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Decluttering is the first step to any organization project. We highly value this step because it creates the foundation needed for long term maintenance.
We were named a top organizing and decluttering expert by Redfin. Check out the article we were featured in!
The days are officially long, temperatures are rising and the livings easy. You might be ready but is your home? If your home is needing some guidance- follow our tips to help you breeze your way into Summer feeling more organized and less stressed!
Here are three simple things you can do that will guarantee less frustration as you head to the beach, grandmas house or anywhere. (kids in toW!)
Create a drop zone: You’re probably sick of hearing this. I have some great ideas so don’t let me lose you yet. School is officially out where the dreaded backpacks and pile of boots are long gone.
Phew! But what about Summer activities?
We thought Covid was going to rain on that parade. For some of us sports and Summer activities are in full swing. Although looking different, nonetheless we need to create a plan.
Back to the great ideas.
Make a grab and go bag for weekly activities. This will be apart of the weekly reset, typically done on Sundays. Restock the fridge, pantry and yup you guessed it now your grab and go bags.
Beach/Pool/Lake Bag: Swimsuits, Towels, Sunscreen, Water, Toys, Snacks, Toiletries, Hair ties, diapers, goggles, sunglasses, water shoes etc., bug spray
Sports Bag: Sunscreen, Water bottle, snacks, Mini First Aid kit, change of clothes, depending on which sport the gear needed.
Playground Bag: Blanket for sitting, sunscreen, football, water bottle, snacks, bug spray
Long Car Ride Bag: Books, games, snacks, drinks, drawing material, car sickness remedies, first aid kit
Having the essentials on hand will make it easy for you to simply add the final items quickly. You will also be teaching your kids to be more independent. Write out the list of items they need and have them restock each bag before the start of each week.
Cleanse your closet: We did a video series a few weeks back showing you how our founder Stephanie reorganizes her closet at the start of a new season. You can reference this series on Instagram.
In short we want to create room front and center for items in the current season. Are you currently looking eye level at jackets and scarves? Do some adjusting and declutter while you are at it. Organize by color for a polished look.
Reorganize your garage: Whether you plan to store your grab and go bags in the garage or you create a different area for your drop zone we can’t neglect the garage. We absolutely love extra storage and firmly believe storage can be your best friend or ultimate enemy.
Think of it this way- if you are storing items you will never use regardless if its organized….
YOU ARE STORING CLUTTER.
Let me repeat: If you organize and store clutter it is still clutter.
Do yourself a favor and take a look into each bin, basket, shelf and drawer. The garage and basement is a great way to store off season items. Let’s make sure we can access whats current and declutter! Very similar to the closet, allow summer items to take center stage. Move your lawn equipment, sports gear and pool supplies into easy to reach places
TIP: always keep whats in season at eye level.
Happy first week of July! I Stay safe and have a great holiday weekend. I look forward to seeing your beautiful faces on Instagram and Facebook. If you have additional questions we are always here.
xoxo
Do you get overwhelmed at the thought of organizing and cleaning your entire home? Do you struggle to know where to start? You aren’t alone, most people struggle with this. Spring cleaning can feel like a race to the finish line, when really we can do this at our own pace.
The day to day tasks that we do in our homes are great for keeping up with the everyday mess, but what about the hidden spaces? Making time for some “deep cleaning” with boost your mood and help you feel accomplished, and who doesn't want a little of that right now.
Which is why I created the Lemonaid Solutions 5 Day Decluttering Challenge, just for you! We are going to tackle one small area day to give you a feeling of accomplishment while being home in quarantine, and possibly feeling a loss of control in your world. We are here to bring it back, while also creating some beautiful spaces in your home.
I was so excited to create this Spring Cleaning inspired challenge for all of you. I want you to be able to take this one day at a time, and hopefully not get overwhelmed.
The beautiful thing about cleaning and organizing is that it can get a bit addicting. It can be difficult to get started, but once you start sometimes you can’t stop! I found that to be true with a few “challengers” who reached out telling us how they kept going longer than the task requirement.
This is how the 5 day challenge works, 30 minutes on the timer to get through one space per day for the five days. Todays space is the fridge, which can take longer depending on your inventory and condition of the fridge. Luckily, most of you recorded only taking 30 minutes or less. For the few that took up to 45 minutes, it was something you wanted to finish, and kept pushing through!
The feeling of accomplishment is contagious and sometimes we will be excited to start the next task. Don’t feel like you need to stick to one per day, today was the fridge but by all means hit the freezer too if you're feeling inspired.
The point of this challenge is to keep it simple and doable for anyone, so if 30 minutes is what you've got to dedicate today, its 30 more minutes than zero.
The challenge is being posted on Instagram daily @lemonaidsolutions. If you wish to follow along and participate please follow our account + tag us as you work through each task. This way we can cheer you on!
Task 1: Empty out the contents of your fridge
Task 2: DECLUTTER: remove expired food/condiments, remove old leftovers, remove items you don’t like or use
Set timer for 30 minutes and hustle!
There is no right or wrong way to organize, as long as you feel organized. I decided to switch things up and organize my condiments by color. Typically all creamy dressing are white, and bbq is brown so… VOILA. Still sticking with “like with like” but wanted to have some fun this time around.
These are not new concepts, but to maintain an organized space it takes effort on our part. With all of the spills, leftovers and food coming and going daily your fridge can easily get out of whack.
TIP: Clean out your fridge weekly
TIP: Clean out your fridge before you go shopping
TIP: Take an inventory of what you have before you go shopping
I look forward to seeing all of your progress this week and on future challenges. Best of luck and please contact us with any questions should you need some extra guidance.
OK, — It has been a whirlwind of emotions over the last few days.
If you have kiddos at home, you may have a long few weeks ahead of you. My husband and I don’t have kids (unless you count the fur babies) But, we are both working from home for the foreseeable future, which means staying focused and getting our work done.
NO DISTRACTIONS!
Truthfully, working from home isn’t new to me and I have lots of fun new projects I can finally focus on. Typically my week is broken up into working directly with clients four days a week with one or two days at home. This has all changed dramatically as we all find b a l a n c e.
Most of us thrive on structure, whether we want to admit it or not. I am sharing my best tips below for how to navigate (with or without kids) the next several weeks at home.
OK OK, Are you ready for it?!
1. Meditation: Play soft music, sit with your eyes closed, sit with them open, organize your pantry (Yes, I just did that), take deep breaths, quiet your mind. Meditation is not one size fits all, do what makes you feel most at ease for 10 minutes.
2. Movement: Get up off the couch, away from your computer and stretch. Take a lap around your house. For me thats easy all the rooms connect, I do it daily helping my husband look for his keys. ;)
My friend and yoga instructor at Greener Postures, Kat Cynewski is offering a free live yoga class on IG today 3/17 at 12pm. @Katcynewski
3. Get inspired: Read a book, journal, listen to a podcast, talk with an old friend. This one is simple but we often forget to take a few moments for ourselves.
4. Help someone: Reach out, and continue to reach out. No one likes to ask for help, Meditation may help you think of someone or something you can do to help. It has been proven, focusing on someone else immediately relieves feelings of anxiety.
5. Fresh air: GET OUTSIDE. This one can be a twofer, read your book, drink your coffee and take a deep breathe of fresh air. Sit on your patio, porch or stoop! This is so important, if the sun ever comes out you might even get some Vitamin D.
Make sure that you are in control of your daily schedule and plan ahead. Don't forget to set aside time to take care of yourself. It is a good way to reset your mind and come back feeling even more productive and energized.
Most of us are in uncharted territory here, be flexible about how much work you might realistically be able to get done if you're balancing child care. #WorkLifeBalance. Just not the kind you were hoping for.
Keep your morning routine: Yes, make your bed. brush your teeth, take a shower, make breakfast, read the news and drink your coffee. (not in that order, coffee first!)
Make lists: Now now, I know this is coming from the organizer but lists help me remember all the things. Our brains are not wired to remember they are wired to create new thoughts and ideas. When you have one, jot it down. Just like this blog post, I had the idea as I was closing my eyes for bed. Had I not rolled over to put it in my notes, we wouldn’t be here today.
I will be posting on Instagram stories my Daily Sanity Checklist, be sure to screenshot and create your own or use the ones I’ve provided!
If all else fails, you can lock yourself in another room with a glass of wine. Juuuust kidding, we’re all responsible adults here. ;)
February is all about self love + self care. I couldn’t think of a better way to express who I am than to share this essay I wrote in college.
SARCASM + PIZZA= LOVE
Our assignment was to create a process analysis but of course I decided to turn it into a satire, sharing my love for Pizza Rolls. Luckily I received an A and the teacher didn’t think I was insane.
Growing up the eldest child can sometimes have its downfalls. I used these downfalls to my advantage to do as I pleased, which was no different when it came to my favorite afternoon snack. No matter what I ate for lunch by the time I arrived home from school I was hungry.
My parents worked long hours. Most of the time I would come home to an empty house and my siblings would be with a family friend or at daycare. I was seven years old the first time I ate a pizza roll. The flaky crust was just the beginning to this beautiful love affair.
Growing up my family actually had three freezers filled to the brim with a collection of frozen eats. There were all sorts of delectable delights, one being Tostino’s pizza rolls. I could always depend on my mom to ensure that I would have them each day after school. Sometimes I would even indulge in a midnight snack. If I felt adventurous I’d have them for breakfast early Saturday mornings while watching my favorite cartoons.
A common belief is that pizza rolls have an age restriction. Even though I have these memories as a child, I choose not to let the judgement of others deter me in my journey in the art of pizza rolls. The oven is preheating, and you can guess what’s going in.
I’m now twenty six years old and have been consuming these snack bite pizzas for almost two decades. I’m about to give you my best kept secrets for achieving the perfect à la carte pizza rolls. I’ve shared my impeccable tricks with only a select few, so choose carefully who you share this information with.
Getting upstaged with your pizza rolls is an option, but not mandatory. Before I get into the details, you must first know where to find these little bits of heaven. Go into any local grocery store and head towards the frozen section. If this is a Saturday morning and you look a wreck do not be ashamed, you are there on a mission.
You will want to look for the isle that has the frozen pizza. Walk down until you see the Tostino’s Pizza Rolls. They are usually in bags, sometimes in little boxes. Now this is where you must decide what size and flavor you will want. Is this just for your afternoon snack, or will you be hosting a few friends?
You never know when the store may run out, or if a tsunami is heading your way. It’s always better to be prepared.
There are a variety of different flavors. I always get cheese, but pick any flavor you wish. The difference in flavor you choose will not alter the way in which they are prepared. Depending on the occasion maybe choose some refreshments, any type will do. If you are looking for something a bit healthier, go with a sparkling water. Nothing can destroy the unbelievable taste you will create once you have prepared them properly.
If you are looking to impress or get a little fancy, you can opt for some basil, oregano or parmesan cheese for added decoration and flavor.
Once you get home, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Next, grab your baking sheet and a piece of tin foil. The tin foil will help with the mess of the cheesy goodness that explodes out of each roll.
I usually put on a television show, something to help distract myself from the anxiousness I feel waiting for the pizza rolls to finish cooking. Once the oven is heated to the proper degree, go into your freezer and cut open the bag or box. Next, place the pizza rolls onto the tin foil. One inch apart for each roll, and put them into the oven. Don't forget to set a timer for seven minutes.
These seven minutes sometimes can be the hardest, but that is why we have some type of distraction set in place. If you are cooking for a large number of guests, or you are like me and cook forty in one sitting, expect to add an additional two to four minutes cooking time on each side. Also if you decided to get any extra ingredients, such as basil prepare that now while you wait.
When the timer goes off try not to let your excitement take control. This is the time where you will flip the pizza rolls over. You want each roll to be perfectly browned on either side. This skill is something I acquired through years of trial and error. Once you have flipped them to their alternate side, toss them back in the oven for seven additional minutes.
You are almost there, don't forget to breathe and remember to be patient.
I like them à la carte, but if you have a friend over who loves dipping sauce, get that ready.
After a few minutes, if you are near the cooking area you will be able to hear the sizzling. Don't let this mislead you, they may need a few more minutes. The aroma will fill your kitchen making it almost irresistible to leave the pizza rolls in the oven until they have fully cooked.
If you have opened your oven early, as I often do there is one distinct way to see if they are done. They should be browned on the top, and a cheesy sauce mixture should be pouring out of the sides. If you do not see this, insert them back into your oven.
If you happen to see a few of them spewing out this cheesy sauce mixture, you have not messed up. Take the few out that appear to be done. This way you can ensure that every individual roll is cooked to perfection. Once you have noticed that some, or all appear to be done take them out of the oven accordingly.
You should get a plate or a platter depending on amount that you have cooked. Now this is the most difficult time during this process.
You need to give at least three to five minutes of cool down time. If you have friends over, or this is your first time eating these do not hurry the process. As a kid, and still today I have burned myself on numerous occasions. Pour yourself a drink, and get ready to enjoy the most savory bite of food you will ever encounter.
If you have accomplished these steps as I have laid them out for you, you should feel delighted with yourself. This is common, but if you notice the insides to be a bit dry, you might have let them cook about a minute too long. Do not feel disappointment with yourself, this art sometimes takes experience to get the perfect roll.
With these instructions, follow them carefully yet slowly to make certain this does not happen again. I have overcooked and even burned mine plenty of times. Do not be fooled by my pristine art of the pizza roll. Sometimes that distraction we have does such an adequate job that we loose track of those seven minutes. Do not give up, and try again.
These bite size snacks are jam packed with flavor. They have been there with me through it all my childhood, breakups and Friday night with the girls.
Don't get stuck with the boring and outdated popcorn for your movie snack, opt for something more exceptional. Exceed your expectations, go above and beyond the ordinary snack. These breathtaking one inch size bites will rest assure be a crowd pleaser and have them begging for more.
This is also another reason to reach for the large bag, you will most always need it.
Thank you so much for reading + Happy National Pizza Day.
As promised I wanted to share with you what it looks like in our household when gearing up for the New Year.
The snow is falling + we are dedicating this time to reevaluate what we hold possession of. I like to think I'm great at keeping my house in order, but I am human too. I have shared with you my progress + truly remarkable transformation. With that comes commitment, which looks something like this.
Two years ago we got married, bought our first home and both dived into new careers. It was a whirlwind but our home did not suffer. Why you ask? Because we had systems in place. Back to being a human. We still need to take time in maintaining our sacred space. It is vital for us to take time each week in “keeping up.” I have to remind myself why I started this journey.
The world can be hectic, chaotic and out of my control BUT home is where I can implement all the control crazy!! :D
Let’s talk about “stuff”. Given we just passed one of the largest gifting holidays of the year, it is only logical to give you some ideas on how to deal with all the abundance you just received.
Do you ever buy something with great intentions? Have you received a gift with that same intention? (I’ll use it ONE day)
I invite you to start your journey with us today. While reading this, what space in your home is making you feel a little itchy? Is it your master closet? Under the bathroom sink? Or that godforsaken Tupperware.
Let’s start small. Today in our home we are focusing on the kitchen. By small I mean ONE drawer, ONE cabinet in ONE space. For my family the kitchen does not hold sentimental or emotional attachment. Sweaters on the other hand… not easy. No sentimental reasons but oh SO hard at times to tackle. I love me some sweaters!!
Funny story. I came home from a vacation and made sure to use all of the perishables before we left. When I got home I had no food to eat, shocker. So I did what any normal person would do, I searched for something to eat in the pantry. I rarely make pasta but whenever I visit my grannie she hands us a box of macaroni. Light bulb: I’ll eat the macaroni! To my surprise it was ALL expired. ME, the organizer. The one who helps clients prevent this sort of thing from happening. The difference here was that I saw it, and did something about it right away. It is in our nature to feel overwhelmed + get stuck on where to start while looking at the big picture. I have trained my brain to see each item at face value. Expired pasta= trash.
PULL IT ALL OUT?! My clients are in awe when they see how much they really own. The next step for me is simple, its expired so BYE BYE. I don't like it, i haven't used it…BYEEE!
This is why I say to start out small. Imagine pulling apart your entire kitchen, then the kids get off the bus. You shove it all back because you didn't have enough time. This is what we want to avoid. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither is getting organized.
Let’s get to that drawer. The thought of pulling out the contents of ONE drawer isn't so bad, right?
If this looks familiar, keep reading!
Q:Does this belong in this drawer?
A:No
Q: Should it live somewhere else?
A: Yes, in the bathroom.
Here is where we start to sort and ask questions to get a better idea of what stays, what goes and what lives elsewhere.
Do you need 45 pens? 3 notepads? Batteries, lightbulbs, a hammer, toothpaste? All in your kitchen drawer?!
WE’VE SEEN IT ALL! I like to keep 2-3 pens available in the kitchen/dining room area for easy access without having to enter another room. The leftover pens can go into the office, or wherever in your home makes sense. You can repeat this with ANYTHING.
1.Trash
HOW TO DETERMINE WHAT AUTOMATICALLY GOES: Stained, worn, torn, scratched, chipped, broken + can be replaced for under $20. (Given you don’t want it)
2. Donate
I take all of the donations at the end of each session to ensure it gets removed. Bring all donations to the car immediately so it doesn't turn into a mess hidden in another room.
3. Friend
Sometimes letting go can be difficult. You want to share (insert item here) with someone close to you. I’m all for it. I ask all clients to have their friends look through their pile before I finish the project. Adios clutter.
4. Lives Elsewhere
Do you have a space where you have household tools? If so, you know what to do. Before you make your lunch or when you leave the room for any reason do a drop off to the correct room.
5. Marinating
WE KEEP THIS PILE IN CHECK. Whether you need to try something on, or aren't sure in the moment we move on to keep the project rolling. We will revisit this pile at the end of the session/project. If you still aren't sure we box it up and if in six months it wasn't used or missed= DONATE.
SENTIMENTAL ITEMS: Keeping an item because it made someone else happy isn't a great reason to hold onto it. It can be hard to let go. I remind my clients why we started this project to begin with. What was your goal in hiring me? If you're at home and wanting to take on the DiY project, why? Keep reminding yourself of this when it gets difficult. Also keep in mind that someone else will cherish these items much more than you currently are by storing them in a tote in the basement or attic.
Once you get down to what stays you can decide how you want to organize it. Do you want inserts or simple drawer dividers.
I see this so often with clients where they buy product before decluttering + measuring their space.
Uniformity is a great motivator in keeping a space well organized long after the project is complete. Matching hangers in a closet for example give a streamlined look, how could you not want to continue?
Drawer dividers in the junk drawer only allow for so much “junk.”
This point in the process is where the other half of us get stuck. If you’ve made it this far I feel confident you can keep pushing! Maybe you don't need any product at all + thats ok too!
My husband and I completely emptied the contents of our kitchen, reorganized + cleaned in two hours! Typically an kitchen organizing project can take 12 hours to complete the first go around. Once a year we go through each room and reevaluate what we own. I found only one set of tupperware that didn't match. Thats pretty darn good! Just don’t ask me about the spices.
We all have to start somewhere. Just know that it gets easier to maintain once you do the initial edit. If one drawer or cabinet at a time works for you, do it! Be sure to share your transformations with us using the hashtag #thatshowwecleanse to be featured on our page!
If this has made you want to pull your hair out, luckily we know someone who can help. :) Head over to our contact page and fill out an inquiry form to schedule your discovery call with us today!
Otherwise, you can catch us on Instagram or Facebook to continue getting all of the deets on home organization!
What if you gave the gift of time? (Literally)
Decluttering, organization and the like have been a hot topic lately. If you haven't been channelling this side of your brain, listen up. This isn't something I could make up. It's been proven in my life and in every one of my clients lives.
Picture this. You have bills due on the 1st of the month. On the last day of the month you're scrambling to find the mail. Oh but Stephanie I haven’t paid an actual bill in years. Helloo, have you heard of automatic payments?! That’s fair.
Ok, next scenario. We're heading into the holidays and you panic, "I have so many presents to wrap where are my wrapping supplies? I'll just go buy more, not to worry."
Now what if you had all that you needed accessible + knew exactly where it was? This would have eliminated your initial feeling of panic, but more importantly you would have saved time without another trip back to the store. (You know what i’m talking about).
Imagine this in any area that is relative to you. You go grocery shopping only to buy the pasta you already have. You’re shopping for new shoes because of the awesome job you just landed. Come to find out you have the exact same pair buried in your closet. The list could go on forever.
My goal is to help families give the gift of time to someone they love (which may very well be yourself).
Do you have a family member who recently moved and has zero idea where to put their belongings? A sister who complains about the clutter created by kids toys and its taking over their house? Your brother who just added a sweet little one to the family + needs a solution to the chaos?
I am offering 15% off e-gift cards for home organization services until 12/24/2019. Bringing simplicity + style to every single client all year long. Are you next?!
Cheers to 2020!
This ornament storage box will ensure your keepsakes are safe + organized. We all have those ornaments that were from our parents or grandparents. Now you can make sure they stand the test of time + make your life a tad bit easier!
Holiday wrap and tote organizer, can I get a YESSS!
I have clients who keep their wrapping station in the basement in plastic totes. Sometimes it’s great to offer other solutions. This mini wrapping station is functional in so many ways. I’m sure you don’t want to be wrapping in your basement, this makes wrapping mobile. With handles, the sky is the limit.
In light of the New Year I will reveal the simple tips I do personally + how I set my clients up for long-term organizational success! I'll keep this one short, so look forward to some awesome new ideas you can use as you ring in the new year!
