organizing: linen closet + diy round labels

homemade bath scrubs and dried lavender for scent & to use in scrubs/salts

Finally got our tiny linen closet organized!  Well, technically we don't keep linens in our linen closet...but this is considered a linen closet in our apartment and is our only closet other than a small one in our bedroom.  Anyway,  I started by tossing any expired products and got rid of anything we haven't used in the past 6 months.  After that, I organized the top two shelves {lower shelves are organized with several more items but didn't photograph as well} with items that we use most often.  Baskets I've had for years {along with a few new ones} were used to hold all of our loose items. To make them a bit more rustic I removed the liners, which I'm super into.  I could also add paper to the back of the shelves, but I'm not sure I want to take on that project right now.  Easy labels were created and tied to the baskets {don't look too close, they aren't perfect} by using the following items & not shown items...a hole punch and index cards. 

1. Ribbon 2. Favorite Scissors 3. Circle Stencil 4. Glue 5. Gold pen 6. Paint Samples

To make labels: Trace an index card with the circle stencil and cut out.  Then trace a larger circle stencil on the back side of a paint sample and cut it out.  Glue smaller white circle onto larger paint sample and then punch with hole punch.  Add ribbon and use gold pen to label your items.

Anyone else tackle their linen closet lately?    

diy body scrub {a base for salt scrub or sugar scrub + questions answered}

I'm going to go ahead and start this post off by telling you all that my fiance has been begging for the title of this post to be named after the TLC song "no scrubs", repeatedly singing, "noooooo scrubs", "noooooooo scrubs" for the past 10 minutes.  I have politely denied his request.  With that image fresh in your mind, I want to do a quick post on diy scrubs...so, "yeeeeeeees scrubs", "yeeeeeees scrubs".

Tonight I quickly made another batch of lavender scrub as seen above, but also added fresh lavender to the mix.  I recommend using the scrub within a few weeks if you decide to do this.

First of all, I didn't really give measurements in my last post and I wanted to clear that up.  Both of these bases {below} can be used to make any scent of scrub you'd like by switching out the essential oil. For example, you could use sweet orange, lavender, rose, peppermint, almond oil, etc. or whatever your favorite scent is with this base.  The measurements for the base are:

SALT SCRUB:

1/2 cup of organic sea salt
1/3 cup of organic raw sugar or 1/3 cup of organic cane sugar {tip: cane sugar is softer than the raw}

1 cup of room temperature coconut oil {best when it has a liquid consistency}

30 drops of essential oil 

OR

SUGAR SCRUB:

1/2 cup of organic raw sugar or 1/2 cup of organic cane sugar {tip: cane sugar is softer than the raw}
1/3 cup of organic sea salt

1 cup of coconut oil {best when it has a liquid consistency}

30 drops of essential oil 

Add ingredients in order listed above, topping it off with coconut oil {add more coconut oil if you like it less dry}. Then, add essential oil and stir with a butter knife.  Tip-the coconut oil may go back to a more solid form, add 1/4 cup of almond oil to create a liquid consistency again or more coconut oil. 

Lastly, people have asked if it's cost effective?  I personally feel it is because I always have sea salt, coconut oil and sugar in my home...but that may not be true for others.  I use these ingredients to bake often, so they also have multiple uses.  As far as essential oils go, I prefer using the cheaper brands (Aura Cacia is sold at Whole Foods and is under $6 for most scents-the sweet orange was $5.49} and buying a new scent ever so often.  Once I own a new essential oil, I mix it with water as a mist for pillows or skin, use it in the bath, etc.  As far as the jar goes, I use an old recycled jar so that is at no cost to me.  

The best part of making your own bath products is knowing what is really in them and I love knowing all the ingredients are organic {at the same time this is 100% hypocritical...as I slather on non organic products after I shower regularly!}.  Anyway, hope this helps a bit!

a little bit of life lately...

thought I'd post a few photographs from the past week...

{sparkling top at the nordstrom anniversary sale}

{while editing photographs from a recent wedding i attended, my fiance surprised me at the cafe with sunflowers. made my day.-photograph taken at home}

{made a large batch of rainbow juice}

{planted dahlias on the back patio}

{made a mini blueberry pie in ramekins-used this recipe for the pie- & this for crust + this shortening divided the recipe by 2...& added 1 tablespoon of coconut oil to the crust}

{received free hydrangeas courtsey of the nice neighbor}

{a lot of free hydrangeas...}

{and a bowl of coffee to start this past saturday morning!}

diy: summer scrub

Above is a fresh batch of scrub that I mixed together in less than a few minutes today! It is too easy not to share and it only takes four ingredients.  I wanted an energizing scrub that I could use in the morning, rather than the lavender scrub that I like to use in the evening.  The scent of orange is always energizing and mixed with the coconut oil it makes for a delicious scent and leaves the skin with a healthy glow.  This mixture is also nice after multiple days in the sun when the skin needs a little exfoliation.  Add ingredients in order on label below with the largest portion being sea salt, then top it off with coconut oil. Last, add about 30 orange drops and stir with a butter knife.

diy: decorative storage bins

There is a way to design your own stylish storage bins...

Originally found here, diy instructions & source here!

Imagine the possibilities...

easy flower arranging trick {aka floral frog}!

I'm constantly add crafting ideas, diy projects, etc. to my pinterest boards (or liking them) and most recently I re-pinned this photograph for a to-do when arranging flowers.  I finally took the opportunity to try this out & used a bunch of cheap dahlia's from traders and arranged them in a larger bowl.  I didn't do a fancy arrangement, just stuck to the dahlia's, but this was quick and easy.  I imagine if you were doing a more intricate arrangement this would be very helpful (especially if you had a large beautiful bowl to arrange in).  Also, a lot of times flowers like dahlia's (& zinnias) sink down into the water and tend to not last very long, with this idea the flowers have something to rest on and stay standing.  I highly recommend this method (I used regular masking tape instead of the cellophane tape).  Originally found here.

pen to {cute!} paper.

can't get enough of the new stationery I picked up a few weeks ago!

Black & White Stripes (on the back) + Gold + Kelly Green is one of my favorite color combinations (could even be our wedding colors + or - the kelly green.).  Having the cards personalized is nice too...

Writing letters to friends, thank you cards, or sending out a Holiday card has always brought a smile to my face.  There's something about putting pen to paper that I'll always love.

What are your thoughts on writing letters?

p.s. I can't find these cards on the Kate Spade website but they are in stores!

Organization & Life Inspiration: Jess Constable

I'm sure you've all seen this lovely shoot from Rue Magazine Issue 3, but I wanted to post a favorite shot from Jess Constable's studio and a wonderful tip on conquering anxiety, which is her very own worry cards with downloadable sheets (beyond clever!).

First of all, I love this shot from her studio.  Very organized with a touch of glam. 

and a few of her products...

 the single paisley bracelet is on my wishlist:

and her new handbags line which is perfect for everyday wear:  

my favorite is the white...

Lastly, the worry cards which I think are fabulous.  A lot of times having a to-do list for me is putting a worry down on paper and knowing that I can forget about it for a minute, but this system allows you to focus on one worry at a time and control what you can control at that moment and forget about the rest (and of course you don't have a daunting list staring back at you!). The instructions for the worry cards are below on the printable sheet.  You can download them here.

1. Print out this sheet (legal size paper!) and cut out the four rectangles along the solid outer line.  Fold each rectangle in half along the centerline and tape the open edge closed to create an individual flashcard. Repeat until you have as many cards as you need.  


2. Write down all the worries you have on the cards. Under your description write where the worry is coming from in your life: relationships, personal development, career, finances, or another category of your choice.  Separate your worries by category. 


3. Circle whether you are able to change, unable to change, or already have changed the worry. On the back of each worry card that you are able to change, write down the first step you can take to resolve this concern. On the cards that have the worries you are unable to change, write down your wish for that situation. And for those worries you have already changed (congrats!), write down why that worry is no longer valid.

4. Next, separate the worry cards that you are able to change and use the actions written on the backs of
these cards to form your action list for the rest of the day, week, etc. Order them so you only have to focus on one action at a time and then work to resolve the issues within your control.


5. Once you've resolved your worries, put the cards in a safe place to remind yourself of your successes.

*Photograph: Rue Magazine (January/February 2011). Decorated by Jess Constable. Photographed by Emily Anderson.

Organizing Products: Philosophy

I'm loving all the organizing products found in the Philosophy catalog!  Especially that lovely lavender!   

You can purchase them here.

mini peach crisp.

The city was beautiful yesterday and we decided to have an impromptu bbq and invite over a good friend who lives just a few blocks away.  I really wanted dessert and wanted to use a few organic peaches we had but didn't want to spend a lot of time baking so I tried to come up with something creative...

This recipe takes under 10 minutes to prep and uses only one bowl.  This is a combination of ingredients used in the apple crisp post and originally from reader Allison's recipe.

This is not a measured recipe...but if you're interested:

*peaches
*sugar
*flour
*cinnamon
*oatmeal
*brown sugar
*butter
*baking powder
*baking soda

In a bowl, combine peaches, a little flour, sugar and cinnamon and set equal parts into ramekins (I used 3 ramekins with 2 peaches).  Then in the same emptied bowl, combine oatmeal, brown sugar, flour, butter, baking powder and baking soda. Sprinkle mixture on top of peaches and bake for around 20 minutes at 375 degrees.  Serve warm with ice cream.

I hope you all have a nice Holiday weekend!  Anyone doing anything fun?