How comfy are you with being messy?

How comfy are you with being messy?

I started doing yoga last March. My beloved dog Dieter unexpectedly passed away and I needed something to do. My aching heart, my two arms and my two legs were feeling very lost without massive Dieter petting, hugging, snuggling, burying my nose into his fur and...
We need to talk about “Sparking Joy”

We need to talk about “Sparking Joy”

It’s time to talk about Marie Kondo, and it’s kind of a sticky subject. ‘Cause on one hand, I think she’s doing some really important work. Helping people deal with their clutter and organize their worlds, all the while making it trendy and...
How to get that thing done that never gets done

How to get that thing done that never gets done

I see it all the time, the “projects that never get done” phenomenon. They can come in so many forms: the pile of photos that need sorting, the kid’s room that you’ve wanted to change into a guest room for years and years, even our cars can get...

Why you should care about how your home feels

When I was a kid, my parents would send me to Lake Hume for summer camp. It was the event I marked the days off on my calendar for all year long. Lake Hume was a Christian camp out in the mountainous woods of Fresno county and hundreds of kids were bussed in and...
What comes up when there’s an ugly divorce

What comes up when there’s an ugly divorce

Brody was referred to me through a mutual friend. He needed help going through his stuff. I met him at his just moved into loft space. He answered the door in a T-shirt, loose fitting blue jeans and flip flops. I was greeted with a big hug and a smile but his face was...
clutter clearing—not that fun

clutter clearing—not that fun

I met my friend and Windermere real estate agent Phillipa for coffee not long ago. I was yammering about the ups and down of biz and said something like, “Everyone has stuff, most of us have too much stuff and feel stuck. I hear people in distress about this ALL...
An easy tip on what to do with Gift Cards

An easy tip on what to do with Gift Cards

How many of you out there have found a Gift Card you thought you lost, you find it (yay!) and then you realize, IT’S EXPIRED. Or, equally frustrating, you’re at the Apple Store and no—you don’t have the $100 gift card on you from when you recycled...
When Homes Sell Too Fast

When Homes Sell Too Fast

PING! Text message comes in. “Can you look at a listing I have in Wallingford, before this weekend? It’s needs an energy clearing.” PING! Next text: “This is Dave Marks, by the way.” Me: “Sure! how about (blahdey blahdey) day and...
Want more energy? Here’s what NOT to do.

Want more energy? Here’s what NOT to do.

“How do you keep yourself from getting drained?” Hands down, this is the #1 question I get asked when people hear what I do for a living. And I used to give really elaborate answers. Answers that would make the person asking the question about getting drained, look...