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.

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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5 Things to Start Doing for A Clutter Free Home

When you walk into your bedroom how do you feel? Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? Or do you feel relaxed and at peace? Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. It is a place where your rest and your relationship are of utmost importance. So, how do you keep your bedroom organized?

Your home should be a place you love; somewhere to relax and unwind after a long day at the office. Choosing to bring order into an otherwise chaotic space can completely transform your living space, not just by hiding the mess but by creating an environment that is conducive to you and your lifestyle.

Here are 5 things to start doing for a clutter free home today

Find a place in your home for your purse

Find a place for your purse, keys, glasses, anything that you need to walk out the door. These items need to have the same home every single day. Maybe it's a hook for your keys and purse by the door, maybe it's a table as you walk in, whatever it is make sure it works for you and your space. 

Reset your house at the end of every day.

That means throw pillows get straightened, throw blankets go in the basket, dishes get done, make your house look like nobody lives in it. Remember to clear off your counters and tables so they are ready for tomorrow’s use. Take out the trash as soon as it gets full--it will make it easier to keep your home clean if there aren't piles of garbage sitting around! And if there’s any kid messes, have them help you reset their spaces too!

Toss your Junk Mail

Junk mail. Toss it before you ever even walk into your house. Go straight to your garbage can right now. 

Everyone gets a Laundry Day

We all have laundry. Nobody wants to do it. Pick a day. That's the day you do laundry. If you have a lot of kids, it might be one day for each kid, but do your laundry.

Pick a Day to do errands

Are you doing errands every single day? Well, just stop, because that's just silly. Pick one day. Do them all. One errand day, And that's it that’s all you got.

Do those five things and you're going to stay organized better than you ever have. I promise. Do it today!

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Why is Having a Decluttered Bedroom Important?

When you walk into your bedroom how do you feel? Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? Or do you feel relaxed and at peace? Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. It is a place where your rest and your relationship are of utmost importance. So, how do you keep your bedroom organized?

When you walk into your bedroom how do you feel? Do you feel overwhelmed and exhausted? Or do you feel relaxed and at peace?

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary. It is a place where your rest and your relationship are of utmost importance.

It should NOT be a dumping ground for all the things in your home that have no where to go, and it should not be a place where you hide all your clutter and mess from guests.

So, how do you keep your bedroom organized?

  1. Clear off your dresser.

    The bedroom is a place where flat surfaces tend to get cluttered with items that we don’t know what to do with and want hidden from guests. Clear off your dresser and find a place for all the items that need to be kept and get rid of items that you no longer use or need.

  2. Clean your nightstand.

    Your nightstand should not be an extension of your junk drawer. Just as with the dresser, find a home for these items or they need to go.

  3. Deal with the clothes chair.

    We all have some version of “the chair” with our clothes piled high on some piece of neglected furniture. Put these clothes away! If they are clothes that you’ve worn and plan to rewear, put them away. If they are clean enough to wear again, they are clean enough to go back in your dresser or closet.

Now go enjoy your relaxing bedroom!

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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? 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!

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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The Guests Are Coming! The Guests Are Coming!

We are Southern and for us that means it’s that time of year, y’all!  Time for turkey, hunting, football, cranberry sauce and Southern hospitality!  While it’s sometimes fun to have family and friends in town, it can be stressful unless you plan it right! Let us give you 7 great organizing tips to make your guests feel as pampered as a Southern Belle and you feel relaxed about them being there!

We are Southern and for us that means it’s that time of year, y’all!  Time for turkey, hunting, football, cranberry sauce and Southern hospitality!  While it’s sometimes fun to have family and friends in town, it can be stressful unless you plan it right! Let us give you 7 great organizing tips to make your guests feel as pampered as a Southern Belle and you feel relaxed about them being there!


1. Clean, Comfortable Bedding

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 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

2. Clutter Free Space

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.  They will need space for their luggage, phones, iPads, laptops, and other personal items. Make sure the bedside table is clear enough for them to have that space. 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!

3. A Touch of Home

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?

4. Guest Towels

In my house, I like to designate certain towels as guest towels so that my children don’t use them to wash the dog or clean up the mud on the floor. (Oh, who am I kidding.  They wouldn’t do either of those things!) My guest towels don’t look like the others. They are actually white, for one. (Not dingy white and well loved) I 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.  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.

Guest Towels

5. The Often Forgotten Essentials

A nice basket or container of travel size toiletries is helpful if your guest forgot an important item such as a toothbrush or razor.  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 (Mosquito’s are like hawks, y’all). If your guests have small children, include toiletries geared for children as well.

Guest Essentials by Chaos Organizing

6. A Clean Bathroom

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.

7. Considerations of Accommodations

Extra special welcoming touches are felt in the small details.  These might include simply a small vase of flowers or their very own trial size Tabasco sauce. It may also mean being aware of their food likes and dislikes, allergies and special needs. (Not everyone can tolerate our seafood.) Do they need space for a C-Pap machine, or a place to make bottles or drink milk-bourbon in the middle of the night? What are their favorite beverages or snacks?  


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 as wanted and welcome as Coach O after an LSU win! 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!


If you want to learn more about the 6 things that make up Southern hospitality, here’s a link!


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


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