end-of-summer entertaining

While the weather this week is certainly fall-like, I'm in denial that it's back-to-school time! Classes at the University of Iowa—my alma mater—kicked off yesterday, which makes me reminisce. It honestly feels like another life that I walked along College Street, through the ped mall and past Panchero's to EPB and Adler for lectures. Where did the summer (and five years) go?!

If you're hitting the books this semester, The Container Store is the holy grail for all things dorm, storage, bath, lockers & lunches. That's a no-brainer. But for my fellow young professionals for whom academia is a fading memory, this time of year is about last-blast bashes before summer sputters out, and, of course, sprucing up the apartment for the guests. These endeavors may not require the classic plastic bins that are the face of TCS, but still, a certain degree of organization that the tidy retailer recognizes—and nails.

Below, shop a handful of products I plan to pick up in preparation for some end-of-season celebrating. If you're also in the mood to party, use code TCSLOVE now through Saturday, 8/29, to take 15% off your next online or in-store purchase! Shop all here.

1| Fridge Binz Wine Holder 2 | Herringbone Bamboo Trays 3 | Chalkboard Place Card Holder Stands

4 | Glass Refrigerator Pitchers 5 | Microfiber Filament Duster 6 | Lotus Acrylic Bowls 

7 | Weekly Glass Magnetic Dry Erase Board—plan grocery and errand runs before the event
8 | Converge POP Charging Station—juice everyone's phones before going out later!

9 | Marble Artisan Journal—list-making doesn't get more elegant 10 | Giara Water Bottle—filled with water or flowers, these are a pretty way to decorate the table—I'd use one color for a consistent look. 11 | Fridge Binz Soda Can Organizer 12 | Glass Slant Jar—pour Swedish Fish and M&Ms into a few of these for an easy dessert bar 13 | Stackable Square Glass Containers—fill with pistachios or cashews for pre-dinner snacking

affordable throw pillows

Target works hard to constantly surprise and delight shoppers, and its throw pillow selection had just that effect on me when I stopped in over my lunch break a few weeks ago. I hadn't seen the "show room" floor pad concept yet, which I was impressed by, and upgraded fixtures really made the Home section look more like a Macy's than a mass discounter.

I've had essentially the same apartment decor since graduating five years ago, and I'm not at the point where I regularly redecorate, but a few new pillows would go a long way in giving my tiny space a necessary facelift. I found several that would have popped perfectly against my mocha microsuede sofa—coordinating Aztec combinations of soft lime, peach and evergreen—but I resisted what felt like an impulse purchase and left the store empty-handed (save for pride in my will power).

I'm now a little regretful that I didn't get them, and went online to course-correct. I didn't find the styles I'd loved in the Eden Prairie store, but was AGAIN surprised to find a ton of other cute options. I'm over my comfy-but-cliché leopard pillow, but for my current bachelorette pad, think accent pillows should still be fun and whimsical. Some of these are a little too young for me, but I love a colorful mix of prints and patterns—especially the teal/lobster pairing in the last row!

Today my company is doing lunch & lawn bowling at Brit's downtown so I'll be contemplating these decorative combinations all afternoon—going to be 80º and sunny! Also I may have dreamt about grilled cheese last night (#notashamed), so I cannot wait to get one...! Happy hump day, guys!

one | two (pretty cheesy, but how can you not feel happy when you see it?) | three

four | five | six 

seven | eight | nine

shop all Target pillows

organization overhaul

Moving inspires organization like no other. I ruthlessly rid my bathroom, wardrobe, filing and work areas of all things superfluous before moving last week (goodbye paper pay stubs..). My new apartment is a little smaller than my last, so I have to be clever about maximizing space and creating storage where it doesn't organically exist. I'd wanted to add some "glamour" to my bathroom and vanity for a while, too, so having a brand new space was the perfect opportunity to up both form and function. Enter The Container Store. Oh my GOSH. I don't think I ever quite realized the gloriousness of this place. It offers a solution for every problem I never knew I had. These and this really cater to the jewelry and cosmetic corralling that is my Achilles heel, and displaying brushes and lipsticks in this collection's brush holder (rather than jamming them in cluttered drawers) adds a simple elegance to getting ready. A business card holder and pencil cup go a long way in creating more structure around my computer for blogging, writing thank-you notes and the rampant list-making I tend to do, and I'm inclined to pull a Willy Wonka and position this on my breakfast bar, permanently filled with Swedish Fish. I went home from the France Avenue mega-store last weekend with a hefty bag full of acrylic canisters for a clean look—and satisfied feel—that carries throughout my apartment. Get everything I picked up and more organization god-sends below!

image via

bed makeover

As the year winds down, I naturally think about new starts. The first thing in my life that needs a refresh is my bed (justification to invest)! Shockingly, I still don't have a headboard. It wasn't a necessary or practical purchase during my mobile college years, but now I'm ready for the permanent feel and elevated look. My comforter is also on its last leg—the down used to be so fluffy my roommate was never sure if I was actually underneath, and its current pancake shape leaves something to be desired. That we spend one-third of our lives sleeping makes it a priority for me to have a bed that's a dream to fall into each night (a need that is only magnified in snuggle-and-stay-in winter months), and working as a copywriter in the Home business has taught me more about what I want in terms of fabric and thread count. I generally really like West Elm, silky cotton sateen, white or gray, and simple embroidery and texture. Scroll below to see all options I'm considering (obviously have some narrowing down yet to do!). Do you have a favorite bedding brand or store? Share your suggestions in the comments, and have a fantastic weekend—filled with blissful sleep!

via 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5



SHEETS

COMFORTERS/DUVET COVERS

HEADBOARDS

PILLOWS & THROWS

look again: the little market

Do you follow people you don't know on Instagram? Bloggers, celebrities, brands? At first I thought it was weird, but I now have a handful of people in my feed who I don't know beyond daily photos. Former reality TV golden girl Lauren Conrad is one of them—known for her artfully filtered snaps. I've noticed a lot of her posts feature new products for The Little Market, a venture she started with a Fashion Institute classmate and friend. The business works with artisans across the globe and provides a platform to sell and market their goods. I admit I've arrogantly dismissed a lot of Conrad's entrepreneurial endeavors in the past (the Kohl's clothing line and the novels), but I took the time to look at The Little Market's mission and inventory this week and am now applauding instead of scoffing. The project is really admirable and basically my dream job. The two-person team travels to Kenya, Nepal, South Africa and Peru (to name a few), gets to know local cultures and economies, then exercises creative and business acumen to turn a profit that helps supports these artisans. I can't think of anything cooler or more rewarding, honestly. All pieces are handmade and purchased at fair trade prices that provide a living wage for the craftsmen. Here are a few of my favorite pieces from the current stock! Take me on the next trip, LC!!

I like my margaritas authentic—and this aqua glass from Mexico is the real deal.
 Shop it. Get the matching pitcher.

These wood salad servers remind me of the set used so many times at my grandma's dinner table
in Michigan. I used to think they were old-fashioned, but now really like rustic, chic look.
This twisted pair is made in Kenya. Shop it.

The tribal design of this Guatemalan-made bag has a global attitude that is perfect for travel.
 Shop it.

A simple and understated beach towel that doubles as a living room throw. Yes and yes.
Made in Ethiopia. Shop it. 

biggie smalls

It’s Tuesday. Boring. But Paper Source is master of making the humdrum a bit more exciting. As in I’m going to scribble down to-do lists for fun and pass out bogus business cards if I have to. I popped over to the sweet paperie to find a 2014 desk calendar (to replace this one) and was quickly swept up in the colorful, customized world. I haven’t had a personalized note pad in years, and once I saw all these darling designs, couldn’t understand why. These candy-striped straws put the generic drugstore kind to shame and are the perfect garnish on a cup of cocoa or champagne cocktail. I love this journal’s low-pressure attitude (hey, just a line a day!), have to have these address stamps (so official), and can’t wait for the next party so I can create some coasters or napkins like this fun moustache sample. If you’re not buoyed by any of these tiny treasures, your heart isn’t beating. It really is the little things. But going big isn’t a bad plan either. Warren Buffet is offering a BILLION dollars to the person who slots a perfect bracket in the upcoming March Madness showdown. Your odds of winning are one in 9.2 quintillion. Get the details here and start studying ESPN now. Tip off is March 20. 

straws. // custom coasters. // one line a day. // desk calendar. // sticky notes. // custom letter stamp. // shot glasses. // personalized note pads. 
images via paper source

pop fizz clink, repeat

Every time I light a candle and settle in for a cozy night, I hear that line from Sex & the City, “Women with candles have replaced women with cats as the new sad thing.” Interesting. But. I’m going to choose to ignore that – especially when it’s an expensive champagne scent filling the room. It's not sad. It’s fabulous (I’m looking at you, Sam Jones). This one's mix of crisp mint, pink grapefruit and French cassis is a fresh breath from the saturation of deep pines and smoky woods winter brings. There's no tacky label to take away from the clean look. And for those of us who love bubbles, it’s a way to enjoy the fizzy drink (if just a whiff) for hours on end – without any judgey side eye. Just picture a single line of the petite rosy cups dancing down the center of your holiday table or framing the mantel. Pour me some more of that!

new favorite thing

Have you guys heard of StickyGram? Meet my new favorite thing. It creates magnets (and phone & iPad cases) from your Instagrams. I’ve been wanting to add some photos to my desperately-in-need-of-a-facelift fridge, but can’t find the effort to hunt down those neat ‘n tidy clear magnetic frames. Target? Michael’s? Dollar Tree??? StickyGram to the rescue. AND, how great is it to see the MM'mm'good, LOL, ooh-ahh things you spontaneously snapped every time you get a snack? Really great. I just ordered my first round of magnets, marking points from the past year (Merry Christmas to me!), and poof: a photographic timeline of 2013. B. Spears said it best: "Gimme gimme more, gimme more, gimme gimme more." 

Pottery Barn Antique Silver Jewelry Box

Like hair bows and Barbies, a jewelry box is an essential part of a little girl’s life. I got my first – a pretty pink trunk that when opened revealed a twirling ballerina and sweet melody – on my third Christmas.

Sometime in my teenage years I stopped using one, too cool for an accessory that sang me to sleep. Now, I’m old enough to appreciate that a box brimming with precious stones is also full of elegance and charm -- qualities that overrule old juvenile prejudices.

Because I’ve accumulated a modest assortment and need more space than a single box provides, I like Pottery Barn's Antique Silver design. The matching chests are sophisticated storage solutions that create a clean, timeless presentation. 

Modeled after museum display cases, the antique chambers feature an embossed-steel metal frame, intricate punched-metal patterning, and glass panels for easy viewing (especially advantageous for a collection that comprises more than plastic beads and candy necklaces). Inside, ivory linen lining is a gentle nesting bed for emeralds, topaz and turquoise. Silver suits almost any décor, so as years pass and color schemes change, this keepsake can stay the same. 

Opt for delicate monogramming to build an intimate bond with the piece -- an age-appropriate nod to the sentimental memory of that first pink music box.

photo courtesy potterybarn.com

Because I can't stop at one: 

one. // two. // three. // four. // five. // six. // seven. // eight.

Pillow Party

You probably never considered any association between decorative accessories and diamonds or cosmetics, but pillows are the necklaces and lipsticks of the living room. Sitting in the same surroundings night after night gets old fast, but updating couches and coffee tables frequently isn’t feasible. We're usually encouraged to "think bigger," but in this case, think smaller: pillows renovate architectural aura the way makeup and jewelry spice up stale sportswear.

Punchy upholstery energizes solid-color furniture and brightens monotony-dampened moods. Utilizing different shades within a single color-story or combining two complementary tones tames an eclectic combination of scales, prints and patterns.

Further reinforce cohesion by balancing the collective use of shapes: the first bunch has three circle representations and two diamond-detailed. In the green grouping, rounded formations on the orange and olive pieces even out the triangular geometry of the others.

With four or five of these lively cushions on the couch, you’ll be sitting pretty. 

one: polka dots (similar). two: scribble circle. three: pink & red ikat. four: pink dot. five: ink blot. 

one: olive circles. two: orange fish. three: peridot zigzag. four: mica linen. 

CB2 Tesso Desk

Pssst. The intelligence, sophistication and style of magazine editors and interior designers can be yours, without the hassle of education, experience, or the cutthroat crawl to the top.

Build the façade or erect the reality; either way, the CB2 Tesso Desk is required for construction.

An impeccably sleek glass surface and simple steel frame make this the kind of accessory that can improve your self-perception. Perched at this pristine station, you’ll believe the same qualities that carried history’s highest-powered and posh professionals through the ranks exist in you. Or will, in time. 

photo courtesy cb2.com

New Year's Plant

I've never been big into New Year's resolutions, resisting that a calendar flip be the only fuel to ignite a fresh start. Still, I'm seduced by the sparkle, celebrations, and thrill of the annual countdown. 

Whether or not you determine to do things differently in 2013, it's important to reflect on the year gone and look with optimism on the next. Otherwise, time is just passing. 

To mark the occasion – and signify an embrace of experiences to come – I bought a new plant. 

photo courtesy bachmans.com

I've been drawn recently to the gritty imperfection and beautiful toughness of cacti. The succulent thrives in all parts of the world and symbolizes endurance.

I looked up "toughness" in the Thesaurus just now, unsure of my word choice, and synonyms such as "resolution" and "earnestness" turned up. I felt immediately validated. The low-maintenance plant couldn’t be more appropriate for this time of year or emblematic of the attitude with which I'll approach 2013 – full of gratitude, vigor and determination, through all elements, in any environment.

Crate & Barrel Verve Flute

With December 25 just two short weeks away, you've likely already attended a Christmas party. But if you've yet to host a holiday meet 'n greet, first ensure you have the mechanics for proper merry-making. 




Before Christmas Eve tenderloin, my family toasts with champagne. At a recent Sunday brunch, the stemless glass in which my mimosa (read: straight brut) arrived turned me on to a more modern possibility in drinkware, and I plan to incorporate that inspiration into our approaching aperitif. 




The Inspiration 

Of course, entertaining authority Crate & Barrel has the desired design. The Verve is contemporary, as the one captured above, but light-years swankier.  






The clean, kingly silhouette tapers softly into a uniquely chunky base. Its deviation from flutes' typically skinny stem is the appeal, but handmade, finely-cut glass still whispers of the delicacy that defines sparkling wine. Appropriately, sealed-in bubbles exude energy, mirroring the mood the drink induces. 

photo courtesy crateandbarrel.com

If I'm this giddy about the empty glass, I expect my delight will overflow once the flute's filled with a bubbly beverage. 'Tis the season!