Many of us want a tidier, more organized home, but what if the usual methods are missing the point? In this episode we speak with a home efficiency expert about rethinking how we approach organizing. Her ideas can make daily life calmer, help partners be more patient with each other, and allow parents to be more present. She also shares why the kitchen deserves to be treated like an operating room, how a pared-down wardrobe can be more practical, and why garages so often spiral out of control. We also update you on progress (and setbacks) with the duplex: a random phone call and a questionable weather forecast stalled momentum, but there are still some bright spots. And, on a lighter note, Sherry has developed an enthusiastic new obsession with fairies.

You can download and listen to the episode on popular podcast platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and TuneIn Radio, or play it from the embedded player on the original site.

What’s New

• We filmed a short tour of our cluttered garage, which is packed with boxes and items awaiting a big move to the duplex — including two sofas we ordered more than a year ago. The video also includes a quick glimpse of our dining room chaos.
• We bought those sofas back in November 2017 when a great sale made them irresistible. The pair we originally purchased for our house are a “Steel” color; the duplex couches are “Truffle,” which was the discounted color at the time.

• The rest of the stored boxes contain practical items we’ll need for the duplex: window blinds, curtain rods and rings, toilet paper holders, shower rods, kitchen hardware, and several area rugs.
• We also dug up a photo from a chaotic moving day eight years ago when our moving truck ended up in a ditch — a reminder that moving projects rarely go perfectly, but they always make memorable stories.

Stephanie Sikora, Life Made Simple

• Our guest, Stephanie Sikora, offers clear, practical advice for simplifying and organizing home life. She recently published a book titled Simplified: A Real-Life Guide To Organizing Your Space And Saving Your Sanity, which contains many of the systems and tips we discuss in the episode.
• Stephanie also runs Life Made Simple, where she shares blog posts, online courses, and offers consultations for families and homeowners who want step-by-step guidance.

We’re Digging

• Sherry has been reading several fantasy novels lately. She started with A Court of Thorns and Roses, then moved on to A Court of Mist and Fury, and A Court of Wings and Ruin. These titles captured her attention for their mix of epic stakes and immersive worldbuilding.
• She compares the tone to series she’s enjoyed before, describing these books as a blend of high-stakes fantasy with a darker, character-driven edge and, yes, a cast of imaginative fairy characters that are surprisingly cool.
• Sherry has also begun the first book in another popular fantasy series, A Throne of Glass, and is excited to see where that world leads.
• On the practical side, we’ve been testing several shower heads that use a high-efficiency H2OKinetic-style technology. These models can deliver a satisfying shower while conserving water. Many options come in multiple finishes and styles to match your bathroom decor.

If you’re searching for something recommended in an earlier episode but can’t remember which show notes to check, we maintain a master list of all the items and resources we’ve covered on past episodes. There’s also a Book Club page that compiles every book we’ve recommended over time.

A quick note of thanks to our episode sponsor, Grove Collaborative. They provided support for this episode and periodically offer curated starter sets that include household cleaning essentials and accessories.

Thanks for listening and following along with our projects and recommendations. We hope the organizing tips and project updates inspire you to tackle your own spaces with a clearer, more efficient approach.

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