some new outdoor cooking equipment for your new entertaining space? Choosing a new barbecue is the perfect excuse to get your friends over for an evening of tasty grilled food under some heat lamps. If you feel like something a little different from a barbecue, how about mixing things up a little bit with an outdoor pizza oven? Everyone loves wood-fired pizza!
Add Decorative Finishing Touches
Once your new patio has been completed and you have chosen your outdoor furniture, it is time to complete your new entertaining space with some finishing touches. You could add some color with some container plants in bright pots and use year round outdoor plants like small evergreen trees, which will last throughout the winter.
Once the finishing touches are complete, it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your new entertaining space!
If you have been following me for a while you know how much I love a pretty table setting. A friend recently introduced me to Lucy Grymes. Lucy Grymes is a paper and lifestyle brand that creates paper products that are both beautiful and easy to use. Lucy sent me a really pretty assortment of her vase wraps and paper placemats. I worked with the vase wraps this past weekend, with my friend Kelley, to create a really pretty fall tablescape. All of the paper placemat prints are so gorgeous too. I am working on some table settings so stay tuned. But, I think I need to copy some of Lucy’s ideas which I have included below. To see her complete line or to order your own vase covers or placemats, click HERE.
Here are my arrangements on my dining room table:
And here is my friend Kelley’s that she put in her pretty living room. We LOVED working with the vase wraps. We both covered a stemless wine glass for each arraignment!
And here was our inspiration!!!!
When your life gets busy, you can put aside outstanding tasks to concentrate on what is important at the time. This can include tidying up your dresser in your bedroom. Spending a few moments straightening the contents on top of and inside this piece of furniture will make your life easier later when you are searching for something. Here are a few tips for organizing your things.
Account For What Is Inside
Empty out the drawers and set the contents on the floor or on your bed to sort through. This is a good time to determine if the article of clothing is something you still wear or if you want to get rid of it. Store away clothes that are out of season, then prepare to bring them out when it is time. Pile like items together and decide what drawer they would fit best in. Save the smaller spaces for things like underwear or socks and the larger ones for sweaters, sweatshirts, and pants. If there is something that would work better on a hanger, take the time to hang it in your closet instead.
Organize The Top Of the Dresser
Clear away the belongings on top of the dresser and wipe off the dust or other debris on it. Analyze what was there and decide where it should actually go. If it is a random piece of clothing, place it in the drawer it belongs. If you have different pieces of jewelry lying around, set them back in the box they belong in for safekeeping or add a decorative dish to hold these items. If your jewelry storage is also a mess, slip some jewelry inserts inside so that you can organize them by category. Set up any art or decorative pieces that you might have displayed on your dresser to finish off the look.
What To Do With the Extra Items
Once you have your dresser organized, determine what to do with the items that you are willing to part with. You can post them in an online marketplace site or clean the rest of your house and have a garage sale. You can consider donating them to a non-profit organization that has a discount store of their own to raise money for their cause or contact the veterans to come pick up your donations. This is very easy to do and very satisfying. If these objects have a sentimental value to you, pack them carefully into a box and store them somewhere that is cool and dry, like your attic or basement. Purchase an airtight container to store them in to protect them from the elements and to prevent anything from falling on them and damaging them.
The holidays are just around the corner and although things may be different this year, it’s time to start thinking about preparing your home to get it clean and organized. This will make it festive and cozy for you and your loved ones.
Now you may be thinking it’s a little early to start thinking about the holidays but they will soon be here and there’s no time like the present. Plus, if you start preparing in advance, it means there is less for you to do when the holiday season arrives and you can enjoy the festivities stress-free.
Try taking on a different cleaning or organizing chore each week and it won’t feel as overwhelming. Here are some ways that you can start preparing your home for the holidays now.
Clean everywhere, even outside
Before you think about hanging any decorations up, you need to give your home a thorough clean from top to bottom, inside and outside. If you start with the big tasks first, it will be much easier. Things like a deep clean, or cleaning out your gutters are chores you want to tackle first. By doing this in advance, it means you will be able to spend more time with your family nearer the time. You’ll only need to maintain a clean home and that won’t be as time-consuming.
Declutter your drawers and cupboards
This is one of those tasks that if you tackle it now, your future self will be happy and grateful that you did. When you’re putting your holiday decorations up, the last thing you want is to get sidetracked by the mess in a drawer when you were simply looking for spare batteries. Clear out any junk or unwanted items from your cupboards and drawers. It can be a mundane chore but think of the satisfying feeling you will have once it’s done and out of the way!
Update your furniture
You might have been meaning to get a new piece of furniture for your home but have been putting it off for a while, now is the time to do it. Whether it’s extra chairs so there’s plenty of seats for everyone to sit or a new dining table so the whole family doesn’t have to squeeze around it, update your furniture now. Places like Dining Rooms Outlet have some great affordable options.
Do an inventory
If you have guests over for the holiday season, you need to make sure you have got enough linen, towels, place settings and glasses, etc. Checking you have enough of these items now means that you won’t be rushing around last minute trying to pick extras when the stores will be busy in the build-up to the big day.
Give to charity
Sort through your children’s old toys or games and anything they don’t want or use anymore you can donate to charity. Chances are they will get plenty of new toys and games for Christmas so rather than trying to make space and feel like you can’t move for toys, this will prevent that from happening. You can also go through bookshelves and closets and see if there’s anything else that you can donate to charity.
Check your Christmas ornaments
Now you may be meticulous when it comes to taking your Christmas ornaments down, packing and storing them away safely. But there are times when ornaments can crack or break, so it’s best to check them to make sure they are in great condition. Or if you’d like some new ornaments this year, you can always make some new ones. This is something you can do with your kids in the weeks leading up to Christmas and it will keep them occupied for a couple of hours.
Make sure everywhere is winter-proof
It’s that time of year when the temperatures drop so you need to ensure that doors and windows seals are in good condition to stop draughts getting in. You can add throws to your couch to make them cozier and finish off the look with some seasonal decorative pillows. To make your home feel extra warm and snugly scented holiday candles are a must!!!!
These are just seven simple ways you can start preparing your home for the holidays. When the house is ready inside and outside and all the boring, mundane chores are out of the way, it means you can put your feet up, pour yourself a seasonal beverage and enjoy the holiday season with all those you love.