2022 Holiday Gift Guides: Organizing Gifts

We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.

We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.

Next up is our favorite organizing gifts!

As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.

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Legacy Box, Digitizing Kit

We are constantly asked how to properly preserve keepsakes like home movies and photos. 

We love LegacyBox’s digitizing kits to safeguard irreplaceable memories - there are multiple packages to choose from based on the quantity of memories you’re preserving and options to save your files on a thumb drive, disc or cloud.

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Etsy, Glass Spice Jars

It feels like we’ve researched every spice jar that exists and this one is one of our favorites.  These airtight glass jars are made with food-grade high quality borosilicate glass. The lids are handmade from eco-friendly sustainably sourced Acacia wood. You can even add a matching acacia spice spoon to compliment your jars. It’s a great gift for the chef in your life and we love these as a housewarming gift too.

p.s. the etsy shop owner is wonderful.

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Yamazaki, Jewelry Display

We like the minimalist design of this jewelry organizer which can be used for necklaces, watches and bracelets. The bottom tray can be used to prop a phone or hold loose change, rings, and earrings. The little hooks along the top are perfect for keeping necklaces untangled.

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Italian retro goblets

Available in 9 sizes and 25+ colors, these bags are incredibly versatile. We use them grocery shopping, as gift bags, as food storage, in place of baskets in bathrooms, the list keeps going.  They are hand washable so you can reuse them over and over again. And when they are not in use, you can store them flat.

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Artkive, Children’s Art Publishing Kit

The number one complaint we get from parents….they don’t know what to do with their children’s art work. We always recommend Artkive. Just send them your favorite artwork and they will produce an artbook or framed-mosaic print of the masterpieces. You can either have them return the artwork to you afterwards or you can have them responsibly recycle it (you know our vote)!. Preserve your child’s art in one neat and organized place.

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Sendotek, Bamboo Charging Station

We love this 6-in-1 bamboo charging station because we really dislike having cords everywhere.. It charges up to 6 devices (including a watch and airpods) simultaneously and comes with a wall output plug which helps keep your desktop neat and tidy.  It also comes with 3 types of charging cables- a lightning cable, a type C, and a USB micro charging cable. The easiest way to keep all your devices in one centralized place whether it be your desk, counter or nightstand.

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Poketo, Spectrum Wall Planner

We still use wall calendars and the bigger the better! With this wall planner, we like to display all 12 months because the entire color scheme is fantastic. This calendar comes open-dated so you can use it anytime. Poketo also sells the Acrylic Poster Hanger if you want to hang up one month at a time.

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swarovski magnetic ear cuff

We came across this bag while organizing a basement and I think we may have ordered the bag while we were still on-site. We love this bag because you don’t have to worry about it getting messy or dirty because you can simply rinse it off when you’re done using it.

It comes in a dozen fun colors and each bag has two removable clear pouches that clip into the holes on the side of the bag.  While this bag is a great beach/sports/pool bag, we actually use it as a supply bag on jobs! It’s perfect for a fall tailgate or a summer day at the beach. Our favorite part is that it’s tip proof!

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YouCopia, Storage Drying Rack

You already know how much we love our Stasher bags, so it only makes sense how excited we were to find this.  A simple solution for drying and storing reusable food bags of all sizes, the best part is that the prongs keep the bags open to air-dry. It’s easy to clean and made from BPA-free plastic.

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Reminder to comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season. You’ll be entered to win s little something from one of our guides.

disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

2022 Holiday Gift Guides: Shannon's Picks

We had so much fun last year with the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We received such great feedback from everyone.

We created a handful of guides this year from our own picks to stocking stuffers to organizing supplies.

First up is Shannon’s picks!

As we did last year, we’ll be gifting someone a little something from one of the guides. All you have to do is comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season.

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Hulken Storage Bag

This is the best utility bag. It folds up for easy storage, has unbreakable handles, great colors and…IT IS ON WHEELS. Not only do we use this when we’re working but we even use this bag instead of a shopping cart when we’re grocery shopping or at The Container Store.

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Westman atelier clean glow trio

We are always on the hunt for clean beauty products and I’ve been loving anything Westman Atelier. These petite sticks come in a set of 3 - highlight, contour and blush. They have no silicones, no parabens, no phthalates, no mineral oil, no synthetic fragrances and are not tested on animals. The petite size is great to keep in your daily makeup bag or for travel.

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Ellis brooklyn clean perfume

Ellis Brooklyn is another clean beauty line we love. This limited edition gift set includes 5 of their best-selling scents, which are paraben-free, phthalates-free, cruelty-free and vegan. The bottles are composed of glass and can be reused or recycled. These mini rollerballs are great for travel too.

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Italian retro goblets

This has been on the top of the wish list for two years now. These gorgeous retro-inspired glasses are made in Italy from blown lead-free glass. They are handmade by master Italian glassmakers, and come in tumblers, goblets (and even bowls). Plus the color options are gorgeous.

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Mz wallace crochet metro tote

Surprise, surprise, another MZ Wallace item on our wish list! We just love this brand so much - all their bags are so functional and durable. This new crochet print is so colorful and fun and reminds us of our grandmas. 

Made from recycled nylon and extremely lightweight, this bag is perfect for commutes, travel and everyday life. It’s spacious and has detachable interior pouches as well as interior and exterior pockets in all the right places.

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Living Libations

Best Skin Ever

This is by far my favorite clean-ingredient product. This skin elixir is packed with omega fatty acids, vitamins, lipids and hundreds of bioactive compounds. My favorite thing about this is that it is an all-in-one cleanser, exfoliator and moisturizer- which means less bottles at home and less bottles to pack when traveling.

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Fellow Electric Pour- Over Tea Kettle

This is a great gift for the tea or coffee drinker in your life. Available in 13 great colors, this kettle is temperature controlled and has an incredibly fast heat time. We love the minimal design but the best part is that it holds your desired temperature for 60 mins.

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swarovski magnetic ear cuff

If you know Shannon, you know she loves jewelry and never leaves the house without earrings. This cuff is magnetic(!!) so it can be worn anywhere on your ear. It comes in purple and yellow (purple wins) and it’s sold as a single cuff. It makes a great statement piece and an easy way to add a little glam to your day!

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Headspace

We are big proponents of meditation over here and have been loving the Headspace app. It comes with so many helpful meditations, relaxing sleep exercises, focus music, podcasts, sleep sounds and mood-boosting workouts such as yoga. You can purchase a monthly subscription or pay annually but use our link and you’ll get a 30-day guest pass.

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Reminder to comment below (or better yet, comment on our Instagram or Facebook posts) and tell us what item you have your eyes on this season. You’ll be entered to win s little something from one of our guides.

disclaimer:

If you purchase from one of our LTK links, we may earn a small commission.

Here’s What The Tidy Nest Co-Founders Have Been Up To

We've been busy working with many of you to prepare for moves, to manage your moves, and to introduce better organization into your lives. A lot has happened this year so we're sharing some relevant updates with you…

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SHANNON

After working with many types of clients over the years, we found that people struggle with disorganization for very different reasons. I recently completed coursework with NAPO (National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals)  to develop a foundational knowledge for working with clients experiencing symptoms or having diagnoses of brain based conditions (defined by NAPO as anything that causes a person to have ongoing difficulty or challenging differences with cognition, emotion, socialization, or behavior). During my coursework I learned how to identify physical, mental, emotional and environmental challenges  and how to implement organizational and productivity strategies to empower clients in their daily lives. I am excited to say that I now officially hold a Brain-Based Conditions Specialist Certificate from NAPO!

In case you didn’t know, I believe that all spaces and items hold energy. As a professional organizer, I'm constantly touching a lot of items, and I'm in a lot of spaces. Some spaces are neutral, some spaces are dense with neglect and some spaces are just…full of busy energy.  Over time I started to feel affected by the spaces and the amount of items that passed through my hands. I wanted to find a way to protect myself from the energy I was absorbing. Since I’ve always been interested in reiki and knew about its healing power, I enrolled in my first reiki course at my local metaphysical shop (or “Hogwarts” as Jared would call it) and before I knew it, I had completed all three certifications and I am now a Reiki Master.

As a Reiki Master, I now have the ability to clear the energy in a room or home or clear a person’s energy (with their permission of course). Questions about reiki? Have no idea what it is? Send me a note and I’ll be happy to share what I know!

And one final thing to share… I just completed my exam, and I’m on my way to being a Certified Professional Organizer®.

In order to sit for the exam you must be a NAPO member in good standing, have completed prerequisite courses through NAPO and have logged at least 1,500 hours of on-site work (which was a piece of cake for me).

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Head over to Instagram to see more updates from the team

Tidy Nest Featured Press: Get to Know Shannon Krause....

Thank you to Hello Fairfield County Guide for helping our community get to know Shannon a little bit better.

How long have you had your business?

I started Tidy Nest with my business (and life partner) in early 2019 so Tidy Nest is three years old. But I have been organizing for as long as I can remember. When I was a child, I would find enjoyment organizing my mom’s coupons, my barbie doll clothes, tupperware containers, etc. In highschool and college, I was super active and had to juggle a demanding schedule so I really honed my time management skills at that stage of my life. Right out of college I started my career in PR and Marketing for real estate brokers in New York City - at my busiest I was coordinating PR and marketing efforts for 85 brokers at one of the top real estate firms in NYC, needless to say I needed to be incredibly organized. As a hobby, I would help my friends and family move, organize their closets, plan their vacations, etc. Order, productivity and organization have always been part of my life. 

If you could have any celebrity client, who would it be?I think it would be Martha Stewart - she's the queen of all things organization so if I could get her stamp of approval that's like receiving the highest honor.

What’s your favorite dish at a local restaurant?
I'd say the sole or mussels at Luc's. I order either at least once a week.

What is your favorite splurge?

I tend to justify many "splurges" when traveling. If I can pay extra to cut a line, have a private tour or board a flight first, I will!

Do you have a favorite “hidden gem”?

I don't think I can call this a hidden gem anymore since it has won "best breakfast in CT" but Kitchen Little in Mystic, CT is one of my favorite places. We've been going there for years and no matter how long we're away Jimmy (the owner) still welcomes us with a giant hug.

What is your favorite way to spend a Sunday?

We are usually with clients on Sundays but if I have the day off then it usually starts with breakfast at Rosie in New Canaan followed by spending time at home with our three kitties...inevitably I'm organizing some space in my home, working on a puzzle or spending time in my garden.

What makes you happy?

It sounds cliche but my work makes me happy. There’s real joy in helping to eliminate stress and chaos for our clients - especially since there’s so much of that going around these days. I particularly like the challenge of meeting each of their unique needs with systems that work for their specific lives. We are able to give our clients back their time and create a sense of peace in their spaces - that makes me very happy.  
On a non-work level, spending time outdoors with friends and family and traveling as much as possible brings me a lot of joy. 

2021 Reflection

Since we were sidelined with Covid over the holidays, we didn’t get a chance to reflect on 2021. It was a great year, albeit a bit strange and challenging at times, but on the whole, it was really positive for us. 

This year is off to a busy start and we’re excited for all of the challenges and opportunities that lay ahead in ’22. But check out a few of our highlights below for a look back at 2021.

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Best Year

We had our most successful year to date! 

Making Moves

Half the year was spent handling moves and relocation projects 

Best of the Best

We were named Best of the Gold Coast for Home Organization Design Services

read all about it

We were quoted in many national publications including HGTV, Forbes, Family Handyman and Apartment Therapy 

Take a look at our press mentions

busy busy busy

We helped many new clients, many of whom we’re happy to now call friends

we finally got to travel

Nantucket, Bermuda, California, Texas but out trip to Majorca was the highlight!

Growing

We added new organizers to the growing team and a new kitty to our family

community

We sponsored a few events, most notably with one of our favorite musicians, Hiss Golden Messenger and hosted our first food drive for Meals on Wheels in Ridgefield, CT

Keep following our journey on Instagram

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2021 Holiday Gift Guides: Shannon's Picks

We’re so excited to be sharing the first edition of our holiday gift guides. We covered different categories from our personal picks to stocking stuffers to items for the cat lover (I know, big stretch but we love our cats).

Next up are some of Shannon’s favorite gifts to give (and receive).

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Bed of Nails Mat & Pillow

I’ve introduced so many people to these acupressure mats. Trust me. This is an incredibly effective tool for easing tension and inducing a state of deep relaxation. Bed of Nails acupressure mats are similar to acupuncture but it does not penetrate the skin.

This has been a lifesaver after a long day of organizing.

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Minimalista by Shira Gill

Shira Gill has been a mentor to me (even though she doesn’t know I exist). I just love her perspective on organizing and consumption. Her new book, Minimalista, is a beautiful hardcover step-by-step guide to a better home, wardrobe and life.

Who doesn’t want that?

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Reflexology Wand

I will do anything Elizabeth from Honest Rituals tells me to do when it comes to skincare. She hasn’t steered me wrong yet! I watched her mesmerizing Instagram videos using this wand and I instantly felt my tense facial muscles relax.

By massaging specific points on your face using this wand, you can soothe your nervous system, release facial tension and stimulate collagen

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Beauty Counter Body Scrub

I am all about clean beauty and have been loving Beauty Counters body scrub. The scent is delicious and the sugar grains are the perfect size. It is made with organic cane sugar, sweet almond oil and organic sunflower seed oil and has notes of apricot, lemon, orange, bergamot and grapefruit.

Yummmmm.

Shout out to my friend Lauren for gifting a Beauty Counter item for our giveaway!

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eeBoo Puzzle

Puzzles have always been our favorite pastime but during quarantine it became an obsession and we found ourselves calling the local toy stores (thanks New Canaan Toy Store) asking for curbside pickup of our favorite brand puzzle - eeBoo.

The designs are magical, the images celebrate inclusion and encourages empathy and the pieces are made from recycled materials and vegetable based ink. They have my name written all over them.

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Living Libation's Royal Rose CoQ10 Serum

Here’s another gem from Honest Rituals. This serum is magic in a bottle. It contains the most glorious essential oils including Immortelle, Sweet Thyme, Myrrth and Ylang mixed in a Rosehip seed oil base. Truthfully anything from the Living Libations line is a game changer.

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Gratitude Journal

I recently did a 44 day gratitude challenge (thanks to @the.lifestyle.psychologist) and I saw the benefits immediately. Now it has become a daily ritual. While you don’t need a specific gratitude journal to practice gratitude, we found it more impactful to physically write a little something each day and why not do that in a pretty journal. 

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MetalBird

My brother in law introduced me to these and I have since purchased about 10 for friends and family.

MetalBird started as a street art project in New Zealand and now the products are sold throughout the world. They are all unique and bring a whimsical charm to your backyard. 

Order early because they are made and shipped from Australia (which is another reason why I am so drawn to them - shoutout to my Aussie crew!).

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Ember Mug

This is one of my favorite bougie, unnecessary, but oh-so amazing gifts. This mug works with your iPhone to set the desired temperature and notifies you when your temperature is reached. I drink a ton of hot water and tea and have this working for me ALL day, every day.

The best part is not having to get up from the couch to reheat your beverage. 

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Getting To Know The Tidy Nest Team

Shannon | Co-Founder & Chief Operating Organizer

What’s your favorite space to organize? And what’s the hardest space you’ve ever tackled?

My favorite space to organize is an office. I love to sort office supplies and create a space that produces creativity and order.

Hardest space would be a playroom or child’s bedroom because children have a hard time editing their treasures.

What’s the one item you must have when organizing?

Post-its. I can’t live without them.

What do you like to do when you’re not organizing?

When I’m not organizing, I’m at Pilates or yoga class, aspiring to be Martha Stewart, studying Ayurveda, or exploring hiking trails in New York State.

What’s your go-to song to get motivated?

24K Magic by Bruno Mars. All day. Every day.

What’s one tip you have to stay on track during a project?

Create a schedule and STICK TO IT!  

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