Pinnable Me Friday: Crazy Cool Closets

I’m linking up with Stefanie from Paw Prints and Pastry Bags again this week! I love Pinnable Me Fridays :)

A few days ago, Classic Annie and I were discussing our exceedingly small closets that are crammed full of stuff. I think that we both have used every inch of space possible! That discussion led me (of course) to a romp through Pinterest looking at/lusting after various closet configurations that look nothing like my current closets :)

(I still have not figured out how to embed images from Pinterest to my blog! I again apologize if an image isn't attributed correctly!)

First, let's dream a little wildly, shall we? If I win the mega millions jackpot today, then my closet will soon be transformed into something that might look like this:

(From newenglandclosetdesign.com via Jamie Lewis)

Or this:

(From marcusdesigninc.blogspot.com via  Casey Nunez)

Or this:

(From thebookofsecrets.tumblr.com via Blanca Feldman)



Actually, I think a separate shoe closet will be a must when I win the lottery. And a closet chandelier :)

Coming back down to reality, I think these designs might be more feasible with my budget (if not with my current closet space!)  :)

(From google.com via Annie Faye)

Gracious goodness, I love shelving!!!

(From flickr.com via Noelle Mills)

I'm also quite fond of drawers and cubbies.

(From freckleschick.blogspot.com via  Kristin Kriegler)

And I get giddy over a proper place to store my shoes and jewelry (love that little necklace tree!) :)

(From iheartorganizing.blogspot.com via Shannon Jeffers)

Our bathroom closet also leaves much to be desired. But this bathroom closet leaves nothing to be desired! How clever to organize products/accessories by the body part for which they are made!!! And to "write" the container label with colorful yarn. Pretty and functional :)

(From closets-organizer.com via Nellie Trump)

Everything in this bathroom closet has its place and is easily retrieved. Be still my heart :)

(From marthastewart.com via Brynne Rechenmacher)

I've been a fan of coat closets ever since the age of 4 when I started watching Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood (do you remember the closet where he would hang his sweater when he came home?). This closet is for coats, bags, shoes, hats, AND cardigans, and it does its job well :)







Pinnable Me Friday: Masculine Birthday Parties

I’m linking up with Stefanie from Paw Prints & Pastry Bags again this week! I love Pinnable Me Fridays :)

My husband's 30th birthday is this month, and he is finally (Finally!) letting me throw him a birthday party. He doesn't really like all of the attention that can come with birthdays so it will not be a big shindig. We're going to have an informal dinner party with some of our closest friends here in MD, and I'm going to make some of his favorite dishes. I can't resist adding some special birthday touches, though, so I've been looking at Pinterest for some inspiration. Guy birthday parties are much harder to plan than parties for kids or girlfriends!!! I want things to be masculine but fun, and I think I've found some good ideas this week.

(I still have not figured out how to embed images from Pinterest to my blog! I again apologize if an image isn't attributed correctly!)

(From Kara's Party Ideas via Paige Evans) 

I'm not sure about the poufs hanging overhead, but I love this dessert table! Understated, masculine colors and decorative accents with nothing frilly and plenty of yummy treats :)

(From s220.photobucket.com via Kimber Jepperson)

Since it will be my husband's 30th birthday, these favor boxes caught my eye because of the cute tags. But I also really like how the ribbon and twine jazz up plain white containers. Fun but not girly!

(From google.com via Julie Fei-Fan)

I think Peter might be a bit embarrassed to have so many photos of himself hanging on our wall so I'm not planning on incorporating this into his party. But I think it's very creative :) And I really like the color that the balloons add!

 (From Hostess with the Mostess via Maryland Magnolia)

Peter was born in the 80s so I think that this "Circa 1980s Cassette Tape Party" is very fitting :) I especially love this invitation! And the cookie favors are great too!

(From Hostess with the Mostess via Maryland Magnolia)

This is from a beer tasting birthday party :) This is a great idea for a guy's birthday (Peter would definitely approve!), and I think this dessert table is fairly easy to do and appropriate. The bottle cap-shaped cake is especially fun :)

(From Hostess with the Mostess via Maryland Magnolia)

This is from the same beer tasting party. What a great way to present snacks! They were going for a pub-type presentation, and I think it worked.

(From Hostess with the Mostess via Maryland Magnolia)

My husband isn't an avid golfer, but this dessert table would be perfect if he was. I think it's a great idea to bring someone's favorite hobby into their special day. Look at those Jell-O cups and the donut holes representing golf balls :)

Pinnable Me Friday: Craft time!

I’m linking up with Stefanie from Paw Prints and Pastry Bags again this week! It was so much fun last Friday!

This week I'm exploring the many DIY projects shown on Pinterest. I consider myself to be a little "challenged" when it comes to craft projects, but I do enjoy them when I have the time. Pinterest offers me a lot of inspiration when I'm trying to channel my inner Martha Stewart  :)

(I still have not figured out how to embed images from Pinterest to my blog! I again apologize if an image isn't attributed correctly!)

From marthastewart.com via Jacky {The Sweetest Petunia}

Can you tell that the tray was originally a cookie sheet?! Clever and an oh-so-useful trick for parties! Not only do I love the chevron pattern, but I'm really digging the orange too :)

From marthastewartweddings.com via Danielle Hoxit

Use a map from your travels as the mat in a framed picture from your travels. Ingenious!

From craftberrybush.blogspot.com via Ann Christian

Did you know that you can dye any clear glass jars any color? I didn't so I was really excited when I found this project! I love the look of colored mason jars (especially blue ones!), but they can be hard to find in stores. Now I can just buy clear ones, dye them, and use them as vases, drinking glasses, etc. Problem solved.

From twogirlsbeingcrafty.blogspot.com via Emily Rhind

I have tons of extra beautiful scrapbook paper, and these coasters would put it to good use! I could have coasters for different seasons, coasters that coordinate with party themes, monogrammed coasters, etc. All I need are some ceramic tiles and a few other supplies, and I'm good to go.

From designdazzle.blogspot.com via Tara Weigner

Such a colorful, fun mobile for a nursery! And not too difficult to do which is a huge plus :)

From marthastewart.com via Courtney Dyar

Want etched, monogrammed glasses? Now you can make your own! Easy peasy :)

From casasugar.com via Julie Dearing

This is probably the most ambitious project that I pinned, but I think it's within the realm of possibility for me. I love the look of painted dressers and the stenciling and fun drawer pulls add a really unique touch!

Pinnable Me Friday: Decorating with Books

I’m linking up with Stefanie from Paw Prints and Pastry Bags for the first time this week! You should, too!

I'm a librarian so it should come as no surprise that I like to be surrounded by books at all times :) My dream house would definitely have a sizeable library in it (with a rolling attached ladder, of course!), but it would also have book shelves and cozy reading nooks all over the house. I've been able to find lots of "decorating with books" inspiration at Pinterest, and I've been a little surprised at how much life books bring to a room. They can be a little like art. Put some books in front of a white wall and - bam! - you have color and something interesting to look at :)

(I was having serious problems with the embed feature at Pinterest and had to end up just copying and pasting images so I'm sorry if a picture isn't attributed correctly!)

Nursery from amountainbride.blogspot.com

This room kind of proves my point about books adding color and interest to a room. This nursery is rather plain with white walls, a white crib, a beige chair, and beige carpeting, but the wall of books helps save it from looking boring. This baby is super lucky to have lots of great reading material too :)

Living room from cloudinthesky.tumblr.com

I'm impressed that the owners of this house have somewhat color-coded their books :) No paint, wallpaper, or artwork needed on this wall!

Staircase via Ceinwen Jones

This is such a clever use of space!!! Why have a smooth, useless staircase back when you can add shelves and books? I love that the owners have included a comfy chair and reading stool too in case a book catches their eye in passing and they must sit down and read immediately :)

Attic from myidealhome.tumblr

Books are usually stored in attics in cardboard boxes, but this idea for an attic library is a much better storage solution! Especially if your attic has windows that let in so much lovely sunlight :)

Book nook via Lisa Harland

I would spend way too much time in this cozy window seat if it was in my house! I love that they added a bookshelf under the seat for easy accessibility to their favorite books :)

Library catalog from teaforjoy.blogspot.com

Not books exactly but who couldn't use an old-fashioned library card catalog to sort a few odds and ends in their house? Love it :)