With both business and personal new beginnings, life has brought such wonderful things that I am beyond grateful for and couldn’t have predicted, like new clients, projects, opportunities, relationships, the feeling of security, routine, and more. I have come to find that making time for both work and play, focusing on not making more clutter and writing EVERYTHING down has helped me get through the rollercoaster of life.

Over the years I have worked with some amazing interior designers on client projects and one of our most recent collaborations was on a family home featured in the cover story of The Washington Post Magazine Fall Home and Design issue. Our focus in this house was to make sure that everything was categorized, organized, and easy to see and access so that no time was wasted spent running around looking for what they needed, wanted, or thought they should have but couldn’t locate.

Our goals for the site were to clean up the structure using the new Rachel and Company branding, and make our online home a bit more clean, modern, and easy to navigate. Plus, we thought it was the perfect time to add in some new services and features based on the feedback received from our clients, friends, and newsletter buddies (check out the “Services” section of our website for more info).

You’ve probably heard of “skeletons in the closet,” but what spaces are clients most ashamed of and afraid to organize? Here’s a hint: if you have one, you’re probably not sure what’s there, and when you find out, you may be surprised. Basements. Here is some advice on how to keep one of the most easily disorganized parts of your home neat and tidy.

Professionals are the least likely to judge us when we need help, and yet, often, they are the ones we fear the most. Life happens, and we provide a nonjudgmental approach. We are professionals. We see clutter and disorganization on a daily basis. We also experience it ourselves. Believe me, we’ve seen it all. You are not the worst, and even if you were, we do not judge. We’re not shocked. We understand, and we want to hear from you.

This week, we interviewed Hillary Denham, owner + designer of Free Babes Handmade, the “classic bows for adventurous souls.” I came across Free Babes on Instagram and quickly fell in love with these darling bows, and of course, the beautiful, organized, and heartwarming photos on the @free_babes Instagram feed. We posted a photo on our Instagram feed of some of her organized bows and are so impressed by Hillary’s success as a designer and entrepreneur. I couldn’t be more grateful to feature her on our series, The Organized Lifestyle.

It was time for a change and something major: a rebranding of Rachel and Company. I had an idea of what I liked and what I wanted, and realized it wasn’t as easy as going blonde! That’s when I met Marcela, a branding expert and designer for one of my favorite brands (Framebridge), and she offered to redesign my logo and create a new look and feel for Rachel and Company. Take a look.

There are several strategies for when you’ve missed the community yard sale deadline or the one in your head. The most important thing to remember, though, DO NOT WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR and hold onto your clutter. Feel free to call your favorite and most fabulous friends to discuss the utter annoyance of missing the community yard sale, and even go as far as asking to join in on their neighborhood yard sales. OR, plan your own yard sale! There are even online yard sale options.

Consigning is a great idea for clothing, shoes, purses, and even jewelry that you’ve kept in great condition, but no longer use. But you want to know the dirty truth about consigning? It takes work. A lot of work. In contrast, holding onto things because you paid X amount for them, or don’t make the time to consign, can be stifling. Once you do it, though, it’s like ripping off a BAND-AID, and you might never go back when you realize the benefits and get a good system in place.

This week, I interviewed Sally Steponkus Roche, owner of Sally Steponkus Interiors, Inc. I have known Sally for several years, and we have partnered on many projects, since organization and interior design often go hand in hand. Clients love her. I love working with her! Her positive energy and keen eye for detail allow for a seamless partnership, and I couldn’t be more excited to feature her on our new The Organized Lifestyle series.