DIY Jewelry Organizer

I have been searching for a new way to hang my long necklaces so they are easy to see and quick to put away.  I went to the DIY heaven that is Pinterest and pulled together a few different ideas and came up with the perfect solution.

 

 

After switching a majority of our clothing hangers over to the slimmer velvet hangers we had a plethora of old wooden hangers laying around so I grabbed one.  To recreate, any thicker wooden hanger will work.

You will also need small ceiling hooks from the local hardware shop.  I grabbed two packs of 10 for the jewelry hanger and made sure they could handle 5 pounds (I don't have any crazy heavy necklaces but figured better to be safe). 

I measured out the spacing to fit 10 hooks per side and Brandon helped by hammering a starter hole at each mark that I then twisted the ceiling hooks into.  I made sure that all the hook openings faced the same way.

 

 

This ended up being an incredibly easy project so I looked around to see where else we could use the old hangers and found a way to store Brandon's belts.

I used slightly larger ceiling hooks and followed the same process but for the belt hanger, which would be hanging with the clothes and not against the wall like I plan for the jewelry organizer, I had the ceiling hooks facing  alternating directions so the thicker buckles of the belts would fit.

 

 

I am loving how functional these organizers are.  They have already been put to use but I am starting to think a little fresh paint may jazz up the jewelry organizer and make it a bit more girly!

Office Furniture

After sketching out the plans and reading tons of reviews we picked out the furniture for our office space.

I am loving each piece as we put them together and can't wait to see my ideas come to life.

 

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1. JosephineDesk

2. Bookshelf

3. Cube Organizer

4. Craft Desk

5. Chair

The one integral piece I am missing in this new space is color!!  I am currently a big fan of clean white spaces and just can't seem to find the color palette that fits.  As we finish organizing our files and office supplies we hope to add some great color pieces to tie the whole space together.

 

What color scheme are you loving lately?!  Any suggestions?

Weekend Recap

Back to Monday!  We had a great weekend over here and I am sad, as always, that we have to wait five more days to get to do it all again.

 

Saturday while Brandon was working I met my sister for a lunch date at Mermaid's Winery in Norfolk.  We first tried this place for Beth's birthday last year and loved it.  We had been waiting for a great weather weekend to try it again.  Unfortunately the patio had been closed for the season, but we enjoyed ourselves just as much inside. 

 

Can we talk about how much I am loving this fall weather!  The perfect temps for putting together some of my favorite layering outfits.

 I had an epiphany moment over my Saturday morning coffee of how I wanted to lay out our office and after talking it through with my sister, I was excited to head back home to sketch out my space plans, 

 

Sunday started with cinnamon roles and lots of coffee before we drove to World Market to pick up my birthday desk (thanks honey)!  Brandon would have put a pair of horse blinders on me if he could as we walked into that amazing store.  He had to steer me straight to the register as I started to wander.  It was my first time inside and I have already planned my trip back to check it all out!

 

I have to say, the Josephine Desk may be the simplest piece of furniture to put together and I did it all by myself!  It is gorgeous!

 

Three pieces and the same tool I use to use to replace my rollerskate wheels... that's my kind of construction work!

My in-laws invited us over for dinner and we ended our weekend enjoying some homemade pie!

 

How was your weekend?  What has been your favorite furniture finds lately?

 

The Funk

*Knock on wood people!* I may very well be out of the funk that has been the end of summer/start of fall for me!

Do you ever feel that can't quite win feeling?  Well I see light at the end of the tunnel and it may very well be a beautiful fall.

 

 

We are finally starting to feel settled in our house.  The 'can't function well without' essentials have been purchased (who knew how much you would miss a trash can in the kitchen...) and we have plans for the extra spaces.  Everyone has said it will be an ongoing. never-ending project, but oh how I wanted it all to be so perfect as soon as we moved in.  As I learn to love the process, we will spend the weekend cleaning out the garage (so my car can finally fit in) and put together the office.

 

 

I have finally gotten my lazy bum back in the gym and oh it feels so good!  I have a degree in exercise and work next to a fitness center...  it is a bit sad how long it has been since my yoga pants saw any more activity than walking to the kitchen to grab the oreos!)

 

And all work fronts are looking pretty darn great!

 

Now on to start a great weekend!! Happy Friday!

Best Girl's Night Outting

A few months back my old college roommate was getting a bit stressed as her wedding day drew near.  She was finishing her masters, working full time and planning for the big day, with her and her fiancé doing all the hard work.  My college friend Heather and I knew Katey needed a little girl time so we made a plan.  Heather drove down from PA and I drove up and we met Katey in Alexandria to do our bridesmaid duty of doting on the bride-to-be.

 

Heather and I decided we needed to plan something fun to do to get Katey out of the house and away from wedding prepping and in our search stumbled upon ArtJamz in Washington, DC.  It sounded perfect.  We could make reservations ahead of time (which seems key for any activity in the city) and show up for an hour of open paint time. 

 

How ArtJamz works is they are an open paint studio.  You purchase a package, which includes a canvas and a drink to start (wine/alcohol/beer).  The small 2-story storefront has easels set up along the walls and you pick your space.  You then have free reign over a wide selection of paints, tools, scraps, stencils and more.  The music playing through the speakers sets the perfect mood for a great time.  I also have to say how amazing and friendly the staff was.

 

 

Now, the three of us will never quit our day jobs but we had so much fun sipping wine, attempting to paint and laughing hysterically at our lack of skills. 

 

 

 

It was the perfect cure for all of us!  It wasn't just another night of sitting around chatting (which we can totally do that for hours too) but had us all out of our comfort zones in the most fun way possible. 

 

We most definitely recommend checking out ArtJamz or other paint studios like it!  Have you ever gone to a paint party? 

 

 

Office Inspiration

My husband gave me the ultimate birthday gift for my birthday.  Not only did he get me the desk I have been lusting over but I got the green light to decorate the office... my way!

 

This has been both a blessing and a curse!  My mind is now overflowing with ideas for the perfect office space... and the ideas won't stop.  I can't wait to decorate, but I can't choice just one look.

 

Allow me to share the flood of inspiration

 

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 I am leaning towards a white, fresh and modern look.  The space will be used for a mix of blogging and sewing/crafting.  Trying to find the balance of functional and design is the key.

 

Tomorrow will be spent measuring and layout design.  I can't wait to share more as we build this to the space of my dreams!!

Weekend Recap Birthday Edition!

I kicked off my birthday weekend enjoying pizaa on the couch watching Halloween movies with Brandon.  With no neighbors nearby (unless you count the deer) we don't get any trick-or-treaters. 

 



no little kiddos wanna make the long hike up the driveway...



Saturday, I froze my buns off on the sidelines of my oldest nephews soccer game, cheering on the kids for their last game of the season.  

 

Then I had a little happy birthday to me moment and went to mall to add some new clothes to our closet.  I forgot how much I dislike in-store shopping... I mean the parking, the crowds, the taking clothes on and off... but I am glad I went since some great pieces I saw online fit much differently then I expected.  I scored some amazing deals and can't wait to put some new outfits together.

 

My sister treated me to dinner and some Anthropolgie shopping at the new store in Virginia Beach that just opened.  The shop is amazing and full of incredible pieces, including a spoon rest and ring dish that have a new home in our kitchen!

 

I want all the mugs!!!

Sunday was spent with my family and Brandon at my parent's for brunch.  The award for greatest brunch contribution goes to my brother, Mark, and his pinterest-worthy fruit salad grill! 

 

 

After a delicious brunch we headed over a local brewery.  We took over the tiny shop with all of us there, but it reminded me how lucky I am to have such an amazing family.

 

if you live in Virginia Beach be sure to check out Beach Brewery near Oceana Naval Base... great staff and good drinks!

 


everyone but my brother-in-law and nephews

Brandon and I then headed back home, stopped by a friends house and then finally made it to the house to enjoy the last few minutes of the weekend together.

 

How was your weekend?!  Did you enjoy the extra hour or has it now thrown off your entire sleep schedule like me?

 

{carried my camera around all weekend and only used the iPhone... way to go me!}