current obsession // mantel designs

We just recently moved into a new rental house.  And we love it!  It's a little roomier and we are so glad to have a backyard for the pups, but it did come with a few challenges... #1: a giant wood paneled fireplace/mantel.  Even with a design background, this was a challenge I have not yet encountered.  Mantel design is somewhat of a science, but it's rules are also meant to be bent.  To me, it's the focal point of a room and can set the mood for the entire space.  It can also help harmonize the design of the room.  

Since the harmony, balance and mood of my home is very important to me I have been currently obsessing over mantel designs.  OBSESSING!  Even more so since the holidays are coming up.  I took to Pinterest to find some ideas that incorporated items I already had, like old shutters, a salvaged window and candle holders.  Well I found TONS of lovely inspiration, so much so, that I thought I'd share with you.  I've also included my final mantel design at the end. 

Hope you enjoy perusing as much as I have!

 

 

 

 

And a few with some holiday spirit...

After hours on pinterest and several iterations later I finally came up with a winner.  Our style is somewhat a mix of island eclectic and rustic, so I chose to incorporate items that showcase this. I really love how it turned out and even ended up making a fabric wreath from our left over wedding fabric to tie it all together.  There's nothing better than decorating your home with things that hold fond memories.

I plan to keep the shutters & window and change out a few of the smaller items to transition into Fall and then again for Christmas/Winter.  I'll try to do another post showing these as well.

If you are like me and are feeling a little overwhelmed with a huge blank mantel, just remember some simple tips:

1)  Start with a large focal piece or two

2)  Add objects of varying heights and textures in groups of 2 or 3

3)  Layer art and add smaller items to fill in

4)  Make sure some items are sentimental/meaningful

5)  Books help add height and color

6)  Greenery/flowers and fabric can soften the look

7)  Try to only use 2 basic colors in the design - for example: blue and turquoise - this will help keep the look cohesive and not too busy

And 8)  Just have fun and don't be afraid to try many layouts before you get to your perfect one!

Thanks for reading and I hope you've enjoyed this bit of mantel inspiration.  :)

Empties #1 - PART 2

If you missed PART 1, check it out here.  Now on to PART 2!

BODY

12. 100% Pure Hydrating Body Wash - $16 for 17 oz. - I got this body wash a while back and reviewed it here.  My opinion hasn't really changed since then, I still really like it.  It cleaned without stripping my skin and smelled delicious, all while being completely natural.  I actually purchased another after finishing this up, but I got Cocoa Kona Coffee to try.  PREVIEW:  It smells amazing!  :)  Even Brian likes it.

13. 100% Pure French Lavender Hand Buttercream - $8 for 2 oz (or $5.50 ea. in the set) - This was another item I reviewed here.  And again, I still love it.  It was actually the first of the hand creams I used up since I kept it on my nightstand and applied it almost every night before bed.  I may repurchase just this scent in the larger body lotion for the same purpose.  It's so soothing!
14. Shea Sugar Body Scrub in Tropical Mango - $7.49 for 18 oz. - This is my favorite body scrub (to buy).  It works really well, without being too rough on sensitive skin and the Mango smells great.  It's also a great value.  I would definitely repurchase, except that I'm loving to make my homemade scrubs instead right now.  If you're interested in making your own, feel free to check out my recipes here!

15. SheaMoisture Olive & Green Tea Body Lotion - $8.99 for 13 oz. - This is my current favorite body lotion.  Period.  It has a nice light scent and it's super moisturizing without feeling greasy at all.  I've already started a new one.  My only qualm is that it's a bit too thick to come out of the pop top that comes on it, so I replaced it with a pump.  It still takes some work to get it out, but it's worth it to me.  I will probably do a better review on it and the coordinating body wash very soon.

16. Avalon Organics LEMON Hand & Body Lotion - $12 for 12 oz. - This lotion was nice too, but I'm not sure if it's repurchase worthy to me.  Even thought it's a natural product and the lemon scent is really nice, that's really the only outstanding part of this lotion.  I definitely like the SheaMoisture one better.

HAIR

17. Dove Invigorating Dry Shampoo - $3.94 for 5 oz. - This is definitely not a natural product, but I used it up quite a while ago and figured I'd include it.  It works okay, but it puts out a lot of fumes and the smell is super strong.  For these reasons, I would not purchase again.

18. Dr. Bronner's Fair Trade & Organic Lavender Coconut Hair Crème - $7.99 for 6 oz. - This is supposed to be a leave in conditioner/styling product.  It is all natural and I love that, but this did not work for me.  It didn't matter how little I used, my hair always ended up slightly greasy and stringy.  BUT I ended up using the rest of it as a shaving creme and it worked great!

19.Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo - $20 for 8.5 oz. - I did a whole review on this line here.  I ended up buying the full sizes of all three products, but I finished the shampoo first since I use it more.  I still really like this line and feel that it does what it says.  Unfortunately, it is pretty expensive, so as you may know, I've been trying some other natural shampoo/conditioner options.  It is a great product though.

HOME

20. Nutiva Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil - $12 for 15 oz. -  We use coconut oil a lot in our house... and this one is not refined, deodorized or bleached, it's also made without pesticides, GMO's, or hexane.  If you use coconut oil you want to make sure yours has these qualities as well, so that you get all the benefits from it.  Right now, we have a huge tub from Costco, but it's just a good as this one.  We <3 coconut oil!

21. The Honest Co. Dryer Cloths - $6.95 for 32 cloths - I really liked these dryer cloths, esp since they don't have any nasty chemicals.  They say that the cloths can be used twice, but I find that only works if your load is cotton items only.  If there's too many synthetic fabrics they won't eliminate the static the second time around.  I honestly don't mind that though.  I'll take static over the chemicals any day.  I do have one more package to go through and then I think I'll look into making some homemade dryer sheets.

22. The Honest Co. Laundry Detergent - $12.95 for 70 oz. - We have really been enjoying this detergent.  It doesn't last quite as long as some of the commercial brands, but at least I know that it's safe and won't irritate my skin.  It seems to keep our whites white and does a good job of getting any stains out, so I'd say it's a winner for now.  Sometimes, I do like to combine it with the oxygen pods to get a deeper clean, which works really well for towels and the dogs blankets. I may try a homemade recipe soon, but I'd definitely buy this again.

Well that wraps up this Empties post.  Hopefully you were able to get something out of this sampling of products, and please let me know if you'd like a more in-depth review on anything you've seen here.  Like I mentioned in Part 1, I'll try to do this quarterly...or most likely, whenever I have a box full of things I've used up!

Thanks for reading!!

Fabulous Finds // Retro Pyrex Mixing Bowls

I really love a good find.... something about the thrill of the hunt (and all that jazz).

Most of the time, I can't just buy a random tchotchke from Target. I like things with a story and they have to speak to me... or at least be a trillion percent off and I'd be a fool not to find a home for it.  :)

Either way, I've decided to document and share these finds in a post series, called "Fabulous Finds". I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

❤

So yesterday, I had the pleasure of doing a little antiquing with my lovely friend, Courtney.  I don't often get the chance to do so, so it was definitely a treat.

I got lucky and went home with a few gems, one of which was this awesome set of Autumn Harvest Mixing Bowls from Pyrex.  I really was in need of a set like this, since I do cook a lot (plus I think these would be excellent to mix up a batch of my homemade body scrub).  

  I did a little research, and found that this set came out in the late seventies, early eighties and is fairly popular.  They are a little roughed up, but honestly, I think that gives them character, and it doesn't effect their functionality one bit. 

I love that there are three sizes; 1.5 pint, 1.5 quart & 2.5 quart... perfect for all of my mixing needs.  I also love that these babies can go in the micro and the oven.  

Versatile?  Absolutely.

I also love the retro orange wheat pattern, but the best part is that I got the whole set for around $25.  Win, win!

Thanks, Courtney, for helping me pick them out!!  I can't wait to start mixin' up all sorts of good stuff!  

Carrot cake anyone??

 

current obsession // Home Office & Craft Rooms

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Lately, I've really been daydreaming of a wonderful work space. 

A place where my creative juices can freely flow. 

Fortunately, our current apartment came already equipped with a dedicated work space.  UNfortunately, it's a formica built-in desk in a hallway nook only about 5 ft wide with a door to each side, where there is no natural lighting, and no storage. 

Ready to get creative??  I didn't think so.

It's still functional, just lacking appeal. Since we've been here I've added a desk lamp, cork wall squares, desk accessories and a shelf with artwork and nick-nacks, but I think it's always good to continually seek new inspiration and change things up.  I just may steal a few ideas from above...

These spaces are just lovely.  What makes them wonderful to me is the bright natural lighting from windows with outdoor views, ample workspace (sans the closet office, which still looks mighty functional!), designed organization, beautiful colors and personal bits of inspiration.  I think I could get some work done in any one of them.

If you're looking for a bit of privacy as well, check out this outdoor shed turned office!  So cute, right!?

from here

 Someday, when I get a house, I'll have a workspace like one of these...*SIGH*. Until then you can check out my growing Home Office LOVE board on pinterest for more great spaces.  Thanks for indulging with me!