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Posts Tagged ‘gifts’
Malvern, PA: Home Design Jackpot Starring UpHome and Knots and Weaves
People are always asking me where I shop. The answer, of course, is everywhere. On a recent trip to the great tourist destination of Malvern, PA, I stopped into two of my favorite places that I don’t get to visit nearly often enough. Shhh, don’t share my secret decorator sources!
We started at Knots and Weaves. Ostensibly a rug store, you can find some gorgeous designs. It’s times like these I wish I knew how to take good photos. I had to stop myself from rolling in this beautiful wool and silk room-sized beauty. I would have brought it home with me, but I would have had to leave my little one in payment. No deal.
On the second floor, they’ve got lots of fun goodies, like these farmhouse tables…
even gifts and accessories.
More rugs…
and more rugs. Pretty.
Just down the street, UpHome showcases even more charming designs. It’s places like these where you’ll find truly unique pieces. My new goal is to have enough friends and throw enough parties that I need this amazing copper chiller bowl.
I have a thing for industrial lighting. It doesn’t fit into my current home design, but I feel a remodel coming on!
It’s places like this where adorable and affordable gifts just cry out. Who loves flour de lis?
Something comfy?
Three little piggies!
And who doesn’t love wisdom on barn board? It’s what Pinterest is built on, for heaven’s sake!
There are plenty of other sweet destinations in Malvern, but my assistant can only take so much. There she goes.
Next time maybe we’ll stop here.
By the next time I get there, these new shops and buildings will probably be chock full of sweet new secret sources. Check back, won’t you?
Cereal Sprinkle Jar Gifts
By the way, some of you may not have been automatically receiving my posts for the last couple of weeks due to a software glitch. So sorry for the inconvenience. I’d love to hear that you are receiving them again. Please take a moment to comment below. And you can look to the right for recent posts that you’ll enjoy.
Last minute gifts for your favorite babysitters and such? Have the little ones help you with cereal sprinkle jar gifts. They have been well received by our friends. Just be sure to explain that they are sprinkles meant for ice cream, yogurt and oatmeal. One of our recipients thought the ”sand art” was just for display.
Here’s how to make Cereal Sprinkle Jar Gifts.
Step 1: Separate a box of Froot Loops-type cereal into colors. Give yourself some time, as little ones may need a couple of days to get enough sorted for the project.
Step 2: Pour each color into a baggie and let the kids whack them with a crab mallet. You could also roll them with a rolling pin, but whacking them is way more fun.
Step 3: Pour the bits into a jar one layer at a time, a la “sand art”. You could stack the colors in rainbow order for a science lesson, but we prefer random layers. Either way, they turn out beautiful.
We’re very meticulous with our colors, so the kids get to eat the ones that are stuck together.
The kids decorate the lids with stickers, and we tie a bow around the jar. Make these Cereal Sprinkle Jar Gifts even more fancy with a contact-paper sticker for the top and glue on some coordinating ribbon.
Merry Christmas!
Santa’s Bringing New Toys: Out With The Old
You better watch out. Santa Claus is coming to town. And when he does, he’ll be bringing armloads of toys to little people everywhere. Most of these little people and their parents are already overwhelmed by the amount of toys they have and have no idea where to store the new batch.
Take a few steps now to get ready for the holiday toys coming to your house. Depending on the age of your kids, your strategies might be a little different. Mix and match to find what works for your family.
1. Declare that all puzzles, books and toys that are broken, missing pieces, or chewed up have to go. No explanation needed. Most kids at almost any age understand that broken toys aren’t quite as much fun as new toys.
2. Give your child a bin or container for each type of toy they love, and let them know they can keep all the toys that fit in the container. Storage space might also be in a drawer or bookshelf. The key is that the toys need to fit neatly inside the space, hopefully with a little room for the new toys you know are coming. Containers don’t have to be boring. Check out this adorable bookcase I spied at one of my favorite stores this week. It’s got plenty of room, and you’ll spend just about the same on five good quality containers.
I’ve got three more great tips for you. Just keep reading.
Organize a little now, and enjoy your toys more this year.
How to Give the Gift Of Organizing and Decorating
What’s the best gift for someone who has everything? The gift of organizing!
We know you want to help your (sister, wife, mother, son, bachelor friend), but you’re worried that you don’t know what they need and you don’t want to offend. We’re here to help.
One of our packages is perfect for someone who says they need more help, more time, more space, and more peace. Try bringing the idea of professional organizing up in conversation and seeing how it’s received. If it goes anything like this, then a gift is a good bet.
You~ “Wouldn’t you love to have one of those organizing makeovers like you see on HGTV?”
Them~ “That would be my dream!”
Please know that our paid gift certificates are refundable at any time, for any reason. Period. You simply need to let us know at the time of purchase if the cash price should be refunded to you or to the recipient upon request.
It’s super convenient. You receive a gift certificate in email, so you can order right up to the last minute. We even offer several creative ideas for wrapping, so you have something great to put under the tree.
Professional Organizing Gift Certificates
Choose from any of these packages or talk with us about something custom.
Organizing services in any amount. Organizing projects start at $350, or get them started with just $50 or whatever amount is right for you. Gift certificates can be applied toward larger projects that the recipient chooses.
Fun gift idea: Purchase some pretty stacking boxes from Target, IKEA, or your favorite organizing store. Wrap your gift certificate inside. Include a label-maker for extra credit. We can help you source all of these, if needed.
Paper Organizing Solution: $68.90 Includes a FreedomFiler premium set and a stylish sea grass file box. Just ask us if you’d like to add on hanging folders in your choice of colors and hands-on services. Local pick-up or shipping available.
Fun gift idea: Nothing says “paper management” like wrapping the box in newspaper and tying the bow with a letter opener or stapler. Add on a paper shredder for an even more impressive package.
Color with No Regrets color consultation: $150 The perfect gift for someone who wants to refresh their nest with a new color scheme for walls, furniture, or just a few key accessories. In about an hour, they’ll have a color scheme that will work in more than one area of their home. This patented color selection system helps them pick colors that they love, even if they think they “aren’t good with color”. As a bonus, they’ll receive a Custom Color Kit after we meet. This is normally $29, but included in your gift through 12/24/2012.
Fun gift idea: Purchase a glass Mason jar, fill with Skittles or M&M’s, roll your gift certificate and tuck it inside. Your gift says “color”!
Photo Organizing Gift Package: $305 This is a great package to help those overwhelmed with their paper and/or digital photos. It includes an acid-free, lignin-free, archival quality LegacyBox to safely store up to 2400 photos plus mementos, a PictureKeeper to backup up to 16,000 photos from a Mac or PC, and a 2-hour on-site appointment to help organize, safeguard, and enjoy photos. (Like all packages, this can be customized for your needs.)
Fun gift idea: The box is the gift. This measures 15 3/4w x 13 1/4d x 5 3/4h and is heavy, including the photo dividers inside. The sueded camel top is lovely. Include the gift certificate inside.
Complete Room Redesign: $525 If she’s already organized, but wants a fresh need look, schedule us for a complete room redesign. In just one afternoon, we’ll create a completely transformed space with a pulled-together, decorator look, using things you already own. Can apply to any room in the house. Our goal is always to have them say, “It looks just like I always wanted, but better!”
Fun gift idea: Wrap up a new home accessory like a pillow, and add a gift card for a lunch out. Tell her to make plans for an afternoon out while we redesign her room. This shows one of our actual completed redesigns.
Ready to order an organizing gift certificate or decorating gift certificate? Call us at 856-905-3202.
50+ Gifts that Aren’t Clutter
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Black Friday is upon us, but you don’t need me to tell you that. Some retailers will start their Black Friday shopping (the unofficial American holiday) on Thursday, which is, in fact, a very real holiday which most people like to celebrate at home, with their top pants button undone. If you’re the least bit worried that you’ll be gorging on too many gifts along with your feasting, then take a look at this list of gifts that aren’t clutter.
It’s true, clutter is in the eye of the beholder. So I asked my friends to weigh in. The gang was pretty much unanimous that you can’t go wrong with insurables or cashmere. But if those aren’t in your budget, see if you can find something for everyone from this list of gifts that aren’t clutter, along with some cute packaging ideas. I’ve even made it easy for you to click and buy for most of these.
Photo Gifts are Never Clutter
Photo books are the new, but so much easier, scrapbook, and they are custom made for gift giving. There are tons of great ones out there, like Shutterfly and Snapfish. But my favorite these days is from www.GetLinea.com. It’s the first and coolest to allow you to create and print hardbound and softcover photo books with just a few taps right from your iPad or iPhone, starting at just $2. But wait, there’s good news! On Monday they’ll be free. So load up the app now, format your book, and get a jump start on your holiday gifts with a heaping side of frugal.
Photo calendars are another custom and useful gift. Barbara Bradley Hoyer says, “I’ve been making a photo calendar every year for the past few years and giving it to the grandparents, my sister, and husband. It’s useful, full of memories, and no one feels bad throwing it away at the end of the year.”
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A family photography session is another great photo gift. Sure, you can book an appointment at Target or Walmart photo studios, but for not much more you can get a great natural-light, outdoor session with a talented photographer. In my area, you can look up Stephanie Lee Photography, Stephanie Glover Photography, or Carrie Hill Photography.
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Converting old slides, VCR tapes, and 8MM film into digital copies is like breathing new life into family history. How fun would it be to watch films from 30, 40, or even 50 years ago? A New Jersey-based company will transfer your memories effortlessly, for a flat rate, and all their work is done here in the US. Contact Fotobridge to get your stuff digitized before Christmas. Then you can watch your movies instead of It’s A Wonderful Life on Christmas Day.
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If these all sound like a good idea, but who has the time, then a simple but high-quality photo storage box that stores up to 2,400 photos pairs nicely with a gift certificate for an APPO organizer (Association of Professional Photo Organizers). HeartWork Organizing is a photo organizer, a necessity in this age of endless digital and cheap paper photos.
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Tech Gifts That Aren’t Clutter
is a great gift, especially for anyone without a smartphone. Both the point-and-shoot and the pricier SLR models are so impressive, they make amateur photographers out of all of us. ;
promises frustration free image downloading to your PC. Because it operates wirelessly, there’s no need to go looking for the cord to download your photos. Slick.
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was the killer present last year for my mom. I wasn’t sure that she’d actually use it, but she apparently can’t be separated from it. They start at just $69, and there is plenty of free content you can use with them. With the cost on these little tablets coming down, it might be the year to add one to a stocking in your house. It’s not Clutter if you Can Eat It
. This cute little kit can be used on the dining room table. We use ours for every birthday. 
Other Consumables that aren’t clutter
soap! or powder. She says if you aren’t using the soaps right away they are a nice way to scent a linen closet. I’ve never used them, but aren’t they so pretty?
Other great consumables are nice notecards, mixes packed in mason jars, and homemade lavender scented bath salts.
Everyone Needs Help With Something
“My favoritest thing EVER. Great gift idea too.” She’s a social media maven, but nothing beats a paper planner to keep life’s details all together.
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Copyright (c) http://www.123rf.com 123RF Stock Photos
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Check it these ideas to give the gift of organizing and decorating, and great ways to wrap them for under the tree.
Storm Preparation Items are Hot this Year, and the Guys Love Them.
Rechargeable Flashlight
My friend Carrie mentions an Electric Chain Saw
My personal meteorologist, (shouldn’t everyone have one?) Stephanie Chesebro and I have something in common. We don’t love umbrellas. A few years back I asked my husband for the one umbrella in the world that is worth having, and he came through with this Brookstone umbrella in yer basic black.
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Keep ‘em Busy
Heather McCurdy and I think alike, with family memberships to the zoo. It’s a great gift for grandparents to give, but I know they hate to do it because it doesn’t feel like there’s anything to open. Easily solved by buying a plush of your favorite zoo animal and wrapping it up for your child. We love Elmwood Park Zoo.
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Kitchen Stuff You Won’t Get In Trouble for Giving
for my sister because she mentioned that she loved mine and that hers were old and warped.”
, comparing it to her iPad as essential equipment. 
. She says, “I know you are not to suppose to give household items but this makes life so easy.” This would be so fun to wrap up with a pineapple and maybe some fancy liquor. Or tickets to Hawaii. In my dreams.
for grilled pineapple. Yum. 
. It’s closely related to a crock-pot, and some of my buddies are crazy over it. I haven’t tested it myself, but anyone looking to save time in the kitchen is sure to appreciate it.
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The Gift of Reading Is Definitely Not Clutter
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Gift Cards that help you forget your clutter
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Copyright 123RF.com Stock Photos
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Home Decor (Special non-clutter mention):
Home decor is usually not the bet if you are looking for clutter-free. But I have one exception. A few years ago I received a two-pack of Footed Hurricane
Philanthropy
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Gifts that Fight Clutter
A Brother PC Connectable Labeling System like this one similar to my professional version is a great tool for helping you get organized.
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A shredder is a great gift, and we’ve even received one in the past. This particular SWINGLINE Stack-and-Shred 60X Hands Free Shredder, 60 Sheet Capacity, Black (1757572)
The Paper Clinch Stapleless Stapler
And if you just need a place to put it all, check out these adorable and totally functional personalized buckets from a Horsham company, BabyBeHip. They will even fill the bucket with monogrammed gifts for you, creating a total package and shipping it for your convenience.
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Need more? Here are my go-to sources for made in the USA goods. Made in USA Challenge and USA LoveList
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One last word of advice: it’s probably not clutter if they ask for it. There have been years that I could really, really use something that I ask for, like high quality socks, and my relatives didn’t want to play along. My friend Pam Margolis, always the voice of reason, reminds us that she’s always happy to receive “stuff I ask for.”
If you have another idea for gifts that aren’t clutter, please comment below.
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