13 Just Three Things - 09 | 27 | 17

I am stepping out of the office for a few days this week and it feels amazing. The kids went back to school a couple of weeks ago and have already brought home every form of sickness and cold. I couldn't flee from that nonsense fast enough, although, I am starting to feel a tickle in my throat as well.  And as much as I don't love being sick, I am already missing those runny-nosed snuggly boys like crazy.

Today I thought I would share a few quick updates from the iHeart block. I always tend to ramble and go beyond just three things in these types of posts, so I am vowing now to keep it short. Can I do it?

In last month's Redbook magazine, I shared my favorite tip for staying organized on the road with kids. Many of you already know that pouches are my organizing everything, so I wanted to be sure to hit Redbook's audience with the same scoop.

I always keep a few pouches pre-packed, some stay in the car, others come in and out depending on the day and reason for traveling. Regardless, they keep all of us prepared and sane. I use one for some school items so the kids can do their homework while traveling to and from school activities, another as a small emergency kit packed for those totally unexpected but let's-be-real-I have-three-active-boys-that-get-hurt moments, and another pouch loaded with gadget cords, notepads, and a few small activities.

These pouches are not only perfect for the task, they were also perfect for photographing for a magazine. However, I know the price is a little more than most would spend on a pouch, so I rounded up a variety of alternative yet similar options for you below.

I also use pouches for organizing my tote, my beach bag, bins in my office, small makeup and hair accessories, even a few items in the kitchen. Do you love zippered pouches as much as I do, and if so, how else do you use them to organize your days?

The cord tags shown above are these from the Container Store.

I recently worked on a small office update for a dear friend at our local school, and I fell in love with a product I hadn't tried up until now.

The office was originally a darker beige, so I started by giving her walls a fresher, lighter paint color (with permission of course). Working under fluorescent office lighting was a new challenge, but the Benjamin Moore Gray Wisp color complimented the rest of her space well and accomplished exactly what I was hoping for. When working on an office or desk space, it is always my goal to find a way to easily file and track down paperwork, while also keeping the actual desk and nearby surfaces as open as possible. Her primary desk holds her computer and phone only, and this side cabinet does the rest of the work for her.

For the wall, I utilized pieces from the Martha Stewart Wall Manager system, which is mounted on a rail. Once the rail was installed, a variety of mix and match pieces were added to customize my friend's storage and display accordingly. This is an organizers dream! I super love that the chalkboard and corkboard can easily slide out and flip to become a different surface type (the corkboard flips to a dry erase board and the chalkboard has another cork board on the back). A few other components I used were some trays that attached to the top rail to hold desk accessories such as pencils and pens, pushpins, glasses, notepads, etc... The lower rail holds wall pockets for notebooks/planners and important file folders. I even added a hook for her office keys.

For cohesion, I also added a couple of magazine files and a paper sorter from the Martha line as well. Next to pouches, magazine files rank high on my list of useful organizers. I used them here to hold catalogs and booklets that correlate to her daily duties.

And because no office space should feel sterile, I added a task lamp that can be turned on to add warmth and cancel out some of the harsher, cool fluorescent lighting above. And a faux yet realistic green fern helped to add a little life as well, yet requires no natural light or maintenance.

I still have a few more touches to give this space, but it has already been another project that I have had so much fun being a part of!

You may have already heard, but TJ Maxx now has a shoppable online store! I do so much of my shopping online these days (time, location, ease, etc...), so this was huge news for me. It is like having a mini HomeGoods right at your fingertips! Whenever I am looking for baskets and storage, HomeGoods has been a primary source for finding really beautiful options on a reasonable budget. So when I was sourcing some lidded seagrass baskets, I was thrilled to find them at a great price, and even more thrilled that it was a new-to-me source for online home purchases.

I fell down a rabbit hole of great home finds and rounded them up for you below. Quite a few remind me of higher priced pieces from a variety of well-known and more expensive brands. Can I get a high-five for stylish and budget-friendly home items?!

Ok, now do you see what I mean?! Did you already know this? Should we start a petition to get the full HomeGoods online now too?

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I know I promised to keep it at three, but just one more very quick thing! Have you seen the movie, Home Again? I could watch it over and over just for the house! It was so adorable and well done and such a great balance of colors and neutrals. I want to see more of it and can't seem to stop thinking about it! I found a few images online here and here. Enjoy!

Is there a movie you watch on repeat just because of a house or set? I do that all of the time, and would love to know what ones are on the top of your list too!

22 Just A Few Things: 12 | 07 | 16

I started the "Just Three Things" series earlier this year as a way for me to pop in with occasional topics and talking points that cross my mind, but don't necessarily require an entire post. I initially picked three talking points to keep my chatty self limited. Today I am tapping into my wild side and breaking my own rules.

I have quite a few things to share, so although I am covering more than three things, I promise to do my best to keep things short, sweet and to the point.

ONE

Last week Delta Faucets invited me to take a whirlwind trip to the beautiful St. Simons Island in Georgia, to take a tour of the brand new 2017 HGTV Dream Home! Every year for as long as I can remember, I would stalk the HGTV website for home images, set up my DVR to record the tour, and enter their home giveaway daily. So when the opportunity came up to tour the newest home during the day of the unveiling, I was beyond thrilled. I am still filtering through the hundreds of photos that I took that day, but I will be sure to share every last detail about the home soon. There were so many details to love.

TWO

I know I have been doing a lot of talk about shelf liner lately, but that is because it has been on my mind for a few projects and I have been on the hunt for the perfect pattern. I finally tracked down a really good navy blue one; it is so freakin' fun, especially if you are still on the gingham/buffalo check train (choo choo!). My eyes explode into a million little hearts every time I open the cabinet door in our laundry room, and I can't wait to add it to our son's bathroom as well.

THREE

The other night I found the Dude Be Nice project website, and I couldn't stop watching the videos. If you are looking for some goodness and joy, check them out. Just be sure to grab a box of Kleenex before you settle in.

FOUR

I prefer to purchase the jumbo size bottles of my shampoo and conditioner, but I am not a fan of their bulkiness and heaviness in our shower. I found these pump bottles on Amazon (they are plastic but look like glass), and I just love how the gold labels identify the contents. I use this label maker paired with this clear tape with gold font. The tape is almost always sold out on Amazon, but I just saw they added a couple more boxes. The best part is that it is waterproof. I have been using similar labels on my travel toiletries and our cleaning bottles for years.

FIVE

My dear friend Michaela started a cheerful holiday focussed Instagram party and it has been really fun following the #holidaystyle2016 hashtag. The insta-hosts are Michaela, myself, Cassie, Courtney, Carmel and Megan, and there is a new holiday focussed theme each week. I love seeing glimpses of all of your homes and how you are celebrating the holidays this season. It's not too late to join in on the fun! Check out the hashtag and share away!

SIX

I am ridiculously happy to be receiving so many inquiries on social media and via email regarding the 2017 IHeart Planner release! These pages have definitely been a labor of love, and this year there will be 18 layout options to select from (three sizes, horizontal layouts, Monday starts!). It is also my favorite one yet, and I really hope you all agree it is worth the wait. I am hoping to get the files uploaded to Etsy within the next couple of days, and I thank you all so much for your excitement and interest!

SEVEN

Contributing the Redbook Magazine each month has been one of my most exciting accomplishments and one of my favorite opportunities this year! You can find me each month near the front of the issues; I am their Team Red Home contributor and focus specifically on around-the-house organizational ideas. This month is my fourth article, and I am chatting all about family friendly command stations! The magazine is on newsstands now and is loaded with quick tips!

EIGHT

I know many of you love a good gold find as much as I do, so I just had to share these adorable stainless gold pet bowls that I picked up at Petco last week. I wasn't able to find a link to them online, so I am not sure if they are discontinuing them (please don't Petco!), but each bowl was under $5 and they have been really great and easy to clean. We plan to put them in our laundry room as part of a pet feeding station, but I didn't want to wait to share in case they are only a temporary find.

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Whew! That was fun! Hopefully I wasn't too long winded with all of these little bits of information! Thanks for checking in everyone and I hope that your December is off to an amazing start! I am off to finish up the planners and hang some wallpaper in our laundry room. It arrived yesterday and it is just so good!

4 Just Three Things - 10 | 31 | 16

Boo! I hope you had a spooky and happy Halloween! We were lucky here in the Midwest with some decent temps and no snow, which is always something to celebrate. And an abundance of sweets which should easily last until this time next year... #yikes

I have been setting some goals to try and finish up a few spaces in our home that were in the process of being updated due to our renovation (cough, kitchen-dining-living rooms), the office/den switch, and our two younger boys getting their own bedrooms. After taking a little home break last year, I had a clearer vision of how I saw our home working for us, and now we are trying to get there by plucking away at each space as time allows. Yes, we may be crazy for working on so many spaces at once, but I love that our home offers us the opportunity to change things as our family grows and changes with it. And I am also grateful that I have this place to share those projects. I want to thank you all for your kind and uplifting comments on our recent kitchen update, I really appreciate your encouragement and that you are all just as excited as we are to see the space come together.

That said, once in awhile it is nice to take a break from the bigger projects and just chat. That's why iHeart these Just Three Things posts. And I have been banking up talking points, so I think I am going to try and put them into regular rotation. Chatting is what made blogging so fabulous in the first place.

- ONE -

Last week I was working on a little organizing project in my office, and dug through our recycling bin again. I will be using a couple of decorative storage boxes in lieu of drawers, and was looking to create some dividers. Not wanting to run to the store with specific measurements only to spend too much money on something that wouldn't fit exactly the way I envisioned, I decided that I was better off sticking to my favorite drawer organizing method... Cereal boxes! I get ridiculously excited that I had instant access to what I needed, that they were basically free, and that I could get the organizing project done without leaving the house. I also love that with the help of a little gift wrap, the organizers also turned out as darling as can be.

It's just a reminder that sometimes the best organizing solutions are quite literally right under our noses. I am going to love opening this box each and every time I need a new book of checks or a craft brush, and love even more that the contents won't be a jumbled mess!

Have you been finding ways to reuse items around the house as helpful storage and organization lately?

- TWO - 

Gift wrap works great for the method above, but in kitchens and baths, shelf liner would be better suited for lasting durability and clean-ability. And after Megan's recent post paired with my need to line a few more cabinets and drawers in our laundry room, I decided to source some of my favorite shelf liners below.

These Macbeth Collection patterns are always changing, a great price and can often be found at discount stores such as HomeGoods, Marshalls and TJMaxx. I also think this copper metallic option would be great for all sorts of projects around the house, beyond lining drawers. And these lined fabric sheets are a great option if you are looking for something a little special for clothing and accessory drawers. Finally, lining drawers and shelves with black chalkboard contact paper is neater than neat because you can line and label all at once!

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- THREE -

I have been wanting to pull all of my favorite organizing projects together in the form of a portfolio for quite some time. I recently decided to give the SmugMug platform a try, and it feels so wonderful to click through and see all of my favorite work grouped all together in one happy place. It is still a work in progress and I am planning on adding quite a few searchable keywords to each photo, but for now here are a few tips using the platform:


1 | All of the project images will appear as you continue to scroll through the Project Gallery page.

2 | If you hover over an image, you will see a caption appear.

3 | Clicking into the image will allow you to view it at full screen size (and arrow through the remainder of the gallery). It will also provide you with a clickable link to the specific project details on my blog.

4 | There is a "Search" button at the top of the gallery, which will allow you to search for a particular project. I will be continuously adding additional keywords and projects to the gallery, but if you can't find one in particular, feel free to shoot me an email.

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Thanks for getting cozy and chatting with me! I hope your week is off to one heck of a start!

55 MN Showcase Home Tour

Last week I ventured into the Twin Cities to explore a stunning house that was thoughtfully constructed by a local builder and turned into a beautiful "home" by 27 talented interior designers. One of the things I want to do more here on the blog, is share where I personally find inspiration and ideas and talk more about the little side trips that I take.  And let me tell you, this home was right up my style alley.

Each year, Mpls. St. Paul Magazine hosts a Showcase Home Tour in the Twin Cities.  This is the first year I had heard of the event, and I am so glad I was able to squeeze in some time to visit during the final days of the tour.  The home was built by Great Neighborhood Homes for a local family who has a passion for the beach.  That is something I can personally relate to!  Ever since my mother and father in-law purchased a place in Florida, it has become our favorite family vacation destination and I can't seem to soak up enough sun, sand and sea.  Not only do I love the warm temps, sounds of the crashing waves and the overall relaxing atmosphere that Florida offers, I am madly in love with beach colors and textures!  So good!

This particular home was created in partnership with the American Society of Interior Designers, in which 27 designers brought the homeowner's beachy visions to life.  But you would never know so many folks were involved in the process as the entire home flows seamlessly from one room to the next.

Taking tours like this is like hopping into a 3D episode of an HGTV design show or MTV's Cribs.  However, it is so much more exciting than any reality television reveal because you can get a real idea of the space plan, touch the finishes and smell the fresh flowers.

I brought my camera and navigated around groups of people to snag some of my favorite moments throughout the tour.  Oh, hi there! #nicebooties

Although we don't have any lofty goals of living in a super-sized abode, there were many moments throughout the tour that provided me with ideas and inspiration that we can incorporate into our own spaces.  For example, I am smitten with the idea of opening up the front porch and adding hanging pendants paired with a lovely painted wood ceiling.  I also would smile big if we were able to find a place to install a Chippendale style railing.

Let's head inside through the gorgeous aqua dutch door where we are welcomed with a variety or warm finishes and beautiful beachy hues.  

The majority of the main floor was wide open as each room seamlessly flowed into the next, yet was nicely divided by decorative moulding and playful ceiling treatments.

As lovely as the furnishings were throughout the entire home, for me, the mouldings, wall and ceiling treatments stole the show.

As did the paint colors, floors and even the door hardware.

In the living room, my eyes went straight for the fireplace and I was excited to see a natural stone tile paired with a classic white mantle.  The wall behind the book ledges was lined with a subtle grasscloth wallpaper, which complimented the wall color yet offered a nice texture to the feature wall.

As I mentioned, this home was filled with my favorite colors and patterns; those blue and white stripe chairs were definitely calling my name!  I also admired the round pedestal table at the end of the sofa, pom pom pillows and wall to wall french doors leading out to the back deck.

From the main living area, we took a quick stroll down the hall to a home office, reading nook and den.

The view to the den is nothing short of stunning, and the ceiling treatment was another memorable moment of many.

As much as I loved the interior of the home, I could see myself spending endless hours enjoying the outdoors. Just off of the sitting room was an outdoor sitting area that dreams are made of.

I know we all want to stop for a moment to oooh and aahhh over that tall, blue ceiling, but we have so much more to see so I am forcing myself to move on.

The fireplace can be utilized while in the den or outdoors, and it is the focal point of the sitting area (which can also be screened in).  The ottomans are covered in a bold outdoor fabric and a rolling cart provides an area for visiting and relaxing.

Relaxing while taking in this outdoor view....

Back to reality Jen... I mean seriously!  How great to have the entire home open up to the same deck area, the setup is simply brilliant for both day-to-day living and entertaining.  And although I tried to put those sliding pocket doors into my own pockets and take them home with me, they just wouldn't fit.  #sigh #needdeeperpockets

One thing anyone can do, however, is add an amazing focal wall to their dining space.  Talk about making a statement!

Not only does it make you say, "WOW" while viewing it from the back deck, the dining area can also be seen from the living area and adjoining kitchen.

We are over the moon happy with our Cambria quartz counters, and I loved seeing them used throughout this dreamy home as well.  Major heart eyes for the complimenting slab of backsplash in this high-end kitchen.  The herringbone ceiling and those pendants receive glowing reviews as well. 

Being that I love high-functioning organized areas, there were a few personal favorites that I soaked up as I walked from room to room.  The first was the surprise pantry that was discreetly tucked off to the side of the kitchen.

The walk-in area boasts adjustable open shelving and pull out baskets, as well as concealed storage behind drawers and doors.  The counter provides space for a lot of work and prep to happen here, allowing the primary kitchen counters to remain clutter free.  And once again, the wallpaper totally makes the space come alive.

The kitchen wraps around to a darling family command area.  A desk for managing daily paperwork and bills, an abundance of cabinetry for office supplies and craft storage, a garden view and a cozy upholstered chair are the ideal equation for keeping daily schedules and responsibilities organized.

To the right, another hallway, this one leading to a half bath and mudroom.

The floor-to-ceiling shiplap walls really allow the wallpapered ceiling to stand out.

And the room that made my heart race faster than any other... The mudroom!

This space is pure perfection and is what I dream about as I sleep each night.  Cubbies with open and concealed storage?  Check.  Easy to clean tile flooring?  Check.  A puppy station and dog door?  Check.  Planked ceilings and pretty wallpaper?  Check and check!  In my best Wayne Campbell voice, "She will be mine.  Oh yes, she will be mine."

The home's main level is for living, the lower level is purely for playing and lounging and the upstairs is for sleeping and relaxing.  Although I didn't take too many photos of the basement, I did love the paint color on the bar area cabinets.

Upstairs, the master bedroom, bathrooms and closets are located in their own "wing".  And this view shows the impact different wall finishes and moldings can make.

Those white closet doors are delicious and will serve as inspiration for future doors in our dressing room.

And yes, I said, "bathrooms".  The husband and wife each have their own bathroom and closet space, located on opposite ends of the bedroom.  I especially loved her bathroom; everything from the soaker tub to the nook of shelves to the detail of the blue colored sink.

The master bedroom felt like a beach side hotel retreat, perfect for unwinding each day.

Yet again, another fabulous ceiling treatment.  And can we all collectively drool over the wall treatment behind the fireplace?  It is another moment of inspiration we plan to incorporate within our own home.

The laundry nook is hidden behind a barn door painted in a lovely teal color.

And a peaceful sitting area joins the master suite area to the side of the home where the children's bedrooms are located.

With all boys at home, I enjoyed living vicariously through the homeowner's life with daughters.  Their two girls each have their own bedroom, closet, bathroom and cozy window seat.

The first girl's bedroom was decorated with feminine pinks and patterns.

And the window bench area sported the most stellar moulding details.

While the second girl's bedroom was given a warm wood wall treatment and cozy hanging chair.

As well as another window bench... This time the wallpaper was the major eye catcher.

These photos only scratch the surface of all this luxury home had to offer and simply highlight the areas that gobbled up my attention and provided ideas, inspiration and new "to do" list items for our own home.  You can find out more about the designers behind each space here, view additional photos of the home here, and learn more about the homeowner's family here.

Did any of these special spaces strike an idea or two or for your home?  Maybe a color combination or a pattern pairing?  How about a wall treatment or moulding detail?