Beaumont Magnet Academy Welcomes You

It's Back to School Time in Tennessee!

And what does that mean to Help You Dwell??  Well, for one it means that one-half of the HYD outfit has free childcare again.  But more exciting than that, it meant that HYD got to be part of the preparation process for Beaumont Magnet Academy on Beaumont Ave. here in Knoxville.  This summer Beaumont underwent an administration transformation to breathe life, order & hope into the teachers and students of this amazing Knox County Magnet School.  The three women leading this campaign, Dr. Daphne Odom, Ms. Missy Beltrand, & Ms. Tracy Marsh have a vision for success for Beaumont that is contagious as you spend any amount of time with them.

Before

Ms. Tracy Marsh, Asst. Principal, Dr. Daphne Odom, Co-Principal, Missy Beltran, Co-Principal

Along with the exciting change in administration came the challenge of fitting three administrators into the spaces where only two had previously been.  After much consideration & a whole lotta furniture removal, HYD had these amazing ladies ready to roll.  And many thanks to the KCS painting staff for a stellar job on the walls.

The Beaumont administration also invited HYD to revive the front office space with color, organization & a welcoming atmosphere.  Since Beaumont Magnet Academy has a Fine Arts focus, HYD decided to bring life to the front office by showcasing the students' art right as you enter the school.  Our favorite find was the 30-foot long tapestry made by students several years ago that had been hanging out of sight.  It now hangs in the front office along with several other art pieces & a new lettering making staff, students, parents & guests feel welcomed as they enter.

This job was our longest yet.  We learned so much & enjoyed the process immensely.  It brought us such great pleasure to see the eyes of teachers & staff light up as they enter the front office.  HYD thanks all the Beaumont front office staff for your patience as we moved all your stuff, the encouragement you gave along the way & mostly your dedication to care for students.  You are all doing the work that matters.  Thank you!

How to Pack for a Trip : The Help You Dwell Packing Guide

I would like to think I'm naturally pretty good at packing for a vacation or trip but if we are being honest I occasionally forget something and I almost always over pack. Lately though, I've been using a few new tips that have proven to be really helpful. I began researching packing techniques and ideas in order to prepare for a trip that my husband and I along with 4 friends are taking this fall. Now that it's mid summer, I thought it would be the perfect time to share these tips.

1. If possible, I always try and pack in a bag that is small enough to stow as a carry on in order to avoid extra fee's but mostly because I have a huge fear of my bag being lost. I typically pack all of my favorite pieces of clothing when I go on vacation and like the fact that if I lose my bag it's my fault and no one elses.

2. The most obvious place to start in my mind is to think through the length of time I'll be gone. Will I have access to laundry facilities? What does the weather forecast look like? What is on my agenda while I'm gone? These practical pieces of information help me frame the amount of items and the type of clothing I take.

3. The most handy tip I have found thus far is to pack a neutral palate or a one color palate so that I can mix and match to create multiple outfits out of only a few garments. I try and add color with accessories since they often take up less room.

4. To avoid over packing the best tip I've found is to lay out each days outfit or to lay out everything I want to take and then eliminate one third of it. (Seriously guys, I over pack A LOT) If I can make myself think through what I actually need versus all of the things that I might want to wear, I end up packing pretty accurately.

5. There is much debate about how to pack clothing and the consensus seems to be that by rolling clothing items you can fit more in. In general I try not to pack my bag to the point that it's bulging and about to pop open but if we are talking efficiency-- rolling seems to be the way to go. I like to leave a little bit of room when I pack in case I purchase something on vacation that I want to bring home.

6. If you are like me, you have a million of those little grocery bags in a drawer in your kitchen. I always pack one so that I can keep my dirty clothing separate from my clean clothing.

7. My final tip is about carry on's. To me, one of the most important parts of traveling is packing for the actual journey. I always make sure to take a few books, phone/electronic chargers, medications, a few healthy snacks, an umbrella, pen and paper, cash, ear plugs, and some light face/or hand lotion (especially if I'm flying).

So we're curious-- do you have any fun trips coming up? Any other packing tips you suggest?

How to Organize a Great Party

Photo by Adam Brimer

So... round one of the HYD blog should start off with a little celebration, don't cha think??  We do!

We've put together a little list of ideas to help you host a great get together.  You can celebrate along with us!  Make it big, make it small, planning ahead & having a few things in place will help you enjoy your guests throughout the shindig.

• The warm weather is in your favor. You can now use indoor & outdoor space so be creative, move indoor stuff out to jazz up your outdoor space for the party. Bring some fun lamps out, maybe an extra table, candle sticks, a rug.

• Once you've picked your space, time to get organized....

When?  Pick a time when you know you'll have time to prepare.  For example: If you're off on Saturdays, you'll have much of the day to get ready.  Consider your guests as well, when is a good time to get as many of them there as possible.

How many guests?  Consider your space, your budget, your purpose for having the party - do you want good conversation with just a few or a fun night of music & mingling with lots?

What kind of food and drink?  Are you interested in preparing all the food or would you like to invite others into that by hosting a potuck?  HYD is a big fan of the potuck because the host can spend more time creating a great space for the gathering while the guests help with the food & drinks. If cooking is your thing, start early!

Decorations? Get creative and use props. Go to a local thrift store and grab a few candle sticks, a new table cloth or place mats. We love using hanging lights and plants to create a festive and picturesque space. Don't be afraid to ask friends to borrow things for your table scape. We love mix and matching plates and glasses and creating a boho feel.

While all of these things help to create a great party, the guests are the most important part. As your prepare, remember that being present and being able to enjoy the party matter most.

Do you have any parties coming up? We would love to hear your ideas for creating a memorable party.