Tag: seasonal

Hey there, friends!  If you tuned in to last night’s post, you know what’s coming your way in the next several weeks.  I’m so excited to share all sorts of fun posts with you, and I know we’re going to have fun.  🙂

The season of excess is upon us…  And because of that, the beginning of Fall for me is really about organizing, clearing out, and layering with all the fun stuff like the decorations, new finds, etc.  Since you know we are not in our own home at this point (we are at my in-laws’ house), this house is big and is kept really well organized.  But everyone has cabinets, shelves, etc. that can use some sprucing, and that’s what these Fall Nesting posts will be about — nesting, or preparing for Fall, by organizing!

My first stop was the Pantry, and I have to tell you that this pantry is much larger than most so it can hold lots of other things besides food — small kitchen appliances, bulk or extra items, additional glassware, etc.  Those things I tried to just sort of consolidate, move around, and make a little extra room for.  It’s food that we all have in our pantry, after all, so this post will generally focus on how to organize that!

Five Tips For an Organized Pantry

1. Baskets are your best friend.

 Whether wicker or plastic — it does not matter!  When I organized our linen closet back at our old apartment, I went to the Dollar Store and found a bunch of different-sized plastic baskets.  My mother-in-law just happens to have a lot of the nice-quality Longaberger baskets, so I used those.

2. Keep friends with friends — group your items!

 You might be thinking to yourself — DUH!  But if everything has a home, a section, a shelf, whatever — it should always have a place.  Don’t put the cookies with the pasta.  Don’t put the coffee with the canned goods.  Remember: Friends with Friends.

3. Chalkboards are awesome schedule-keepers.

 There are five of us living in this house right now, and this is where we keep track of who is feeding the pups.  Also featured is a weekly quote that my father-in-law puts up — generally funny ones.  All you True Detective fans out there are having fun with this one.  🙂

 If you have the counter space, chalkboards are fun for decoration, too.  And you don’t need a wall to hang a chalkboard, people!  Hang one on a door with a command hook, or use a wreath hanger.

4. Labels are key.

 I picked these gift tags up at Target months ago in the Dollar Spot.  I just used a silver Sharpie marker and wrote what belonged in each basket.  Remember: If everything has a place, everything should easily have a home.  There are so many ways that you can label — I bet there’s even printable versions of tags like these that are free.  Check Pinterest!

5. Finally, this tip is important:  Before you go out to buy more groceries, check your pantry for what can be consolidated or tossed.  I’m not saying you should toss a bunch of good food, but chances are that if you don’t do this often, there is plenty in your pantry that can go.  Straighten up your pantry before you bring a bunch of new food in — that way, everything has a place to go right when you get home from the store.  You should do this with your fridge, too!

What are some other tips you have for keeping an organized pantry?

That’s right, friends…  It’s about to get spooky up here in this blog.

Pottery Barn

No, that is not my house that is pictured here, but I will say that the Halloween decor is up and it looks awesome!  I’m so looking forward to the next several weeks where I will be sharing the decorations, some DIY projects and table settings, and some recipes with you!  Also included will be showcasing posts about other Halloween and Fall decor, more projects and ideas, and I’m here to tell you that I’ve got the organizing itch, people!  It’s a disease and it’s a good one — and I’m definitely planning on sharing some transformations.  🙂

It’s going to be a fun holiday season.  This is arguably the best time of the year to be a blogger, and it starts right now!

Well, not right now.  Because I have to go to bed.  And only my mom is going to read this right now (hi mom!).  But…like, tomorrow.

Well, you may be able to tell that I did a little bit of editing on the site the other day.  It was time for a little refresher, and I must say it’s looking pretty cozy around here.  🙂  Perfect for…Fall!!!

 A last look at Summer decor…  Corks, candles, and seashells.  Can you see them in there?  I have a feeling Halloween decor will be coming out soon, and the shells and bits and pieces of Summer will be going back into storage until next year.  It’s one of my favorite times of the year.  Funny how many of us wait all year for the end of the year, when it seems like everything is just magical and warm.

 Another easy summer scene…this one with an antler taking center stage.  Because what’s a room without an antler or two?  Beach glass, odd-shaped and unique seashells, and don’t forget the minis.  Aren’t they cute?

The air is getting cooler in the mornings, and my mother-in-law even exclaimed, It’s time to decorate for Halloween!  Excitement ensued on my part.  I’m looking forward to Fall, cooler weather, an abundance of family-time, and then winter where we hope some big things are on the horizon for us.

But first, breakfast outside and a little bit of a quiet lull today that I will welcome with open arms.

 A little seashell centerpiece that I created using a metal tray, candle, and various seashells.  I especially love the tiny ones — they are perfectly shaped but so small and delicate!  There is some beach glass scattered around, too.  And, of course, sand — a messy decorating material, but necessary for beach-y scenes like this!

I’m back with a little bit more of our summer decor around the house.  After making a few different summery vignettes (which I will show you a little bit later), I strategically placed a few shells around to create a summer vibe.

Is it just me — or is the ‘random’ look sometimes harder to pull off — and more calculated — than it rightfully should be?

Effortless is sometimes less than effortless.  At least for me.  Like, I think this will look good here!  And then, nope.  And again, and again, until I get that feeling like *ahhhhh* — all is right in the world.  Or at least in this corner.  🙂

As Summer slowly but surely comes to an end (slower for us in the Southwest!), I thought I would create a few posts in the next couple of weeks to showcase the Summer decor around the house.  My mother-in-law keeps a variety of decorating supplies on-hand for this time of year — including lots of shells, sand, and some fun sea glass!

This is in the foyer — I loved this big shell and placed it on a stack of fanned books.

Here’s a little arrangement on the bar — sea glass and a starfish in an antique silver bowl.

Nine quail eggs rest in a pot by the front door.

There are quail eggs at the front entrance and quail eggs in the backyard this year.  My in-laws always have nests full of eggs somewhere outside, and this year is no exception.  Here’s hoping these little birdies make it through their birth and safely leave the nest.  Just more proof of Spring in Arizona.  🙂

Blooming season is in full force here in Arizona, and along with the allergies comes flowers and cacti blossoms, rabbits and birds.  It’s a beautiful time of the year here — arguably the most beautiful we see — and before we know it, it’ll be summer and the heat will endure for what seems like ages.  Needless to say, we’re enjoying time outside lately, and there are little vignettes of Spring throughout the house to remind us of this joyous time.

A pretty orchid in the foyer. 

 A bird, antler, and nest create an organic scene.

Spring flowers decorate the breakfast bar.  The middle roses were picked from outside!

Eggs and moss in a silver bowl. 

I hope you are enjoying Spring weather wherever you may be!