Organizing for the Holidays

So you’re having a holiday at your house this year. You are excited to host but between your children’s schedules, work, taking care of an elderly parent and general life commitments how are you going to purchase the food and drinks, create the meal, set the table(s), and look happy and relaxed when your guests arrive? Let’s face it, it’s challenging enough to cook dinner on a weeknight, how are you going to pull off a holiday with relatives and friends? 

Here are some tips from H2H to help you through:

Lists, lists, lists – whether on your phone or paper start your lists as soon as possible.

• List 1: The Guests. How many will be joining you? Knowing the number of guests will help you figure out how much food you will need to purchase, and how many tables and chairs you will need. 

• List 2: The Menu. Put together the foods you think will make everyone the most happy. Don’t be shy about asking people to bring food or drinks. Maybe they have an amazing family sweet potato recipe or pecan pie recipe. Not having to worry about making all the food yourself is extremely helpful. If you don’t have time to cook yourself, (or just dislike cooking) ask your friends for local recommendations on where to buy tasty prepared foods especially if some of your guests have dietary restrictions. Parenting groups on Facebook is also a good resource for recommendations.

• List 3: Food shopping. Once you have determined what you will be cooking, make your shopping lists. We usually make 2 lists. One for things you can purchase in advance such as canned goods, condiments, and baking products; and one for things that you need to purchase closer to the holiday such as produce, meats and dairy. Try to get what you can into your home sooner than later. This will help alleviate long lines at the food market as you get closer to the holiday.

• Check your menu. What can be made in advance? Some foods such as certain breads and casseroles can be made and frozen in advance. 

• Set the table(s). The weekend before (or sooner) arrange your room(s). Set your tables in advance. Take out your linens, napkins, place-mats, whatever you are using. Items like decorations and centerpieces are not used frequently they should be stored in remote areas of your space like the attic or basement. If you have certain centerpieces you only use for entertaining, don’t think of them as centerpieces but as the category “entertaining.”

• Guest Rooms. If you have any guest rooms or bonus areas in your home, take the time to get them ready. During the year these spaces tend to become “make it go away” areas. Even if you don’t have family or friends spending the night, chances are someone will want to lie down at some point. Taking the time to organize now will save you from throwing everything in the closet and drawers. Eventually, the holiday season will end and you want to be able to find everything.

Is everything clean? Do you need to replace anything? If you are using china or crystal  does it need to be washed? If you are using paper products what do you need to purchase? Do you need extra chairs? Do you use different utensils or serving dishes at the holidays? Do you need to buy new candles? By setting up in advance it gives you time to make sure everything is in good shape and now you can focus on the delicious food and drinks.

• Make a quick trip to the liquor store. Don’t wait till the last minute. Hit up the liquor store the weekend before your event. You don’t want to be searching for the perfect wine to pair with turkey the day before Thanksgiving when you should be home cooking!

• Take out anything frozen. A day or two before remember to take out anything you froze to de-thaw in time.

• Food prep the night before. Is there any food you can clean, chop, dice, the night before? If so, do it. This will be a huge time saver as you are cooking the next day.

• Start your cooking. After a good night’s sleep get up early to start your cooking. Try to do one recipe at a time. Cooking too many things at once is a recipe for disaster. Keep your menu list nearby. Check it off after each dish is made. Ask family members to help, remember holidays are a family affair.

• Make a list of when to put things in the oven to heat up. Keep a list by the oven of what temperature to have your oven on and what time to put things in. How many times have you finished a holiday only to remember you forgot something? 

• Relax and smile. -All the food is ready, the drinks are out, the table is set. Light the candles and enjoy your family and friends!

At H2H we can help you organize your home and get you holiday ready. Contact us Today!

Guest Post - Simple Guide to Setting Up Your Home Office in a Small Space

One of the greatest blessings in the age of technology is the comfort it has afforded us in terms of remote working. In the present design of work teams, people are increasingly communicating using technology media and software. Therefore, the shift to remote work is palpable. In tandem with this trend, more and more people are now inclined to create offices within their homes. 

Creating a dedicated space in the house to function as your office can be extremely tricky. There is a fragile balance to be established between comfort and productivity. To add to the conundrum, you might yourself with not a lot of space at your disposal. So how can one squeeze in a loaded workspace in a nook while simultaneously leaving space for sprucing it up with work essentials? How can you ensure minimal distractions and interruptions while keeping up with the logistical requirements of your work in a cramped space? Here are some tips:

• First of all, let’s begin by redesigning the space so that it no longer looks ‘cramped’. How? Find an underused part of your house and make the most of the space at your disposal. Swear by the principle of minimalism - whether it is your furniture, your stationery, other office tools or even technology equipment. Use minimalism as a tool when you structure and decorate your home office. Steer away from the bedroom to avoid the monstrous temptation of a nap. Use a whiteboard or sticky notes to keep focused on the to-do list or the task list at hand. Keep the color palette on the walls and furniture to a maximum of two colors. Stick to the essentials at all times. Minimalism will help you make decisions faster too and prevent you from getting bogged down by frills and clutter. For instance, if you place a chunky desk, it can crowd a small space. Look for options that are airy, see-through and leggy, so that you don’t keep bumping into furniture pieces or tripping off the furniture legs or hitting your toes against edges.

• In keeping with the idea of minimalism, design the actual workstation as a ‘sit-stand workstation’. This way your furniture can complement your aesthetic of minimalism. There are multiple options you can consider. One, you can use the standing workstation that will accommodate no more than a laptop, a notebook-planner and a coffee mug at a time. When you want to sit down, you can simply put up a bar stool. The idea with a small space is to not get too comfortable or cozy, or else you will end up spending most of your time in a hole. Not to mention, it might hurt your productivity severely if you get too comfortable. The furniture should be functional in its ergonomics.

• Alternatively, you can use a low-profile desk that consists of just a table-top and a drawer. Again, the minimal design of the workspace can be complemented by a shelf structure above it on the wall. The shelving will make room for books, act as stationery storage, serve the purpose of a filing cabinet and support a printer. Finally, you can also experiment with wall-mounted furniture. A floating desk and wall-mounted storage unit can transform any odd corner of your home into an office. 

• Keep in mind the logistics of your work. What are the technology, tools, stationery and equipment you need on a daily basis? If you undertake extensive research projects that need markers and lists, a whiteboard or a pin-board is non-negotiable. The wall could be better used for that. If your work requires a lot of storage in terms of say, designs and samples, having a shelf mounted on the wall will be a much better use of the space. 

Other logistical considerations include internet connection and mobile networks for communications, room echo and wiring for recording or conference calls, among other job-specific requirements. 

• Just because it is a home office doesn’t mean it should be any less airy or well-lit. It is imperative that the home office should have a window, not just for proper ventilation, but also because natural light can do wonders to the look of the room. Being a small nook, natural light will also create an airy space so that you can breathe easily without any signs of claustrophobia. When designing your home office, ensure that natural light has an outlet to enter the room, for instance, through a slider or a casement window or a French door window. 

• Where you are going to sit — your chair is the most underrated part of the work experience. You should install only ergonomically designed office chairs and dual-function sitting/standing desks. It is ideal to go back to the principle of minimalism here too: Because the desk chair is leggy, it, too, carries little visual weight. Small spaces are best utilized with furniture that is as minimal as possible. 

• Make sure you are well-connected. It would defeat the purpose of setting up a home office if you are off the grid in the nook. Most of your work will be communicated and delivered on the internet, so ensure that the wires and connections can be set up in the room without hurting the overall aesthetics. Always try to minimize cords and wires whenever possible. One way is by installing modems or routers and wiring just outside the room so you can get steady internet access without crowding the room space. 

It can be challenging to optimize a small room in your home as your office and to accommodate all your professional tools within a restricted space, but prioritization and minimalism are key. With these guiding principles, you can build an incredible home office in the smallest of spaces.

Author Bio: Tess Cain works at office.eco by day and is a fitness fanatic by night. She also has a deep passion for helping people in any and every way she can, from giving her time to the local homeless shelter to writing articles online on topics she has a deep passion for, you can be sure that if there is a cause or someone in need then you'll likely find Tess there.

Guest Post - 6 Useful Tips for a Clutter Free and Stylish Bathroom

The fight to keep your bathroom stylish and clutter-free can seem endless. Who knew how much stress a stray toilet paper roll could cause? Some simple strategies and a good plan of attack is a recipe for success, so read on for tips on how to stay on top of the clutter.

Hiring Professionals

Hiring professionals is the best way to get rid of both bathroom clutter and stress from your life. The professionals know how stylish your bathroom should look and will use the necessary steps to get it there. 

When you hire professionals to declutter and revitalize your bathroom, you can rest easy knowing the job will be done right. Going with organizing professionals grants you peace of mind. When you leave the hard work to the professionals, you're sure to love the results. 

Move the Medicine

Bathrooms seem like the natural home for medicines, but this is not the case. In fact, the humidity of bathrooms is often bad for your various medical supplies. Try moving any first aid kits to your kitchen, if there is space. Kitchens tend to be more accessible in case of emergency. 

Consider putting your daily or weekly medicines into a weekly pill-organizer for your bedroom. When you have moved your frequent medicines, you can then store the less regular medical supplies in the kitchen. Note that anywhere out of the way works for long storage. The fewer things there are in your bathroom, the less clutter!

Use a Bathroom Planner

Using a bathroom planner is essential when designing your bathroom. All design plans need a good plan to work off, and bathrooms are no different. Online bathroom planners allow you to send, receive, and edit designs without carrying them everywhere with you. You need to know how to best use your space and planning it out beforehand removes any room for unwanted surprises. Getting your bathroom planned before beginning the renovations is a key ingredient in the recipe for success.

Consider your Furniture Choices

There is a broad range of furniture that you could consider using in your stylish bathroom. A somewhat unorthodox, yet stylish idea, is to use outdoor furniture as vanity seating. Comfy and boho, using outdoor furniture will complete your space.

The reasons which make outdoor furniture great for use outdoors also make them ideal for bathrooms. Outdoor furniture is water-resistant and will survive any unexpected spills. What's more, you can also use them after showers without fear of damaging the fabric. When designers create their outdoor furniture, they know that the furniture needs to resist the elements. If the furniture can withstand the outdoors, it can withstand the worst your bathroom can throw at it.

Be Creative with Storage

If you don't have access to large storage units, it's important to innovate. Think outside the box. Bins and baskets are good, inexpensive storage should the floor-space be available to you. If you don't have the floor space to spare, wall-mounted cabinets can be a stylish and creative way to add more storage to your bathroom.

Bring your Tech Together

Hair straighteners and driers use chords. Chords tangle and create an absolute mess the very instant you stop paying attention. To prevent this, you can dedicate a single drawer to your technology and use wire-ties to manage the chords. With no more cluttering around the electrical outlet, your bathroom is sure to look more relaxed and stylish.

Bringing these tips into your home is sure to leave yourself and your bathroom more relaxed. An important plan and a touch of diligence are all it takes to keep your bathroom clutter-free and stylish.

Author Bio: Harper learned organizational skills from her parents at a very young age. Her hard work paid off – with her organizational skills coming in very handy in her professional life for scheduling, managing work, and meeting deadlines. And this all began with a pink paper planner her Mum handmade for her while she was in primary school. To know more about Harper and read more of her written works, visit Harper Reid.

How to Choose the Right Organizer for Me

Professional Organizing companies are a fairly new phenomenon. Thanks in part to the TV series HOARDERS and Marie Kondo, the public is now aware that there are trained specialists that can help them take control of their living and work environment. However, you do not need to be a hoarder to reap the benefits of hiring a professional organizer. By decluttering and organizing your house you will be able to find what you are looking for with ease and eliminate repurchasing items, thereby making you less stressed and more productive at home and work.

Finding the correct organizer can be overwhelming. Googling professional organizers in your area brings up a host of people who are organizers plus home service advertising collectives, so where to go from there? How do you find the person/people that are the correct fit?

The questions below may be a good guide to what to ask when interviewing various companies.

• What is your organizing philosophy? Do you tackle a room at a time or do you organize by category? Can you organize my attic, playroom and kitchen or do you specialize in areas such as paper management or memorabilia?

• Are you going to get rid of all my belongings? (please note: this is a trick question)

• Do you offer consults? Is there a charge or are they free?

• Are you a member of NAPO, the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals? Members are required to take education courses before joining.

• Are you insured?

• What is a typical day like? How long it a typical session and how many organizers does my project warrant?

• Will you provide references if necessary?

• Will you bring the necessary supplies? Do you provide a concierge service if I need organizing systems and products such as bins or drawer organizers?

• Is your rate hourly or based on the whole project?

• Will you help me to find places to donate, sell or dispose of the items I no longer want to keep?

Since most people have not worked with an organizer before and many of us are not used to having people work in their homes, these questions are important to making sure everyone has the same goals. Most importantly, make sure you have a good connection with who you hire. You are a vital part of the process so you should feel you can trust your organizers and have a good working relationship with them.