One of the easiest ways I organise my life daily is by writing a big to-do list every evening for the following day.
For me I prefer to write everything down I need to remember. However if to-do lists are new for you, keep it simple. A to-do list is not there to make you feel overwhelmed and disappointed if you don't achieve everything. A to-do list is there to help with time management, prioritising your day / workload and to ultimately guarantee you a productive day.
First thing's first, write down the top THREE tasks you need to achieve. These tasks should be things that need your focus & attention. They could be things that will help move your business forward, or deadlines you need to meet for a client. No matter what they are, write them down & make sure these are the three things you focus on in the AM when your attention span is high and you are feeling fresh & motivated. These are called your MIT's or 'Most Important Tasks'.
If you feel comfortable adding other tasks to your to-do list, leave a gap and continue writing other 'minor' tasks, meetings or reminders you have for the day.
It's important to segment your to-do list / day into sections. This will help you manage your time, prioritise your workload and make the day a lot more achievable and stress-free. As I said before - you do not need to achieve EVERYTHING on this list. It's there for you to prioritise your workload & your day. Life is fast paced, and things can change & pop up - remain flexible but know what you NEED to achieve on your to-do list that day, and what you WANT to achieve if you have no interruptions or delays. There is a big difference between need and want!
Your code can be unique to you. Here are some examples below:
COLOUR:
With the colour coding, a simple tick next to the item or box can be implemented when you complete a task.
SYMBOLS:
Personally I'm a fan of symbols. See below an example of how I organise & code my to do-list daily. And also the key I work to.
Once you have worked out your coding system. Go through your to-do list and allocate each item a 'code'. This will help you prioritise your day. When your to-do list is complete, read through it all and mentally prepare for the day ahead. Next, switch off and relax for the evening, knowing you are organised and ahead of the game!
In the morning when you are focused and fresh, start your day and follow your to-do list. Concentrate on one task at a time where possible, and enjoy the satisfaction of ticking of at least your x3 priorities or MIT's.
Enjoy, Beck x
Be kind to yourself: Especially if you’re coming from a pandemic WFH situation, it was a big adjustment with a lot of global uncertainty. A lot of things may have changed and being kind and giving yourself some time & compassion as you adjust your life yet again should be at the forefront of your mind as you adjust to working back in the office.
Routine: Create a routine that works for your new schedule, being prepped and organised as to how your week will now run will relieve a large part of the overwhelm of going back into the office. Remembering that this routine doesn’t need to look the same as it did the last time you were consistently working from the office.
Systems & Processes: Like your routine, re-familarise yourself with the systems & processes of your work (either those you personally create to stay organised & productive or the ones required by your workplace). Do these still allow you to work at your best or is there a better way you could be doing things? It’s a great tool to reflect on each year and review how best to use your time.
Be intentional with your time: Set realistic expectations and goals for yourself along with boundaries. As always what you need to get done and what you want to get done are two separate things, utilise your time to be your most productive and get through your M.I.Ts while managing your work/life balance.
Keep up your wellbeing practices: Mismanaged stress, anxiety and even time & energy can have such a big impact on your day to day life. Make sure to continue to prioritise any wellbeing practices you have despite the change in your routine and structure.
For me, entering the 10th year of An Organised Life felt like the perfect time to close this chapter & enter the next. Since moving back home to NZ in 2018, I've worked hard to run the business & team in Sydney remotely. But entering motherhood & welcoming our beautiful daughter Isabella to the world in July 2022 was a pivotal moment in life which helped guide the decision to close the business.
Reflecting back on the last 10 years, I have done more than I ever thought I was capable of. Starting the brand from my tiny Bondi apartment in 2013 as an eager 23 year old, I couldn’t have dreamed An Organised Life would have grown to where it is today. The end of An Organised Life will be a heartfelt goodbye but I will eternally treasure my amazing customers, the community, memories, & growth it brought.
It's also the beginning of a beautiful new chapter & a time to celebrate & thank YOU, our dedicated customers, community, stores, corporate clients, media, friends of the brand & of course my loved ones & team, who have supported myself & the company for the last 10 years. An Organised Life would not be where it is today without each & every one of you.
For me personally, I’m going to enjoy & celebrate every last minute between now & our closure in March. And then I will be entering my next chapter focusing on my beautiful family. First & foremost, having more time to be a mother to Isabella & reset, before entering the next phase of my career growing the incredible Makespace brand & some other exciting projects with my partner Isaac & focusing on Creative Direction.
Wishing you all the best x
- Beck Wadworth, Founder
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A macadamia farm in the Byron Hinterland - Tides Estate, Tevan. As it was an intimate wedding ceremony with just our immediate families, we were married in Tides Villa.
It was such a special day I don’t know if I can narrow it down! From walking down the aisle to James Blakes’ Godspeed and having the rain falling softly around the intimate deck we were married on to reading our vows to one another through happy tears — our ceremony was such a beautiful, moody affair that perfectly captured Jordan and I as a couple. Our celebrant Pip Best (She’s incredible!) also incorporated three surprise elements that we love about each other into the ceremony and it was so moving to have that surprise on the day.
Another favourite moment would have to be when Jordan and I gave a speech together before dinner and individually highlighted to each guest, couple or family what we love and appreciate about them and what they mean to us as a couple. It was one of the perks of having such a small intimate wedding and resulted in lots of laughs and happy tears.
But really the whole day was one huge whirlwind of highlights!
1. Budget; this was so helpful when we were trying to work out rough costings and then tracking actual payments. What I didn’t realise in popping my initial quotes into the budget was that these would continuously change as things were added or subtracted so the budget section helped me keep track of all the changes.
2. The tips & tricks at the beginning of each section; they continuously prompted me to book appointments, ask questions of our suppliers’ or consider elements that I might have overlooked.
3. Our Big Day; we had a wedding planner which helped significantly but the Our Big Day section helped us stay on track with the elements that we needed to consider to make the day go smoothly. It was also really good for a top level overview of the day we were planning.
This is more about time investment than money investment, but I’m glad we invested in ‘Wedding Workshop Wednesdays’. Jordan coined it early on when we were finding ourselves juggling work and wedding planning; and weren’t doing the latter particularly well. On Wednesday evenings, for a couple of hours, we’d pull out our AOL Wedding Planner and update our mood boards and respond to emails / update budgets. It made the wedding planning feel really collaborative and meant we were making considered decisions together. It also allowed us to cut a lot of the traditional things that didn’t make sense to us as a couple. As a result our wedding day was such a joyous celebration of who we are as a couple; and I’ll always be grateful that we both carved out the time and created it together.
Going with my gut from the start and purchasing the earrings and shoes I wanted the first time around. I ummed and ahhed about whether I should get the Staud Sloane Mules and Agmes Baroque Bodmer Earrings and ended up wasting time and money on other options before circling back to them. If you know you love it, just buy it.
A polaroid camera with lots of film! We had an amazing photographer capturing our day but the polaroids allowed our guests to capture fun moments when we were off with Brendan. And the best part was waking up the next day to the stack of polaroids and reminiscing and laughing over moments captured with guests.
Name: Rebe
Occupation: Designer
Pronouns: She/Her
Traditional Place Name: Hawera, Taranaki
I have been using an AOL Diary for a number of years now and I really can’t function without it! I do remember my first one, I actually still have it! I keep all my yearly diaries as little mementos, something my Poppa used to do.
I chose the A5 Daily Planner in Beige. The beige leather is super chic, I love having a full page per day and it’s an easy size to fit in your bag.
Again, it’s the full page per weekday. I write down everything (to-do, goals, notes) therefore enjoy having the space! I also love the “goal for the week” prompts.
It keeps me productive! There are many facets to owning a business and juggling everything can become very overwhelming. I rely on putting pen to paper and writing out my goals and to-do list at the start of each day/week. This helps to declutter the mind and gives structure. Nothing feels better than crossing things off your list.
Quite simply my AOL Diary! Plus organising emails into subject folders - makes things so much easier when trying to find specific threads.
The growth of my brand, REBE. I will be expanding the collection next year, moving into RTW. Watch this space!
I’m really proud of what I've achieved professionally, having worked as a buyer over the years, I’ve been able to travel a lot with work which has always been a dream! I’ve made some extremely special, lifelong connections along the way too. Taking the plunge and starting my own label was super daunting and there have been a number of challenges I’ve had to navigate, but on reflection I recognise now that the challenging times are all part of the journey, you work through them, you learn and you grow - a little cliché but very true!
I’m excited for the next chapter of REBE. 2023 actually signifies a huge transition professionally. I'll be leaving my full time job (of 7 years!) to focus solely on my business. Big changes. A little scary, but so ready!
Life these days is fast paced, and for most, we are our own harshest critic when it comes to things that don’t quite go our way throughout the year. We dwell on the negatives and somehow skim over the positives. Rarely do we stop to celebrate all the incredible achievements we have made throughout the year. Sitting down to write your goals is a valuable time that allows you to reflect on the year that’s been - the good and the bad. It allows you to feel proud of all the boxes you have ticked, and gives you an opportunity to workshop and refocus on the areas you want to improve on.
REFLECT & REVIEW:
Think about the last 12 months. What were the highs and lows? What did you achieve and what could you improve on? Jot it all down. Reflecting on the year that was will help you to assess your priorities and goals for 2023.
REFOCUS:
Now refocus for the next 12 months. Where do you want to be personally, professionally & financially at the end of 2023?
Split your 2023 goals into the following categories;
Personal: For example, work out three times a week, or have a healthy work-life balance by doing X and Y, or focus on being present.
Professional: For example, build my business by focusing on X,Y and Z, or meet all my KPIs to work towards X, Y and Z, or get a job promotion by doing X,Y and Z.
Financial: For example, save for a trip to X, or for a house deposit, or grow my sales or savings by X amount.
Make sure your goals are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely).
TIP: Some years are more challenging than other. When you're thinking about your 2023 goals, you might have a different mindset to other years & this is to be expected. Make your goals work for you - more on this HERE.
It sounds simple, but it's very important to make sure your goals are very specific & also realistic. Try not to make them vague.
Things to consider?
For example if you are wanting to reach all your KPI's at work and receive a pay rise then make sure you specifically write your financial goal as:
* Strive to reach my KPI's at work by XX / XX / 2023 and receive a $X pay rise.
Being specific with your goals makes them a lot more achievable. Firstly because it gives you an exact measurable task to strive for and secondly visually seeing this challenge / goal as well as the reward from reaching this goal allows you to really focus on it and manifest. It gives you direction and purpose to work hard everyday towards this goal.
I'm not going to lie, when you set a goal, 99% of the time it's never going to be smooth sailing the whole way when you are trying to achieve it. But this is a positive as it makes us stronger and is part of the challenge of a goal. Get ahead by identifying the potential road blocks that could lie ahead for each goal and what you could do to overcome this.
Our tip is always knowing & prepping for the best & worst case scenario.
A simple example below:
Personal Goal: To focus on my health & wellbeing in 2023 by working out twice a week every week in the hopes of being stronger & fitter mentally and physically by the end of the year.
What issues or hurdles might I face along the way? & how can I overcome these?
Issue: Time poor & tired with busy periods at work & lack of funds sometimes.
Outcome:
P.S It is so easy to make excuses or give up when you reach road blocks, make sure you challenge yourself to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Take a big deep breath, give yourself time to feel sad or angry or disappointed and then pick yourself up, refocus and push yourself. You only live once so strive to reach those dreams one goal at a time.
Once you have a clear understanding and vision on how you can realistically achieve your goal/s - put an action plan in place with small milestones you can tick off weekly or monthly in your diary (using the goal planning section). If you have a pin board - print or write out your goals and smaller tasks as a to-do list where you can see it, visualise and manifest. Otherwise reflect back to your diary weekly to remind yourself what your goals are.
Tip: Trust me - if you write it down, you are more likely to tick each step off. If you can’t see the plan you probably wont see your goal/s through.
Now that you are underway to achieving your goals make sure you celebrate the small milestones along the way. Remember all of the small actions & tasks are helping you get one step closer to that big goal/s. Reward yourself for your handwork & commitment.
Good Luck & Happy New Year! x
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Name: Eleanor Pendleton
Occupation: Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Gritty Pretty
Pronouns: she/her
Traditional Place Name: Darkinjung Country
To tell the truth, I can’t quite remember as it's been so many years… As a friend of An Organised Life’s founder Beck Wadworth, I’ve been a supporter of her business since its inception. While I maintain a digital calendar, I also can’t give up having a physical diary as well – it helps me document my to-do list and compartmentalize my workload. There’s something about writing my to-do list at the end of the day so I start each morning fresh, raring and ready to go.
For 2023, I’m embracing a beige A5 Weekly Diary – I like having the week laid out in front of me. I also adore the personal touch of having my initials monogrammed in white on the soft vegan leather bound cover.
I’m a natural planner and quite a reflective person so I love the FUTURE GOALS and and ACTION PLAN FOR GOALS pages at the beginning of the book. There’s nothing more satisfying than filling these out over the Christmas/New Year holiday break when I’m able to step away from my company, Gritty Pretty, and really contemplate.
For me, organisation is integral to my mental health. If I’m not organised in all aspects of my life – whether it be ensuring my son’s needs are met, managing my business and team, maintaining a tidy home, booking in pilates and yoga classes and ordering groceries in advance – then I really feel the impact on my mental state. They say “clean space = clean mind” and I really find that quote to ring true to my personality type.
Outsource what you can. I am in a privileged position to be a working mother who can outsource tasks such as a fortnightly cleaner, grocery shopping deliveries and nappy subscriptions. I try to order whatever I can online to avoid spending my time going to the shops as that is time I’d rather spend with my family.
Personally, my most exciting achievement in 2023 will no doubt be birthing my second child. I cannot wait to meet my new baby and am really excited to give birth for the second time and watch my son become a big brother to his new baby sibling.
Professionally, I’m taking maternity leave for 6 months – a huge achievement that anyone who runs their own business will understand. I’m excited for my incredible team at Gritty Pretty to step up while I’m offline and run the ship.
And financially, I always have goals (both individually and as a married couple). We’re working hard to further renovate our home for our family and explore other forms of investments to grow our financial wealth.
Having recently turned 34 earlier this month, I find birthdays are an opportunistic time to really reflect. I have always been of the opinion that every birthday, every lap around the sun is a gift and to grow old is an utter privilege. I am so grateful for my health and for my young family; and I’m extremely proud of the life my husband and I have built together over the past 14 years.
I’m excited for the first half to be my slow season – a time to just be with my family and new baby. I’m excited to travel internationally together as a foursome. And, in the second half of next year, I’m really excited to be launching a new business that I’ve been working on for the past two years. After everything the past three years of the pandemic has brought us, I feel immense gratitude for the life I have – simple things like going to a restaurant, being able to board a flight, having family and friends visit us at our home… they’re all privileges we all experienced halt overnight and so what excites me the most about 2023 is experiencing more present connections with others.
Courage
Growth
Fun
Boundaries
Love
Kindness
Adventure
Bravery
Refine
Once you have identified your word/s, keep them at the start of your diary or journal in a prominent place where they can constantly serve as a reminder of what you want 2023 to bring.
In order to properly disconnect from work and have a stress free break, tidy up any loose ends at work. Clear out your inbox, write a to-do list for the new year or action plan for any projects you aren’t able to finalise this side of the new year, clean and organise your space including physical and digital files (you’ll thank yourself on your first day back). Don’t look at your to-do list again until the night before you head back to work. By doing this you’ll not only have a stress free break but you’ll have already prepped yourself for a strong start to the new year.
Turn your out of office on and your email notifications off. Take it one step further and turn off social media notifications too to allow yourself to be present in the moment. If you do need to use any devices - make sure you set realistic, clear expectations at the start of your break about how often you need to be checking your work emails etc and commit to that allocated time frame - no longer. Everyone is different - just make sure you switch off where you can and enjoy the time with your family & friends.
It’s always fun to write a little holiday bucket list, whether it's big or small. From travelling & exploring, to baking at home, having a beach day, Facetime dates or visiting friends and family, or reading a book on your list. Whatever a break means to you, allow yourself the luxury of doing all the little things you may not usually have the time to do.
But over all, just make sure you switch off & relax - you all deserve it! Beck & team AOL x
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ISAAC: Makespace is an architecturally designed modular house company designing, building and delivering high end homes across New Zealand. We construct the homes at our facilities in Auckland & Christchurch before they are loaded onto trucks and delivered to site to be unloaded and installed via cranes.
Makespace has a strong focus on customer experience and the end product - going that extra mile in both aspects to ensure our premium offering is upheld.
ISAAC: I have been using AOL for 2 years, my beautiful partner Beck gifted me one on our first Christmas together and I haven't looked back. I now also gift our team with fresh Makespace branded diaries each year!
BECK: Of course, for me, this is my 10th diary! My first ever one was a Signature Diary which I designed as the very first product I launched & a style we still have today. It housed everything - my to-do lists, schedule, notes, shopping lists, budgets and more!
BECK: Isaac & I have both picked the A4 Black Daily Planners for 2023. I love all the space this style has & I can time block my day, create to-do lists & also note take easily.
ISAAC: I have very messy handwriting and also do a lot of sketches for detailing etc when meeting with our team or customers so page space is key for me!
ISAAC: Beck has established such a strong product offering, something you can use no matter your level of organisational skill. I sit somewhere in the middle and with a busy, growing company it's been a great help to structure my daily tasks.
ISAAC: Accountability - my check lists need to be crossed off everyday! Less forgetting - I’m across all aspects of my company running 15 full time staff and another 20+ sub contractors through 2 sites and opposite ends of the country. On top of this there are usually 10-15 sets of customers to manage too so there’s a few moving parts each day & things can slip under my radar. Every phone call or discussion I have that requires something from me is noted down in the diary ASAP.
BECK: For me, organisation brings a sense of structure & also calm. I’m so much more productive when I’m using my Daily Planner both personally & professionally. This was one of the reason I also started An Organised Life in 2013, as I wanted others to feel this sense of structure & calm too. An uncluttered mind if you will. As the years have progressed we have also diversified to createdcontent on our Journal that compliments our physical products too. Housing educational, inspiring & motivating content on everything from workspace tours & organisational tips to how to avoid burnout, & how to navigate changing your career path in your 30's. My team & I have put so much hard work into this part of the brand & I'm so proud of that.
ISAAC: Be proactive - I generally get my to-do list done the night before so I’m ready to roll the next day knowing what I’m in for.
BECK: I’m exactly the same, prep & planning is key. My to-do list is done the night before & in the morning I spend some time prioritising my workload, time blocking my day in more detail & then I’m away.
BECK: That’s such a tricky one. I think I’m most proud of the product I’ve created. That I have stayed true to the brand values I had from day 1 of creating functional & premium stationery with a minimalist, monochromatic aesthetic - that would organise, inspire & motivate. It’s evolved & grown year after year & it’s been the most incredible, life changing journey that I will be forever grateful for.
In terms of learnings, I'm constantly learning & evolving as a business owner, a designer, a leader, a creative & I love that. My top learnings from the last 10 years would have to be:
ISAAC: Beck and I are looking to settle on a piece of land to build our dream Makespace dwelling on!
BECK: And for me it’s another big year of growth & change.
PLAN YOUR ITINERARY: First things first, what are your travel plans? Prepping and planning a trip can be a huge task. Planning as much as you possibly can before you leave will mean you can enjoy making memories once you’re there without the stress. Book accommodation and any travel needed, write a bucket list of places and things you want to see & experience and plan out an itinerary.
THINK ABOUT THE SMALL DETAILS: It's important to pay attention to the little details before you go and keep everything organised in one place. For example when you are moving from place to place you need to make sure the smaller things line up, you can add ALL this info into your Travel Journal. Have you allowed enough time to get through customs in a foreign country? Have you checked the baggage allowance is the same on all your flights? Have you noted down what time check-in closes incase it differs to other airlines? Do you know what Terminal your flight is taking off from and arriving at? Although these all seem like tiny details - sometimes they can cause major stress when traveling. Take the time to go through all your plans with a fine tooth comb and write everything down in your planner.
KNOW YOUR BUDGET: Don’t be too prescriptive about your budget; it’s more important to have leeway than to be the person saying no to dessert but DO have an idea of what you have to work with and what your daily spending can be. Speak to friends or loved ones who may have traveled to the same places to gauge an idea of possible spending budget. Pre-book big items like flights, accommodation, events or pre-payable experiences in advance. As many things you can pre-pay as possible will just mean your money can be spent enjoying your holiday while you’re on it.
UTILISE A TRAVEL JOURNAL: Our Travel Journal will be your best friend in the lead up to your trip and your number one must pack item. It has you covered with Checklists, Budget pages, Travel Info, Contacts and of course pages to jot down all your travel memories to look back on for years to come.
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Above all, make sure your workspace is inspiring and motivating - most people spend a large percentage of their working week at their desks and the space itself can have such an impact on how we work. There are no rules but having a dedicated space you can go to everyday will help you with your daily routine too. Organise your space to make it work for you, choose a layout or work zone that compliments how you work best - this could include having both a computer based and a non-computer based workstation. Even if you only have one desk you could utilise your dining table or office meeting table when you’re taking calls, brainstorming, writing a to-do list or going through paper documents and need a different space for a better output.
Take the time to shop around and invest in storage solutions that not only compliment your style & space but also suit your organisation needs. Take note of the storage solution you need before exploring different furniture options.
TIP: In small spaces utilise boxes as storage solutions over bulky furniture - for things like bills to pay and desk essentials you may not use on a daily basis, boxes that are small enough that you can pop them on your desk when needed yet functional enough to stack them out of the way while keeping contents organised.
Being organised is the result of small daily habits, habits that manage both the physical and mental aspect of life. Clearing your desk at the end of the day is one of those habits, it's a great way to end the day to mentally feel as though you’ve settled everything ready for a fresh start in the morning.
TIP: If you set up your workspace in a common area like the dining table or communal desk space - make sure you pack away everything at the end of each day. Trust me! Otherwise you will constantly feel like 'work' is right there & you're surrounded by it 24/7. It's good to separate personal & professional home life.
No matter if you have x1 folder/box/file in your workspace or x50, labels are your best friend! Make sure you create a clear strategy & system to your labelling that works for you. Personally I am a big fan of alphabetical or numeric labelling however you can also use colours. Below are some suggestions:
If you use a lot of dates for invoices or receipts - label your folders clearly with the year first, followed by the month then date - e.g 2022/01/01 - 2022/02/29.
If you have a lot of clients that you work with utilise an alphabetical system with your folders or in some cases have a folder per client.
Build a routine around your filing to keep on top of things, for example every Friday I file away all my paperwork and have a big de-clutter ready to start Monday morning fresh (this includes your digital files too). On the first day of every month make a note to start any new folders or files that you need. If you are a fast paced person invest in a tray system with 3 sections - Urgent, Need to Do and To File. The key with decluttering is to turn any bills, items that need additional sorting into action points on your to-do list if needed - there is no productivity in creating ‘to-do’ piles without having an action point. For eg. if you have files that need to be shredded, creating a ‘to-do’ pile of those without the action to actually complete it will just result in clutter.
One of my favourite collaborative projects to date was creating the beautiful AOL X TJ wedding planner. Beck and her team are a joy to work with, and we share similar values when it comes to attention to detail and understanding how important aesthetics and brand are. We set our minds on creating the very best wedding planner in the market, and we poured our hearts and souls into it. The experience of creating something together was incredibly inspiring and satisfying. I am so proud of the product we have created together; now, at version two-stage, the planner is not only functional, it's something that couples will treasure and look back through for years to come. Greta Kenyon, Founder + Editor Together Journal Magazine
Shop the AOL x Together Journal Wedding Planner.
I love a single-minded idea and An Organised Life notebooks hit that right on the nose. One thought, executed well. When Beck approached us to collaborate in 2016 it was an easy yes. I loved the slightly retro vibe of both our notebook sets that were also very modern and fresh. They were the perfect additions to our gifting edit. - Karen Walker
My favourite memory of working with the brand was designing our limited edition notebook range. When I am so connected with a brand, creating something flows so seamlessly. I loved seeing my work on AOL's beautiful leather notebooks, working with the team & watching the designs come to life. Feeling the quality when they were finally in my hands and seeing people with something we created together. This collaboration was an honour and a very special project to be a part of. - Bobby Clark
]]>Pay attention to your emotional and physical limits, you know yourself best. Often saying yes to ourselves and setting boundaries means we can be more present. We’re human and can’t do everything or be everywhere, it’s okay to say no to our friends and loved ones if we need time for our own mental and physical well being. TIP: Don’t discredit the power of a phone call to connect with someone, if showing up to an event or traveling to see someone is too much - try a quick phone call to check in and connect.
If you know you’re going to have a demanding week coming up, can you allocate some time now to get through other life admin or plan meals ahead so those weeks you can focus on what really needs your attention. Planning ahead also includes asking for help, is there someone in your household that could help with tasks you usually do and likewise could you delegate tasks at work.
During your times away from demanding responsibilities, make sure to use those time to create balance. Eat a healthy meal, move your body, disconnect from technology and get as much rest as your body needs. It’s the little consistent things that will keep you feeling good, always dedicate time to those things.
Think you might be burnt out, read more on understanding burnout & strategies HERE.
]]>Director of CJH Studio and Creative Director & Founder of Linear Standard.
I am an interior designer and creative director.
My career began in 2006, working part time for a designer as her first employee in her small firm, whilst I was completing my degree. I then went on to full time with that firm for 12 years before establishing CJH Studio. My biggest highlight to date is difficult to narrow down, however publishing features are always a buzz and tap on the back for all the hard work so I would say some magazine covers are a highlight, and more recently working on a project in New York city and getting to work with some incredible designers and specifying some really dream pieces.
I think the beauty and tactility of it, getting to bring together every element from small to major and seeing the dreams of your clients be brought to life.
Morning greeting with the team and chatting over a cup of tea.
Lists! Lots of lists, unfortunately for me they tend to be kept in my mind most of the time, but a notepad beside my bed when the lists get too much in my head is essential to write everything down and work my way through them. Reminders and calendars are also a must.
On my desk you will always find a notepad, pen, scale ruler, tape measure and trace paper as most essential.
Our large 6m high dividing curtain was pretty non negotiable, even after being told by a long time supplier of mine it would not work. This curtain divides our design library and office, from the new showroom space at the same time a beautiful softening element to a large space.
The range of materials and elements we got to custom design and be our own guinea pigs for. I love the subtlety and incredible texture of our Microcement kitchen (applied by Modae), an application I have been wanting to use for some time and joinery (by Grange Joinery) that conceals a hidden fridge drawer and custom stone sink.
The Lumina Daphine floor lamp is pretty special and we were very grateful to have one in the space.
My goal for the next 12 months is to slow down a little more if possible, it's been a huge year for us, so getting to spend more time with my family in our new home is much needed. Im most looking forward to continuing the growth and success of both businesses and seeing what we can continue to achieve alongside our incredible team.
If you don't believe in your idea, no one else will. Follow your gut & take the time to really figure out what you want your brand or business to be, how you want it to look and what your core values are. Know your idea inside out and put the time in the evenings & weekends to really feel confident about it.
When you have a limited amount of time each week to work on your business / brand it's important to identify your strengths & weakness to be your most productive. Sometimes putting in hours on something you really struggle with is realistically a complete waste of time.
For me I really struggled when it came to accounts for my business. I used to spend hours trying to do lots of spreadsheets, & invoicing etc only to work out I had done it all wrong. I realised this early on that I was better to invest a little bit of money into Xero & someone to handle this side of my business. My time & effort was better used on my strengths - design, marketing/sales, production & the social media side. Although I wasn't paying myself - it was worth it to pay for an accountant from my day job wage. Everyone's different but all I can say is knowing your strengths & weaknesses can save you a lot of time - when you don't have a lot of it!
P.S. make the most of your friends & family connections where possible. Sometimes they are happy to help you out for a cooked dinner or a discounted rate when you are first starting out.
When you work full time & are growing a brand or business, it's important to set aside goals for you to achieve that are inspiring yet realistic. There are only so many hours in the day, so think wisely about what you want to focus on and prioritise reaching this goal over & above all. What will help take your business to the next level?
It can be long term, short term & weekly goals - there are no rules. For me when I first started it was growing my brand & pushing my product out there while learning about business, production & dispatch. During the next year it was growing my social media & wholesale business (& everything that goes along with it). Obviously these goals are very broad, but within them I made clear milestones I wanted to tick along the way.
It may sound simple but learning how to prioritise will make you much more productive with your time. Create a routine that works for you and have a to-do list ready so you can make the most of your time - before you go to bed every evening, dedicate 15 minutes to planning your day ahead in line with when you’re most productive. Maybe it’s getting up a little earlier to check emails & plan while having your morning coffee, utilsiing your morning commute or lunch break, or if night time gets your creativity flowing dedicating a hour each evening to working on your goals, or dedicating a day on the weekend to work and having more balance during the week. If you know what you want to achieve during these times you will be able to kick those goals and move onto the next one - growing your business step by step.
Tip: Avoid procrastination & wasting time at all costs.
No matter how tired, or stressed you are during the 'hustle' stages of running & growing your business, always remember to be realistic and take the time to celebrate your successes along the way & relax when your body is telling you to. Don't let yourself feel defeated or deflated. The hustle years are the hardest, but they are also the most amazing & rewarding.
It's crazy how much you can achieve in a year when your passionate, motivated, hard-working, and willing to learn. It's worth the risk, good luck! x
This is your go-to stationery item for everyday. Our notebooks are a clean slate, with either blank or lined pages and coming in Vegan Leather or Paper covers. Notebooks are for sketching, to-do lists, making notes, journaling, mind mapping, planning, poetry and everything in between.
A diary or planner works to a calendar or financial year with yearly & monthly calendars and dated pages. An Organised Life diaries & planners also feature functional sections like budgeting, habit tracking and goal setting.
Technically you can use a notebook for your daily needs, it doesn’t have all the additional functional sections like our diaries do but pop the date at the top of the page and you’re good to go. Our Daily Planners with a day per page can also work as a functional notebook for either to-do lists or daily journaling.
A pad of tear-away blank or lined pages, or fillable templates like monthly calendars. Designed to be a blank slate for all your notes, planning, to-do lists, reminders and more. Some notepads may also include a sticky adhesive to keep your notes in view on your desk, diary pages or even your fridge.
MONOGRAMMING:
The process of heat stamping characters permanently to a notebook or diary cover using coloured foil and a monogramming machine that heats up your chosen characters before we manually hand stamp them onto the cover of your favourite stationery item.
EMBOSS & DEBOSS:
This refers to how your monogramming is done. Embossing is raised characters - think of a business card with a beautiful raised logo, while debossing is imprinted. Our monogramming machine debosses your An Organised Life products, imprinting them with your initials, name or symbol.
VEGAN LEATHER:
Our Vegan Leather covers are made from a mix of lignocellulose (plant dry matter) and polyurethane.
RECYCLED PAPER:
Paper that is produced using recycled paper products.
SOY INK:
Soy ink is a more environmentally friendly alternative to commonly used petroleum-based inks. Soy ink is made from soybean oil mixed with other environmentally friendly compounds such as natural resins and waxes.
FSC CERTIFIED:
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent not-for-profit global organisation setting standards for responsible forest management according to 10 principles and criteria. The FSC looks at environmentally appropriate, socially beneficial, and economically viable management of the world's forests through each step of the supply chain. FSC certified means the paper has come from responsible sources, forests are healthy and the production benefits local communities and provides employment. You can read more about FSC Certification here.
RECYCLABLE:
Recyclable means a product can be used at end of life to then make new products or materials rather than using new materials, all the paper stock and postcards throughout our products can be recycled in your home council recycling bin. Our pens at the end of life can be recycled through programs like TerraCycle.
ACID FREE PAPER:
This means the PH level of the paper is 7.0 (neutral) or higher, there’s less chemicals involved to produce the paper which makes it a more environmentally friendly option.
First things first, identify what things you will need to allocate for your festive season budget. Write down all the people you need to buy gifts for in your diary, any events like Christmas parties or travel you may need to do and any responsibilities like helping with or hosting lunches or dinners. Look at when each item or task needs to be completed by and allocate reminders and deadlines in your diary to help you stay on track (we have a specific section dedicated to this in our diaries).
Tip: To save you time running around, think about ordering gifts & your big Christmas shop online. Just ensure you check their pre Christmas cut off dates first.
Once you’ve identified where you need to allocate your spending, identify your budget. Christmas is traditionally the most expensive time of the year so you want to make sure you have enough money put aside for gifts and other expenses that have a habit of unexpectedly popping up. Write down a budget that you expect you will need for all the items above. Divide the list into weeks so that you can spread out your spending / budget. Don't over commit & prioritise what is important to you - another great way to manage your gifting budget is to do a secret santa with the group rather than buying multiple individual presents, or agree on a spending budget.
TIP: Personalised gifts deliver more impact because the receiver sees how much effort you went into creating whatever it is. Don’t underestimate little gestures like homemade cookies or framed pictures to show your love. Another idea is to think about experiences. For example: “Dear Aunt Jane, I know you love old movies and I saw that there is a screening of Breakfast at Tiffanys in January, so I’ve bought us tickets so we can go see it together. Save the Date 12th Jan 6pm xo”.
If your budget is tight, there’s still about 8 weeks before Christmas to get financially savvy. If you haven’t already, do a spring clean - are there any items you are holding on to that you could potentially sell through your local buy-swap-sell or garage sale (these are also great places to find unique gifts). When it comes to food & hosting Christmas Day or a Festive event, planning is key - don’t leave your menu to the last minute. Research budget friendly meals and ask family & friends to bring along a plate or bottle of bubbles rather than gifts.
If you have your 2023 Diary already, now is a great time to add ‘presents/events’ into your budget for the year ahead. Popping aside $50-100 a month will ease some of the financial stress come birthdays, events and the festive season next year.
Julia: As a first-time mum, the assumption of how I would feel going back to work before Valentina was three months was pretty overwhelming. Emotionally, it felt very heavy to do it so soon. However, I’ve found that with the support of the LK team, family, our amazing nanny and my husband, it is manageable, and the feeling of accomplishment wearing both mum and work hats is like no other.
In the lead-up to Valentina’s birth, we hired our first full-time publicist Thea, who has been instrumental in supporting Lomas Kerr through this transition. Vali came a little earlier than expected, which meant Simone had to do Thea’s induction on her own, which was a huge undertaking when you’re heavily pregnant! A clear handover was essential for this to go smoothly, as well as open communication with clients on our plans as the babies arrived.
Simone took the helm when Vali arrived and vice versa when her baby girl Olly was due. It’s been a juggle - but an empowering one. We laugh now about how we were both working at our desks during labour.
Our small but considered team of copywriters, publicists and creatives has been the central pillar throughout this journey. There are times when you need to allow others to take over so you can catch a breath, and I’ve slowly learnt that letting go of ‘mum guilt’ and creating boundaries to keep myself well is the only way through. Accept that sometimes you can’t do it all and allow yourself grace when you don’t achieve everything you had planned for that day. There is always tomorrow.
6 (ish) months in, and I’m slowly getting the hang of it!
Simone: I was fortunate enough to have a pretty straightforward pregnancy, plus working from home meant I could work right up until our due date. With Julia on maternity leave, it meant I didn't have much time to get organised, but ‘luckily’ Olly ended up being two weeks late, so it allowed me a little bit of time with my partner Crowie to get things sorted before she arrived.
I was very naive about how I’d feel after Olly was born. So much of my focus was on the actual birth that I didn't spend time thinking about what comes after. It's been incredible having Julia’s support as my good friend and business partner. Luckily for me, she’s always been three months ahead so is able to offer the best advice and support.
Julia: I’ve learnt that my limit was never my limit at all! I have pushed through some pretty significant emotional and mental hurdles working during the early post-partum phase. I will be honest and say I won’t go back to work so soon after having a baby again, but as business owners and first-time mums, we didn’t know what we were in store for. So now, we continue to ride challenging waves to ensure we keep LK going and to the same standard we pride ourselves on. We’ve worked hard to cultivate a considered portfolio of clients, and we aren’t going to let that fall away. Luckily, we have incredible clients who have supported us throughout this journey.
Simone: I’ve never considered myself resilient, but going through childbirth and consistent sleep deprivation certainly toughens you up! That resilience has filtered through to work, and I’ve become far better at coping with stress - small things aren't as important as they used to be.
Julia: Motherhood has revealed a side of myself I didn’t know I had. The ‘small things’ used to weigh me down, but I have found a new resilience and patience that allows me to let these things slide and look at the bigger picture. Motherhood is ever evolving, and there is no way to know what tomorrow will bring. However, I have learnt to be more present because of this, which is something I will forever be grateful for. Every moment with V is all-encompassing - my phone goes down, I walk away from my laptop and step into a world that is just her and I.
Simone: It's hard not to be super cheesy when I think about being mum to baby Olly. She’s the most incredible teacher and has taught me so much about living in the moment and being present. Before Olly, I was the biggest multi-tasker, but you can’t really multitask with newborns - Olly has taught me to slow down and focus more on what matters.
Julia: I am very privileged to have a wide support network and to work from home, so I don’t miss any moments with Vali. My husband Jeremy also works from home, so he is always on hand when I need help, and he gives any spare moment of his day to Vali and me.
We have an incredible nanny Hattie, 3 days a week, which allows me the time to focus on work. She has become an extended part of our family, and we will forever be grateful for her support. A mum and newborn care specialist, she has supported us through the challenging sleep regressions, sleep training, teething etc. and has gone above and beyond to ensure I’m keeping well and able to be the best mum I can be while working.
Simone: My partner and I also work from home. He is a great Dad, and I love seeing him with Olly. We have the most amazing nanny, Daisy, who enables us both to work. We also have a blue heeler called Rosie, who is my support. Every morning I walk her - it's a nice time to recalibrate. I find it especially restorative after sleepless nights.
Sunrise, it was the coolest and the quietest time of the day in every city I visited. A calm before the chaos (and the summer heat) kicked off felt like such a treat.
Any street vendor with fresh-from-the-oven Khobz, (Moroccan round bread).
I enjoyed more vegetable tagines than I can count, but surely there’s no such thing as too many vegetables?! I did, however, completely over indulge in coffee – Nos Nos is the Moroccan caffeine staple and literally translates to ‘half, half’ so it’s half espresso, half milk.
Riad Due in the Marrakech Medina, a small but stunning four-room boutique hotel with the most exquisite service I have ever experienced. And a rooftop to die for!
Wandering through the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and Jardin Majorelle. It’s been on my travel bucket list for as long as I can remember and it was so surreal to finally be there.
LRNCE Studio for the most incredible ceramics, textiles and art – I really needed a bigger suitcase… or Morocco’s picturesque ‘Blue City’ Chefchaouen
Fes after feeling wildly inspired by the artisans who hand-craft Moroccan zellige tiles and mosaics. I’d mentally designed my dream bathroom while learning and watching how these beautiful tiles are made.
Nomad in the Marrakech Medina – the most delicious lamb!
Watching the sunset over the Sahara Desert in Merzouga after a short camel ride through the dunes.
Keeping track of my expenses, especially for tracking any work-related costs that I’d need to claim later.
Paying a little bit more for flexible bookings is worth it. The less concrete your plans are, the more exciting your trip will be.
Start your study in a clean space, with all the essentials you might need and remove any distractions (put your phone on silent or better yet flight mode!) Find a space that's calm and away from the main happenings of your house so as not to be interrupted. If you’re studying outside of the house be mindful of where you are for example, if you’re studying in the library choose a spot away from high foot traffic areas like the printing area and if you’re at a cafe find a spot in the back or have your back to the main door or register so you’re not always looking up at what’s happening around you. TIP: Always pack headphones, this is the easiest way to transform any space that you’re in - drown out distractions and really focus.
Time away from studying is actually beneficial in being more productive while studying! Make sure to drink lots of water and take meal & snack breaks, do some stretches or take a 10 minute walk. You’ll find after just a 10 minute break you're energised and ready to put in another few hours of study rather than pushing through and burning yourself out.
Time Blocking not only allows you to efficiently schedule out your day it helps your brain to focus on specific tasks minimising the overwhelm. This is also how you can schedule in your breaks to fit around your study tasks - the A4 Weekly Planner has ample space to plan out your week with your lectures, tutorials, study breaks, socialising and time for self. Learn more about time blocking HERE.
Use the calendars in your diary or an A4 monthly notepad to work backwards from any deadlines (assignments due, exams etc) to effectively plan out when to start studying and what weeks you may need to focus extra attention on certain subjects or courses. Do this as soon as you receive deadlines to avoid getting caught out cramming at the last minute, this will allow you to have more time for yourself throughout your study weeks.
Rewriting word for word what you’re researching is not an effective way to take notes. The thing to remember with note taking is that in any form it should be a summary of short sentences, phrases or dot points written in your own words so as to remember and make sense when reading back. If you take notes over the weeks when it comes to exams you’ll spend your study time revising and remembering key information rather than wasting hours writing notes and having little time to revise them.
25.03.22
Deux Belettes, Byron Bay
As cliche as it sounds, seeing my partners face as I walked down the aisle. I had such a peaceful day getting ready on the property with the girls but I just couldn’t wait to see him and when I did it was pure magic, passion and so much love!
Ecru.
Attire and rings section - both my wedding rings and dress were custom made so I used this section to sketch down my initial ideas. In the beginning, I had so many ideas (too many!) for my dream dress so I used a lot of mood boarding with imagery to help me narrow down these ideas to what I liked the most. In the end, it was some sketching I did with my sister-in-law one night that became the base for my dress designer to create something magical from.
Wedding party section - this gave us plenty of time and space to pre plan some of the less obvious elements such as the direction we wanted our MC to take the night. We wanted the wedding to be really fun, funny, engaging and relatable for all guests. We used this space to note down personal jokes, stories and call outs to the crowd that we wanted our MC to share.
Reflect - do not miss this part!! It’s been so special going back and taking notes following it all. Writing our favourite moments, memories which I will cherish and look back on forever. The wedding planner truely is a reflection of our whole wedding experience start to finish.
Photographer - Megan was incredible, she had an eye for the photos I like and captured all the special moments effortlessly. Having a photographer that aligns with your vision makes it easy to relax and let them do the thinking and creating. This way you can just enjoy the day being casually snapped throughout.
An incredible dress designer - The experience I had with Elly Sofocli creating my dream dress was so special, and irreplaceable. I connected with her instantly and knew she understood my vision. I love to express myself through fashion so this was one of my favourite but also challenging parts. It was a big process to truely narrow down exactly what I wanted to look like on the day and only through planning, many (many) chats with the bridesmaids and designer Elly that my dream dress came to life. In the end, I choose to stick to a style that I felt the most like myself in and briefed the designer to create something special focused on raw, effortless features with a touch of subtle drama. My advice is to stay true to your style so you feel like yourself on the day. It’s important you choose a designer that truely understands your vision and that you can trust with it.
The Venue - It was so important for Chris and I to choose a venue that we felt took our guests on a journey. If it wasn’t during the pandemic Chris and I would have married overseas with the intention to have a holiday and wider celebration with our friends and family than a single day. Having the wedding in the Northern rivers on the beautiful property of Deux Belette transported us and our guests away from our normal daily lives and we loved that we could still holiday with our friends and enjoy festivities outside just the big day. The venue itself is absolutely magical!
It was very easy to get carried away and I found myself getting caught up over-styling the venue with all the options available. If you choose the right venue sometimes it doesn’t need much. I was very lucky that I was able to use the planner and constantly revisit my vision for the venue and pull myself back before it was too late! I was really happy overall with the amount of styling that went into it, It didn’t feel overdone and it celebrated the right moments.
Welcome drinks the night before the wedding was an amazing addition to our wedding itinerary. It gave us a chance to properly catch up with everyone, and also took the pressure off greeting everyone immediately on the big day so we were able to take our time and soak it all up.
Morning meditation I would 100% recommend if you can have someone come and facilitate it for your bridal party. Really sets the tone for the day, grounding you into the present moment - everyone always says how fast the day goes but there are ways to slow it down :)
A wellbeing toolkit is your own personal combination of strategies & practices that bring you back to the concept of ‘self’ and allow you to re-charge. Some things in the AOL team's wellbeing toolkits include meditation, scheduled calls with loved ones, stretches (we love House of Sculpt), creative things like baking or drawing, and getting a good night's sleep. Identify yours and use them consistently even when you’re feeling your best.
A journal is a beautiful personal space where you can unravel your thoughts, process emotions and manifest positivity. There’s no wrong or right way to journal, whatever comes naturally to you. Our journal prompt card is perfect for when you’re not sure how to start putting pen to paper or start with our favourite journaling technique you can do in 2 minutes.
For anyone struggling mentally, simple tasks and socialising can feel overwhelming and during low times it's common to self isolate. Check in with loved ones and friends, connecting with people will uplift not only them but yourself as well. Call a friend, grab a coffee and go for a walk. Sometimes what we need to get out of our own heads is to physically get out and about, breathe in some fresh air and connect with someone. If distance isn’t on your side, schedule a video ‘dinner date’ or surprise someone with a phone call just to let them know you’re thinking of them.
There are lots of scheduled events this month through Mental Health Foundation Australia to get involved in. Outside of mental health month, find your community - identify your hobbies and things you are passionate about - a quick search and you may find there is a local community group of people with the same passion that you can connect with on a regular basis. There is so much power in having people in your life you can have genuine connections with, and finding people who have shared passions will bring fun into your life whether it's going for hikes, writing poetry, creating art, music, gaming and everything in between.
Having a routine, whether structured or loosely planned, provides so many benefits mentally and physically like instilling good habits and increasing our productivity . A routine will also give you the space to place importance on doing those practices that are in your wellbeing toolkit, and will allow for you to get the most out of your rest time. For anyone finding routine challenging with their mental health, the quote “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly” can hold so much power - even if getting some fresh air is just sitting out the front of your house or opening all the windows and burning a nice candle, that can still shift your mindset.
Being thankful is the simplest way to practice daily gratitude at any point during the day. It involves saying small thanks throughout the day, either in your mind or out loud, thankfulness is a practice that can turn any moment into gratitude. Thank you for your morning coffee, for finding an empty carspot at the grocery store, for feeling the sun on your skin or for a hot shower. It’s helpful in other situations too, if you are stuck at traffic lights, say thanks that you have the ability to drive and that you are on your way to your destination During small moments in the day take a second to stop and say thank you, once you create this habit you will be pleasantly surprised at how it positively affects your flow through the day.
The checklists in the planner start as far as 12 months out for things like setting a date & budget. They, of course, cover the days leading up to your special day and even a post-Wedding checklist for things like Thank You cards to guests.
Below are some of our favourite tips & tricks from the planner
First thing's first, you need to sit down and look at your original goals & plans you set at the start of the year - personal, professional and financial focused.
REFLECT on where you are at, REVIEW if they are still the most important goals & relevant plans to be focusing on and if they are REFOCUS by making sure you have smaller tasks/stepping stones for each week or month that will allow you to tick off those goals by the end of the year. If you need to set some new goals & plans - make sure you start thinking about these now so that you have ample time to dedicate to these over the rest of 2022 & potentially into 2023.
NOTE: Our Goal Planner or Diaries are both great tools to help with this.
If you are using your An Organised Life Diary, there is a section at the start of October in the diaries dedicated to writing your smaller tasks + goals.
Utilise this section to put pen to paper and plan those tasks and stepping stones in detail for the next 3 months. I also find it handy to write deadlines in my diary on certain dates that I want to finish tasks by so that I remain on track. It could be as small as brainstorm where to from here over the next month. Or try to achieve X, Y & Z by this date, etc. Everyone will be different.
The more stepping stones and smaller tasks you have the better.
In order to live your best life this year, you really need to believe in yourself. Having a strong vision, commitment to see your goals through to the end, and the belief you can do it (no matter what) can really be the defining difference to making your dreams a reality.
It’s all about manifesting success and visualising your future. Don’t get me wrong - you will need to work very very hard, but focusing on the positives and pushing yourself forward will pay off in the long run.
You can do it!
Beck x
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Social Media Detox
There are so many positives that can come from social media - inspiration, connecting with your community, keeping up to date with loved ones from afar, but... there is also a negative side of social media that can easily creep up on us. Take the time over the next week to do a social media detox. Unfollow accounts that have a negative emotional affect on you & if needed set social media boundaries for yourself.
Create a habit
With wellbeing at the forefront of your mind, spend some time thinking about a new habit you want to create & concentrate on for the next 30 days. You might want to start a daily journal or new to-do list strategy, or focus on meditating or having hot water with lemon every morning when you wake up. Maybe you want to do pilates X times a week or get outside for at least a 20 minute walk everyday. Now is the perfect time to set a new habit & focus on your wellbeing.
TIP: Utilise our Habit Tracker to keep track of your 30 day progress.
Start a Journal
Journaling is a great tool to ground your emotions and also allow for creativity to flow without self critique. It’s about self awareness and being able to focus on what’s important, to attribute your thoughts and feelings with intention, to notice your personal habits and behaviours, set and achieve goals & to problem solve.
Make positive changes
Spend some time looking at your life & what makes you happy & unhappy. Harness the positives & change the negatives. It could be as simple as a messy workspace causing you stress, it could be a person in your life that has a negative emotional impact on you. Big & small, you only live once, make positive changes to ensure you live your best life.
Drink lots of water
Nothing flushes your system as effectively as H20, just make sure it's pure and filtered and aim for approximately 8 glasses of water per day.
Pro-tip: add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to warm water in the morning, this will kick-start your metabolism for the day and cleanse your liver too.
Streamlining your diet
Beauty begins in the belly and a great way to cleanse your body is to eliminate processed food, wheat, dairy, caffeine, alcohol, processed meats and sugar (for at least a week or two). Instead only eat lots of fresh veg and fruits and lacto-fermented foods like those found in The Beauty Chef products. For a healthy snack, opt for green smoothies, veggie sticks with hummus, bone broths and nibble on raw nuts for a hit of good oils.
Support the cleansing process and boost fibre intake
With CLEANSE Inner Beauty Essential to support the body's natural detoxification process; increased fibre is so important for moving wastes out of the body. You can call on chia seeds, psyllium husk, oats, fruits and veg which are known as water-soluble fibre, and act like an intestinal broom, as they help to gently cleanse the digestive tract.
Spice up your life
There are lots of spices that can boost your cleanse - consider adding turmeric, cinnamon, coriander and fenugreek to soups and salad dressings. In addition you can try replacing your morning or afternoon coffee with a cleansing ginger tea.
Dry Body Brushing
Is so effective to improve lymphatic flow, eliminate toxins and help banish stubborn cellulite.
Organise Your Workspace
For ultimate productivity Monday to Friday it's important to have an organised workspace. Now is the perfect time to spring clean your workspace, declutter, organise & freshen up the space so it's functional & practical but also motivating & inspiring. We spoke to our founder, Beck Wadworth & asked for her top tips & tricks.
First things first - Remove everything & clean the space.
Like Part One of our series HERE, start by clearing out everything from your workspace including cupboards & drawers. Then, do a thorough clean of all the surfaces.
Declutter
Next...get rid of anything and everything you do not need!
Give everything a place
Look over everything you NEED in your space / on your desk & delegate a specific place for it. Make sure anything you need frequently is easily accessible & that you keep some negative space on your desk for when you want to review things / spread out a little - avoid cluttering your actual desk surface space.
Boxes can be your best friend & also functional storage solutions. Remember less is more. When you're ready start adding everything back to your workspace piece by piece.
TIP: If you have a lot of cords at your workspace make sure you get some zip ties or similar to collect your cables together in neat little bundles, then tuck them away so you don't have to look at them. Take it a step further by labelling your cords too so you know what is for what.
Invest when it's needed
We spend a lot of time at our workspace so it's important that we look after our bodies as well. Make sure you invest in a good chair & also the right desk, monitors or other equipment that is needed.
File away
Create a strategy for your filing that works for you and stick to it both physical & digital.
Style and function
When decorating your desk, use pieces that also have a function. E.g drawer dividers or an old candle jar as your pen holder. If you don't have a lot of room, think about adding shelving above your desk or storage underneath your desk.
Label queen
There’s no such thing as too many labels! They separate and distinguish categories with ease. I label all my folders extremely clearly and utilise sticker labels for documents that need to be signed and artwork that needs to be checked, etc.
Pin it
I love visual inspiration around me when I’m working – a pinboard is a great way to create your own mood board to sit behind your computer. It’s also amazing for pinning invites, reminders and business cards onto, instead of having a million pieces of loose paper floating around.
Organise your life
Add some new stationery to your life. My go-to workspace essentials include a diary, notepad & a notebook. Write down appointments, reminders, manage your workload, jot down ideas and everything in between. Check your diary every morning before you start your day, allocate your 3 MIT's on your to-do list (more on that HERE) & tick off the boxes as you go. It’s such a satisfying feeling.
Feel Inspired
Once your workspace is put back together, look around the space & see if you need to add anything for inspiration & motivation. It could be a piece of artwork, a plant, a new candle scent - create a mood & set the tone.
Our number one rule to maintaining your organised workspace.
At the end of every day, before you leave your desk, ensure everything is back in it's place, all loose items are put away & your workspace is back to how it was at the start of the day. There’s nothing worse than starting a new day with total desk chaos. A clear space = a clear mind. On a Friday afternoon do a deep clean where you wipe down the surfaces, empty the bin etc.
Life Admin
Once a year, it's always a good idea to look over your life admin & give it a little tidy up. To help you on your way, our Founder shares her recent to-do list she did for her own life.
For most of us we have a lot of monthly or annual expenses that are automated, for example internet & phone plans, insurance policies, utilities, entertainment such as Netflix & Spotify, etc. Now is a great time to look at all those expenses in your budget & investigate if you can save money with a better provider or plan. Quite often your circumstances might have changed within a year & you will be surprised how much you can save.
For example, last year I changed my power company to Electric Kiwi (not sponsored) but the benefit for me was that you get a free hour of power every single day. I've set an alarm on my phone & have seen my savings accumulate just in one month!
I also called my phone / internet provider & asked them to change my plan to a lower one. I really like the provider I'm currently with, but due to changing circumstances I don't need the extra international travel benefits, or as much mobile data (since I'm at home 24/7 now!) so I didn't want to be paying for those extras each month when I could be saving that money.
The benefits of these small changes all add up.
TIP: Don’t be shy about calling your current provider and asking for a better deal. That one phone call could make a big difference to you in the long term & at the end of the day, they want to keep your business too.
Off the back of tip 1, now is also a great time to look over your budget in general & give it a good spring clean. How are you tracking? What changes can you make? What are your goals & focuses financially? Reflect, review & refocus.
TIP: If you own a house, you might want to look at your home loan. Or for others, it might be a good time to also look at things like your personal banking & credit cards etc.
Over the course of a year, it's very easy to sign up to a lot of incredible brands databases. However this can in-turn leave your inbox clogged & become quite overwhelming. Use this week to go through your inbox & unsubscribe to any databases or brands that don't interest you any longer. Branded emails can be hugely beneficial - both for keeping up-to-date with the latest products but also from an educational side - interviews, advice & more, so make sure your inbox is kept open for those that you don't want to miss seeing.
Looking at your diary, when was the last time you went to the dentist for a check up? or the doctor!? Time flies by & before you know it a whole year has gone past. Use this week to get up to date with your appointments for the next 3-6 months, especially in the lead up to Christmas. My Advice:
When life gets busy, it's easy for receipts to pile up & important documents to be in a jumble. Spring clean this area of your life & spend some time getting on top of it all. From filing documents & receipts, to getting up to date with your tax. Another great thing to do is review your Will & see if anything needs updating. And... if you don't have a Will it's a great time to start thinking about one. I know it's not a very nice thing to think about but add it to your to-do list & do it for your loved ones & yourself.
And finally, now is great time to stock up on those bits & pieces in your home you keep forgetting or avoiding! The ones you let slide for weeks. Go around your home & write a big list. From blown lightbulbs that need replacing to picture hooks so you can hang your artwork, to pantry items that are about to expire or have run out. Focus on organising all these little life admin things. Trust me, you will feel amazing once you tick them all off!
]]>Clean Your Linen
Strip your bed and pop your linen in the wash, replace with clean fresh linen. TIP: Leave re-making your bed til the last step, this will mean any dust from cleaning your room wont settle on your clean bed linen. Be sure to run the vacuum over your mattress too before remaking! This is also an ideal time to swap to your summer quilt or take off any extra blankets you needed through winter.
Review your storage solutions
Are the furniture pieces in your room serving a function or do you need to upgrade. If your bedroom is constantly ending up as floordrobe (a wardrobe of clothes on the floor!) do you need to pop a laundry hamper in your room or a little wardrobe stool. If you’re in need of further storage, consider a bed with built in drawers - especially great for small spaces.
Add a new scent
A simple yet beautiful way to transition and refresh as the seasons change is to choose a new scent for your space. The bedroom should be a calm and inviting space, choose a scent whether that be incense, as candle or diffuser to freshen up your space.
Declutter & Clean
Give all surfaces a good wipe down, don’t forget your bedhead if you have one, lampshades and any hanging artwork frames. Go through any drawers like your bedside table and sort through any declutter, are there any items like chords or paperwork that can be moved to an office space.
To help, make sure you download our FREE downloadable checklist.
It's a simple & helpful PDF that will guide you through the process step by step. Either print the A4 checklist out at home, or keep it handy on your laptop/mobile. Start from the top and work your way to the end and we guarantee you will feel amazing!
Our checklist includes tips on how to pick what to keep, tips on creating a strategy for your wardrobe space, and also steps on what to add back into the wardrobe first.
No matter how big or small your closet it - this checklist caters to all.
Step 1.
Spend time with your wardrobe and the good friends your clothes are and ask:
What do I wear most?
What do I wear least?
Step 2:
Single out your well loved and worn garments, let’s call these your ‘essentials’. This will form the foundation of your style and sustainable wardrobe. Be choosy & sentimental!
Step 3:
Take a thoughtful look at what remains.
Step 4:
Clarify the gaps. Questions to consider:
Have you worn this item in a short/long while?
Do you see your future self wearing it?
Does it bring you joy/value?
What do you feel is missing?
Stylist note: when you identify the gaps in your wardrobe you can pursue
investing in quality garments that will fit well into your life and with your needs with ease!
Having the clarity before is key. You will find yourself choosing garments that will integrate
into your existing wardrobe seamlessly - this is a great thing if you wish to pursue sustainable choices!
Step 5:
For the items you haven’t worn for a long while and cannot see yourself wearing in the near future, it’s time to let them go. A great clothing collection ( and one that does further burden charities) service I personally recommend for giving your wears a second life is:
https://manrags.com.au/clothing-recycling/
Write A Checklist
Write down a checklist to make sure you have everything you need before you get started. A working vacuum, a clean broom, a duster, paper towels, disinfectant wipes and cloths are just a few of things you’ll need to get your space sparkling clean. Make sure you have lots of rubbish bags, and don’t even think about starting until you have your ultimate cleaning kit in place.
Block off time in your schedule.
When it comes to Spring cleaning divide & conquer each room or space over a month or two. Don’t have a loose plan to spring clean your house, be committed and block time off to get it done. Spring cleaning is so much better if it’s done in the morning, because you can enjoy the fruits of your labour later that day. If you procrastinate you’ll most likely put it off for another week, again. Don’t let that happen! Just get it done.
Start with the space you dread the most
Whether it’s the kitchen, bathroom or laundry, start spring cleaning in the space that you least want to tackle. Once it’s done, it’s off the list and you can focus on cleaning the other spaces.
Set The Mood!
Distract yourself. Listen to podcasts or music while you clean, or turn on the TV & have your favourite show or movie in the background. It'll make the time go faster and you’ll enjoy it more!
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Declutter
Declutter- this always comes first when refreshing any space, and the more you let go of unused items the better the result! Clean out any cupboards and storage of old books, magazine and items you don’t use. Declutter your coffee table and wash or dust any items that need a refresh.
Clean everything!
Clean from top to bottom. Start with the ceiling, such as a fan and work your way down to the floor. Remove artwork from the walls and give them a dust and polish and remove any marks on the walls before returning your artwork. Pull your cushions off the couch, give them a good beating and vacuum your couch. Dust everywhere, including the ceiling, window frames and window sills, and floor and ceiling corners. Pull any furniture out from the walls, dust behind them and give floor rugs a shake outside. Even consider taking your rugs to a dry cleaner as you’ll be surprised at how much dust and dirt they hold. Finally, sweep or vacuum then polish the floors – you should be able to see your reflection!
Refresh your furniture
If your sofa is beyond cleaning, consider having it re-upholstered rather than replacing with a new one. This costs a fraction of the price, is more sustainable and has a similar effect of replacing with new!
Add to the space
If you feel like updating the space, add new accessories like sofa cushions to really make your room feel refreshed. Cut foliage from garden trees and place in a large vase for a free and effective pop of green, or invest in a potted plant to really add the feeling of Spring to your space
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Clear everything out
First things first, clear out everything from your bathroom cupboards & drawers. Pop them into categories to go through - skincare, makeup, haircare, femcare, medicine etc. Before you go any further, do a thorough clean of all the surfaces, cupboards & drawers.
Get down & dirty
Take things to the next level & do a thorough clean of the bath, tiles, shower, toilet & basins. Wash any shower curtains, remove any soap scum, wipe away any dust & clean the windows & any fans.
Take note of what you have in your beauty / skincare kit and check the PAO symbol.
"On the back of every beauty product, you’ll find a period after opening (PAO) symbol. It’s a simple graphic of a jar with 6M, 12M, 24M, etc. on the back. Once opened, this is the amount of time you can keep the product until it goes off. For skincare, even if it seems fine, after this time the product probably isn’t effective anymore. Time to throw out anything that is no longer" Expert Tip from the Gritty Pretty Team
Shop your stash
"Now that you know what you have, shop your stash before you spend on new products. A lot of us invested in beauty products during lockdown as a means of self-care and, you know, something to do. Do you have any unopened products sitting in your bathroom? Everything you own excited you at one point in time - that’s why you bought it." Expert Tip from the Gritty Pretty Team
Organise your bathroom
Once you have decluttered your skincare/beauty & completed a thorough clean, start adding everything back into the bathroom - fresh towels, hand soap, a lovely candle etc. When it comes to filling your drawers & bathroom cabinet, do it in an orderly fashion. Our Founder suggests having all your day-to-day skincare favourites in one easy to access place as well as your makeup in one place too. From there organise your other makeup, skincare, haircare, fem care, tools & more into their own areas. Keep everything in their categories so they are easy to find.
Write a List
And finally if you are running low on anything in the bathroom or with your beauty/skincare, now is the perfect time to write a list of things you need to organise or purchase.
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Clear everything out
First things first, as you did with the bathroom, clear everything out of the cupboards, pantry, fridge & drawers in the kitchen. Lay it all out so it's easy to go through.
Check & Chuck
Now that you have everything laid out, go through your pantry & fridge items to check the date stamp on every item & also to ensure now condiments or fridge items have any mold. There are two different types of date stamps: use by and best before.
Ensure you throw out any products that have expired & write a list of products you need to replace on your next shopping run,.
Wash & Clean
Of course, do a thorough clean of all surfaces as well as the fridge, pantry, oven & counter tops. Remove any dirt, food crumbs, sticky marks, etc. Allocate a good amount of time to this & have a relaxing coffee break afterwards! It's a big job.
Soak
It's also a good idea to do a soak or heavy dishwasher load of cutlery, pots, pans, etc.
Sort your storage
Once you have finished cleaning, access your pantry, cupboards & fridge & make a plan of how you are going to store some of your staples to keep them fresh & easily accessible. We suggest labeled air tight containers, pantry racks, separator drawers for the fridge & we also love beeswax wraps.
If you have a small kitchen or pantry, make the most of the space. Get creative, a lot can be done in this area & now is the time to make those changes.
If you go for air tight containers with products like grains, flour, cereals, pasta etc - our tip is to stick a label on the back or underneath with the date you put the product into the container. It's also a good idea to cut the instructions off the back of the boxes or packets & keep them in a folder/box in the kitchen. Or... go one steps further & take a photo on your phone & create a 'Pantry' album with all the instructions & details for things like pasta, rice etc if you remove it from its packet.
Get organised & give everything a place!
Keep your pantry / fridge & kitchen looking clean and tidy by grouping items. If you organise the foods in your pantry by food group, it makes it easy to find ingredients and to keep track of what you have on hand.
Do the same with your pots, pans, trays, cutlery, cleaning products, tea towels etc. Give everything a place & stay consistent by sticking to this & keeping everything organised.
12.03.22
Glasshouse. Auckland, New Zealand.
Either when the drag queen Anita showed up for a surprise performance (the look on our guests faces was priceless, not even the bridesmaids knew she was coming) OR when Mackenzie and I found a couple of chairs hidden out the back and sat together alone for the first time all day.
Black
Our outfits - it’s a once in a lifetime thing and we both had our dream outfits custom made (Mackenzie with W by Working style and me with Fritz & Sarah) so we felt like a million bucks on the day.
We opted for a more expensive champagne but, to be quite honest, we don’t think our guests would have tasted the difference had we gone for the cheaper one.
Surprises - our guests had no idea about the pub quiz or the surprise drag performance and it was all they could talk about afterwards!