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{spring essentials}

Spring essentials are fresh flowers, spending more time outdoors, longer walks at sunset with the people you love, spring cleaning, eating cleaner and the list goes on.  And although as much as I don't want to admit it...spring essentials can be items that spruce up your wadrobe or home.  Here are a few pieces that have made my Spring more lovely...

navy & coral striped dress from my favorite neighborhood shop

comfortable wedges with my treasured bauble necklace



what spring essentials are you enjoying this season?

Top 5 Favorite Handbag Storage Ideas

Recently a good friend asked me tips on organizing handbags and I thought it might be a suitable post for Deliciously Organized.  I store my clutches in a hanging shoe bag and my larger handbags {I only have a few} are hanging on doorknobs on display.  

Here are my favorites that I've used in the past...

HOOKS:

This is the most interesting way I've ever seen hooks used to store handbags.  I posted about this a while back when it was in Lonny.  Love how much space this saves...


You can also use hooks on your clothing rack, I think it takes up too much valuable closet space, but hey, if you have it, this is a great option!


On the back of the door is an amazing space saver!


Love what they did here on the wall...you could easily set up hooks on the back of a closet wall too.


tip*be aware that over time hooks can put too much strain on your straps


CUBBIES/BOOKSHELF:

I've posted this closet before in the past, I think the above the door storage is genius.  Loved how they used every square inch to neatly organize all their handbags and shoes. 


This would be an easy fix if you had the shelf space...

via

Two wonderful storage ideas, one to use the above door storage space and two to use the door to display a bag on the door


Again, a shelf to keep bags upright 


tip*add tissue paper to keep their shape

ON THE DOOR/DISPLAY:


CLUTCHES:

I mentioned this at the top, but I stack my clutches in a hanging shoe bag and my special ones flat on my dresser.



If you had the space in a drawer, this is a wonderful option...




OTHER OPTIONS:



via

If you have Fall, Winter, Spring & Summer bags you can always store them under the bed:


or in a basket...


tip*store in pillowcases to keep looking new


I know there are several more ways to store bags, but again, these are my favorite!

from the country.

The East Bay is hardly the country, but we city folk like to joke that we're going to the "country" when we visit our family in the burbs.  Yesterday on my trip I snipped quite a bit of roses from my fathers garden. Sadly, a few were effected by the heat when left in the car, but not all of them...These bunches of roses remind me of how intoxicating the smell of fresh roses are from a garden, makes such a difference. Does anyone have a garden full of roses?  I have to say I'm very jealous if you do!

you can never have enough decorative pillows...

right?


Don't you love a good throw pillow sale?  Most definitely my weakness!

all from Villa Home on Joss & Main today!

saturday morning {gluten free, sugar free & vegan banana mini muffins}



I hope everyone is enjoying their Saturday morning and Easter weekend! Today I spent time on my patio drinking tea, readings mags {old & new} and nibbling on gluten free, sugar free & vegan banana mini muffins. I used the banana bread recipe adapted by babycakes cookbook and decided to turn it into mini muffins {I was desperate for any form of bread or pastry}.  I  added freshly ground nutmeg and cardamom {two of my favorites when baking breads}. And...a few chocolate chips {second photograph} made their way into half the muffins for the people not on the cleanse who wanted a bite.  Recipe to follow with my changes...

Ingredients:

2 cups bob's red mill gluten-free all-purpose baking flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup coconut oil, plus more for the pan
2/3 cup agave nectar
2/3 cup rice milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 medium bananas, peeled and mashed
*fresh nutmeg
*cardamom

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Lightly grease mini muffin pan with coconut oil.  In a medium bowl, whisk together the flower, baking powder, baking soda, xanthan gum, salt, and cinnamon.  Add 1/2 cup oil and the agave nectar, rice milk, and vanilla to the dry ingredients.  Stir until the bater is smooth.  Using a plastic spatula, gently fold in the bananas until they are evenly distributed throughout the batter {add chocolate chips or nuts at this time}.  Pour the batter into the prepared mini muffin pan.  Bake the muffins for about 20 minutes rotating the pan half way.  Insert a tooth pick into muffin, when it comes out clean it's done.  Let cool on rack.  Store at room temperature covered with plastic wrap up to 3 days. 

*find more about the cleanse including shopping list & recipes  here

de-cluttering {affirmations}

I just stumbled upon these lovely affirmations on de-cluttering...

emersonmade via design sponge




Limiting belief: It’s overwhelming.

De-cluttering affirmation: It is easy for me to be organized and productive.


bunny williams design library via lonny








Limiting belief: I don’t have enough time to get organized.

De-cluttering affirmation: I am important, and I allow time to care for myself. 

via by decor8



Limiting belief: I can’t get organized—I always take one step forward and two steps back.

De-cluttering affirmation: I experience life as a joyous dance, and make perfect progress in getting and staying organized.






*find several more affirmations on this list on Natural Health by By Hillari Dowdle

steamed cauliflower {with tahini sauce & fresh parsley}


This is Day 5 of the cleanse if you've been following along.  I know people were interested with the cleanse at the end of last week, so I'm still trying to post recipes throughout the day for ideas. Anyway, the photograph of this recipe isn't my favorite because I had my first amateur photography meltdown with a memory card this week.  After shooting several recipes & plugging my memory card into my computer, the card had only captured one photograph {although clearly on the camera during the shoot}.  Total bust. Sooooooo disappointing.  In conclusion, I had to re-create this shot with what was left. I also used any leftover tahini sauce to dip my kale chips into.  Again, surprisingly good for vegan/gluten free.  If you'd like to try: 
    Ingredients:
  • 1 small head cauliflower, cut into florets
  • 1/4 cup sesame tahini
  • 1/2 teaspoon organic gluten-free garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon unrefined sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon organic extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 2-3 teaspoons chopped fresh organic parsley (optional garnish)

Preparation:

Steam cauliflower 9 to 10 minutes until tender to your liking. While the cauliflower is cooking mix the tahini, garlic powder and salt in a coffee cup with a spoon (or small whisk) until there are no lumps. Mix in the olive oil, then the lemon juice, then the water. Allow the sauce to sit for a few minutes and mix again. If you like a thinner sauce, add slightly more water, a teaspoon at a time. Whisk until smooth.  

Serve cauliflower drizzled with sauce and garnished with fresh parsley.





*recipe from here
*find more about the cleanse including shopping list & recipes  here

garlicky kale chips


I know what you're thinking, quinoa with grilled veggies was o.k., but now kale chips?  I was very skeptical too my friends.  I've been meaning to try them and the cleanse was the perfect excuse to do just that.  I found my recipe in Natural Health April/May issue {can never get enough of this magazine, but very hard to find} and I was surprised at how tasty this garlickly green crunchy snack was.  I dipped mine in a tahini sauce {shown in cup} that I made {recipe to follow in the next post} and the chips became ever better.  If you're so inclined, recipe below with my changes to the right:


olive oil spray {or coat the pan and kale in olive oil}
large bunch of organic kale, washed and dried
teaspoon garlic powder 
kosher salt {or pink himalayan salt}

1. preheat oven to 300 degrees. prep two large baking sheets with olive oil spray
2. trim kale stems and cut or tear leaves into 2-3 inch pieces. arrange kale in a single layer on two baking sheets. coat with spray and sprinkle with garlic powder & salt
3. bake 15 minutes, or until crispy and slightly brown around the edges, flipping once. 


*find more about the cleanse including shopping list & recipes  here

Organized Space of the Month


isn't she a beauty?


*found via pinterest

good morning {with green juice}


This is my first glass of green juice since starting the cleanse!  Typically I would start my day with a glass on a cleanse and have a green smoothie near lunch time, but I haven't had the time to make them this week.  If you're interested: 

bunch of organic chard
bunch of organic kale
2 organic apples
1 organic cucumber
1 meyer lemon

You can do any variation with juice.  Add ginger, beets, celery...whatever your heart desires.  If you don't have a juicer, try making a green smoothie {actually better for you because you lose fiber when you juice}. Put a bunch of kale, cut peaches and spring water in a blender to start.  As you drink more, you can start adding superfoods listed on the health & recipes page and switch up the fruits/greens you use. 

*find shopping list & recipes for cleanse here
*find another post on juicing here and here

spring flowers...



can't. get. enough.

endive leaves stuffed with mango salsa


Tonight during yoga, 85% of the class I was thinking about eating stuffed endive leaves.  Real focused, I know. Anyway, I made these last year during a cleanse and thought I would make them again this year since I was craving them.  I did the following:

organic heirloom tomatoes
organic mango
organic avocado
organic endive
organic red onion
himalayan pink salt
pinch of cayenne pepper
squeeze of organic lemon

Mix all ingredients together and stuff into endive leaves.  Very easy, light and delicious!

*find shopping list & recipes for cleanse here

bananas foster {cleanse friendly}


While doing a cleanse it's best to only have fruit in the morning.  BUT, there are times when a sweet dessert is necessary.  This is a recipe I came up with last year that I love. 

organic coconut oil
organic bananas
organic cinnamon

Warm up a few teaspoons of Coconut Oil in a frying pan.  While heating up, slice a couple of bananas and sprinkle both sides with cinnamon.  Fry on each side until golden brown.  You can add a scoop of vanilla coconut bliss ice-cream on top or eat warm in a cup.   


*find shopping list & recipes for cleanse here

organic quinoa salad {with grilled veggies}


Tonight we decided to fire up our new charcoal grill and I made a grilled veggie quinoa salad for the occasion! Perfect for the cleanse!  Here is what I threw together if you're interested:

organic quinoa
organic corn on the cob {grill then slice off}
organic red onion
organic green bell pepper
organic heirloom tomatoes
organic baby tomatoes
organic carrots
organic basil
olive oil
himalayan sea salt

Cook quinoa and then mix with basil, heirloom tomatoes & olive oil while still warm.  Drizzle olive oil over the veggies and throw on grill {you can roast in oven too} add veggies to quinoa mixture.  Sprinkle with himalayan sea salt.  Serve immediately.  Check back soon if you need a tasty dessert for the cleanse!

*find shopping list & recipes for cleanse here

organic broccoli soup {vegan}.


Today it's chilly here in San Francisco so I made a hot broccoli soup {gluten free/vegan} to warm up.  This is a quick and easy recipe for anyone doing the cleanse.  Saute onions in olive oil, add organic broccoli and cover with organic vegetable broth and cook until tender.  Puree in a blender. Serve hot. I added a bit of green onions on top to garnish.  Very filling & delicious.  I will try my best to post cleanse recipes {as I make them} for those doing the cleanse.  If you haven't read in a while, I've started a cleanse today and will be posting with recipes...you can read the shopping list here & more about the cleanse here if you're interested in joining. 

Organizing Tip of the Week: Organize Files


I like to take a few hours near tax day to organize my files in my home office {aka tiny space in kitchen}. This is a great time to toss any old files that aren't necessary to keep, shred that stack of papers you've been meaning to toss {guilty} and check to see if your passport & drivers license will need to be renewed anytime soon or any other items that may need renewal.  Lastly, I use this time to tackle any miscellaneous files I've seemed to create over the past year...I use regular file folders and hanging files for my paperwork, but here is a post from last year with more options!


Spring Cleanse: Shopping List

See List HERE under Health & Recipes

a bright & colorful friday

inspired by all the vibrant flowers today...

I'm very excited about the response to the Spring Cleanse post in comments & emails!  I will try my best to have a shopping list up by the end of the day, or tomorrow.  My goal is to start this Sunday and go until Easter Sunday {the following Sunday} or continue to go for 28 days.  Just so you know what you're getting into...


This cleanse consists of cutting out the following:

*caffeine
*alcohol
*gluten
*animal products
*sugar



*this photograph has nothing to do with the cleanse, I'm just inspired today by all the bright flowers and decided to snap a shot.  Also, I had been eyeing this Kate Spade bag for months but decided to go against an investment piece and pick one up at Tarjay by Linea Pelle for under $24.  The faux-leather actually is very soft and the inside of the bag has polka-dots {only complaint: wish the hardware was gold & not silver}.  Lastly, faux-leather makes this bag very light which I love.  

spring cleanse, interested?

mexican sage
first {almost there} bloom of the season from the rose bush!  

I'm planning on starting my Spring Cleanse in just a few days.  I'm more than happy to share my shopping list, menu items, and resources I use.  Please either shoot me an email me or leave a comment letting me know you're interested!  The health posts are time consuming and I'd rather know if you'd like to hear about it.

Would love your feedback!

*you can find a shopping list & recipes here

Organize your Shoes in an Ottoman


Love this idea for a small apartment!  A little pricey, but you could definitely use this ottoman as a coffee table to double your space in small quarters. Looks like it's available this summer by Lily Pulitzer.  Doesn't this shot make you want to run out and buy several new pairs of Spring shoes?


new love.

A few weekends ago I found a new love on my Saturday...gardening.  I personally found it relaxing?  This is the first place I've lived where I've had the space to do so...
I've planted a few strawberry plants, tomato plants, rosemary, peonies and I already had a little mint and roses.  I would love to add more...

Although, I'm hoping they survive and I'm able to enjoy them through the summer.   
AND, I wish I had one of these spaces to store my tools and arrange my flowers (if they bloom!)...
all three above via

anyone do any gardening this past weekend?  what are you growing?