How To Trim Your Tree

Just this week someone asked me the darndest question:

"Can you tell me how to decorate my Christmas tree?"

This time of year, a lot of us are bundling up in our mittens and hats to go pick our tree, while others of us may be hauling an artificial one out of the basement…but what I didn't realize is that many of us never really feel all that satisfied with the way it looks once we have it all trimmed. 

Well, that's not good!

SO, I thought it would be fun this week to share some tips and tricks that I use when decorating my own tree as well as my clients' trees that can really help this centerpiece of our holiday decorations to look dazzling and magical. :) So here goes: 

1. Be Bright-- the first and most important thing you are going to add to your tree is lights, and lots of them. The formula I most often hear for properly lighting your tree is to use approximately 100 lights per each vertical foot of the tree.  I know this sounds like a lot of lights, but once you see the difference this makes, you will never go back to a mere two or three strands sparsely sprinkled on the branches! The reason the number of lights is so important is because the glow and sparkle they give is really what makes the tree come alive visually, and gives it that magical twinkle that literally lights up a room. This year, add more lights. Really. It is a game changer. 
2. Be Consistent--In order for your tree to have visual impact, you need to have elements on it that make it look cohesive and consistent. Usually the best way to do this is to use garland and/or ribbon as well as matching glass balls or other large ornaments all over the tree that are all of the same color scheme. Trees that don't have this grounding element can look chaotic, with each ornament different from the next, and nothing pulling the whole thing together visually. Once you have these foundational elements in place, you can comfortably go on to the next step where you can then add a little of the sentimental chaos….:)
3. Be Sentimental--The part of our tree that makes it so meaningful are the ornaments that we have collected over the years that are significant to us. To be honest, these are NOT the things that will most likely give your tree the "wow" factor…but they are, after all,  what we love about Christmas! After you have completed step two where you have given your tree an overall balance and color scheme, the sentimental ornaments should be sprinkled throughout the limbs, between the colored balls and garland, completing the look of your tree!

I hope that these few ideas help you to feel more confident as you deck the halls this year-- AND I hope this year you are able to step back and smile with pride as you look at your gorgeous, glowing, glittering tree!

Today Is Small Business Saturday!

Because today is SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY, a day to celebrate and support small local businesses, I wanted to do something very special to celebrate!
 

TODAY ONLY, from 3-6pm, I will be offering special gift certificates for a House Call with me --a fun, inspiring, idea-filled hour-long appointment to help you see your house through new eyes, and start you moving forward!

If you have been thinking of setting up an appointment with me, or know someone whom would love the insight and inspiration a House Call provides, there has never been a better time!

Here is what Joey F. of West Chester said after her House Call last month:
"Erin…I LOVE my new home….So, thank you, thank you, thank you. I feel like I’m finally in a home that feels homey.  :) That’s the magic you weave, isn’t it? :) "

Normally a House Call is $150, but for these three hours only it will be offered for $99! I have only 20 of these gift certificates available, and once they are gone, they are GONE! 

This is a perfect holiday gift for someone you love (or for YOURSELF!) The gift certificate is valid for one year after purchase. 

To claim yours, you must call my assistant, Jo Ann, between the hours of 3-6pm this Saturday November 29th. Credit card payment only will be accepted.  
 

If you are interested, please call Jo Ann this Saturday:
 (610) 636-7217
Can't wait to see you for your House Call!

When Things Don't Go As Planned

As they so often don't...

If your life is anything like mine (as I am pretty sure it is), there are times when the tide just seems to be pushing against you--maybe even throwing you against some nice sharp rocks. From petty annoyances to dammitall difficulties, day-to-day of life during these seasons of stress is busy, overwhelming and unpredictable. 

These are the times when it is so nice to have a live-in housekeeper and nanny. 

But again, if your life is anything like mine (as I am pretty sure it is) you don't.  

Not only is Alice from the Brady Bunch not in the kitchen with dinner ready when you get home, but there is a heaping pile of unopened mail on the counter, the cat box needs to be scooped (puh-lease!), the trash cans are overflowing, and you can't remember the last time you changed your sheets. 

The thing that we often do at these times to make matters worse (whether or not we admit it to ourselves), is create drama and criticism in an already difficult situation.  For example, we might imagine someone from whom we long to receive approval ( I dunno, Oprah? The Pope?), showing up unannounced (gasp!) at our front door wanting a full house tour. 

Because, you know that kind of thing happens all the time. 

Not. 

But nonetheless, we go there mentally, fully experiencing how unimpressive our life would be to these oh-so-impressive people.  "I really need to get my s%*t together," you say to yourself. "C'mon! What's wrong with me?!?"

I would like to offer an alternative to this personal flogging--one that will actually make things better--something that beating ourselves up never does. 

1. Fashion Small Victories: think about something that would make you feel better and more at peace in your home. We are not talking renovations or new paint colors--we are talking small--like a sink that is completely free of dirty dishes, a bed that is beautifully made, a load of wash that is put in the washer smellin' all good as it sloshes around. Pick one. Do it. Celebrate.

2. Remember- Progress Not Perfection: As in step number 1 above, paying attention to the things we can do right now with our limited time and resources, is so much more helpful that being critical of ourselves for not getting everything done all at once. The last thing we need right now is judgment and negativity--so make sure you aren't creating any of it yourself with your own thoughts. Repeat this mantra after me: "Peaceful progress, peaceful progress, peaceful progress…"

3. Schedule A "Do Nothing" Day:  Sometime later this month, after the stomach bug has finally left the building, the deadline has been met at work, and the dog has safely passed the miniature action figure she ate last week, put a day on your calendar that is simply for you. Let no one schedule anything on this day--really. Plan on lazying around in your jammies and doing what seems best to you moment to moment.  If you do want to re-create some order around the house on this day, do so slowly and in a way that is fun and enjoyable--no deep cleaning or breaking a sweat.  (If you are already arguing with me that this is not possible, there are too many things TO DO and PLACES TO BE, we need to talk. You absolutely can take a whole day just for you. You are worthy of that, and the world will not stop turning if you check out for 24 hours. Trust me.)

While these seasons of stress are absolutely no fun, we can be mindful that life is not like this all the time (thank GOD!). During the stressful times, we must remember to be kind and understanding with ourselves and create peaceful progress that will carry us forward. 

Our Next Class At The Farmhouse--December 2nd!

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and peace…but what we often experience is quite the opposite. During this class we will discuss how best to embrace beauty & simplicity at this special time of year, honor our faith/holiday traditions in a meaningful way, deal with all of the extra STUFF that invades our houses, and create a beautiful environment in our homes to help us savor and enjoy 'the most wonderful time of the year'

Instead of overwhelm this year, let's create peace. 

Here are the details:

When: Tuesday December 2nd 2014 at 7:30pm 

Where: Locust Hill Farm 327 W Baltimore Pike Media, PA 19063 (across from Wawa Corporate Center).

Admission: $15

Email me today --erin@revealingredesign.com-- to register. Don't delay! We oftentimes fill up quickly, since there are a limited number of spaces.

Hope to see you there!

Pay Attention To Your Blessings

It is time for your monthly homework assignment!

So, it is said that whatever you pay attention to grows.

Mindfully becoming aware of what we are giving our attention to is life-changing. 

It is November, and we are preparing to celebrate Thanksgiving--SO, for your assignment this month I want to invite you to give your attention to all of the blessings in and around your home. 

Here are the three simple steps for you to take: 

Step One:

Each day notice at least one thing in your home that you are grateful for...

My heater just came on as I am typing this. I am very grateful for heat on this chilly morning. Also, I love that my dog is sleeping soundly behind me in her bed. So peaceful. Look around you with an open heart and notice all of the gifts that  we can easily overlook as we all too often furrow our brow and wonder why our home doesn't look like the latest Better Homes and Gardens.

Step Two:

Write it down.  

This month leading up to Thanksgiving we have a wonderful opportunity to "see" things differently. Taking the next step of writing down that which we are grateful for helps us to really take in all of our blessings. Two Thursdays from now you will have a concrete list of at least fourteen things (and I bet you will have many more than that) to read over and feel your heart swell with gratitude. You will be amazed at how much your house has changed over these two weeks. 

Step Three:
(Extra Credit!!) Share with a friend--Things are always more fun with a friend or partner, and knowing that you each are writing a gratitude journal will make it more likely that you will actually do it. Make plans to share your entries with one another on Thanksgiving--what a blessing!

I hope you will join me in doing this month's homework assignment. Please share below what you notice as you do, and what you are most grateful for. We will all be better for it!