10 Things to Throw Away Right Now
Remove items that no longer serve a purpose in your life. Ten things your professional organizer would throw away right now!
If you're overwhelmed by clutter and disorganization in your home or office, it might be time to hire a professional organizer. One of the first things they will do is help you declutter by removing items that no longer serve a purpose. Here are 10 things your professional organizer would likely throw away right now:
1. Expired items
Expired food, medicine, and beauty products should be thrown away immediately. Not only are they no longer effective, but they can also harm your health.
2. Broken items
Broken items that can't be repaired or don't serve a purpose should be thrown away. Holding onto broken items only takes up valuable space and can make your home or office feel cluttered.
3. Outdated technology
Old electronics like computers, printers, and phones can take up valuable space and may not even work anymore. Consider donating or recycling them if possible.
4. Duplicate items
If you have multiple items that serve the same purpose, such as multiple coffee mugs or sets of dishes, consider getting rid of the duplicates. This will free up space and make it easier to find what you need.
5. Clothes that don't fit or haven't been worn in over a year
If you haven't worn a piece of clothing in over a year or it no longer fits, it's time to let it go. Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition.
6. Unused or broken furniture
Unused or broken furniture can occupy valuable space and make your home or office feel cluttered. Consider donating or selling items that are in good condition and getting rid of items that are beyond repair.
7. Outdated paperwork
Old paperwork that is no longer needed, such as old bills or receipts, can take up valuable space and make it difficult to find important documents. Shred or recycle paperwork that is no longer needed.
8. Gifts you don't like or use
Gifts that you don't like or use can take up valuable space and add to clutter. Consider donating or regifting items that are in good condition, and getting rid of items that are no longer usable.
9. Kitchen gadgets you never use
Kitchen gadgets that you never use can take up valuable space in your kitchen. Consider getting rid of gadgets that are collecting dust and taking up space.
10. Old or worn-out linens
Old or worn-out linens like towels and sheets can take up valuable space and may not be usable anymore. Consider donating or recycling old linens and replacing them with new ones.
By eliminating items that no longer serve a purpose, you can free up valuable space and create a more organized and functional home or office. Consider hiring a professional organizer today to help you start your decluttering journey.
How to Get Your Outdoor Space Ready for Entertaining
It’s spring! One of the most favorite times in Southern homes! We Southerners love our large porches where we can socialize with the neighbors or our backyard outdoor kitchens where we can cook and entertain anywhere from 5 to 500 guests before we get into the raw, humid heat of summer. We are a social culture down here, but how do we keep these areas tidy and neat in between parties? Let me show you how!
“Traders en route from the Caribbean to the British, French and Spanish colonies were influenced by island architecture, rich with large open porches to accommodate the humid climate.”
It’s spring! One of the most favorite times in Southern homes! We Southerners love our large porches where we can socialize with the neighbors or our backyard outdoor kitchens where we can cook and entertain anywhere from 5 to 500 guests before we get into the raw, humid heat of summer.
We are a social culture down here, but how do we keep these areas tidy and neat in between parties? Let me show you how!
Porches are fairly simple since we don’t keep much out there. Wiping down furniture and swings with a damp cloth is usually all that’s needed. The porch itself can be swept or blown clear of any debris. If it has mildew, you may need a good power wash to get it all cleaned up. Most of us have taken our plants inside for winter so now is the time to bring them outside and spruce them up! (Y’all know a proper southern porch must have hanging ferns, right?) Make sure the railings and steps are safe and secure, especially if they are wood. Don’t forget to look up and make sure the ceiling fans are cleaned and old wasp nests and dirt diver houses are removed.
Outdoor kitchens need a little more TLC. Many outdoor kitchens have grills, sinks, stone counters, storage space, outdoor furniture, and umbrellas. Some even have refrigerators or other fun things, like pizza ovens! Mike and I spend one of the first weekends in spring getting everything wiped out and wiped down. We also power wash the concrete and outdoor rugs (when we aren’t at soccer games!) Finally, we make lists of things we need to buy for the upcoming entertainment season.
Wipe down all outdoor surfaces with a wet towel.
Tip: I keep all the outdoor items in closed containers because, well, Louisiana has a lot of bugs and critters.
Speaking of that, check your bug spray stock and sunscreen too. (Sunscreen expires, so check the expiration dates.)
Tip: If mosquitos are a big problem in your area, take old wine bottles and repurpose them into citronella lanterns! We have them hanging across our porch so those pesky little things don’t bother us!
We also make sure to have a full tank of propane for the Easter crawfish boil because if you grab that tank on boil day and it’s empty, you’ll be madder than a wet hen!
Here is my personal list:
Clean the grill
Wipe the counters
Scrub the sink
Clean out the beer fridge.
Clean out the trash cans and recycle cans.
Wipe ceiling fans
Check propane
Power wash concrete, outdoor rugs and outdoor cushions.
Uncover and wipe down outdoor furniture.
Uncover televisions (We can’t miss March Madness!)
Restock the outdoor spices (which live in a latch box inside because it’s too humid to keep them outside), paper goods, and outdoor linens.
Does any pool maintenance need to be done?
Check the fishing rods and tackle. (We have a pond. Hunting season is almost over so fishing begins. Remember, I live in Sportsman’s Paradise!)
Check out our Pinterest board to get some spring inspiration for your outdoor spaces!
Create a Spring Capsule Wardrobe
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation. It's the perfect time to declutter your closet and start fresh with a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. By investing in quality pieces that you love and that fit your style, you can simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze.
Spring is a season of renewal and rejuvenation. It's the perfect time to declutter your closet and start fresh with a capsule wardrobe. A capsule wardrobe is a collection of essential, timeless pieces that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. By investing in quality pieces that you love and that fit your style, you can simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze.
Choosing the Right Pieces
The key to creating a successful capsule wardrobe is choosing the right pieces. Start with a color scheme that you love and that complements your skin tone. Then, choose a mix of tops, bottoms, dresses, and outerwear that can be worn together in different combinations. Look for pieces that have a classic, timeless feel, such as a trench coat, a denim jacket, or a white button-up shirt. And don't forget about accessories! A few statement pieces, like a colorful scarf or a statement necklace, can add personality to your outfits.
Mixing and Matching
Once you have your capsule wardrobe pieces, it's time to start mixing and matching. Look for ways to combine different pieces to create new outfits. For example, a chambray shirt can be worn with jeans, a skirt, or even a pair of shorts. A black blazer can be dressed up with a skirt or worn casually with jeans. And a simple white t-shirt can be paired with just about anything. By focusing on versatile pieces that can be worn in different ways, you'll be able to create a variety of outfits without feeling like you're wearing the same thing over and over again.
Staying Organized
One of the benefits of a capsule wardrobe is that it's easy to stay organized. You'll have fewer pieces to keep track of, and everything will be coordinated, so you won't have to spend as much time deciding what to wear each day. To keep your capsule wardrobe in tip-top shape, store your pieces in a way that makes sense for you. Some people prefer to hang everything in their closet, while others like to fold their clothes and store them in drawers. Whatever method you choose, make sure that your pieces are easily accessible and that you can see everything at a glance.
A spring capsule wardrobe is a great way to simplify your wardrobe and make getting dressed a breeze. By choosing the right pieces, mixing and matching, and staying organized, you'll be able to create a collection of outfits that you love and that make you feel confident and stylish. So why not give it a try? Your closet (and your mornings) will thank you!
Need help creating a SPRING CAPSULE WARDROBE?
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Make-Up and Mardi Gras
Makeup and Mardi Gras have a lot to do with organization! Keeping a well-organized makeup drawer can save you time and money when getting ready for a night out. When it comes to Mardi Gras, organization is essential for making sure the celebration runs smoothly.
Makeup and Mardi Gras have a lot to do with organization! Keeping a well-organized makeup drawer can save you time and money when getting ready for a night out. When it comes to Mardi Gras, organization is essential for making sure the celebration runs smoothly.
Use the C.H.A.O.S Method to get your makeup organized
C- Categorize
Take everything out of your drawer and put like items with like items. That means mascara with mascara, lipsticks with lipsticks, etc.
H- Hurtful or Helpful
What emotion does your makeup elicit? Do you like wearing it; does it make you feel good?
A- Action
Take action once you’ve decided how you feel about each item. Keep the Make-up you love and Discard expired make-up (so you don’t get a nasty rash on your face) and what you don’t like.
Here are some common make-up expiration dates
O- Organize
We like trays like these to help keep our makeup organized. They come in various sizes, so be sure to measure the space before ordering.
S- Simplify
Label each tray to set yourself up for success in the mornings and for ease of retrieval.
After the parades, costumes, and other festivities, ensure your mardi gras decorations are organized.
Three tips to keep it organized:
Use a Storage bin with dividers – this will make it easy to separate different colors and types of beads. Keep your costumes in good condition for next year by wrapping in plastic for next year.
Go Vertical – Use a pegboard so you can hang your mardi gras jewelry and beads on the wall free of tangles
Use Space bags – to keep your costumes in good condition for next year and free from dirt and debris.
Above all else, make sure you use a purple bin!
Have extra mardi gras beads? Donate them here.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR METHOD OR WOULD LIKE OUR HELP WITH GETTING ORGANIZED, GIVE US A CALL.
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How to Prepare Your Home for Guests: Southern Hospitality
Are you excited to open your houses and have guests for the holidays again? We sure are! It’s been a while so here are some great reminders about bringing a little Southern Hospitality into your home. This year will be exciting as guests finally get to come to visit so let’s get ready!
Are you excited to open your houses and have guests for the holidays again? We sure are! It’s been a while so here are some great reminders about bringing a little Southern Hospitality into your home. This year will be exciting as guests finally get to come to visit so let’s get ready!
We hope you enjoy our two latest blogs on preparing your home for guests this holiday season. You can let us know by clicking the like button at the bottom left corner of this blog or, even better, forwarding it to a friend to enjoy! We appreciate your feedback!
Southern hospitality is definitely a thing down here in Louisiana! We relish in being “extra” as my daughter would say. So, no matter if you are having family or just a few friends, here are some extra special touches to making them feel welcome.
"There are no strangers, just friends we haven't met yet."
A small vase of flowers in the guest bath or just around your home in general.
A small gift bag with local, trial size products. I love to give a trial size Tabasco sauce, small Community coffee and a locally made praline. What can you get locally that they might not be able to get where they live?
Be aware of their food likes and dislikes, or allergies. (Not everyone can tolerate our seafood.) Sure hope they like Community Coffee because there is no compromising on that!
Don’t forget to offer them something to drink! Nothing says welcome like a glass of sweet tea or a mimosa!
Be sure to greet your guests and put them at ease. This year, this may include, having masks available in case they forgot theirs. It also might include having hand sanitizers spread around your home.
Anticipate their special needs and be accommodating to them. Do they need a place to make bottles or prefer privacy to nurse a baby? Will they need a place for a baby to nap? Will they need the Wi-Fi password?
Let them know it’s an honor for you to have them as your guest, not a burden, by having a beautiful tablescape and using your finest dishes and glassware (Grandmother’s china and crystal is always a welcome sight for the holidays!). Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a tablescape!
Need help getting your home ready for guests? We would love to help!
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