Heather K Powers

Festive Felicitations!

December 23, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Uncategorized 2 Comments

I wish you Festive Felicitations in this season of sparkles, generosity and peace.

I just celebrated the solstice with a lovely little ritual I have come to love, releasing anything I feel is a burden, both physical and emotional by burning them in the solstice fire. I have burned old journals, tax returns, artwork/designs and thoughts that no longer serve me.

When we release something, we open up space, in our homes and in our hearts!

I want to share not just a sense of celebration but congratulations to you in all that you have accomplished this year! I hope you have everything in order to bring you great peace and comfort over the coming holidays.

Let’s not forget the magic of the season, which lives in our hearts. It’s all about love & Joy!

All photo’s are from this year’s visit to the James Island County park Festival of Lights! Hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoy capturing them! I love playing with light through my lens as if “painting with light”!

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Gifts to help you (or someone else!) Get Organized

December 9, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Uncategorized 2 Comments

Organizing Gifts Galore!

It’s that time of year again – gift-giving time! Not sure what to get the most or least organized on your list? Here is a gift guide that will satisfy every beloved Type-A, Neat Freak, and Minimalist Extraordinaire…and those striving to be!

Labels:: Because everything has a place. Our favorites include a handheld label-maker from brother that allows you to label on-the-go. Jokari also makes erasable labels great for kitchen food containers, crafts bins, you name it. Another great erasable option with a stylish touch are these chalkboard erasable labels from Kitchen Supreme.

Electronics:: Never lose your keys, bike, tablet, even pet again with the Chipolo Item Finder. These Container Store keychain tags sync with your smartphone to help you keep track of your belongings. Stop struggling with adapters and power strips with this handy 4-Port USB Wall Charger, and when it’s time to pack up, keep those cords untangled with a cord taco. Also be sure that those electronics stay clean with an OXO Cleaning Brush. And because organizing is best with background music, consider a subscription to Spotify or Pandora.

Books:: Books are for more than designing your Pin-worthy fantasy bookshelf. Your professional of amateur organizer will have a hard time tearing their eyes from these pages except for the motivational boost to get things spick and span! Check out Brene Brown’s Rising Strong: The Reckoning, The Rumble, The Revolution, Elizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, Judith Kolberg’s Getting Organized in the Era of Endless: What To Do When Information, Interruption, Work and Stuff are Endless But Time Is Not, Donna Smallin’s Clear the Clutter, Find Happiness: One Minute Tips for Decluttering and Refreshing Your Home and Your Life, and Peter Walsh’s It’s All Too Much: An Easy Plan for Living a Richer Life with Less Stuff.

Household:: This Tosca Dish Riser is ideal for minimal kitchen organization with clean lines and basic color options. And when moving from kitchen to serving try this lacquered serving tray from the Container Store. Next, get rid of the junk drawer and messy mud room. This reclaimed wood chalkboard from Houzz which makes for a great calendar or note board also features a shelf for holding onto your knick knacks and hooks for hanging jackets and scarves.

Travel + Storage:: Stop them from digging through their bucket bag with a purse organizer from MochiThings which comes in various sizes and colors. Perfect for travel, the Container Store offers different pouch sizes and varieties like these and these, or this great canvas 4-pack from Klein Tools. Expecting to get wet? Try this Dry Spell Floating Pouch!

Planning + Productivity:: Journal and map out your dreams and goals with The Desire Map Planner, a weekly planner that weekly, monthly, and yearly spreads; motivational blurbs, and weekly to-do lists. Or, start from scratch designing your own bullet journal with a class Moleskin journal. And for that daily does of reality take a peak at these #Truthbomb Card Decks from Danielle Laporte.

Rest + Relaxation:: Naturally lift or set the mood for any space with an essential oil diffuser. There are a number of retailers these days, so read reviews and take your pick on Amazon. Prefer incense to oils? Try this 5-piece bundle from Shoyeido.

Stocking Stuffers:: Great things come in small, and often tidy, packages. Stuff the stocking with miniemergency kits that save the day in pinch, a Guard Your ID Roller Stamp that uses encrypted ink to cover up secure information on discarded mail, a portable screen cleaner to take care of smudges on all of our touch-screen devices, MochiThings earphone organizers to keep those cords in check, or a Build Your Own Mantra Cuff to remind them to stay kind, be strong, or maybe even just breathe.

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Excellent Entertaining-6 Easy Steps

December 2, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Organize, Productivity, Systems & Techniques, Tips & Resources Leave a Comment

Tips for Excellent Entertaining

Parties are supposed to be fun, right? As hosts we often end up stressing over every detail in the weeks leading up to the party and before we know it the festivities have passed and a messy kitchen is all we have to show for it. The secret to success isn’t five-star catering or live entertainment. The key is thoughtful planning for a shin dig that doesn’t break the bank or sacrifice your sanity. Whether it’s your annual holiday bash or a small dinner party here are six tips for excellent entertaining to consider the next time you don the host hat.

Start Early:: Procrastination pop-ups are not a thing. Stay organized by creating a plan early. Try using a template like this one from Real Simple to help you stay on top of your party planning game. Or, if you are feeling crafty, customize your own Evernote template.
Pick (Or Don’t) A Theme:: Themes can be a great way to generate enthusiasm around your event whether it is by cuisine, costume, or otherwise. But keep it simple; a theme that is either too vague or too complicated will lead to disorganization in other areas of the planning process (e.i. decor, entertainment, etc). If you find yourself straddling themes this may be as sign to nix one altogether. Remember, a classic dinner party is tough to beat.
Invitations:: This is where starting early is necessary. Aim to send invites out around 2 weeks in advance – possibly earlier if it’s the holiday season. There are a number of options here. You can handwrite and mail your own invites or look to online, paperless alternatives such as Evite or by creating an event through social media platforms like Facebook. For a personal touch, create your own graphics easily with free graphic design services such as Canva.
Food:: Think about the guests – and number of them – when planning the menu. If cooking is not your forte, skip the six course meal. Go for finger foods or, alternatively, consider a pot luck and let your guests’ culinary skills shine. If you plan to serve alcohol providing both wine and beer is smarter than one or the other, or consider mixing up a signature cocktail for the evening.
Ambiance:: Decorations like streamers and banners should be saved for special occasions. Whether or not you choose to decorate, lighting should always be addressed. Lighting that is either too dim or too bright can kill the mood. If dimmers are not an option, opt for more natural lighting and candles, votives, lanterns, etc… Fresh flowers are also a great way to not only add a bit of color, but also
Entertainment:: Thanks to streaming music live music is not a necessity. Select a playlist or radio station that will complement the mood. Apps like Spotify and Pandora have number party playlist options. Worries about an extended silence? Check out these tips to keep the conversation flowing!

Most importantly, entertaining should be an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family. If your guests feel welcome and comfortable the party is sure to be a success. Planning a party this holiday season? Share your tips for excellent entertaining with us!

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From table to table lets join in Gratitude

November 24, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Wellness & Mindset Leave a Comment

This holiday, as we break bread with one another, from table to table lets join in gratitude of home-place, nourishment, love, and joy!

There is a lot to be grateful for, despite the difficulties in our personal lives, and globally. Today, as I celebrate with a family of friends, I think of my family in New York, Maryland, Florida, and elsewhere. I am filled with gratitude for my ancestors of this land and lands far beyond the USA, that struggled to create a sense of safety, freedom, and peace, often not for all but just for the privileged few. I count myself as privileged, not by way of earning but just luck!

So many of us are torn, but each of us can pick up the thread and begin to mend and heal ourselves, our communities, our families, our ancestral wounds and our earth.

I am deeply filled with prayer, that we will all see beyond our differences to join one another in all that we share and cherish. I pray that we do not let our differences divide us. I am filled with gratitude for each person I know who chooses to share what’s in their heart, honestly and openly.

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Makeover Monday::Curb Kitchen Chaos

November 7, 2016 by Heather Filed Under: Home, Organize, Organizing Projects, Systems & Techniques Leave a Comment

This kitchen is a great example of ample storage but lack of good organizing and storage systems. This family wasn’t really seeing the potential for re-arranging items to better maximize the drawers, cabinets and pullout storage they had. We tackled the family “command center” first, a corner nook that seemed to capture everything from flower vases to cereal, kids medicine to keys. This area had become a “dumping ground” and was looking and feeling very cluttered. We talked about how this space could best serve the family’s needs and started by moving the items that didn’t belong out. This process will usually create a bigger mess initially than you have to begin with. The chaos of pulling things out and not yet having room to put them away can really turn people off …but hang in there!

We transformed what remained by corralling small items like kids art supplies (cute glass jars), keys (on command hooks), kids medicine (in clear bins), sun/glasses (small basket) and frequently used phone numbers (for the babysitter/nanny etc). The nearby desk drawer became more effective storage for everyday office supplies like pens, pencils, tape, scissors, the check book and the families paper calendar for quick reference.We used the larger upper shelves for less used items like serving dishes etc. e used the nearby desk drawer for everyday office supplies like pens, pencils, tape, scissors, the check book etc. This area also included a family paper calendar for quick reference. In this case, we spent two 3hr sessions on the kitchen and tackled strategic zones working our way from one end of the kitchen to the other, finishing with the fridge (no photo’s-sorry). The pull out storage cabinets were limiting in some ways due to their narrow size and shape so we took careful measurements the first session for storage supplies that would help contain smaller things like sippy cups, lids and measuring items. We moved larger items out of the pull out units into deeper cabinet drawers and created specific zones for items like breakfast, baking, spices and cooking condiments.

I generally create a system based on zones for any kitchen if possible, taking into account what the client likes to do (lots of baking but not a lot of cooking or vice versa). In the end the kitchen functions much more smoothly. Thanks to labels on all the shelves and drawers everyone knows where things belong. If your kitchen needs a bit of order, try re-thinking where you store items and create zones for more efficient use of space. Your time in the kitchen will be so much more enjoyable!

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Festive Felicitations!

I wish you Festive Felicitations in this season of sparkles, generosity and peace.

When we release something, we open up space, in our homes and in our hearts!

Gifts to help you (or someone else!) Get Organized

Organizing Gifts Galore!

Excellent Entertaining-6 Easy Steps

Tips for Excellent Entertaining

From table to table lets join in Gratitude

This holiday, as we break bread with one another, from table to table lets join in gratitude of home-place, nourishment, love, and joy!

So many of us are torn, but each of us can pick up the thread and begin to mend and heal ourselves, our communities, our families, our ancestral wounds and our earth.

Makeover Monday::Curb Kitchen Chaos

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