Organizers Extraordinaire!

Daily Delight: Wearable Planters for Your Bike

admin — Sun, 20 May 2012 10:49:21 +0000

I think today’s delight speaks for itself – adorable. The miniature bike plants by Wearable Planter is a small way (literally) that you can go green. The planter attaches to your bike with an elastic nylon cord and is made with 3D printing so it’s kind of like having a planter from the future!

And they don’t just have planters for your bike – they have plants you can wear around your neck, on your handbag and even on your clothing. I always wondered what it would be like to be a walking garden.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Daily Delight: Dessert for the Military Forces

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:41:59 +0000

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Happy Armed Forces Day, friends! Today is dedicated to all the men and women out there who serve our country, and one way you can show your appreciation is by filling their tummies with something sweet and delicious. Kitty of Fahrenheit 350 concocted this patriotic dessert by dyeing her favorite white cake mix blue, cutting them into star shapes and topping them with white-chocolate dipped cherries.

This is just a small way you can thank the soldier in your life. So whether or not you attend a parade or just spend quality time with your family, I hope you eat some (star-shaped) cake and enjoy your day.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Home Office: So I’m Organized…Now What?

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:41:59 +0000

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My final coaching with Julie Morgenstern started by looking back at my home office reorg and finished by looking forward to what comes next.

One of my treasures: my elementary-school lunch box

The fourth step of the SHED process is Drive Yourself Forward. To do that, I needed a list of goals, based on my theme, Root to Flower.

Julie and I traced my experience of the first three steps, then created a list to keep me on track with my goals: to dig roots that would enable me to nurture myself, my creativity and my friends and family. Here’s what we came up with:

- send more hand-written notes
- start back to work on my personal writing, particularly poetry
- offer feedback on friends’ writing
- take a crochet class
- begin entertaining again

I was pretty satisfied with that list. But then Julie surprised me by asking me to add one more thing, something so wild and out of my comfort zone that I couldn’t imagine doing it.

After brainstorming things like jumping out of planes and taking up golf (LOL), it occurred to both of us that I had accidentally stumbled onto this in February when I began taking TRX classes. (That’s the Navy SEALs’ exercise system, where you use body-weight resistance and straps to torture yourself into shape.) I’ve been attending twice a week at 6:30am (I know, right?!) and I love it! I couldn’t hold a plank for 5 seconds when I started; now I’m up to 40, and in every class I do something I think I can’t. Talk about a confidence builder!

Looking back, I knew I’d get a clean office out of the deal. But I didn’t realize just how much my life would change as a result. Not only do I have a cozy, quiet place to work, but in less than a month, I’ll have a new house to do it in –– and more time and energy to devote toward myself and my friends. Of course, now that I’m moving, my office is filled with boxes again…but this time they’re filled with treasures, and unpacking them will be a joy.

By Kelley Walters
www.HGTV.com
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Moms Turn Crafts Into Cash

admin — Sat, 19 May 2012 10:41:59 +0000

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If Pinterest has taught me anything, it’s that crafts aren’t just for kids.

I don’t even own a glue gun so perusing the lovely photos of handmade items gives me an inadequacy complex. Even so, I love buying these treasures. As a mom, I gravitate toward mom-made items since their inspiration is in large part because they couldn’t find exactly what they wanted in stores. My first experience was at a church bazaar where I ended a two-year quest for the perfect diaper bag.

Recently at Duck Duck Goose, a nation-wide children’s consignment event, I was surprised to find a few noteworthy handmade items. Typically consignment sales are a place for moms to buy and sell gently-used children’s clothing, toys, furniture and the like. Along with recycled items, Duck Duck Goose offered a vendor section for crafty moms to sell and promote their goods.

Graphic artist and at-home mom, Tonya Green, uses her talents to create customized tote bags, screen printed to look like the child.

For more information, email her at caliandtonton@gmail.com.

Mom entrepreneur Melissa Yates designs not only hair accessories, but also display-worthy organizers that make finding a hairbow to match an outfit easier than digging through a box.

Her Melissa’s Bows-N-Things store can be found on Etsy.

One of my favorite booths at the event was In Flight Celebrations, founded by party-mama Mayra Rivera. I wish I had known her a few years ago when I was in my throwing-everyone-a-baby-shower phase.

Mayra’s blog is a great source for event décor inspiration.

Mom bloggers, like Gabrielle Blair’s popular Design Mom website, are great resources for craft ideas. Also, check out the HGTV Pinterest board for Handmade projects.

If you’re a craft-proficient glue gun owner, give us a shout. I’ll have my credit card ready.

Photos by: Danielle Evans Photography

By Sarah Herron
www.HGTV.com
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Daily Delight: Patterned Tableware

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:35:01 +0000

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Every time summer comes around, I always tell myself I’m going to throw a lavish outdoor party with fancy hors d’ oeuvres for my guests. I have never actually done that, but this year I’m determined to make that happen. This tableware by Jill Rosenwald may be just the thing I need to encourage me to go through with my plan. The vivid colors and patterns differ with each piece, yet they all come together through complementary color palettes that will bring life to your party — just be prepared for your guests to come back for more!

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Answer to”What the … ?” Paper Pots for Your Bathroom

admin — Fri, 18 May 2012 10:35:01 +0000

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Michelle was the first to guess tissue holder, but the paper pot from UncommonGoods.com is also a stylish way to store toilet paper in a guest bathroom. The top of the pot unscrews and includes a rod to hold the toilet paper, or you can set tissues on top. Now you won’t have the dilemma of whether the paper should unroll from above or underneath the rod.

Check back next Wednesday to guess at a new item.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Daily Delight: Strawberry Jam Jar

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:33:42 +0000

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Strawberry season is fast approaching, and aside from making Italian strawberry shortcake, you can show your love for them with this strawberry jam jar by Wise Apple Vintage. The lively red color would make any room pop, but I think it would look fantastic in a kitchen and a good way to hold all my unsightly mail and junk. What would you store in this vintage jar? Tell us in the comments below.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Upcycle 101: From Fruit Crate to Toy Chest

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:33:42 +0000

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Upcycling. You love it, right? Equal parts upgrading and recycling, the art of upcycling promises to breathe new life into those found objects you just aren’t quite sure what to do with. Case in point: a fruit crate I was gifted by some lovely blogger friends while teaching a course in Portland last summer. You might argue that a fruit crate is an odd gift, but to a design blogger? A fruit crate is the mecca of possibility.

Still, the aforementioned crate sat dusty in my entryway, begging to be used for more than hat, gloves and scarf storage. And as we started to plan our little one’s nursery (she’s due in July!), the thought hit me: why not transform this fruit crate into a rustic toy chest with a hot pink caster twist? The project was easy peasy and took just a few materials: casters, spray paint, spare wood and the crate itself! Here’s how we pulled it off:

1. After gathering our materials, we sprayed primer (one coat) and spray-painted (two coats) the casters and let dry overnight.

2. Because the wooden base of the crate was thin, we cut thick blocks of wood to swallow the screws from each caster. This ensured a stable, sturdy fit.

3. We then placed our thick blocks of wood on the inside of the base and pre-drilled our holes in the bottom 4 corners of the crate.

4. Lastly, we used lock washers and screwed in each caster.

Super quick and easy, right? Tell me, what’s an object laying around your house that you’d love to re-purpose? I’ve got a list a mile long and would love to hear your’s!

By Erin Loechner
www.HGTV.com
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What the … ? Double the Color

admin — Thu, 17 May 2012 10:33:42 +0000

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The flat top on this object reminds me of a whistle, but it doesn’t make noise, and it is a fashionable addition to one of the most popular rooms in your home. What do you think this object is?

Give us your best guess, and we’ll reveal the answer tomorrow.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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Daily Delight: Decorate Your Walls With Hats

admin — Wed, 16 May 2012 10:32:46 +0000

Read More at www.HGTV.com

So I thought I’d continue Home Improvement Month with another easy project. This idea comes from our very own Sarah Richardson, who spruced up a wall in her summer house with straw hats. If you have a cottage style home (or even if you don’t), the hats can really add an extra lighthearted touch. You can incorporate some colorful hats or stick to neutral ones like Sarah did — you really can’t go wrong whichever way you choose to display them. Plus, you will save some room in your closet so you have an excuse to go shopping!

What other simple home improvement projects are you doing this summer? Tell us in the comments below.

By Farima Alavi
www.HGTV.com
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