We have just wrapped up a household move project with one of my long-time clients. As with most projects, the less time it takes, the less stressful it will be. And one of the best ways to free yourself from moving stress is by asking for help. It takes a village of people to execute … Read more
I hate to admit it, but September is here, which means Fall is upon us very soon. That means it’s time to revisit your wardrobe and do a good purge of your clothing closet. Here are some tips to help get you on your way. Start by pulling everything out of the closet – and … Read more
As you declutter your home and create a plan to get organized at home with zones. Setting up zones makes it easy to put things back where they belong, and, more importantly, find what you need. This process can take a lot of thought and planning. Pay attention to how and where you use things … Read more
If you are embracing a minimalist lifestyle and are obsessed, like I am, with tiny homes, small spaces and living with less, this post will definitely be of interest to you. After all these years working in design and helping clients declutter and organize their lives, I know that less definitely gives you more. More … Read more
My organizing clients ask me all the time about selling or donating items that they no longer want or need. I know it is difficult to accept that most of what you paid a lot of money for years ago is no longer valuable. There are exceptions to that for sure. Here are some helpful … Read more
Are you dealing with the ongoing chaos with the coming and going of kids and their stuff? What is it about adult children using the family home as a storage facility? If you are about to downsize this situation is something you may be dealing with. One way to solve the problem is to decide … Read more
I am not a professionally trained stager, but after 20 years of helping my clients move, I do know that decluttering your home is the first step to preparing it for sale. Even if you’re not selling, pretend you are staging and see how it feels. It will definitely be more open and inviting and … Read more
Merging two households into one can be challenging. I have worked with dozens of couples over the years who have come together later in life after living in their own homes. And I did it myself, just one year ago! If you’re planning on moving in together, consider the points below. They will help make … Read more
Are you thinking of moving and getting super stressed about where to start? During my career as a Professional Organizer, I have helped dozens of clients prepare for their move, unpack, and set up their new homes. With that experience in mind, here are four things you should consider when planning your move to a … Read more
The BIG Downsize, Season 4 takes you down memory lane and on a new downsizing journey when professional organizer, Jane Veldhoven takes on a new client with too much stuff and visits clients from previous seasons. Jane also tackles her own downsizing challenge when she and her boyfriend decide to move in together. The five-part … Read more
Each new year gives us yet another chance for a fresh start. Maybe now is the time to ask yourself how you can live the next year in the best possible way. What goals can you set to help you have a happy and successful year? And more importantly, how can you make time to … Read more
It’s done. The move is behind us. Moving is one of the top three most stressful events in your life. I don’t know how some people move over and over and over. We are absolutely exhausted and don’t want to do it again any time soon, that’s for sure. There are so many moves in … Read more
Season 3 of what could be your new favourite television show premiered on Monday, April 5, 2021 on Vision TV. Don’t worry if you missed the first episode, there are still four more very entertaining shows left! This season I work with Lunenburg artist Doug Bamford and Dartmouth family The Sparks. In need of a … Read more
Two years ago my boyfriend moved into a 500 square foot apartment after selling his four-bedroom house. It was meant to be a temporary stopping point for a year to re-think his next steps. The only thing he took from the house was a double bed and mattress and a bunch of bins and boxes … Read more
I am quite sure, like me, you know someone or many people who have kept everything that has come into their life for years and years and years. The cycle of collecting and discarding “stuff” has always fascinated me. We humans seem to be wired to collect things. All sorts of things. Things like: Those … Read more
As you begin your decluttering and downsizing journey it is very important to set yourself up for success by thinking and speaking positively rather than negatively. This is going to be a difficult process at times and a lot of mental and physical work. Ask yourself what you can do to make this transition easier … Read more
A couple of weeks ago, my aunt contacted me about some family jewellery she came across when she was decluttering. She asked if I wanted a few pieces and if I could find out how much they were worth. So, I decided to consult an expert on the subject. Dana Westall of Amsterdam Diamond and … Read more
As we enter our third month of dealing with COVID-19 and we try to process the horrific events of the April 19th weekend in Nova Scotia, I am sure, like me, you are all struggling with staying positive and feeling hopeful for a better future. Now, more than ever, perhaps you need to escape from … Read more
I hope this post finds you all safe and healthy during this challenging time. I know that many of you are home following the guidelines set by our government and health experts as we all work to overcome this virus together. I am willing to guess that some of you may be feeling stressed and … Read more
“It’s so much more than just a move… Making a move at any age can be difficult and stressful. After 30, 40, or even 50 years in your current home, the process of rightsizing and relocating to a new home is overwhelming.” ~ NASMM I used to assume that people who downsized to a smaller home, condo, … Read more