Best of 2023

I thought we’d have some fun for this last post of the year. How about a little “Best of” action?! Let’s go!*

Best Organizing Product

The turntable (aka. lazy susan - poor Susan) has to take first place. There is no solution that works for every situation but the turntable is very flexible and can be used in so many ways. It’s the perfect way to maximize accessibility in hard to reach spaces and that is what this whole gig is about. Making the most of the space you have for the things that are important to you. This lazy susan is one of the many I use in my home - perfect for deep pantry shelves.

Best Supporting Cast

My family and friends - for urging me to start this business and for supporting me along the way. I still can’t believe I get to do what I love and make a difference in people’s lives while I’m at it. I couldn’t be more grateful!

Best Place to Buy Organizing Stuff (in person)

You can’t beat TJMaxx for well priced organizing products. From cereal containers to drawer organizers to a plethora of baskets, you have a great chance of finding what you need there.

Best Place to Buy Organizing Stuff (online)

I have to say that this year Amazon has been great for organizing products. Our space is defined and limited, so finding the right size container can make or break a project! Amazon provides the huge selection we need with a short turnaround. Close runner up: Target.

Best Books

There was no way I could recommend just one book for the year, so I’ll break it down into a few select categories:

Self Help: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear. I’ll admit I’m not done reading this book just yet, but from the very first page I felt geared up to make some changes. This is one of those books that would be good to read once a year for an annual boost. Put it on your list - start your year off with a bang!

Organizing: Martha Stewart’s Organizing: The Manual for Bringing Order to Your Life, Home and Routines by Martha Stewart. While I love to flip through the photos in The Home Edit’s line, I find Martha’s book to be more practical and realistic. Just a fun book to flip through for ideas and inspiration.

Time Management: The Lazy Genius Way: Embrace What Matters, Ditch What Doesn’t and Get Stuff Done by Kendra Adachi. If you don’t know Kendra, you should. This book gives you permission to let go of the traditional “must-dos” and set your own rules. It’s like hearing your friend tell you to get real and stop worrying about packing a fruit and a vegetable in your kids’ lunches - you can go crazy and pack all fruits! Or no fruits and veggies because they eat tons of them at home! See what I mean? You can’t go wrong with this book.

Hygge: My Hygge Home: How to Make Home Your Happy Place by Meik Wiking. A quick read full of ideas for adding a little more hygge to your home. This is prime hygge season, so check it out if you need some inspiration! What is hygge? I talk about it in this blog post from earlier this year.

Novel: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid. A fun book about two women from different worlds as they together tell a story that has an unexpected ending.

Best Room to Organize

This has been the season of mudrooms. There is nothing like a freshly organized space to welcome you home. Mudrooms usually have a lot of outgrown items that can easily be donated or given away resulting in freeing up lots of space. Super satisfying!!

Best Hygge Experience

Only 4 ingredients: my big chair, the fire going, a warm cup of coffee, and a book. Nevermind I lied - 5 - my blanket.

Best Decluttering Habit

One in, one out. If there is one easy tip you can get started with, it’s the one in, one out method. It sounds like birth control, but really it’s much easier than that ha!! Simply be aware of what is coming in your home and try to balance it out by removing the same number of things. I try to do it in the same category (ex: new piece of clothing, donate an old piece), but even keeping it open to any category will make a difference. Decluttering can be super productive & fun, but if you aren’t conscious of what is coming in behind it you could get trapped in that dreaded spiral of stuff that never goes away.

Best Office Supplies

Post-it notes. They show up in my stocking every year because even Santa knows I like them! I prefer the ones with lines on them for making lists. They can also be used as temporary labels, for bookmarks/reminders/notes, for planning, and more. Second place: Mildliners. A refined version of the old-school fluorescent highlighters from “the old days” as my kids would say.

Best Time Saver

Meal planning. Looking at my week and planning meals around the crazy calendar eases my mind and assures we will all be fed. It may be hot dogs, but it’s part of the plan! Bonus time saver - prepping some of that food earlier in the day. I love leaving a pot full of salted water on the stove and the colander in the sink on pasta night. Prepping veggies and putting them in the fridge for later use is a huge help when the time crunch is on. You will thank yourself, trust me.

One more thing. I tried using this planner all year for meal planning/grocery lists and it was a game changer! I use the weekly/dated side for meals and the lined right side for grocery list(s). It’s small enough that it’s easy for me to shop with, while I also have the history of the previous week’s meals to reference. Might be worth a try.

Best Client

Just kidding! I’m fortunate to say that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all of my clients in 2023! Its has been such a pleasure getting to know you and your families. The change in your spirit as I drive away with the burden of all the extra stuff that was weighing you down. I look forward to working with you again in 2024 - as well as the many new faces coming up in January and February! Thank you for trusting me!!

Best Self Care

At the end of the day, we could all use something relaxing! I’ve fallen in love with facials in 2023. I’ve only had a few in my life, but they feel so luxorious and refreshing. Like a gift for my skin.

The End

I’m excited to see what 2024 has in store for us all! I’m hoping for snow, sunshine, family, and travel. And maybe a facial or two.

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