As the weather warms and we all prepare to spend more time outdoors, we are sharing our top tips to prepare your home for a healthy, organized, and social season. From refreshing your property after the cold winter months to readying your staff for a busy calendar of events, thoughtful planning is key to an easy transition.

Examine Outdoor Spaces

Before contacting any vendors or maintenance providers, we suggest you (or your estate manager) do a full walk-through of outdoor spaces and any areas that haven’t been regularly used during the winter months. Look for damage from storms, wear and tear, and things that might need extra attention. We recommend a full inspection of the pool if it was closed for the season, including heating, lighting, and filtration. Be sure to also check gym equipment, saunas, outdoor lighting, water features, and garage maintenance. Start with repairs, painting, and servicing before moving on to deep cleaning and organizing.

Prepare Outdoor Furniture

Once you’re certain all maintenance and repairs have been completed, it’s time to move on to cleaning and aesthetics. Outdoor kitchens, seating areas, pool grounds, and other social areas should be cleaned and stocked for the summer. Outdoor furniture and cushions should be professionally cleaned after months of storage.

Breathe Clean Air

Inside the home, replace HVAC and air purifier filters and cleans any overhead fans. It’s a good time to have all curtains and window treatments professionally cleaned, as well as carpets. Make sure to dust crown moldings, exposed beams, and other architectural details. Take the time to make sure you have only the smart home apps on your phone that you need; delete old apps taking up space.

Stock Wine Cellar & Bar

Depending on how you entertain, we suggest stocking commonly used areas with summer beverages. For the pool house or outdoor fridge, we’d bring out some rosé and white wine, as well as sparkling water, bottled lemonade, and your other favorite refreshing beverages. Make sure the ice makers and bar sinks are all cleaned and in good working order and that the wine cellar temperature is carefully controlled for summer.

Beyond the Usual Deep Clean

It’s a great time of year to go beyond the usual deep clean and have curtains and upholstered furniture professionally cleaned and steamed, as well as silver polished, and windows washed. Take the time to deep clean appliances, ovens, and grills.

Check Artwork Conditions

Double-check artwork positioning in the home in terms of sunlight and temperature. The harsh sun can quickly damage works that aren’t properly protected. Take this time to make sure everything you’ve acquired over the last year is properly documented and your insurance is up to date.

Personal Wardrobe

Swap out your items seasonally and review your closet for anything you can donate or give away. It’s a good time of year to have luggage and jewelry professionally cleaned. Luggage in particular is often overlooked but caring for high quality travel items will keep it looking fresh for longer, regardless of how often you travel.

We also recommend that you dry clean winter coats before putting them into storage, and make any necessary winter boot or shoe repairs now. Everything should be packed away clean and in good condition.

Prepare Guest Rooms

Swap out bed linens for lighter summer versions, add beach towels, and restock toiletries. Make sure the HVAC system is working properly in the room. It’s also a good time to add some little details to make your guest’s stay more comfortable – perhaps add a few books or magazines, a cozy robe, phone charger, and clearly available Wi-Fi information. Double-check that there is clear space in the closet and drawers for their items.

Security Systems Review

As we head into a busy time of year with plenty of travel, make sure you or a trusted member of your team reviews all security measures in place.ÌýThey should check that all gates, keypads, cameras, and remote systems are working properly, andÌýare accessible by key staff members. Make sure there is also an emergency plan in place that everyone is clearly informed of, including child caregivers and all family members.

Seasonal Staff

This is also a great time to review the need for any seasonal staff, including summer nannies or chefs. Take the time to prep staff on the summer schedule and travel plans, as well as holiday hours and events they will be working. Review staff’s summer uniforms, reorder or clean as needed, and make sure everyone is ready for a busy season.

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As we enter the holiday season, many of us feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. As festive and wondrous as this time of year can be, it is often matched by long nights and jam-packed schedules. This week, we’ve put together our favorite ways to prepare your home for the holiday season and to make guests feel welcome and cared for. We hope to alleviate some of the stress of last-minute guests and give you a little extra peace of mind. We recommend checking in with your housekeeper or property manager to make sure everything is prepped and ready before the busy season.

Refresh Guest Bedrooms and Common Areas

While it’s wise to do a deep clean of your entire home before the busy holiday season, we recommend paying extra attention to oft-overlooked guest bedrooms, as well as the kitchen and dining room, of course. Ask staff to be sure seasonal dishes and glassware are unpacked and organized and that silver is polished.

In the guest bedroom and bath, think about what special touches your guests might appreciate. For example, we suggest stocking a couple good-quality mini toiletries (we love both theÌýÌýand theÌýÌýtravel sets), leaving filtered water on the bedside table, and having extra phone chargers on hand to loan to guests. Small touches like a sign with the WiFi information, and a couple cozy books on the bookshelf can go a long way towards making a guest’s stay more enjoyable.

We love finding a way to bring the holiday season and winter decor into the room; this might be through a seasonal potted plant, such as a poinsettia or mini evergreen, or with festive throw pillows and scented candles (don’t forget to leave a matchbook or handy!). If you’ll be regularly hosting overnight guests this season, you might purchase additional throws for the guest bedrooms and to have on hand for cozy movie nights; for a luxe option, we loveÌýÌýand for excellent quality at a lower price point, we loveÌý. Make sure you have extra bath towels and bedsheets on hand if your home will be fuller than usual. We also love adding aÌýÌýand slippers to the guest bedroom, as well as a little self-care gift such as a face mask or body lotion. Amazon now sells simpleÌý, which we think are a nice treat for guests.

Restock Entertaining Supplies

During this time of year, you’re likely to have unexpected visitors, last-minute drop-ins, and dinner guests that linger longer than expected. To be ready for whatever holiday entertaining throws your way, we suggest planning ahead and strategically stocking the various areas of your home with long-lasting items you can pull out at a moment’s notice. For the bar, we suggest having a few extra bottles of sparkling water on hand, as well as some wine and champagne, if you drink alcohol. In the pantry, we stock olives, crackers, herbed nuts, and dried specialty pastas. In the refrigerator, we try to always keep lemons, quality parmesan, a good soft cheese, and whatever fruit your household enjoys. Finally, we love keeping a few frozen appetizers on hand in the freezer, as well as a pint of good quality ice cream. Most gourmet markets offer a wide selection of frozen hors d’oeuvres to choose from; if you prefer you or your staff to make your own, theseÌýÌýare simple and freeze well, as do many recipes using puff pastry. This way, you will be ready no matter what – you can easily put together a quick cocktail and light bite, fast dinner, or add a scoop of ice cream to your neighbor’s homemade pie.

Make Small Upgrades

If there are any small upgrades you’ve been meaning to get around to in your home, we suggest handling before guests arrive this season. Upgrade the shower curtain in the bathroom. Add Kleenex dispensers to the bathrooms (we love theseÌý). Swap out the wastepaper baskets in the bedrooms. Repaint the guest bathroom. These little changes will take one thing off your to do list and make your home feel fresher.

Confirm Gifting Plan

Before the season gets too busy, we suggest making a list of everyone you plan to give gifts, bonuses, and/or holiday cards to this year. Update your list as you purchase gifts and as they arrive and share with your spouse and/or personal assistant. Clear out a closet and make sure you have space to store gifts as you purchase them. Keep your wrapping paper and ribbons all in one place. If you’ll be outsourcing wrapping to a staff member, mark on the list if the gift recipient should receive a particular style/color of wrapping and what date you need it completed by.

Review Staff & Family Schedules

Double check staff contracts and requested vacation dates before the busy season starts to be sure everyone is on the same page and coverage is handled. Review children’s schedules with nannies and caretakers and be sure all staff understand the requirements around holidays. Double check dates of theatre tickets and holiday parties and confirm with childcare ahead of time. What staff will work which holidays? Are the hours more or less? What is the agreed rate? If overnights are required, have logistics and pay been negotiated ahead of time?

Stay Safe

On top of all the fun preparations, don’t overlook the practical considerations of keeping your family and guests safe this season. Clean the rain gutters at the end of the autumn. Check fireplaces. Winterize the doors and windows. Make sure your alarm system works properly and all family members are in the habit of using it – even the best systems are useless if they aren’t working correctly when the worst happens.

Be sure toÌýcheck smoke and carbon monoxide detectorsÌý– and be sure you have enough for your home. The general rule of thumb for smoke detectors is to have minimum one on each floor with one inside and outside each sleeping area; larger homes may need more.ÌýÌý²¹²Ô»åÌý. ÌýÌý.

Set Aside Time for You

As the head of a household, it can be an overwhelming time of year as you try to manage family and social engagements, holiday preparations, fluctuating academic schedules, visiting guests, and more. Try to set aside some regular time for yourself – whether it’s your daily trip to the gym, a nightly hour to yourself, or an occasional spa day, don’t ignore your own needs. While the holiday season may seem overwhelming, the thing your family will remember most is the time spent together. Feel free to say no to big events and spend a cozy night in together instead.

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As the excitement of the holiday season fades and we settle into the winter months, many of us, children and adults alike, find ourselves experiencing a bit of winter blues. The days are shorter, the nights are colder and darker. We spend more time indoors and, in some cases, see friends and family less. This can lead to problems with sleep and focus, as well as feelings of anxiety and sadness. This week, we are sharing our top tips to stay positive this time of year. And remember – the official start of Spring is less than two months away (March 19, 2024)!

Prioritize Good Sleep

Often when we are feeling down, our sleep schedule is affected – the problem is cyclical as getting too much or too little sleep affects our mood and energy levels and our mood affects our sleep and so on. The best way to combat this is to stick to aÌýregular sleep schedule and good sleep hygiene habits. This means setting a bedtime that ensures you are getting enough sleep per night (for most people, this is 7-8 hours but everyone is different) SetÌýyourself up for success by avoiding caffeine and electronics before bed.

Families might create a winter bedtime routine – something cozy to look forward to will set the whole family up for a good night’s rest. Perhaps you can enjoyÌýa warm cup of tea orÌýÌýbefore reading a bedtime story. Or maybeÌýyou can take turns sharing what you’d like to dream about. We also suggest in investing in good quality pajamas you and your family really enjoy – sometimes, something as small as feeling good in your nighttime wear can lift your spirits. We loveÌýÌýfor family matching sets, of course, andÌýÌýfor gorgeousÌýprinted adult sets (our favorite print is the fun floralÌý).

Light therapy lamps are a great solution for many who have trouble waking up on cold, dark mornings. They mimic natural sunlight and many can be set on timers to help your body wake up naturally. We loveÌýÌýbut there are plenty on the market to match all preferences and styles.

Move Your Body

We can’t overemphasize the importance of moving your body each day, even in small ways. Ideally, we would all get exercise everyday – and many days, that activity would be outside in the sunlight. While that may not be possible every day, any movement will give your body and mind a little boost. On days you really aren’t up for it, be kind to yourself; do a gentle stretching or yoga routine in your pajamas when you first wake up or before bed. Try to include at least one family activity per week that involves movement – anything from a walk around the neighborhood to ice skating to a full ski trip counts!

Nourish Yourself

This time of year, focus on nourishing your body. To us, this means focusing on foods that are delicious and hearty, but are alsoÌýnourishingÌýinstead of purely comforting.ÌýSoups made with bone or vegetable broths, pureed vegetables, slow cookedÌýproteins, and warm oatmeal with berries are all top choices for us this time of year. On a snowy night, we love indulgences that still allow us to pack in the greens, like aÌýÌýorÌý.

Nourishment can extend to your mind and soul, as well. This time of year, it’s particularly important to be intentional about this. This can be as simple as making an upbeat playlist for your commute or downloading a morning meditation before bed so you’re more likely to listen to it in the morning. Carve out small windows of time to do things that you truly enjoy – take 30 minutes to sit by the fire with a good book, put your favorite music on while cooking, or stop by a well-loved caféÌýfor an appetizer on your way home.

Embrace the Season

Each season brings with it different pros and cons. Accept that this time of year often comes with a slower pace; if you acknowledge that the winter can be a time of rest, the coming months might feel restorative rather than slow and bleak. We also love building in traditions specific to the time of year that you and your family can look forward to time and time again. Why not host a family winter tea party? A neighborhood après-ski party? Fondue Fridays in January? Saturday pancakesÌý& pajamas brunch? These types of fun traditions promote togetherness, joy, and laughter, and they celebrate the season rather than shy away from it.ÌýFinally, we suggest adding in small touches around your home that will make little moments cozier – layer warm blankets on the couches and arm chairs, lay out slippers by the bed the night before, light a winter candle, and invest in fluffy robes ()Ìýfor each member of the family.

Seek Support

Social support is vital to thrive, especially during periods of increased stress or anxiety. Make a point to spend quality time with supportive loved ones and family members during these months. Check in with your children often and trust your gut; if you’re worried your child is struggling, keep the lines of communication open, offer support, and find a professional they can speak to, if needed.ÌýDon’t forget to check on your elderly friends and neighbors who might not reach out when they need help. And, of course, if you or a loved one isÌýstruggling with finding positive ways to cope, seek assistance from a professional.

Winter Blues VSÌýMore Serious Disorders

While many people feel more anxiety this time of year, it is critical to stay connected to yourself and to those around you and watch for signs of something more serious. If you, your child, or a loved one has any signs of orÌýfeelings of hopelessness or thoughts of suicide, it is crucial to get professional help immediately. You might ask your primary care physician for a recommendation; Psychology Today also has aÌý.

In addition, Seasonal Affective Disorder may have similar symptoms to the common “winter blues”Ìýbut can be more serious.ÌýThe National Institute of Mental Health defines Seasonal Affective Disorder as:

SAD is a type of depression characterized by a recurrent seasonal pattern, with symptoms lasting about 4−5 months out of the year. The signs and symptoms of SAD include those associated with depression as well as disorder-specific symptoms that differ for winter-pattern versus summer-pattern SAD.

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Our favorite time of year to host dinner parties and special events is late summer into early fall. The weather is warm in most areas, the sunset is still late enough in the evening to enjoy with guests, and the summer produce makes creating a beautiful and delicious dinner that much easier. This week, we’ve gathered our top tips for planning parties. Cheers!

Guests First.

Once you decide to host a special event, it can be difficult to narrow down your focus for ambience and location. There are so many elegant options for every party – from elevated picnics on the beach to garden parties to formal events on Lake Cuomo, the possibilities are truly endless. We suggest starting with aÌýguests firstÌýmindset – make a list of the top few guests that you feel would make this event special, those closest to you who you most want to share this experience with.ÌýÌýLet that list guide what is possible for your event – if an elderly relative is high on your list, you might forego a beach party with limited seating and instead opt for a garden luncheon with accessible options and plenty of seating. At the of the day, your guests are what will make the experience memorable.

Simplify.

We suggest selecting one “wow” factor and then simplifying everything else. This dramatic element might be hanging flower chandeliers, a chef preparing fresh sushi in front of guests, or even the landscape and views of your chosen venue. Let that element shine and guide other decisions. If you’ve chosen a naturally gorgeous area with lush ocean views, you might only need simple table accents and small arrangements using foliage from the area.

Outsource when possible.

Even the most talented and organized among us cannot do it all. If you’re hosting at home and plan to cook for the party yourself, you might outsource table setting and flower arranging to a housekeeper or trusted friend. If you have a very specific vision, set one place and make one sample bouquet the night before, take photos and share with those helping you. After that, let go and focus on your role. Whether you’re using a professional team of party planners, chefs, and housekeepers to back you up or you’re assigning a family member the role of taking photos on their phone, it’s important to delegate some of these tasks so you can focus on what you do best – and make time to enjoy yourself!

Plan a day you’re excited about.

Don’t forget to make sure you get to experience the event as well. The best way to do this is to plan the day out carefully so when the event starts you’re rested, dressed, and prepared. We recommend writing out a schedule for the day and take care to carve out some time to breathe, get dressed, and have a quiet moment, even if it is just 30 minutes, before the action begins.

Review practical elements.

It can be easy to be caught up in all the beautiful details of a party – the perfectly curated menu, the fresh flower arrangements, gorgeous table settings, and the setlist for the band. However, don’t forget to go over practical details, such as a coat room, place for umbrellas, bathroom signage, and parking. For home events, make sure you have enough ice, garnishes, and bottled water on hand. For larger events, it might be worth hiring a party planner to take care of these elements for you.

Don’t forget the details.

Small details can make the guest experience run much more smoothly. Little things like greeting guests with water or lemonade on hot days, handing out late night snacks, and supplying bug spray on summer nights can change the experience drastically. When planning, most people consider the visual and the food first – while these are incredibly important, unusual small touches can help solidify the memory in guests’ minds. For example, we love the idea of incorporating natural scents in subtle waysÌý – you might throw an outdoor summer dinner utilizing fresh herbs in the centerpieces followed by an after dinner bonfire; the smell of the fresh herbs and the fire will make that summer memory all the more powerful.

Most importantly, don’t stress over the small things.

It might seem contrary to our last point but even with all the planning in the world, something will likely go slightly wrong. Take a deep breathe and focus on the fact that that guests will remember good company and kind hospitality above all else. If all else fails, refill your guests’ glasses, order good takeout, and tell a joke – there is nothing more meaningful than sharing a good laugh with loved ones over a meal.

Top Restaurants for Private Events

A trusted restaurant is an excellent choice for an intimate private event. So many of the details are taken care of for you – from the service to the food, wine, and cleanup, it will all be handled expertly so you can just enjoy yourself.ÌýMany of these private dining rooms are so beautiful, you won’t need to add a single thing. Many small restaurants will gladly host private events even if they don’t advertise it on their website, so we recommend asking your favorite local spot if you aren’t sure.

Los AngelesÌý
In Los Angeles, theÌýÌýis one of our go-to options for events. With several venue options and an incredible eye for detail, you can trust them to handle it all. On top of that, they offer gorgeous accommodations for any out-of-town guests. For small dinners, we also love the private wine rooms atÌýÌýand at the ivy-coveredÌý.; both offer intimate, customizable experiences in their gorgeous wine cellars.

New York
There is no shortage of excellent private dining options in New York City. Downtown, we loveÌýÌýbrick wine cellar; it’s the perfect place to enjoy handmade pasta and carefully selected wine by candlelight. New York’s stapleÌýÌýalso offers a lovely private dining room for small groups, complete with its own in-room bar and dedicated service. For a simple and elegant experience uptown, we loveÌýÌýprivate dining room; there you’ll enjoy classic French bistro fare with top-notch service.

London
Ìýis one of our favorite locations for a dinner party of up to 20. Step into a Mediterranean-inspired space with hanging vines, olive trees, exposed brick, an inviting fireplace, and glass ceiling to enjoy a carefully selected menu of seasonal treats. Expect menu options including aperitivo, burrata, fresh seafood, and hearty mains.ÌýFor simple yet elevated food in a space that will feel like an extension of your own kitchen, we recommendÌý. Changing seasonal menus, an extensive wine list, and warm service make this a standout choice for a small dinner party.

If you’d like to book a private event at or hire a personal chef for your event, contact us here.

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Meditation has several benefits for the mind and body – these benefits extend to children as well as adults. By encouraging your child to engage with meditation practices early on, you’re not only helping them in the present moment but you’re setting them up for a lifetime of healthy stress management.ÌýÌýthat meditation can help children with focus, self-awareness, self-regulation, general mental health, and more. This week, we are sharing a few simple ways to build meditation practices into your child’s routine; especially early on, we recommend trying different techniques to keep children engaged and to find what works best. Although you might alternate activities, we suggest keeping “meditation time” at the same time each day, perhaps first thing in the morning or right before bed.

Research on structured meditation programs for children and youth is suggestive of benefits, particularly related to improvements in mental health, coping, and self-regulation as well as decreasing hypertension and negative school behaviors.Ìý

–Ìý

Quiet Time

The first and simplest approach to meditation is to ask children to participate in quiet time. Set a timer on your phone for a short amount of time (a common suggestion is 1-minute for each year of the child’s age) and ask your child to close their eyes and be quiet during that time. Ask children to focus on their breath and their feelings; advise them to notice the way their emotions and body feel. When the timer goes off, have a conversation about how the time felt in your body and mind. For children new to this, you might offer a reward at the end of quiet time, such as playing a favorite game or similar.

Coloring

Coloring is actually a great active meditation. Although blank paper works well, we love theseÌýÌýbooks that give children a place to start. The act of coloring is a slow, deliberate one that focuses the mind. Ask children to engage in a few minutes of quiet coloring then share their creations with you afterwards. You might try to increase the amount of quiet time by 15 or 30 seconds each time your child does this activity to give them a renewed sense of challenge and interest.

Guided Meditations

There are many guided meditations for children and families out there. Ìýhas a variety of meditations for children at different ages and points in life. They offer basic morning and evening meditations, as well as those geared towards moments of stress or anger. We suggest setting the tone and making it part of your family ritual; perhaps the whole family meditates in the morning in a comfortable space before changing out of pajamas. Afterwards spend time over breakfast sharing anything you noticed during the meditation; as parents model how to use meditation and calmly communicate, children will follow suit. It’s important to highlight to children that meditation is one tool (of many) they can reach for when struggling with big feelings.

Singing Bowl

We love the idea of incorporating singing bowls into at-home meditations. This ancient tradition helps children learn to listen and focus. There are many available online; if you don’t have one, we love the for littles ones and this for older children and adults. The blog has several ideas for how to use the bowl to practice mindfulness at home.

Floating

Next time your family is by the pool, take the time to build in a little meditative exercise amongst the summer fun. While you keep count (and a careful eye on little ones!), encourage your child to float on the water with their eyes closed, noticing how the water feels, how the sun feels on their skin. Even young children are often surprised by how much they enjoy a quiet moment amongst the excitement of a busy day.

Sky Gazing

On your next camping trip or time outdoors, have children lay on their backs in the grass and stare into the sky during quiet time. Let their eyes explore the stars and focus on their breath. This came be done on overcast days too. We love starting a family picnic or outdoor dinner with this quiet time to allow everyone a moment to reset; afterwards, everyone can share a nourishing meal together.

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We love setting ourselves up for success at the beginning of the summer by organizing our homes from top to bottom. Summer is typically the season where families are in and out of the house more than ever – between camps, vacations, family visits, and more, we need our limited time at home to be as efficient as possible. If you take the time now to make sure everything has a place, you’ll save yourself some time and energy all summer and when the fall rolls around. This week, we’ve gathered our top organizational tips to make summer smooth.

Summer Preparations

Store Summer Items Together

Take the time to clean and organize pool toys, beach towels, and safety necessities. Refresh wine and beverage refrigerators/coolers and stock up on plenty of bottled water. Store sunscreen, bug spray, and favorite summer toys together so you can ready quickly when last-minute outings pop up.

Prep Your Car

Add a few essentials to your car to make long trips a breeze. Store coloring books, non-perishable snacks, extra bathing suits, sunblock, and other essentials to make sure you’re ready for whatever the summer brings. We also suggest keeping a case of bottled water in the trunk for emergencies.

Stick to a Summer Routine

Even though your summer might look different each week, try to keep children on a basic routine. Helping children to wake up at the same time, eat a good breakfast, be active during the day, and get in bed at their regular time will help avoid breakdowns from exhaustion or overstimulation.

Top Organizing Tips

Work Through One Space at a Time

Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to do everything at once. Instead, choose one space that really needs attention, empty it completely, do a deep clean, throw out or donate what you can, and reorganize. This might mean that the pantry takes a day, or even a whole weekend, but it’s better to do it thoroughly and get it right than rush through several projects at once.

Allow for Open and Hidden Storage

We all love the beautiful and minimal bins and baskets we see in magazinesÌýand every home can incorporate these but for a truly functional home (especially one with children!), we suggest building in some beautiful cabinets that can hide less-beautiful (but necessary!) objects.

Organize for How You Live

Not every home will run the same. Only you and your family understand where you spend the most time, what objects you use the most, and how you weigh aesthetics vs function. Add in organizational details that will make your life less stressful. If you know your children constantly come in with muddy feet, building in a mud room, a fun floor mat, or an easy-to-clean shoe rack by the entry may save you plenty of time and headaches. If you know you misplace your keys, add an elegant hook by the door. These simple additions can easily remove small stressors from everyday life.

Lean on Experts and Staff

If you don’t have time to focus on these home projects, ask a housekeeper or personal assistant to take over. Delegating these tasks to someone who knows you and your home well can save you plenty of time and keep you on track. Ask them to do frequent check-ins to make sure the space stays organized.

Organizational Go-Tos

For projects of all sizes, we recommendÌý, aÌýLatinx and female-owned and operated business in NYC that offers in-home organizational services. The Renu Space team excels at helping clients with all types of organizational tasks, from decluttering and reorganizing the family pantry to helping with the before and after logistics of an entire home relocation.ÌýÌý

We love their selection of high quality baskets, bins, and labels to match any home aesthetic.ÌýÌýare great for children’s toys and baby clothes while theÌýÌýelevate and organize the master closet.

No organizational list would be complete without mentioning the Container Store. A long-time favorite for basic items, we choose the Container Store when we need to update our basement, garage, closet, and under-cabinet storage. TheÌýÌýare our go-to for any space that needs structure or organizing, especially areas like the garage or large pantries. Infinitely customizable, they offer wheels, carts, hooks, extra shelves, dividers, and more.

For elegant additions to the kitchen and beyond, we love the Food52 shop. TheÌýÌýis great for building in extra storage into narrow spaces (think between the oven and counter or in the bathroom). We love theÌýÌýfor extra storage in summer homes.

Summer Cooking Projects

These recipes require time now but will pay offÌýby providing for you all summer long.

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Early November brings a change in weather and the start of the busy holiday season. While it’s an exciting time of year, it can also be a stressful one, especially for families with a new child or going through other big changes in life. For those who might think this holiday season seems a little daunting, we’ve gathered our top tips for managing all life throws at you this time of year.

Set Thoughtful Goals

We recommend sitting down and looking at the calendar for the coming months and asking yourself what the priorities are for your family this year. Is it to spend as much time together as possible? To make the effort to visit an older relative you haven’t seen in years? Is it to try something new together or solidify an age-old family tradition? Whatever the heart of your holiday season, keep that at the forefront of your mind when making plans.

Plan Ahead

Outside of the major holidays this time of year, the calendar fills up quickly with seasonal parties, children’s concerts, work events, and more. Mark the events on your calendar that you absolutely cannot miss then schedule downtime around them. If Thanksgiving is a heavy lift in your household, maybe clear the rest of that weekend for leftovers, movies, and maybe a family pizza night. Avoid over committing at the outset so you’ll be able to better enjoy what you participate in. Don’t forget to set aside time for holiday shopping (for both gifts and groceries) as this can often take more time than expected. If you can get some of the holiday gift shopping done before Thanksgiving, you set yourself up to have more options and less stress.

Communicate and Say No

This time of year, you and your family will likely be invited to more events than you can say yes to. Get comfortable saying no to events instead of overextending yourself. The same goes for house guests you cannot accommodate and other requests made. To manage expectations, communicate clearly and as early as possible to family members. Communication with little members of the family is important too; find out what your child’s best holiday memories are and what made those so special. When planning the weeks ahead, make sure there’s something for every member of the family to be excited about.

Ask for Help

During this time of year, many of us need an extra helping hand. You might need to check in with your nanny or housekeeper about adding some extra hours (or bringing on a temporary staff member). Maybe asking a grandparent to stay an extra few days to help with childcare after the holidays will take some work off your plate. A personal assistant might be able to handle holiday shopping. Hiring a chef or caterer for an upcoming party instead of attempting to do it all yourself might help you enjoy the time with friends and family more. Delegating and outsourcing are smart moves this time of year – don’t be shy to ask for help when you need it.

Take Care of Yourself

During busy times, make sure to build time in regularly for yourself. Even if it’s just 30 minutes before bed, be vigilant about allowing yourself time to decompress and relax. This also means not being too hard on yourself – it’s okay to buy store bought cookie dough or pick up pies from a bakery! And, of course, be sure to get you and your family COVID-19 boosters and flu shots as recommended to protect yourself and others.

Keep Focus on the True Meaning of the Holidays

Every holiday season is going to look a little different depending on the circumstances of life. Talk about thankfulness, family, and love often – if your celebrations are faith-based, tell the history to your children so they better understand the purpose of the day. Consider reading books likeÌý,ÌýÌý,ÌýorÌýÌýÌýtogether to help guide the conversation.

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