Hello December!

I can’t believe it is already December! It feels like this year really flew by. 2017 has been full of so many great things, but I am certainly looking forward to next year! The holidays are some of my favorite times because I get to spend time with my family, friends, and my poodle (who absolutely loves Christmas dinner), enjoying each other and the special traditions we share.

The holidays are also an important time to stay organized and keep focused on your goals. This not only applies to home organization, but also organization of your life! It is very easy to get caught up in the fast-paced schedule that most people keep up during this time of the year. It’s important to make time for yourself and relaxation, and to remember that life isn’t just about the parties and the presents.

One way you can make finding time for yourself and relaxation a little easier, is by staying up on your home organization. While that may seem like a huge chore in itself, you will thank yourself later for the stress you avoided. I find during this time of the year that people have a hard time enjoying themselves because they are worried about cleaning the house to prepare for guests and parties. If your home could use a little TLC, designate a weekend to getting things under control and in their best shape. The holidays should be for making memories with loved ones and relaxing, not constantly cleaning and organizing!

How do you stay organized during the holidays and what are your favorite holiday traditions?

Comment below!

Happy December!

Gifts For People Who Love Organization

Are you running out of ideas for what to give those special people in your life this holiday season? Gifts that help with organization are great options because they will go to use and make everyday life a little easier for the recipient!

1. Makeup Organizer

Keep the bathroom countertops free of clutter and makeup mess with this makeup organizer. Any makeup enthusiast would be happy to receive this organizer to keep their collection accessible and neat. Buy it here.

2. Desk Organizer

This desk organizer is perfect for anyone! Whether used on a desk or dresser, this stand will keep your personal items organized and in one place. It's a great gift for someone who likes to have a place for everything. You can get it here.

3. Planner

A planner is a great gift whether they're a busy parent, student, or someone with an active social life! Planners are fun because you can find one perfect for everyone's personality. You can purchase this colorful one here.

4. Leather Business Organizer

This is a great choice for any young or established professional who wants to keep their papers and notes more organized. With everything in one place, they won't waste valuable time searching for documents. Buy it here.

5. Jewelry Organizer

This over-the-door jewelry organizer is a great gift for someone who has a large collection of jewelry and accessories. It's also great for organization since it is space saving and doubles as a mirror. Get it here.

5 Things to Clean Out Before the Holidays

During this time of the year, many people will have family and friends coming in town to stay with them and visit for the holiday season. That's why it's important to make sure your house is ready to accommodate your guests. Clean out these five things to make sure your house is clutter-free and ready to host. 

1.    Books & Old Magazines

Get rid of books you lost interest in or never read anymore. Books are great items to donate to Goodwill or a local school depending on subject matter. If you’re an avid reader, keep your collection looking fresh by only keeping your favorites and books you are currently working on. The same goes for old magazines. Rip out recipes or articles you want to keep, file them, and then recycle. This way, your coffee table and countertops will stay clean and mess free.

2.    Old Medicine & Products

Clean out your medicine cabinets and toiletries every few months. Its best to check expiration dates on products like medications and hygienic products to make sure they are still safe to use. If not, toss them right away! There’s no use in hoarding products that have gone bad. This way, if your guests are feeling under the weather, you'll be prepared and know which types of medications you have. 

3.    Kitchen Containers with No Lids

Get rid of containers that no longer have their matching lids. They will take up much needed space in your cabinets and will have no purpose to serve if you can’t properly stack them in your refrigerator for leftovers.

4.    The Pantry & Refrigerator

Just like old medications and hygienic products, food will go bad in the pantry and refrigerator. For the pantry, it’s a good idea to check expiration dates every month and throw packages away once the contents have been used. For the fridge, a weekly inventory of what’s fresh and what’s not is good to keep produce and meats fresh. It's especially important to keep the fridge cleaned out during the holidays, when every inch of real estate is very valuable. 

5.    Closets

Going into the holiday season, it’s great to clean out your own closet and make donations to help people in need. You can also make room for any new clothes you may purchase or receive as gifts. You may want to utilize storage bins to keep accessories organized. It’s also a great idea to make sure guest bedroom closets are clean to make sure that guests have a welcoming place to hang their clothes and store luggage. 

Storage Solutions

Finding storage solutions that work for your space can be a challenge. When it comes to storage, some people may think that it has to be boring. I love using decorative storage bins because you can choose bins that match your style and work as part of the room. Incorporating pieces of furniture throughout your home that also double as storage, is a great way to make your style functional. Side tables with shelving and benches with cubbies are two examples of functional furniture pieces that can house stylish storage bins.

Storage bins are also a great solution for closets. In my bathroom linen closet, I use storage bins to keep towels and washcloths organized. I also have separate containers for hair products, makeup, and other toiletries. I love using the bins for my linen closet because everything has a place and is easily accessible when I need to get ready in a hurry. I also utilize storage bins for my bedroom closet organization. I organize my hats and purses in their own bins, as well as these that I use for my shoes. Target has a great selection of storage bins that can be used for many different areas of your house.  

storage by lizzymccarthy featuring stackable storage bins

Color Psychology

Choosing colors for interior decorating is more important than you think. Each color has its own specific psychological impacts and benefits. So before you choose a color scheme, really think about the effect you want your space to deliver.

Blue

Blue gives off a calming and cooling vibe that creates a sense of tranquility. If you’ve been to a spa, you may have noticed that they typically decorate with light blue colors. Blue also promotes productivity and intelligence, which makes it a great choice for a room you want to get some work done in.

Blue by lizzymccarthy featuring a sea painting

Cyan Design ceramic lamp / Anthropologie curtain / Sea painting / Floral home decor / Blue sofa, $4,565

Yellow

Yellow is an energizing color that gives off a warm, happiness. Because it is such a vibrant tone, yellow can sometimes be overwhelming if it is overused. The best way to incorporate yellow into a space is with a mix of neutral tones and natural textures.

Yellow by lizzymccarthy featuring a wood shelving

Contemporary lamp / Anthropologie yellow home decor / Claude monet painting / Nearly Natural fake plant / Joybird leather sofa / Wood shelving

Green

Green is a natural stress reliever and is closely tied to nature. It is a calming color and is associated with health and wellbeing. Green can be incorporated through accessories and plants.

Green by lizzymccarthy featuring safavieh table lamps

Safavieh table lamp / Sun Zero blackout panel / Barclay Butera framed wall art / Robin Bruce velvet couch / Glass top coffee table

Red

If you want to make a statement, red is a great choice. Just like yellow, red also encourages energy, but it is much more bold. Red shouldn’t be used for a bedroom because it has the opposite effect of relaxation.

Red by lizzymccarthy featuring red home decor

EFF window curtain / Ballard Designs red home decor / Modway oversized sofa / Ballard Designs chair