ON THE BLOG
Explore insightful tips, inspiring stories and expert advice that transform everyday tasks into efficient and meaningful routines.
Are you ready to take down and store all your holiday decorations but want a new system so next year it’s even easier to get out and put up? We know we are! To help you along we’ve compiled some of our favorite tips and product for making your holidays the smoothest they’ve ever been.
Read MoreIt’s the resolution that’s as old as time - to lose weight in the new year. Right? So many of us, so many times, find ourselves on January 1st (or any other date, for that matter) resolving to take the weight off for good this time! But why is it that we keep ending up at the starting point over and over again? Does your workout fall to the wayside at the end of a busy day? Does it feel exhausting to find the time shop, prep and cook all of your healthy meals so you start to slip back into convenience and comfort foods? If you quickly lose steam on your weight loss plan due to these types of obstacles, maybe it’s time to change your approach, not your diet. Here are 4 simple steps to make your health and fitness goals a reality.
1. Hard schedule your workouts
You show up to work at a specific time each day, right? If you came in for half days or just didn’t show up for weeks at all, that wouldn’t bode well for your career. Well, if you don’t show up for your health you’re going to lose it, just like a job. Create a schedule that you can maintain for the workouts of your choice, and go for perfect attendance. Choose your workout time wisely, like early mornings for example, where no other appointment, errand or task could get in the way. For maximum results, try to workout at the same time each day to solidify the habit.
2. Prep your meals
This is a biggie and worth repeating. Prep your food each and every week. Choose one day to grocery shop, prep and cook your meals for the week. Not only is this one of the most sure-fire ways to maintain a consistently healthy diet, but it is going to save you time (not to mention money) in the long run. Cook in batches, portion out your meals, freeze the excess.
3. Log your food
Now, I’m no diet guru, so I won’t be advocating for any certain diet or exercise methods. However, the one common thread that most diets have is to highlight the importance of keeping a food journal and logging your meals on a daily basis. One of my favorite tools for logging food is the calorie counting app, Lose It! We all know there’s a lot more to nutrition than just logging calories, but from the standpoint of accountability and tracking, this app is the best. You can log meals, snacks and exercise. One of my favorite features is a scanning option that loads the nutrition information instantly from a photo of the bar code. Brilliant! Plus, it’s free!
4. Develop a bedtime routine
There are multiple reasons why sleep deprivation will destroy your weight loss efforts. Research shows that people who stay up late consume more calories than those who go to sleep at a reasonable and predictable hour each night. Sleep deprivation interferes with the hormones that signal hunger and fullness levels. Plus, when you're tired, your body demands energy and you’re more likely to cave in to sugar and comfort food cravings. An organized and consistent sleep schedule won't just make you feel better—it'll keep you focused and motivated.
5. Set actionable goals
Set your goals, then break them down into actionable steps. I know you want to lose 40lbs, but if you keep thinking of that number you will be discouraged when you only lose 2 pounds in two weeks. Set an achievable amount of weight loss for the month, write it down, and post it somewhere in your home or office where you will see it every day. If you’re following steps 1-4, then you will surely make it there!
Read More
Thank you so much to every one of you for helping us to reach our BEST YEAR YET! Your business, referrals, and support mean the world to us!
In celebration of the season a donation has been made in your honor to Direct Relief Emergency Preparedness and Response and the Humane Society of Ventura County. This gift provides hope and relief to those affected by natural disasters this year.
Almost three-quarters of Americans probably won't like the gift they receive this holiday season, according to a survey from online retailer Rakuten. More than a third of respondents said they will regift unwanted gifts, another 27% will donate it to charity, and 14% will sell it. It's time to be the change you want to see in the world. Instead of perpetuating the same vicious cycle of non-sensical gift giving, we are helping our communities rebuild with the ultimate clutter-free gift of a donation to the charities mentioned above. We do this in honor of you. Thank you for all of your support of Org & Relo this year and from our family to yours - Happy Holidays!
Written by: Analiese Ross, AMR Digital Marketing
Read MoreSnow crunching underfoot, houses outlined in sparkly lights, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting out of the kitchen--the holidays are here again!
Christmas always takes me back to warm memories of my mother’s nanny, Molly. My grandmother died in 1948 and Molly came over from Denmark to LA to look after my mom and her two siblings. She was a true mother to those kids and a grandmother to me. She loved Christmas, and every year she covered coffee tins with contact paper and filled them with her famous Danish currant cookies to give as gifts. My mouth waters just remembering their buttery texture. But what really makes me think of Molly is when I take out my Christmas boxes and carefully unpack the handmade yarn Santas she gave to my mother before she died. These Old World Danish decorations bring the holiday spirit into my home like nothing else I own.
While I was decorating and remembering Molly this past week, I started thinking about holiday organizing and how beneficial a good system is. Let’s face it: by the end of the season we all feel the temptation to simply stuff everything in boxes as quickly as possible and get them out of sight for another year. But there are other ways to do this that lessen stress, free up time, and create some welcome ease. It just takes a little planning. Next year, when the season rolls around again, I’m always glad I did it.
I thought I’d share some tips and tricks that make my holidays a breeze:
The Container Store sells affordable, see-through boxes in different sizes that will accommodate small items like table decorations and ornaments or larger items like wrapping paper and garlands (or to save money, you can hang on to segmented wine boxes and cardboard egg cartons to store ornaments and breakable items)
Label all boxes in full capital letters for easy readability (I use a label maker but you can also print them or neatly hand-write them)
Designate “open first” boxes to streamline your decorating
If it’s broken, if you hate it, or if you never use it, give it away or properly dispose of it
Test light strings before putting them away to make sure you’re ready to go next year
Wind light strings around cardboard and stack them in a bin to save you from detangling a mess next year
Keep a stash of “neutral gifts” already wrapped to give to guests who show up with an unexpected gift for you; olive oil, chocolate, wine or candles
Keep a list for next year of items you know you’ll need, or shop the after-Christmas sales to get inexpensive lights and decorations to pack away
When it comes to anything in my home, seasonal or otherwise, my philosophy is pretty simple. I ask myself: Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it? Any item I have must clear at least one of these hurdles. It seems to me that the holidays are an especially good time to ask myself these questions as I get out things I don’t see that often.
You’ll be happy to know that Molly’s Santas received my highest rating--a thumbs-up in each category. They’re staying.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate, and, of course, Happy Organizing!
Written by: Sheryl Hadley, President & Founder
Read More
1. Take Advantage of Technology!
Skip the envelopes and stamps. Instead, Use a website such as evite.com or punchbowl.com to send free email invitations and keep track of your guest list. Also, post the event on your Facebook page and invite your friends from there.
2. Do as much in advance as possible!
BBQing is always an easy and festive option for the fourth. Do your best to prepare everything ahead of time so all you have to do it throw it on the grill. Consider sauces and side dishes that can be made the day before. Frozen treats are also great options.
3. Make it a Group Effort!
Putting on a 4th of July party doesn't mean you have to do everything. Ask your guests to bring side dishes and drinks, while you provide the hamburgers, hot dogs and anything else you want on the grill. Or encourage them to bring their favorite yard games and fireworks!
4. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
You can pretty much count on the Fourth of July to be sizzling! Make sure their are plenty of drinks available (water included). As the host or hostess, you don’t want to be mixing drinks all day or night. Instead, try a large-batch cocktail like a festive sangria that you can mix up the night before!
Snow crunching underfoot, houses outlined in sparkly lights, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting out of the kitchen — the holidays are here again!
To kick off this holiday season, I attended Lifestyle Publications cookie exchange. It was a fabulous time with good friends, holiday tunes and lots of cookies. I brought chocolate raspberry bark for my “cookie” submission, and it was a hit! Boulder Lifestyle is featuring my recipe along with a few others in their current issue. Check out the full article and see my recipe below:
Holiday Chocolate Raspberry Bark
10 oz chocolate chips (at least semi-sweet, preferably 60%)
1/2 c. freeze dried raspberries, crushed
1/2 c. cacao nibs, crushed
Melt chocolate in a double boiler over medium heat. Stir in raspberries and cacao nibs and spread on wax paper on a cookie sheet. Place in freezer for approximately 15 minutes or until firm. Break bark into pieces with hands & enjoy!
**you can also substitute 3/4 toffee pieces (Heath) to stir in, spread on wax paper on cookie sheet, and generously grind sea salt on the melted chocolate before freezing.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate, and, of course, Happy Organizing!
“Tis the season for guests, entertaining, shopping and decorating. Keeping your home peaceful and organized with the demands of of the holidays can seem like a daunting challenge. Yet clearing the clutter and a little bit of organizing can help lessen stress, free up time and create some welcome ease. Here are our holiday organizing tips to keep you sane this season:
Make a central holiday calendar. Include holiday shopping, deadlines for shipping, decorating, sending cards, baking, parties and travel plans. This will have you feeling in control instantly.
Clear out the clutter! Donate clothes, coats and toys kids have outgrown. De-clutter by putting your everyday decorations away while you have your holiday decorations on display.
Before you decorate, give your house a good cleaning. This way it will be sparkling and looking great in more ways than one.
Evaluate holiday decor. As you pull out decorations ask yourself: Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it? Keep your favorites and donate the rest.
Create a gift-wrapping station. According to Consumer Reports, the average person spends 3 hours wrapping gifts. Organize your supplies by sorting them into different categories: bows, ribbon, tissue paper, gift tags, tape, etc. Having an organized system will save time.
Clear out and clean out your coat closet. Make room for guests’ winter jackets and extra hangers. Clear the floor of odds and ends to store shoes and boots.
Holidays are the time of year to celebrate life with family and friends. When we are organized there is more time to enjoy the season with those we love.
Happy Organizing!
Snow crunching underfoot, houses outlined in sparkly lights, the smell of freshly baked cookies wafting out of the kitchen--the holidays are here again!
Christmas always takes me back to warm memories of my mother’s nanny, Molly. My grandmother died in 1948 and Molly came over from Denmark to LA to look after my mom and her two siblings. She was a true mother to those kids and a grandmother to me. She loved Christmas, and every year she covered coffee tins with contact paper and filled them with her famous Danish currant cookies to give as gifts. My mouth waters just remembering their buttery texture. But what really makes me think of Molly is when I take out my Christmas boxes and carefully unpack the handmade yarn Santas she gave to my mother before she died. These Old World Danish decorations bring the holiday spirit into my home like nothing else I own.
While I was decorating and remembering Molly this past week, I started thinking about holiday organizing and how beneficial a good system is. Let’s face it: by the end of the season we all feel the temptation to simply stuff everything in boxes as quickly as possible and get them out of sight for another year. But there are other ways to do this that lessen stress, free up time, and create some welcome ease. It just takes a little planning. Next year, when the season rolls around again, I’m always glad I did it.
I thought I’d share some tips and tricks that make my holidays a breeze:
The Container Store sells affordable, see-through boxes in different sizes that will accommodate small items like table decorations and ornaments or larger items like wrapping paper and garlands (or to save money, you can hang on to segmented wine boxes and cardboard egg cartons to store ornaments and breakable items)
Label all boxes in full capital letters for easy readability (I use a label maker but you can also print them or neatly hand-write them)
Designate “open first” boxes to streamline your decorating
If it’s broken, if you hate it, or if you never use it, give it away or properly dispose of it
Test light strings before putting them away to make sure you’re ready to go next year
Wind light strings around cardboard and stack them in a bin to save you from detangling a mess next year
Keep a stash of “neutral gifts” already wrapped to give to guests who show up with an unexpected gift for you; olive oil, chocolate, wine or candles
Keep a list for next year of items you know you’ll need, or shop the after-Christmas sales to get inexpensive lights and decorations to pack away
When it comes to anything in my home, seasonal or otherwise, my philosophy is pretty simple. I ask myself: Do I use it, do I love it, do I appreciate it? Any item I have must clear at least one of these hurdles. It seems to me that the holidays are an especially good time to ask myself these questions as I get out things I don’t see that often.
You’ll be happy to know that Molly’s Santas received my highest rating--a thumbs-up in each category. They’re staying.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Whatever Holiday You Celebrate, and, of course, Happy Organizing!
Sheryl
Organization & Relocation is a luxury professional organizing and relocation concierge company.
