Preparing Your Home for Guests this Holiday Season

Can you believe Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK?!

I don’t know about you, but for us, this year has absolutely flown by! Here are a few tips to jog your memory on how to prep for guests coming in town during the holidays.

Guest bedrooms – Southern Style

• YOU will NEED CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE BEDDING FOR THE GUEST BEDROOM. 

  Clean being the more important of the two! Make sure all bedding is washed and the bed is made neatly. Yes, they might mind the Louisiana Catahoula hound hair on the pillow! Make sure to have enough pillows and an extra blanket if needed. Here is a link to “How to Make a Bed,” in case you need some help.

• CLUTTER FREE SPACE IS IMPORTANT.

  Of course, they want to see the 72 photos of you and your kids at the Saints game displayed on the nightstand, but they’d also like a space to rest their own personal items. Make sure the bedside table is clear enough for them to have space for their phones, ipads, laptops or other personal items. Be sure to have a spot for their luggage. Maybe just 1 photo of Drew Brees hanging on the wall will suffice? Having a little hanging space in the closet is considerate too. Move the debutante dresses to the other closet!

• HELP ENTERTAIN YOUR GUESTS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT SLEEPING HABITS THAN YOUR FAMILY BY PROVIDING SOFT LIGHTING, WATER, SNACKS AND ENTERTAINMENT. 

  
  Lamps, books, InRegister, 225 magazines, local brochures for nearby attractions as well as a Wi-Fi password provided for late night or early morning reading are a just few nice touches. Water and snacks like pralines, Satsuma’s, or Zapp’s chips help a guest feel cozy and may make them forget that it’s 90% humidity outside on Thanksgiving Day. Did I mention they might need hair ties? Do they need space for a C-Pap machine, medications, baby to sleep or nurse?

Guest Bathrooms

• PLACE A CLEAN BATH TOWEL, FACE TOWEL, AND WASHCLOTH ON THE GUEST’S BED SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO SEARCHING FOR WHAT THEY CAN USE.

  In my house, I like to designate certain towels as guest towels so that my family members don’t use them to wash the dog or clean up the mud on the floor (Can you relate?). My guest towels don’t look like the others. They are actually white, for one (not dingy white and well loved). I have put these in baskets, tied them with a ribbon, or just stacked them nicely. Any of those options make the guest feel welcome.  

• A NICE BASKET OR CONTAINER OF TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES IS HELPFUL IF YOUR GUEST FORGOT AN IMPORTANT ITEM.

  This basket can include but is not limited to shampoo, body wash, conditioner, toothbrush, razor, mouthwash, toothpaste, dental floss, comb, hair ties, or bug spray (mosquitos are like hawks, y’all). If your guests have small children, include toiletries geared for children as well.  

• MAKE SURE THAT THE BATHROOM IS CLEAN.

  This is especially important if your guests share the bathroom with my children. Uhm, I mean children. Any children.  

All of these tips can help your guests feel relaxed and pass a good time while staying in your home. They let your guests feel that they are wanted and welcome. But be careful, if you are too kind, they might not leave. And as my Mother-in-law likes to say, company and fish stink after about 3 days!

Most importantly, y’all have a good time, cher! Laisses Bon Temps Rouler!

DOES PREPARING YOUR GUEST ROOM FOR COMPANY SEEM OVERWHELMING? LET US GIVE YOU A HAND!

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How to Organize Your Cleaning Supplies

Keeping your cleaning supplies organized plays a huge role in maintaining a clean and tidy home. Here are some tips to help you organize your cleaning supplies.

Declutter your cleaning supplies

Before organizing your cleaning supplies, it's essential to declutter them first. Get rid of the cleaning products you no longer use or expired.

Categorize Your Cleaning Supplies

Categorize your cleaning supplies based on their purpose. For instance, you can group all-purpose, glass, and disinfectants in one category.

Find a Storage Solution

Once you've categorized your cleaning supplies, find a suitable storage solution. You can use a cleaning caddy, plastic bins, or a cabinet to store your cleaning supplies.

Label your cleaning supplies

Labeling your cleaning supplies can help you identify them quickly. You can use a label maker or a marker to label each cleaning product with its name and purpose.

Create a cleaning schedule

Creating a cleaning schedule can help you stay on top of your cleaning tasks. You can assign specific days of the week for cleaning different areas of your home and make a list of the cleaning supplies you need for each task.

Following these tips, you can organize your cleaning supplies and make your cleaning routine more efficient.

Need help creating a cleaning routine?

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How to Prepare Your Home for Guests

Are you as excited as I am to be celebrating the holidays in person again? 

I’m currently in the airport waiting to board a plane to Austin for an organizing convention but on the way, I forewarned my hubby that when I get back….game on for Holiday decor! I can be thankful and joyful at the same time!!!

What really struck me is this is the first time many of us have had guests in 2 years! Let me give you a quick refresher on tips for having guests!

Guest bedrooms –Southern Style

• YOU WILL NEED CLEAN AND COMFORTABLE BEDDING FOR THE GUEST BEDROOM. 
  

Clean being the more important of the two! Make sure all bedding is washed and the bed is made neatly. Yes, they might mind the Louisiana Catahoula hound hair on the pillow! Make sure to have enough pillows and an extra blanket if needed. Here is a link to “How to Make a Bed,” in case you need some help.

• CLUTTER FREE SPACE IS IMPORTANT.  

Of course, they want to see the 72 photos of you and your kids at the Saints game displayed on the nightstand, but they’d also like a space to rest their own personal items. Make sure the bedside table is clear enough for them to have space for their phones, ipads, laptops or other personal items. Be sure to have a spot for their luggage. Maybe just 1 photo of Drew Brees hanging on the wall will suffice? Having a little hanging space in the closet is considerate too. Move the debutante dresses to the other closet!

• HELP ENTERTAIN YOUR GUESTS THAT HAVE DIFFERENT SLEEPING HABITS THAN YOUR FAMILY BY PROVIDING SOFT LIGHTING, WATER, SNACKS AND ENTERTAINMENT. 

Lamps, books, Southern Living, Garden and Gun magazines, local brochures for nearby attractions as well as a Wi-Fi password provided for late night or early morning reading are a just few nice touches. Water and snacks like pralines, Satsuma’s or Zapp’s chips help a guest feel cozy and may make them forget that it’s 90% humidity outside on Thanksgiving Day. Did I mention they might need hair ties? Do they need space for a C-Pap machine, medications, baby to sleep or nurse?

Guest Bathrooms

• PLACE A CLEAN BATH TOWEL, FACE TOWEL, AND WASHCLOTH ON THE GUEST’S BED SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO GO SEARCHING FOR WHAT THEY CAN USE.

In my house, I like to designate certain towels as guest towels so that my family members don’t use them to wash the dog or clean up the mud on the floor (Can you relate?) My guest towels don’t look like the others. They are actually white, for one (not dingy white and well loved). I have put these in baskets, tied them with a ribbon or just stacked them nicely. Any of those options makes the guest feel welcome.  

• A NICE BASKET OR CONTAINER OF TRAVEL SIZE TOILETRIES IS HELPFUL IF YOUR GUEST FORGOT AN IMPORTANT ITEM.

This basket can include but is not limited to shampoo, body wash, conditioner, toothbrush, razor, mouthwash, toothpaste, dental floss, comb, hair ties or bug spray (mosquitos are like hawks, y’all). If your guests have small children, include toiletries geared for children as well.  

• MAKE SURE THAT THE BATHROOM IS CLEAN.

This is especially important if your guests share the bathroom with my children. Uhm, I mean children. Any children.  

All of these tips can help your guests feel relaxed and pass a good time while staying in your home. They let your guests feel that they are wanted and welcome. But be careful, if you are too kind, they might not leave. And as my Mother-in-law likes to say, company and fish stink after about 3 days!

Most importantly, y’all have a good time, cher!  Laisses Bon Temps Rouler!

DOES PREPARING YOUR GUEST ROOM FOR COMPANY SEEM OVERWHELMING? LET US GIVE YOU A HAND!

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All About the Bathroom Clutter

The kitchen is consistently described as the hardest working room in the home and while it is a hard-working room, I am here to debate its claim to fame as THE  hardest working room. After all, I know people who never cook favoring going out to eat as an alternative for most of their meals. I’ve even heard people say they don’t even need a kitchen since they rarely use it! 

So, you ask, what is the hardest working room? Well my friends, I say it’s the bathroom.   

 Think about it. Unless you are lucky enough to be on vacation, the bathroom is the room that is sure to be used daily. There is no “I’ll just go out to bathe, brush my teeth, weigh myself, etc.” These things get done daily at home in your bathroom.  Even when you are on vacation the bathroom is an intricate part of your “private” space.  Some hotels have a kitchenette, but ALL hotels have a bathroom. (Well except the place my daughter stayed in near Big Bend but that’s another story for another day. ) 

Since the bathroom is such an important part of our homes, it is imperative we keep this space organized.   

This room is used to start and end your day.   

 We try to incorporate into our daily challenges on social media quick tasks that go a long way to keeping you on track with getting and staying organized. This week’s challenges were centered around the bathroom.   

Purge Old Perfume 

Perfume has an average shelf life of three to five years from the time it is produced. While it doesn’t necessarily expire, overtime as perfume ages it will lose its concentration of original scent and it may start to smell like vinegar. Applying old perfume can also result in skin irritation, allergic reactions, or simply unpleasant aromas. Take a few minutes to do a smell test on your perfume and colognes discarding the stinky old ones.   

Pro tip: 

Perfume is best stored in opaque bottles with the top on in a cool and dark spot. I know, this is not the answer you were searching for as the bottles are oftentimes like works of art and look so pretty sitting on the counter on a tray. That’s how I keep mine too, but I make a point to use my stuff before it has an opportunity to start to smell differently than produced. 

Clean Brushes and Toss Old Appliances 

Does your bathroom cabinet, closet, drawer resemble a study in the history of hair?   

 ·        How many hair dryers do you own?   

·        Curling irons, flat irons, hot rollers?   

·        How many brushes and combs do you possess?   

·        Most importantly, what do you use regularly?   

The items you use on a daily basis should be the items taking up the prime real estate in your space.  Everything else should be stored away for occasional use. You may not wish to hot roll your hair daily, but you know there are times when those babies are needed. Store your rollers in a container properly labeled and placed it in a location for those occasions but out of the space you use daily.   

This is about clearing your area for the things that matter most giving you a sense of space.  Having that perception of space will go a long way in creating a sense of calm. 

 Wash Makeup Brushes and Toss Expired Makeup

 Good makeup brushes are an investment. I used to use the brushes that came with the drugstore makeup I bought. However, as I’ve gotten older, I have made a point to invest in better makeup and most importantly better brushes. There are some drugstore makeup brands I still gravitate towards, but the higher quality brushes make even inexpensive makeup easier to apply.   

I have started earmarking Sunday mornings as my time to clean my makeup brushes. This small task effects my everyday makeup routine in such a positive manner.   

Additionally, toss any expired makeup products that may be taking up precious space. Expired makeup not only takes up room, but it can cause skin irritation or infection and no one needs that in their lives.

This image was originally posted by The Perfume Expert.

 Pro Tip: 

Check out this video on how to properly clean your makeup brushes. Create a weekly time to do this task. And check out these articles on The Perfume Expert and Today to learn more about makeup expiration and keeping products clean.

Toss Expired Medicine 

Don’t further your family’s illnesses by giving them bad medicine. Check the expiration dates and toss the items that are no longer up to date.   

Clear the Flat Surfaces 

Starting your morning in a clutter free space allows you to focus on the tasks ahead of you setting the tone for the rest of your day. Clutter is a thief. It steals our energy. If you at least start your day sans the clutter, you are a step ahead.   

 Having a spot for your items will help you keep your bathroom clutter free. Even a tray to corral the items used daily is better than having them haphazardly strewn around the counter.   

At the end of the day when you are winding down this clutter free environment will help induce a better night's rest which will impact the next day.   

 These practices have such amazing benefits and truly take little effort when placed into your daily routine.  Give us a call if you need help finding your calm. We are experts at clearing the clutter and establishing systems to keep your home a sanctuary of calm, peace, and fun. 

Bathroom Organization: Makeup, Hair Products, Lotions, and Everything Else!

STUFF!  

Do you realize how much STUFF we keep in our bathrooms!  

Hair…face…body…shaving…bath…shower…personal…samples…back stock (because heaven forbid we run out of stuff)…cleaning supplies…linens… it’s a lot of stuff.  Oh, and please add coffee stuff to MY list because I need my coffee maker as close to my bed as I can get it!

We need this stuff to start and end our day, right?  Well, mostly we do. Let’s take a closer look at our stuff and see if we can streamline our bathroom scene.  After all, do you take all this stuff with you when you travel? My guess would be no and that my friends might help you decide what you truly need.

If you read about our Chaos Method™ in last week’s blog, Lisa talked about our approach to organizing.  Here is a tutorial to get you started with your bathroom organization:

CATEGORIZE

The first step to organizing is always to categorize.  You can start with a drawer or with the entire bathroom, but always start with putting like items together. Yes, that means you will really see how many perfume samples you have in those drawers!

HELPFUL OR HURTFUL

Next, what items are helpful for getting ready for the day or for bed and what items are hurtful to that process?  Having a junk drawer in your bathroom might take up prime real estate that is needed for items that are more helpful to the dressing or undressing process.  Do the children need cabinet space in your bathroom?  Mine did! Do you really need 24 towels? Maybe a better laundry schedule would be more helpful for your family. How many lotions should you have before it becomes excessive?

Too much of a good thing is certainly not a good thing.  When our spaces are full of clutter or excess, we have a difficult time seeing what is in front of us.  Our minds need clear space to process.

ACTION

Toss, donate or keep!  It’s the bathroom, so anything that is dirty, smells funny, used or unrecognizable should be tossed.  If it’s clean, but you haven’t used it, donate and if it’s something you need (helpful)…KEEP!  Make sure to check expiration dates!

Did you know makeup expires?  Here’s a list from our fellow organizer and friend, Lauren at The Intentional Edit. (We believe in Community/Competition and love to share our good organizing information.)

When To Toss Cosmetics…

• 3 – 4 Months (after opening) = Mascara, Eye Liner, Eye Shadow (powder)

• 6 – 12 Months (after opening) = Lip gloss, Liquid Foundation, Concealer

• 1 Year = Lipstick

• 2 Years (after opening) = Powder Based Products (other than Eye Shadow)

We also found this great app about makeup carcinogens from another organizer friend, Heather of HK Power Studio!  

Both organizers have great tips on makeup and product organization! Check them out!

ORGANIZE!

Time to ORGANIZE!  This is the fun part because now things are shaping up and going to look pretty.  It’s time to find bins to contain the items.  Here are a few of our favorites!

These idesign bathroom bins are plastic, clear, sturdy, have handles and are great for storing items like lotions, hair products, extra soap, etc. in your bathroom cabinets or drawers, if they are deep like mine.  They are a definite “go to” item for us!  

I personally like my makeup, toothbrush, and small items to be stored in a drawer because I want my counter to be clean and clear.  But if you have limited drawer space like some of our clients, this makeup organizer might benefit you!

Pro Tip:  Items that need to be on the counter look best if gathered on a tray like this.

These are the drawer organizers that I love!  Be sure to measure your drawer as well as your items before you order to make sure you get a proper fit.

SIMPLIFY

Label everything.  Sure a label is no guarantee that you(Or other household members) will return items to their proper place but it increases your chances exponentially (helpful).

When I travel I like taking notice of how hotels organize their bathroom spaces.  It is typically a streamlined process yet works for the majority of people. I incorporate this strategy into my guest bathroom but I also try to use these spaces as motivation for keeping my master bathroom clutter free and spa like.  

Now that you have gone through our organizing process, light a candle and take a bubble bath in your spa like bathroom.