12.16.2015

My Fave Gift To Give (Plus a Peek At My Holiday Decorations)

This year was tough. I've experienced a few losses and lots of sadness. I don't feel like my regular self yet, but I think recognizing it means that things are getting better. I know next year will be amazing!

When someone else is going through something tough, I always recommend self-care and give them my favorite gift. And this time, I'm taking my own advice.

I got my house cleaned. It is my favorite gift to give! Seriously.

It is the BEST feeling coming home to a clean house. I've given this gift to new parents, friends going through a tough time (loss, divorce, depression, an illness), and just because. It is always a hit. I can't recommend it enough.

I had the chance to try Well Kept, an Atlanta-based cleaning service. I loved it so much, I had to share it (no, this is not sponsored) and share my experience. I had my place cleaned before my annual Christmas party.

Think of them as the Uber of cleaning. You simply go to the site and click what services you'd like. Maybe a room or your whole house? Cleanup after a party? It's $15 a room. Add extras--I chose an oven cleaning because mine hasn't been cleaned since...ever. Choose the date and time--they only need 48 hours! No contracts, no in-home estimates, just a clean house.

So Melvin and Leonarda (I HIGHLY recommend them--ask for them!) showed up with cleaning supplies--you can give them specific products to use if desired. I chose to stay and wrap presents in the spare bedroom while they cleaned, but you don't have to be home. They were courteous and professional.

When they were finished, I couldn't believe how great it looked! It made me so happy. Everything was sparkling, like I'd just moved in. That sounds like an exaggeration, but you had to see it! I loved how everything looked. Let me just show a few pics already (this was a few days after they cleaned).



I'm a really private person, so I am just sharing bits and pieces of my place. Excuse the mess and any bad lighting. This is real life, y'all. Here's my bathroom--look how shiny my sink is!

Here's the kitchen--again, it's SPARKLING! But this is real life, y'all, complete with lots and lots of art from the kids in my life on the fridge and a box of grits next to the stove. I am in love with my bouquet, too.

Here's a snippet of my living room, including my tree. It's full of ornaments from my travels. I've shared a few of them on my Snapchat (ellesees). Charlie likes to sleep under the tree, so there's space for him always. I realized I had unwrapped Christmas presents sitting out, so I had to throw a jacket over them at the last second. ;)

I also collect nativity scenes from my travels, like Italy, Germany, and Mexico. I have lots of other Christmas decorations, like on the mantle, as well as my menorah, but instead of boring you with all of that, I'll share just one more pic:

Charlie! He is such a cutie.

If you live in the Atlanta area, I can't recommend Well Kept enough (coming soon to other cities). 
I was very happy with my cleaning and can't wait to use them again.

Extra Elle:
  • When walking Charlie over the weekend, I noticed they were having Lion King auditions by my house. I had to resist the urge to hold him up like Simba!
  • I'm a sucker for a red lipstick. I got the new one from Dita Von Teese. Review coming soon. It's perfect for the holidays.
  • It's been nothing but sparkly nails for me lately. If only the weather was a little cooler around here.

49 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Elle! I will definitely be checking this service out. How nice that they only need 48 hours. That's impressive.
    xo, Whitney and Blaire
    Peaches In A Pod

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  2. There is not a better feeling than coming home to a clean house! Your holiday decorations are so cute and festive and of course Charlie looks adorable!

    Jill
    Doused In Pink

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  3. Love this idea for a gift! My mom actually just asked me if that's something we would want for Christmas! I will have to check out Well Kept -- hopefully they come to the DC area soon! Charlie looks so cute!!

    xo, Rachel
    A Blonde's Moment

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  4. What a great gift idea!
    I love buying Christmas ornaments from trips and then adding them to the tree. Good memory pieces!

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  5. I honestly think treating someone to a house cleaning is one of the most thoughtful gifts you can give people - you're so wonderful for thinking of that! And I think your house looks just beautiful, the decorations are wonderful. I know things have been rough this year but I admire so much how you seem to have taken it in stride and allowed your positivity and love of life to be the things that shine through - 2016 is just around the corner and I'm sure it will bring brilliant things for you!

    Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines

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  6. Your house is gorgeous Elle! And I agree, what a great gift to give someone. I'd love for someone to come clean my house for me so I can just relax one weekend! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes

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  7. My life goal is to be able to afford a regular maid service! Well Kept sounds so neat! I wish they had it where I live. I love your nativity scenes and thanks for sharing a few pictures from your beautiful home!

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  8. Yes! Seriously the best gift, because people will rarely get this for themselves!

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  9. charlie! so cute. also a clean home is THE best. i get it! what a great service. love the sneak peek into your home!

    xoxo cheshire kat

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  10. I agree a clean home is the best. What an unique and thoughtful thing to give, too. I love your idea. Your home feels beautiful, clean, fresh and festive for Christmas. Your tree is lovely and I love your red couch and that adorable naivety set. Also that red/brown/blue art piece on your wall, we own the same one. It is so pretty.

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  11. Nice holiday decorations, and Charlie so cute!

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  12. We had cleaners coming once a week to thoroughly clean our home back in Malaysia and I loved the service! I know it's weird but having our home cleaned for us was the best thing, it's so different from cleaning ourselves!

    Reflection of Sanity | Palmer's Cocoa Butter Care Package Giveaway (Canada ONLY)

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  13. i love christmas decorations...your dog is so sweet

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  14. You home is so adorable. Love the decorations. I totally wish someone would gift me that. I would be so thrilled to get that. How am I not following you on Snap? off to follow you!

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  15. We are in a teeny tiny apartment right now, but as soon as we're in a bigger space I would love to have our spot professionally cleaned every once in a while. Hope you're having a great week! :)

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  16. This is a great gift idea. A clean house can make you feel so good, but I love that fact that you can choose which rooms they clean instead of the whole house! I feel funny about someone cleaning my bedroom but they can do the rest of the house no problem lol!! Your home looks so cute and I love all your decorations!

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  17. I would have loved if you did a Simba move with Charlie :)

    My step daughter has someone come in every 2 weeks to straighten up & dust & do surface cleaning... I'm so jealous.

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  18. I just had my carpet cleaned on Sunday and I totally agree with you! Nothing beats having a clean living space! That's a gift I never think of. haha. Can't wait to see the Dita Lippie review. Have you ever tried Kendall Jenner's from Estee Launder? I hear it's a lovely red.

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  19. Love the little peeks of your decorations! I am a huge fan of collecting decorations from travels too. They are so unique and special! And cleaning services are the BEST! I get one twice a month and would give up cable tv before I gave that up!

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  20. That is a great gift. My Dad could use that since he has been sick lately.

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  21. One day, I'm definitely treating myself to this. Sounds like such a treat to gift to someone else. Love seeing bits of your beatiful home, Elle! Following you on Snapchat, had no idea you were on SC!

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  22. Your house looks beautiful! =)

    NEW POST on http://whattostyle.blogspot.com/

    xoxo,
    Jessica

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  23. I agree, that is seriously the BEST gift. My dad and stepmom paid for a few months of house cleaning after I had Jona and it was the best thing ever. Your house is adorable and I love your Christmas decor!

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  24. I would love a cleaning service to do all the dirty work. Well Kept sounds amazing and your place is so pretty!

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  25. Ah! Your house is so adorable. That service sounds amazing. I wonder if it's available where we are.

    And hey - we have that painting hanging in the photo of your living room. Small world. ;)

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  26. I love a clean house but hate cleaning! lol This is a great idea. I love your Christmas decorations!

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  27. I love your place! This is such a great idea and a really great price too. I need them to come to NC because I will definitely be signing up. I clean my apartment regularly (#neatfreak), but it would be nice to have a professional come in and deep clean.

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  28. Sometimes I think that if someone could just come clean my kitchen for me I could handle the rest. Or vacuum my living room for me. lol. I hope they expand to Athens soon!

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  29. bahahaha at holding charlie up like simba. you should have.
    i would LOVE to have my house cleaned, or give it as a gift. what a fabulous idea.

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  30. We had maids for about a year and it was so, so great! We were talking about using them again to just DEEP clean the house before we had Christmas at our house, but I decided to give the chore to myself. I am glad you got to wrap some gifts and get that done while they cleaned! Talk about multi-tasking!!!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  31. Nice!

    I should pay to get my house cleaned. It needs it. I do it, but it needs a deep cleaning, big time.

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  32. I gave myself the gift of a regular cleaning lady while I was pregnant and it was awesome.

    Collecting nativity scenes from your travels is such a cool and original idea!

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  33. I would love to have someone come and just do a deep clean on everything every now and then so all I have to do is touch clean. Would free up so much of my time! And that is such a perfect gift, you are so right!!!

    Love your tree and that you collect ornaments form your travels. And those nativity scenes are perfect! I think I need to start thinking about getting ornaments instead of silly things I will never use.

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  34. Your house looks beautiful! Not just clean beautiful, although it is, but I love your furnishings and decor too! And Charlie of course. :)

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  35. We had the house cleaned right before we left, now I am officially on holiday so it's great to come back to a clean home after the holidays. Your place looks nice and, I love the seasonal decor.
    Plush & Prints

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  36. Having our apartment cleaned would be a dream come true. That's an awesome gift!

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  37. a professional clean is the best. I love your nativity sets, seriously - so cool!
    xx, lauren
    www.laurensparkle.com

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  38. I do love a nice clean house!!! I will have to recommend this company to all my friends and family back home in the Atlanta area for sure! Love your tree girl!

    http://www.thesaltlifewife.blogspot.com

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  39. Omg such an amazing gift! I think I might have to put that on my list! All of your decorations look adorable! I love the manger!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

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  40. That is the greatest idea ever! I may treat myself to that after the holidays. I wish they had that service closer to us! Your house is gorgeous and hope for a better 2016 for you!

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  41. Love your collection of nativity scenes! I've been in an organizing frenzy the last few days, so a cleaning service sounds lovely :)

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  42. Aww, Charlie is adorable! So interesting seeing snippets of your home! Love your decorations and tree.
    xo
    N
    Style Tomes
    Style Tomes on Instagram

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  43. I love the little dog, I really love dogs

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  44. Lovely house and decoration! The nativity are is sooo sweet and Charlie is definitely a cutie! I am glad that you are feeling better, but as I always say, it takes time and every person has his/her own timing. I am sure that next year will be amazing, cause you are an amazing girl and I admire you; strong and sweet, that's you! And cleaning does make a difference!
    DenisesPlanet.com

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  45. I absolutely love it when my kitchen is clean! My husband and I both cook all the time, so that is rare. lol

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  46. A clean house is such a great gift! Thanks for sharing about this service. Your home looks absolutely lovely and Charlie is his usual adorable self.

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  47. I would love to have someone come clean my house. A good deep clean! Nothing better!

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  48. Oooh, I wish we had this service here! I actually asked Jacob to get me a one-time house cleaning for Christmas or my birthday. I hate doing floors and windows so that's what I want done. Let's see if he comes through. Haha!

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