Sumiko Sprague, of Knotty Little Houseplants, tells us why plants are so important to her, which plants she loves and which plants are best for beginners. She also tells us about her new business venture, Knotty Little Plants, and how she came up with the idea for her beautiful macrame hangers.

1. Designate an area: whether you have a specific room, such as a craft room, or a simple under the bed organizer, having a single place for all your wrapping supplies will keep you from going crazy when it comes to getting your holiday wrapping done.

2. Supplies: go to our website for a full list of supplies.

3. What is your wrapping Soul Style: put your signature style into your gift wrapping. Think about the way you dress or decorate your home. Are you glam, minimal, bohemian? Use a coordinating color palette so that your gifts become a part of your holiday decor. Craft paper is the perfect neutral backdrop for adding colorful ribbon and embellishments. Adding ornaments to your gifts creates a decorative element and is a bonus gift.

4. Our favorite wrapping organizers:

Hanging Gift Wrap Organizer Bag

Premium Gift Wrap Organizer

TreeKeeper Deluxe Gift Wrap & Craft Station

Nikki tells us how she got started in the floral preservation business and how she is one of only three in California who are doing this line of work.

We talk wedding trends and what she see’s on the horizon for 2021. Nikki tells us some of her favorite ways to use preserved flowers.

Join her Facebook live event this Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 p.m. PST. She has put together a team of experts in the wedding industry to answer all of your wedding planning questions.

Wedding Who What When & Where Event

Nikki’s Soul Style Discovery of the week:

The Confidence Code: The Science and Art of Self-Assurance---What Women Should Know by Katty Kay

Show Notes:

Meal Planning - Plan your menu now so you can figure out your shopping list. Buy any non-perishable items now so you have less to do the week of Thanksgiving. Send out options for your guests who will be contributing to the meal.

Shop Smarter - Use grocery store apps to clip coupons. The Ibotta app can also be used for coupons and cash back. Plan meals around your leftovers for further savings

Sourcing Recipes - We like Pinterest and the Food Network for sourcing great Thanksgiving recipes. Also check out my favorite gravy recipe and braised Brussels sprouts with bacon. Yum!

Tool Inventory - Take inventory of your cookware, serving pieces and table decor so you can borrow, buy or rent what you need for the big day.

If you haven’t done so already, download your Holiday Planner now!

Getting Organized:

What are your commitments? Put them on the calendar so you can keep track.

Take inventory now so you have time to get what you need (i.e. entertaining supplies, party attire, decorations, etc.)

Get your address list together for Christmas cards. Take your family photo now and order your cards so you have plenty of time to send them out in December. Stock up on stamps.

Use a planner

Staying on Budget:

Figure out what your total budget is. This includes gifts, decorating, food and entertaining.

Create a gift list with a budget for each person.

Use cash envelopes for each category to help keep you on track.

Staying Sane:

Make time for self-care. Meditation and journaling are great ways to keep stress levels low.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help when needed.

Feel free to say no.

Go to soulstyleproject.com to download your free Holiday Planner. It has everything you need to stay on track, including weekly to-do calendars, budget planner and tracker, grocery and gift lists and menu planner.

1. Movie night at home: We have been enjoying the classic 90’s series Sabrina the Teenage Witch, which is now streaming on Hulu. Some other family favorites Hocus Pocus, Frankenweenie, Hotel Transylvania and Coco. Make fun snacks like monster hands, mummy hotdogs and a graveyard cake. You can also play some fun Halloween games, like our Halloween Bingo!

2. Host a Virtual Halloween Party: get everyone together using a virtual meeting site like Zoom. Create a virtual background that everyone can use so it feels like you’re at the same party. Put one person in charge of music and send out a menu ahead of time so you can all enjoy the same snacks. Have a virtual costume contest and let the kids parade in front of the camera.

3. Drive-by Halloween Party: Plan a route with friends and family. Dress up your car with balloons, banners and signs. Have treat bags to hand out through the windows as friends drive by.

4. Backyard Carnival: Have a small gathering in your backyard with all your favorite carnival games (i.e. the fishing game, cake walk, shooting gallery, ring toss on the witches hat, etc.)

1. Packing

2. Car Organization

3. Entertainment

4. Talk to the Locals

Emily’s Soul Style is fueled by her passion for collecting postcards and ephemera from her French heritage.

Emily shares why postcards mean so much to her, where you can find the best postcards and a special offer to our Soul Stylists from her I Miss Post shop.

Go to soulstyleproject.com for all the details

1. Benefits of journaling: mindfulness; reflection; gratitude; mind dump; goal setting, tracking and consistency; enhance creativity.

2. Uses:

Mind dump - clear your mind before bed or first thing in the morning. Helps with brainstorming, venting emotions, reducing anxiety and sparking creativity.

Prompted Journaling: Examples what am I grateful for today; how do I want to feel at the end of the day; who am I thankful for; what did I learn today; what are my 3 top priorities today?

Productivity/Goal Setting: wellness trackers; work/life goals; daily planner

3. Products We Like:

Silk & Sonder

Zinnia

Jour

Prompted Journal

Notes

OneNote

Evernote

Check out our Soul Style Bingo and play to enter for your chance at a Soul Style Makeover of your choice! All the details at soulstyleproject.com