Aunty Ali

Quite a good practical article on how to go about decluttering, which covers many of the ways I help people to achieve their goals. One of the most important points to note, is to ensure you declutter your belongings before you go out to buy storage baskets. While its fun to go shopping, and it certainly looks pretty to have everything in matching fancy pants baskets, tubs and containers, you will simply be storing unneeded items and taking up valuable space, if you don't move on what you don't want, need or use beforehand. The other important point is keeping like with like. My favourite is a present box containing some gifts (regifting is totally fine by me 😉), wrapping paper, cards, scissors, sticky tape and pens. That way when a birthday comes along, you'll be all set to go.

I've been with several clients lately that have received unsolicited and unwanted phone calls. So I thought I'd remind everyone that you can also register your mobile phone number on the Do Not Call Register. It may not stop the annoying scammers (seriously, you are not holding a family member of mine hostage in China!), but it will reduce those unsolicited telemarketing calls.
https://www.donotcall.gov.au/

It's Homelessness Week. Coordinated by Homelessness Australia to raise awareness of the 116,000 people experiencing homelessness on any given night, the issues they face and the action needed to achieve enduring solutions.
With this year's theme being “Ending homelessness together’’, I thought I'd reshare one of my posts from a couple of years ago. While I continue to regularly donate items to groups that help support homeless people, the experience of helping a person I co...
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This time I've got some before and during pics for you. The thing is, I do real life, and not all jobs can be done and dusted in one session. Sometimes, I come in and help to make sense of and define what needs to be done to achieve a certain goal. Here my client, a busy business owner, just didn't have the time or energy to get her bedroom sorted and how she'd like it. There's still more to do, but now it's organised, the jobs to action are labelled and all of the unwanted items have been taken out of this space and donated so it's not so overwhelming.

Ah the distractions I face while I'm trying to work. Here I was sitting on a clients lounge, trying to do some research, and their usually shy pussy cat kept doing this lol!

I love it when I receive these sorts of photos and excited, proud messages of achievement from a client after I've been to help them. During a decluttering session, I give loads of advice and suggestions about things that clients may like to do to better organise other parts of their home too. Having one area of your home clutter free and organised, often leads to new motivation to tackle other hot spots. A super well done to this lovely lady. It looks great!!

As it's the school holidays, I thought I'd show you some before and after pics of a children's bedroom I sorted out recenty. I can hear the "clean up your room!!" requests from here. Sometimes it takes a reset from me to get it done, remove the unnecessary/unwanted stuff, which then leaves you and the kids with a more manageable space to maintain. Thanks to this mum for allowing me to share the before pics. So many feel embarrassed, but I really have seen it all and don't get phased by much. This one was a walk in the park to be honest 😉.

Hi everyone, I arrived home a few days ago and while the jetlag is improving, it has been a bit of a blur. It was sad saying goodbye to beautiful Edinburgh, as I loved it so much and there was lots more I wanted to see. I got a very quick peek at Glasgow enroute to the airport and the surrounding countryside was just lovely. The kids were fabulous on the flight home, even if their bodies were absolutely everywhere!!! I was awake for over 24 hours, but a couple of glasses of r...ed helped sort that out and I got a little sleep 😉. The most important thing of all is the difference I was able to make to the family. Here's what mum wrote on her page after my arrival (shared with permission):
"Last night the amazing Aunty Ali joined us in London. She has been supporting our family for the past year and has been invaluable in helping us with the kids, organising our lives, and supporting K and I physically and emotionally. I honestly don’t know how we could have done the last year without her. I feel very blessed to have her in our lives, and to have her join us on this very special trip. The kids are already dressed, I am sipping a cup of tea in bed, and K and I have a date day planned in our local haunts where we met and fell in love. Aunty Ali rocks!! 💕💕💕
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Hi everyone, long time between posts as I've been busy leaving London for Edinburgh. The train ride across was a chance to sit down and connect, watch the beautiful scenery and enjoy some bubbles! I've only been here for a few days but I've already visited Edinburgh Castle, where both Nicola Sturgeon, the First Minister, and Prince William made an appearance right in front of me. Saw and definitely heard the 1pm canon and was lucky to witness the changing of the guards which I'm told is rare. The architecture is stunning and I'm loving exploring the little closes and hidden treasures. Ah Edinburgh, how I love thee.

Hiya! The last couple of days in London have been busy. Yesterday I took the girls into South Kensington to the science museum; yet another beautiful building. Taking 2 kids and a stroller on the tube is not for the faint hearted as there are very few lifts and loads of stairs. Fortunately everyone helped me when asked. Today was Hampton Heath for squirrel spotting in the woods and a swim was on the agenda. I even found a park bench dedicated to someone with the same unusual surname as my dad. Going to do some research for sure. Dinner at a Greek restaurant and a stroll up Primrose Hill and I'm ready for bed.

London Day 4: Today I had some kid free time so I walked into Kentish Town and Camden. Saw my first squirrel in some roadside gardens. Way cuter than our possums! Loving all of the colourful hanging flower baskets outside the pubs. I got a yam icecream from Mamasons Dirty Ice Cream (a Filipino take on an ice cream parlour) It was hot and I craved icecream so thought why not? Was left still craving an icecream afterwards. Some charity store browsing and checking out the local...s got me to the crazy busy Camden Markets. The Stables Markets were better, as advised by the local French/Englishwoman I met. She thought I was Irish because I was dressed in green, and wasn't satisfied when I informed her I was Australian. Advising I had both Irish and English lineage made her happy. Stopped into a busy pub for a local Camden Lager while the football was on made for standing room only. A short outside stay and I continued on to The Regents Park for some peace. So many games of football were being played and again I loved the trees. Strolled through the Avenue Gardens, very English and pretty. Lots more exploring as I made my way back, but decided to call an uber to take my tired feet home again. My driver was super impressed at how far I'd walked....he didn't know the half of it 😉
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Hiya! I arrived in London safe and sound a few days ago after a very long journey. Being a night owl, I only managed a few hours sleep the night before, but immediately made friends with the flight attendant who secured me 3 whole seats to myself. It truly felt like business class in economy, especially when she also snuck me choccies! I caught the tube from the airport, then jumped in a black cab and eventually arrived at my home for the week. My welcoming party were so happy to see me and me them. Days have been busy and fun with lots to explore. Here are a few pics 😊

Well my bags are packed and I'm ready to go. UK here I come!! The 6am flight is a bit of a killer as I'm a night owl, but you know what? I'm leaving on a jet plane!! Woohoo! It's been a huge few weeks of being flat out saving the world, applying for a new passport etc and I'm feeling a bit anxious about the trip and leaving my family, especially my hubby as we haven't been apart for more than a few days in almost 10 years. Once I'm there at the gate I'm sure I'll be fine though and I'm looking forward to some down time. The family I'm traveling to help have told me they are excited and ready for my arrival. Now to get some sleep before my 3am wake up. I'll be dreaming of an upgrade to Emirates business class! How amazing would that be? See ya everyone xxx

Moving day for this family in The Hills area. 5 minutes til the removalists arrive and I'm all ready for them. Let's do it!!

Still at the Awards night with the lady who made Aunty Ali possible, Anita from Inner West Mums. I will always be greatful to Anita for giving me the platform to launch my business and to reach all of the families in need. Getting gushy, but I promise it's not just the wine talking 😉

Sitting with the lovely Maria from Ladies Running Errands at the Inner West Local Business Awards. Yay us!!

My hairdresser asked me what was the furthest I'd traveled for work? I used to say Dubbo, but very soon I'll be saying the UK!!! That's right, my incredibly exciting news is that I will be traveling to London to support one of my very special families on a very important trip.
Recovering from stage 4 ovarian cancer, my client has been advised to do her bucket list while she's well, so the whole family have just headed off to visit family and friends in the UK. It wasn't an... easy decision to make though, as travelling is extremely painful for this mumma, and with all they've been through, a trip that big with 2 littlies isn't exactly relaxing. As soon as they mentioned hiring a nanny to help with the stress and exhaustion, I knew I needed to at least offer to help.
The thing is, once I care for a family and get to know their needs, my protective instincts kick in and I don't feel comfortable handing them over to just anyone. I knew that the kids would be better off having someone they knew well with them and this would certainly help their parents to relax. I also wanted to make sure their parents were given the the support they needed too.
Well it turned out they couldn't believe I'd travel that far and were thrilled I could go. Big celebrations all round!! So on 27 June, I'll be grabbing my passport and traveling to meet them in London. There's guaranteed to be hugs all round and some well earned time out for mum and dad. A week later we'll be off to beautiful Edinburgh, before heading home on 10 July. I'll be sure to show you all some fun travel pics. Go me!! ✈👑 🇬🇧
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Hi everyone, I thought I'd best check in as I've been overwhelmingly busy for a while now and I've occasionally dropped the ball as they say. If you are waiting to hear from me, I'm sorry! I'm working day and night to keep up, even public holidays at the moment. I think I've replied to everyone, but if you haven't heard back, it is entirely possible that I've stuffed up and forgotten you so please message me. I'm currently booked up until the beginning of August but it you ar...e in need if help urgently, I'll try to reshuffle things where possible. Please don't take this information as meaning I'm not available to take your calls if you are in crisis, as always I'm totally here for you . Likewise, I might be slower to get back to you if you are not in urgent need of help. If you have a booking but are planning to reschedule, please do let me know ASAP. Last minute cancellations are difficult to manage as most people aren't available to take them up and I often lose a days wage. Thank you for your understanding and support. Wine is getting me through 🥂. P.S. Big news to come soon!
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I regularly help families to move house and repeatedly hear them tell me they can't believe how much stuff they have. All those tops of wardrobes, backs of cupboards, under beds and garden sheds can hold a host of unused items. We shove them there out of sight because we simply don't want to, or know how to deal with them.
If you are planning to move, here are a few things to think about, well in advance (aim for 6 months if you can). It's all about planning. If you reduce... what you don't need well before you get the agents in, your stress levels will be much lower, your property will present better and it will be much easier to get ready for inspections. It will also cost you a less in removalist costs when the time comes and a whole lot less energy to unpack and find homes for what can often be defined as unwanted and unused crap if we are honest with ourselves. Go on, take a look in the deep dark spaces and see what you find!
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Ali was amazing! Super caring, fast and organised! I’d highly recommend her to anyone who needs helps organising their home or life xox

Ali was amazing! Super caring, fast and organised! I’d highly recommend her to anyone who needs helps organising their home or life xox

Ali was amazing! Super caring, fast and organised! I’d highly recommend her to anyone who needs helps organising their home or life xox