Summer Sizzle Part 2: Gracious Hostess

Are you beginning to feel the heat of summer sizzle along with barbecue grills and s’mores on the bonfire? As the warm winds of summer arrive, people traveling distances to visit family and friends increases. So you might find yourself as a host for the lucky recipient of travelers at your door. If you do, there are ways to be a fantastic host that your visitors will be raving about for years to come! Lets look at the tricks of the trade! In this article we will focus on how to be a hospitable host! Wishing you joyful moments with all those that show up at your door this summer!

Prepare Ahead

When hosting company it is important to be prepared. There are times in life when “going with the flow” is an essential skill. However, in some situations, like hosting guests, being organized and having a plan is important. Creating a strategy for sleeping arrangements, meal time and itinerary can help make having guests a breeze.

Special Requirements

In today’s world it seems like there are many more allergens than ever before. Asking guests before they arrive if they have any types of needs can help the time spent together flow with ease and grace. It would be unfortunate to only have bagels for breakfast if there is a gluten allergy or to have planned on a seafood restaurant to realize upon arrival that someone has a shellfish allergy. Avoid the unnecessary scramble and ask before your guests arrive!

Personalize the Space

A thoughtful way to make a guest feel more at home is to take the time to think of a few meaningful things to place in their space. If they are an avid gardener but some books at their bedside about gardening or if you know they love home décor a few home design magazines will uplift their spirit. This extra little touch will make them feel cared for which is nice when one is away from home.

Check the Essentials

Make sure the guest towels and linens are readily available and clean. Place them in a spot that is easy to access and they know is for their use. An extra blanket can ensure comfort. I also like to have a basket of extra toiletries for my guests. I often will bring home extra bottles of shampoo and conditioner from hotels around the world. This is a fun way for my guests to choose a smell they love from a destination that speaks to their soul.

My Home is Your Home

Let them know that your home is their home. Show them around your home, especially the kitchen, and let them know they can help themselves to whatever they need. This is especially helpful if they like to have an early morning tea or late night snack.

These are a few simple solutions on being a gracious host. I hope you are able to spend time with courteous, fun and fabulous guests making summer memories that fill your heart and soul.

To read part 1 – Summer Sizzle: How to Avoid Being an Unwanted Guest click here!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Summer Sizzle: How to Avoid Being An Unwanted Guest

Are you beginning to feel the heat of summer sizzle along with barbecue grills and s’mores on the bonfire? As the warm winds of summer arrive, traveling to go and see people and distant places increase. You might find yourself as a guest in someone else’s home or the lucky recipient of travelers at your door. Whichever it is, there are ways to be a good guest that is welcomed back or a fantastic host that your visitors will be raving about for years to come! Lets look at the tricks of the trade! In this article we will focus on how to be remembered as an amazing guest… even 16 years later! There is an art to being a great guest and inspired host. These simple tips can have your guests raving instead of running or have you welcomed back with an open door! In this article we are going to focus on being a gracious guest instead of the dreaded unwanted visitor.

Appreciation

As a guest it is important to remember that as much as the host is thrilled to have you join them at their home it does require energy and effort to have you there. Being conscientious of this and demonstrating a willingness to help out and verbalizing your appreciation is the initial step in being a fabulous guest. The first year we had our summer home we had people join us each weekend to frolic in the Martha’s Vineyard Sound. We enjoyed sharing our time and space with wonderful friends and family. But, by the end of summer I was wiped out. Throughout the summer I was spending the beginning of the week cleaning up from the previous weekend and grocery shopping to restock the barren cabinets. By midweek I was beginning to plan, shop and prepare for the weekend to come and the new guests that would arrive. My time and space designed to recharge my mind, body and spirit after a busy year was beginning to deplete me.

Stick to the Plan

Show up on time! Make a plan and stick to it. Take into account traffic delays or anything else that you might need to factor in. It is rude to leave a host waiting or arriving before you are expected. Obviously things come up that are out of your control, but that being said, you should do whatever is in your power to arrive when you said you would. You never know what a host has planned or on the stove. A timely arrival can set the tone for the rest of your stay.

Bring a Meal

A fabulous way to show your hosts that you are hoping to help make it a successful weekend for all, instead of assuming you are a guest at a bed-and-breakfast, is to bring an assortment of snacks, a meal or both. When I travel to distant places I always bring a basket of goodies. Sometimes I opt to bring a bag of bagels and muffins to take care of breakfast for the morning– this is a great option that travels well no matter the distance. I also had a friend who always came with huge bag loaded with snacks and drinks for the kids. Her conscientiousness was always appreciated. The idea is to alleviate some of the stress for the host.

Give a Gift

Another way to ensure you are welcomed back anytime is to give a gift. It doesn’t matter how big or small, it is just the gesture. I remember inviting friends to join us for a weekend in Vermont when we had little ones. They had brought a fun toy for the kids. The kids enjoyed the activity and the adults got silly trying to figure out how to pack it back up (which was nearly impossible, but we had fits of laughter trying). The following week we received one on our doorstep with a note that said we needed to master the disassembly process. The gift AND handwritten note were a beautiful gesture that is remembered 16 years later! It truly doesn’t matter the size of the gift. It is more the meaningful connection and intention behind the gift.

Tidy Up

It should go without saying, but I will mention that it is important to keep your things neat, out of the way and clean up after yourself. We have had guests that leave their stuff everywhere and ones who make an effort at keeping things neat. Which would you prefer to have in your home and who would you invite back? There are also those courteous guests who make an extra effort at being helpful. As a host, I am always so thankful when someone is willing to take the sheets off of their bed at the end of their stay and place them in the laundry room. It is just one less thing that I need to do after they leave. This little gesture goes a long way in helping ease the cleanup process of a house full!

These are a few simple solutions on being a gracious guest and ways to avoid becoming the unwanted visitor. I hope your summer is fun, safe and filled with travels to places near and far seeing and spending time with people you enjoy!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Photo Credit: community.ally.com

Master Secrets of Happiness & Harmony

Today I had the privilege of interviewing 3 experts for the Home in Harmony Master Class summer series. What I have found, as we wrap up the final details of this season, is that each expert has such a unique and inspiring way of looking at the world. In some way or another they have created a distinct way of finding happiness and harmony in their life. I am captivated by their stories, journey’s and messages. Although their paths and messages are so different, there is often a common thread at how they approach life and view their experience within the cosmos. In this issue we take a look at what sets these experts up for success.

I have had the blessing of interviewing over 50 experts for the last 2 seasons of the Home in Harmony Master Class. It has been awe inspiring and fun! Although each expert has found his or her distinctively individual passion and purpose there seem to be common threads that determine how they move through life. Let’s look at a few of these commonalities…

Heart Wide Open

First, they lead with their hearts wide open. Their view of the world is that of a playground or place to experience joy and love. They expect to have positive experiences and life rewards them with what they expect.

Opportunity of Growth

Most have had their fair share of bumps along the road. They have dusted themselves off from the disappointments and dips that life has supplied and become stronger from the experience. They appreciate theses incidents and are thankful for the opportunity of growth.

Gratitude

They have a deep sense of gratitude that guides them through life. This inner wellspring fills them with a limitless reservoir of grace that feeds and nurtures their spirit. This presence of gratitude brings serenity and fosters a sense of fulfillment.

These are the inadvertent teachings and timeless gifts of inspired living that I have discerned from the Masters that are at the foundation of who they are and who they have become along their journey to living their passion and purpose. I am thankful to have had the privilege to enjoy the enlightening, inspirational and heart-centered messages from these incredible luminaries who are beacons of light in this world.

PS: You will be able to sign up for the Home in Harmony Master Class Summer Series in a few weeks! Details will be coming soon!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Picture credit: amritapuri.org

Is Your Home Nagging You?

Did you know that you can “use” your home to help you change things in your life! Perhaps you are hoping to find a sense of peace, manifest your dream partner, attract abundance in your life, motivate you to be the best you can be, create more self esteem, learn to relax, achieve your personal goals in life, think and act in a positive way, increase your creativity, find fulfillment, stop procrastination, have less stress, achieve success and improve your health! Your home can help you with all of these! In the following article we will begin to uncover how you can use your home to begin designing your ideal life!

Your home is constantly sending you messages on an unconscious level. These messages either support you and your hopes & dreams –Or– they create obstacles that hinder optimal vision. Think of it a bit like a nagging aunt who might tell you again and again that something you are doing is bad. This makes you feel uncomfortable, resentful and brings up a whole assortment of negative feelings. Eventually you tune out that person… but, unfortunately your unconscious is still getting those messages loud and clear! This brings down you and your energy. It is like a tire being deflated every time you see the person or are reminded of them in some way. This is analogous of your home.

This little exercise will help you determine what your home is whispering to you: As you walk through your home think of it as if it were speaking to you. What is it saying? Does it match your vision, hopes and dreams for your life? Or, is it sabotaging you at every corner? Are you feeling energized, relaxed and fortified? If not, why not?

The good news is that know matter what the current vibe it is giving you, you can begin to make changes today to support you in any area of your life. For example, if you are trying hard to lose a few extra pounds for the coming season, begin to really notice the items in your home and ask yourself, “Are they supporting my ultimate plan?” If you have cookbooks lining your bookshelves filled with pie and chocolate cake, maybe it is time to put those away and replace with a series on seasonal salads or smoothie recipes. Unfortunately, those calorie-ridden cookbooks literally ‘scream’ at your unconscious sending out messages that block your ardent attempts at weight loss. The same could be said if you are feeling down. Notice what items in your home align with these despondent feelings. Maybe it is time to remove the beautiful picture of the women wistfully looking out at the horizon trying to get a glimpse of her long lost love. Despite the regal beauty of the picture the unconscious connection to love lost and loneliness is evident when you begin to become aware that the items in your home speak volumes to you on many levels. Begin to notice what these items are saying!

Begin to fill your space with colors, furniture and items that bring you pleasure and delight! Find items to put in your space that uplift and align with your dreams & goals. Your home can inspire you to begin living the vision of the best version of you!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

Quick Tips to Revitalize You

Do you ever forget to take time out for yourself? I mean real quality time? If you are saying, “Of course I do.” Let me challenge you to be really present with that question and dive a little deeper by asking… What is the one thing you do each day to take care of yourself? How about in a week? Do you spend more time absorbed in the commotion of daily living and the busyness of life or taking care of others? It is easy to get caught up in the hectic pace that whirls around you, especially as you begin to approach summer with the blitz of end-of-year activities, people excited for coming vacations and the turbulence that naturally comes with the seasonal transition. In this week’s article we will explore how you can make time for yourself. We are also gearing up for the Home in Harmony Master Class Summer Series! Details for this incredible event with more amazing experts will be coming soon!

If you are one of those who has been caught up in the whirlwind of daily living it is sometimes important to take a moment out to reassess and re-calibrate so that you don’t end up depleted emotionally and physically. It is amazing that as a culture we don’t have an appreciation for the importance of self-care or rituals around revitalizing our emotional, spiritual and physical well-being. It is of the utmost importance to continually take time to replenish the wellspring within ourselves so that we can be the best we can be. Somehow the mentality of continuously pushing ourselves to the breaking point without rest and rejuvenation is not only ok but, the norm. You might even feel touches of guilt when you do take time out to care for yourself! Studies show that when you and I take time to renew ourselves we are more productive, creative and loving. This supports the notion that it is critical to take time for you! Let’s look at a few ways to make it happen…

Assess it!

Determine what fill you up! For some it might be bowling, someone else yoga or perhaps gardening is your passion. Deciding what activity or preferably activities you are going to make a priority in your self-care routine are critical for success. Remember, it doesn’t have to be a big endeavor. It can be a simple bath with candles and a book. The important thing is that you determine what brings you pleasure and soothes your soul.

Schedule it!

We are so over scheduled that sometimes looking at the list of items on one’s calendar can be daunting! What if you penned (not penciled) in time for you! You would actually smile at that item on your calendar. This is a critical first step that can help you stay on track to take time out for you. Otherwise it is too easy to get caught in the commotion of daily living and have things or people pull you away from your restorative time.

Design it!

Sometimes it can be helpful to design a space that is dedicated to self-care. Creating a space that is nurturing and supportive will entice you to spend time there. An inviting space will help you make self-care a priority. This will help you to instill the habit of self-care! Habits can be beneficial and assist you in finding more harmony, ease and grace in our life. The added benefit to the strategy of creating a sacred space is that your brain automatically connects the space with feelings of rejuvenation and well-being. Just the site of the space triggers these feelings. Your environment has a direct and subtle impact on you and your well-being. Use this to your advantage.

These are a few simple solutions to help you find the time and space to prioritize your emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. Give yourself permission to take the time you need to rejuvenate you!

If you would like guidance to begin living your Inspired Life feel free to connect with me for a FREE 20 Minute Home in Harmony Lifestyle Private Call by clicking here!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO