Aurélie: "I am good at tidying up - My problem is..."
Newsletter#1- December 2020 inspiration, tips, etc...
Hello and welcome!!
I am pleased you discovered my page and you are interested in my different passions…
I am Marie, Office and Home Organiser. With my family I live in Munich for more than 20 years. This newsletter is my new project and with it I wanted to share my experiences, inspirations, tips and much more about organisation, decluttering, optimisation, DIY, upcycling, lifestyle, etc…
Organisation and decluttering are very personal; we are all different, have all different lifestyle, routines; we don’t have the same needs and for each of us, having a flat cleaned or organised does not have the same signification than for someone else. Take the example of your “home”. How do your familly members react with decluttering, sorting things out, etc.? And what about you?? 🤔
This is the reason of my newsletter: share stories of other persons, to get their feedback, tips, inspirations, etc… and eventually having the feeling, we are not alone…
This month let’s me introduce you to…
Your story
1.Who are you?
My name is Aurélie, married, I have 3 boys, I am French-German and I am living in the suburbs of Munich for 17 years.
2. Your favourite restaurant (and why?)
La Bottega in Volpaia
Regional and seasonal cuisine; this is so good!! The view from the restaurant is fantastic; we usually stay at least 3 hours at the table.
3. Your favourite place, where you go often for a walk?
The forest near my house which has a health trail of almost 3km (which I never do!!). However, I regularly practice Nordic walking there.
TIDYING UP AND ORGANISATION
1. What is your attitude with tidying up? Enemy or friend?
Friend for me and enemy for the rest of the family.
I don't tidy up for others but constrain them to tidy up.
2. Would you describe yourself as organised?
2.a. If so, why? What is your definition of organisation for you in relation to your lifestyle?
I don't tidy up regularly, but when I do, no one can stop me. It can be anything, just a cupboard, shelves, a wardrobe, the car, the kitchen, etc…
By the way kitchen… If I start cleaning and decluttering the kitchen; once I have inspected everything, sorted, cleaned and that each item has found its right place, I will have to bake a cake! I can't stop it. A yoghurt cake which the recipe has been improved: no need to take out the recipes’ book, no need to use a scale. It's quick, doesn't mess anything up and gives me the time to enjoy my new cleaned kitchen at its glance. On top, my 4 “men” are happy to have a dessert!
3. What is your favourite room? And why?
The reading room.
4. Can you describe it?
It does not belong to anyone; everyone can settle down, read, work or play there. The only condition is that everyone must take their objects back when they have finished.
There is a sofa bed, a table, a chair and a wardrobe with our board games.
5. What should be for you the characteristics of a room to feel comfortable?
(decoration, minimalist, flowers, colour, etc...)
The room needs to be very luminous.
6. What storage / tidy up or organisational advice could you give that you regularly use for yourself/home?
7. What tool/item/object do you particularly use for tidying up?
I use storage boxes for our mail / post before sorting the documents out in different specific folders; and also a centralised laundry basket for the whole familly.
8. What is/are your favourite shop(s) for decoration?
I don't buy decorations anymore, only candles at Christmas’ time.
9. Where do you buy your storage items?
I do order online with Amazon, once a year.
10. What is the one thing you absolutely don't use but you can't get rid of it?
And why?
The sewing machine of my grandmother who passed away. She was a seamstress. The leather strap has to be replaced.
I also have a giant stapler that I won in a game with my girlfriends. I would certainly use it before the manual sewing machine get repaired.
11. Do you need advice on how to tidy or organise your things?
If so, what is it?
I think I'm doing a great job. My problem is to manage to get my family tidying up their things.
YOUR WARDROBE AND YOU
1. Do you know all the items you have in terms of clothes and accessories?
Almost. I forgot the contents of 2 or 3 boxes in the cellar.
2. Do you know where to find them right away? Where are they stored?
Yes. Blouses are in the wardrobe in our floor, bags are just above. The rest of my clothes are in my wardrobe in our bedroom.
3. How many pairs of shoes do you have?
8 in the corridor and 27 in the shoe cellar. 35 all together (from the slippers, the rubber boots to the bicycle shoes and the sandals for the summer).
The current (seasonal) shoes are in the corridor and the others are located in the cellar in a separate room. This is very practical for the whole family.
4. Do you wear them all regularly?
Yes, depending of the season. 4 pairs are still new for the next season. I did like them so much that I did buy them in advance.
5. What clothes do you wear the most? Why do you wear them?
Light blouses with dark cardigans. A cardigan, unlike a jumper, can be opened, so it's practical and can be worn in summer in the late evening, as well as, in winter.
I love it. The blouse has an elegant shape and hides a little bit some “specific” areas of my body.
6. Do you use all the clothes in your wardrobe?
No. My weight varies too much. I have 3 sizes from 42 to 46. At the moment I'm wearing size 44. I hope to put the 42 back on or might need the 46 next spring.
7. Do you always know which clothes to wear for the different occasions?
Yes, no problem!!
8. Do you go shopping regularly?
No, I don’t have time.
9. What was the last piece of clothing you bought and when?
Tchibo, a pair of reversible sports trousers for the Nordic walking and cycling.
10. What is your favourite clothing shop?
I dont have any; however, I have a favourite brand: Opus.
11. Are you a cicada or an ant with your clothes, accessories and shoes?
(which means you keep all your clothes or you sort them out regularly?)
I tend to store a lot; however, due to lack of space, I have to sort out regularly. As I don't have room for more items, I do replace them.
12. Do you need advice on how to tidy or organise your wardrobe?
If so, what is it?
UPCYCLING - RECYCLING
1. What do you do with the objects and clothes you no longer use?
The clothes that are too used or damaged, I collect the buttons, zips and/or elastics because I love to sew. I reuse these little things to sew bags and other items; as well as, repairing other clothes. Sometimes I keep the all fabric or just some parts of it. I also transform trousers into skirts, long sleeves become short sleeves, etc...
Otherwise, if they are in very good condition, I give them to friends or sell them. The last option is the clothing container.
2. Do you have an address for us?
BOOKS
I love reading; however, I must admit, I am pretty slow when I read. 🙈😴
At the moment, I read 2 books at the same time, I like changing topics and I like reading in different languages:
A German crime novel: Tante Poldi and the Sicilian lions from Mario Giordano.
(The book is also available in other languages.)
A French book about personal development: L’appel de la Fugue d’Alice Cheron.
(Going off on your own for a few days when the daily routine is overwhelming. This book is only available in French at the moment.)
The funniest thing: both books are playing in Italy, a country where I used to live and which has a huge place in my heart. I met fantastic people, discovered an amazing way of life “la dolce vita”, a passion for cooking and a great culture.
COOKING
Every week I use and try to publish my weekly menu suggestions. What I usually cook at home. This enables me to plan the meals in advance, to make sure all the necessary ingredients are on my food shopping list. You save time and money. I usually plan the meals / recipes according to our internal organisation and routine. If the children have late activities or I have an appointment, I make sure I can cook in advance 1 or 2 meals at the same time or I plan an easy recipe on that day. You can find the old menus on my blogpage, on my facebook or instagram pages.
DYI
December is the Advent and Christmas time. There are lots of possibilities to decorate your place, your Christmas tree, to create your own advent calendar, etc… One of the best website to get inspirations and find really good ideas is Pinterest. This is also the time to share these moments with your beloved.
How to decorate your Christmas tree?
🎄Decoration:
If your Christmas tree is going to be the same (size) as last year and you are going to use the same decoration. You can skip this part.
However, if you are going to change the size and think of changing the theme of the decoration:
Which decoration would you like to have?
Do you have everything you need?
Make sure the colours are matching together!
🎄Choose the right quantity of supplies and decoration:
Decorating a Christmas tree is something very personal. However, it is suggested that in order to decorate a 1.80 metre tree, named as "American style", it is necessary to have:
1 electric garland (with or without timer)
3 glittering garlands
about 40 Christmas balls
20 to 25 Christmas items to hang
The rest of accessories (battery operated candles, bows, traditional star).
🎄Prepare and organise your “battle field” around your Christmas tree:
Place all your decorations near you.
Make sure all your “old” decorations still look good and are intact.
Your electric garland works.
🎄Install the electric garland and the glittering garlands
In many cases, the Christmas tree is near a wall, so that there is no need to decorate too much the hidden part. Pass the light garland from the top through this non-visible area, to hide the cable. Bring it down, like a snake, all the way to the bottom. The switch will be easily accessible. Count 10 metres of electric garland for a 1.80 metre tree, 6 metres for a 1.20 to 1.50 metre tree.
🎄Place the Christmas balls and the smal decoration items
At this step you will have to fight against the natural "penchant" of our eyes to focus on the middle of the object to be decorated. Arrange the balls in staggered rows, from the top to the bottom, in order that the decoration of your tree remains well balanced. When this is done, place now your small decoration items and fill them in the gaps. Should you have the support of your children, have a look at the bottom of your tree; it may be too loaded at the bottom: it's a question of size!
🎄Finish the decoration by putting the star at the top of your Christmas tree.
TIPS
One of the reason, we dont like decluttering or we dont even think of doing it, is usually the lack of time or the feeling we dont have any... In fact, to start decluttering, you need to take time and the best way is to block time in your calendar. To inspire you, I would like to share with you this great article from Dr Travis Bradberry, “11 ways to beat Procrastination”.
STYLING / FASHION
A scarf is a really good accessory to pimp up your outfit. I use one every day, usually matching with the colours of my outfit. Depending of its length and size, you can use and wear it differently. This funny and interesting video shows you 25 different ways to wear your scarf.
WELLBEING
How to sleep well: tips for a restful sleep
Based on German statistics, about 80 percent of Germans go to bed before midnight on working days. However, only around 60 percent of the people find their sleep really relaxing and restful. The reasons: job-related stress, too warm, too cold, family problems ... There are so many reasons why people lose sleep.
-Check your bedroom to noise, temperature, humidity (ideal is between 40-60% humidity) and brightness. These are factors that may have a strong influence on your sleep.
-Avoid inappropriate use of sleeping pills, caffeine, tobacco and alcohol - especially in the evening hours.
-Regular physical activity during the day (and NOT in the evening!) reduces stress and provide an healthy sleep.
-As much as possible, try to go to bed at the same time.
-In the bedroom, make sure to place mainly air-purifying plants.
-There should be an interval of at least one hour between dinner and bedtime.
-Avoid heavy food in the evening - a restless stomach does not sleep well.
-A good book lets negative thoughts disappear at late hours.
-Essential oils such as lavender release a calming and relaxing fragrance, automatically calming the body and mind.
I have the same routine every night; I spray my pillow with lavender fragrance and put some beaume or essential oils of lavender on my wrists, drink a glass of water and read at least one page of my book before sleeping.
If you are interested to know which products I use, please contact me!
WORKSHOP
The next workshop we do organise with Hélène Cuney from @Allaventure (former Dessine-moi Munich and Coach) is:
Sam 5 Dec 2020 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM CET online with zoom
The topic:
Year-end review and your 2021 objectives - visionboard "to start the year well prepared".”
What you can expect:
-What have I achieved this year?
-What have I learned and what is my vision for next year?
This workshop is an opportunity to take some time for yourself and reflect on the past year. You learn from your experiences and leave with a clear vision of what you want to achieve in 2021.
During the last part of the workshop, we work on your vision and build a vision board.
Interested?
This workshop is held in French. Should you be interested by the topic and would like to attend it in English or in German, please contact me!!
LAST WORDS
Did you like this newsletter? Please send me your feedback!!
Are there any topics you would like to read? Would you like to share your favourite recipe? or
Would you like to be part of my newsletter and tell us your story? Contact me!!
As this newsletter is from the beginning of december, I dont know how the situation will be at the end of the year. Therefore, I wish you a great december and a fantastic Christmas time. Make the most it!!
Enjoy every single day and take care of yourself 🙏🙏🙏
Marie