Are you struggling to have a cleaner, more organized, and beautifully decorated home? Maybe you keep moving things around, trying to achieve a cohesive, uncluttered look, and it doesn’t seem to work. And you feel the harder you try, the worse it gets. For over 20 years, I’ve helped clients turn messy, chaotic spaces into … Read more
Do you find yourself checking email, surfing the internet, and scanning social media to avoid working on other, probably more important, things? Technology is a wonderful procrastination tool, and that phone you can’t stop looking at all day is undoubtedly the culprit. It’s time to reduce overwhelm from technology! Do You Have Smartphone-itis? It’s everywhere, … Read more
If you want to accomplish your tasks and goals, organize your time using a calendar system. It can be an electronic calendar on your phone, tablet, or laptop. A shareable calendar (e.g., Google Calendar) can be beneficial if you are trying to coordinate your schedule with family members. You can also choose old-fashioned paper, such … Read more
The start of a new year can be a great time to recommit to having a more organized, functional, and beautiful home. Many of my clients avoid a much-needed decluttering, renovation, or redecorating project because there is just too much confusion in their homes. They feel their life, in general, is chaotic, and they don’t … Read more
It might seem counterintuitive but, in my experience, one of the main reasons most people struggle with disorganization is that they have trouble managing time. Here’s the thing. You can’t really manage time; you can only use it wisely to accomplish the most important things that you need to and want to do. And if … Read more
Having worked on dozens of renovations with clients over the last 20 years, I can share with you these ten things to do before you start a renovation that should help you avoid the pitfalls and bring your project to completion on time and within your budget. The key components of any renovation project are … 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
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
If you have set up a home office over the past year or so you probably thought that once you had purged all the unnecessary stuff and set up your new space with all that nice new furniture, you could sit back and relax because your organizing project was done. You might be surprised to … Read more
Can you believe it’s time to send your children back to school once again? Now, now, don’t get that excited, they might notice. Parenting experts suggest that at this time of year the most important thing to do for your children is to get them back on a regular schedule a few days before school … Read more
This blog post was inspired by a conversation I had with a client a few days ago. She and her husband have been working on a DIY reno of their house for months and months and months . . . However, they did hire a cabinet company to design and install their kitchen. Good news. … Read more
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
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
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
Every once in a while, I discover a new obsession when it comes to buying, keeping, and organizing stuff. If you are a regular reader, you will know that I discovered The Minimalists a couple of years ago and have been a faithful follower of the movement ever since. I continue to embrace minimalism in … Read more
Over the years, I’ve worked on many big organizing jobs and designed and renovated some significant spaces. But sometimes, small, satisfying projects have the most impact – especially a client is super excited about a new closet. Who would have thought that a six-foot closet makeover could change someone’s day-to-day life? Well, you use your … Read more
If you have never been to the Saltscapes East Coast Expo, you might want to put it in your calendar for April 2019. I spent a good portion of the April 22ndweekend there at the Nova Scotia Interior Decorators booth. This is my third time participating with my Interior Decorating peeps, and I love it. … Read more
I’ve helped several of my long-term clients move into their first homes, their dream homes, and their down-sized 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 about … Read more
Everything in life seems to come back to deciding what matters most. As long as your home and office are organized ‘enough’ so that you can function effectively and enjoy your space, forget about what others may think and go with what works for you.
Sometimes we get to the end of a week, we wonder where the time went and why we didn’t accomplish anything significant. I often work with clients to teach them time management skills and tips for planning for success. Then, I realize I should manage my time better. Why do we put off planning? In … Read more