Clutter turned decor

Hey all! Have clutter? Who doesn't at some point!? I wanted to share a project I recently did that helped de-clutter the top of my dresser. BONUS- it's now easier to clean!! Woo-Hoo!!

For Mark and I's honeymoon a few years back (I can't believe it's been 2 years already!) we went to Jamaica. By the way- looking for a place to vaca, go to Jamaica! Holy paradise! I fell in LOVE with Jamaica. Why doesn't Foot Locker open a warehouse in Jamaica?! Maybe I need to work on that......
Anyways! While in Jamaica I wanted to bring back a few souvenirs to remember our time there. I ended up picking up some really cute little shells that I found on the beach while we would go on a nightly walk. (Btw- is it illegal to bring back shells into the US? If it is....then I meant that I did NOT bring anything back. In fact I left things there.....). So, let's start again. I have a friend that brought shells back from Jamaica, not me. Anyways, this friend put the shells on display on my dresser so I would see them each day as I got ready. Sounds sweet right? Until you have to pick up each shell and clean under them each week. And by that I mean clean under them occasionally and mostly dust around them because you are too lazy to move them. This was getting old fast so I needed a better solution to display my (I mean my friends) mementos from our honeymoon without the hassle of having it in the way. 

Here are the shells from Jamaica that I used in my project. 

After many hours wasted on Pinterest I can across a really cute project that someone did with a shadow box. I immediately started work on mine! First- obviously needed to buy a shadow box. I bought mine at Michael's craft store for $10.99. 

I didn't really like the plain stark white background of the shadow box so I decided to buy a Make Market linen panel also from Michael's for a backdrop. I was able to snag this on clearance for $1.50. Score! 

This project was super easy to put together! First, I laid out exactly how I wanted the shells to look in the frame. I decided on a heart outline. After I had a general idea of how the end product would look I placed the linen panel in the shadow box and secured it down to the backing with a little clear tacky craft glue. I then glued each shell down using the same tacky glue in the desired shape and viola! Done! That's it! It was a really simple project but turned out great if I do say so myself. Last but not least it doesn't require cleaning and is a more creative way to display something I love rather than just having them propped up on our dresser. 

Here is the final result!

Love it!! Super easy and cheap! Only about $13 after tax. What can you de-clutter around your house and craft into super cute decor? I'd love to hear what projects you have done!

Until next time.....

#firstworldearbudproblems

Hey there! So something happened to me yesterday that is one of my biggest pet peeves...... tangled earbuds. Or are they called headphones even though they go in your ears..... Anyways, I know you are probably like, "Really Allison, that's your problem for the day. woooowww" #firstworldproblems #smallprobs #theywerereallytangled. Ok Ok Ok I'll stop.  Not sure why I went on a hashtag slide there. My bad!

Really- this happens to me all the time and yes I know I am to blame because I just throw them in my purse and expect them to roll themselves up. Well, they never do! 

So I took to the internet to figure out a cheap and easy way to fix this. (yes I actually looked this up. Don't judge me). I didn't want to buy some gadget that holds the cords, just a way of tying them or something easy to DIY to help. I found a few ways and wanted to share them with you!

Headphones before:

The way I am using it the way I am picturing below. It doesn't take any materials, just wrap the cords a certain way. I admit I had to think about this one to continue to wrap it correctly. May not be the best way in a hurry or until you can memorize the way to do it. Or maybe i'm just slow........that's probably it....let's be honest. 

Just make sure you loop in front of your pinky finger and behind your index finger. Lastly, pull the plug in through the hole and you are done! When ready to use, just pull the plug back through the loop and pull. They should pull apart easily!

You can always use the tried and true of just wrapping them around your fingers and wrapping the cord on itself but I like the method above because they pull apart easier. 

Some people deploy fancy or DIY gadgets to hold their headphones

Or even use containers to store their cords away from other items:

And then there are the just plain disturbing.....

It looks like the holders you can buy range any where from $1 to $30.....the disturbing gargoyle/monster/demon head was $25. Why anyone would buy that is beyond me. 

Hopefully this helps in your quest for the perfectly organized earbuds....or earphones.......or headphones......or whatever they are!

Until next time.........

Rule of 3

Hello all!  Happy summer! Crap............. summer is pretty much over.......

Can you believe it's already September?!?!?! I have been SO busy these last few months that it seems like this year is flying by! With time flying by I have found myself in a less organized state. Might you say...chaotic. This happens to everyone once and awhile. Organizing takes work and planning. I find myself getting more stressed when things are busy and a dirty or unorganized house can just add to it. That's why it's important to make time to get yourself straight each week. Even if it's only for 30 mins in that week. Every bit helps!

I recently did a project to help declutter the top of my dresser in the master bedroom and it brought me back to something I heard about a long time ago. I have often heard that you need to follow the rule of 3. Ever heard of it? Well let me tell you about it! I try to use the rule of 3 as a guideline when looking at areas of my house all the time. The rule is simple: Only have 3 items on your shelf, cabinet, dresser, table, whatever. This helps to make the room seem less cluttered and overwhelming. Also- HUGE bonus- it's easier to clean! Yay! Now you don't need to stop reading and run around your house taking off items from every corner shelf in your house. Unless you are a hoarder.....then keep going.......yep- you're not done..........keeeeep going.........ok let's move on.

Really though-you don't have to only have 3 items in a space- the rule is really to be used to help you to simplify your space. Use it for how it works in YOUR life. 


Check out these really simple decor looks that use the rule of 3 as a guideline:



Basically you are trying to avoid this:


This is actually making my throat close up. Maybe i'm allergic to the tasteful stuffed tiger on the couch....
But really- these types of rooms are not inviting to others and are way too much work! 
Don't get me wrong- there may be rooms in magazines or set ups in stores like Ikea (aka mecca/the homeland) that look great and have alot of decor items in them. However- remember that they are trying to sell you something so of course they would have all items out to see. Check out this cute living room with all the bright colors and the cute dog (not included)


It screams style and cuteness BUT look at how much stuff is in there!! WAY too much! Take out half of that and the room would look gorgeous! Oh, and...leave the dog- he helps too!


Now, again, I am not saying you need to go on a decor binge- maybe just find new ways to display your style that doesn't make people want to wear a respirator just to be able to breath around it. That's all I'm saying. Get creative! Make a fun project rather than a chore! Re-purpose an old cabinet to display items, build a shelf, buy a mansion....ok you get what I mean. Keep it fun and use the rule of 3 as your guiding light. 

Until next time.........

The Holidays- the time for cards!

Brrrrr it's cold!!!  Hope your holidays have been at least warm with memories and good times. But really, it's been WAY too cold for my liking. However, the good thing that comes out of it being so cold- I stay in and work on DIY or watch way too much TV. Yes, I did both this past week- don't judge me.

I thought I would share one DIY I did that I am in complete love with! Like seriously, I might have stared at it for awhile today. For real.

Anyways- the project. I wanted to make something that would hold all the cards we get this time of year. Not trying to sound snotty like "Oh we get so many cards because everyone loves us and we are super popular and blah blah blah". I mean if you say that, then that's all you. With my birthday being right around the holidays we get cards for Xmas and for my birthday all at once. Pretty soon your whole kitchen table is full of cards. Then you might have to resort to eating on the floor like a vagabond all while having your pretty cards displayed. So if you don't want your neighbors to think you are scared of furniture or from another planet- here is a $9 fix to free up that card clutter. Here is how to take a picture from Goodwill like the one below and turn it into a cute card holder!

Bet you are wondering why I didn't want to keep the picture as is....let me tell you, it was a tough choice.....


First thing you do- Get supplies. Like I mentioned above, this project only cost me $9!  NINE DOLLARS.....that's like a #2 at McDonalds with a Diet Coke. All you need is:
- old picture frame
- paint
- chicken wire
- staple gun & staples

To start I went to Goodwill to buy a picture frame. Any frame will do- it's really about personal preference. I wanted something to fit in a very specific wall in my house so I went looking for a  frame that was longer rectangle shape. It's up to you how your frame looks but I like the ones with a little more design to them. Plain ones are fine, again personal preference. So I picked up my frame from Goodwill for $4 (little pricey I know but it's totally a kickass frame)


Then I went to Home Depot and bought chicken wire. They come in rolls out in the garden/outdoor section. I believe the smallest roll you can buy is 5'. I bought a roll of 10' for $13. Yes I know you are wondering- what the heck am I supposed to do with all that extra chicken wire?!?!?!  Don't get your panties in a bunch- there are tons of things you can do with chicken wire. Too many for me to mention. Anyways- I bought the roll of wire and used just enough to fill the frame- only about $2 worth.

Now comes some assembly! First I cut the chicken wire to size behind the frame. I cut mine so the wire came to about the middle part of the actual frame piece. Did I forget to mention you don't need to save the matte or glass from the frame? Oh yea- you don't have to save those. No need! If you can buy a frame without them- score! There are plenty of other things you can do with a matte or glass. Anyways- back to the frame.

Now that you have cut the chicken wire to size you have your first choice. Do you want to paint the wire or not? If so, it's easier to paint it while it is not attached to the frame. I personally left it silver because it looks awesome. Another option I have seen people do is leave the chicken wire outside for a few days in the rain or snow and let it rust. Gives it a shabby kind of feel. If you want to paint the wire go ahead and paint it (spray paint is easiest) and leave it to dry as you move on to the next step. Also- there may be pins or latches on the frame to hold in glass- I would recommend you pull them- don't really need them for this project.

If your frame doesn't have a picture hook on it- you can buy one or a pack from Lowe's, Home Depot, Menards, Walmart, etc. My frame did not come with anything to hang so I looked around the garage and found a hanger.

Now it's time to paint your frame. I personally attached my chicken wire to the frame before I painted the frame because I skipped painting the chicken wire. Really it doesn't matter. I went down into my craft room (yes I have a craft room now! Will be doing future posts on it!) and brought up some gray paint from a previous project I had done. I painted my frame to looked a little distressed on purpose. I didn't fill in where I was painting all the way and sometimes took a paper towel and wiped off a little paint. It came out looking so good!

Now time to attach the chicken wire to the frame. I used a staple gun- 1. because it secures it tight and 2. because it makes you feel like a badass. I sued the smallest staples I could find- 3/8'. I stapled around the frame through the back to secure. You just need enough to keep it on there- cards aren't heavy enough to need heavy duty stuff. The staple gun and staples didn't cost me because my hubby already had them!

 

Lastly, I ventured to Ikea to find the hooks I used. I did not go to Ikea just for the hooks. I actually stumbled across them but they were a brilliant find! By the way- have you been in an Ikea before? It's crazy! As you can probably tell it was my first trip in one. Anyways, I bought a package of these hooks on sale there for $3. I used about half a pack. Now just slip the hooks into the chicken wire.

Now clip up the cards and you are done! Now you can claim your kitchen table back and stop eating with the dust bunnies. I love the way this looks on my wall and I LOVE that it keeps the clutter contained! 

Hope you had a great holiday!

Laundry time

Yesterday I was finishing up some laundry and it got me thinking- there has to be a better process for this. If you are like me, you hate doing laundry. If it was sociably acceptable I would wear dirty laundry forever just to not have to wash it. (Try to hide your disgusted face.)

There are a few things out there to make this task alittle easier and I wanted to share a few:


Get a laundry sorter. I personally have one and I love it! I am able to separate out the different types of loads I am going to do before I start laundry and just grab and go when that load is next. I have mine kept in the laundry room at all times since it does take up more space than your typical hamper. Also I love that it has wheels for more accessibility. They range from $29 to upwards of $89. I have one I paid about $30 for and it works great.



Needing to dry something by laying it flat? I typically use the top of my washer or dryer to lay sweaters out to dry but it can get annoying since I have a top loading washer. I totally didnt know they made things to help with this. It's a drying stand. It folds up to not take up as much space and has a top to lay shirts on. Not sure how much room the top has for clothes to dry at the same time- but always an option to look into.




Pillow cases are you shoes best friend. Cleaning athletic shoes can be a pain but there are several tricks you can use to be able to wash your shoes in the washing machine. By no means am I saying this is the best way- just a way I have used and works good for me. Don't be putting those new Jordans in there- they cost way to much to do that. Trust me, I know. I work for Foot Locker :)
Anyways- It's best to take out the laces of the shoes to that they do not get tangled, however, this is not a must do. I typically just untie the laces and drop the entire shoe in a pillow case and they do not tangle. So, drop them in a pillow case and drop in the washer. They also sell bags made specifically to wash shoes in, but a pillowcase works just fine.You will want to use liquid detergent instead of powder. Powder can easily stick to the shoe and not wash out as well. I find it best to wash shoes with blankets or a load of towels. This will help prevent your washer from taking a beating by the shoes. Something important to remember- do not dry your shoes in the dryer! This may be ok for a bit for nasty old yard shoes you dont care about but not ok for your regular shoes. This can mis-shape them, melt part of them if the temp is too high and possibly cause colors from the pillow case to bleed into the shoe. It is always best to air dry the shoes. Usually takes 24 hours to dry so plan ahead.

 

 

 

Of course I am going to say having storage for your laundry essentials helps alot. I have several baskets in my laundry room that hold everything from dryer sheets, stain remover, and smelly good add-in's. I also set up my liquid detergent alittle different in that I put it in a very large mason jar that has a spout. I personally like this because I can see exactly how much detergent I have left (helps when I am making my shopping list) and I just think it looks better than the regular store bought bottles. I like that I can combine a new bottle with old detergent I am finishing out without having 2 bottles take up that space.

 

 

Another thing that is super helpful it somewhere to hang clothes that are drying. Some houses have this built in but others don't. If you are part of the population that does not, there is a simple solution- a shower rod. Use a shower rod between two walls or cabinets to hang clothes on. They are much cheaper than buying a shelving system and work just as well.

 

 

 

Hopefully this makes the art of laundry not so cringe worthy. I know my laundry room needs some updates so look for that in future blog posts! Until then I will just dream of having a laundry room like the ones below.......a girl can wish.....