HOUSE FIND - HARMON HOUSE - NORTH CAROLINA!

Well - We did it. After our house hunting trip out to North Carolina last week, we not only found a place, but we put in an offer on a house this week, counter offers went back and forth, and today, we settled! Hearing this sounds easier said than it actually was. The actual house hunt took probably 5  days, not including the online house hunting I did prior to the actual searching within the locations. We left Phoenix on October 7 at 5am PST and by 3pm EST, (after car rental, hotel check in + settle in and eat lunch) we were off driving to some of the locations from my notebook (some of which I was also pinning here). Doing this drive-by process helped us to rule out homes and areas prior to setting up a meeting with the local Realtor (Lindsay Brandon from Tate).

 Our new home - Harmon House!

 View down the street of Harmon House.

The next day, Jeff had to attend a District meeting all day, so I headed out on my own, searching the listings I pulled together. I first drove to the north area of High Point, and when in Rome - I also took a drive to the High Point Market area. I can't attend this fall (which kicks off this weekend!) but i will most definitely be attending for Spring 2015 (Can. Not. Wait!) From downtown High Point I drove north to an area called Kernersville - which Jeff and I had visited a few addresses the day before and were ruling out. The addresses I was heading towards were further west, putting us closer to Jeff's store location in Winston Salem. On my way there, I saw some of the headquarters for furniture corporations, and the most recent headquarter addition to High Point: Heritage Home Group (recognized the building from photos I had seen online). After touring yet another neighborhood and ruling it too out, I received a call from our assigned Realtor, Lindsay. We arranged to meet at a house I was hooked on, located in Jamestown.

 

House we toured in Winston Salem I found online before heading to NC.

 

House for rent - but was off market already.

 Original last house Jeff found online, around the corner from the one we bought.

After touring the interior with Lindsay, and discussing some of the "must haves" on our wish list, Lindsay went back to her office to pull together a list of houses for us - and I headed back to Greensboro to pick up Jeff after his meeting. Jeff and I got a quick bite to eat and continued our own house hunting journey, but this time driving around the Winston Salem area. When we arrived back at the hotel, we looked over the list Lindsay sent us, and I replied with our likes - plus I sent her a list of addresses (for Winston Salem). The next two days, well into the after-sundown evenings (and even rain!), we spent touring homes, giving compliments, but also really discussing furniture layouts, storage situations and what something would cost to bring it up to what we were wanting. By the time Saturday came, and no luck in our hunt, I was not only discouraged, but my nerves got the best of me and I was getting sick to my stomach.

I repacked to head out of Greensboro airport to Charlotte, to make my way back to Phoenix solo, and Jeff was staying behind a few days to get settled in his new office and store. He dropped me off at the airport, I got checked in, got through security, and even made my way onto the plane, only to hear the pilot say we couldn't take off because of storms happening in the Charlotte area. I'm already a nervous flyer, so I contacted Jeff to let him know we were grounded for at least an hour and a half, and I asked him to contact the airline to just change my flight to Sunday (felt safer doing this). By the time we de-boarded back at the terminal, Jeff had gotten me a new flight out for Sunday, and I just needed to get my checked luggage off the plane. He came to pick me up, and we took a drive to another house Jeff happened to find online - and he drove by the area on his way into his office.

The location was great - It's Kernersville, but newer development and close to grocery stores, Lowes, gas stations and the main highway (the 40) to go west for Jeff (to get to Winston Salem) and for me to grab to head east (to work in Greensboro or High Point).  We called the listing agent to ask about the house, and she asked if we'd like to tour it, so we said yes - disclosing that we are working with another Realtor. Although the layout of this house was nearly perfect, plus it had a few perks (4 flat screens and updated lighting throughout), we really didn't like the upward slop of the driveway (too slippery for icy winters!), plus the outdoor living space needed to be invested in along with preferred floor coverings, so we said thank you and we'll keep in mind.  Driving the area, we saw an almost identical home design (just around the corner) which we looked up online when we got back to the hotel.

I was flying out uber-early Sunday (7am), but Jeff set an appointment again with Lindsay to go tour this last house, later Sunday afternoon. By the time I arrived back in Phoenix and got settled in at home, Jeff had seen the house - taking additional photos PLUS 3 video tours for me to see. Its layout was better suited for us (driveway had minor slope - down to a flat driveway, entering the 2 car garage under the house, with adjacent house bib - all needed for car washing!) plus it had one consistent floor covering downstairs (wood laminate) and taller kitchen cabs (42") for storage.

Jeff flew back to Phoenix the next evening - the following day, after a long discussion and reviewing the photos, comparing it to our current layout + what we had in Florida - we came to an agreement and said "this is the one!" Jeff contacted Lindsay to put in our offer, she drew up the papers, we did a docu-sign and off the offer went. A day later they counter offered, we discussed and countered, they did too and we finally came to an agreement this afternoon and now the home purchase docs are signed - the process of relocating back east continues!

Also happening today was the auto transporter coming to pick up Jeff's truck to ship to North Carolina plus the moving company came to inventory & survey this house, it's contents, and layout - because since we currently have a third floor, it will take extra manpower to move this beast! My vehicle stays here as transportation, until loading day, and we'll have it picked up at the hotel we leave from. It takes at least a week to transport the vehicle across the country, so Jeff is here for a few more days, and we'll begin tearing down, patching and tough-up painting here before he heads back out to NC - which by then his truck will arrive.

Hard to believe but it's happening - three years in the waiting - And we should be shipped and ready to move in plus close mid to late November. Truly a Thanksgiving blessing this year for sure!!! I'm so excited, I want to go chop down my own live Christmas tree when we get there!! (Just kidding - but I am THAT excited!!) And online connections and friends have been just as excited for us when we shared the good news - so many THANK YOUs to Facebook and to North Carolinian's for making us feel so welcome! Good ole Southern Hospitality!

I'll share tips I've learned for house hunting + planning + packing in an upcoming post. Moving can be very overwhelming, especially moving across the country at holiday time. Each move we've done has been a learning experience over time -- and I think having experience planning and moving entire departments (especially during construction) has helped strengthen the move thought process.

 

House transaction now done via DocuSign.

Yes - You still print & read contract, but now sign online!

We're SUPER excited to become homeowners once again - Like Zillow says, "You're not just looking for a house - You're looking for a place for your life to HAPPEN!" And this couldn't be more true. I felt like my life had gotten put on hold when we moved out to Arizona. Yes, I learned new things, attended a few market events and we traveled to some places we might not have if we hadn't moved here - and for that I am grateful. But in terms of working, I think there will be more opportunities for me to get back to work living in North Carolina, utilizing my talent to help the furniture industry and  their showrooms grow, than there was for me living here in AZ - and Jeff too is going to have more opportunities to grow with the company since he is now in a "walk-thru" store (high corporate visitations) + its the District store and one of largest in his new District. I think Sephora too will enjoy her new views out the windows, and seeing GREEN (and snow too!!) again! And family is already lining up to come visit!!

Considering I was to fly into Miami today to visit my mom & friends, this was a pretty remarkable turn of events that I am grateful for!!

Thanks for stopping by - and stay tuned for the adventures of moving back east!

MOVING BACK EAST - RELOCATION ORGANIZATION!

Yay! When My husband called me last week to tell me the news, the first words he said were "Start Packing!" Just around this time last year (in November), a carrot was dangled in front of the hubs of getting a possible relocation for us back east, at the time, to Pineville, near Charlotte, North Carolina. Needless to say, I went overboard with delight, sharing the "possible move" on Facebook - sharing the house hunting plus saving pinned homes to a board on Pinterest... However, it wasn't our time and the relocation fell thru. Flash forward six months later, and it happened again, the possibility of Jeff getting us relocated, but this time not only back east, but to Florida (to the Gulf Coast - Ft. Myers area) -- However this time, learning from the last experience, I didn't say anything publicly, I just mentioned it to a few people -- and that too fell thru. But now, another 6 months afterwards and it must be our time because Jeff got rewarded with a larger store and we're being relocated back east - This time to Winston-Salem, North Carolina!

 

Sweet Sephora has no idea what she's in for again... This part of the move breaks my heart - Breaking Sephora's comfortable routine, but I'm sure she too will be thrilled when she see's her new surrounding - aka GRASS!!! :)

 In the meantime, she's been lounging on the new wool throw I had picked up for Fall at HomeGoods - which I'm sure will come in handy on the upcoming Winter evenings in North Carolina!

We're thrilled beyond belief to be heading back east - and so too are our moms, family, and friends, who even though they are spread out along the east coast (from upstate NY to South Florida!), we'll still all be so much closer for shorter travel trips. Not to mention, all the events that happen back east from Brummfield Flea Market to NY Fashion Week, to High Point (yay! FINALLY I will make it to HPMKT in the Spring!) and even the Design Bloggers Conference have been held in Atlanta (which is now just a short drive away plus Jeff's mom lives nearby).

Goodbye scorching hot summers, bacteria filled dust-storms and seeing brown at every glance - Hello change of seasons, crisp mountain air, American historical architecture and... THE BEACH - which now will be just 3-4 hours away vs the 6 hour schlep we were doing once a year driving through the desert to get to the California coast.

 

Drinking more coffee these past few days - and I'm sure plenty more to come!

Jeff shared the news when he was told on October 1, and since then, I've been searching real-estate sites, to find us a 'new place to dwell'. Over the weekend, I shared my findings with Jeff (pinned to a secret board) and together we voted yes-no on the homes to house hunt. Sunday, I printed condensed versions of each of the homes we're interested in - a diversified mix of styles from old and new, with both options to see: to buy or possibly rent (since we will be so new to the area.

I categorized all the homes I printed into a binder, divided with tabs by area, listing the MLS rooms, square footage and price at the tops of the pages. This should help not only us, searching on our own, but if we do connect with a local Realtor, we can show them our specifics since we're short on time. When we relocated in November 2011, we had more than 30 days to move - this time we have only 30 days to move -- across the country -- and just before holiday... which is quite alright. I can't think of a better Christmas gift or blessing to be thankful for on Thanksgiving than having the opportunity to move back east.

 

The highlighted dates are for my already booked & planned trip back to Miami (next Friday!!) to see my mom and friends - can't wait for that trip either!!

 

Thank you God for answering our prayers. And thank you too Focal point readers, because I know I haven't been quite "myself" since we moved to Arizona, and trust me, it wasn't from a lack of trying. I think we made the best of our situation, from Jeff getting into golf (although that lead to him injuring his back and having spinal surgery just this past August) to this "City Girl" embracing the more relaxed rustic styling, without getting into the Tuscan trap, I could take. 

It. Is. Time. For. A. (cool) Change.

 

 One of the last sunsets I've seen here in AZ, looking out from the loft space upstairs (third floor).

And so it has been already - Thank you Lord!! 

I hope October is good for you too as well!

Thanks for stopping by - and please stay tuned for upcoming relocation updates... plus a few last shares of the transformations made on this, our  Arizona rental home...

FOCUS ON: Closet Organizing Part III For the Gals

Grab a cup of coffee and get comfy! Continuing from my (click to read) Part I and (click to read) Part II of Focus On: Closet Planning & Organizing, here are more details and examples to help you organize the closet you already have. I'd have to say, plan on it being a weekend project - especially if the closet you're organizing hasn't been sorted in a while. I'm using my own closet + experience as an example - but the "eye candy" closets will be at the end of this post. Hopefully these tips can also help if you're relocating from a larger walk-in to a hall split closet layout (meaning now two). The tips can also help if you have a shared closet situation with your partner. Regardless of the size or budget however, the keys to focus on are the same: vision, plan, sort, purge, execute, categorize & colorize.

 

 

SHELF UTILIZATION

Closet shelves are good to be used for the bulk of the folded apparel items, for example:  jeans & tees in one section. Shelf sections are also good to dedicate to handbags and shoes. Seasonal shoes are great stacked in totes (to prevent dust). More frequently used shoes are good to have nearby, usually on shelves towards the bottom of the closet. If shelves aren't available, stacked cubes can be an alternative. Two 22" x 11" cubes stacked can fit 6 pairs of shoes + utilize the top for additional pairs - just turn shoes heel-toe for that extra space. Another alternative for everyday shoes is for something out of the closet: Try using cubes or baskets in the garage, in the mudroom or at a secondary entrance. This is great for those everyday flip-flops or sneakers that are also potential germ traps you don't necessarily want to bring into your home. For all those other seasonal or special occasion shoes, totes are great and can be stacked on top shelves in closets. Labels or even snap shots placed on the outside of the totes can help you recall what treasures are inside. Longer boot boxes can be stacked under dresses (yes - even maxis) or neatly tucked into a corner in your closet.

 

1. Short + LS tees 

2. Printed Tees 

3. Bin-box w/black + grey clutches

4. Short sleeve Tees

5. LS Tees

6. Frequently used bags

7. Knit pants (yoga, biking, exercise, painting)

8. Jeans

9. Metallic clutches

10. Frequently worn shoes (ex. bottom row are now wedges)

11. Summer straw totes - In winter: boots.

(On the right side wall, I used a keys plaque with 4 hooks to hang a few belts.)

 

 

A-MAZING how all that "stuff" fits into a few wardrobe boxes for a move...

Well, at least the hanging stuff did - lol

  

What doesn't fit onto a closet shelf, is sometimes better utilized in a chest of drawers or dresser... For example: my tanks & tunic tube tops are in half folds in a drawer. Jeff keeps his shorts half folded (length wise) in his dresser drawer.

HANGERS

Keeping hangers all the same  (at least in a section) is key in keeping the organized look of your closet. A space saver hanger style to use are the thin velvet hangers. Personally, for years, I had only jumbo hangers (all in black) in my closet. But after redoing a closet for a client with skinnies in brown (to coordinate with her bedroom) I too have made the switch to skinny - black of course :) - hangers. Yes, they not only do save space on your rods or hanging space, but they will save you time + aggravation + save your back from picking up fallen clothes on the floor. Since you've already purged and sorted folded clothes in storage totes or bins (see Closet Organizing: Part I), it's easy now to take an inventory of how many hangers you need.  Just physically count what you need to convert - and buy 12-24 additional hangers to have handy for closet growth. 

 

.  

ABOUT OUR WALK-IN CLOSET | FL

In our FL closet, I kept clutches in a tote - but now I have a few more so I repurposed 2 black photo storage boxes for them to stand in. My heavier winter scarves & gloves were (still are) in a clear tote (under dresses w/sweaters & boots). My black hangers were just jumbo in FL before I switched to skinnies here in AZ. An over the door towel bar from our master bathroom is now repurposed on the back of the closet door for items to grab quickly like a cadri or a robe.  Scored velvet hangers back in January at the grocery store: Under $10 for a case of about 60.

 

MAINTAIN

Yes, a good rule of thumb to KEEP your closet organized is for every new item in, donate an item... But let's be honest - that doesn't always happen. What should always happen though is a minimum of once to twice a year, review your wardrobe and continue to donate. Usually - if those "extra" hangers are gone, it's a good indication it's time to purge :). 

 

Small closets get even smaller once they fill up -

Maximize the space with sorting and organization!

 

LOVE having laundry sorted in ready to go totes 

to take downstairs to the laundry room on Saturday morning!

Another space saver to utilize in your closet (if you have the space) are laundry bins. One large basket is fine - but an easy way to keep your laundry sorted is using canvas laundry totes. A single unit can come with three totes: One for whites, one for darks, and one for colors - unless you need space for dry cleaning (for example shirts for he hubs).

 

Arizona closet - Section 1 in hallway

 Utilizing a closet extender rod helped maximize the space.

(I think I've had the extender since I was 18!!) Keeping patterns grouped together within sleeve length also helps avoid a messy looking closet.

DRESSES

Besides sorting sleeve length and color, dress lengths need to be considered. Maxis can take up the bulk of this hanging space, which is why it's ok to fold over a few on your skinny hangers - especially for the strapless or halter ones. Another option to hanging strapless maxis is to use bottom hangers with clips. Although you can buy them, sometimes you can also acquire some from retailers - just keep them all the same color (clear or black). Keeping like hanger styles together also helps with the neatness of the closet, so skirts and/or strapless sundresses are great to keep altogether tucked in one area of your dress section. Then if you want a dress or your feeling like pulling together your own look with a skirt, they're all grouped together for you.

Can you tell? I LOVE BLACK and I LOVE MAXIS!

 

Arizona closet - Section 2 - Behind the door of walk-in.

Taking the heavy + bulky clothes downstairs to another closet for the season helped with space... to be switched back in the Fall. Although my lifestyle has changed, I still do have some of my "work" dresses also downstairs in the seasonal closet.

HANGING ITEMS

The key to organizing your hanging items in your closet is sleeve length, sorted tops from bottoms and COLORIZATION. To maximize hanging space, especially in a single rod closet, I highly recommend using a closet extender: Two vertical hanging brackets supporting an additional horizontal rod. What fits best? Usually jackets on closet rod with (short) skirts and folded over dress pants on the closet extender. Leggings can also be hung - 3 per hanger. After the double hung section, hang blouses and tunics. Underneath them is a good place to tuck those storage totes of seasonal goods (like boots or sweaters). If you're a dress-aholic (like I am) you may need equal space of these items combined for dresses. Another item that is great hung are scarves and wraps.

SCARVES - WRAPS - BELTS

If you have several pretty pashminas or wraps - stay away from folding them or tucking away in a box. You'll get more use out of them if you keep them hanging by color. Nothing fancy - just utilize your closet hangers. I have seen shower curtain rings on a hanger used for hanging scarves - but I thinks they would slide too much. By hanging the wraps, I see them, so I wear them more. From time to time, I've also been known to use them in my home decor. Four hangers does the trick - sort by: neutrals, B&W, cool colors and warm colors.  For belts, hanging isn't the only option. For example, a thrifty storage solution to help organize chain belts, is to recycle small bread tins. Three can easily fit into a shoe tote or stacking drawers in the closet. Placing the belts again by COLOR: gold, silver, and those with turquoise stones - makes it easy to see and sort. Stackable drawers can also help for additional belt storage by rolling belts into the drawers. The drawers can also hold sunglasses or extra pairs of flip flops and flat sandals.

 

 

 

 

This would be a GREAT place for some shelf shrouds!!

Picture shot earlier this year - I have wedges & a few more straw totes in here now. More bags are run across the top shelf - but it's too dark for a photo - NO lighting in hallway or this closet.

SHOES & BAGS

Either before putting those boots away for summer, or sometime at the end of August is a good time to take boots to the shoe repair for a clean-up. I personally did this past year, and for $35, I had 4 pairs of boots that looked like new. The shoe repair places can also repair and clean-up your belts or bags. A shoulder strap grommet that came undone from your favorite bag is an easy save for a shoe repair place. Plus - maybe that bag skipped a fall season - but after it's repaired, it can become a new addition to your wardrobe this year. For bag storage, lining bags up like books saves space. If you have multiples of a color (ex: blacks, whites, golds) use the most sturdy bag in that color to hold the slouchy ones of the same color. Usually one bag can hold another 3 - 4 bags. Photo boxes  or bins are a great way to hold all those trendy clutches - think of them as files. Again keep by color. Some bags do just need to be hung (like a fun fringe bag), and those can be the pretty"display" bags to help glam-up your wardrobe space. And last bur not least... let's talk jewelry...

 

Layered wooden beads for summer jewelry also create a personalized display 

of a collection in our home.

JEWELRY ORGANIZATION...

That's going to need to be another post for sure! But in the meantime, here is a peek at some of mine + quick thrifty tip (pictured above): I LOVE collecting wooden bowls from the thrift store. Since my jewelry amoire is actually downstairs (next to the form), I keep a portion of my seasonal jewelry in the top drawer of my bedside table. I'd love to have the amoire up here with me, but it would have been another bulky piece added in our smaller bedroom, and it just didn't feel right. Utilizing the wooden bowls and a tray works fine in this space. 

I keep a selection of cuffs on the chest of drawers, displayed on a candle tray (from Ikea) plus in a black lacquer box. I'll post more about jewelry organization later... Now it's time for some closet eye candy... These are (in my opinion) a "little" bit more realistic than the entire dressing room some people have (even a two story dressing room??? That can't be!) The eye candy below were all sourced on Pinterest and you can see more on my boards...

 

LOVING that rug! And the stacked trunks are a great solution for extra storage.

 

Love how packed but still neat this is - just don't care for 

the chandy - but love the space!

 

Another well organized small closet...

 

LOVE this: Organized by color!

 

Almost looks like a boutique in here, 

including a glass case (to right) for jewelry!

 

And for those who of you who do have the space for a dressing area, 

here is a piece of candy for you...

Join me at Pinterest to see more of my CLOSET ORGANIZATION pins...

 

 For more tips on organizing your home, click below links...

Focus On Closet Organization: Part I

(also includes a link-list to 15 other design bloggers who discussed home organizing!)

Weekend Closet Organizing Part II (For Him)

Budget Mini Closet Organization & Update 

And if you're in need of some real-room 

office organizing & planning, head over to see Kate of Dabble in Chic!

 Hope these tips help you get organized! 

It's a great way to beat the heat while staying inside!

Thanks for stopping by!

LINKING POST TO:

The Project Parade - The DIY Showoff

The Sunday Showcase - Under The Table & Dreaming

Metamorphosis Monday - Between Naps on the Porch