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Offset the flowers with a handful of earthy succulents. Their neutral tones let the bolder colors pop.

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Layered dishes and shallow bowls make a beautiful backdrop for basic blooms.

1. Using any flowers on hand (newly bought or even an older bouquet), select ones that are fully open or that have a low, flat shape. (Here we used godetias, roses, tulips, spider mums, daisy mums, asters, carnations, and gerbera daisies.) 2. Cut off each stem just below the flower. 3. Float the flowers in bowls, in just enough water that the stems are submerged but the petals aren’t. Cluster the bowls as a centerpiece, or spread them around the house as accents.

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In this scenario, every last bit of the bouquet is used…make that showcased. Dig out your prettiest vessels to display the stems.

1. Buy one or two mixed bouquets, and sort the flowers by type. (Our bouquets contained lilies, hypericum berries, alstroemeria, spray roses, eucalyptus, and solidaster.) 2. Match each type to a vessel. A good guideline: Go for contrast (feathery florals, like alstroemeria, in a sleek vase). Or choose a container that mimics the petal shape (lilies in a curvy vase). 3. For an eclectic grouping like this, cut the stems any which way— some short, others long. The overall effect is natural and lively.

PETAL WINNERS Find gorgeous vessels for all types ofbloomsat realsimple.com/vases.

In a glam vessel, that single stem or two of ho-hum filler eucalyptus becomes a striking statement.

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Your books plot a path for getting and staying organized. Where do some of us go wrong?

Your kitchen credo is extreme: Keep nothing on counters or around the sink and stovetop so that they’re easy to wipe clean regularly. Can you explain this logic?

A. I was once convinced that easy accessibility to utensils and spices in a kitchen was key. But cooking is a messy business. Everything on my counter and on hooks was splattered with oil and water. I realized that in professional kitchens, counters are free of items and the entire area is clean. I passed this strategy along to clients. They found it helps them enjoy cooking more, even if their cupboards are fuller than they would like. They are happy to hunt for the right pot if it means their counters remain easy to clean. A. A big mistake is organizing belongings before you have completed the process of deciding which items to keep. It can be discouraging to see how much stuff you actually have, but you need it all out there, in the middle of the room, to figure out what stays and what goes. You can have lasting success only if you shrink the piles first. Like with many important life changes, you cannot move in two directions at one time.

You’re adamant about good bra storage— folding straps and sides into the cups so they stand up. Why?

A. I believe happiness is enhanced by making small moments, even choosing a bra, as joyful as possible. Folding bras so they’re upright instead of flattened, and organizing them by color—darkest in front, lightest in back—doesn’t take much effort. And when you open the drawer and see bras displayed the way they are in finer stores, it’s a positive start to your day.

You touch on wallets in your book. Why is it crucial to have a neat one? And how do you keep it that way?

A. Most of us look at a wallet as just a holder for things that we’re usually in a great hurry to retrieve. But it’s where we keep some of the most difficult-to-replace items in our lives—it deserves gratitude. I recommend cleaning it and removing anything you do not need on a daily basis. Valuing your wallet can even change your habits, prompting you to spend money with more discretion.

You tell us to get rid of things that don’t “spark joy.” That’s still hard. How can we make it easier?

A. Hold each object in your hand. If it doesn’t spark joy, you know you need to part with it. Many of my clients feel guilty about letting something go,so I encourage them to say “thank you” to the item before getting rid ofit. It sounds strange, but they tell meit works—it relieves them of the guilt. When we appreciate items in our lives, even those that won’t be part of our lives much longer, it helps us feel better about our decisions.

Illustration by

The Ellaphant in the Room

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My two kitties have fleas. Is there a natural way to deal with them?

A. Fleas can be, well, pests. “They’re built to last,” says veterinarian Andy Roark. Manual removal is labor-intensive, but it’s the best bet for a chemical-free fix. First run a flea comb through the fur section by section, dunking it in soapy water between strokes. “The fleas stick to the comb, then fall out in the water,” says Roark. Vacuum carpets, rugs, and couches, and machine-wash bedding—the cats’ and yours. Repeat the combing and the cleaning every other day for a few weeks and this should destroy the fleas, their larvae, and the 50 or so eggs (ack) that each female lays daily. If it doesn’t (or the process makes you want to play dead), you may need a chemical treatment. “Ask your vet for a product with an insect growth regulator,” says veterinarian Karen Faunt. “IGR prevents larvae from maturing.”

Written by Sarah Grossbart Photograph by Elliott Erwitt

How do I handle pet jealousy? Whenever I’m petting my kitten, my 10-year-old Shih Tzu mix comes over and tries to move her.

A. Your instinct may be to pile on the affection or to shoo your dog away. But the most effective response is to ignore the behavior. Any attention, even if it’s negative, can be construed as a reward and reinforce the habit. When your Shih Tzu tries to move the cat, “just move away,” suggests animal trainer Mikkel Becker. The next time he does it, command him to sit. “If your pup doesn’t obey, move away again. If he does sit, finish cuddling the cat, then give the dog lots of petting and praise,” says Becker. “After a few of these exchanges, he’ll learn to anticipate that when the cat gets some petting, he’ll soon get the same.” You can speed things along by occasionally offering your dog a treat or a toy when the kitty wanders by, she says. “This way, your dog will stop associating the cat with competition and start looking at her as a harbinger of good news.”

A. Daily toothbrushing is the official recommendation of the American Veterinary Dental College, but don’t fret if that feels impossible. Even a biweekly brushing at home can be enough to reduce tartar and plaque and ward off dental disease when combined with regular cleanings from a veterinary dentist (typically every two years), says veterinarian Gayle O’Konski. Using a toothpaste formulated for dogs, like Enzadent Poultry Flavor Toothbrush Kit ($11, vetrxdirect. com),brush back and forth or in a circularmotion for at least five seconds on eachside of the mouth and in front. Aim forwhere the teeth and the gums meet. Most dogs easily tolerate the brushing, says Becker. But if yours won’t comply, you can minimize plaque by giving him a dental chew three times a week instead. (Greenies Original Dental Chews, $12 for six ounces, greenies.com.)

THE PET EXPERTS

certified animal trainer for Vetstreet.com.

D.V.M., vice president of medical-quality advancement for Banfield Pet Hospital, Portland, Oregon.

D.V.M., Morris Animal Hospital, Granger,Indiana.

D.V.M., Cleveland Park Hospital, Greenville, South Carolina.