Ahhh, Spring! Wonderful, sunny, bird-chirping, rosé drinking, leg-shaving (optional) Spring. It’s that time of year where you start to get a bit more pep in your step, the fog of gray winter months has lifted, and the dingy pile of snowy boot tracks is left in its wake. It’s time for a SPRING CLEANING! Let’s put those sweaters away for next winter, stick those boots in storage, and make your home feel sparkling and new, just like the budding blooms of a NEW TOMORROW (please help me, it’s been a loooonnng winter)!
Firstly, I am compelled to get a very serious, early Spring issue off my chest right out of the gate. To all people that live in an area where there is a cold winter, under no circumstances is it acceptable to wear sandals before May (I could be convinced of a mid-April debut if the sandals are that good). Now maybe I am biased because I live in New York City, where wearing a sandal on the even hottest, steamiest August day can be treacherous (read: it’s filthy here), BUT nothing gets me more worked up than a Haviana sneaking it’s floppy self out from hiding on a rogue warm March day. It upsets me so greatly. It’s just not time. ESPECIALLY if you’re putting on some sort of thin puffer jacket after 4pm because the Earth’s core temp is still wintry AF and your toesies are just out naked, in the cold! Should one ever be wearing a wintry coat and a sandal at the same time? Is that even a question? I feel physically ill thinking about it. But like, do whatever you want, live your truth and if your truth is extreme body temps from head to toe than live it up. Anyway, I DIGRESS.
Tip 1: Develop a cleaning style.
I was taught to clean in a vigorous and furious manner so that people around you are meant to feel bad about how hard you are working and how amazing you are at keeping this household together. I refer to this as, Mommy Dearest Style cleaning. I find it cathartic and it really gets the heart rate into the fat burning zone, but choose your own vibe. Other options are: calm, cool, collected, methodical. It’s best to feel it out and see what gets the job done.
Tip Two: Get rid of it.
Seriously, have you worn it or used in the last six months? Does it bring you joy? Don’t become a victim of having too much STUFF. Everything has energy just buried into it and who wants to have a bunch of things around collecting dust mites, full of negative energy, reminding you that you have a ‘goal weight’ (I’m looking at you jeans from when I was 25, please leave), and preventing you from having room for AWESOME NEW STUFF. Truthfully, a mass exodus of clutter is good for your mind, body, and soul.
Tip Three: Organize!
Maybe it’s something as simple as putting matching socks together or something as precise as labelling cereal containers. (If you’re the type of person who has cereal containers then you’re likely already an organization pro and probably should be writing this article). My biggest organization issue is my makeup table. It’s a blind spot, everything else is meticulously put in to place, the couch has been whisked and fluffed, I’ve changed the sheets for the third time this week (leave me alone, I like a crisp sheet) but my makeup table looks like Grey Gardens. To help with this, I recently cleaned out some finished Bijou candle jars and put all my eyeliners and brushes in them. It has shaved 10 minutes off my morning routine simply because I can find everything now!
Pro Tip: Repurpose your used candle jars!
- Carefully pop out remaining wax with a butter knife.
- Pour boiling water into the vessel.
- Let sit for 2 minutes.
- Pour through a sieve to catch wax remnants.
- Repeat if necessary.
- If any soot or wax residue remains, wipe out jar with a cloth and some coconut oil.
- Wash clean with dish soap.
Tip Four: Enjoy the fruits of your labor!
Pour a glass of wine, light a gorgeous candle or two (try our Lena - Lavender & Chamomile candle for some extra relaxation), binge-watch a Netflix series, host a potluck...the possibilities are endless in your new and improved space!