Spring Cleaning Start: Weekend One

We are going to jump right in with our Spring Cleaning Guide, Weekend One!

This is going to get some things out of the way that will make you feel sooo good, and get your home ready to rock-n-roll for Spring...Here we go!

*Suggestion: Maybe start on a Friday early evening before you go out, or turn on some much-needed Netflix, and space out the rest over Saturday and Sunday, or start anytime you wish!

1. Set your ceiling fans to blow in the "summer" direction (counter-clockwise) and keep it on a bit higher speed, if need be.

2. Stand on a chair, grab a clean pillowcase, and grab and pull the dust off your ceiling fans'   blades. 

3. Turn your mattresses! Just like rotating the tires on your car, flipping your mattress at least twice per year is such a good practice, especially for better sleep. (If you have the type of mattress you cannot "flip," then at least rotate it so your head now rests where your feet once were!)

4. Strip off and the wash the bedding you usually don't (i.e.-fancy pillow shams, coverlets, duvet covers, blankets.) Try using a cup of baking soda and 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and let it sit in the hot water before you dump in the laundry and regular laundry detergent. This trick is also great for softening sheets and towels.

5. Grab the sponge mop or Swiffer mop you normally use, and rubber band a thick rag or microfiber cloth around where the sponge or wet cloth normally goes. Make sure it's really secure, spritz on some of your fave natural cleanser, and gently brush the walls of each room up and down, paying attention to any stray cobwebs or dust at the top or in the corners, jumping up on a chair when necessary! Pay special attention to the walls of the bathroom, and maybe go over them with a rag by hand, as well...

6. Vacuum the couch, main chairs in the living room, and under the beds-ONLY, for right now! Grab any stray bits of this or that under everything. 

7. Using a few microfiber cloths and warm soap and water, gently scrub any blinds you may have in the kitchen, bathroom or living room. If they are okay and not too dirty or dusty-then just lightly dust them. I HIGHLY recommend using microfiber sheets-they work so much better than even a magic eraser, (which will often smear the dust into vinyl blinds, especially.) 

8. Dust the tops and sides of any hanging mirrors or framed art work in your home. 

9. For now, just lightly dust your bookshelves, taking casual note of any books you have not read in awhile, or ever.

10. Take whatever's on top of the FRIDGE off, take a rag with natural cleanser and scrub off the top, and put everything back, seeing if there's anything you can store in another cabinet or drawer. (Do NOT take longer than 5 to 10 minutes to do that, however! ;) 

Woo-hoo! You get to take a break! Notice: Do you feel better, a little bit lighter already? You completely should, and it will only get better next weekend! Now, go to the movies or grab that drink or coffee with a friend. You deserve it! You got a great leg up on your Spring Cleaning, and, in fact, have absolutely started! Cheers to YOU! xo

GREAT Motivation to Declutter...

I just found out that Amazon has this terrific,  new Trade-In Program...Actually, as soon as you hit that link, the page will even tell you which of our previously purchased products are eligible to turn in for Amazon gift cards! I think this is great, especially if you are someone who shops often on Amazon, and if you buy lots of your household staples and cleaning supplies online. 

You can hit that garage, and look for: Old text books, video games, Kindles or e-Readers, cell phones, speakers, you name it! (Electronics are big, so ask your kids to look through their closets, too.) They are also constantly updating this part of the site and adding new items that are eligible, too. 

How the Amazon Trade-In Program Works: 

• You identify an item you want to get rid of, and Amazon makes you an offer.
• If you "accept," you print out the pre-paid shipping label they make available to you, and mail in the item to them.
• If you are a "qualified" Amazon member, you can choose to be paid instantly, and your gift card balance will show this new balance. 

Et voila!  You are on your way to de-cluttering for Spring, and making a few extra bucks while doing so! Woo-hoo!

Tiny Tidy: Under the Kitchen Sink!

I know! You're probably like...SERIOUSLY? "Quick?" But this one came to light for me last week when it was raining here in Santa Monica VERY hard, so badly that mine and my neighbor's kitchen sinks got jammed up. 

The (awfully sweet!) plumber actually took everything out from under the sink, and wiped it down  before leaving (!) And although it wasn't gleaming and spotless, it made me realize that doing a quick-clean under the kitchen sink is NOT such a terrible thing.

SO! Here we go: 

Do a Quick Clean Under Your Kitchen Sink:

1. Put a plastic Garbage Bag on the ground below your sink cabinets, and grab a few rags. 
2. If you have your garbage & recycling bags/containers under the sink, take them out, or just put them aside.
3. Take everything else out from under the sink-sponges, cleansers, rags-whatever ya got down there. Place them on the covered floor space. 
4. Kneeling down, grab a rag and spray your favorite natural cleaner on all the surfaces. This should only take a minute or two.
5. Now, if you have a plastic tub or tray of some kind, grab that, and stick it under there to corral all of your cleaning supplies. This looks nice and neat very quickly. 
6. Look through whatever is left. What did you have stored down there? Do you really need three empty, aluminum coffee cans? Unless you are a kindergarten art teacher or truly use them for crafts, no, you do not! Recycle those babies, or store them someplace else, if you can. Jars? Extra cleaning supplies you never use? Try to really see if you can either recycle some things, or put them in a place that makes more sense, like the garage or laundry room or linen closet. 
7. Take out the garbage.
8. Put garbage bags back, if they belong there. 
9. You are done!
10. Woo-hoo! Good work! See, that wasn't so very hard, right? Now, go celebrate, and go do some dishes! (#kidding!)

What Self Presentation Means To...YOU

There is so much that can be said about this topic, I don't even know where to begin. This post could be titled "Finding Your Personal Style," I guess, or "Clean Out Your Closet for Good!" But, especially for women, the topic of how a person puts themselves together, (or chooses not to)  is one that can cause some considerable debate.  It is politically, emotionally, often ethically charged, when we talk about the provenance and price of our clothing, what wearing and using what really means. And then- there's the make-up we use... And the quality, the organic "cleanness," of said make-up. Of course, then also,  is the loaded "style" aspect of all these myriad choices, and what they "mean" to one's personal expression. #Oy...!

Which is why, I think, so many people just, well, sort of give up on their own self-presentation, after awhile. They let their bodies go. Wear the same yoga pants every weekend. Dread opening their closet doors! Yikes. I know this feeling. It's funny, I feel my home so much more greatly expresses who I am, so much more than my choice of clothing shoes, accessories and hairstyle do. I wonder how common this really is...

My mother told me she always got dressed for herself when she was younger. But I have heard many women say that they dress for other women. This means that we want sort of invisible nods and kudos from each other for looking cool, attractive, and put together. We want the approval and acceptance of other women. This makes sense, to a certain extent. (Guys, I'm sorry to leave you out of this. I just have no data on this, in terms of you all.) 

But what if, say, one day, we have the need to channel the very 'Seventies look of our first baby sitter's hair? Or want to pretend we are an artist's' model from Paris, circa 1923? Then what? What if it's simply too stressful, expensive, outlandish, childish, waste-of-time, frivolous (pick any adjective that suits you!) to express yourself, well, through yourself, and the way you put yourself together? How do you even start, if you do in fact have the creative desire to try and cultivate a more daring, or just more put-together, cute, athletic (again, pick your adjective, here) look?

It is rather challenging, right? 

I am working on a special project that will address this very issue, and I would love to hear back from you! Please email us your thoughts about you go about loving and feeling your best-vis a vis your self-presentation, I'd love to hear how you go about it. (Or don't go about it!)

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! xo

I am certain one of my many neighborhood babysitters in the 70s used Breck shampoo! They always had the raddest, longest, cool-girl hair, that I still, to this day, struggle to emulate. :)

Tiny Tidy: Decant the Sweets & Snacks in Your Pantry

This little Tiny Tidy is SO fun, so visually stimulating, and just so satisfying, PLUS- if you have some saved jars (and who doesn't, am I right?) this should take no longer than 10 or 15 minutes:

DECANT YOUR SWEETS & SNACKS INTO JARS IN THE PANTRY

The one is FUN. It's not for your beans, flour, sugar, dry goods...NO. This is for your treats. Your snacks and sweets. That's right! Hello, sour gummy bears, licorice sticks, dried fruit, chips, nuts-whatever fun snacks you have lying around your pantry in probably boring and/or rather unsightly bags and containers. 

NOTE: This is MUCH more satisfying if you use jars you have saved, NOT jars that you purchase, unless you really, really want to. Also please note: I am not aiming for perfection, and you shouldn't, either! The point is to realize how quick and easy it is to get a hint of organizational satisfaction with such little effort, time and commitment. Here we go!

         To Start: 

• Gather up your used, saved jars, preferably medium sized ones, like pickle jars are really perfect for this.
• Make sure the jars are VERY clean and dry. 
• Take out all of the candy, sweets and snacks from your pantry that you'd like to decant.
• Start filling them up! As you do so, please make sure to recycle all of the old bags/containers/wrappers from your sweets and snacks. 
• Wipe down some pantry space with a damp cloth or paper towel, and set your filled, prettily filled jars into their new space.
• Arrange jars around, as you see fit. 
• Stand back and admire your work.

Bravo! You did it. Now treat yourself to some sour gummy bears, good work. 

Also, if you truly find yourself sans jars, just go to our link below to get these cuties: 

How to Stay on Top of the Big Things While Dealing with all of the Little Ones...

It's really hard to focus on a huge project-whether work or creative, while staying on top of your day-to-day. Countless productivity systems have been developed to help us get and stay and keep on track. They are literally almost hundreds of ways and systems that have developed over the past twenty years of chopping up one's time and focus, to try and create real and genuine balance in your life. BUT, that is NOT what this post is about...

One thing that I have found that really helps when stressing out big-time is to look at everything, in the midst of those same feelings of great overwhelm and stress, and appreciate, for a brief moment, what you really have going on in your life. If it's a lot, then you are lucky, man! Even if you are broke, financially struggling, working two jobs plus a side gig of walking five neighbor's dogs- you ROCK! If you have too much to do between big work commitments and raising a hectic family, how fortunate you are that you have that happening, and you have that family around you as a sustaining force, as well as the motivation to get up each day, and get sh*t done! A student going to school, but working every spare moment to cover her tuition and living expenses? She is already fifty percent ahead of a huge percentage of her non-working student friends, gaining knowledge and experience that is genuinely priceless. A single mom struggling? Hey, man, you have that great kid(s) that make you get out of bed every morning, and they rely on YOU for everything. Do you think they give two craps that you work at Trader Joe's, and have a catering gig and drive for LYFT on the side to help make rent each month? C'mon! They adore you!

In other words, having any amount stress in your life means you are, or are on your way, to doing really good things. Yep, the truth hurts:  It's the way one handles the emotions stemming from the stress that creates how much we can succeed and achieve, whatever that means to you. (Also, if you have a boss or spouse from hell, these are different stresses, and ones we can refer you to get help in a professional way.) 

This post is a gentle reminder to give yourself a little break. Seriously. Could you, in fact, not only be doing just okay, but actually, quite well, yes, thank you? Can you tally up a few good stars for a few things these past few weeks that you are proud and want to share? Of course you can! So, pat yourself on the back right now, and take that deep breath. You ROCK. I swear to God, you really do. 

(And don't you forget it!)

Tiny Tidy: Top of your Bureau or Vanity

We will be posting these little quick fixes, to get you ready for spring cleaning, or just to rev up your day or morning or evening so you can either A. Relax or B. Tackle some more important sh*t and clear your mind. So, without further ado...

Clear the top of your table top, vanity or bureau of choice, and style it! (WHY NOT?) 

Just take everything off of there! And I am going to assume you are doing your bedroom bureau and/or vanity table, here. You may have spare or broken jewelry to go through, make-up to be decluttered, coins to corral, and a few bits and bobs to organize-but don't do that right now. Set your phone's timer for 30 minutes. (And that is IT, that's all the time you get!)

To Start: 

• Grab some ziplock bags and a Sharpie
• Throw a few towels onto your bed 
• Bag up any broken jewelry to be repaired/sold/given away. 
• If you have jewelry and accessories on top in containers/jewelry box, place that on your bed
• Place any make-up brushes/creams/brushes/perfume in the ziplock bags. 
• Toss any old make-up/creams (Gross!)
• Place those ziplock bags on bed
• Take whatever the hell else is on there, and place it on bed
• Get out your favorite wood or natural cleanser (depending on what your bureau is made of) and dust off. 
• Take a brief tour around your space: Any old, clean candle holders, cute jars, trays, or tiny little bowls you can repurpose to set up jewelry, make-up brush holders, or perfume bottles? I bet you can!
• Place the new jars/holders/ trays on your bureau/vanity top in a different configuration than you had before. Peep Pinterest or Apartment Therapy or Instagram if you need some inspo.  Don't go nuts, though. You are not painting the Sistene Chapel, here, just organizing your day-to-day stuff that keeps you glowing and cute.
• Don't sweat it. Have little fun.  Especially for women, this little tidy can be surprisingly creative. I like to put some little evening bags and things out on my vanity. So, c'mon! Pretend that you're French.  Or more organized than you really are. Or more feminine. Or less cluttered. Or more cluttered! Whatever feels different and fun and right. 
• Okay, time's almost up. Put the jewelry that needs fixing or selling or giving away near your door, so you can then put it in the car, so you can then figure out when to take care of it. 
• And...you are DONE! (GOOD JOB!)

Pre-Game Your Spring Clean this Weekend!

Yep! It's that time of year again! Spring is, finally, on its way. But! Not yet... I am fortunate that I live in Los Angeles, where the weather has been a bit rainy and dreary this week, but it is absolutely nothing compared to what my family and friends on the East Coast, and in the Northeast, have been dealing with.

Wherever you may reside, if you did not do a post-Holiday sweep of your home, spring is the time to really renew and refresh your space. 

But do not fret! If you are stressing about not being able to tackle your entire home, we are going to break down a few things for you that will help you be on your way. Promise!  

Hang on to your hat! Here we go:

1. Choose the "big" project you have been dreading- and get to it! 

This may sound counter-intuitive, but tacking something you have been putting off-painting a closet or kitchen cabinets, grouting the tiles in the shower, cleaning your windows inside and out-whatever you've had on a physical or mental list to get finished. If you have to go get painting supplies, take this weekend to go do it, a few hours to plan out and organize the task, and start it. There is really no need to take two full days to do most projects like this...You can shoot for a few hours on both Saturday and Sunday, or just part of a Saturday. Put off any other errands and chores you may have, get your partner, friend or babysitter to watch the kids -until you dig into this one project. 

Here's what will probably happen...

You may balk at this. Wake up Saturday, and want to go back to sleep, or off to brunch, or hit your Netflix queue. Guess what? You can treat yourself AFTER, not to worry! You will see your friends and get to watch Netflix again, I promise! But seriously, I am not making light of this. These blocks can be huge, and are often paralyzing. Because- if you are blaming your inability to do more important things (your novel or screenplay, painting, starting a side business, looking for a new job, checking out and organizing your finances) on the fact of your looming household projects, there is no other way to get over this, than to get through it, and to tackle what is holding you back. 

"What, little ole' me?" you may be saying? Yes, you! A lot of us do this, and the easiest way to stop it is to just...start it! Just start, in any way you can, if blocking off the whole or part of the weekend is too overwhelming. That's okay. 

THEN, here's what will happen...

After you start, even if it's just taping of the edge, to paint, or doing the bathroom windows, inside only: YOU WILL START TO FEEL SOME STRANGE, NEW ENERGY! You will start to feel that, gasp, you will be able to possibly finish this project, maybe even someday very soon! You may want stop. But, the very next moment, you will want to keep going! You will realize what a badass you are for even starting this thing! Screw it, you will say to yourself- "I'm gonna finish this! 

2.  Do a Mini-Sweep of Your Home

*Disclaimer: You are going to need a few baskets and/or bins to do this. It is not necessary to buy these. Most of us have these in our garage, closets or laundry rooms. Go grab 'em now! 

• For all I know, you may have some spare holiday decorations or pillows or something hanging around. Are you kidding me? Get rid of those things! Pack them off into storage, the garage or attic.  

• Lighten up any textiles, pillows or blankets that are too heavy, and pack them in wherever they normally go in your home.  If your weather is still lousy, you may want to toss some of your quilts and blankets into the dryer, on low, with some dryer sheets to freshen them up.

• Recycle any magazines, newspapers, catalogues or mail that you can glance at any know they are meant to toss into your bin. Do not take longer than ten or fifteen minutes to do this. If you have a pile of mail that is getting to be real a bitch, find a cute, small basket and put it in there for now, and lay it on your kitchen table or counter.

• Gather your children's toys in large plastic bins and ask them if they want to donate anything to a child less fortunate.

• Take a lint roller to your sofa and stuffed chairs or sectional if you have dogs and/or cats.  

• Take another basket or bin, and literally clear off your coffee table, minus any important papers or bills. (Just do it, trust me!)

• Take your natural, all-purpose spray cleaner, a clean rag, and wipe down all of the light fixtures and door knobs in the house. 

• Clean the window sills the same way. Just a light dusting will do just fine. 

• Open the fridge, peer in, and toss out at least one or two (or three! Or four!) items that are expired. If you can't find any you are A). Lying or B.) A Very Good Person! I'm kidding. I honestly hate throwing away food, but it really does happen to the best of us!

• Okay, now STOP! (Take a nice break.)

3. Make a List. Be Ruthless.

Okay. How does it feel to have done the above? GOOD. Am I right? You know I am! Because I know this high, and it's the best feeling ever. That's what we're going for, here. A taste of feeling that accomplishment that comes from doing something wonderful-just for yourself. I do not care if you finished or even start the big project. If you are reading this far, you are motivated to galvanize your space, and maybe did a few things off of the list above. I hope so! It's important to know that what's holding you back on the outside directly corresponds to what's holding you back -inside. Once you can accept this fact, you will no longer be able to BS yourself, and you be able to banish these household tasks and slay these domestic dragons as easy as brushing your teeth in the mornings. (And you better be doing that!) 

Now, start making a list of what you want to do to your home this spring, and what needs to sorted and cleaned and made better.  Maybe you are pretty clean and tidy already, and do not need to do a massive spring-clean this year. Maybe you'd just like to focus on decluttering, or, if you've been doing that awhile, selling some of your old things on Poshmark, Craigslist, or eBay. Maybe your garage is a disaster, and you want to focus on that. If it’s a big project, break it down in ten to twelve actionable baby steps. If it's a general "To-Do" cleaning list, just randomly list what comes to mind. 

You are going to feel so good by Sunday night, I promise you... (And even if you don't, you still started!) 

Yay! Feel good. And cue that next Netflix marathon! 

How to Clean Your House & Fast: Pretend Your Place is going to be in Apartment Therapy!

I was so excited when my friend Kat Yore found time in her busy schedule to come on over and shoot my apartment for Apartment Therapy (will post more photos from this great shoot soon!) But when she said, in the beginning of last week, "I can come over Friday," I thought I had several evenings to futz about and get ready...

Well, yeah right, guess what? That did NOT happen!! I had projects due, people to see, things to do...Just kidding, but I was a little bit busy, it's true. Friday morning rolled around, and I had to go into work early- no time there! I had scheduled to be home a bit before she was due to arrive, (we had to capture the best light, duh!) so, somehow, even though I had almost an ENTIRE week to prepare, I ended up with only 45 minutes of straightening-up time...Yep. That was it! 

So....Uhm...What did I do? Well, man... I just blasted through my place! Like this:

 I took all the work/paper clutter, and stuck it into an IKEA file box...I swept the floors, vacuumed my two little bedrooms fast, wiped down the bathroom, kitchen counters, "ice-skated" over my hard floors with rags on my feet and Trader Joe's All-Purpose Cleanser, and you know what? I DID it! And the place looked pretty good, if I do say so, myself...

No maid, no help at al....I realized, too, that all weekend, I kept the clutter at bay, because it felt so good. Note to self: Someone is always coming over! Just say that to yourself, true or not. Sadly, this is often JUST the motivation we all need! 

So, that's the secret to quickly picking up and straightening your home/apartment: Pretend you are doing a photo shoot for Apartment Therapy (or actually DO one! They are actually looking for great Home Submissions, right NOW. Send in your pics!)

Here's a little sneak peek at the shoot: 

If It's Broke, You Still Don't Have To Fix It (Phew!)

I have a pretty small, two-bedroom apartment. Recently, during the typical January de-clutter and purge session,  (and doing a little January Cure from our beloved Apartment Therapy) I was walking through my little space, trying to figure out what to "Fix." And I realized, whoa, first of all, what an attitude! I actually love my "little" apartment. I find it charming and comforting and perfectly suited to my needs. And I tend to it pretty well, I think: I show my place a lot of love, and take very good of it, even though I've been a life-longer renter. It just hit me, we all do this, so much, all of the time: The constant, anxiety-streaming mind flux of what is wrong, which things need t be taken care, what needs to be "fixed." In life, at home, throughout our myriad amount of relationships. 

It's damaging and sad and keeps you out of the flow of life, this constant, dreading-sort-of mind state, and one to try to notice, take real note of, and perhaps try to get a sense of what you are really concerned with and care about. Try to realize when you are getting distracted, when you are over-organizing, or perhaps spending too much cask at IKEA that you could be using to put towards your credit card debt (so guilty of this one.) That's it. Just make a little mental note. 

And when your brain starts its whirl of anxious wandering, try to quiet it by focusing on what is going on underneath. 

The point is, this post is just a very gentle reminder: Give your space, and yourself, a break sometimes. We are all flawed. You don't have to constantly construct new ways on how to fix yourself, your life, your finances. Just pay attention to what is really bothering you, and give that a little extra attention every week: Whether it's your budget, your home, your relationship, or that creative project you've had on the back-burner for a pretty long time. You deserve it. You do not need to be fixed. You just need to remember that we are all a little bit broken. It's okay. :) 

How To Reboot in 2018! (Minus the Drama!)

I waited to post in the New Year until now, because, primarily, there is just so much great stuff out there currently, and secondly, I wanted to candidly share with you how my year was going so far (I am writing this on Monday, January 8th.) Quite simply, I had a strange sort of holiday, and as such, did not want that feeling lingering into 2018.

I also took yet another good look around my two—bedroom bungalow apartment and realized that there was a lot of physical things that could be changed/put into place to help me feel more creative, and generally feel more at ease “at home,” at… home.

It turns out that, after giving my space this really, truly hard look, I had nor “de-cluttered” to the extent where I could truly feel that inward sigh of relief inside my head, or magic “click.” (True? Or False? I also had a ton of work to get back to, and novel-in-progress calling my name. This could be that elusive organizing procrastination we can all fall prey to, right?)

I knew that Apartment Therapy’s January Cure was coming up, and I had (sort of!) done it for the past two years. This would be the perfect time to align my new goal of “finally” getting down to the basics of what I needed my space to be, and start of 2018 with a fresh, clear head. (Or so I thought…)

I started right before the New Year by finding, salvaging and repainting a super cute desk I found (quite literally, in my alley! Yay.)  Now, I am hardly what you call a DIY-er, by any stretch of anyone’s imagination believe me, but, I have to say, I nearly astonished myself by finally following through with a “real” DIY project:

BEFORE: 

What I didn’t share was that I also “manifested” this desk, that morning, actually. I looked around my bedroom, and figured that shoving a desk in would somehow help me with my writing (I am currently hard at work on a novel.) I smilingly asked the Universe for this desk, chuckling to myself as I did so. TWO HOURS later, this little beauty appeared. NOW, I know! Not a book deal or meeting the new love of my life, but, it was exciting, nonetheless...)

And…, just LOOK at the sweet, little results:

AFTER: 

Emboldened by this little project, and imagining all of the flowing creatively that would be magically sparked inside of my soul, I soldiered on, (and this is BEFORE January 1st. I know. I need to get a life!) tackling a make-shift office space, Christmas decorations, purchasing new doormats a few little, tiny “presents” for the apartment...(like a new cutlery holder, bathmat, pretty glass pitcher…) I even found time to trek to IKEA, something I had not done in well, a LONG time! There I bought storage boxes in Tiffany blue to house old notes, drafts and journals. These have been organized, but still do not have a proper spot in the house, currently lingering in my bedroom. After the 1st of the month, last week, I switched out some cabinet pulls, put a new drain-plug in the bathroom sink, and went over my bookcase, toting some books to a few of those adorable “Little Library” stands in my neighborhood, selling a few more at local Book Monster. (Wow, I really do need to get a life! ;)

As I did so, I would be filled with a content sort of joy, like, well, you know, everything great was about to start, and soon! (Finally!)

And this is what I wanted to discuss in this post: What to do after the high of organizing and “decluttering” has worn, off, and you are stuck with some of the same frustrations, problems, challenges and obstacles as before? That you have not magically become more productive, ready to work, write, create, paint, start that new business, or finish that one (or ten) lingering projects?

There is a reason that wonderful blogs such as Zen Habits and podcasts like The Lively Show are so vital, (as is going to therapy, if you are so inclined): They all remind us that life is a constant work-in-progress.

Your life is your work. Working on your life is not your life’s work! But, it certainly can give you a genuine feeling of fulfillment, of course. This is only natural, right?

But we can’t confuse the means with the end. Because…the end does NOT exist!

We never, ever really and truly get there. We are ALWAYS building on ourselves, our relationships, our finances, the spaces in which we live, our art, our families, our friendships, and our careers.

When you are stuck in the seductiveness of preparation, of getting-ready-to-do, when your heart beats faster when you pass the Container Store, and you actually WISH you had a closet to declutter, either consider going into the professional organizing business, or realize that creativity and work and life does not always bring the instant gratification we need.

But we still have to move forward with it, and push through…

I am super interested in the journey that Jess Lively has been embarking on this year: It all about “Alignment Before Action.” Talk about a practice! This is really tough to wrap one’s head around (what if you work in a factory, or are a house cleaner, or car mechanic?) But she is doing some vital work, we think. And it goes against so much of what we have been taught, that you have to hustle, and suffer, and sacrifice to succeed…

She believes there is a sweet spot that becomes right between “getting ready” to take action (in whatever way that means to you) and getting into alignment first. Then the “flow” will happen. We like this. It’s realizing that the concept of flow (which has been studied for decades through watching and measuring athletes and various creatives), for most of us, needs to be reached when we are in our most joyful, relaxed, super-contented state. NOT scrunched up and grinding away, miserably (although, sadly, as many of us do know, this, too, will work.)  

So, maybe you need a small break before getting started something “big” you have been putting off. Maybe try to do something that makes you less anxious. Right now. Even a tiny little thing. You can get that feeling back, I promise. And it will make you feel SO much better than decluttering a junk drawer, we promise…(Although!) And then, when you the pressure is off, take that first little step.  Whatever it may be, in this very moment...

Happy New Year to you from House & Mind! 

Taking Chances...At Home & In Life

Taking a leap is hard, and they come in so many different shapes and forms: Quitting a job you loathe, taking the plunge with someone you adore...Some chances hold great depth and meaning, others are things to be passed up, or not. 

The way we fill our space can sometimes help jumpstart us when we are starting to make real transitions in life...You may find that getting rid of that old catch and getting a new one in fabulous orange precepts you quitting that job. Tiny leaps can often make way for the larger ones, whether they be out in the "real" world, or,  at home. 

This is not about decor choices: It's about letting go, often, and just, putting your toe in that water. What does it feel like to be the girl with the orange couch? How amazing was it to realize that humungous painting you rescued from the alley, actually, well doesn't just look good in your kitchen... it looks amazing?! 

I'll tell you how it feels...

It feels like, no matter what, you can slowly begin to trust yourself. 

You can sell or give away that couch, or put that painting back in the trash if it doesn't work out. And you can do the same thing in life. 

There are no quizzes, you are not being tested in this lifetime. Your children love you more if they see a human being falling and trying, then smoldering and resentful and on the sidelines. Taking a chance, little or big, daring or "home-ish," all reap the same kind of reward: You get to sit with the satisfaction of knowing you went with your gut.

This post is just a little reminder to be as bold as you want this next month- whatever that means to you...It's all the same in the end. And we are all here, just trying our best, whatever that means to us individually. 

PS-I found this painting about 20 blocks away from my house. (Yes, in the alley!) I had my mom drive with me hanging it out the car window. It was fantastic, and I love being reminded of that day sometimes when I look at it. A little, tiny chance, that, while physical in nature, paid off enormously in delight, and bringing joy to my little space...

Give your Home a Present!

Yes. It's the holidays (!!!!)  Yes, that is the common response. Stress. Nostalgia. Sometimes joy. Sometimes dashed hopes, of all shapes and sizes. It seems like everything shakes loose and sheds its skin-good and bad-starting in mid-November.

And here is my usual calendar of feelings during this time:

Beginning of December. Week One: Feeling good! Loving all the little tweaks in the Starbucks menu. (Dork! I know.) Holiday goodness is abounding, suffusing my essence, and my apartment's decor, slowly but surely. Then: Week Two hits: I start thinking about what I need to purchase and procure for my immediate family. But I still have time! Yes. Of course I do. Week Three: Desperation starts to set in. Work gets more stressful. Friends are having nervous breakdowns of all sorts. Then, as each day drips by, the usual turmoil of head and heart, as my imaginings for the "perfect" holiday go out the window, curtains flying...

UGHHH.

My first tip:

Do NOT go shopping on Black Friday.

Thats' right. If you're not spending it with your family, grab your cat/dog/significant other/yourself and cuddle down on your couch. Don't make any lists. Don't fret. Instead. Look around your home. And NOT at what you want to change/fix/make a project out of, no. Walk around, and decide what your HOUSE would want for Christmas! YES. Right? Not YOU. Or friends. Or family. Your space. Your home. 

This is literally where you live. This holiday, give yourself the gift of starting to make your house your home, if you haven't done so already. It will help enormously to put the holidays in perspective. We focus here a LOT on House & Mind about your "Inner Home," but your outer home is almost just as important. It is your refuge, a place that should make you feel safe, solid and grounded. 

The main reason we do not have a crazy Instagram feed, or a Pinterest Page here at House & Mind, is because we do not want to show an idealized version of how we live. Of course, we may obsess about the newest line from IKEA, the latest issue of our beloved Domino Magazine, or someone's boho bedspread on IG, but this is not what this site is about...

Not at all. So, just start where you are with your space...

My apartment wants a new doormat. I seriously have been living with the same, old doormats the former tenants left, for OVER TWO YEARS! Ikea has doormats for as low as ninety-nine cents (!) Seriously, dude. What have I been waiting for? ;) 

What does your house want for Christmas (or Hanukkah)  this year? :) After chilling out on Black Friday, and inspecting and listening to your place, you may just wanna check out the fun goods on our Stuff We Just Love page, and treat yo' house...

But most importantly, give yourself the gift of being at home where you live, wherever that may be. We are here to help you to do just that...xo

Pick up something both unique & practical for your home from our friends at Life and Home, a great Brooklyn-based home decor, gardening and organizing site:

Weekend Project: What Have You Been "Shelving" Lately?

Look around your space right now, or in your mind's eye, if you at work or out and about. What strikes you the most, what feels the most "undone?" I can almost guarantee you have at least ONE thing that has not been hung up yet: That small mirror purchased at the tag sale or flea market, or a framed piece of art you love, but never got around to hanging. 

This weekend, we are going to think about what we haven't been taking away/putting on the walls, what we have "shelved" in our own lives. (I know, you're probably like, f*ck you, Francesca! I can barely clean my apartment on the weekend!) But really think about it, and maybe start asking yourself a few easy-peasy questions:

1. Why have you not been showing these photos or art work in your apartment? (Do you even like them?)

2. What have you been shelving lately? Which friends need your attention, which creative projects. which secret, genius work idea needs to be more fully explored? 

3. What can you put on a shelf physically, to shake up your space and add some spice, and what can you take off the shelves, inside your own head. 

If there's prints, paintings, framed photos strewn along the floor, stacked and ready and waiting to be hung up, put them on some type of a "shelf" in your home! I'm not kidding. It really works. Some kind of shelf, any kind. I even use the back of my toilet to place art in fun places. Don't be afraid! Use your bookcases, space along kitchen counters, behind the toaster and along edges of tables that are placed against the wall...Even if you have/like a minimalist decor, you can totally rock this style. IT makes your home cozy and pop and adds texture and tableaux. 

And extra points for you if you make a weekend project out of getting and installing those "art shelves," which are not expensive (see below) and perfect for those who are commitment phobic, because you can switch out your art and photos, even mirrors, and their placement every week.

As you're stacking and pretending to hang things up, think about what else in your personal life can you be showing more of to the world, or that needs more attention, in general: Your unfinished novel, that painting project, the dinner party you've been wanting to plan, that friend back East you haven't called in ages...

So-this Weekend Project is all about putting physical things on shelves, and taking some stuff off the mental shelves, dust them off, and pat yourself on your back for doing so. Good job, and let us know how you did!

Weekend Project: From To-Do to... Ta-Da!

Each Friday, we'll be posting a little Weekend Project to knock off something that has been lingering on your home's To-Do list...But, as Gretchen Rubin of the Happier Podcast once wisely said, why not call turn that To-Do list into a... Ta-Da list? Meaning, start a damn list of the sh*t you get done on a regular basis, and then CELEBRATE it by jotting it down. 

We love this idea. We love it so much, we thought it would be fun to do together...Each week! 

This weekend, we are going to be picking some space in your home that makes you feel awful TUG when you are about to do something for yourself: Now, this could mean going for a run, couching it to watch a movie, working on your creative project, literally-anything that lights your fire. But then....you feel that, ugh! that thing! That awful, naggy, pulling, sort of sluggish feeling that whispers in your ear: "Do some laundry at least you lazy cow!" or "You have to clear your desk off first!"

We usually end up ignoring this voice, and sometimes, as we mentioned in a previous post, you absolutely need to...BUT! This weekend, we are going to be put this voice to the test: Do the dreaded chore(s), write it on your Ta-Da list, and then see if you feel better. Sit down and "treat" yourself to whatever you wanted to really do in the first place, and REALLY do it. Then, put THAT on your Ta-Da List (see how this works?), and see how that feels. (Maybe it sucks, who knows, but try it!) Please do not forget to let us know how it goes, #HappyFriday xo

 (Above Photo: Pottery Barn Kids)

Living Inside Your Space...Inside & Out

Is it crazy to think that the outside is often a reflection of what's going on within us ? 

We often worry that we have to set things perfectly in place before we embark upon some great creative, or work or even a small home project. I find this personally to be true, and then tend to sort of chastise myself about it, again and again. It's interesting, this reverse sort of perfectionism, because it can keep one from finishing, or even beginning something very important to us. 

I have some friends who are tidal waves of creativity and productivity, while their spaces, though not perfect, are cozy, shambling, perfectly welcoming homes.  I also have a friend who is like an ultra-modern version of Martha Stewart, and her own path reflects this too, in its way. 

This week, I'm going to work on aligning the inner with the outer: If I want to work on my book, and feel compelled to do so, I may let the dinner dishes just sit there. I may just decide to relax when thinking that my patio suddenly needs some sort of inexpensive revamp, the plants have not been watered this week, and the laundry is piling way up...Relax, then pull out the laptop.

Ha! What a load of crap. Truth is, if you're on this site, you probably need to find a way to clear and still your mind before you set out to do any real work. 

So, my real advice this week is: Give yourself a break. And grab a basket!

That's right. Get one that you really like, too, if that helps. 

Allow yourself to relax into where you are in your head, when you have free time away from work and/or family at home, and sit with that stirring-up feeling you have to tidy and clean up just some peace. If you have legit family duties, give yourself 45 minutes to an hour to do them-straighten up, clean, throw in some laundry...Set a timer. 

If not, grab a basket, throw some stuff in there. Do a full sweep, go on, just do it! Bills, mail on counter, shoes in entryway, Sunday's NY Times, some stray workout clothes, socks-whatever it is. Then sock that baby in your bedroom or hall closet for a few hours. 

Feel the bliss, I dare you! You're allowed...

Then, sit down, have a cup of tea or glass of wine, pull up to your notebook or your computer, and see what happens...

Tuesday Tip...Prepare for the Fall in Your Heart

Fall is in the air! And it feels great here in Los Angeles! Here are a few things I like to prepare around my apartment. Switch out tablecloths. Clean out the pantry. Maybe hit the bedroom closet, and start switching around from summer-to-fall clothing. But fall is also a great, general time for renewal, I think. A second-chance New Year’s sort of feeling. And with your home comes the people you have in it. Who is gonna stop by for drinks? Is your bar stocked-up?  Cheese at the ready? Then kids in school, new projects, Thanksgiving, work pressures building, holiday shopping...Ughh...Just. Take a breath, please.

I want you to really think about what you want out of this coming season: More gatherings of friends? More time alone? A way to save funds to have the holiday you really desire? It can be anything, anything at all. Tune into that second-grade feeling of being back at school-when the air is crisp and Halloween is coming! What can you get excited about? What can you create very simply that will convey this feeling? Are there some traditions you want to start? Are there some you could, truly, chuck the hell out the window if they're not working? (Goodbye, Thanksgiving Dinner for nineteen!) 

Think about it. Pick one little thing. If it makes you feel better, spruce up that bar cart with a new cheese tray (below), and maybe have your fresh food & veggies delivered sometimes instead of spending time shopping so you can hang out more with your kids (Hello, Farm Fresh To You!)

Just make a little pact with yourself, and get back to that feeling that anything is possible when the air gets just a tiny bit crisper and cooler. You deserve it! xo

Welcome to House & Mind!

This is my first post on this site, and I am so excited to share my thoughts and we can start changing our lives by starting with BOTH our inner and outer "houses." Whether you live in a Bel-Air Mansion, an East Village studio, a cabin in the woods of South Carolina, or a condo in Lincoln, Nebraska-we all have blocks in the way we create (or don't create) the space we live in. This goes way beyond the objects that bring joy or not-it boils down to your own way of creating the life you want to live (or a different one than the one you are leading right now!) 

These seem like huge issues for a home organizing and decor site-and they are. But they don't have to be! This week, I want to dive into what I call the "Ideal Sitch," the situation you have always imagined would work if ONLY you got this and that clean/straightened/organized in your home.  

What will you do once that garage is tackled? Or your monster coat closet? Or kitchen cabinets? 

Write that novel? Get a band-new job? Ask for a raise? Get a divorce? Find true love? It's amazing how we can put off what we feel will bring us the most fulfillment in life. 

It was also amazing to see how much I have personally procrastinated with my own creative goals vis-a-vis worrying about not simply cleaning up first, but little things, such as cleaning out a closet, that I turned into (rather unnecessary) major organizing jobs! And of course, there is incredible truth that  an uncluttered desk can mean an uncluttered mind. But it can also be paralyzing for some to have everything in pin-perfect order...

How to find balance?

House & Mind wants to help you to figure out YOUR style of keeping house.  Apart from what society thinks, what the collective ego demands, or what your mother tells you. And keeping your head clear, too. So often, our mess outside is due to what's going on internally. 

To that end, we will ONLY be using photos of our own apartments and homes, and those of our friends, the people in our life and willing clients we are working with to bring their personal and domestic dreams alive, as well as some great, fun vintage photos I personally find incredibly fun and inspiring. 

I'm so happy you are here...So...let's dive into this mess, together! 

Each week will be a combination of discussing internal and external "housekeeping" challenges, problems, tips and overall life and creative enhancement.  If this resonates with you, please join us on our little adventure!

So, what is Your Ideal Sitch? In life? At home and at work? Give it a thought. We will soon be talking with Mick Kubiak, writer and family and individual therapist, on how this image impacts everything house and mind...