How to Free Yourself From Moving Stress by Asking for Help

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

Organize Your Home with Zones

As you declutter, create a plan to organize your home with zones. Setting up specific zones makes it easy for people to put things back where they belong and, more importantly, find what they need. The process takes some thought and planning. Firstly, pay attention to how and where you use items before you decide … Read more

Planning Your Move to a New Home

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

Season 4: The Big Downsize

The Big Downsize, Season 4, takes you down memory lane on a new downsizing journey as professional organizer Jane Veldhoven takes on a new client with too much stuff. She also 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

5 Last Minute Tips for a Stress-Free Christmas

Like the Grinch, you can try to stop Christmas from coming, but I doubt you’ll be successful. I’m sure you don’t want to cancel the holidays; you think you do because you still have so much to do! Whether you’re eating turkey, turducken, tofurkey, or a free-range chicken, by the time you read this post, … Read more

Home Edit Reality Check

Last week I was at Tim Horton’s for a quick washroom break and I happened to overhear a conversation. A lady said to her friend, “You have to read this book and watch the series on Netflix.” Then, she passes a copy of The Home Edit to her friend. I immediately thought to myself, “Geesh, … Read more

Shopping Tips for Changing Times

Even if you embrace a minimalist lifestyle, you still need to buy essentials like groceries or a new toilet seat to replace the one that broke. Shopping has certainly changed over the last few years. You should wear your mask, follow directional arrows, and keep your distance from other shoppers. Then, you should disinfect your … Read more

A Quality Experience

I was able to tag along on a trip to the world’s largest furniture market. In three and a half days, we visited thirty showrooms, and that was less than ten percent of the total. Yes, indeed, that is a lot of home décor! It was certainly a quality experience in many ways. Twice a … Read more

Original Art vs Mass Produced

I attended an excellent presentation at the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators Association. As part of our Annual General Meeting and Professional Development Day, our guest speaker was Andrea Smith, Executive Director of Teichert Gallery in Halifax. Andrea shared her knowledge of how to introduce original art into our lives, general rules for hanging and lighting … Read more

The Importance of Focus

Over a few weeks, I worked with a family on a downsizing project. It made me reflect on the importance of focus. In this situation, four siblings cleared out the family home their parents lived in for 50 years. Recently, one parent passed away, and the other can no longer live alone. The family home … Read more

An Action Plan for Moving

I’ve helped several of my long-term clients move into their first homes, their dream homes, and their downsized homes. Some jobs took several months to complete, others only a few weeks. Whether we move frequently or only once, the process is always full of anxiety. To reduce stress, create an action plan for moving at … Read more