NAPO WDC Blog

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts

If you want to truly enjoy the holidays and not just operate in survival mode, take some advice from Santa Claus himself, who’s known for “Making a list and checking it twice.” 

While you could potentially remember everything that needs to get done and also smoothly delegate along the way, why would you do that to yourself when you could plan it out and recycle and update those plans year after year? You wouldn’t be the first person to wing it and then gasp when they realize they’re missing a particular gift, key ingredient, or even the tickets to the annual holiday lights show that they never miss.

Today in ARTIcles by Artifcts, we’re sharing tips from the pros in hopes of keeping your holiday season merry and bright.

The following is based on the Fall 2023 Evenings with Artifcts episode featuring C. Lee Cawley of simplify YOU, Jill Katz of One to Zen Organizing, and Samara Goodman of Samara Interiors. If you prefer to watch the Evenings conversation, pop over to YouTube now.

Shift Your Frame of Mind and Start with Clear Goals

The holiday season is filled with micro changes to your routines and your home, which can make even the most laid back among us a bit stressed out and edgy, Jill told us. While Jill specializes in organizational services for neurodivergent people, you’ll discover her strategies and tools can keep us all in the holiday spirit.

WHERE IS YOUR MIND AT ON ALL THINGS HOLIDAYS?

To counteract feelings of frustration and anxiety, Jill suggests shifting your frame of mind about the lead up and the moments that make up your holidays in two key ways:

First, embrace that preparation is part of the holiday fun.Give yourself the space during the weeks ahead for prep activities like: 

• Choosing gifts thoughtfully, not frantically 
• Hand writing notes on holiday cards 
• Planning menus that come together to light up everyone’s taste buds 
• Creating music playlists

Second, absolutely avoid urges for perfection. Take a step back and remember why you are doing all this to start with and breathe. What do you want to remember about this holiday one year from now? Five years from now? We bet it’s about how you felt, not whether that centerpiece matched Martha Stewart’s design or that cake looked as good on your table as it did for Ina Garten.

WHAT WILL SUCCESS LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Now let’s consider your goals for the season. Are your holiday plans designed to guarantee more family time? Are you seeking to create a new holiday tradition this year?

To reach your goals and avoid madly racing thoughts that will detract from what’s important, track your holiday routines and to-dos. This will also help you to avoid starting from scratch next year. While you might like a pad of paper or digital note, hands down our panel recommends digitally accessible and customizable spreadsheets.

Before you decide spreadsheets are too intense or complicated, hear us out. A spreadsheet lets you simply list out your to-dos based on when they need to be done, e.g. 4 weeks out, 3 weeks out etc., so you can keep track of the multitude of tasks and subtasks that are part of your holiday routine.  

Common holiday to-do items from our panelists’ own spreadsheets:

• Taking out and putting up decorations 
• Buying tickets for a holiday event 
• Planning the menu and its corresponding shopping list 
• Ordering custom holiday cards (and noting the “no later than” date for getting them mailed) 
• Gathering or buying materials related to annual traditions  
• Making any needed repairs around the house before guests arrive  
• Choosing and selecting a hostess gift for parties you’ll attend 
• Tackling cleaning tasks big and small 
• Pressing tablecloths and napkins 
• Buying flowers for the table or around the house 
• Ordering items that will sell out early or have shipping timelines that could threaten your fun

Creating a Welcoming Space 

Hosting this year? Great. We’re ready with tips for you.

PAPER CLUTTER

As the holiday season begins, get a strategy in place for one of the top sources of holiday clutter: paper! We’re talking about cards and flyers, donation requests from charities, and holiday cards, too.

C. Lee suggests buying or repurposing a decorative bin (with a lid) that you don’t mind setting out in your space to catch all the incoming catalogs and other generic mail. “But have a second box just for holiday cards that you do not want miss and may also include checks, cash, or gift cards.”

You’ll also likely generate some necessary paperwork during the holidays that C. Lee recommends you place into a durable labeled folder. What might this include? Copies of travel documents and itineraries, last year’s holiday card (to help you decide on this year’s), gift lists and ideas, receipts, and more.

Pre- or post-holidays, our handy Get Papered checklist can help you declutter all that paper! CLICK THE IMAGE to access this list and others and download for free!

ALL THINGS HOLIDAY

Clutter aside, let's move on to holiday decor and more! As an interior decorator who naturally embraces many principles of home organizers, Samara suggests that in decorating for the holidays and preparing for guests you think about all five senses.

“Often people think about what the room looks like, and what the menu will taste like, but what about touch? Cozy blankets and that feeling of warmth around you can be so inviting. As for sound, music sets the tone, ranging from upbeat and playful to quiet and calming, and helps you to transition through an event, too. And smell can go beyond your menu. Keep a pot of simmering mulled cider on the stovetop to evoke memories and warmth. And use cloves and cinnamon sticks to fill a decorative vase.”

Samara also favors natural decorations that are compostable, inexpensive, and reusable. You can check out ideas from her here. A simple glass hurricane with a white pillar candle can be filled with red and green candies during the winter holidays, sand and shells in the summer, and acorns or lentils in the fall. Likewise, you do not need a Christmas bowl. An elegant neutral bowl of clear glass, bronze or silver, or smooth wood can grace your home during any season or occasion. Just add festive ornaments at Christmas and enjoy!

Iconic gingerbread houses offer instant, homemade, and compostable decor! CLICK THE IMAGE to view this Artifcted house.

GUESTS WHO WILL SPEND ONE NIGHT OR MORE 

If guests are coming to stay, you can easily discover online list upon list of items that you may want to have out and about to make your guests feel at home. Some things are small and easily done if you think of it, such as a small sign with your wi-fi password in a high traffic location as well as by their bedside.

Other things you maybe already have and/or do by routine anyway. Our favorites:

• Laying out a sleep mask in case the sleep space is brighter than in their home
• Providing a fan or sound machine in their bedroom
• Clearing closet space and adding spare hangers along with a luggage rack 
• Placing a carafe or similar for water in their bedroom
• Topping up or replacing basic toiletries

C. Lee also suggests repurposing wine glass tags for regular coffee mugs and glasses to avoid stress and confusion as to which glass belongs to which guest (and reduce dishes). And we also love her suggestion to leave out a note along with some plates/bowls, breakfast foods, and coffee/tea directions so that they can help themselves when they wake up and you can relax into your day.

A breakfast treat like coffee cake can be made ahead (even well ahead and frozen), and pulled out for all to enjoy at whatever hour they roll out of bed!

It's Okay to Control the Chaos When Guests are Staying

About those guests of yours: Keep your eye on the prize. Priorities shift when guests are in the house. Do you feel more like, "Your home, your rules?" Maybe treat your rules more like guidelines.

Set boundaries only where necessary to keep everyone (pets included) safe and to preserve your sanity. We’re willing to wager that more often than not your friends and family will follow along if they know your boundaries and general modes of operation. Just give them a nudge! For example, add a temporary over-the-door rack to hang multiple coats so people know where they can store coats and bags if you don’t want them strewn about. And if you are a shoe-free household, post a little sign and offer skid free socks to put on for their comfort and safety.

Guests are gone? Now is when you can reset and return things to normal around the house. Do not try to do this while they are there; it’s like fighting gravity. Is that really how you want to expend your energy while they are there and you’re trying to enjoy time together?

Tips for Making the 11th Hour Less Stressful

Remember that spreadsheet? We mentioned sorting it by weeks. Well, you may also want to create a timetable for the day of your event, says C. Lee, so you and everyone else remembers/knows when each thing needs to happen. When does each dish need to go in the oven? When will you light the candles and start the music? Who is arriving and when?

And what are old school sticky notes good for when it comes to the holidays? Delegation! Jill reminded us all to ask for and accept help. And even if you truly have it under control, you can appreciate that you’ll have folks joining the festivities who will feel more comfortable if they can help in some way.

Pop a sticky note next to the salad bowl, ingredients, and recipe, and say, “Make me!” Or add a note next to the stack of plates, flatware, and glasses and, write “Ready for the table.” If you coordinated in advance or simply know who will want which task, label the note with their name.

Samara encourages you to work ahead to set the table, which can be a serious effort depending on the number of place settings, the distance your table is from where all the essentials are stored, and how many layers of decorations, flatware and glasses, and more you add to complete the table.

“And if you don’t have a separate table you can decorate in advance, create a table setting box with everything you’ll need, including the tablecloth, napkins, candles, candle sticks. For items you can’t put in the box, like place settings, platters and glasses, make a list and add to the box to check off as you set the table.”

One more 11th hour prep tip is about gift opening. Have your helper tools stationed and ready. This might mean a bag for ribbons (to reuse) and another bag for non-recyclable wrapping and tissue papers. And to avoid losing anything in that holiday mess, have a box set out where small gifts can be popped into temporarily. Oh, and don’t forget to have a safety cutter on hand for eager gift receivers to open tough tape, boxes, and plastic covers without landing in the emergency room.

The Final Word 

We asked our panelists for their final few words of advice to avoid getting our tinsel in a tangle. Here’s what they offered:

• Simplify hostess gifts by picking one item to give to each hostess that season. Avoid more ‘stuff’ and go with consumables like wine, an evergreen potted plant, or special gourmet treats. 
• Which leads to… embrace regifting! If it’s a distinctive and memorable gift, perhaps just avoid regifting it inside the same circle of friends or colleagues to avoid awkward moments.  
• Centerpieces can be created well ahead of time and even done as an event, together with friends and family, for an instant tradition!  
• Minimize how much new you take on during the holiday season: one new decoration, one new recipe, one new tradition.   
• Plan in downtime so you can enjoy the season without being drained by it. 

And with that, happy Artifcting!

For more information, contact Heather Nickerson.

by C. Lee Cawley

C. Lee Cawley

The holidays are a time for joy and magic, but let's be honest, they can also be stressful. Between shopping, decorating, and planning gatherings, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not! Here are two hacks to help you simplify your holiday shopping and even earn some extra cash!

Tip 1: Get CASH Back with Shopping Extensions:

Level up your online shopping game with browser extensions that offer cashback rewards! Several options are available but these are my two favorites for passive income!

How does it work? Activate the extension links below.  When you go to a participating online retailer a button to activate your reward will automatically pop up.  IF both pop up, I compare the two offers and choose the higher percentage. And “ta-da” a month or so later the cashback is automatically added to my account!

RAKUTEN:

Using this extension really adds up.  I’m so grateful to the friend who shared this resource with me.  On average I earn $275 a year and I’m not a super shopper! 

Here is my Rakuten partner link to share with YOU!

 CHIRPIEST:

Works the same way but has a different roster of stores than Rakuten in my experience. Having both extensions means one or the other will pop up to get me cash back!

Here is my Chirpiest partner link to share.

Tip 2: Create a “RETAIL Email” Address

Ditch the paper clutter and promotional chaos in your personal inbox! Create a separate email address specifically for online and in-store shopping. Choose a simple name that's easy to remember and to spell when sharing with instore cashiers, like "LindaShops@gmail.com”

Benefits of a Retail Email:

Reduced Paper Clutter: No more paper receipts clogging up your wallet or drawers!

•  Clean Personal Inbox: Keep your personal emails free from promotional messages.
•  Quick Deal Searching: Use the retail email to easily find offers and coupons online.
•  Order Tracking Ease: Track your holiday packages and manage deliveries efficiently.

By following these 2 simple tips to save time and money you can transform your holiday shopping experience from stressful to streamlined.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

by Janet Schiesl

Basic Organization

I recently read this book titled, Minimalist Living: Decluttering for Joy, Health, and Creativity by Genevieve Parker Hill.

In it she discusses two ways of Decluttering using the blazing method or the gazing method.

To lessen stress, you declutter intentionally to honor your belongings. Depending on your personality, one of these methods may work better than the other. Let’s find out which one may describe your best decluttering method.

The “blazing” method is an efficient way to declutter. Similar to ripping off a Band-Aid. First, quickly identify the items you need and discard the rest. This method saves time and should make you feel comfortable. You’re not worrying about what you discard because you know it’s unnecessary. However, this may be challenging for some, so the author suggests getting a box to put your discarded items in. Put a date on the box and set a time to review what’s inside quickly. Take out what you need and then donate the rest. To make it even more challenging, don’t look in the box before discarding or donating.

The “gaze” method of decluttering takes more time and involves looking at your possessions, reminiscing, and assessing each item. It may be a slower process, but it’s less risky and more emotionally involved. Stay focused and ask a friend to keep you on track.

You could also combine methods, such as quickly organizing your closet (using the “blaze” method) and taking your time with your books (using the “gaze” method). Whatever method you choose, find what works best for you.

Have you tried the “blaze” or “gaze” method of decluttering? Let us know how it works for you. And remember, you can always contact Basic Organization for your organizing and decluttering needs.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

by C. Lee Cawley

C. Lee Cawley

The aphorism "nature abhors a vacuum" rings especially true when it comes to maintaining clutter-free spaces. If you clear a space completely without filling it intentionally, that open area practically invites new piles of random items.  So the real challenge lies not just in clearing the clutter, but in preventing it from returning.

This is why I encourage my members of The Clarity Connection to purposefully fill the cleared space—not with clutter, but with simple, intentional decor that brings beauty and calm into the room.

 CLEAR: Start by removing any unnecessary items from the area.  Take them where they belong and if they don’t have a dedicated “home” create one.

PURPOSEFUL PLACEMENT: Once the space is clear, intentionally place items in the now-empty space that serve a purpose and enhance the room's aesthetic. For example:

•  Dining Table: Instead of housing a random pile of papers, delivered boxes, or projects, purposefully set the table with a tablecloth, napkins, a seasonal centerpiece, and even your best china and crystal.  If this room is the first you see when entering your home what a difference this welcome will make!  With this intentional setup, it becomes clear that the table's purpose is to bring people together, not to serve as a drop zone.
• Kitchen Island: The same strategy works beautifully for kitchen islands, another notorious clutter magnet. When you’ve cleared your island, add a large lidded basket alongside a fruit bowl, fresh flowers, or a beautiful plant. Purposeful placement can make all the difference. The basket can be a dedicated space to contain any small items that might naturally end up on the island. Instead of random things sprawled all over, the basket can hold keys, mail, or sunglasses, keeping the area neat and easy to clear in a moment.
• Coffee Table: Try adding a beautiful tray as the centerpiece; this not only anchors the look but also gives smaller items like remotes a designated home. Place a small stack of curated books or magazines that you genuinely enjoy.  Consider adding a succulent plant, a candle, and a small decorative bowl for things like matches, keys, or coasters.
• Side Tables: These often become catch-alls for unopened mail, keys, and other clutter, but transforming them into a display for framed family photos can make them purposeful and personal. Make the frame styles all the same color for cohesiveness and fill the void with smiles and memories.  This setup shifts the table from a flop to a focus on fun and family.

MAINTAIN: If clutter starts to accumulate in these spots decide if it’s because those items don’t have a home or if the space is too empty. Perhaps more carefully curated items will prevent the pile-up. By putting thought into what fills these cleared areas, you’ll help ensure they STAY inviting and organized.

So, where do your piles tend to collect? And what beautiful, functional pieces could you replace them with? By intentionally filling your spaces with purpose, you can transform your home into a haven of peace and organization.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

by C. Lee Cawley

C. Lee Cawley

National Take Back Your Time Day, celebrated on October 24th, encourages individuals to prioritize self-care, reduce stress, and reclaim control of their lives. In today's fast-paced world, it's easy to get caught up in the constant hustle and bustle, neglecting our own needs and well-being. This special day serves as a reminder to reflect, relax and recharge.

 Why Taking Back Your Time Matters:

•  Reduces Stress: Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on our physical and mental health. By taking time for yourself, you can reduce stress levels and improve your overall well-being.

•  Enhances Productivity: When you're well-rested and relaxed, you're more likely to be productive and focused. Taking breaks and prioritizing self-care can improve your efficiency.

•  Boosts Creativity: Engaging in activities that you enjoy can spark creativity and inspire new ideas. This can help you tap into your inner resources and find inspiration.

•  Fosters Connection: Spending quality time on yourself allows you to connect with your inner thoughts and feelings. This in turn can create space for meaningful connections with others.

 HOW to Take Back Your Time:

  1. Set Boundaries:

• Learn to say no: Don't overcommit yourself. It's okay to decline requests that will overwhelm you.

• Establish clear boundaries: Communicate your availability and priorities to others. This will help manage expectations and prevent burnout.

  2. Minimize Distractions:

• Unplug: Turn off notifications, limit screen time, and create designated distraction-free zones in your home.

• Prioritize tasks: Focus on one task at a time to avoid multitasking and improve efficiency.

  3. Step Away:

• Step away small:  Take short breaks from your work or responsibilities to rest and recharge.

• Step away large: Schedule time for activities you enjoy, such as going for a walk, reading, or practicing mindfulness.

 4. Delegate and Outsource:

• Don't be afraid to ask for help: Delegate tasks to others whenever possible. This can free up your time and reduce stress.

• Consider outsourcing: For tasks that are time-consuming or outside your expertise, consider hiring a professional or outsourcing the work.

 5. Practice Self-Care:

• Prioritize sleep: Set an alarm to remind you when it is time to wind down and get to bed each evening

• Stop comparing: Focus on your own journey and progress, rather than comparing yourself to the accomplishments of others.

National Take Back Your Time Day is a reminder that it's okay to slow down and prioritize yourself. By taking steps to reflect, relax, and recharge, you can improve your overall well-being and live a more fulfilling life. Remember, taking time for yourself is not selfish; it's essential for your health and happiness.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

by Chris Lancette

Orion's Attic

You may get burned by failing to ask for all the right details

 Conducting an estate sale may work for some people in certain situations depending on their priorities for the estate liquidation and home cleanout project. But an estate sale isn’t often the right way to go for people who recognize that time is money. The same for people wise enough to recognize that the top priority is getting the house sold after a loved one dies or a downsizing move to a smaller home. If you ignore our best advice and insist on running an estate sale, you should at least arm yourself with the following questions to ask estate sale companies before you sign on the dotted line.

But let’s back up a step first.

Do a little homework and check out 13 reasons you should not opt for an estate sale. Then peruse how problems with estate sales can start the first time an estate sale company visits your home of the one you’re responsible for.

What is an estate sale?

An estate sale in general terms is a sale conducted at your home, often by a professional estate sale company. There are two main types of estate sales.

1. Sales conducted at your home attended by (hopefully) massive numbers of people who buy items with price tags on them. Prices are determined by the estate sale company hosting the sale. The companies may or may not consider lower offers, and may or may not discount prices as the sale drags on. These are sometimes called “tag sales.”
2. Estate auctions conducted online. An estate sale/estate liquidation company or auction house photographs and lists items in your home. Bidding starts at $1. Winners come to pick up their items on a given day and time.

We could go into more details but let’s not go further into the weeds here.

Here are the first three questions to ask estate sale companies before you hire one — fees and commissions.

You should ask any and all companies the same questions. Even us — in the rare cases we might agree to offer either kind of estate sale. (We’re far more likely to conduct an online estate auction for you. We’d rather stick forks in our eyeballs than run another old-fashioned sale with hoards of people bickering about items priced at $2.)

1. Will you provide a comprehensive written contract that stipulates all details of the sale you propose to conduct for me? This is a no-brainer. Say goodbye to any company that won’t provide thorough details in writing.
2.  Which type of sale do you propose? Make sure you know if you’re looking at No. 1 or No. 2 above.
3. What is your commission? Commissions may range in the 30 to 50-percent range. The number depends on the type of sale and the value of the contents.
4. How much of the work will I have to do? Some estate sale and estate auction companies don’t do the set up work. They require you to organize the home’s contents so that they can come in, photograph and list the items, and leave.  This requires you to do a lot of work, or hire a professional to do it for you.

Hidden estate sale an estate auction fees and staff size

1. Do you charge any kind of set-up fee? Some companies do. Others don’t. Ask if there other hidden fees such as photography fees, marketing fees or others. (We recently worked with one client after she used an online estate auction company that stipulated the company kept every dollar of the first $3,800 in sales.)
2. How many staff members will be working my sale? Many companies send very few — and they primarily sit at the front door collecting payments.  The more staff, the better the service and the more the cash register rings. (Orion’s Attic heavily staffs our sales, enabling us to provide outstanding customer service.)
3. Will your staff remove bulky, heavy items from my home and deliver them to a buyer’s car or truck? Let a bunch of random people start yanking furniture around and your house will suffer damage. Orion’s Attic always provides the muscle to move objects out for buyers. This also made them more inclined to make the purchases.

Precautions and pricing philosophies.

1. What precautions will you take to prevent sleazy buyers from committing a range of dirty deeds? The Washington Post ran an article with unscrupulous resellers bragging about how they cheated estate sale companies and their clients. (Larger staff sizes like we use nips that garbage in the bud.)
2. What are your pricing philosophies and sales objectives? Dispatch any potential company with no clear answer. The unspoken truth there is often that many estate sale companies want to sell as much as they can with as little work as humanly possible. Orion’s Attic’s philosophy is that we price items at numbers that are fair to buyers, sellers and us.  Our sales objective is very simple. We always to sell as many items as possible for fair prices and leave clients with as little as possible remaining in the home. And we’ll work our asses of to do it.

What happens after the sale.

1. Who is responsible for all unsold items remaining in the home after the sale? Some estate sale companies walk out the door the moment the sale ends and wishes you good luck. Others provide a cleanout service for a fee. Be sure to ask what those fees are. The cleanout fee can often be more profitable for the company than the sale itself. This is another reason companies may not do their best to get things sold.
2. What happens to the items that didn’t sell at my estate sale? Some estate sale companies may stipulate that they will take it all to charity. Others will throw it all away.  (This is unconscionable to us. We are the green choice for your estate liquidation projects for a reason. We handled leftovers the same way we do our regular estate liquidation and home cleanout service. We take sellable items to auction for you, donations to charity on your behalf, and haul away the trash.) All additional revenues should go to you. It’s your stuff!

Contact us today! Orion’s Attic is a full-service estate liquidation, downsizing and home cleanout company based in Silver Spring, Maryland. We also buy antiques and collectibles.  We serve Montgomery County (Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Potomac, Rockville, Silver Spring, Wheaton, Takoma Park, etc.), Baltimore County, Frederick County, Howard County, Prince George’s County, and the greater metro Washington D.C., Maryland, Northern Virginia) area.

Learn more about liquidating estates in our Estate Liquidation and Downsizing Guide.

Learn more about selling all kinds of collectibles in Sell Us Your Stuff.

For more information, contact Chris Lancette.

by Samara Goodman

Samara Interiors

Interior design inspiration can be found anywhere - including woven into clothing design! I recently visited both the Metropolitan Museum of Art Costume Exhibit, "Sleeping Beauties: Reawakening Fashion" and The Washington Design Center's Fall Market. Both were inspiring examples of the artistic genius of so many designers, reminding me of the crossover between interior design and fashion, both old and new. Below, I explore and share some of the incredible details I observed, as well as ideas for how to incorporate them into interior design.

OMBRE 
These scalloped dresses are both dramatic in how one uses tulle and the other uses jewels to create their ombre effect. The STARK x Missoni rug is the ultimate in ombre. Please notice the multiple layers of ombre stripes, how gorgeous! The color palette of each just adds to their beauty.

BUCKLES 
We have rarely used buckles in our interior design projects outside of equestrian spaces. In the future, we will definitely consider incorporating this fun detail in new ways. Be sure to look closely at these dresses for the extraordinary bejeweled insects.

BLACK & WHITE
Does anyone get tired of this timeless, high-contrast combination? I don't! The antique fashion and contemporary furnishings pictured below are all stunning examples of how this classic color pairing is even further elevated by the use of luxurious texture and textiles. For more black and white interior design inspiration, please see this Historic Home article in Arlington Magazine where Samara Interiors is featured. 

EMBELLESHMENT
For the maximalists reading this newsletter, we could not leave out these intricate nature inspired designs. Use of embroidery, beading, and appliqués are tried and true ways to add layers of detail to interiors and fashion. These embellished decor details can be easily incorporated into your home with accent pillows and window trim.

For more information, contact Samara Goodman.

by Janet Schiesl

Basic Organization

Did you know that your home’s clutter could affect your health?

1. Increased Stress

Your messy rooms contribute to higher levels of stress in your body. The abundance of visual stimuli signals that you still have work to do, which can lead to guilt, anxiety, and frustration. You may see this stress as physical symptoms like asthma or emphysema. Maybe you’ve experienced increased blood pressure, heartburn, acid reflux, headaches, and body aches. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

2. Decreased Focus

A cluttered environment limits your ability to focus. It’s similar to being overwhelmed by different noises all at once. Do you concentrate better in public spaces like libraries, conference rooms, or coffee shops? It’s probably because there are fewer distractions than at home. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

3. Overeating

Did you know that a cluttered kitchen could be one cause of your overeating? Studies show that a messy kitchen influences poor snacking behaviors. Everyone is affected by what’s in their home, so a cluttered environment can negatively influence your habits and behavior, leading to overeating. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

4. Poor Air Quality and Environment

Clutter increases your risk of asthma and allergies. It’s hard to clean round piles of clutter, meaning you spend longs doing housework. Decluttering can also prevent pests and reduce dust, mold, and mildew. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

5. Impaired Learning

Children in decluttered classrooms perform better on tests than children in disorganized classrooms. The same is true for your home. You can create a serene space that will support better health by decluttering.

6. Less Restful Sleep.

If your bedroom is cluttered, you may need help falling and staying asleep and experience more sleep disturbances throughout the night. Decluttering can create a serene space that will support better health.

7. Lower Self-Esteem

Clutter often leads to negative self-talk, which damages psychological well-being. When you declutter, you take positive action to make a favorable change in your home.

If you’d like to learn how we can help, give us a call. 571-265-1303.

For more information, contact Janet Schiesl.

by C. Lee Cawley

C. Lee Cawley

The holiday season is a time for joy, celebration, and togetherness. However, the hustle and bustle and COSTS of the season can quickly become overwhelming if you're not prepared. By planning ahead and budgeting wisely, you can ensure a stress-free and enjoyable holiday experience.

 

Gift Giving: Planning and Budgeting

•  Create a Gift List: Start by making a list of everyone you plan to give gifts to. Consider the cost per person and their wish lists

•  Set a Budget: Determine how much you want to spend on gifts overall. This will help you avoid overspending and stay within your budget.

•  Consider Alternatives: Explore alternative gift ideas that don't involve spending money, such as homemade gifts, sharing experiences, shopping secondhand or making charitable donations.

Entertaining: Planning Parties and Gatherings

•  Decide on a Theme: Choose a theme for your holiday parties or gatherings to create a festive atmosphere.

•  Make a Guest List: Invite guests well in advance to give them ample time to respond.

•  Delegate Tasks: Divide responsibilities among family and friends to make planning and hosting easier.

•  Plan the Menu: Create a menu that caters to different dietary needs and preferences. Consider potlucks or buying ready-made to save costs and effort. 

Travel Planning:

•  Book Early: If you plan to travel for the holidays, book flights, accommodations, and transportation well in advance to secure the best deals.

•  Pack Smart: Make a packing list and pack efficiently to avoid forgotten essentials and baggage fees.

•  Ship Gifts to Your Destination:  Save lugging them there but address them to a pet (ex: “Fido Jones”) so that people know to leave YOU to open the packages!

•  Consider Alternatives: Explore possible options, such as celebrating on different days or celebrating virtually to save time and money.

Food and Beverage Planning:

• Make a Grocery List: Plan your special and everyday meals and snacks in advance to avoid last-minute shopping trips.

•  Consider Bulk Purchases: Buy non-perishable items in bulk to save money if you have room to store them and will eat them.

•  Don't Forget Beverages: Plan for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to cater to all guests.

Other Costs to Consider:

•  Holiday Cards: Purchase or create holiday cards & stamps, and address them well in advance.

•  Traditions & Events: Reconsider traditions, does everyone really still enjoy "The Nutcracker outing?  If so grab tickets early, if not stay home or replace with a drive to see light displays.

•  Decorations: Set a budget for new holiday décor or tableware and consider reusing decorations from previous years.

•  Charitable Donations: Budget for charitable donations if you want to give back during the holiday season.

•  Tips to Service Providers: Don’t forget to thank your hairdresser, lawn service, babysitter, cleaning staff, etc…

By following these tips and planning ahead using these planning pages, you can alleviate stress and enjoy a more joyful holiday season. Remember, the most important thing is to spend quality time with loved ones and create lasting memories.

For more information, contact C. Lee Cawley.

by Heather Nickerson

Artifcts

Dusty albums. Bulky albums. What do we do with you? We want to lighten our loads and declutter without guilt. 

Who among us compiles physical photo albums anymore? "Back in the day” a store like Target would have had a huge photo department. You could purchase and process film and buy photo frames and albums, along with supplemental inserts in a dizzying array of designs and sizes. 

No, not so anymore.

As we’ve shifted to digital photos, we’ve likewise replaced physical albums with digital-friendly options, including build-your-own photo books, shared digital albums on social media and cloud storage sites, and digital photo frames, like the beautiful frames from Aura. Physical photo albums today are usually reserved for major milestone events, like weddings, trips, and anniversaries, when we feel it’s worthwhile to sit down and thoughtfully curate those experiences.  

Those of us with photo albums tucked in our closets and bookshelves, those that we have created and inherited, not to mention the albums our parents and grandparents own and we’ll inherit one day, need solutions. What do we do with all the existing albums, so they avoid landing in a craft shop or, worse, a dumpster when the details about the people and stories within are lost to time? 

Photo Albums Have Problematic Similarities to Scrapbooks 

Like scrapbooks, photo albums are designed to be shared, in person, and talked through, reminiscing about and reliving with the telling the places you’ve been, the experiences you have had, and more. Unfortunately, also like scrapbooks, photo albums present long-term challenges: 

1. Do you know the stories behind the photos? (We have tips for that!) Will you remember them? Scrapbooks tend to at least provide more leeway to add notes and stories than photo albums. Stories behind the photos are incredibly vulnerable to being forgotten. We can animate photos in creepy ways, but they cannot remember for us the stories lost. Look back through your albums. Do you recall all the people and events in a way that’s meaningful anymore? 
2. Albums, the pages within, and the photos will deteriorate. Little known fact outside the photo industry: Those photo prints you ordered in single and even triplicate were never meant to last more than a dozen years, and that's for the highest quality pritns! That’s why the colors change as the chemicals used to create the images degrade and the paper eventually becomes more fragile, too. 
3. Your album is singular and unique, unless you have access to the negatives. But even then, those are decaying with every passing day as well, so ... 
4. Albums can be bulky. Do you have room to continue to store them? What about those you may inherit? They are substantial in size and often uncooperative with short shelves and shallow storage. In the words of one Arti Community member, "I’m in my 40s and my albums are still at my parents’ house. I didn't feel the need to take them with me, but, yes, someday I’ll hold onto them. I don’t want to throw them away."

How Can You Preserve Photo Albums?  

And maybe even let some photo albums go ... 

Share the love. At the risk of making a lot of people very angry, we have to say it: You are not beholden to anyone to hold onto your own albums or anyone else's albums. Ask! Do YOU want them? 

Don’t fall for the guilt trip you are getting or think you’ll get. Ideally, you should consider yourself a steward of the history within those albums and as such, ask family members if they want the albums before you take them apart or get rid of them. It’s the kind thing to do. But beyond that, ...

... Digitization has never been easier or more affordable. We have shared tips about digitization in general. You can buy machines to do it yourself, but there’s a catch. We turned to Cathi Nelson, founder and CEO of The Photo Managers, to explain: 

"Many people created scrapbook photo albums during the decades of scrapbooking and those albums are often 12x12, which is too big for traditional flatbed scanners. You can outsource this project to a professional photo manager whose scans allow them to capture the entire page and individual photos.  

If that is not in your budget, and you have a flatbed scanner, such as the Epson v600, scan each page and use photo stitching software to magically merge the pages.  

Another option is to carefullly remove the photos and scan them (front and back). If they are stuck to the pages, you can use a butter knife or dental floss to gently remove the photos."

We want to also celebrate the amazing ease with which apps from modern photo companies like Photomyne and VividPix —with scanners at local museums, libraries, and historical societies that can scan whole album pages up to 11.8" x 17″—can slice up each photo on the page into its own file photo or image file. No need to take the pages apart or tediously scan them one by one. This is great for do-it-yourselfers!

Digitization Wisdom

Before you and as you digitize, keep three things in mind:  

• Photo layouts may be a part of the story. Some albums may be chronological or thematic. Others are designed for people to arrange photos in a way that may inherently help them to share stories, too. Take this example:

Had I scanned each photo and then disassembled the photo album, I would have disconnected these photos from the story of that day as captured in the Artifct, zapping their collective ability to convey a piece of my childhood. Instead, I could photograph or video the album before dismantling, if that’s what I decide to do with the album.

• • Create an index as you go for your photos with the file name and other details you care about (location, people, event, ...) or edit the photo metadata (e.g. date, location, and other information stored with the image file) with the additional information; 
  • Transform the album into a photo book and add the information in the image captions;  
  • Artifct the photos and include what you know about them. Check out our interrogation techniques for photos.

• Share the stories behind the photos. CONNECT with your loved ones. Don’t be annoying and share 100s of photos from a single trip. Tell them the “best of” or most meaningful moments. Artifct the best ones! Artifcts are easy to share, helping you get the story out there so it can live on. You might also share the Artifct with a friend who is going on a trip to the same place you went and want your tips! You can also easily share an Artifct to a friend’s or family member’s digital photo frame. Ask them how.  

If you are taking the time to create photo albums, maybe take time to create an additional Artifct or two to go with each album, even if the Artifct is of the album itself, and is your story of why you created it, what it means to you, etc. Bonus, you can include audio and video and bring your photo album to life for the next generation.