The Authentic Home NV

11/06/2022

As November begins, it seems as if all of a sudden we are facing Thanksgiving and all the planning and organizing that comes with it! I came across a wonderful article on what you can start thinking about now to ensure the holiday goes smoothly and you have time to enjoy the day too! My favorite tip is using those items you already own in your kitchen as serving pieces, including everything from cheese boards and baking sheets to cast iron skillets and cake stands. We all want our holiday dinner to be just right – enjoy these tips on making sure it is!

The answers to the last-minute questions that will cross your mind in the days leading up to Thanksgiving.

11/05/2022

The month of November brings into focus our feelings of gratitude. I love the KonMari Method™ because so much of it focuses on having gratitude for the things we own. One of Marie’s famous quotes says “Have gratitude for the things you’re discarding. By giving gratitude, your giving closure to the relationship with that object, and by doing so, it becomes a lot easier to let go.” If you are struggling to discard an item, think of how grateful you are to have had that item and know that it has already served it’s purpose in your life. Create Space, Gain Balance, Change your Life – the Authentic Home.

10/21/2022

I am often asked what I feel works best in organizing a closet. In The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Marie instructs that clothes should be hung by type (all jackets together, all suits together, all dresses together, etc.) and then by length, with longer items on the left, sloping up to shorter items on the right. This is because “Lines that slope up to the right make people feel comfortable.” I don’t follow this rule exactly, but I like to make sure that all of my clothes are grouped first by category and then by color. It helps me easily find what I’m looking for in my closet! Need help getting your clothes organized? Give me a call and we’ll get it done!

10/20/2022

So the weather is about to change and it’s time to think about wearing our fall clothes. I recommend to all my clients that now is a great time to inspect all your clothing and make sure it not only fits, but that any repairs are completed prior to the first time you want to wear it. I find that if a button is missing or a seam needs to be mended, when you reach for that item, frustration will set in if a repair has not been completed. The goal of choosing our clothing is to love what we wear, so take the time now to make sure all your clothing is ready to be worn! The Authentic Home.

10/01/2022

There is one space in the home we all have that we don’t like to admit to – the junk drawer! So many times in my client’s homes, they stand guilty in front of a certain drawer where miscellaneous items that have nowhere else to go live. These are the places where plastic utensil packets, stray electronics cords, and free giveaways live because they haven’t found a true home. The attached article from Marie Kondo talks about how to tackle this area and shows you how to give your objects final destinations and take back control of the junk. Special note – I love the attached photo which shows how small dishes and trays can be used to corral categories and keep them neat and tidy!

https://konmari.com/tidying-your-komono-drawer

We all have them: spaces and drawers where komono (miscellaneous things) live. These are the places where items sit idle because they haven’t found a true home. Designate a day to tackle your komono, give your objects final destinations and take back control. Remember, it is key to tidy by categor...

09/30/2022

I love this quote about change, as it’s true that we spend so much of our time focusing on things in the past. In the KonMari Method™, Marie Kondo encourages us to get rid of excess clutter and put all the things away from the past that don't contribute to our lives anymore. I think most of us find this task difficult. We cling to things from the past as if all our memories would go away if we didn’t. But deep down we all know this isn’t true. Challenge yourself today to let go of the “things” from your past that are stopping you from enjoying your life today. Need help? Let’s work together to let those things go that are no longer serving you. The Authentic Home.

09/25/2022

Organizing an office can be both time consuming and challenging – especially when you’ve lived in your home for many years. Papers are tedious to go through and it requires focus. I’m so proud of my client for doing the hard work to get her office organized. Her goals were to lower the clutter level, find a system she can keep up, and have an office where she knows where everything is. I’d say we’ve made a very good start – the life changing magic has begun!

09/23/2022

So much of tidying up our environment is about confronting our past – which is a very difficult thing to do. If simplifying and organizing are the key to a serene environment, then first we have to focus on the issues that are really important to us in our life now. Ultimately, we need to own less if we want to live in a more streamlined and organized way. This type of environment allows us to live in the present rather than the past. Tidying is just a tool, not the final destination. The true goal should be to establish the lifestyle you want most once your house has been put in order.

09/17/2022

As fall approaches, wildfires have entered our lives. The air in our area is full of smoke and haze – sometimes at hazardous levels. Did you know that September is National Preparedness month? I discovered a wonderful resource that raises awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The web-site www.ready.gov provides advice about the ways can stay safe and be prepared for disasters. We spend a lot of time organizing and curating what we own in our home – all the things we love. I encourage everyone to spend time protecting the things we cherish.

09/16/2022

And just like that, fall has arrived. We’ve gone from sweltering days to the crispness of fall. With the turn of seasons, I feel I want to move on – move on from summer gardening and spending time outdoors, to focusing on the things inside the home - the need to discard what I’ve managed to live without for the last six months of warmth. Did those shorts get worn this year? If not, should they really be in my closet? Now is a great time to assess our summer clothing and ask ourselves if these things really belongs in our life. Let the things you own fulfill their purpose. If you aren’t using them as they should be used – let them go to someone else. Learn to live with less …..

09/08/2022

Labor Day weekend has passed, and I don’t know about you, but I jammed as much yardwork into this weekend as I could! As summer wraps up and fall approaches, there are plenty of fall organizing projects which are smart to take on. I enjoyed this article that talks about projects which can be done now to get ready for the fall and winter season! My personal favorite is “get ahead for the holidays.” That idea is truly aspirational! If you want any support getting organized as we approach the fall season – give me a call! Less stress and clutter = a calmer, happier fall!

https://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/fall-winter-organizing-tips

09/06/2022

Oh I wish there was more time to enjoy books! I really love to read, and my bet is you do too. But many of us are too busy with managing the clutter in our lives – little things like too much paper and unfulfilling activities. The concept of books is touchy for many of us – letting go of books almost feels like giving up a piece of ourselves. But everyone deserves to be lighter – lighter as in less clutter, less things on our schedule, less negative thoughts. Less “stuff” allows more room in our life for doing the things we really want to do! Enjoy a good book today – then let is go to someone else – share the joy that reading can bring!