5 Attainable Pieces of Original Artwork to Hang on Your Wall

If there was an ever a time to support small artists and creators, this is it.  I know so many of us are spending more time at home than ever so what better time to find some beautiful pieces to look at while we are spending so much time at home.  

Selecting art can be such a hard decision but I encourage you not to take it too seriously. Just find something you connect with and it will bring you joy.

Here are 5 (reasonably affordable) pieces of from artists I've been crushing on...

This dramatic skyscape by KatyLeigh is memorizing whether you see the clouds or not.

You know I'm a sucker for creepy portraits and this girl with bird by Nursel Fine Art checks all the boxes. 

This little crushed toothpaste painting by Kristine Kainer would be perfection in a bathroom.

If you need a piece for your kitchen, I'm loving the fried egg paintings Anna Shevel has done.  Pop art for those who like to cook!

And finally this pastoral painting by Sara Tubens is both calming but hard to look away from.

Any of these strike your fancy? Or do you have other artists you ar crusing on? Please share their work in the comments!


Organizing Products You Need in Your Life Right Now

I know I'm not the only one purging and organizing my house every January so this one will be no different.  Thanks to being at home the last 9 months, I've actually be organizing my heart out all year. So when would be a better time to share my absolute favorite organizational find than now?

In no particular order, these are my favorite products to get your life in order this year or every other.  (If you don't want to read my little story that comes with each item, feel free to just look at the list directly on my Amazon shop here.)


Pretty pre-made food labels:  I've said it before and I'll say it again, consistently labeling will make anything look bespoke.  Take a bunch of recycled jars or boxes and throw some pretty labels on them and watch the magic happen. I made these for myself a while back using my Cricut but it took forever to design and print and weed.  If I had known pre-made ones had existed, I would be all over it!  If you don't love this font choice, there are loads more to choose from - just search around.

Stackable acrylic drawers: These were my hero storage find last year. I used them to organize the chaos that was breeding in my under sink storage areas.  They are amazing!  Not only does it look so much better having these pretty bins staring back at me, it also makes it a snap to find everything. Now when I need a bandage or a nail polish or a hair tie, I know exactly what drawer they live in.  They also help so much in not purchasing more of something you already have but can't find. They can be a bit of an investment but they are worth it! They come in a few different sizes so be sure to measure careful around any existing plumbing to make the most of your space.

Toiletry Bag: While we haven't actually gone anywhere exciting last year, we did spend a good amount of time at our place at the Jersey shore.  Having a good sized toiletry bag already stocked that can hold full sized products as well as all the other little things I carry was perfection! The clear bag makes it easy to find. The little pocket is great for earrings or hair pins. I also tend to leave it right on my sink sometimes - its easy to tuck away when Im cleaning up. (Someone recommended this bag to me last year but I can't remember who! If it's you, thank you!)  For $7 its hard to beat this little workhorse.

Water Bottle Organizer: Before I got this, I can't tell you how many times I've had a stray water bottle fly off the shelf and try to kill me.  Between the kids' school cups, coffee thermos and big water bottles for long park days, we seem to have so many and there isn't a good way to cut down on the number. These organizers hold them all a little cubby so they can stay with their cap and not come flying out or get lost. 


Reusable Ziploc Bags: Are we the only ones who go through an insane amount of those plastic throw away bags?  They are so handy for just about everything but also super wasteful.  These can help with that.  While they won't completely replace my need for disposable ones, at least this will cut down on them somewhat. 


Baskets Baskets Baskets: This is the answer to one of the most common questions I get.  How do I keep my house tidy even though I have young kids with tons of toys.  The answer is simply: baskets.  Everything and anything looks better contained. And when it comes to toys, something pretty and texture like these rope baskets are just lovely to look at in any setting. They also make post play clean up a breeze.  Kids can easily throw everything into a basket without much assistance. If you don't have kids, they also work really well for blankets, storing throw pillows, laundry, towels and pretty much anything that looks sloppy sitting on the floor.


Skincare Organizer: This little 5 compartment storage bin is my personal solution to makeup/skincare products I like to have on my bathroom sink counter without looking like a pile of junk.  It holds a surprising amount of stuff but doesn't take up too much room and is easy to clean.  When it starts to overflow, I know its time to purge.


Old School Label Maker: I know I've mentioned this before but its the best 10 bucks I've ever spent on anything organization related. I use it A LOT and I don't really know how I went this far in my life not having one.  No need to charge it or download it or find batteries - it at the ready whenever you need it.  And each little role of tape lasts a shockingly long time.  Great as housewarming gifts too! Everyone needs one.


Silicone Toilet Brush: Okay so maybe this isn't strictly organizational so I'm cheating here but I have to profess my love for a toilet brush somewhere and this seemed like the most logical list for it.  First off, it's footprint is TINY - much smaller that the typical toilet brush you probably already own.  Second it works just as well if not better. Third its made of silicone so "nothing" sticks to it if you catch my drift.  This is the better mousetrap.  Get it.


Refrigerator Organizing Bins:  Ok this one is definitely in the "nice to have", not "must have" list but if you have been following organizing tik tok or the Kardashians you know that perfectly organized fridges are the hot things to have in 2021.  I admit I haven't quite gotten to a point where I would share the content of my fridge with the world but these little containers (they come in lots of different shapes and sizes to suit just about anything you eat so make sure you figure out what you need before ordering) make eating and cooking a visual treat!


So there you have it!  Do you have any organizational favorites you want to share with me? I'd love to hear all about them!





Christmas Mail 2020: Snowflake Screwdriver

I won't bother boring you with the cliche '2020 was the worst' recap.  With 7 days to go, we got out healthy so fingers crossed we drag ourselves across the finish line and have a much more positive 2021 waiting for all of us. Without further ado, here is this year's Christmas mail.  I included this little snowflake screwdriver tool because I can't be the only one who can never find one when I need it. I hope all of you have found magic in the holiday season.  Happy New Year!


In case you missed them, here are our Christmas Mails from the past decade:

2019: Hot Cocoa 

2018: Air Fresheners

2017: Hand Warmers

2016: Lump of Coal (this one might be my fav)

2015: Bottle Opener

2014: Socks 

2013: Markers (I loved this one too but so many people were confused!)

2012: Cinnamon 

2011: Mints 

2010: Chapstick 

Living Room Glow Up


I know it's been quiet around here. It just felt so frivious to talk about decor when so much more important things were happening. But Christmas time is here so it was time to get decorating. I've been thinking of making a few changes to my living rooom for a while now so this was the perfect time to make it happen. Come on in!
 

Warning: this post is pretty much a present to myself - things Ive been wanting to do for years but always put it off.  Well now is the time people.  What are we waiting for?

New light fixture, who dis?  Yes I finally switched out the big chandy for something more sleek and updated. I'd been lusting over the outrageous expensive RH version for years when I finally found this very similar style from Mooielight and I was sold!  I did come with a bit more assembly then I expected but I'm thrilled with how it looks up. While its not an exact dupe it's very close for a LOT less money.  (I'll share more about it in another post.)

Another new change is this tv area.  I finally got the "Frame" tv and I'm absolutely enamored! I know its just a tv but ain't she pretty!  It hangs tight onto the wall so no unsightly mounts peeking out and will show artwork and photos when not in use.  

And finally I found this wooden mantel shelf that fit perfectly underneath from Decor Steals.  I originally ordered it thinking it would be great for holiday use but I think it adds some interest to the spot so I might leave it up all year round. Last but not least the Christmas bling! Most of it I've had a while but a couple of new additions. Like the little snowy tree I painted myself (follow my tik tok for the how to), the gingerbread sign, the frosted garlands, lighted snowflakes and twinkly curtain lights.  In honor of the Rockefeller Tree stowaway owl, I put some of these little owls in the decor this year too. Something only I would notice but no one is coming over anyway so why not?


Phew thats a lot to take in one post but suffice to say I'm really pleased with how its all came out.  Especially now that we are home ALLLLLLL THE TIME - I really needed to change it up.

If you are still reading - thank you!   I'd love to hear how you have been making the most of the season this crazy year in the comments.



Halloween 2020: Grimms' Fairy Tales

I know its been a bit quiet around here but it is October and you know what that means.  The very best holiday (even if the world's worst year).  We are still debating about if we should or should not give out candy but that isn't stopping us from decorating and dressing up.

I wanted to do something a little more whimsical this year. I admit coming up with a theme that works both as decor and fitting for a family of four is getting harder and harder but we found one: Grimms' Fairy Tales.  

Specifically we are focusing on Red Riding Hood with a few nods so some other classics thrown in.

I went light in the DIY department this year.  Just making some basic signage and the books.  A lot of these decorative elements we had already but we did splurge and get some new pieces too this year. Most notably that werewolf that howls and looks right at you when it's plugged in.  (Check my insta stories this month for the full effect!)

So there you have it.  Halloween is definitely not the same this year but at least we are having fun where we can.  And yes we will be dressing up.  Grandma, the wolf, red and the woodsman are coming to a stoop near me later this month.

If you want more Halloween, check out all of our prior years' wicked Halloween decor


Family Photo Books

Hello strangers! I know I've been MIA lately but I just couldn't bring myself to post about pretty little projects or decor considering what was going on around me. We are very fortunate to be healthy and safe sheltering at home but the last few months have felt like a decade. Things seem to be improving - albeit at a snails pace - so I'm feeling a bit more myself these days although we have a ways to go.


So one of the few things I've been able to accomplish in this time was catching up on my annual photo books. I love these books - not only because they get our favorite photos and memories of these years out of the digital world and into our hands but also because the kids love to look at them and talk about our fun times. Especially now when we can't do as much - its nice to rehash our favorite trips and holidays.

I won't lie that a lot of time goes into pouring through all of the year's photos to cull it down to our favorites but it's so worth it!





For those that are curious, I always use Blurb for book printing. Specifically the image wrap hardcovers in 8x10 size with ProLine Pearl Photo Paper. I'm a pretty picky customer about photo printing and paper quality and have always been pleased with the outcome. My only complaint is that they slightly changed their book size at some point so they don't all line up perfectly but its the kind of thing only I would notice.

They are a little more expensive than some of the bigger companies like Shutterfly but I think their quality is worth the cost. With a discount coupon (or you could use this link to save you 30%), the cost isn't so bad.

For the record, this post isn't sponsored - I just really like their product and have been using them for 10 years so I feel very comfortable recommending them.




Magical Lapland | Bucket List Family Trip


Imagine it.  Brooklyn, sometime in the 1980s.  I was just a kid and happened to catch some tv segment about families visiting Finnish Lapland to meet the big guy in red in the "real" North Pole.  It looked magical then but our family did not go on vacations no less fancy international ones to play in the snow so I filed it away in the back reaches of my brain.  It wasn't until years later that I was bit by the travel bug that I realized this was a real thing that lots of people did.  (Mostly Europeans.  Lapland is not on the travel map of most Americans - likely due to the distance and general lack of marketing to Americans).  I have been waiting for my kids to be old enough to enjoy the experience and it was finally time.  Off we headed to Finnish Lapland.





There are many ways to visit Lapland but we opted for the easy way out - an organized tour.  Normally that isn't really our thing but this made the most sense because we wanted to get the most out of the short time we had there (we didn't want to the kids to miss more school than necessary).  We ended up going with a company called Canterbury Travel.





Our charter flight left from Gatwick outside of London and off we went flying North to the
Rovaniemi airport.  We then drove about 90 minutes to the town of Lusto. We arrived in the evening to a landscape of twinkling snow and settled into our one room log cabin which could not be more charming.



It had a blazing fireplace, a drying room and a sauna and we used all three as much as we could in the time we had.  The tour company arranges snow suits for everyone involved and they kept us very toasty warm. The only problem was getting them on and off 2 wriggly children 10x a day.  





There is very little daylight in Lapland which makes photography a challenge but it was beautiful day and night. In our 3 days there we rode in reindeer pulled sleighs, got pulled by husky dogs, played with Santa's elves, met St. Nick and Mrs. Claus, drank lots of hot berry juice, roasted smores, pulled the kids on sleds, made snow men and snow angels and just generally walked around in a winter wonderland.  It was a magical trip and I highly recommend it!




While I fully expected to enjoy it, I was surprised just how much I personally enjoyed the outdoor activities.  The reindeer farm was a highlight - learning about how the animals are raised and how the farmers care for them was fascinating.  Even without Santa's magic, I would gladly return there in a heartbeat to see and do more at a more relaxing pace.

Sadly we never got a view of the Northern Lights.  A good reason as any to return!












Christmas Mail 2019 | Wake Me Up Before you Cocoa

Another year, time for another Christmas mailing!


This year we sent out 2 single serving tubes of yummy hot cocoa + marshmallow bits. Just add hot milk and enjoy.

This year I totally splurged on the postage but I will warn you postage rates have gone up a lot since the last time I did something bulky like this. We hand delivered a bunch to save some $ but then just bite the bullet on the rest.

As usual, I designed the card (thank you selfie stick for this year's family portrait) and put Luke to work in helping putting it all together.  It's a labor of love for sure. We hope our family and friends enjoy a warm cuppa on us.

Sources:
Test Tubes
Marshmallow Bits
Envelopes
Labels







Rainbow Stripe Desk Makeover

If you are following me on Insta, you might remember this little french provincial style desk we picked up for $20 bucks at a flea market. Aggie actually chose it so it was an easy sale. I shared a photo of her standing next to it proudly and soooo many people messaged me to say they had this same desk growing up in their bedroom. Not surprising since it was a big seller for years from Sears. It originally sold for $79!

Obviously I couldn't leave it as it was.






A couple of coats of chalk paint, a little refresh of the hardware and some rainbow stripes  for the top.  This was exactly the kind of makeover this piece needed to give it a updated look but didn't require much effort.  Aggie loves her new desk and it adds some great storage for all that paper that 6 year olds seem to create in their wake.


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