Downsizing

TRUST Your Space

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Trust
Taken at Banks Lake near Grand Coulee, WA.

Create a place that feels safe. A refuge from the storm. It’s true that home is where the heart is. Be sure that wherever you are, your space reflects the magnificent prism that dwells within you. Nature gave us rainbows to remind us to trust, to smile and to know that with the right combination of elements – the world is still a beautiful place to live. 

About this photo: Following a torrential rain and wind storm, this awesome rainbow arched across the gorge like a crystal bridge. Suddenly, the air was soft and fresh and the Earth sparkled with delight. Hope restored. Trust renewed. 

ORDER YOUR OWN WISDOM CARD DECK HERE

WOW! Your cards arrived this afternoon and they are beautiful!!  I can’t wait to sit and meditate with them.   Kim K., FL

Finding BALANCE with Your Space

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Balance cardBalance can seem to most as an illusive art form. We know it when we see it but achieving it is often a challenge. The good news is that balance and harmony (two sides of the same coin) can be realized and maintained with some simple steps and a little practice.

Our home tells us when things are out of balance. Something feels off in the room. The energy is too heavy in one corner. The space feels cramped. Pay attention to these clues and take action to correct the imbalance. Move or remove furniture, soften the color scheme, change a lampshade … small things that make a big difference. Simplicity is key.  Clearing clutter is the most effective change agent for your space … creating balance starts there. A favorite quote from Albert Einstein reminds us to: “Out of clutter, find simplicity.”

About this photo: These twin birch trees were each coated in a sheet of ice. Such stark simplicity was stunning. Even in their frozen state, I could feel their harmony with each other and the sky surrounding them. Taken on New Year’s Day in Bend, OR.

CLICK HERE for more inspirational tips from the ACP Wisdom Card deck!

 

Gifting Green

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Wisdom Cards by Jane GreenTop 5 Reasons for Gifting A Clear Place WISDOM CARDS by Jane Green:

  • printed in the USA using 100% wind power and non-toxic soy based inks
  • original scenes of nature inspire year round beauty and balance
  • provides simple tips on getting clear and living green
  • supports small business
  • fits nicely in a stocking

This “beauty in a bag” is great for homeowners, renters, newlyweds, home-sharers, empty-nesters and nature lovers. And it’s perfect for those who are downsizing or dealing with clutter control … or anyone wanting to simply love their space! The cards are gracing homes throughout the Northwest as well as FL, WI, PA and CO. Where will you send yours?

“Oh my! I am just opening the package and looking at the cards. I do love them and can’t wait to give my friend hers. Your cards are just what I needed.  They will help me put more of my spirit into the house. Thank you SO much!” 

Click the Contact page to order Or click here for more details on this unique living green gift.

 

Intentional Space

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card of the week a clear placeWhen life comes rushing at you like a mountain stream, it’s much easier to cope when you are anchored in a clear space. And one of the surest ways to achieve and maintain a wonderfully clear place is to set the intention for its use. For each room of your home, decide what the purpose is for that space and then, only put there what serves that purpose. This goes for drawers and closets, too.  If, like me, your room is multipurpose (office/dining/living/storage), divide and conquer the chaos by using color, fabric, screens and lighting to define specific areas. Ensure that the items you place in each section enhance that specific purpose. This week’s Wisdom Card is a reminder that it’s not what or how much you have – it’s how you use it that matters.

About this photo: Taken on the banks of Icicle Creek just outside Leavenworth, WA. Standing here was an awe inspiring experience. The majestic snow-capped Wenatchee Mountains in the distance, pine trees scenting the air, the roar of the glacial stream … perfectly designed natural beauty.

Find inspiration to design your perfect space. ACP Wisdom Cards … a natural choice for all your gift-giving. Only $20 + shipping. Click to order.

Micro Apartment Creates Smart Space

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paris-micro-apartment-Marc-Baillargeon-Julie-Nabucet-2I’m fond of saying that the size of the space really doesn’t matter. It’s how you utilize your space that counts. But can you really create comfortable living in a 130 sq. ft. room? Yes! This micro apartment is a perfect example of what can be done with intentional design and mindful planning. Natural light helps enhance the open feeling to this room as does the sleek, trim modular pieces. As always, built-ins that do double duty like the storage stairs and slide out bed/sofa work are smart choices. Add a fresh flower, a yellow throw pillow and you’ve got a cozy place to call home. Of course, living large in a small area requires downsizing effort and letting go. But isn’t that what getting clear is all about? Bottom line:  if you think you are stuck for space … think again!

View more photos of this Parisian conversion.  (Article source courtesy of treehugger.com.)

Consignment Tips from A Clear Place

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A Clear PlaceA recent visit with shop owner, Judy Gulledge of Upscale Consignment in SE PDX has prompted me to do another update of my consignment tip sheet. Click on the link at the end of this post to download the latest version of this handy pdf file giving you new store information along with the proven guidelines for  “What, How and Where” when consigning your stuff. Happy clearing and good luck!

“Where do I consign my stuff?” That’s one of the most common questions I’m asked in clearing work. The answer, however, has more layers to it than just where. You also have to consider what and how. I’ve put together a nifty Consignment Tip Sheet to address all three. Every city I’ve traveled to has consignment stores with items ranging from high end to low brow. If you are lucky enough to live in the Portland metro area, there are some great choices for consigning furniture, fashion and jewelry. But even if you live outside the City of Roses, my CTS (Consignment Tip Sheet) has helpful hints on deciding what is good consignment material and how to prepare your items to help ensure a higher dollar return. Click here to get the pdf file: Consignment Tips from A Clear Place

AUTUMN – The Season of Letting Go

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AutumnThis week’s pick from A Clear Place Wisdom Cards is AUTUMN. Fall is all about releasing and letting go. Like the trees shedding their leaves to allow for new growth, it’s a great time to let go of all that stuff and clear your clutter. The energy of spider reigns now and teaches us to live simply. To be strong and focused but also willing to let go of what was in order to build anew. Git rid of what no longer serves you. Autumn honors the cycle of adulthood and being responsible caretakers of the land and our loved ones. In your home, use images of sunset, flowing water or fall scenes like this one. Diffuse essential oils of cinnamon, orange, clove and nutmeg. All of these blend well or use them individually.

The Season of Autumn corresponds to the element of Water, the direction of the West and the time of sunset.

About this photo: I encountered this brilliant maple tree on a walk in NW Portland. The street below was blanketed in gold but there were plenty more leaves to follow in the weeks ahead.

View more Wisdom Cards and order your deck today!

 

Wishing for Volunteers

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dessertHow’d you like to be around scrumptious food like this and help a great cause at the same time? If you live in the Portland metro area, here’s an opportunity. Albertina Kerr needs volunteers, especially servers for their restaurant in NE PDX. Albertina’s Restaurant features Northwest-inspired cuisine in a garden setting serving lunch/brunch Mon thru Sat. Also on site is the Kerr’s Economy Jar (antiques consignment), Albertina’s Jewel Box (gift shop for jewelry/accessories), and the Kerr Thrift Shop (clothing for men & women/household items) – all run by volunteers!  All proceeds and tips help support the work of Albertina Kerr, which strengthens Oregon families and communities by helping children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental health challenges – empowering them to live richer lives.  Click here for information about volunteer opportunities. Click here to read a recent Oregonian article featuring the restaurant, it’s new chef and the history behind the famous Kerr name.

Click here for a free pdf of my Consigning Your Stuff – Top Tips for Portland Area ( including Kerr Economy Jar).

Resale with a Mission

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GHM-boutique-3200 Need a place to donate your purged closet items? GHM in SW PDX welcomes them. Looking for a boutique experience at thrift store prices? Put GHM on your list. What a delightful little place. Clean, bright, odor-free (no stinky floral potpourri) and well-organized, tastefully displayed merchandise. It helps that the shop formerly housed a frame gallery and provides lots of natural lighting. It also helps that the young manager knows her stuff and has an artistic flair for fashion. All the clothing is sized and arranged by color. Everything from shoes to handbags to jeans is in excellent condition and priced to sell. Tanya greets customers with a warm smile and eagerly shares the story of the shop and its mission. All the items are donated with donors receiving a 20% discount off their purchase as a special thank you along with a tax receipt. The shop also has great half-off sales on a regular basis. (I snagged a stylish bustier by My Boyfriend’s Back for just $12.50.)  Donate your gently used clothing and accessories (men’s apparel, too) directly at the store located at 4711 SW Beaverton Hillsdale Hwy, PDX 97221. Store hours are Tues-Fri 10 to 5 and Sat 10 to 4. Phone: 503-265-8613.  (The shop is tucked down a slope and hard to see from the road. Watch for the pink and white sign on the north side of the road.) Visit the GHM Facebook page.

Note: Donations that are not accepted for the boutique are transferred to other metro area agencies including Dress for Success and Blanchet House. GHM stands for Gung Ho Ministries, a non-profit with a focus on transitional housing for homeless vets in the metro area. They currently provide food, toiletries and spiritual support to the homeless and working poor “Under the Bridge” near Old Town. Visit the website to learn more.

Tiny House Movement

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The tiny house movement has been underway for many years. For many of us fans, however, it doesn’t seem to be making much headway. Here’s a new article from TreeHugger that suggests 5 of the BIG obstacles that stand in the way of this concept getting huge. Read Why Hasn’t The Tiny House Movement Become a Big Thing? And if you haven’t yet seen the documentary “We The Tiny House People” – today might be just the right day to watch it and be inspired. Kirsten Dirksen takes us around the world for an inside peek at creative small spaces and downsizing dreams come true. Be sure to catch the amazing wall-divider-bed in Manhattan and the wall of pop-out living in Barcelona! View the documentary now.