5 Things You Need To Know About Haven In A Box

5 Things You Need To Know About Haven In A Box

We spill the secrets behind our game-changing new product. It’s the next best thing to having us in your home!

We never thought we’d be thanking Covid, but here we are. Last Spring, as the pandemic raged, we realized something. There was no shortage of people needing help finding order in the chaos. Confined to their homes, our community was increasingly fed up with their clutter. As clients continued to ask for our help, we began to evaluate. Was there an easier, safer way to reach more people and help them reimagine their homes? Then we had an idea. Could we create a one-of-a-kind home-makeover experience, and deliver it directly to your door? Spoiler: we could. Covid, or no Covid, this new product is a game-changer. It’s an organizing experience like no other. A year in the making, we are thrilled to finally share it with you! So, yes, thank you, Covid. Without you, Haven in a Box might never have seen the light of day - and, for that, we’re truly grateful!

What is Haven in a Box?

A game-changing kit that delivers a home organizing experience like no other. It’s the next best thing to having us in your home.

Is this just for closets?

Yup. For the time being. We kicked off with the Closet Edition because we believe - now more than ever - a good day starts with a great outfit. We want to empower you to start every day feeling like your most pulled-together, confident self. Believe us when we say: this kit will change the way you dress.

Will there be more Boxes available?

More editions are in the works. We’re currently working on Kitchen and Home Office versions - watch this space!

Is it easy to use?

You bet! Haven in a Box is an interactive experience that allows you to go at your own pace. You’ll be guided through every aspect of a closet transformation, from honing your signature style, to editing, organizing, styling and maintaining your closet. Video tutorials help bring our organizing techniques to life. And each product is designed to work together to transform your space from the inside out.

What's included?

We spent a year pulling together all our favorite closet-organizing products. Some we made, and some we sourced from our go-to brands. Every item has been carefully selected to work together to ensure a seamless closet-makeover experience.

HERE’S THE RUN DOWN:

• The Maison Haven Closet Guide
  A 50+ page step-by-step guide to creating your dream closet. Everything you need to transform your closet - from editing, organizing, styling and maintenance - is in here.

• Closet tutorials
  Our organizing techniques brought to life! Learn how to transform your closet like a pro

• Seasonal Closet Reset Notepad
  A personalized system to keep your closet in shape season after season. This is a key step in maintaining your dream closet.

• Decode Your Style workbook
  A great closet means clothes that make you feel like your best self. Our digital workbook will teach you how to hone - then own - your signature style.

• 4 easy-to-attach labels to organize your off-season wear

• A set of our five custom Edit Labels to keep the all-important purge on track

• A set of 10 rail dividers to overhaul your hanging space

• A Steamery fabric shaver to keep knitwear in tip-top condition

• A Merchant & Mills rapid repair kit - a first-aid kit for your clothes!

• A chic Laundry Care & Stain Remover guide (bye bye washing woes)

• Steamery Clothes & Shoe Mist - keep items fresh (less washing = less carbon footprint)

• Our signature candle to add a dose of luxe to your closet.

How can I get my hands on one?

We’re glad you asked! Click HERE to order your Haven in a Box and begin your closet- transformation journey. Your closet deserves this, and so do you.

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I just found out I’m WFH until next year. Help me transform my home office!

I need help with my home office!

Want workspace zen? Look no further. We're officially launching our home office edit at Maison Market to add daily joy to your WFH setup. See our favorite products in action below!

Hands up who’s commuting? Us neither. Seven months into the global pandemic and millions of us are still WFH. At Maison Haven, we’ve seen a huge uptick in clients asking us to transform their home offices. Which is why we’re adding a dedicated Home Office section to our shop! We’ve pulled together our favorite products that are guaranteed to reduce clutter, increase productivity and save you time (and sanity). So, whether your current workspace is a whole swanky room or a corner of your kitchen table, our greatest hits will transform it fast.

P.S. If you want more detailed help with your office, read on to find out how to access our FREE 5-day ‘home office transformation’ course!

1. White magazine files

There’s a reason we use these files in every office we transform. They’re chic, versatile and make great use of vertical storage. Either line them up on a shelf, or add them to your desk. We love to add custom labels to create a personalized system.

2. Acrylic file box

Our motto: if it looks beautiful it’s more likely to stay that way. Which is why we’re focused on using products that inspire us. There’s no reason your filing system shouldn’t look fabulous. Step one: acrylic box. Step two: pretty hanging file. Step three: attach custom label to front. Voila! A beautiful filing system.

3. Drawer organizers

Drawers are the most overlooked storage real estate. Keep them neat and you’re 99% of the way there. Our go-to dividers are these gorgeous, gold-tipped acrylic ones because...why the hell not?

4. Mail sorter

Are you the kind of person who opens their mail daily, or do you let it build up into a paper mountain (no judgement here!) To keep on top of your mail, build in a daily habit. This mail sorter is great because it gives you somewhere to stash your mail when you walk through the door, but it’s not so large that you can let three months’ worth of bills go unopened (you’ll thank us in the end). And it’s portable, so if a kitchen table is all you got, no problem.

5. Labels

You know our mantra: label EVERYTHING. Nothing maintains a system like a sprinkling of pretty labels. Our office starter kit is a selection of our most-used labels. Add them to magazine files, file boxes, basically anything that doesn’t move.

6. Archive files

These are ideal for storing stationery supplies, paper and other ugly office paraphernalia (printer cartridges, we’re looking at you…)

7. Planner printable

The organized day doesn’t just stop at the decluttered desk. We also love to add shape and rhythm to a client’s day. Our gorgeous planner printable allows you to stay one step ahead every day of the week. You’re welcome!

Want more?

Sign up for our FREE 5-day WFH course and whip your home office into shape fast

WHAT YOU GET:

• 5 daily prompts to kickstart your transformation

• Access to our #5quickwins strategy

• 20% off our signature office labels

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How to create the ideal learning space

create a virtual classroom that lasts

Homeschooling isn’t going anywhere (sigh). Don’t panic - our quick and easy tips will set up a space that goes the distance (one less thing to worry about, right?!)

School’s in session! Our Fast 5 tips will help you get the best out of your kids’ learning space. Trust us, the right workspace will transform the way your child learns (and the way you teach – bet you never thought you’d see that one on your resume!). Take notes!

Embrace a space

Some may believe the three most important factors in determining the desirability of any real estate are location, location, location. But it’s 2020 and times have changed. You really can make any space in your home work. Find an area with little to no distractions, plenty of natural light (a desk lamp will do too), strong wi-fi and easy access to outlets. Final challenge? Ditch the clutter. If that feels like a challenge for you, we have just the caddy for the job (add these inserts to keep supplies neat). It’s pretty, portable and you can personalize it. Plus it’s perfect if your kitchen or dining room table have been doing double-duty and there’s a quick shift change after the final school bell.

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Stick to the schedule

Going paperless when it comes to your bills may be en vogue but paper is priceless and calendar is king when it comes to the school schedule. Sticking to a schedule is our secret for maintaining sanity and we treat it as sacred. Lately it can be near impossible to have a screen-free day which makes us love our School Schedule Printable even more. Remember to program time for play breaks and brain breaks because all work and no play makes everyone dull. Building healthy rituals into the calendar promotes that ‘going to school’ and ‘leaving school’ atmosphere. Print it, plan it and post it - where all can see. Can you say, “same page!”.

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Choose quality over quantity

The global pandemic may have us hoarding toilet paper but this should not be the approach taken for surviving remote learning. Instead focus on quality over quantity. Your home does not need to look like the inside of Staples and you do not need endless supplies. Focus on creating a grab-and-go system for the students in your life. Then easily maintain your system by having a refill structure in place. Our top high quality grab-and-go goodies also look beautiful displayed in your home making for a very easy clean-up. We love Stockmar crayons , Faber watercolors, sharpened Prisma colored pencils and heavy weight drawing paper.

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Tame the art

Covid may have hidden our smiles and made hugs a thing of the past but it hasn’t damped the creative spirit. Artistic ability, square footage and birth order usually play into the display, file, garbage pile decision-making process. We fully support (without judgement) whichever decision is right for you.

Display. We adore this meaningful, one-of-a-kind coffee table book by Printworks. Each page is framed and ready to be filled with doodles by your little Picasso. Bring life to your tabletop or bookshelf all while controlling the clutter and celebrating your child.

File. All hail the beautiful, simple and chic Archive Art Box. A great storage solution for art and completed homework. Easy to label, easy to store and easy to manage when you reach capacity and want to review.

Garbage Pile. This is perhaps the toughest choice because of the embedded guilt. We recommend the 21st Century alternative Artkive, a company that transforms your child’s art into a book. You keep the book and toss the original. All without the guilt.

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Stay flexible

Maison Haven loves nothing more than creating an organizing oasis, but quarantine has taught us that flexibility is a must for survival. Navigating unchartered waters takes grace and ease (mixed with a little humility, coffee and wine). It’s helpful to remember change is the only constant. Your child’s needs will shift throughout the year and with that so will you’re the organizational and storage systems you created. With this fluidity in mind, we are pleased to introduce you our favorite multi-talented products ready to show up for you.

We love these magazine holders. Sturdy, sophisticated and understated, they look good in any room and the metal label holder makes it extremely easy to label with a child’s name, a school subject or theme depending upon the need. Now it’s all in one place within arm’s reach.

There is nothing lazy about the Acrylic Turntable. With removeable dividers, it’s great for storing both craft and desk supplies, displaying mini projects and holding study snacks.

No back to (home)school is complete without super sticky post-it. Use the built in easel or stick it on a table or wall without damaging the surface. Perfect for teaching moments and math problems now and once school’s out use it for family game night, to-do lists or chore charts.

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- SHOP THE STORY -

Custom Caddy

Daily School Schedule

Custom art box

Great Art Book

Acrylic Turntable

If fast isn't your speed...

…become a Haven Insider and take a deep dive into our FREE Home Classroom 101 course. Daily prompts, insider tips, free printables and all our favorite products. See you there!

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8 Things Making Us Happy Right Now

8 Things Making Us Happy Right Now

What’s the saying? Happiness is a state of mind? You’re not alone if the happy thoughts are requiring a little more effort lately. So, in the spirit of World Smile Day, we’re sharing all the things currently tickling our fancy. Queue your happy dance!

1.Meditating

It’s scientifically proven that meditation releases all the feel-good chemicals but, while we love a buckwheat pillow as much as the next girl, sometimes we crave an alternative. Enter the Pinot/puzzle combo (bear with us). This puzzle helps strengthen self-confidence, while this delicious wine releases serotonin and dopamine into the brain. Worried about a hangover? Just use this magic wand to remove any histamines and sulfites from your glass and let the zen times roll. Cheers! 

2. Asking + Receiving

It has been a year of reassessing priorities and we’ve learnt that cultivating the world we want into being on a daily basis is something to smile about. Recently, we’ve been pulling from the Inner Compass Card deck when looking for guidance and direction (note: multiple times a day is totally acceptable). Ask and ye shall receive. Like astrology and tarot, this deck of oracle cards requires the user to have a little faith and a lot of intuition. Perhaps you just want to dip your toe into the divine realm, we suggest you dabbling in dream decoding. It will improve self-awareness and unlock your unconscious mind.

3. Sleeping 

Naps, sleeping in like a teenager, sleeping like a baby (or actually sleeping like your husband); these are a few of our favorite things. The math is simple. More sleep = happier human. People who sleep more wake up happier. Do you know how we achieve maximum sleep happiness? With silk. Silk is our secret. Slip on a silk sleep eye mask, slide into silk pjs and catch those zzzz’s on a silk pillowcase. Sleep tight!

4. Connecting

Humans connections serve the mind, body and soul. Sadly, they’ve been particularly hard to come by in the time of Corona. We’ve been missing long hugs, dancing at crowded concerts and even handshakes. The physical touch is still a tough one but we found something almost as good - the Instagram account Humans of NY. It’s real, its raw, it’s powerful, it’s human. When a friend or a stranger shares a truth, it brings us all closer. We aren’t alone anymore and that is definitely something to smile about.

5. Listening

The Good News Podcast – a much needed reminder that not all news is bad. Each episode is short, sweet and smile-inducing. We get it if 2020 has left you having an adverse reaction to anything including the word “news” so if that’s you just restore your sense of balance with this gorgeous daily ritual. You’re welcome.

6. Aging gracefully 

Self-care is always in style and currently these beauty products are giving us the warm and fuzzies. Be the Queen of Quarantine with the Empress Stone. We use it on our face and neck to shift stagnant energy, sculpt and erase fine lines. We’re also huge fans of Sakara’s Beauty Water. A couple of dropperfuls is enough to up your hydration game and transform you from the inside out.

7. Learning a skill 

Finished Netflix? Yup, us too. But don’t panic. Make the most of your time and add a skill to your arsenal. We are dying to join Lingua Franca’s virtual workshop and learn to embroider our own cult sweater. While we love the Touch Up My Appearance setting on Zoom, sometimes a gal needs more help. Cue Bobbi Brown. Her masterclass is way better than any filter, and reminds us that beauty is not about unattainable perfection.

8. (Feel Good) Reading

Haemin Sunim (aka the Twitter Monk) is a Buddhist teacher, founder of the School of Broken Hearts and a writer. His books are simple, soul-stirring and satisfying. Grab a copy of his wonderful The Things You Only See When You Slow Down and learn the art of calm. Altogether now…BREATHE.

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How to pack like a pro

How to pack like a pro

Image credit: Hey Sunny Jess

So, it turns out summer vacation, Covid-style, is proving tricky to navigate. Five months into the global pandemic and we’re scrabbling to keep up with shifting guidelines, state quarantines and international travel restrictions. But one thing’s for sure: the spirit of vacation lives on. Whether you’re opting for a staycation or dipping your toe in international waters, our Fast 5 packing guide will take the sting out of the prep work (which is one less thing to worry about, right?!)

Visualize & plan

Overpacking is the most common mistake people make, so adopt our golden rule: pack outfits, not things. Our clothes go straight from a color-coded closet onto a color-coded rail, which makes it much easier to create a cohesive capsule wardrobe. The best way to ensure you only take what you need? Use a packing list. It encourages you to plan out your vacation must-brings before you start filling your suitcase. Really think through your trip. Hot vs cold? Car vs plane? House vs hotel? Oh, and don’t leave packing to the last minute. Enjoy the process of pulling together your dream outfits - it’s all part of the fun.

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Pull & edit

Armed with your packing list, pull out your clothes by category. Workout, beach, loungewear, dresses etc. Then separate into outfits and lay them on your bed or floor so you get the overview. This will allow you to curate your ideal vacation wardrobe without sacrificing style or space (and avoids the ‘oops I’ve packed 15 white tees’ mistake). Be ruthless. If you’re struggling, follow the 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 approach. For a weeklong trip, pack five tops, four dresses, three bottoms, two pairs of shoes and one hat. Feeling overwhelmed? Focus on quality over quantity. And, for goodness sake, only pack items that make you feel like a million bucks. This is your vacay!

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Organize & pack

We have a fool-proof system when it comes to packing a suitcase (obviously). Always start with your shoes. Stash them in dust-bags and lay them at the bottom of the suitcase as flat as possible, ready to pack clothes on top. With slides and sandals, slot one inside the other to maximize the space. Some people roll but we love to lay clothes as flat as possible. And, remember, delicate fabrics go on top, right at the last minute. When it comes to underwear, keep it simple. A set for each day, plus a couple of extras just in case. Taking a sun hat? Fill the crown with smaller items like underwear or swimwear to maintain the shape. And we swear by packing cubes, too. They’re great for organizing and compressing clothes. Our final pack hack? Place your dresses in the suitcase on slim hangers so they’re ready to hang the moment you arrive. Trust us, the joy of opening your suitcase and being able to unpack at lightning speed is addictive.

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Travel-sized & double duty

Don’t take a vacation from looking your best because the TSA guidelines were created by a man with no skincare regime. If your best-loved products aren’t available in travel size, try refillable travel-sized bottles. Worried about space? Focus on multi-purpose products. Our double-duty favorites include BB Cream (even your complexion + add shimmer to your legs and collarbone), lip balm (hydrate your lip + tame your tresses + soften your cuticles) and micellar water (remove makeup + balance your skin). Pare down your make-up kit with a dual lip-cheek stain and a bronzer/highlighter that can double as an eyeshadow. Pack your clear case in the top left (the bottom when the suitcase is standing) to ensure ease of access and afford the most protection from any unfortunate cabin pressure spillage.

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Relax & let loose

Even the perfect pack can result in creases! To ensure a wrinkle-free getaway, we recommend traveling with our favorite trusty side-kick, a portable and lightweight steamer. It will have you looking super-fresh no matter how long the journey. Pro tip: we always pack a gorgeous fabric spray to ensure we get at least two wears out of dry-clean-only garments. Oh, one final thing. Add a couple of drops of essential oils to a cotton pad and stash in your suitcase. That way, your clothes come out smelling divine the other end. Bon voyage!

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- SHOP THE STORY -

Packing List

Packing Cubes

Slim Hangers

Portable Steamer

Grapefruit Essential Oil

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Pantry

Pantry

We take you behind-the-scenes of a project and break down exactly how we did it. Follow our guide and whip your panty into shape, fast!

THE BRIEF: transform this pantry into a streamlined, functioning space for a family of four.

THE APPROACH: we used Maison Haven’s signatures 3-step technique: edit, organize, style. We worked with the client to edit out any food items that were out of date or unlikely to be used. We created a personalized system, and then we sprinkled the visual fairy dust!

1..

Zones

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Whenever we’re designing a pantry system we spend time talking through not just what a client eats, but how they eat. Is their breakfast leisurely or rushed? Do cereal and snacks need to be on a lower shelf so little hands can access? Is the client cooking dinner from scratch most nights? Rule of thumb is this: anything you’re reaching for more than twice a week needs to be prime real estate. No bending down, no reaching up high. In this case, we designated each shelf a separate zone: the bottom is Breakfast, then Snacks, then Dinner, then Baking.

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2. STORAGE

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We measure a space at least twice before we decide on containers. And we also decide on a color palette in advance (in this case, whites and neutrals). The larger white baskets work well for bulkier items. Then we pepper in smaller white baskets to store prettier items, and break up the visual. For this client, we agreed on acrylic jars rather than glass so the kids couldn’t break them (where possible we love to purge packaging and decant dried goods into jars - so much easier to see what you have!) We added our custom labels to make it even easier to maintain the system, as well as our cooking labels to scribble down cooking instructions and Use By dates. One of our favorite pantry tricks is a bamboo turntable. They are great at maximizing shelf space and corralling items like cans and jars.

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3. INSERTS

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We always create a system within a system so that large baskets don’t become a hot mess. In this case, we added inserts to keep snack items neatly lined up. So much easier to grab and go!

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4. REFILLS

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The refill zone is a pantry’s secret weapon. It’s all very well designing a beautiful system, but it needs to be realistic, too. We always factor in a refill area for any multiples or excess. If you’re decanting pasta and have some left over, stash it in the Refill basket. Three bottles of olive oil? They go here too. Just remember to always, always check your refills before your next grocery shop.

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Fun fact

Can you spot the Wellness baskets at the top? Increasingly, we’re adding Wellness Zones to our clients’ pantries. These contain vitamins, protein powders, collagen and smoothie shakes. Even easier to stay on the healthy bandwagon! 

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SHOP THE STORY

- Custom Basket -

- Cooking Label -

- Hamptons Basket -

- Bamboo Turntable -

- Pantry Label Kit -

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Women's Equality

women’s equality

August 26th marks 100 years since women secured the right to vote. But there’s still work to be done. Here’s our round-up of the female voices leading the charge. Prepare to be inspired!

Some say hindsight is 2020. We say 2020 has been eye-opening. A global pandemic, murder hornets, dust clouds, extreme political division, egregious imbalances, social unrest...and it’s only August.

This month marks one hundred years since women secured the right to vote, with the passing of the 19th Amendment. Women’s Equality Day (August 26th) is a day both to celebrate this victory, and to highlight the continued struggle towards full equality. There’s still more work to be done. Did you know that in 44 states insurance companies use gender to determine a driver’s car insurance rate? (Guess which gender pays more...) Or that the average salary for men is roughly 19% higher than for women (and 25% higher than women of color)?

Historically (and personally) speaking, change is difficult and best served with a side of inspiration. So, with that in mind, we are championing the very best and brightest voices to guide your way. We say strong women with a view are always in style.

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BOOKS

We should all be feminists 
Tiny book. Big ideas. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explores what it means to be a women in the twenty-first century.

Gross Anatomy: A Field Guide to Loving Your Body, Warts and All
Sweat, body hair, cleavage… Mara Altman is asking all the right questions. 

Shortchanged: Why Women Have Less Wealth And What Can Be Done About It 
Raise your hand if you would like to know why women have less wealth? Mariko Lin Chang will explain and share solutions for increasing your financial situation.

Men Explain Things to Me
A pre-mansplaining, Rebecca Solnit penned her critique on male arrogance. 

My Own Words
The woman, the myth, the legend. The Notorious RBG. Need we say more?

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PODCASTS

Encyclopedia Womannica
Not your average high school history class. Spoiler alert – women were there too.

Unladylike
With the tag line, “stay curious. Build empathy. Raise Hell.” What’s not to love?

The High Low
The perfect mix of high to low brow. Brits Dolly Alderton and Pandora Sykes deliver a blend of water-cooler gossip and hard-hitting journalism. 

Dare I Say
Conversations with the most influential women of our time. And yes, we dare you.

Women Rule
Boss ladies sharing their secrets – the key to success and the journey to achieve it.

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CHANGEMAKERS

Alice Walker
As the first African-American woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction (The Color Purple, 1982), this 76-year-old is still an engaged social activist fighting for change.

Sheryl Sandberg
The COO of Facebook wrote in her 2013 debut book Lean In, “a truly equal world would be one where women ran half our countries and companies and men ran half our homes”. Check out leanin.org and join a virtual community designed to support, connect and inform.

Malala Yousafzai
She is 23, the youngest Nobel Prize laureate, survived a murder attempt and continues to be a fierce advocate for female education. 

Tarana Burke
Every wondered who started the Me Too Movement? It was Tarana and she wants us all to break the silence and stand up for ourselves.

Amanda Nguye 
CEO and Founder of Rise, Amanda works hard to effect policy, champions for us to rise up and change the world. Oh, and she’s training to become an astronaut.

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INSTAGRAM

Jameela Jamil
She calls herself a feminist-in-progress and we cannot get enough of her @i_weigh movement.

Female Founder Collective
A community where women are celebrated, encouraged, and inspired. Scroll, double-tap, repeat. 

Rupi Kaur
Poet, photographer, artist. A true triple ‘threat’.

MAKERS Women 
Ignite passion. Take action. Yes, please. We just got chills.

Gloria Steinem
A woman who needs no explanation.

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RESOURCES

Oya 
The first mobile app to find women-owned business near you. There are 11 million of them – go find them!

Daily Worth 
A judgment-free zone for all things financial.

Maven
Founded by Katherine Ryder, Maven bills itself as ‘a new type of healthcare company that puts women and modern families at the center.’ Their high-tech platform offers affordable access to medical professionals.

Female Founder Collective 
Designer, Rebecca Minkoff, has fashioned another hit - a platform of businesses led by women, supporting women. Their mission is to empower women-owned businesses to positively impact our communities. 

Hey Mama Co 
A community to connect working moms. They know the juggle is real and are here to help.

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I want to organize my home but I need help getting motivated!

Q: Five months into the pandemic, can you help me get motivated?

A: Consider us your virtual cheerleaders. These simple mindset shifts will change the way you organize

We know. We’re not used to spending this much time at home either. At first it was a novelty, but fast-forward five months and there’s Nowhere. To. Hide. You kick each week off determined to whip your home into shape, only to find things sliding back to normal by hump day. The key is to identify your organizing style and build a system around it. Break it down into manageable goals. Rather than ‘I want to organize my house’, which feels vague and unwieldy, switch it to: ‘I will create a system that makes my pantry work’. Take it a room at a time. Make it specific. Ready? Let's go!

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I vow...to create space

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Skip this step at your peril. Take one room at a time and make a ruthless choice to trash/donate/consign all the things you don't need. Some people advise starting small with an easy-to-tackle spot in your room. We say: go big or go home. Once you’ve nailed the space that makes you scream, the rest of the house will seem like small fry. Need some inspo? Look at the photograph above. Our client was struggling to part with her excess clothes, so we pulled out a third of her closet. She was blown away by the result. Not only was there space for her clothes to breathe, it was much easier to create outfits because everything was visible. She vowed to adopt the ‘one in one out’ rule and remove one item from her wardrobe any time she was adding to it. Remember, sometimes you need a visual kickstart. Also remember: space is your friend.

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I vow...to transform my entryway

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There’s a reason we spend time getting clients’ entry points right. The way you enter your home sets the tone for the rest of the house. If your entryway is a car-crash of coats, shoes, bags and other paraphernalia, then shoot this zone to the top of your to-do list. Design a drop zone that works for you. Short on space? Your system could be as simple as a standalone coat rack or hooks behind a door. Got drawers? Invest in some dividers. Finally, adopt our ‘60-second rule’. When you arrive home, spend 60 seconds putting things in their place. Not only does it clear your head but it makes it easier to leave the house, too.

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I vow...to make the

effort

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Yes, we’ll share our decluttering secrets, cheerlead the hell out of you, and help you design a system that works. But maintaining your system? That’s up to you. Be honest with yourself. If you truly want a home that works hard - a home that looks and feel great - then repeat after us: I will make the effort. There are no shortcuts. Once the system is in place, STICK TO IT. Did you know that 80% of cleaning is picking stuff up and putting it away? Utter madness. Tidy a room before you leave it. Return items to their place. Don’t leave a mess to fester. Get into the habit of doing it as you go along. Trust us, the pay-off is worth it.

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I vow...to live smart

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Organizing your home shouldn’t break the bank. We love to repurpose (we call it our Shop My Home technique!) We’ve used everything from vintage hampers to upcycled shoe boxes. It doesn’t have to be expensive to work. Also, actually use what you have. Finish the last inch of toothpaste, the last drops of olive oil, the last roll of kitchen paper. Don’t buy multiples of things. You’ll waste less, consume less, and bring less clutter into your home. Finally, adopt the one-in-one-out rule. Make a pact with yourself to donate/consign an item each time you buy something new. This will be EXCRUCIATING in the beginning. But once the habit is formed, you’ll wonder what took you so long. Keep a container handy in each zone for items to purge. Then do it (this is very important).

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I vow...to make it pretty

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One of our best-kept secrets? We make a visual statement with the way we organize. We color-code. We use stylish storage. We go the extra mile. Why? There are real psychological benefits to maintaining this kind of visual order. Dr. Sally Augustin, PhD, an environmental psychologist says it’s possible that an organized and visually stimulating space can make its owner feel calmer and less stressed. She says: “Bring the complexity in your refrigerator down to a moderate level, and when you open the door, you would have a positive response.” That positive response means you’re more likely to keep it that way. Amen to that!

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The Magazine Maestra: Sarah Tomczak

The Magazine Maestra: Sarah Tomczak

Sarah Tomczak has been shaping the way women think for over twenty years. A stellar career in the magazine industry has given her a sixth sense for what the modern woman wants. Tomczak cut her teeth in New York at celeb-bible, US Weekly, and since then she’s worked at a slew of publishing heavyweights, including the UK’s Daily Mail and GLAMOUR, as well as penning etiquette guides in her spare time (true story: her first book was titled ‘L is for Lady’). Now she’s at the helm of Red, the UK’s second-largest glossy magazine after Vogue. Eternally stylish (picture Jackie-O’s elegance with Marilyn’s curves), Tomczak’s real-woman appeal is one of the many reasons her tribe flocks to her Instagram feed. Her recent move to the dreamy British seaside, with her photographer husband and two gorgeous daughters, has only added to the lifestyle porn!

Onto the Q&A…

The most organized part of my home is...

None of the bits that I have anything to do with! My husband is a stickler for order and cohesion and I am the opposite. He folds his clothes using a folding board and I cram mine in and shut the door before they fall out again.

And the least organized is...

My baking cupboard. It’s extremely haphazard with glass jars balancing precariously on top of each other and a fine dusting of icing sugar in most corners.

My secret organizing hack...

I’m big on baskets – for kids toys, Lego, hats and gloves, hair accessories, and arts and crafts. It means they always look nice on the outside despite being a jumble on the inside.

My most treasured possession is...

a necklace my husband gave me for my 40th birthday. He sourced vintage charms with his initial and those of my two daughters. The ‘S’ for Sylvie was from a Victorian tie pin, and the ‘C’ for my daughter Coco was originally a crescent moon from a necklace. They’re beautiful but I also love how much time and thought went into it.

My proudest career moment so far...

moving to New York to pursue a career in journalism, aged 24 and becoming the editor of Red almost two decades later.

A surprising thing people don't know about me is...

I can still do the splits – a party trick I still roll out all the time!

Last text I sent was to...

a neighbourhood mum to organize a play date. Editing a magazine whilst working from home and keeping the kids entertained at the same time is a constant challenge.

I'm currently reading...

An American Marriage by Tayari Jones

My current WFH situation is...

both a blessing and a challenge. We moved to the seaside last Christmas, so working from home every day means I don’t have to commute into the city, I’ve enjoyed settling into a new place and building a community here, I’ve spent more time with my kids and husband and I’ve carved out time for myself that I never had before. But it’s challenging to lead a team and be creative and navigate an uncertain climate while alone in your kitchen, oh wait, not alone because I am homeschooling a five and an eight year-old too!

My go-to dish...

changes a lot. I’ll tend to cook the same thing quite a few times and then move on. At the moment I love Diana Henry’s roasted tomatoes with fennel, pistachio nuts, yogurt, feta and herbs and Ottolenghi’s baked rice with garlic and cinnamon.

First thing I do when I wake up is...

scrape my tongue with Jasmine Hemsley’s Tongue Tingler – it’s addictive!

Last thing I before I go to sleep is...

two sun salutations. I read that this sequence of yoga poses stretches every muscle in your body, so I like to think I’m stretching the day away before I get into bed.

I unplug by...

swimming in the sea. It’s a recent hobby that I have found myself craving, the more I do it. The combination of the cold water, being immersed so utterly in nature and the resulting endorphins is intoxicating.

The mantra is live by is...

‘You give a little love and it all comes back to you.’ Which is a line from a song in Bugsy Malone, but my girls and I sing it a lot! Also, when I am feeling hesitant about big decisions, I always think of the last line from the Mary Oliver poem, The Summer Day, ‘Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?’ It reminds me to be brave.

My haven at home is...

a very sunny spot at the end of my kitchen, you can often find me basking happily here.

SARAH’S WORLD

- Nadia Caned Accent Chair -

- Splatter Serving Bowl -

- Dolce Vita Print -

- Arden one-shoulder maxi dress -

- Fermoie Sicily Cushion -

Follow Sarah on Instagram here.

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Organize Your Workout Gear Like a Pro

Organize your workout gear like a pro

These quick wins are guaranteed to transform your fitness zone fast!

We’re thrilled to introduce you to our new Fast 5 series. Whichever zone we’re tackling, we’ll distill our technique into five fast steps that will deliver maximum results in the minimum time. Let’s kick off with every closet’s nemesis: workout gear. As our obsession with chic athleisure grows, so do the piles in our closets. But that changes today. Read on for our Fast 5.

Edit

Pull e-v-e-r-y-t-h-i-n-g out. Tops, leggings, sports bras, socks, sweatshirts, you name it, it goes on the bed. Turn up the music and go to town. Sort into categories and ditch anything you no longer wear, or doesn’t make you feel a million bucks (life’s too short). Organize by clothing type (leggings, tanks, sports bras etc), or by sport (yoga, running, spinning etc).

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Pick a zone

Assess your closet with fresh eyes. Where can you create a dedicated Workout Zone? Can you reclaim a couple of drawers? Bingo. Excess hanging space? There’s your answer. And if you’re short on space, don’t panic. Grab some matching baskets and use them like drawers. Wherever you land, make sure your workout gear is in one place.

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Space it out

Even in the largest closets we tackle, we never waste space. If you’re organizing into baskets or drawers, then file-fold (to see our fitness file-folding tutorial, click here). You’d be amazed how much more you can fit. Add adjustable drawer organizers to customize the layout. Hanging? Uniform hangers take your closet from wah-wah to wow. For teeny spaces, a 4-tier hanger makes use of the height.

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Label

Now you have a functioning Workout Zone, let’s maintain the system. The easiest way to do this is to label. Add bin clips to baskets and rod dividers to hanging rails. Pro tip: stick a discreet label to the lip of each drawer to highlight what each row contains.

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Style it up

Yup, you heard us. Our mantra is: a space that looks beautiful is more likely to stay that way. So color-code your drawers or hanging rails. Start with the dark colors and progress to light. Make a feature of your yoga mats. Throw your favorite baseball caps onto a shelf and style them up. Make a visual statement!

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- SHOP THE STORY -

Bin clip

Drawer insert

Hanger

Huggable hanger

Rod divider

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