"I'm not a professional organizer..."

 OK, well maybe my profession is organizing, but I've never been too comfortable with the title "professional organizer." It continues to be more about the person than the organizing. I think of myself as a "personal organizer." 

Photo by Texture Photo

As Caroline and I talked about this earlier in the week, we both agreed that we love bringing the order and peace to someone's home or work space. It truly gives us such satisfaction to create living and working spaces for clients to move from that "stuck" place into a place where they can live more fully.

Image courtesy of Christina Rosalie

At the same time, letting our clients off the hook a little, showing grace as they share their story, and celebrating the victories as we finish spaces is by far the highlight of what we do.

 

Getting to hear the story that brought clients to where they are, whether they need HYD a little or a lot, and then getting to see hope rise as the clutter begins to clear is why we show up.

That's all we ask of our clients too. Just show up. It might be that the idea of letting go of sentimental or valuable items seems daunting, your budget is limited, or you just don't know where to start. HYD gets all that. To be practical, that's why our initial consultation is free. We want to hear what's going on, give you tools to help, and show up to work alongside you in the way you need us too.

And finally, I can't finish this quick post without thanking those folks that have allowed us into their homes and offices thus far. We have so loved this journey and wait eagerly to be part of yours.

Our New Home : The Hive

The past couple weeks have been quite a whirlwind for our little Knoxville business. For the past year and a half, we have been so grateful for the incredible clients we've met, the beautiful homes we've had the chance to work in, and the opportunities and relationships that have come our way. We've enjoyed all our meetings and markets in our 'mobile offices' all over town including KBrew, Three Rivers Market, The Smith home on Coker Ave, Remedy Coffee, The McLean home on Maplewood Dr, Old City Java, Olibea, MidMod Collective, and Nostalgia.

This week, however, we are over the moon to announce that Help You Dwell has a place to call home! It's called The Hive.

HYD now has a place to spend time preparing, planning, learning, and growing as a company. The Hive is a place for us to better serve you, our client. It's a place for us to be inspired, connected, and to collaborate with creative and innovative minds of other small business owners.

Photo by Emilee Stanley

The space is in the former KnoxTenn Rental building at 854 N Central St 37917 located right next door to Magpies Bakery. (We're also pretty pumped about having them as neighbors : ) Rebecca Ridner, a local stylist of all things lovely, is the visionary of the building and has created a beautiful space for women entrepreneurs. HYD shares a studio with one of Knoxville's most talented wedding photographers, Carrie Jo Pinckard of Texture Photography. Other women currently working at The Hive are Katie Roach, florist of The Katelier, Ali Daugherty, blogger and graphic designer of Freedom Crown, and Rebecca Ridner, prop, wedding and interior stylist.

The Katelier

One of the aspects of this space we love the most is the common area that we all share for hosting pop-ups, workshops, or photography sessions. The light is fantastic, the atmosphere is peaceful and inviting, and the location is in one of our favorite areas of the city. We look forward to hosting our first event, which we mentioned last week, HYD's first Boutique Clothing Pop-up on August 23 from 2-5pm. We'd love to show you around a bit as you peruse Colette's Closet of top of the line clothing at consignment prices.

Keep an eye out for announcements about workshops
and other events this fall at The Hive.

And come by to see us anytime you're in the neighborhood!

The Quick List for Back-to-School Organization

Here in Knoxville, the start of school is just over a week away for most of us. It's time to plan, shop, and prepare for another year of learning and growing. To start off the school year right, HYD wanted to share a few tips that can help make the transition more simple and efficient.

1. School Supplies

• Obtain your child's class supply list from his/her school as soon as possible.

• Take advantage of Tennessee's tax-free weekend August 7-9

• Wait for discounts on items like clothing, electronics, and shoes that typically drop in price around mid-August

• For eco-friendly options, check out MightyNest and earn money for your school while you shop.

2. Ease into School Routine

• These last weekdays before school begins, begin waking late sleepers up a bit earlier and re-introduce school year bedtime.

• Keep snacks readily available for kids throughout afternoon as meal times during school may differ from summer eating routines. Real Simple has a great list of snack options.

• Remind your kids what you expect from them in their morning routine and after-school routine so they know what they're responsible for. Here is a checklist HYD likes.

3. Calendar Prep

• Find your school's or your school system's calendar for the year and place all important dates including holidays, in-services, half-days, and report card days on your personal calendar now.

• Create a central calendar the whole family can see with school and after school activities using a paper or whiteboard so it's easy to read and adjust like this one.

4. Prepare for Paper Piles

• Make an effort from day one of school to fill out each form as you get them, place them back in your child's folder, and back to school before it gets lost in a pile.

• Create a system for keeping art or school work that allows you to discard all other items the day they enter your home. In other words, go through folders each afternoon/evening, look at each piece of work, if it is an original that you would've liked to have seen as you looked back to that age and you have no other like it, keep it. Otherwise, recycle it.

5. Teacher(s) Support

• Try not to miss any opportunity to meet your child's teacher or teachers. If you're not able to meet in person, reach out with an email to introduce yourself and offer help to make the school year successful. This is invaluable to both your child and his/her teacher. Teachers need our support, encouragement, and helpful knowledge that only we can give them about our child.

Help You Dwell wishes you and your family a safe and successful 2015-2016 school year!

Digital Photo Organizing Idea

Today when I checked my photo software on my computer, I had 29,083 photos. The first problem here is that I need to get many of them off my computer & onto a hard drive so my computer doesn't go kaput on me, but that's a post for another day. The second deal here is,

"How in the world will I ever organize that many photos?!?"

Well, I'll be honest here, I don't plan to go back & organize all 29,083. Thankfully my software does organize them by date so that helps. Over the years, the digital photo world has made gift ideas, especially for grandparents, much easier. I can always go back, by date, & find just the photos I need for a calendar, a mug, a mouse pad, a photo book or a framed photo. Just to be able to do that has been great. But so many times I was just making gifts for other households & not my own. How was I to get these photos into books in my own house?

Many years ago, I took a scrapbooking class from a friend who talked about the importance of our handwriting in a photo book. Now the online books are great, don't get me wrong. They're quicker than making a scrapbook, colorful, & fairly easy to make. However, you don't get to write in them like you do scrapbook that you place photos in by hand.

About 8 years ago, when my oldest turned 5, I had an idea. (Of course, this is before Pinterest when I still had my own ideas.) I had my son make his own scrapbook of the his favorite photos from his first 5 years. I had him write captions in it, add stickers he liked at that age & just let go of any expectations I had for how it would look. It turned out great! At that point, I decided that I would encourage each of my kids to create their own book every 5 years. So far, we've gotten 4 books done & my middle child turns 10 in a couple weeks & we're already gathering photos on a file with her name on it to get printed to make the 5th book.

So, no there are not thousands of photos printed in dozens of books or frames. In fact, we've missed a bunch, but there are these treasures that will be with them forever. And my kids each have books that remind them who they are. They see their own handwriting at 5, 10 & eventually 15. They have looked at those books more than any other book in our house. They show them to their friends, laugh out loud, tell stories about the photos & enjoy them thoroughly. It wouldn't be the same if I had made them or had them done online.

This would also work for us big people too. Take the pressure off yourself of trying to organize all of them. The next time you're inspired, pick a year or three or five or maybe one event & start a file labeled "photos for book," start pulling in your favorites, get them printed & have at it. It doesn't have to be fancy with all the stickers & such, just your photos, your handwriting, your story. Trust me, that's the best one to tell.

Celebrate your Independence from Clutter!

That's right. We want you to get free from the clutter. HYD is celebrating our great nation's independence by offering 1 hour of free organizing or staging.  No matter how big or small the project, we want to give you some of our time to get you closer to freedom from your extra stuff & bring some peace & order to the spaces that need it most.  Details below...

How do you get this free hour?
Call or email us by July 18 to schedule your free consultation.

All you need to do is:
Email us at info@helpyoudwell.com or call us at 865.245.9080 to set up your free consultation today!

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HYD can help you with all kinds of organizing & staging needs.
We can help with:

- Organizing Home or Workspace, including every room in your house as well as your place of business
- Organizing your Home or Workspace before a move & assist with organized packing
- Staging your home to sell using items in your home to make it look it's best
- Create space for a new inhabitant:  baby, parent, roommate, etc
- Refresh your existing space using items in your home &/or workspace

Organize with Style - Our Recent Finds

This week we're sharing some of our finds in the organizing world
to help clear up a little clutter while looking fabulous too.
Hope they inspire you as much as they did us!

West Elm

These baskets by West Elm have endless uses while brightening up any space. Use them for towels, a hamper, toys, or as an entryway catchall.

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TopHome

We love this 8-pocket bag that can be used for any small items like cosmetics, cell phone, keys, or any small personal items you need a home for.

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Bliss Home

Find a home for all the little notes scattered around with this magnet board from Bliss Home.

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World Market

The cutest metal picnic basket for a delightful outdoor summer meal! Such a delightful way to pack up your picnic.

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West Elm

Drop your spare change, your keys or any other little treasures into the Heritage Catchall.

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After The Leaves Fall

Using reclaimed barn wood, After The Leaves Fall, creates beautiful storage for your earrings, bracelets, & necklaces with this lovely jewelry organizer.

Father's Day Gift Guide

On June 21, we celebrate the dads in our lives. HYD's gift guide gives you a head start on your hunt for the perfect thing. Some finds are local, some regional, others just straight from the heart. Let us know if you've got any to add to our list!

“A dad is someone who wants to catch you before you fall but instead picks you up, brushes you off, and lets you try again”

Go Forth Goods

1. The Traveler Mug by Go Forth Goods is one of our favorite handmade gifts for dad this year. Great for a mason jar full of coffee or sweet tea on the go!

Nothing Too Fancy

2. A vintage-inspired, super soft T-shirt from Nothing Too Fancy located near Knoxville's Market Square on Union Ave. They have an amazing selection of T-shirts with all kind of Tennessee goodness.

Mast General Store

3. Give dad a basket full of his favorite treats while you let him eat it guilt-free! HYD recommends checking out Mast General Store on Gay St. for a selection that never ends.

4. My husband's favorite accessory, his Patagonia Tech Web Belt. This guy is multi-purpose keeping dad looking handsome, his pants up and opening a bottle if the need arises. Find it in Knoxville at River Sports Outfitters or Uncle Lem's Outfitters.

Wildsam

5. Wildsam Field Guides not only navigate you through a city but tell the story of the place as well. Part documentary, part map, part oral history, these guides give the dad in your life just the adventure he's been looking for.

6. A gift card to one of these fine coffee establishments is great way to thank dad & to get his engine revving in the morning. Find them at Old City Java, KBrew, or Remedy Coffee.

7. If none of those strike your fancy, give dad a gift he will always cherish. A photo of the people that gave him his title. (Choosing a pic that includes the time he caught that really big fish is just a suggestion.)

Organizing Your Summer with Your Kids

It's been officially one week since my kiddos had their last day of school before summer. So far, they've enjoyed sleeping in, lounging around the house in PJs, some crafts they've been wanting to get to, and taking a road trip to visit old buddies in Asheville. Thankfully, we're off to a pretty good start.

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.”

— George R.R. Martin

With that said, summer with school-age kids home can be a bit overwhelming without a plan. It can also be a wonderful time for kids to explore, relax, create, and enjoy the freedom of days without the time restraints of the school year. All you need is your time, a little rhythm in your day and a brainstorming session with you kids to make the most out your family's summer.
Here are 7 tips to get you started:

1. Make time each day to play or connect with your child.

Take the time to play a board game, make a milkshake or catch fireflies. It doesn't have to be an elaborate project or outing, just a few minutes of your attention can make simple moments last forever.

2. find the balance for structure

After the long school year, kids need time to unwind, relax and let their brains and emotions take it easy. Kids also need a routine so that they know what to expect. Come up with a loose plan for each day, like hang at the house in the morning doing a small job or working in the garden, afternoons are spent running errands, at the pool or splash pad, or visiting a friend. The summer is a great time to teach kids how to do certain chores well so that during the school months, they can continue contributing to helping the house stay in order.

3. help kids develop a healthy relationship with time

"I'm bored" is a phrase we can all remember using at some point and one I'm sure you've heard from your child as well. Use the summer as a time to help your kids be comfortable with themselves, without technology. This may be hard to commit to at first, but don't lose heart. Here is more on why being bored can be a good thing and ideas for kids when they are.

4. Strictly limit screens

Give your kids certain times of the day for technology. Kids are less likely to bug you about it and more inclined to use their imagination if the option of being on a screen is off the table until a certain time.

5. establish daily reading / quiet time

Setting up this time during each day keeps your child's mind engaged and growing as well as gives you time to yourself. Here is a great list of summer reading ideas.

6. plan memory making activities

Get the kids involved in this brainstorming activity. Here's a list to get you started...
- Play an outdoor movie in your backyard
- Have a lemonade stand
- Make a firepit in your yard and enjoy s'mores together
- Have a water party with sprinklers, water balloons, water guns, slip-n-slide, etc
- Plan a bike ride and pack snacks for a picnic along the way
- Go berry picking
- Make your kids breakfast in bed (or encourage siblings to do it for one another)
- Surprise Dad (or Mom) at work with lunch
- Go hiking, camping, kayaking or canoeing
- Plant a small garden or even just a couple of pots of plants
- Host a pot-luck outdoor party, let your kids help with the guest list

7. capture the summer in a photo album

My kids love to look back at photos from previous summers. As you embark on this summer's activities, grab your camera to snap shots along the way. The week before school starts, have your kids help put an album together as a way to celebrate the priceless memories you've made. It will be time very well spent.

Yard Sale 101

Help You Dwell has been busy lately clearing the excess from houses, garages and basements.  Springtime is a great time for this!  And working alongside our clients as they let go of all kinds of items to go to new homes is so satisfying both for us and our clients.  One way several clients have decided to go about the purge is with a yard sale.  A yard sale is a great choice if you have the time, energy and neighborhood to pull one off.

HYD recently had the opportunity to help a client from almost start to finish in preparing for a huge sale.  We thought you could benefit from some of the planning tips we used to make her sale a success.  If a sale is right for you, read on for a timeline of how to go about hosting your own successful sale.  This is a great time of year to hold one!

SALE PREP

PLAN A DATE, GET A BUDDY (OR A FEW)

- Yard sales are always more successful, less work, and more fun with friends &/or neighbors

- Saturdays always get the most traffic and Spring or Fall are the best times to hold one

- Check your local weekend planner guide for other events you may have to compete with

- Set time. Sales usually start at 8am and we suggest an end time as well, that way you can do an "everything's half off" when you're about to close up shop

2-4 WEEKS OUT

- Gather items and place in one space in your home

- Store sale items in trash bags or boxes so you're not tempted to extract an item once you've tagged it a sale item (Stay Strong - Let it Go!)

- Plan an exit strategy, either schedule the charity pick up (Habitat for Humanity ReStore or KARM Store) or the vehicle you will load to donate the items that don't sell

- Begin pricing.  Think to yourself, "How much would I pay for this item at a yard sale?" or check online for suggestions if you're not an avid yard saler. This site is helpful.

1 WEEK OUT

- Place Craigslist advertisement.  Read other ads first to get ideas of how to grab shoppers' attention and make sure to be clear on location, date, and time.  Also, adding lists and photos of items helps draw more to your sale.  Lastly, if you're not interested in "early birds," use a phrase like "early birds pay double" or "no early birds please."

- Use social media. Facebook is an easy place to just post your Craigslist ad.

- Make signs. Think less is more. Your sign should be on bright poster board, backed with cardboard and write with a thick black marker. Just write "Yard Sale" plus location, date, time. Arrows are great too especially for neighborhood sales.

THE WEEK OF

- Gather tables, tarps, tents, tablecloths to display and protect items

- Visit bank to obtain change

- Finalize pricing

- Get drinks and snacks for sale workers

DAY BEFORE

- Set up sale area

- Get items as close to prepared sale area as possible

- Gather grocery bags, boxes, and packing materials for customers to use

- Have apron with pockets, fanny pack or cash box ready

- Keep pricing materials close in case you missed any and need to add a quick price

SALE DAY

- Post signs

- Move all items to sale area

- Sell it all!

Salvage & Homewares Sale THIS SUNDAY

We're now three days away from our Spring Pop-up with the lovely folks at Mid Mod Collective. It's going to be a gorgeous day to be out and about so we hope you can come. Details here.

HYD is so pleased to introduce to you our artists and craftsmen joining us on Sunday. Some are linked to their web pages, some don't have pages. You'll want to meet them all.

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Ashley Addair - visual artist

Daniel Aisenbrey - heritage furnishings

Rebekah Campbell - textiles

Adam Henry - wood burning

Rob Laliberte - woodwork, vintage items, design

Sarah Musgrave - photography prints, handmade & vintage items

Ericka Ryba - pottery

Eric Savage - reclaimed wood furnishings

Thress Nursery - plants, handmade items

Blair Wright - architectural salvage

Jordan Wright - mason jar lamps

Kickin' Collaboration

The event page is live.
The vendor list is packed.
The garage bays are full.

And YOU are invited!

MId Mod Collective

For Help You Dwell's second Pop-up Market we are so pleased to be collaborating with one of Knoxville's coolest new shops, Mid Mod Collective. We are fortunate to co-host this spring's market at their fantastic venue on N. Central St. just north of Happy Holler in Old North Knoxville on Sunday, May 3 from 11-6.

MId Mod Collective

HYD loves Mid Mod's eye for style and their unique finds from all over the US. The 10 vendors that make up the collective have created a showroom that inspires no matter what your taste in furniture or decor.  Not only have they, along with Dewhirst Properties, brought a wonderful old building back to life, they have given local mid-century modern fans a place to find all their design needs whether you're looking for that rare high end piece or need to design on a budget.

MId Mod Collective

MId Mod Collective

MId Mod Collective

We hope you can join us for this fantastic event. Along with all the great home wares Mid Mod Collective and Help You Dwell will be offering, The Sweet and Savory Food Truck, Old City Java, Wild Love Bakehouse, The Vagabond Roaming Boutique, and Cruze Farm will also be there for the event. So mark your calendars, grab a buddy & come make a day of it!

Spring Cleaning Challenge Week 4

Another beautiful East Tennessee day with birds chirping and pops of color everywhere!
Let's finish out the month of March with a couple more simple tasks to help you enjoy the rest of Spring.

Image: JollyEdition

1. Tackle the RSVPs. 

Spring is filled with wedding and baby showers, birthday parties and the like.  Take a moment to check your paper pile and your inbox to find all the RSVPs and give yourself just 15-20 little minutes to knock them all out and make sure to add the events you plan to attend to your calendar now!

image: Martha Stewart

2. Love your linens. 

Nothing is better for sleeping than a fresh, clean set of sheets.  Make it easier on yourself to grab that clean set by matching all your sheet sets and placing them inside the coordinating pillow case.  While you're at it, discard any unmatched or stained pieces you no longer need.

Spring Cleaning Challenge Week 2

Source Unknown

“Do a little something today that your future self will thank you for.”

It's week two in our Spring Cleaning campaign.  The warm weather is creeping in, daffodils & crocus are popping up and step-by-step you're moving to more order and peace in your home.

Last week we focused on ordering our bathroom closet & tidying up our email inbox.  Keeping it simple and achievable, this week we move to our bedroom closet and the kitchen.

this week's challenge

1.  Donate or consign all your fancy dresses you bought for that one occasion and said, "I'll wear that again" and never did.  Repeat Boutique in West Knoxville is a great option if you choose to consign.  If you choose to donate, you may have a friend that comes to mind that might love to get your fancy dress or any of the local thrift shops would gladly welcome your donation.

2.  Take everything out from under your kitchen sink, clean the cabinet and put back only what you use regularly.  No tricks here.  Just keep it simple.

Be Yourself.

Our homes are the places where the majority of us spend the most time, the place where we laugh, cry, rest, dance, yell, sing, dream, make our messes, stash our treasures and share life with others.  We get that.  We love that.

Photo compliment of Stylish Eve

We also love our clients.  Just about every week, Help You Dwell gets the pleasure of meeting a new face and hearing a new story.  It has been such a joy for us.  Often, when we walk into a new clients' home, the first thing we hear is "sorry."  Clients are sorry for the mess, sorry they've let it go this far, sorry they can't do better on their own.  We understand.  We never judge.  We have a story too.

"You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them."  Maya Angelou

- Excerpted from Letter to My Daughter, a book of essays (2009)

As we walk through our plans to help folks find order and peace in their living space, we want to hear the story that brought them to this place.  It's so important in the process of organization of one's home.  HYD never wants a client to think that we're coming into a home to get rid of all the clutter just so it looks better.  Our goal is to always help the client live life with the freedom from the extras that pile up all around.  Working alongside the client, embracing their story, and being part of the process that helps to write a few lines in the next chapter is an honor for us.

Be yourself.  Just with less stuff and more you.  You are worth the effort. 

Let us help you dwell.

Organized Room = Project Finished

Time to let you in on a little secret...

I'm not always organized. 

My house has rooms that I'm not always proud of, usually multiple ones.  This is one big reason why I want to walk alongside you amazing people to overcome those spaces that keep you from entertaining, creating or just enjoying your home or workspace.

Thankfully, I have an incredible business partner who serves me as wonderfully as she serves our clients.  (She would also tell you her home has those rooms too :) Caroline generously offered to help me dwell a bit in one of my favorite spaces in my house.

It's that room I want to spend more time in.  It's away from the busyness of our household of five plus a puppy, my favorite books are in there, all my crafting materials, stationery, journals, photos to edit, and the light is wonderful, hence the name, sunroom.  It's my office & creativity room.  My daughter plays violin in it as well.

Unfortunately, it too often looked like this...

Quickly, it had become the dump room, the "I don't know where this goes (or am too lazy to put it away now) so put it in the sunroom" room.  The thing is, all these items have homes and many of them in the trash or donation box.

After just a couple of short hours, a few moves of furniture, and a rearranging of decorative items from all over the house, (Caroline is soooo good at this!)  I got this room back...

I love being in here now.  I'm so thankful for setting aside the time, having a dear & talented friend to help, and purging so many unneeded items.

The story doesn't end there though.  So, what happens in a room that's ordered, organized & inspiring??  Well, your daughter comes in to practice violin, notices the sewing machine neatly stored under the table and asks, "Mama, can we sew?"  To which I can finally say, "yes."  Below is the finished product, Saige is very happy in her new nightgown, and Kate is even happier that she got to make it, with a little help from mama.  Find the pattern here.

The Greatest Christmas Gift

"Fear not, for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." Luke 2: 10-12

Help You Dwell wishes you and yours the most Merry of Christmases!  May your hearts be full of the great Joy that has come for all the people.

Donations for Habitat for Humanity

It's been a couple of weeks since HYD's first ever pop-up market & we are still a little high from the experience.  Caroline & I were overwhelmed by the positive response from our shoppers as well as our vendors.  The community support from our Knoxville family was tremendous.

We are excited to say that with our 10% of profits from the sale, HYD & the vendors donated over $200 to Habitat for Humanity of Knoxville. 

HYD would also like to thank KBrew for providing their delicious coffee to our guests throughout the day.

Lastly, we wanted to show off some of the shots of the day that our dear friend, Katie Norrell took.  HYD was overjoyed to watch all the hugs, compliments & conversations throughout the day of the market.  We are looking forward to the next one, whenever it "pops-up!"

If you didn't make it out and are interested in purchasing any of these fine goods, let us know and we will get you in touch with the maker.

We had over 200 people come through our market and our vendors sold over $2,000 worth of goods. We had a blast seeing old friends and making new ones. If you took pictures at the market we would love to see them.

Holiday Shopping Ideas

Yep.  It's time.  Get it done now & November & December become much more enjoyable, allowing you to enjoy the Peace, Joy & Love of this special time of year.

Now's the time you can think, be intentional about each gift & budget. 

As a mom of three, my list always starts with my kids.  Several years ago, Matt & I were given the great advice to just do three gifts per kid (just as Jesus received three from the Wise Men).  This has been monumental for us in our giving to them & helpful for their receiving as well.  Our goal is that each of their gifts fit into the three categories:  Active/Sport-related, Educational/Creativity, & Something they love.  It has helped us be much more intentional & creative ourselves.  As you can imagine, it's also curved that last minute spending frenzy so many parents fall subject to in those last days before the big day.

Moving down the list to Matt, parents, in-laws, & friends the same mentality works.  Taking just a few extra moments to think of that one person & thinking outside the scarf, slippers, candle box can add much joy to your giving.  If handmade is your desire, you still have time for that if you start now. Etsy is a great place to find handmade items if you're not able to handcraft gifts yourself.  If creating photo memories with books or calendars is your plan, start now & you'll have plenty of time.  Two great sites for that are Shutterfly and Mixbook.

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Organizing my list has become much easier over the years after I found this super simple little notebook to keep my current list, receipts, & lists from previous years in.  It was designed by Pepperpot & has served me well for about 5 years now.  Your smartphone is also another option, but I love having the previous lists & receipts all in one place.

And if you're a local here in Knoxville, Help You Dwell is making it even easier to Holiday shop by offering a Pop-Up Market on Nov. 8 with all kinds of delightful items for lots of folks on your list.

We'd love to hear some of your unique & fun ideas for taking the stress out of holiday shopping.  Give us a quick comment below & help us enjoy the upcoming season just a bit more with your clever ideas.  Thanks friends!

To Do List

Having a rough week and don't know where to start....

Keep it simple and start here.

Source unknown

Help You Dwell's "Thank You" Giveaway!

We love our clients and followers and wanted to say "Thanks" by giving you the opportunity to shop on us at one of HYD's favorite spots in Knoxville to find fabulous home treasures...

Bliss Home - 29 Market Sq - Downtown Knoxville

Bliss Home - 29 Market Square & 7240 Kingston Pike www.shopinbliss.com

The shop is filled with an unmatched variety of casual contemporary furnishings, rugs, inspiring art and accessories.  We have personally shopped there for years, filling our own homes as well as purchasing unique gifts for others.  The staff is always warm, knowledgeable and helpful.  Bliss Home also proudly supports local artisans from around East Tennessee and the Knoxville area, which is near and dear HYD's heart.

For a chance to win the $100 gift card to Bliss Home, just 'Like' us on Facebook and leave a comment about which room/space in your house you would like to organize first at www.facebook.com/helpyoudwell.   We'll randomly pick the winner Monday morning and announce it on our Facebook page.