Product Spotlight

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: Jared'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 Jared’s favorite gifts to give (and receive).

Lafco New York Candles

I have yet to find a fragrance I don't like. They also use ethically sourced ingredients, sustainable manufacturing processes and environmentally friendly practices.

Aldez Tequila

Forget Patron. This is a fantastic tequila with a bright profile and zero artificial flavor. It's an organic and sustainable brand -- all bottles and corks are made from recycled materials.

Hemp Infused Sleep Gummies

Since everyone on Earth is stressed these days, these gummies are my secret weapon in the battle against insomnia.

Custom Notepads

These are a family favorite. Every Christmas I make these custom notepads with really cheesy motivational quotes accompanied by funny family photos. Very inexpensive and personal option and great for lists to keep you organized.

Bombas Socks

If you don't know Bombas, you need to change that. The only socks I wear and they're a 1-for-1 company.

Kershaw Everyday Pocket Knife

I've had this Leek model knife for about 10 years and use it almost daily - especially on Tidy Nest jobs. If you take care of it, it can last a lifetime. 

Beltology Belt

Handwoven belts from New York. They're super versatile and very well made. I've worn mine for several years and it still looks brand new.

Yes To Tomatoes Charcoal Soap

Yes To is one of my favorite brands and while this is my favorite soap, any of their products are great for stocking stuffers. 

Mrs. Weinstein's Toffee

I don't know who Mrs. Weinstein is, but she's a saint. Don't sleep on her dark chocolate almond toffee - it's a must have in our house.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: Getting Organized

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 our favorite gift ideas for those of you who want to get organized.

Bamboo Drawer Organizers

Drawer organizers are essential in nearly every space - they can tame utensil drawers, utility drawers (formerly known as a junk drawer), office supplies, bathroom cabinets, nightstands, etc. We prefer bamboo over plastic and we especially like these because they are 100% bamboo (many have MDF bases). We always have various sizes on hand and play a little Tetris to find the perfect configuration.

Vegan Leather Baskets

These baskets from Folden Lane are fairly new to the organizing scene and we're so excited to welcome them to our repertoire. They are made with a buttery soft vegan leather and stainless steel hardware. They are shipped flat (that's right, flat!) cutting down on carbon emissions and packaging waste. 

Acacia Perforated Baskets

Surprise, surprise, we love a basket. Anything designed by Neat Method is going to be thoughtfully designed and made with top of the line materials. This basket is made with acacia wood, another one of our favorite materials. The perforated metal sides not only add an interesting texture, but it assists with visibility and airflow.

Rattan Basket

Okay, you get it… another basket. But hear us out…we love options. We refer to this basket as the more modern wicker basket. These baskets are made by hand and are super light which is perfect for those overhead shelves.

Magnetic Label Holders

Another genius product from the Neat Method. There are three ways to use these labels and we’re here for them all. 

Magnetize - if you’re attaching to metal, just use the front plate. If you’re attaching to cloth, use both the front plate and the back plate. 

Thread -  the back plate has 2 small holes on either side, use a nylon tie (it comes in the package) and thread through the woven material and then twist in the back. 

Tie - use string through the  holes of the back plate.

Glass Spice Jars

Decanting spices is not for everyone but if you’re into it, these are our go-to vessels. The shape of the bottle ensures that they properly stand up in cabinets or lay in drawers without rolling around.

Wire Storage Bins

These metal bins are incredibly versatile. We’ve used them in pantries, playrooms, offices, mudrooms and they go with both a modern decor and a farmhouse decor.

Bamboo Charging Station

We have so many devices these days - watches, ipads, iphones, airpods - and our charges are never where we need them to be. That’s why we started incorporating these charging stations in our office projects. They are sleek and can charge up to 5 devices including an apple watch and airpods.

PTouch Cube Label Maker

All we can say about this little gem is that...

We. Can’t. Live. Without. Her.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: For The Cat Lover

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 our favorite gift ideas for those who love their cats as much as we do!

Cactus Pet Condo

If you have a cat, you know that cat condos and cat scratchers can be an eyesore but not this one. We love this funky design, it’s super plush and there is a removal interior cushion for easy cleaning. We’ve even seen two cats fit in this one!

Ceramic Tilted Bowl

Alright this is super cute but that’s not the reason we love it. Tilted bowls protect the cervical spine and the height assists with better digestion. The non-slip wood stand keeps the bowl from sliding around when your kitties are eating. Plus it’s made with 100% ceramic and natural bamboo materials.

Mylar Crinkle Balls

We think these are the only toys a cat needs. They LOVE the crinkle noises and they usually come in packs of 10-20 so you don’t have to move your refrigerator or couch every time a toy gets lost.

Letters of Note: Cats

Here’s a gift for a cat’s human. While we don’t actually own this book, we are big fans of Shaun Usher's other books in this collection. For those of you who are not familiar with this series, it’s a collection of letters from notable people throughout history like Charles Dickens and Elizabeth Taylor, And, in this edition, the letters all pertain to their feline companions.

Interactive Cat Puzzle

This is a great treat puzzle for the curious cats in your life. There are 6 compartments for treats and you can adjust the difficulty of the puzzle as your kitty learns. This will keep your cat busy for hours!

Collapsible Cat Tunnel

Whenever we leave our cats for extended periods of time, we always take out the cat tunnel to keep them busy. The best part is that it’s collapsible and can easily be stored in a cabinet or drawer - you know we’re always thinking about storage!

Cactus Cat Scratcher

Unfortunately cats love to scratch rugs and furniture and somehow always choose the most expensive pieces in your home. Sadly cat scratchers are notorious for being ugly so we were excited to find this cactus cat scratcher - which pairs well with the cactus condo. This is made with natural sisal and is easy to assemble.

Cat Track Toy

This has always been a fan favorite in our house. Our cats swat and bat at the tracks for hours and the bright colored balls don’t slip out of the track so they can play for hours.

Stainless Steel Water Fountain

Clean running water is essential for cat health. We’ve been through a ton of water fountains and find this one to be a perfect choice. It’s on the smaller scale so it’s great for one cat or as a secondary fountain. If the sound of constant running water annoys you - you’ll be happy to know this one is very quiet.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: For The Traveler

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 our favorite gift ideas for those who love to travel.

Infinity Pillow

We always get asked about this pillow when we’re on long flights. It looks like a scarf but it’s the perfect travel pillow. Not only does it act as a neck support pillow but it can be used as a noise cancelling pillow - just wrap the pillow around your ears and neck and you have the perfect cocoon. Plus the bamboo fabric is super soft, breathable and easy to wash.

Away The Bigger Carry-On

You won't be surprised to see this on our list - we talk about this suitcase all the time. It’s THE best suitcase - Jared loves the battery pack to charge his devices while he’s on the go and Shannon loves the compression board because it allows for so many more outfits!

MZ Wallace Metro Backpack

If you've been following Tidy Nest, know that we are big MZW fans. We all swear by this backpack (even Jared) because it is full of practical features including 9 pockets, a laptop sleeve, phone pocket, key ring strap and luggage sleeve. The fabric is super lightweight and durable which is perfect for the traveler or commuter on your list.

Stackers Hanging Toiletry Bag

It’s hard to find the perfect toiletry bag but this one is pretty close. It has 3 interior pockets, elastic loops to secure products or brushes, a hanging hook to display over a shower curtain or towel rod and fabric for easy cleaning.

Silicone Travel Bottles

We like these bottles because the silicone allows for easy squeezing - so many travel containers are made with (firm) plastic and it’s nearly impossible to squeeze anything out of them. Plus for the nerds of the group, the collar around the neck of each bottle acts as a label - you can twist the collar so the name of what you’re storing shows through the window.

Away Packing Cubes

You’re either team packing cubes or team roll. We are team packing cubes and since we love everything AWAY does, we stick with their cubes. They are well made, come in great colors and offer the perfect assortment of sizes.

Foldable Hangers

Full disclosure on this one - we don’t actually own these hangers but we think they would be a unique gift. They come in a pack of 6 and fold into about 5 inches for easy storage in your suitcase.

Daily Pill Organizer

IFKYK. 

And for those of you who don’t know, this should actually be on Shannon’s favorite list because she buys them for everyone. Taking daily pills is not exciting unless they are in cute little rainbow containers. This brand also has larger sizes. 

On a productivity note, we find that having to open multiple bottles one or two times a day results in people losing interest in taking their supplements / medication. Spending a few extra minutes once a week to prep your weekly pill routine results in better habits.

Sand Cloud Lightweight Towel

This is always in Shannon’s carry-on even if she’s not going on a beach vacation. It’s been used as a travel blanket, a shawl, a picnic blanket, a sarong, even a scarf. These are great for traveling because they are lightweight, dry so much faster than regular towels and are “sand-resistant”. They are made with 100% Turkish organic cotton and get softer as you use them.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: Stocking Stuffers

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 our favorite stocking stuffer ideas.

In our families, stockings are the most beloved part of holiday gift giving.

OSEA Vagus Nerve Oil

We all can use a little help regulating stress these days. This oil helps promote a sense of relaxation and serenity. Be sure to read how OSEA was born, it’s a great story.

LePen Multi-Color Pack

Friends, family and clients all love these pens. They write so nicely, they are not bulky and they come in a ton of fun colors. I say that they turn my to-do lists into ta-da lists. Can you see Jared’s eye roll from there?

Anima Mundi Golden Moon Milk

Anima Mundi is one of our favorite brands - the Apothecary is composed of organic, wildcrafted, and ethically grown botanicals and everything that comes out of there is heavenly. This powder includes all the best calming plants such as Ashwagandha, Reishi, Lavender, Blue Lotus, Cardamom and Vanilla. It’s perfect as a bedtime drink. Extra points for being made in Brooklyn.

Seedlip Spice Non-Alcoholic Spirits

This is a non-alcoholic replacement for traditional spirits. It’s made in England and is inspired by the remedies of 17th century apothecaries. We like the spice flavor best which includes allspice, cardamom, oak, lemon, grapefruit - and it is sugar-free!

Coola Lip Oil

Oddly, we’re not fans of the traditional chapsticks so we love this lip oil. Infused with SPF30, this oil is made with Coola’s antioxidant-rich Plant Protein complex. It feels and smells luxurious.

Farmacy Honey Savior Repair Salve

Okay, this is one of our absolute favorites because it does EVERYTHING. Use as hand moisturizer during the winter months, on cuts and burns, as lip moisturizer, as shine on your cheeks. It’s incredibly soothing and has even cured our skin rashes and eczema.

Desktop Vacuum

Gadgets are so not our thing but we do use our desktop vacuum all the time. We spend so much time at our desks and let's be honest, they can get filthy. We leave the vacuum in a desk drawer and use it when we're bored on Zoom.

Buddha Tea - Ashwagandha

You’re probably picking up on a major trend here, we love anything that helps us destress. Buddha Teas are all wonderful but we’re gifting the Ashwagandha tea this year because it’s such a powerful remedy for stress, anxiety and insomnia.

USB Powered Lighter

We received this in a Secret Santa / White Elephant gift exchange last year and at first we thought it was lame but it’s been used in our home every single day since so we had to include it.

2021 Holiday Gift Guides: The No-Plastic Home

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).

First up are gifts for the no-plastic home.

As we like to say, “Keep it clean. Keep it green” .

Reusable Lunch Bag Insulated Lunch Box

We’ve never been fans of lunchboxes. They are bulky (both to carry and store) and have unnecessary compartments but this one has slim handles, no interior compartments and doesn’t take up a ton of storage space. Plus there are cute patterns.

Petite Market Bag in Natural with “BE WELL”

If you’re an OG Tidy Nester, you know we LOVE this brand. These bags are super durable - they hold over 50 lbs - and have an interior coating which makes cleanup super easy. We love this petite size but check out their other sizes and customizable options. The mothers who handcraft this bag receive Fair Trade wages, annual profit dividends, and a retirement fund to help them achieve their dreams thanks to the Bangladesh Project.

*use our affiliate link to receive $20 off your order

Reusable Bee's Wrap

Once you use this plastic-wrap alternative, you’ll never want to use plastic wrap again. This is made in the USA with certified organic cotton, it’s made with responsibly sourced beeswax, certified organic plant oils, and tree resin. It’s reusable and comes in multiple sizes. They last about a year with the proper care.

Stasher Bags

This is another OG favorite of ours. They are made with food-grade silicone and safe for use in the freezer, microwave, dishwasher, boiling water, and oven up to 425 degrees Fahrenheit. We use them for everything both inside and outside the kitchen.

All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate + Glass Spray Bottle with Silicone Sleeve

These reusable glass bottles are a perfect alternative to single-use plastic spray bottles. The bottles are made from partially recycled glass and the non-slip silicone sleeve provides protection. Fill the bottles with your homemade cleaning solutions or use the Grove cleaning concentrates which are free from hash ingredients.

Glass Food Storage

We tend to break glass food containers more than we wish to share which is why we’re always buying glass containers with silicone protection sleeves. These containers are oven, microwave and dishwasher safe (and you don’t even have to remove the silicone sleeve)!

Bento Lunch Box

We’ve tried a lot of bento boxes (well Shannon has because she doesn’t like her food to touch), and this one has been a favorite for many years. Let’s get the boring stuff out the way - the corners are rounded so it’s super easy to clean, it’s leak-proof (for real) and dishwasher, freezer, and microwave safe. Now on to the fun parts - this one comes with a divider (yay!), chopsticks and utensils that fit in the lid and a handy band to keep all the compartments together during your commute.

Swell Bottle

This isn’t groundbreaking but it’s our tried and true water bottle. It comes in a ton of fun colors and the triple-layered vacuum-insulated container keeps drinks cold or hot forever. The most important part - it fits in most vehicle cup holders (Fun fact - containers that do not fit in cup holders = one of Jared’s pet peeves).

Mesh String Shopping Bag

We were drawn to these bags because they are Tidy Nest brand colors but after testing them out there’s more to them than just the cheerful colors. They have a long handle (about 13 inches) so it makes carrying much easier. Surprisingly they can handle quite a bit of weight (about 40 lbs according to the description). They are washable and biodegradable.

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Tidy Nest Featured Press: The Best Storage Bins at Every Price Point - Starting at Free! (Apartment Therapy)

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We’re always asked about our favorite storage bins so when Apartment Therapy asked us to share our favorite containment at various price points, we had a lot to say!

Products mentioned in the article:

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

Gladiator Gear Track

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Utilizing wall space in closets and stairwells is a great way to store your supplies, but sometimes installing random hooks and shelves can look messy. 

As NAPO members, we get introduced to new products all the time. We just recently tried the Gladiator GarageWorks Geartrack  in this small space and we think it makes the wall look much tidier and much more functional. The channel holds up to 75 lbs and the various hooks can hold items from 5 to 50 lbs. If you’re all about that DIY life, we recommend checking out Gladiator - you can customize each rack with your choice of hooks, bins, baskets and caddies.

 
 

Plastic-Free July

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Plastic Free July is a global movement that helps millions of people be part of the solution to plastic pollution – so we can have cleaner streets, healthier oceans, better air quality, and beautiful communities. 

The Tidy Nest team is taking part in Plastic Free July by choosing to refuse single-use plastics. This is something the team strives to do as part of their everyday practice but this month, we’re taking the time to stay accountable, share tips, and highlight our favorite plastic-free products. We’ll report back at the end of the month and let you know how we did! 

Will you join us? Click Here!

Here are some of our favorite items that help make living plastic-free a breeze:

•Eliminate ziplock bags by using silicone bags - StasherBags 

•Eliminate plastic water bottles by using glass bottles - MyBKR

•Eliminate plastic straws by using a stainless steel straw -  U-Konserve 

•Eliminate plastic produce bags by using mesh produce bags - Amazon

•Eliminate plastic containers from buffetts at grocery stores by bringing reusable lunch boxes - EcoLunchbox, Amazon 

Company Spotlight: Grove Collaborative

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When building our Tidy Nest supply kits, we look for cleaning and household products that are sustainable, non-toxic and cruelty-free – qualities that are very important to the team members of Tidy Nest.

Since we’re breathing new life into client’s spaces, we wanted to make sure we’re not introducing any toxic products or producing excess waste. Enter Grove Collaborative. Grove Collaborative is a customizable auto-shipment service that delivers all-natural household products right to your doorstep. Grove makes products that are created with organic and plant-based ingredients, and they never use synthetic fragrance (which is s incredibly hard to find – it’s in everything!). Shannon is passionate about using cruelty-free products and was pleased to discover that Grove works exclusively with Leaping Bunny certified manufacturers to ensure everything they offer is 100% cruelty free. 

 
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B2B - TidyNest & 203CandleCo.

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We knew we wanted to support small businesses in Westchester and Fairfield counties when it came time to purchasing client gifts. Shannon turned to instagram for some inspiration and stumbled upon @203CandleCo. Before even testing one of their products, we knew we found what we needed.  Their candles are hand-poured using all natural, organic, and vegan-friendly products - characteristics that are extremely important to the Tidy Nest team. Plus we love supporting husband & wife teams!

We had such a hard time choosing a scent since we loved them all. We purchased a handful of options from Ally Bally Bee (a great store in New Canaan) and conducted a scent test. The scents were all great, that every scent got a vote and we were stuck with a tie! Ultimately, we decided on Sea Salt & Orchid and we couldn’t be happier.

Alicia and Alex were super responsive, extremely helpful and collaborative and even hand delivered our order of candles. We love them!!

 
 
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Check out Alicia and Alex’s company, 203CandleCo.

Project Spotlight: Tea Storage Box

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When working on our tea & coffee cabinet we identified that the biggest issue contributing to the chaos in the cabinet was the various tea boxes we had accumulated. Tea boxes are never the same size, style, font, etc., which caused “visual overload” every time we opened the cabinet. We decided to remove all the teas from the original boxes and looked for a storage solution to house our collection. We knew we wanted something see-through even though we love a good wooden tea box. We ended up with the Linus Tea Storage Box from, you guessed it, The Container Store.

Because of our abundant collection of teas and coffees, we knew we’d need more than one box. We liked the stackable option and the 8 deep compartments of the Linus Tea Storage Box.

Now the tea/coffee cabinet is super calming… exactly how it should be.

The Container Store: Linus Tea Storage Box

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Product Spotlight: Garden Bucket Caddy

TidyTips

Spring organizing doesn’t have to be all indoors. It’s the perfect time to edit your outdoor tools and garden supplies. We were frustrated with this floppy tote - it didn’t stand up, you couldn’t find anything in the center section and the tools kept falling out of the outside pockets. So we ditched it for this more sturdy and practical caddy from Friskars. All you need is an empty 5 gallon bucket with a lid. The canvas caddy attaches snuggly  around the top of the bucket. There are 10 deep compartments of various widths perfect for clippers, scissors, gloves, plant labels and twine. The inside of the bucket houses the larger tools and the super sharp knives and clippers.

Pro tip: Put the top on the bucket and you have a seat for weeding!

Link: Fiskars Garden Bucket Caddy (bucket not included)

 
 

Product Spotlight: Acrylic Makeup System

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Today’s consumer packaging is lightyears ahead of where it was say, 10 years ago (doesn’t that Method soap dispenser look nice next to your sink?) When you have makeup and products that have beautiful packaging, they should be on display and enjoyed as well. To help showcase our beauty products, we love to use acrylic systems, but they can get a little pricey after adding on all the various components for lipstick, brushes, pallets, etc. So we put together a list of our favorite systems for you in every price range — just click any link below. Enjoy!

$$$$ - The Original Beauty Box

$$$ - The Container Store

$$ - Target

$ - Amazon


If you haven’t used acrylic before, here’s an example of how the Beauty Box acrylic system can transform your makeup to make everything visible, more accessible and more attractive.

 
Makeup Before
 
 
Makeup After
 

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