You might dread dealing with your bedroom closet, but we believe you can befriend this part of your home! Enjoy some helpful resources and tips for tackling your closet.
3 Things You Can Do Right Now For Your Community, Your Family, and Yourself.
Making the Most of Spring Break
3 Ways to Refresh Your Entry Way for Spring
Entry way by Meegan Buschor of Mia Interiors
When March rolls in, we move out… outside! It’s that time of year to transition our lives from cozy and cuddled to playing and planting. Spring is just around the corner and we want to come alongside you to help transition your home and life for the changing days ahead. Each week this month we will bring you helpful insights, inspirations, and steps for you to get a kickstart on spring organizing.
Let’s begin with the places in our homes we use every single day! Do you think much about your entry ways? We’re talking about any space that welcomes you and your people into your home. This could be your front hallway, garage entry way or mud room. Whatever you call your “drop your things and kick off your shoes” space… we’ve got some tips for you to get you ready for a new season.
Inspiration from @industrieelchique
PURGE
Begin with a fresh start! As you look at your entry way, consider what clothing, jackets, or shoes may be piling up that you may not need anymore. Perhaps kids have outgrown shoes. Start by pulling everything out and organize them in piles with like objects. Sort through each pile determining what to keep and what could be dropped it off at your local KARM store.
Tessa Hop’s natural tones brings simplicity to this clean entry way.
ORGANIZE
Put away your winter coats (when its finally warm enough!) and your heavy boots in their off season home. Pull out that rain jacket and gardening shoes to replace your winter gear! As you enjoy the simplicity that comes as bulky clothes leave, leave only what you need in this area as it can become cluttered easily. Start with assigning a hook, cabinet, or cubby to each person in your home.
Consider decorative bins or a shoe rack or tray for your remaining shoes to stay tidy. Tyne Martinez of Atlanta, in an article on The Scout Guide recommends “choosing a material that adds interest without detracting from the house’s aesthetic, and opting for a style that reflects the formality of the abode.”
Here are a few links for items much like you see in Tessa’s simple and stylish entry.
Juniper Home’s recent mud room reveal has us drooling!
DECORATE
As always, we want to walk into a beautiful home as well as a functional one… but keep it simple! A small antique table for your keys can add some charm to a small entry way. A welcoming bench brings a warm space for taking off muddy spring boots. Save a hook to show off your favorite hat or basket full of spring flowers! Transition a favorite piece of art or collectible to display in this area to bring some life and warmth.
Unsure where to start when considering donating unused items from your home? Read these past HYD blog posts on donations:
Featured
These 5 Things : February 2020
Living with Intention to Create a Lasting Legacy
We recently took a road trip to Nashville for the annual Antique & Garden Show, this year being it’s 30th Anniversary. This spectacular event provides spaces for high quality antiques and a platform for experts in the fields of antiques, landscape gardens, and horticulture. Additionally, it is a charitable event in which proceeds go to Cheekwood Mansion and ECON Chartities in Nashville.
We walked through a sea of gorgeous furniture, art, and decor in thoughtful display and heard educational lectures from the top of each field, including our very own East Tennesseans Kreis & Mary Celeste Beall of Blackberry Farms. This show is top notch to say the least. Above all, we were struck by the beauty of intentionality.
Antiques set before us a reminder that our things tell a story. Each hand crafted piece brings us to imagine the hands that shaped it and the beauty and comfort it brought to the space in which it sat. Gorgeous furniture, like the vintage furnishings from Eneby Home, remind us of how the past, present, and future all intersect before us everyday. Our homes, like our things, mirror the stories of our lives.
Are we living with intention within the spaces we dwell?
Living with Intention to Create a Lasting Legacy
A highlight of the show was attending the lecture in which Kreis Beall & Mary Celeste Beall shared their insights on home, family, and making it all beautiful. Kreis and Sandy are the founders of Blackberry Farms while their daughter-in-law Mary Celeste is the proprietor. The incredible experience that Blackberry Farm has become seems so difficult to wrap ones mind around until you hear these two women speak of their inspiration from their own family history and each other.
“...she wanted the place “to look like Mom’s and smell like Mammy’s” paying homage to the two women who had helped shape her.”
The respect and love that is shared between this mother and daughter-in-law duo speaks to the power of family in creating home. Both spoke with such vulnerability, humor, and wisdom on how their separate journeys have led them to today. Kreis shared that in the early days of Blackberry Farm, she wanted the place "to look like Mom's and smell like Mammy's" paying homage to the two women who had helped shape her. She also encouraged us business owners to dream big and "start at the top" like the time she called Julia Child to ask if she would lead Blackberry Farm's first cooking class.
Mary Celeste spoke on the importance of creating a home that works for one's own personal living style. As she and Sam designed their forever home at Blackberry, they were very intentional to include the parts that were important to them, not what was trending at the time. They planned their home to grow with their growing family (they have 5 children), and the home centers around the table, the most important place for them.
The thread of sadness of Sam's passing almost 4 years ago is palpable and real as one listens to this journey, but his inspiration and commitment to creating a place to gather with the highest quality food, drink, and venue is very much alive.
What a gift it was to hear this story in person! If you'd like to hear more about Kreis's journey, her new book, "The Great Blue Hills of God" is now available and it's wonderful!
————————————————————
So, as we think about the impact of our stories…. How can you live with intention in your home?
Consider the Past.
Our “stuff” have a story. The floorboards we walk on everyday. The trim around the doors we swing countlessly open. The hearth we face every night after a long day. And that favorite chair we curl up in as we welcome a new day. Every thing has tells the story of the past. We were struck by the knowledge expert antique collectors and sellers brought to us at the Show. Consider seeking out experts on the pieces you already own or before you pursue something new to learn how you can be more intentional with your spaces.
Pay Attention to the Present.
How are you wanting to live? Like Mary Celeste, can your spaces reflect how you want to live, not just what is in style? Consider your current dreams and intentions (maybe whip out those new years resolutions you drew up just over a month ago!) and how your home can be a sanctuary for those dreams. Who are the people most important to you, and how can your home and things provide pathways for those people?
Leave a legacy for the Future.
Lastly, we want to encourage you to consider the things you currently own or the ones you intend to welcome into your home with intentionality toward the future. Of course, there is always a time and place for mass made products that we can pick up on the fly! But as you move through your own home, consider how you fill it. Consider what you are leaving to the ones you love. A thoughtful look at the past and present can inform a beautiful future.
As you can hear, this show renewed our love of antiques and their place within the spaces we dwell! In our work with HYD, we love seeing how YOU intentionally craft your spaces. Comment one way that you are living with intention.
Meet our Crew!
Meet these INCREDIBLE additions to our already powerhouse team!
We’d like to introduce you to SEVEN new, beautiful faces behind the hard work and unique presence of our services here at HYD. What a gift to bring to you the diversity of style, backgrounds and personal touches that each woman offers.
caroline king
HYD ADMIN
Caroline is from right here in East Tennessee. As our newly added administrative wizard, she is the SANITY of Help You Dwell! She is amazing at connecting all the dots, helping clients feel heard and welcome when they call, and is an appointment genie.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY KITCHEN ISLAND
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
HARRY STYLES
SARAH
Sarah is a Knoxville Native. She has a deep love for decluttering and organizing the things that mean most to you. She also uses her art background to help people find the best spot for furniture and/or belongings.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY BEDROOM (BECAUSE I CAN FINALLY RELAX WHEN I GET THERE!)
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
BILLIE EILISH & LAUREN DAIGLE
barb
Barb is originally from Portland, but has called Knoxville home for over 20 years.Barb’s extensive background in education and administration brings an intentional and calming approach to any job.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY COZY OFFICE
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
ERIC BIBB
laurie
Originally from Georgia, Laurie now calls Tennessee home. She has had a lifelong interest in making things look pretty! She loves packing, unpacking and sharing the joy she finds in organization with others.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY PEACEFUL SCREENED PORCH
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
EARTH, WIND, & FIRE
Kayla
Kayla is a Knoxville Native. She enjoys rearranging furniture and organizing drawers. She LOVES helping people feel less bound by the things in their life.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY TINY DESK IN THE CORNER OF MY BEDROOM
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
THE HIGHWOMEN
JANET
Janet is originally from East Tennessee. She brings creative insights into organizing and thoughtful storage and packing ideas along with her peaceful countenance.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
THE BASEMENT SET UP AS MY SEWING ROOM
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
THE KILLER ANGELS (AUDIOBOOK)
gabby
Gabby is also a Knoxville native. She loves helping others realize that no matter their circumstances, they are not alone. Whatever it they may be experiencing, she wants others to feel comforted by our presence!
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY LOFT! IT’S MY BEDROOM AND HAPPY PLACE
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
JESUS IS KING BY KANYE WEST
erin J
Erin has lived in many places, but happily calls Blount County home! She enjoys helping others find simplicity by decluttering and organizing to create calm, functional spaces.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
MY SEWING ROOM
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
90s HITS STATION
Liz
Liz is originally from Washington State but landed in Knoxville after college. She is excited to bring her love for organization and beautiful spaces to her work.
Current Fave Spot in Her Home:
ANYWHERE I CAN BE CRAFTING!
What She’s Currently Spinning on Repeat:
WE NEED LOVE BY JOHN LEGEND
We’re so happy you’ve had the chance to meet our growing team! You can read more by clicking on their photos. Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for an invitation to MEET OUR TEAM and mingle in our new office at an Open House coming in early March.
*Happy* New Year Refresh!
If you’re anything like me, the holidays were a beautiful blur for a number of reasons. Family and friends gathering (which means that space behind the toilets finally got clean), endless dishes piled up in the kitchen, and a horde of gifts brought home in piles waiting to be put away. It was also a season of emotion; the joy and wildness of children, the fun of giving gifts; but also the grief of those who are no longer with us or the unmet longings that can surface greatly this time of year. And then, it’s all over. January begins, and everyone seems to have moved on to resolutions, dreams of new goals, bodies, projects, and of course…spaces. In some ways, I think we are all ready for a reset by January, a fresh start to help us move into a new season after what can feel like a funny time warp of the last 6 weeks.
And you might be thinking, I’m TIRED. In a good and full kind of way. How can I begin to refresh my home? One of the things I love most about what we do with Help You Dwell is coming into a space and making new what is already there. Sometimes we don’t need fancy new containers (although we do love them!) or a total home makeover. We just need fresh eyes and simple steps to bring some new life!
1. Change Position
A simple change can go a long way, even within the same room. Bring in a beloved piece of art from another room, exchange throw pillows from room to room, or rearrange the furniture to bring a change of perspective.
2. Let Go
With the tree and garland gone, now is a great time to see your living room afresh! Break down those gift boxes from Christmas, put away new gifts and toys in a more permanent place, and get settled back to your usual living space. Take an inventory of your decor, pillows, and blankets and consider how they are serving you - and then let go of them if they’re not!
Photo: @houseofniina
3. Make Space
Clear off all of those counter tops that were the centerpiece for your holiday gatherings and meals. Tidying up your kitchen island, decluttering countertops, and clearing the dining table will help your home feel refreshed and ready for a new season.
Now sit back and enjoy your fresh space and a new year!
HYD 2020 : A Growing Team & A New Office
Image: Texture Photo
It’s been a day over 3 months since we posted a blog. That’s not normal for HYD. For over 5 years, our leadership team never missed a blog each Thursday.
2019…. you were a doozy for HYD!
We won’t spend too much time focusing on what was, but I did want to take just a moment to give a short state of the union for those who are interested…
Our team is now 16 incredible women strong. The Divine intervention involved in bringing all these women together for such a time as this is clearly nothing I or any one of us could have orchestrated on our own. For that I am beyond grateful and very humbled to be at the helm. I can’t wait to introduce them to you over the next few months in your homes and through the blog.
We are fully moved in to our new office at 214 W Magnolia Ave just around the block from Regas Square. The very talented Megan Stair has curated an incredible gallery full of one of a kind art, as well as handmade leather goods, textiles, plants, jewelry and so much more.
214 Magnolia Gallery is also the perfect place for HYD to offer our carefully selected furniture and home goods for sale on consignment for our clients. We miss hosting HYD’s bi-annual flea at The Hive, so this has been an incredible opportunity for us to continue offering this service to our clients and buyers. Come by and see us!!
2020 is here and HYD is too. Our holiday takedown teams are busy as bees assisting in homes all over Knox County and beyond. We are looking forward to walking alongside several families as they relocate, renovate, or prepare their homes for a move this Winter and early Spring. And HYD is looking forward to hosting workshops later this Spring and throughout 2020 to give you tools for organizing in your own homes.
Be on the lookout for more blogs to come! We’ve got home tours lined up, all kinds of tips for organizing and moving, stories of local folks doing great stuff here in K-town, and so much more.
In the meantime, don’t hesitate to reach out with a call or text to 865.245.9080 or an email to info@helpyoudwell.com if you need any help with an unruly closet, a packed out garage, a frustrating pantry, an upcoming move, or just a consultation on how and where to begin in your home.
No job is too big or too small for HYD and we look forward to helping you get unstuck in 2020!
5 Tips for the Back to School Routine
One thing I love about a new school year is, it’s new. We begin the year with all As, we get fresh notebooks, new teachers, and get to start again. It’s also a great time to adopt a few new habits surrounding the school routine to help stay on top of the schedule, the clutter, the schoolwork, and to encourage your kids to have their best year yet. We’ve compiled a few tips to get your year off on the right foot!
5 Tips to Streamline the Back to School Routine!
Image: Magnolia
1 . An Established Landing Space
This will look different in every home, entirely dependent on your home’s layout. This is an area that should be relatively close to the entry and exit point used each morning. Landing spaces can be useful to collect bookbags and store to-do baskets. Think of this as the command center of the morning on the way out the door. Check out this blog by Joanna Gaines for tips on how locker baskets can be used in your landing space!
2 . Routine Checklists for the Littles
Printable checklists ( laminated or put behind a glass for use with a dry erase ) can be so helpful to guide littles along their new morning routines, this gives them a sense of ownership of their morning and you can still be directly involved to keep them on track.
*We’ve created these two printable options as a framework to your morning routine!
3. Streamlined Schedules for the Big Kids
For kiddos that aren’t exactly kiddos anymore, a virtual approach could keep the entire family on board the same ship! Google calendar app can be a great option for synchronizing sports schedules, events, and the heavier after school schedule that the teen sports/club years can come with.
Another option is a centralized large chalkboard or dry erase calendar in the home. This is a great addition to the landing space or command center and can be a great reminder when headed in or out the door each day. There are definitely pros and cons to each calendaring options, find what works best for your people.
4 . Art & Schoolwork Management
A great habit to adopt for school work brought home is “touch it once!” If the assignment is a worksheet or test from class that has no emotional connection to your child, and your child is ready to let go, after acknowledgment of their efforts and skill they now have by doing the practice, it goes to the recycle bin immediately.
As for artwork, a great rule of thumb for what to keep is to see if you can see the unique work of your own child in each piece. Once that decision is made, a clear Rubbermaid tote with your child’s name and school year(s) can be used if originals want to be kept.
Another option we love is ARTKIVE. ARTKIVE lets you send in all the originals to be professionally photographed and bound into a hardback book or a framed piece!
Image: Home Stories A to Z
5 . Designated Homework Areas
This can be such a stress reliever in many ways encouraging productivity, organization, and quality of work. Establishing a homework zone can communicate the same thing to a child as “going to the office” can for an adult. You set the tone for their work flow and focus by designating study areas. This can be as simple as a lazy susan with cups of supplies easily moved to the middle of a table, or as established as a study nook in the home. Wherever the investment, the reward will be worth it!
Choose Your Absence
This was the title to chapter 16 of the book that’s been hovering on my nightstand for the last few weeks and it got me. Mrs. Freeman had me at the title.
As some of you know, we’ve been doing some revitalizing over here at Help You Dwell. To be honest, we had some pretty major leadership shifts that rocked my little world. Back in May, our sweet Katie Martin, HYD’s first ever employee, left our team as she and her husband prepare to relocate to London next month. We are beyond thrilled for this incredible opportunity for them but my heart still aches a little in losing one of my favs from our crew.
Soon after, the organizer of the organizers, Kellye, our office admin, had an awesome opportunity to reunite with her family up in Virginia after a long time away and made the move back home. She was such an incredible asset to our team in creating systems and smart, efficient ways to communicate with the team and clients and did it all with such grace and love like few people I know.
Then in mid-July, sweet Ada Jane joined the world and Caroline became a mama of 2 under 2 and clearly has her hands very full. Thankfully everyone is doing so well and Hank is slowly learning that Ada isn’t going away and from now on he’ll have to share his mommy & daddy. : )
And just like that, summer came and my kids were home from school and I was steering the HYD ship by myself. Or trying. It wasn’t going so well.
In the 5+ years that HYD has been serving clients, none of us have ever done it alone. Caroline and I had each other from day one, so I had no practice in making decisions without a partner. I have no doubt that “it takes a village.” But here I was flying solo and our lovely clients still needed us and all my incredible organizers and packers still were eager to get into homes and work their magic.
By the time July rolled around, I knew something had to change. I had some big conversations with God at this point about how to best care for HYD and for myself. With the counsel of dear friends and family, we decided to rest. HYD took a short and sweet break from taking on new clients, from marketing, social media, presenting, blogging, and just reflected.
We chose our absence, as Emily P. Freeman, so eloquently talks about in her book, The Next Right Thing. She articulated exactly what I knew to be true as we pulled back the reins and chose to be absent for a bit.
“Choose your absence so that your presence will have more impact.”
These last few weeks of stepping back from HYD have been a gift. Personally, I’ve been much more present with my own life in lots of ways, but what has been such a wonderful surprise is that I’ve also been able to see how much more HYD has to offer. Help You Dwell is its own entity. Caroline and I have always felt that the company was given to us to steward and share with others. That’s one reason we’ve had over 20 folks work for us over the last 5 years. It’s a service to share, share with employees and share with clients. It was never meant for just us.
I’m not sure I would have come to this realization had we not chosen our “absence.” This season of rest has created a great joy and excitement in me to continue growing HYD in a way that allows more people to find order and peace in their homes, their workspaces, during the moving process, or through a transition of losing a loved one or an estate transition. HYD’s current team of organizers and packers is incredible. The life experience and creativity paired with the work ethic and servant hearts of these ladies still blows me away. There is work to do and HYD is ready to do it.
So here we go, again. It’s a reset for HYD. Thanks to so many of you who have been here all along and to those of you who just discovered HYD. We look forward to helping you dwell.
Much love —
taryn
Being Present in the Middle of May
Image: Texture Photo
Spring is in full swing now and all the events of the season are coming at us from every direction! Graduations, travel plans, spring performances, festivals, sports tournaments, and end-of-school year parties and events are filling our calendars and brain-space as we try to survive one of the most beautiful months in East Tennessee.
We’ve gathered a few tips to help you be present, enjoy these last couple of weeks and finish the month with success.
Take a break from social media
For the rest of the month, hit pause on scrolling through your social media feeds. There are lots of fun things to post about on your own page - be it your kids, a fun travel spot, a memorable gathering - so go for it! But create a personal rule about not looking at other’s lives for the rest of the month to help you focus more clearly on your own.
Be willing to say “no”
Do someone a favor, and say “no” to an event, volunteer opportunity, or extra appointment and allow someone else the chance to say “yes.” Many of us are natural-born helpers (Enneagram 2’s, you know who you are ; ) ), but we’ve got to allow others the opportunity to help out in the classroom, take some food to a friend, or offer to help with the neighborhood newsletter.
Schedule (at least) a 30-minute window every day to unplug
Take some time each day to do something without your phone in reach or earshot. I know many of us rely on our phones for our business and to be available for our families, but we also need a break. Just putting it away for short windows to allow yourself to be fully present in some quiet space, especially in such a hectic month, can be very refreshing.
Try to get into bed 30 minutes earlier as often as possible
Sleep is imperative when our brains are in overload, and even if you can’t every night, choose an early bedtime as many times this month as you can. Find a magazine, book of poetry, or an easy read to allow your mind to unwind and lull yourself to a peaceful sleep.
Drink water
Don’t leave home without a full & refillable water bottle. With busy schedules and lots or running from one place to the next, it’s easy to let this simple habit go by the wayside. Plus the weather is moving towards summer, so as our bodies adjust to warmer temps, a little extra hydration is needed.
Lastly, enjoy the moments when you’re in them. This month will be gone before you know it, so hang in there, laugh when you can, hug those you love, and celebrate the milestones of all your people as they graduate, finish a sports season, or start a new adventure this spring.
“Wherever you are - be all there.”
Loving Mom Well this Mother's Day
My mom & my girls 2016
After leaving the home of a client who recently lost his mom, I’ve been a bit more reflective thinking of my own mama and my life as a mother. I am so very fortunate to still have my mom here and healthy. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders and supporters by encouraging me, toting my kids from here to there, attending all kinds of her grandkids’ games and performances, and mostly loving me well in all my ups and downs that motherhood, marriage, and owning a business can bring.
We’re 3 days away from Mother’s Day 2019 and I’ve been contemplating how do I really celebrate my mom, let her know how priceless she is to me, and create a memory that I can enjoy when she’s no longer here. As some of you who know my mom or may have read in previous posts, my mom is quite the collector of things. She’s got some mad skills when it comes to finding deals, personal shopping for family and friends, and creating an amazing storyboard of all her finds and family pieces in the place she and my dad call home. Having lived in the same old farmhouse for over 40 years allows one to create quite the collection. : )
I say all that to explain why giving my mom some of my time, a little muscle, and some serious purging encouragement would (wink, wink), by far, be the best gift I could give my mom this Mother’s Day. Now for you, your mom may be a natural born minimalist and giving your time in her home may not be the best help. My encouragement to anyone reading who has a mom that they’d like to love well this Mother’s Day is to take a minute now and think about her. What’s her season, her newest hobby, a restaurant she’s always wanted to try? There are lots of directions we could go here, but my hope for you is to be able to find one act of sacrifice on your part that would be life-giving to her. Below is a short list of ideas, and I would love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
Whatever you land on, I hope you get a chance to connect with your mom, be it in person, over many miles, or in your memories.
And to all you mamas out there, Happy Mother’s Day!
Big love,
taryn
IDEAS FOR MOTHER’S DAY GIFTS
Technology teaching session // Help her get up to date on the technology she needs to stay connected either with giving her your time, the time of your teenage kiddo, or professional help from a local techie like Neighborhood Nerds or Happy Mac
Take her out to brunch or lunch // Some great spots in Knoxville are: The Plaid Apron, Olibea, Holly’s Gourmets Market, Wild Love Bakehouse, Farmacy, Cazzy’s Corner Grill, Jackie’s Dream Cafe
Make an appointment for the both of you to get a mani/pedi instead of just a gift card for her // Natural Alternatives, Lox Salon, Moda Nail Spa
Offer to assist in getting her photos printed and make a photo book or maybe just get some recent one in frames around her home
Schedule a photo session with your mom and extended family with a professional photographer
And our favorite… give her a Help You Dwell gift card! Our Mother’s Day Special is available until Saturday night at midnight & you get a whole hour for FREE!!
Image Texture Photo
Party Supplies Simplified
The beginning of summer seems to be a season full of parties, showers and get togethers. We celebrate the end of another school year, kids’ sports teams see the end of their seasons, and we say hello to the exciting beginning of summer adventures. As your schedule fills up with fun events, your home may end up being the location for a party or two. What do you really need in order to host a gathering in your space?
Photo by Texture Photo.
Hosting Essentials:
Photo by @helpyoudwell
Mason jars - use them as drinking glasses or to hold silverware and toppings.
Disposable silverware - try bamboo biodegradable utensils or a neutral-colored plastic set.
Napkins - If they are event-specific, purchase only as many as you’re sure you’ll need; use cloth napkins for smaller gatherings to avoid waste.
Versatile serving trays - don’t be afraid to pull out the fancy items — use what you have.
Party playlist - pick a genre, or make your own custom playlist to fit the mood.
Practical Tips:
Photo by @helpyoudwell
Choose decor you can reuse.
Borrow linens from a friend or neighbor.
Fresh flowers or greens can bring some life to the table.
Less is more. Don’t go overboard with trinkets and decorations.
Allow others to help. You don’t have to do it all yourself.
Take the pressure off of yourself! What’s more important - the gathering of people you appreciate in a space you love, or that everything is “perfect” in your presentation and hosting? Don’t become so preoccupied with how it all looks that you miss out on the joy of spending time with people you appreciate and enjoy.
Happy hosting! And if there’s a mama friend that you love, that does her fair share of hosting - we can help her get a handle on those party supplies and hosting areas of the home.
Show your mama some love with our Mother’s Day Special. Available now until Saturday, May 11 at midnight. Give your mom the gift of organization!
Start 'em young
Taryn with Kate, Will, and Eli Ruth // 2008
I became a mom with very few plans in place for how I’d spend time with my child or children, how I envisioned my home being set up for little ones, or how many kids I wanted to have. I’d always hoped to be a mom. I just didn’t really have specific ideas of exactly how that might go down. Almost 17 years into motherhood, and 3 amazing kids later, I am both thankful for that somewhat clueless beginning and at the same time, a bit regretful that I wasn’t more intentional.
Image: Texture Photo // 2018
I’ve found that not having concrete expectations of how motherhood would go was a gift in that it allowed for a whole lotta grace. Not so much pressure on them or on me to be someone I had dreamed up in my head. I think I have been able to pay closer attention to each one of my kids and their unique personalities, ways of relating, and specific needs better since I didn’t have rigid expectations of what I wanted parenting and my kids to look like.
Being somewhat clueless also paved the way for new relationships and a sweet reliance on family. I am fortunate to have started motherhood off with some incredible new mamas who I’ve shared this crazy adventure with and who are still some of my dearest friends. We learned so much from one another. I am also a very blessed gal to have a mom and mother-in-law who have shown me what great love and sacrifice for your kids looks like. All good gifts in the midst of my cluelessness.
However, there is one area that I do wish I had been more thoughtful about at an earlier stage — how to create spaces in my home, and spaces in our days, for my kids. I had to make a lot of mistakes in this area before realizing there’s a better way. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but if I had taken a bit more time to think through what items &/or areas in my home that would encourage my kids to learn, explore, and love well, I would’ve saved myself lots of hours of singing (and doing) the “clean-up, clean-up, everybody everywhere” song and dance, procrastination, guilt, and frustration.
On May 2 at The Back Porch Mercantile, this is the exact topic we will be teaching on.
How do we get a baby’s room ready with all the needs but not the excess?
What’s the best way to create a play area for toddler’s that allows them to explore but doesn’t turn my house into a plastic toy jungle?
Do I keep all my preschooler’s handprint art and the other 724 pieces of art they’ve created?
Toys through the years and how to store them in a way that your kids can actually clean them up.
How do we do birthdays and holidays well without filling up on too many gifts?
What to do with all my elementary-age child’s school work?
How do teach my kids to organize?
I have learned lots raising this boy and my two girls. I’m still learning. And whether you’re a new mom or a few years in, my hope for you is that through some intentional, thoughtful planning, you can create the best space for your kids and for you to be the best mom you can be.
Image: Paige Severance (and her cutie twins!)
"Be kind to your future self" by Sarah Pattison
We’re excited to share a guest post from our friend, Sarah of The Happy Envelope. She & her husband, Ty, have been creating beautiful paper products here in Knoxville for over a decade. Read & enjoy her words…
“The only difference between a mob and a trained army is organization.” –Calvin Coolidge
A friend once said told me about her mantra to make choices that would be “kind to her future self.” When taking off your jacket, for example, you can hang the jacket on the hanger in the closet, or on the hook by the door. You can also just throw that jacket over the arm of the chair as you walk into your home, or set it down across the kitchen table. You can wear it up to your bedroom and crumple it onto the chair there, or hang it up in your bedroom closet. Which decision is kind to your future self? Placing your jacket where you know to look for it when you need it next: that’s kind to your future self. It may take five seconds more energy now—from your present self—but it will potentially save many minutes of wandering around the house asking aloud, “Has anyone seen my jacket?” as everyone in your family is becomes more and more annoyed with how late we’ll all be because Mom can’t find her daggum jacket. (Perhaps this scenario has happened before… with jacket, keys, sunglasses, regular glasses, a purse, diaper bag? Maybe it’s just an example: you decide.)
Creative people are often stereotyped as disorganized, harried, and discombobulated. I wish that I could defy the stereotype, but unfortunately, I elevate it. I don’t like to be surrounded by chaos, and I actually love when everything is clean and peaceful and beautiful. I’m visual and I care about aesthetics. I’m just not kind to my future self, and things can get out of control quickly. And within just a day or so, even putting the clothes away is no longer a one-basket job, but now a three-basket job and I begin to feel overwhelmed.
At home, I can get away with this. It’s not like we live in a pigsty; it’s just not as organized and tidy as I’d like, and it’s my own fault. But translate this character flaw to work and it’s an entirely different matter. Clients depend on me. Organization of proofs, time-frames, delivery dates, checklists… these things are crucial to timely deliveries and happy customers. Organization is actually critical for business success.
This past year at the studio, we’ve implemented a few wonderful tools that help us all stay more organized and on-track together as a team. We’re working on a Training Manual. We’ve started using Adobe Sign for all proof approval contracts. We’re trying to clean up our Dropbox. But my favorite is Basecamp, a project management online software. While each project used to feel like herding cats, now the entire project scope from start to finished is filled with checklists, due dates, people held accountable, job tracking, and even file organization. It really has been a game-changer for our entire staff. So, I’m growing. Baby steps.
We’re getting ready to move our studio again, sort of quickly. As I look around my desk area and bookshelves, I’m already starting to feel the dread. The temptation for me is always going to take the easy, kind-to-present-self way: literally throw everything into one big box, label it, “Sarah’s desk” and tape it up. Out of sight, out of mind! But how will my future self feel later this summer when she’s trying to get her new studio set up and she’s opening up disorganized piles of junk thrown into boxes any old way? I’ll tell you: Future Sarah is gonna be overwhelmed and stressed and she’s gonna cry a lot. I don’t want that for her.
Instead, I’m planning to actually make decisions as I go: do I really need this book of paper samples from 2004? No? Then it doesn’t come with me. Hopefully, when all of our construction and build-out is finished later this summer, Future Sarah will open up a few clearly labeled, simply organized boxes and get her desk set up with a smile on her face.
Xoxo,
Sarah
PS- We’re moving to 5605 Kingston Pike right around the corner in Bearden. We’ll be nestled in between Grow Salon and Firestone Tires. Please come pop in to our much bigger space once it’s finished later this summer… you can watch the presses in action through windows, just like the taffy-makers in Gatlinburg! In the meantime, find us online and at the Market Square Saturday Farmer’s markets, Talahi Plant Sale (this Saturday at Lakeshore!), and Retropolitan Craft Fair.
2 Week Countdown to Pineapple Consignment!
Knoxville, get ready for a fun event coming up… Pineapple Consignment is one of our favorite local events to attend. Shop gently used and up-cycled home decor and furniture at a great price.
What is Pineapple Consignment?
Pineapple Consignment 2018.
A shopping experience catered to you. You can shop Pineapple Consignment for free. What you’ll find is high-quality new and gently used furniture and home decor—priced up to 90% off retail value! We’re fairly picky and only accept items in good condition!
Can I sell some of my own stuff?
Consigning is fun, you can earn up to 75% commission, and consignors get to shop early. You set your own prices, and Pineapple’s online system makes tagging and managing your inventory super easy. At the end of each sale day, you can check earnings, and we’ll pay you via PayPal within 10 days. Deadline to sign up to consign is April 7.
How did this get started?
Insert the lovely, Megan Church…
This Pineapple dream started in early 2018. I was selling an ottoman on Facebook, and six or seven people said they wanted it. “Awesome!” I thought. I scheduled a time to meet the lady who had responded first. Later, I packed up all three kids and drove to the rendezvous point. The lady stood me up. In fact, I got stood up FOUR TIMES IN A ROW, and I vowed, “NEVER AGAIN.” So here we are!
I happen to be one of those crazy people who loves consignment sales, and over the years I’ve saved a ton of money by up-cycling my clothes, as well as my kids’. Ever since I had my first baby and quit my day job, I have been needing a creative outlet. Hospitality is really important to me, and I’m passionate about bringing women together.
Stay in the loop & shop the event!
get outside!
We love this time of year. Watching everything come back to life after the long (wet) and dark winter is so refreshing. The change of season can bring shift in our perspective and revival to our spirits. With the start of spring comes excitement and ample opportunities to enjoy beautiful east Tennessee.
Image from Visit Knoxville.
Here are a few ways we encourage you to get outside & welcome the new season…
Explore Knoxville’s tree-based adventure park, Navitat, at Ijams Nature Center, or take a hike on one of the Center’s trails.
Pack a picnic lunch and bring a blanket for a sunny feast at Sequoyah Hills Park.
Sweep off porch and patio areas. Make them more inviting with a new welcome mat or strand of lights.
Enjoy a beer with a friend at the Bearden Beer Market to support Keep the Tennessee River Beautiful.
Celebrate EarthFest’s 20th year anniversary at SoKno Taco Cantina.
Image from Outdoor Knoxville.
Enjoy a Signature Spring Wildflower Hike at Norris Dam State Park.
Participate or cheer on participants downtown for the Covenant Health 5K & kids run.
Instead of going to the gym, head to Lakeshore Park and traverse the loop at any pace you please.
Begin preparing your gardens and attend Easy Vegetable Gardening seminar at Stanley’s Greenhouse.
Make a bonfire & invite new neighbors to enjoy it with you.
Tunes for your Spring Refresh Organizing
Before tackling that bedside table drawer, or kitchen junk drawer… check out our Spring Refresh playlist we’ve put together for you.
Some fun music, an open window & an eager attitude will take you a long way as you refresh your space this spring. Schedule out some manageable chunks of time to focus on one area or project at a time. Celebrate the success of finishing each small project. Bit by bit, your space will be refreshed.
What are some of your favorite tunes to listen to while cleaning, purging or organizing?
Paper Organizing Tips
From junk mail, bills, and cards, to kid artwork, schoolwork, and other miscellaneous files, paper can be overwhelming. While technology has eased some of the physical load paper brings, it certainly cannot (and I’m not sure ever will) eliminate paper in our lives. So… what to do?
Here’s a few tips:
Treat your paper piles, filing cabinet, desktops just as you would your closet.
Purge before organizing. This may sound painful, especially if you have a lot to go through, but it’s so important if you really want to get a handle (and more space in your house!) on your paper.
Going though every single piece of paper in your house may be too overwhelming right now, but in the meantime, you want to get control of what’s coming in.
Handle the mail every day.
Don’t bring the mail in until you can go through it right then.
Sort the papers into trash, recycle, and keep.
The “keep” category would include anything that requires action — bills, RSVPs — or anything you want to read — cards, newsletters. Put the “keep” mail in one place, preferably some sort of basket, bin, or box (not a pile).
Sort through other incoming papers daily into trash, recycle, and keep.
The stacks that come home from work or school can add up, so be sure what you’re deciding to not trash or recycle is truly worth keeping.
Encourage your kids to help choose which projects or artwork stays, and which ones to let go of.
Set one time a week to go through the “keep” bin.
Pick a time that makes the most sense for your schedule — Sunday afternoon might work for many, or maybe you have a morning or afternoon that’s typically free of other obligations. It’s all about creating new rhythms and habits to stay on top of the paper beast with a simple system.
Questions on how long to keep files?
