we took a road trip!

This week Taryn, Katie and I (and Hank--our mascot/resident HYD baby) road tripped to Nashville's City Winery to see The Minimalists and Rachel Cruze on their Simply Southern Tour. The evening in Nashville was a wonderful hybrid of minimalism and financial freedom conversation. Our cliff note version of the evening is below!

If you aren't familiar with The Minimalists, we recommend starting with their documentary on Netflix and reading about them on their website!

A fun bit of local trivia-- In 2011, the Minimalists came through Knoxville and announced on their website that they would be at a local coffee shop...no one came until they were packing up to leave and then 2 people recognized them. This past Tuesday night we saw them in Nashville at a sold out show! Suffice it to say, they have amassed quite a following in the last 7 years!

Money Tips from Rachel:

• While many people view budgets as being limiting, they can actually give you more freedom. A budget gives you permission to spend. When you budget, you tell your money where to go.
• "Live like no one else now, so later, you can live like no one else." Dave Ramsey
• Real freedom requires discipline
• Comparing your real life to the social media version of everyone elses life is never helpful
• The three money muscles are "give", "save", and "spend"
• Attack your smallest debts first and work your way up to your largest ones. Once you've checked one off of your list you gain hope!
• Check out the Every Dollar App for a really easy way to budget and keep track of your income, spending, and finances
• For more from Rachel, check out her new book!

Minimalism tips from Josh and Ryan:

• "Minimalism is the thing that gets us past the things so we can make room for life's most important things--which actually aren't things at all."
• It's important to acknowledge that they things that are necessary for my life, may not be the necessary things for yours. Minimalism looks different for every person in every season.
• Minimalism allows you to continue to question the things you hold on to.
• The average American household has 300,000 items in it.
• Tips on selling stuff vs giving it away: If you can make $20 or more, sell it-- if not, just let it go.
• When getting rid of stuff, give yourself deadlines. Ex: If you are trying to sell something and it doesn't sell in 30 days, lower the price or donate it.
• Understand "sunk cost". The amount you paid for something when you bought it is not going to be the value of it when you are trying to get rid of it. Accepting the fact that you will not make your money back is "sunk cost".
• All things in life fit into three categories. 1. Essentials: Food, shelter, clothing 2. Non-essentials: the things you don't "need" but add value to your life and 3. Junk: everything else that we pretend has value
• The things we buy and "hope" to use really just have asperational value, not real value.
• Use social media (whether for personal or business use) to add value to others lives, not to add to the noise.
• "Love people and use things, because the opposite never works"- The Minimalists
• For more from the Minimalists, check out their book.

We had an absolute blast and wanted to share just a bit of our experience. You will be able to listen to the full audio the evening on The Minimalist podcast in the coming weeks!

rules of lighting

Have you ever found the perfect light fixture, only to bring it home and find that it doesn't fit!? Choosing the correct light fixture can be overwhelming. It's important to find the right look and feel but also the correct size and scale. Below, we have laid out a few go-to visuals to help you place you lighting correctly!

LIGHT FIXTURE / SMALL GLOBE PENDANT

LIGHT FIXTURE / AUBREY BRASS CHANDELIER

LIGHT FIXTURE / WINDSOR GLASS GLOBE

Ceiling height does play a factor when it comes to selecting and placing light fixtures. The visuals above are great indications of how lighting should be placed in rooms with standard 8 ft ceilings.

When it comes to lighting, one of the most important rules of thumb is to have multiple light sources. Although overhead lighting often makes a design impact, it shouldn't be the only source of light in a room. It is best to have at least 2-3 other light sources supporting the overhead light. A great way to add more lighting is to add can-lights, wall sconces, or simply a table or floor lamp! 

Some of our favorite places to find light fixtures are CB2, Rejuvenation, School House Electric, World Market, and Target.

organizing recipe's

For many people, the world of Pinterest has changed the way they keep recipes. In a time when so much is digital, it's easy to keep track of things on your computer. However, there are still plenty of folks who prefer written or tangible recipes to digital. If you have piles of recipes torn out of magazines, recipes you have printed out from online, or hand written recipes that have been passed down to you, it can be hard to manage them all in a way that is user friendly. We've made recipe notebooks for several clients and we would love to share our process with you.

Items needed:

• hard copies of recipes
• scissors
• page protectors
• notebook (or notebooks)
• tab dividers
• label maker or sharpie

1. Sort your recipes into manageable categories. If you don't have a ton of recipes it might make sense to use categories like Appetizers, Entree's, Sides, Desserts, Drinks etc. If you've got a really large amount of recipes it might make sense to further separate into more defined categories like Entree's: Chicken, Entree's: Beef, Sides:Salads, Sides:grains etc. Once you are sorted, throw out duplicates or recipes that no longer look appealing to you. If you like to print recipes from your computer, chances are, you've printed multiple copies.

2. Take stock-- if you've got a large collection of recipes you may want a separate notebook for each broad category-- a whole notebook for desserts, a whole notebook for salads etc.

3. Go through and put each recipe in a page protector-- If your recipe is one sided, choose one to put back to back with another one so that each page protector has 2 recipe's represented. Page protectors are really helpful in keeping your recipe intact. When you are cooking from a recipe, inevitably, you spill something on the paper-- the page protector makes it easy to wipe off spills and protects the paper from getting wet or torn.

4. Print labels for the tab dividers with each category name (or if you prefer to hand letter- use a sharpie to label each tab)

5. Put pages and dividers into notebook. If you have a lot of recipes it may be helpful to alphabetize the recipes in each category. You can also create an index if you want to go the extra mile.

Have a different idea for organizing recipes? We'd love to hear!

a tried and true tip

If you've browsed the magazine aisle at the grocery store in the past few years, you have probably noticed that organizing is trendy.  Magazines promising "35 tips to get your whole house organized", "how to organize your pantry in 30 minutes", or "best organizing products" are all vying for your time and money. While those articles are helpful and fun to read, there is one organizing tip or method that we always come back to. Organizing by category rather than by room or space is more a helpful and thorough way of turning chaos into order.

What we have found, is that often times people store the same kinds of things in multiple places around the house. You may have holiday decor stored in multiple closets and storage spaces. Organizing each space separately wouldn't be as productive as pulling out all of your holiday decor at once. We suggest taking inventory of all that you have so that you can do a more thorough purge, and then organizing and re-storing the items in a way that makes sense. If you can't store all like items together due to space issues, try grouping by specific categories within the broader category. If you are working with holiday decor, you could separate by seasons/holidays or by inside and outside decor.

Whether you are organizing clothing, cleaning supplies, or linens, make sure to think through every area in your house where you store similar items so that you have an accurate picture of all that you have. You may be surprised by the duplicates or excess that you find.

Do you have a tried and true organizing tip? We'd love to hear!

mixing & matching patterns

Whether you are looking to update a space without emptying your wallet, or simply want to refresh a room, adding and mixing patterns is the perfect place to start! 

Photo via Collectivco

Photo via Collectivco

Mixing and matching pillows with patterns and color can be tough to get right. In case you need some guidance, we are sharing our go-to tips below!

1. A solid pillow is a great start. This lays the foundation for the color and lets you have room to play with pattern!

2. Texture is key! Adding in a textured pillow such as velvet, faux fur, or a knit pillow, adds depth and interest.

3. Organic and geometric patterns are the perfect pair when mixing and matching. When paired together, the shapes and movement in patterns help balance each other out. In case you aren't sure what we mean by organic and geometric, check out this helpful article.

4. If mixing organic and geometric patterns really isn't your thing, play with scale! Mixing large prints with small prints is a great way to show contrast!

GROUP 1 PILLOWS/ 1 - 2 - 3   GROUP 2 PILLOWS/ 1 - 2 - 3 
GROUP 3 PILLOWS/ 1 - 2 - 3  GROUP 4 PILLOWS/ 1 - 2 - 3

5 interesting things

Image from Emily Henderson

Thinking about having a yard sale this summer? This episode of The Lazy Genius has some great tips!

Fathers Day is this Sunday! If you haven't thought of something for Dad, check out these gift guides! 1 2 3

We've been loving the podcast The Simple Show! Right now they are doing a series called "Grown Upping the Summer" and its sooo good!

What do you think about creating outdoor rooms? These are beautiful!

Image from Food52

Image from Food52

Image from Food52

Did you know that Food52 sells vintage french kitchen goods? Obsessed!

did you know...

Source unknown

As organizers, a huge part of our job is to help people declutter. One of our goals in decluttering is to help find new homes for the items that our clients no longer need. Whether we end up helping to sell an item, find the right place to donate it, or recycle it properly--we strive to keep as much out of landfills as we can.

Over the years we've discovered some easy ways to reduce waste and to make recycling and donating easier for everyone.

Image courtesty of Target corporate

1. Did you know that you can recycle old cell phones, mp3 players, and ink cartridges at Target? Once you've wiped your personal information from a device you can bring it into a store and drop it off in their electronics recycling bin. Additionally, did you know that Target periodically accepts expired and unexpired car seats in exchange for 20% off a new car seat?

2. Did you know that you can drop off items to be shredded for a fee at Staples? If you don't have time to do your own shredding or don't have a shredder, just drop your  boxes of paperwork to be shredded at your local Staples store and let them do it for you.

3. Did you know that there are several thrift stores in town that will come to your home and pick up your unwanted items for free? One of our favorite thrift stores is Habitat for Humanity. They are unique in that in addition to normal thrift store items, they also accept building materials.

4. Did you know that there are several drop boxes around town for unwanted/expired medications? It's not a good idea to flush medications. To find a drop box near you, check out this list of locations.

5. Did you know that you can recycle rechargeable batteries, compact florescent light bulbs (CFL's), and plastic shopping bags at Lowe's? Many businesses have shopping bag recycling so if you have a huge stash from years of grocery shopping without reusable bags, why not drop them to be recycled on your next trip to the grocery?

What other items or businesses have you discovered that are working towards recycling, reusing, and reducing waste?
We would love to hear!!

DO'S & DON'TS OF ART HANGING

Hanging art can come with it challenges. Luckily, our Interior Designer, Cassie, put together a few visuals and tips to help you hang art like a pro! Below, you will find a few examples of the most common mistakes we see when it comes to placement and spacing and examples of how to correct them.

ART: POTTERY BARN / DRESSER: CRATE AND BARREL

ART: CB2 / BED: RESTORATION HARDWARE

ART: JENNY'S PRINT SHOP / SOFA: WEST ELM

When in doubt....

• Hang single art pieces at eye level (56"-60"H)
• Treat two pieces as one (stack these items, keeping the distance between them 1.5"-2"; don't be afraid the stack two different frames, i.e. smaller frame above a larger frame)
• Get creative with a gallery wall but keep the spacing (1.5"-2") consistent
• Mix & Match mirrors and art
• On a larger wall, fill the space with a series of art or photos in a grid pattern
• Lastly, mock up your wall with a piece(s) of paper the same size as your frame

organizing how to: printed photographs

Unless you are exceptionally organized, chances are, you have boxes of photos somewhere in your home just waiting to be sorted and put into albums. Printed photos are one of the most commonly unorganized items in a home. You probably had every intention of getting to it before it all piled up over the years but life happened and now it's overwhelming. During the harsh heat and dog days of summer, this is the perfect project to work on inside!

Here is our guide to getting your photographs sorted, purged, and ready for albums!

1. Goals: Establish your desire for the photos.  Do you prefer a bound book like snapfish where you upload your pictures to be made into a book or do you like the old school hard copy photo albums? Would you prefer chronological albums or themed albums? Will your photo albums be somewhere that is easily accessible and often looked through? Would you like to frame pictures in your home? Once you have established your goal for your pictures you will have a more clear path forward.

2. Sorting: If you have boxes of undated pictures that seem to be in no particular order, it can be a daunting task to sort. We suggest beginning by writing down a timeline of life events. Births, marriages, graduations, family trips, special birthday parties, deaths, etc. This will help you date pictures along the way. Once you have a timeline to refer back to, grab some index cards and make an index card for each year that you have pictures from. (If you have old historical pictures of family from before you were born, we recommend setting those aside and making that a separate project. Lay out your index cards and start sorting. As you go, if you come across blurry, poorly cropped, or duplicate pictures, discard them along the way. The bulk of your time will be spent in this stage so give yourself time and space but set a deadline for yourself. Commit to sorting for 30 minutes a day for 2 weeks and see how far you get! You could even listen to a podcast or a book on audible while you sort. If you don't have the space to lay pictures out all over the floor, try an extra large accordion file instead.

*If your goal is themed albums rather than chronological, you can create index cards with event names rather than years.

3. Purging: Once you've sorted your pictures by year, go through each year and sort by event-- this will help you find more duplicates to eliminate. Take the time to think about the kinds of pictures you would enjoy having in an album. You probably don't need 12 pictures of Jim Bob's birthday cake from every possible angle. Pick out the best pictures and scrap the rest. We know it can feel hard to get rid of pictures but if we are being honest, unless pictures are displayed or put into albums they are rarely enjoyed and end up just taking up space.

4. Compiling: If you've opted for traditional photo albums, purchase a few and start from the beginning. If you are going in order or by event, it's easier for you or someone else to help you or for someone else to pick up where you left off if you don't end up finishing your project in a timely fashion.

5. Do the happy dance--- because you no longer have boxes of pictures taking up space in your closets--in fact, you now have beautiful records of you and your family that are easy to peruse whenever you'd like!

As always, if you'd like us to do the work for you-- we'd be glad to!

Good intentions and Mothers Day thoughts

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Well folks.... I had good intentions. I was going to blog about local mothers day specials and give-aways but then I gave my 7 month old a bath, put him to bed, made dinner, and had a 2 hour conversation with my husband about differences of opinions in parenting styles and here we are. It's 9:22pm on Wednesday night and the amount of time it would take me to research local specials feels exhausting. So instead, enjoy some pretty pictures of flowers and a few thoughts--because, why not?

Sunday will be my first mother's day as a mama and that feels strange and good. Most days I wake up still a little bit in shock that I'm responsible for a little human. It's rewarding and hard, a blessing and a challenge, humbling and inconvenient, tiring and invigorating. I'm so thankful for little Hank (hankypants, beetle, hankasaurus rex--take your pick) and so thankful for Andrew and the fact that he is such a hands on, involved, great dad and life partner! 

SO to all of you mama's out there, give yourself a break this week--- and when you are feeling like you are dropping the ball (like I do with this blog entry) just remember that a few months from now, honestly probably a few days from now, no one will remember that you didn't get dinner made and opted for taco bell, let the laundry build up to an obscene amount, didn't vacuum your living room for a month, or wrote a blog that wasn't informative or helpful in terms of organizing.  You are doing a great job and beating yourself up about the little things is just straight up not helpful. Go get yourself a glass of rose', drink it in bed, and remind yourself that the laundry and everything else can wait until tomorrow.

Cheers! and Grace and Peace to you all!

-Caroline

a tribute to the mom's behind HYD

Taryn and her mom

Sometimes I joke that Help You Dwell, for me, is a preparation for helping my own mom let go of so many of her treasures someday. There’s probably some truth to that. However, one of the biggest reasons I think I have such compassion for our clients and their things is because I learned from my mom how certain family heirlooms, gifts from loved ones, or items connected to a memory can be such important parts of who we are. My mom has such an incredible love and gift of making a home tell the story of one’s life. Growing up surrounded by family pieces, treasures from my mom’s antique business, handmade gifts from her dearest friends, and photos of people and places from past adventures gave me such a sense of what home is. I’m so thankful that my mother never jumped on the next home decor trend but instead, thoughtfully collected the items that told her story, our family’s story. Thanks so much mom for this legacy, for teaching me to treasure those things that are visible extensions of ourselves, our family, and the people we love. 

Katie and her mom

When I came to realize that my mom had always been much more than a guide and a parent to me, I knew I was incredibly blessed. She's my dearest friend and the woman I hope to be like. My mom is the one I call when I need an honest answer, encouragement, or just a good laugh. She never misses an opportunity to cut up and crack a joke to lighten the mood. Even though we may talk over each other and throw some sass around, she communicates so much understanding and empathy to me in every situation. Her heart has room for everyone she meets, it must be bursting at the seems with all of the love she carries even for mere strangers who may be hurting. She is deeply affected by the world and people around her, and I think this is her greatest strength. There's nothing quite as good as the comforting back or head scratches my mom gave when I was sick or sad. Even though I don't still live in the same city or even state, her phone calls are the most necessary and comforting conversations I can think of. Mom, I hope to carry the joy and pain of everyone I meet, the same way you do. You are fragrant of Christ - with your lighthearted humor, kindness and deep compassion. Thanks for being my dearest friend and my sweet mama. 

Caroline and her mom

I have to admit that I come by my organizational habits honestly. My mom is exceptionally organized! One of the most valuable things I've learned from my mom about making a home, is to hold out for pieces that you love and pieces that are quality. Although she would say she holds out almost to a fault, her furniture decisions always last decades, have a timeless quality to them, and she has few regrets. You will never find my mom making an impulsive purchase. Although I am not as disciplined as she is, she instilled a thoughtful way of decorating that I am thankful for. Aside from her organizational and decorative tips, she has been my biggest cheerleader when it comes to Help You Dwell and my desire to bring peace and order to our clients homes. Mama, thanks for leading by example and always supporting me in my wild escapades! Love you!

Here are few more HYD'ers and their mom's, daughters, and grand daughters!

Erin and her mom

Cassie and her mama

Tammy and her girls

When shopping becomes a hobby...

As organizers, we spend a lot of time thinking about stuff. What to do with it, why we keep it, how we got it, why we continue to buy it... and the list goes on. We live in a culture of fast fashion, gimmicky marketing, and consumerism. If we are being honest, it's incredibly hard for anyone to not feel the the tug of "keeping up with the Joneses" from time to time. Goods are cheaply made and cheaply sold now a days, which makes it that much easier to purchase items that we don't need, won't last, and clutter up our homes.

Because so many goods are made in a foreign country, made cheaply, and mass produced, for the first time in history, prices are affordable enough to make shopping a hobby for people in America. Have you ever hopped in the car for a Target fix when you are bored? Have you ever had a long stressful day at work and then gone home to spend your evening online shopping and sipping a glass of wine? Over at HYD we are not above it--- we've totally been there. Shopping in America IS AN ADDICTION. It's fun, it takes your mind off of other things for the moment, it feels good, and there are endless options--especially if your finances allow you to shop without thinking about it!

We are trying hard to hold ourselves accountable and walking with clients who are trying to do the same. One HYD'er is taking a year off of shopping (inspired by this article), another is taking a new approach to keeping better tabs on spending and sticking to a budget, and others are simply trying to be more mindful about purchases.

Whether you need to do something extreme or just be a bit more intentional, we encourage you to take the time to think through your vision for your home, your style, etc. When you get the urge to shop out of boredom or stress, hit pause and remind yourself of what you want for your home and your life. Over the last few years, a small shift has occurred where people have started to value quality a bit more than in the last few decades. The maker movement is making a come back and we couldn't be more excited! Working towards smarter, more quality purchases is a great goal!

We would love to hear what ways you are working to curb your shopping habits.

If you'd like to support a new local business geared toward selling high quality menswear, check out Felding Co's grand opening on May 4th!

earth day

Whether you have a green thumb or prefer to spend your time inside, we are here to share ways for all kinds of folks to celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd! 

HYD Canvas Tote

Reduce Plastic - Plastic has become part of our everyday lives. Although it may seem impossible to go completely without plastic, there are a few simple switches you can make to help decrease plastic pollution.
1. Carry a reusable bottle
2. Bring your own shopping totes
3. Say no to plastic straws. Instead invest in stainless steel ones here
4. If it can be bought in glass, chose the glass bottle over plastic
5. Avoid excessive food packaging. Buy items in bulk and/or bring your own veggie/fruit bags

Plant or Donate a Tree - Tree's filter the air and help stave off the effects of climate change. In just one year, a mature leafy tree produces as much oxygen as 10 people inhale. (www.earthday.org). Planting native trees to your area is a great way to celebrate Earth Day! If you do not have the space, donate a tree to your local school, church, or community garden! 

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Incorporating the three R's into your lifestyle is a great way to help cut down on waste, keep items out of our landfills, and restore energy! It is best to reduce & reuse when possible! A great way to avoid items that can not be recycled, i.e. coffee cups, is to bring your own! Need some ideas for reusing?

• Once you have emptied your milk-jug, turn it into a craft project or a water jug for your indoor plants!
• Remove labels from glass jars and use them as flower vases.
• Make a bottle tree out in the yard
• Check out this recycled material craft list

Did you know that not all cardboard and plastic can be recycled? It can be confusing trying to make sense of all of the rules of recycling. To find out more information about recycling in Knoxville, check out this website.

Get Involved in your Community - Chances are, your community is holding events throughout the year to help keep it beautiful! Need some ideas for how to take action? Get involved in a community garden, stay up to date on neighborhood clean-up events, or simply buy local! 

To check out Earth Day events happening this weekend visit: Knoxville Weekend & Keep Knoxville Beautiful

Create your own act of Green! - What will your personal act of Green on Earth Day 2018 be!? Will you...
- Reduce plastic consumption?
- Plant a tree?
- Change your paper bills to online billing?
- Reduce your carbon footprint by carpooling, taking the bus or riding your bike?
- Choose natural/non-toxic cleaning products?
- Pack you lunch in a reusable bag?
- Turn off the lighting when you leave a room?
- Choose the stairs over the elevator?

We would love to hear how you plan on celebrating Earth Day!

These 5 things

Image by Amanda Watters

1. Have you heard? Netflix is launching a Marie Kondo decluttering show! We can't wait to check it out.

2. Check out this Q&A on kitchen organizing with resident organizer for The Washington Post.

3. We love real life organization ideas. This post on storing and managing toys is full of practical ideas for any and every home.

4. 11 Cool ways to display family photos

5. We Love Love Love this little post on living with less by creative director Whitney Leigh Morris.

A closet makeover for The Volunteer Ministry Center

Before Help You Dwell existed, I worked at The Volunteer Ministry Center which is a non profit organization that operates a permanent supportive housing complex and works to prevent homelessness and assist those experiencing homelessness in obtaining housing. I loved my time at VMC so much that I honestly can't stop going back. The staff, mission, and work of the organization are unparalleled.

The clothing closet before

Before

One of the programs that VMC runs is a homeless prevention center called The Refuge where individuals can apply for assistance with anything from utility bills, to clothing, to bus passes. A few months ago, my mother in law came up with the great idea of getting a crew of donors together to gift a clothing closet make over to the Refuge. Prior to the make over, all clothing and toiletry donations were put into this large closet filled with mis-matched clothing racks that were always overflowing and very hard to keep organized.

BRAND SPANKIN' new closet system!

Commercial Closet Maid system installed by Craig Warren of Home Works

After a few months of research and planning (kuddos to my pretty awesome mother in law for putting in a ton of time!), we came up with a plan to better utilize the space and streamline the organization of new donations. HYD was so glad to be able to help with part of the brainstorming, planning and organization!

We used dry erase clip on labels from Target for each basket so that labels could easily be changed depending on the fluctuation of sizes and items donated.

If you are looking for a place to donate unwanted items, the Refuge is currently in need of men's and women's blue jeans, underwear, backpacks or small duffel bags, deodorant, razors, and sunscreen. They also accept a variety of home goods to help individuals settle in when they are new to housing. You can find the wish list here. Additionally, the refuge is staffed primarily by volunteers and is always looking for people interested in giving back to the Knoxville community with their time.

Practicing Hygge year round

Source

Is hygge only relevant for cold weather? It's the end of February but this week it's feeling more like May so we sat down to think about the concept of Hygge and why it makes sense in every season.

We blogged about the concept last year and there has continued to be a lot of buzz about the Danish concept pronounced “hoo-gah” or “hue-gah,”. As a refresher, it's a word that refers to the feeling of coziness, comfort, and well-being. The idea of hygge is nothing new in Scandinavia, perhaps even originating in the 16th century, but the social media following it’s gaining has increased its popularity in the US . In typical Danish homes, you’ll find plentiful fur, wool, or flannel blankets and many candles in every room, but the look and vibe can vary widely, depending on the person, location, and season. Some people are coziest wrapped up in blankets on the couch with candles, others, on a sunny porch with a glass of wine, or some may prefer a yoga mat with tea. Personally, my idea of hygge is being wrapped up in a blanket, drinking coffee, and cuddling with Prints, my guinea pig.

Prints! Image by Erin Halcott

Source

Image by Katie Martin

But hygge is more than blankets and candles. It incorporates not only your environment but also your mental space. You can set up your room to feel truly hygge, but if your mind is cluttered and stressed, the effect won’t be the same. Our rushed society in the United States makes this part especially tricky. Hygge is a feeling; enjoying the moment, feeling truly present. Some people enjoy journaling during their time, others enjoy listening to music, some enjoy both. I enjoy listening to audio books. It allows me to relax and really settle into the present, without allowing my mind to create ever-lingering to-do lists.

Hygge is simplistic in essence... enjoying the simplest and coziest aspects of your life and being truly present for them. For a minimalist like myself, finding hygge is a great way to slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment.

A very special thanks to Dr. Adrienne Schwarte for her expertise.

For more information, check out https://www.denverpost.com/2017/01/05/what-is-hygge/

-Erin

Have you ever worked with a style consultant?

Everyone gets in a style rut from time to time. Often times it's not that you need an entirely new wardrobe, you just need a fresh pair of eyes to help you re-imagine what you have.

Once you've purged and organized your closet, it's time to call in someone who can help you find your style, rework your clothes, and think about dressing in a fun and fresh way. Enter Brianna Lamberson. Bri comes to your home, talks with you about your goals and your set backs, and takes on your wardrobe with an expert eye. Her goal is to help you "find your unique style and reclaim your space." In addition to style, Bri focuses on simple living, natural skin care products and health. 

Over the past few weeks, Bri has had a style consultation with two HYD'ers.

We would love to share our experiences and a few outfits with you! (Pardon my unwashed hair--mom of a 4 month old probs)

Caroline's style rut: I have a 4 month old and have resorted to yoga pants most days. Additionally, I feel like I'm revisiting my closet for the first time in a while since many of my favorite pieces weren't options when I was pregnant. I've found myself many times in the past few months just standing in front of my open closet with a blank look, not knowing what I like anymore.

Caroline's take: I'd never really considered using a style consultant before since I've liked my style and enjoyed putting outfits together for most of my life. When I found out about Bri's mini styling sessions though, I was curious enough to solicit her services. Bri had so many helpful tips that she shared with me about using staple pieces in a variety of different ways. She totally heard my current frustrations with my clothing and helped me think outside of the box and in new ways. I especially loved the ways that she used accessories to rework and transform outfits from basic to funky and interesting. Besides having several new outfit combinations to choose from, she left me feeling way more confident to try things that would normally be a bit out of my comfort zone. I've been rocking neck scarves and jewelry a lot more often since she came!  I would definitely recommend Bri's mini styling session for all kinds of people-- even if you are already feeling good about your fashion sense!

Outfit styled by Bri

Outfit I put together after being inspired during our session

Outfit styled by Bri

Erin's style rut: I felt like I'd been wearing the same clothes since high school.. not overly feminine, just really bland. Everything felt frumpy and I felt stuck.

Erin's take: I went into the session a little apprehensive. I was worried that none of my clothes would be suitable to keep, but I knew Bri would be very personable and not intimidating. She poked around my closet for a few minutes while we chatted about my goals, and she started to pull a few items for me to try. They were pieces that I had never put together in outfits before, and they worked! I was amazed that my wardrobe, that I had pieced together from thrift stores and hand-me-downs was actually worthwhile and could look great! After talking through several outfits, I felt much more put- together and confident in my options. She was encouraging and knowledgeable and left me feeling good about what I've got, not defeated in what I'm lacking. She even had suggestions for what pieces I should add to my wardrobe including a blazer, ankle boots, and finding a good tailor to alter a few pieces of clothing that I already have. She even offers personal shopping if you are interested!

Outfit styled by Bri

Outfit styled by Bri

Outfit styled by Bri

Thank you so much Brianna!!

To schedule a mini styling session with Bri, check out her services or can contact her here.

Pros and Cons of Decanting

Image from blesserhouse.com

When it comes to pantry organization, there is wide debate about whether or not to decant your food. We always aim to find out what works best for each client and it works for some people but not for everyone. If you are on the fence or wondering whether or not decanting is a good option for you, this list of pro's and con's may be helpful in determining what's best for your home and your family.

Pro's:

• If you shop in bulk, you can take your empty jars to the store and skip a box/bag. Often times purchasing food in bulk is cost effieciant AND you have the added bonus of being environmentally friendly by skipping the packaging.
• Unlike a cereal box or other opaque packaging, in a jar or decanter you can more easily keep track of your supply of food. No more scrambling to the grocery store after discovering that the box you thought was full, is nearly empty.
• Decanting makes for a prettier, more streamlined pantry. If your pantry is open to the kitchen or highly visible, this is a great option.
• If you purchase air tight containers, they often keep food items fresh for a longer period of time than the packaging they come in.
• Decanting often makes it easier to better utilize your space. By eliminating bulky bags and boxes, you can fit more into your pantry. By using different shapes and sizes of containers, you often have the ability to stack items and fit more on each shelf.

Image and containers from Ikea

Image from Nordic Bliss containers from Ikea

Cons:

• Decanting is nice but it's not necessary. If you are trying to simplify your time, taking food out of original containers to put in matching decanters is an extra step that may not be worth it.
• Depending on your containers, sometimes glass or large plastic decanters are heavy and harder for children to handle. If you want your little ones to have access to certain items, decanting them may make it more difficult for your kiddos to get their own snacks.
• Remembering expiration dates becomes more difficult. If you refill a jar before it's totally empty, you will be mixing food with different "use by" dates. While some people opt to write expiration dates with dry erase markers on the outside of the container, it gets more complicated when you mix dates by refilling.
• You no longer have easy access to ingredient lists, health facts, or directions.
• Decanters cost money and sometimes a lot of money depending on how many containers and what types of containers you choose to purchase.

We would love to hear from you! Do you decant your food? Have you found any additional pro's or con's?

bathroom refresh

Often time's we overlook one of the most used rooms in the home when it comes to organization and decor. You spend your morning and nightly routines in here, getting ready, pampering yourself, or hustling around to get your children ready for bed. We're talking about the bathroom! Today, we are sharing tips to creating a bathroom where you will feel refreshed, relaxed, and where everything has a place!

Organizing Tips:

• Create a one basket go-to with the items you use daily
• Use mason jars/clear canisters to store cotton balls, q-tips, and other items. This is a great way to display toiletries- making them easy to see when supply is low + decorative
• Don't be afraid to display your towels.  Neatly roll or fold them on a shelf and leave them easily accessible and ready for use!
• If you don't have shelf space, add a ladder to display towels or hang a small plant.
• If you have a busy bathroom, create a family schedule, add an additional mirror, and/or assign each member a basket or drawer in the bathroom to store their personal items

Photo By: Urban Oreganics

Photo By: Bre Purposed

Photo By: The Happy Tudor

Organizing Sources & Bath Accessories:

1. Woven Basket
2. Wire Basket
3. Clear Canisters
4. Ladder with Shelving
5. Small Storage Cabinet
6. Glass Shelving
7. Organizing Tray
8. Make-up Organizer
9. Apothecary
10. Natural Cleaning Supplies

Start by purging expired and unneeded items. Next, designate a home for each item you'd like to keep. Once you have analyzed the items you would like to display, add in decorative pieces to achieve the overall look and feel you want in your bathroom. Don't be afraid to add a plant or other decor piece that you may not ordinarily think to display in a bathroom. Think outside the box and make it a space that leaves you feeling like you have your own personal spa.