Category Archives: Living

Mission: Jewelry Organization

I never used to own a ton of accessories but over the past six months or so I’ve started collecting more. A bracelet here, a necklace there…and before long all my pretty little things wound up in an uninspiring heap on my nightstand. So, this weekend I went on a mission in search of a storage solution.

I started at Goodwill, looking for a DIY/upcycle option like so many I’ve seen on Pinterest. I didn’t find anything for the jewelry, but I did spy these amazing faux bois appetizer trays.

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Wood grain must be my theme for February! I figured out that these are from Target’s 2012 holiday collection. They’re no longer available so I have no idea what the original price was, but for $4 in the box–what could I say? We were destined for each other. I can think of half a dozen uses for these–on a desk to hold office supplies, bathroom vanity for perfume and lotion bottles, on an end table to catch the man’s wallet and loose change, as a tray for  pretty candlescapes. LOVE them.

On to Michael’s next. They had some cute jewelry displays but none that would totally work for me. They did, however, have washi on clearance. Couldn’t pass up adding a few more to my collection. I’ll stop… one day. Maybe.

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After trying a few more stores and coming up empty, I was starting to lose hope! I made one last-ditch stop at Ross, and what to my wondering eyes…
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A jewelry tree! Not terribly different than these…
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from Pottery Barn, Urban Outfitters or West Elm, but for a fraction of the price!

Thanks to this baby, my messy nightstand has been transformed. Almost every piece of jewelry is connected to a special memory–our family vacation to New Hampshire, the funnest wedding I’ve ever been to, our unbelievable trip to Italy. It’s a collection of happy, sparkly moments blooming from every branch. I’d say: mission accomplished.

Today is the Day

A new year, with a fresh start and all kinds of good plans shaping up for the next 12 months, of course deserves a beautiful new planner to keep track of it all. Even though I love my iPhone and I get the convenience of the techie schedulers and task managers out there, I’m a paper girl at heart. For some things, like calendars and goals and all my endless lists, I need a good old fashioned pen and paper in my hands. This year I treated myself to the beautiful Today is the Day Pocket Planner designed by one of my absolute favorite letterers and illustrators, Jessica Hische.

I’ve been carrying it with me for almost a week, showing it off wherever I go. I’m in love with the vintage-style lettering and delicate flourishes, the illustrated quotes and the tiny little pocket in the back–perfect for collecting things for Project Life (another new adventure I want to try this year). It makes me happy every time I look at it. Well, today IS the day! I’ve gotten over my tooprettytowritein-itis and I’m ready to watch my year unfold on it’s lovely pages. Which will make me even happier every time I look at it.