Tips for Tidy Spaces

Fun Fact: I send my sister IG reels and posts on decluttering every week. You're welcome sissy! 

I absolutely can NOT handle clutter! And she has a ton. As the older sister it's my duty to help guide her ... she's polite but she finds it unnecessary. 

Another Fun Fact: Ryan gets super annoyed with me because if you sit something down within seconds I will move it ... to its rightful home (or where I feel it should go).

A clean and tidy home brings me peace and joy!

Final Fun Fact: I am riding around on week 3 with a trunk full of donate. To be fair, the place I donate to is only open on Saturdays 10-3.

Having an organized home is all about maintaining in my opinion. It's not a one and done task. As pretty as a I make our shelves with containers and sections inevitably over time things will need adjustment and edits/removal of items will be needed. 

Like a lot of people this time a year, I encourage you to declutter in a way that works for you and your family.  

MY #1 RULE: IF YOU LOVE IT, KEEP IT!

I hoard clothes and have no intentions of being a minimalist there! I also enjoy table linens and make up. Now, kitchen gadgets, tools and appliances, I can live with very few.

MY #2 RULE: ONE SPACE AT A TIME.

MY #3 RULE: DO IT WITH GRATITUDE ... AND MAYBE SOME FUN MUSIC.

MY #4 RULE: DON'T RUSH IT, LET YOUR KIDS PLAY WITH THEIR THINGS AS LONG AS THEY WANT!

MY #5 RULE: BE INTENTIONAL WITH THE ADDITION OF ITEMS.

MY MAMA'S RULE: CLEANLINESS IS NEXT TO GODLINESS

FYI You don't need fancy clear containers, baskets or labels to be organized. I use clear shoe boxes from the dollar store and nice gift boxes/lids to categorize items. Get creative!

Dress Your Home Beautifully

with Tidy Spaces

XOXO Sarah Louise

Home Sweet Home - 3 Ways to Prepare for Your Return Home From Vacation

There's no place like home! After being away every single weekend since the start of Summer this is holding very true for me. This is the second Summer that we've chosen to go, do and experience as much as we can and while these trips are more fun than a barrel full of monkeys it does make from some extra work on the front end.

When we think of preparing for vacation, packing our bags with all the essentials and cute outfits of course :) is first and foremost. For me, I begin preparing our home for our return before I pack my bags.

I do this so that saying goodbye to a destination is then met with a fresh welcoming of home. 

Here are 3 things I do to prepare for the return home from vacation ...

1. Laundered Linens  

2-3 day prior to departure I make sure all clothing loads of laundry are complete.

1-2 days prior, I wash sheets and towels.

Not only does it prevent overload when your return, but there's nothing like coming home to fresh clean sheets and towels after sleeping in a strange place.

This also ensures that all options are clean and available for packing!

2. Prepared Healthy Meal or 2

Dream Kitchen!

That copper vent hood!

While eating what you have in the fridge so that nothing sits and spoils while you're gone is a good practice, I like to make sure I have at least 2 healthy options for  quick meals when I return.

There are always indulgences while traveling (ice cream at the beach is my favorite!) so it's nice to come home to something light and healthy. Since fresh fruits and veggies most likely won't keep here are some options: frozen veggies/healthy meal you can pop in the oven, have a neighbor set out some frozen meat for you or pop in quickly to the grocery store on your way home and grab a bag of salad, veggies, meat etc .. just to get you by and avoid eating out one more time!

3. Shined Surfaces & Floors

Cleaning floors is one of my least favorite chores so we do have hired help that actually scrubs them every 3 weeks. 2 days before departure I give my surfaces an extra thorough wipe down & dusting. Then I vacuum every square foot. In order to do this ALL things must be picked up and tidied so you're ensured to return to a spic & span space.

These 3 areas of tasks not only are essential for maintaining a clean home 

but truly set you up for a prepared departure and peaceful return!

Dress Your Home Beautifully for Your Return from Vacation

XOXO Sarah Louise

Closet Clean Out

Happy Monday! This weekend was super cold with some rain on Saturday making it perfect to stay home and tackle some projects.  I picked a big one, cleaning out my closet.  I actually do this twice a year when I swap out seasonal pieces and store them. 

When it comes to my wardrobe, I'm far from a minimalist!!! I have garments I've been wearing for over a decade to ones I've worn once and probably shouldn't have purchased. As seasons in our lives change so does our style needs.  Suits were a staple several years ago and now it's jeans and cute tops. 

I favor the Marie Kondo method when organizing. Decide if an item sparks joy, if so keep. If not, thank it for its service and either donate or sell. I have more than most gals, but I love each and every piece. It's not about having a certain quantity but the quality. (within reason - I do NOT condone hoarding!)

Today I want to share my tips for maintaining a stylish & tidy closet ...

1. Organize by Color & Type

I hang my garments from light to dark

and from sleeveless to long sleeve (tops & dresses)

2. Ready to Wear 

They should all be pressed & wrinkle free - if it needs ironing you may not wear it due to time and effort.

If an alteration or repair needs to be made set it aside and address promptly

3. Display Current Season

When you can see it, you'll wear it

Display your accessories, handbags & shoes along with your clothes

I do store away my off season pieces. 

There's not enough room and for over half the year I won't be wearing them.

They are easily accessible should I need to find something.

Keeping your options in sight is more intentional.

4. Fold Clothes in File Fashion

I fold my clothes in a file fashion as opposed to a stack so that I can easily see what I have. 

This allows for easy dressing and utilization of my wardrobe.

In a stack, you always makes a mess when searching/picking out a piece.

You also may find yourself only wearing the ones at the top.

5. Uniform Storage

Clearly I have a thing for nude shoes

I use thin velvet hangers throughout. I also use cream baskets for storage.

Each and every closet is unique. Find storage solutions that work for your space/items and make them uniform.  Clear containers are very nice as they allow you to see what's inside.

I also love shelf & drawer dividers for keeping things in their own space.

Dressing yourself should be fun! 

And a whole lot easier & timely when your closet is organized with pieces you love!

Dress Beautifully in a Clean Closet

XOXO Sarah-Louise

Come On In

Come and knock on our door .... We'll be waiting for you :)

We are finally at a place where we are able to open our doors to our family and friends. 

Note:  When initiating or responding to an invitation to gather I've been letting others know that it's welcome 'when they are comfortable'.  It's important to be respectful to everyone's place during this pandemic. 

I despise the phrase that everyone uses 'please excuse the mess' when someone walks through the front door. Your home is where you live your life, creating memories not a place that someone walks into intending to white glove your belongings. They come to spend time with you, filling your space with their contribution to those memories. 

Confession:  I'm not self conscious about our mess (I diligently keep that managed) but I am about the renovations and decor projects we haven't completed yet. I clearly need to listen to my own advise! 

The key gals, is to be prepared so that your focus is on your guests.  Stash a few things away and add a few steps to your routine and you'll be opening your front door with a relaxed smile rather than a stressed out sigh after shoving and scrambling to make your space presentable.

Below are things I keep on hand and best practices I maintain so that I'm always ready for company.

Candles

This is my most favorite scent. It's pleasant to walk into a nice smelling home. 

 I also keep a few small ones stored away as they make great gifts for hostesses, thank you or any other occasion that comes up.

Pretty Hand Towels

I have quite the collection of vintage and embroidered hand towels that add prettiness to the powder room.

It's the little things that make a difference. And while our powered room needs big things to refine it these will have to do for now. 

They're another great gift option!

Snacks

Crackers, nuts and jelly don't perish and make a great snack platter when you don't have notice.

When you do have time to prepare, I like to have fruit, nice deli meats and easy dips to serve.

It's not a meal, but a nice little something so your guests aren't hungry.

Also, snacking aligns with watching kids during play dates and with my lack of culinary skills!

Beverages

Flavored carbonated water, coffee, and wine are things that are always in plenty in our home.

For an extra touch serve chilled water infused with citrus out of a pitcher.

Housekeeping

When it comes to cleanliness I live by maintaining a standard of shine throughout the day.

Toys are put away after lunch prior to nap (I make it a point to include Vivian in the clean up in efforts to teach her) and before bedtime so that we start and end the day clutter free. I also don't allow toys throughout the home - they are confined to her containers in the den and in her room.

As for the kitchen, the sink is always empty and the only things allowed on the counters are the coffee maker, knife block and hand soap by the sink.  I also clean the counters and floors daily.

When doing laundry I only remove clothes out of the dryer if I can immediately fold them and put them away.

For our bedroom, the bed is made first thing and the only thing on our bathroom vanities are our toothbrushes and hand soap.

If ALL items have a home and there isn't any excess then maintaining tidiness is a cinch.

I highly recommend reading and living by this book on tidiness!

Share any house rules with your guests, like taking your shoes off at the door or offering coasters.

Turn on overhead lights and lamps.  A bright home feels happy & cheerful.

Let your guests know where the bathroom is right away. Every one has to go and it makes the departure less awkward if you don't have to interrupt the fellowship to ask for directions.

Have the refreshments displayed so that they feel comfortable enjoying them.
Should you have to ask they'll probably decline (and be hungry) as to not be an inconvenience and it takes away from the fellowship if you're distracted putting it together.

Don't forget about your china & silver.

It doesn't do any good stored away and you don't need a special occasion or holiday to use it.

Pizza night is special enough for the fancy dishes. Personally, I believe in beautiful presentation (hence this blog).

Tip: Antique stores are great places to build your inventory of fine serving ware.

Open your doors to fellowship!

Dress Your Home Beautifully in Gracious Hospitality

XOXO Sarah-Louise