On Display

As I wrote in this post, I have been looking for an organizational solution for my jewelry so that I can see it all and make the selection process much more fun. I ended up getting this glass display case from Ikea and I love the results. 

I have laid out all the pieces that I actually wear at the moment for easy access. 

I laid pieces out by category so I can see all the options. The cabinet has plenty of space so each piece has plenty of space to be seen and then replaced later. 

A vintage necklace display and my (creepy) hand mannequin offer a few other places to place items so I can browse easily. 

The bottom shelf is the perfect place to display clutches. The cabinet comes with doors, but I opted to leave them off for easier access. 

A hand-me-down crystal tray gives me a place to put the pieces I wear almost every day. 

There is plenty of wall space above, so the hunt is on for a few items to hang to personalize the space. A mirror is a must, since it will allow me to try things on and check out how they look. 

I keep other pieces in my original jewelry box and when I am ready to switch things out, this display makes it easy. I like how it feels a bit like a boutique. They always say to shop in your own closet and this certainly makes me feel like I really am. 

xo

Erin 

Jewelry Organization

Jewelry storage has been an annoying part of my day recently. I have a beautiful jewelry box that holds everything, but it is hard to see what I actually have when there are so many drawers and tops to open. I also tend to put everything away neatly every three months only to find myself laying all my pieces around the box once I have worn them. It is time to figure out something that actually works for me so I can see what I have and actually wear everything. 

I LOVE these built ins...

If our closet was not already finished, I would be asking for one of these to be built in and have a mirror on the outside. 

I also love the idea of displaying your jewelry just as they would at your favorite boutique. These glass cases from Ikea are a great example of how to do that and at a great price. 

You could use trays, bowls, and jewelry hangers to add some depth so you can see everything. Maybe throw your clutches on the bottom of the large one for display? 

This wall mounted mirror from Target is great because you can actually check yourself out once you try something on. 

Our room has baseboards, so I cannot hang anything like this. 

I think the display case from Ikea is the way to go. Just need to check it out in person to see what it really looks like and how functional it might be. 

I will keep you posted...

xo

Erin 

Starting to Get Jolly Around Here

Finally settled back into reality after a fantastic break on the beach, I decided to start the holidays off yesterday. I will be hosting Christmas this year and decided there is no time like the present to get things started. Let me just be clear that decorating for a holiday is not usually my forte, but I am trying a bit more now that I have the responsibility to bring on the cheer and all. 

So here are my first attempts at a few, easy ways to bring on the jolly. 

Tiny star garland (Target) and big round bulbs (Ikea) on a mini tree in the entry...

Note: Real tree, but just a little guy

 Branches (Ikea) and garland (the real deal) in the kitchen nook....

Filled my usual flower vases by the entry with some cheap ornaments (Ikea), bead garland (Ikea) and costume pearls (mine), plus spruced up the back with some leftover greens and branches (more like shoved, but it turned out pretty good). 

Things really got crazy when I filled this silver champagne chiller with metallic ornaments (Ikea) and some strands of LED lights (Ikea). Kind of obsessed with it. Not so much because it is so gorgeous, but because it made me feel clever, which rarely happens. 

So far, it is starting to feel like the holidays, and I like it. 


xoxo
Erin 

Surprising Kitchens from Ikea

Ikea has always been a great place to browse and maybe pick up a piece or two that you either don't want to spend a bunch of money on or caught your eye and could not live without. It has come a long way from college apartment furniture and your go to place for a TV stand. 

While we all want the kitchen of our dreams, with this economy and real estate market the days of pouring your life savings into it are pretty much over. Well at least for most of us. Ikea has seriously stepped up to the plate with affordable options to give you a super chic and functional space that will look every bit as great as the neighbors who drained their 401ks. 

PS: My other favorite find at Ikea right now is house plants. Although I am struggling to keep them alive, they have the best plants for cheap with great pots. 

xo
Erin

Backyard Prep

Here in the Midwest, we wait a very long time for the temperatures to climb and the ability to go outside without a parka on. If we are lucky, we get about three months of weather where we can actually venture outside and get some vitamin D. 

While other regions of the world take advantage of the weather by biking or paddling down a river, we prefer to eat. The perfect BBQ is relaxed, has plenty of cold beverages, and ridiculous amounts of delicious food. 

With Memorial Day this weekend, and a few months of warm weather, it was time to do some browsing to make the backyard entertaining ready. Since the time frame for outdoor use is so short, I bargained shopped at some of my faves: Target, Ikea, and CB2. 

1. Camp lantern from CB2 $15

2. Galvanized planters from CB2 $7-$30

3. Dinner plates from Ikea .99 

4. Set of 4 Tumblers from Target $20

5. Wood folding chair from Ikea $15

6. Outdoor gazebo with curtains from Ikea $129

7. Smith & Hawken planter from Target $70

8. Pewter pitcher from Target $49

9. Wood serving cart from Ikea $90

10. Set of 6 fuchsia glasses from Target $34

11. Set of 4 stemless wine glasses from Target $11

12. Formosa burnt orange tray table from CB2 $50

13. Clear serving tray from CB2 $35

I am obsessed with the Camp Lantern. You can use it on a table or string some up in a tree. I also like finding cheap, but durable serving pieces. No need to buy paper or plastic when your guests can drink out of a glass and eat off a real plate. If one breaks, you will not care at just 99 cents a pop. 

Here's to a fun filled summer! 

PS: if you need any recipe ideas for your next BBQ, check out my cooking blog under the labels 'grilling' and 'sides' on the left hand side. More to come this week! 

xo

Erin 

Genius Mirror Update

This idea is so fantastic, that I just have to share. If you live in a house where mirrors with no frame, shape, or design hang, you will love this post. Many places are built with mirrors in the bathrooms that are impossible to get off, and even if you do take it down you are left with a serious project to repair the area. Patching, painting, and finding something that fits the space could take lots of money and lots of time. These types of mirrors in my house drive me bananas. They are not attractive and the only thing I have ever thought of doing is hanging some sort of frame around them, but even that sounds like more of a project that I can handle given the shape and size requirements. And let's get serious, I am not that crafty or have the patience for certain handy work. In comes an idea from a great design blog, Little Green Notebook. This genius idea requires just some picture hanging tape from 3M and inexpensive frameless mirrors like this one from Ikea. I love how it gives a stock mirror some whimsy and interest. More traditional shapes would also work, and might be a little more man friendly. This oval mirror would look great. I love when I can find a clever idea that is actually doable in my world. That world being a place that does not require a call to a handy man, any real skill of any kind, or power tools. A hammer and a measuring tape is as far as I can get and even that can get a little scary.

xo
Erin