Sunday, March 25, 2012

Coat Closet Clean-Up

     Hello everyone!  We had a very rainy weekend and I thought, what better way to spend a dreary day than to tackle a small organizational project.  As much as I admire those homes where the owners have every space perfectly organized, my home is far from it.  We have a very hard time keeping everything in its proper place.

     There is no better example of our disorganization than what is
 behind this closet door....


     This is our foyer coat closet.  It is not very big and is used solely for collecting our shoes and coats when we get home.  However, as you can see, the shoe situation has seriously gotten out of hand.....


     I know....YIKES!  It is pretty funny when you consider the fact that we actually have a shoe rack, yet most of the shoes are strewn about.

     I kept a basket on the top rack with the idea that it could hold winter hats, gloves and scarves.  As you can see, the shelf actually holds a computer bag, some random plastic bags, a baseball cap, and an American flag scarf (don't ask, I have no idea why we have this either).....


     Clearly, this closet needed a makeover so that it could be functional again.  A trip to The Container Store brought the much needed organization that this little closet desired. 




     Awwww much better.  The green container on the top shelf holds handbags and the natural fabric box replaced the basket full of winter accessories.  It has a lid, which not only keeps the space tidier, but helps keep dust off of its contents through the Spring/Summer months. 

     I can definitely breath easier knowing that every time I open this closet I will be able to find my shoes with ease.  Now we just have to make the effort to keep it up.   Were you able to keep the look of your organizational projects, or did you fall back into your old habits? I'd love to hear from you all!

                                                                                                       -Molly

Sunday, March 18, 2012

How to Make Pom Poms

     Some of you have been asking when I am going to post photos of the baby's room.  I promise to have photos up VERY VERY SOON!  Part of the delay has been my search for something special to place over the baby's crib.   I am not a huge fan of the popular plastic mobiles that most baby stores sell.  Rather, I want something eye catching and whimsical, but also budget friendly. 

     So one day, while doing a search on the web, I came across the idea of pom poms.  You know, those fabulous tissue paper flowers we all learned to make in the 80s.  Well, they are back in style and are a very popular decoration at weddings, baby showers, and now nurseries. 

     I love this idea!  Not to mention they are super cheap to make.  '

     Since I am making them for the baby's room, I chose tissue paper in bright pink, pastel pink and white. 

     You will need 8  (20 x 20) or (20 x 26) inch pieces of tissues paper per pom pom, scissors, and 18 inch floral wire.  Lay your tissue paper out flat and begin folding the paper in 1 1/2 inch accordion style folds.  Just like this....



     Next, take a piece of your floral wire and fold it at the half way mark on your folded paper.  Twist the remaining wire to keep it from slipping.  Just like you see here....


     Then trim the edges of your tissue paper with either a rounded or pointed edge.  I chose a round edge as seen here....


      "GENTLY" pull each piece of tissue paper apart and fluff.  The tissue paper is very delicate so go slow or you could easily rip the paper. 


     When you are done it should look something like this....



     So far I have hung three.  I may choose to add a couple more.  Although, sometimes less is more.  I chose to hang the pom poms with clear fishing wire, to give the illusion of being suspended in mid air.


      Looking forward to sharing with you the final room reveal!  Happy Decorating!!!!!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Spring Fever!!!

     Hello everyone...I went M.I.A. there for a bit.  The last couple of weekends have been busy.  My family came into town to throw me an awesome baby shower, and the next weekend was spent celebrating my birthday! All of the partying definitely took me away from my decorating hobby.  I am glad to be back, and ready to tackle more projects.  But first, I need to address a bad case of SPRING FEVER!!! 

     I'm not sure if it is the gorgeous weather we have been having, the time changing this weekend, or a combination of them both, but either way, I can hardly wait for Spring!  I am longing for the days where flowers are starting to bloom and the trees are turning bright green. 

     So with Spring on my mind, I decided to decorate for the season.  I started by hanging a forsythia wreath on my door.  In Maryland, forsythia is always one of the first signs that Spring is here....



     I then headed indoors and began decorating my dining room buffet table.  I found this adorable "SPRING" banner at Target.....


     I added a bunny....


     I added some polka dot ribbon and fun colored straw eggs that I've used in previous years as napkin holders...


     And of course, I had to add some candy....my sweet tooth must be satisfied!



     Together, these small touches brought Spring indoors, and without a doubt, brightened my dining room!


          This was just the cure my fever needed...  HAPPY SPRING!