Posts tagged behind the scenes
Productivity Hacks: How To Get (And Stay) Focused When Working From Home

This time of year is when everyone is hitting reset for the new year ahead -- making resolutions, setting goals, choosing words to serve as their "North Star", etc  -- all in order to really set the tone for the next 12 months. This doesn't necessarily mean drastic changes of any kind, but there is something about a new year that really makes you go, "I need to get my ish together!" 

As someone who's made a life out of always being home, I decided to share with you some of my productivity hacks and ways that I stay focused & keep myself accountable day to day.

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How To Plan A (Last Minute) Brand Shoot

For two years in my business, I tried to plan a brand shoot for Albie Knows…with no success. Whether it was finding the right photographer or having it in the budget or just liking the way I looked in the mirror, there was always something in my way.

Last year, one of my designer besties introduced me to Mariah Texidor. I was blessed enough to book her to shoot my One Room Challenge transformation. The photos were amazing, but more than that, the shoot was amazing. I knew that if there was ever an opportunity to work with her again — aka I’m back in NYC — that I’d jump at the chance. 

Here’s what planning a last-minute brand shoot covers, from my perspective:

  • getting organized

  • having an awesome tribe

  • trusting life’s pivots

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How To Treat Your Body Better & Stay Physically Productive

This time of year is when everyone is hitting reset for the new year ahead -- making resolutions, setting goals, choosing words to serve as their "North Star", etc  -- all in order to really set the tone for the next 12 months. This doesn't necessarily mean drastic changes of any kind, but there is something about a new year that really makes you go, "I need to get my ish together!" 

As someone who's made a life out of always being home, I decided to share with you some of my productivity hacks and ways that I stay focused & keep myself accountable day to day.

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So I Wrote A Book...

I realized I never came on the blog or on my YoutTube channel and actually TALKED about my book. And while I never mentioned it on my Instagram, I never really really got into why I wrote a book and all the sentiments behind this endeavor. 

For an entire week — the first week of February to be exact — I woke up every day at 4 am just to write. While my husband and daughter slept, before the sun was even up, I wrote. Within that first day, I had listed and named my chapters, like outlining a term paper, and before I knew it a book was unfolding before me. The next few weeks were spent learning all about the self-publishing process, working through and editing my ideas with friends and peers. And in the midst of all this creative chaos, eventually, a book was born. 

I channeled into that book all the stuff I struggled with sharing here on the blog or on social media; it felt like a safe, undistracted space to just talk about what I wanted to talk about when it came to curating and creating a home you’d love… hence the title, Curate The Home You’re In: Effortlessly Create Your Everyday Dreamscape. 

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What I Really Learned By Going Back To Design School

Pursuing my masters degree what something that I’d always wanted to do when “the time was right” but after almost a decade of being out of school, in 2016, I made the choice to go for it, studying interior architecture & design. While this wasn’t exactly the same type of architecture program I was studying back in 2003, talk about full circle! Have I completed the degree yet? Nope! Yet in the 2 and a half years since I started the program I’ve learned more about myself (and the industry) than I bargained for — and spoiler alert: none of it is actual lessons in design (but don’t tell my professors that). 

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Cost Breakdown: How Much It Cost To Refresh My Bedroom

As you may already know, for the Fall One Room Challenge, I refreshed our master bedroom — a few major upgrades & some minor decor updates, but all renter-friendly. The transformation made a huge difference in the function & aesthetic of our bedroom, and when I shared it on Instagram, I got quite a few questions surrounding the cost of doing something like this. So I said to myself, “why not breakdown the cost of everything — past, present, and sponsored, that went into creating my Hygge bedroom?”

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Announcement: The New Albie Knows Decor Discovery Shop

Back in 2016 when I launched the original Decor Discovery is was a subscription box —  I thought I was out of my depth & just downright nuts, but I went for it anyway, and was immensely blessed to have seen it come to life. After an amazing first year, as I prepped for year two, I had a decision to make — a tough one to let go of the subscription. Here we are, now another year later, and I still have that passion for shopping & wanted to bring my finds to you. But now, instead of a bi-monthly subscription box, I’ve decided to do say by way of a curated shop! 

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What I’m Looking Forward To At Fall 2018 High Point Market

Last Spring, I had the honor and pleasure of being invited to my first ever High Point Market. I went from having no interest in this “fashion week” of the home industry to booking a last minute flight for a 72-hour trip — 48 hours travel & 24 hours actually at High Point! Fast forward a couple of months, during which I launched a second business specifically for e-designers — The E-Design Experience — I am prepping to make my return to High Point Market, and this time for more than a day. 

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Renter Friendly Upgrade With Removable Wallpaper

Time and time again you hear about what isn't possible as a renter, with one of those things being wallpapering! But to be fair, almost no one likes to wallpaper, not even homeowners, because when you think of the removal process all you know is that it sucks! This is why I've been a long time fan of removable (or "peel and stick") wallpaper.

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What You Need To Know About Web Based Design Tools: Roomstyler & Homestyler

No matter if you're an in-person designer or an online designer, deliverables are a huge part of our client experience, and for many of us, rendered designs are often part of those deliverables. For creating renderings there is no shortage of amazing resources. There are also two web-based platforms that are super affordable (how does free sound?) and all things considered, easy to use.

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How We're Beginning Our 3 Room Transformation

I told you all the decisions and thought process leading up to our choice to give our daughter her own room. And while I also slightly touched is on what this meant, design-wise, I didn’t really get into the specifics of what a room swap could really unfold into. 

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5 Steps to DIY Your Business Checkup

For many, a business checkup may come by hiring a business coach or business manager or some other expert to help in the areas that need attention in your business; but maybe you're not there yet, so here are 5 steps you can take on your own towards giving your business a self checkup:

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Why I Do Conceptual Design Renderings, Not Real Life Renderings

I’ve never had clients question this — they’re hiring me for a conceptual design, the ability to see their space in a way that they can’t, to pull all the pieces together, and to provide them with the tools to execute their dreamscape. And yet this is a question I often get from other designers — why do I only do conceptual designs? 

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Spring Into Summer Home Decor Shopping Haul

As I got ready to makeover our balcony for the One Room Challenge I did quite a bit of shopping from some of my fav retailers. So let's go over everything I bought so you can hopefully get inspired to create some indoor/outdoor Hygge in your home for the warmer months!

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Shop With Me: How To Hygge In Spring?

We’re so conditioned to think Hygge is synonymous with winter, but that’s not the case.

While there's an obvious correlation between the two, many elements of Hygge living can be carried into spring!

I want to make sure my Hygge living transcends seasons & in addition to actual lifestyle hacks, purposeful decor is part of that transition.

In this haul, featuring items from Amazon, Joss & Main, and Target, I was very intentional about choosing items that illustrating Hygge decor -- textural and natural elements for a cozy, blissful home. 

Check out some of my fav Hygge decor finds for the Spring season! 

 
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