Such Pretty Things

I'm Back!!!!

Hello!!!  Yes, I know, it's been a while - a very long while. I honestly didn't mean for it to be so long, but sometimes life gets in the way.

So, where have I been all this time???  Well, really just busy with design work, home projects and, of course, my family. 

But I missed all of you so much and I am very excited to get back to business!  I have lots of new things planned - including a re-vamp of this blog!  While I am working on that, be sure to follow me over on Instagram

 So, if you are still out there, thank you for sticking with me! :-)

xoxo

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Millinery Flowers

If you've ever taken a close look at my blog banner, then you probably noticed those little flowers in the pretty blue glasses.  Those flowers are actually vintage millinery bouquets - forget-me-nots, to be more specific. They are one of my most prized collections and, sadly, I have often kept them packed away. Such a pity, too, because they are so beautiful and I just love looking at them. Recently, I was shopping at HomeGoods and I spotted this fantastic cubby shelf. I instantly knew it would be perfect for showcasing my collection...

Now I can see and enjoy my sweet forget-me-nots.

And keep them organized at the same time!

These cubby shelves are really great for storing any of your smaller crafting supplies. I come across vintage ones sometimes when I'm out antiquing and I know I've seen similar ones at places like Pottery Barn.

Happy organizing!

:-)

Jessica

The "Candy" Collection and Why I am NOT a Hoarder

First, I must preface this post by saying "I am NOT a hoarder". Well, OK, maybe that isn't completely, 100  percent true. I suppose I am a hoarder of sorts - maybe a hoarder minus the dead cats and stacks of garbage?  I do hoard - it's just that I only hoard really pretty things...in copious amounts. Remember the "sprinkle cabinet"?  Plus, I am in a business where collecting and buying things is truly a necessity.  A NECESSITY! Makes for great justification, doesn't it. :-)  So, with that little disclaimer in place, I will now reveal to you the candy collection...

I have a lot of candy.

Lots.

And it's really gotten a bit out of hand lately. I've been collecting candy for years! It seems that whenever I am shopping or traveling and stumble upon some "pretty" candy, I feel the need to acquire some (I guess that's the hoarding part???). And it really piles up. I have tried to confine it to one huge corner cabinet in my kitchen, but lately it seems to be overflowing. So, in an effort to keep my collection more manageable (i.e., make room for more candy), I have been tossing out anything that is no longer in perfect shape or has lost it's vibrancy over the years (although you'd be surprised at the long shelf-life of some of this stuff - especially the sugar candies!). And I've started putting EVERYTHING in glass jars and clear containers. It makes it really easy to see the contents and keeps my precious candy from getting smushed.

Looks pretty, too.

In case you're wondering - yes, most of it is probably completely inedible at this point. But that's OK because I primarily use it for styling and photo shoots (and everyone in my home knows it's off-limits for consumption!).

Hopefully, I haven't freaked you all out and you haven't already called TLC to recommend me for an upcoming show. Oh, and by the way, this is just my "regular candy" collection.  Maybe someday, I'll get up my nerve to show you my "gourmet candy" collection. :-)

Happy weekend!

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Pastel Polish

Between the two girls and Moi, there's a lot of nail polish around our house. I love all those little bottles of pretty pastel color.

So much so, that I like to keep them out on display on my bathroom vanity.

And a vintage floral china plate does such a nice job of organizing them...

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Vintage Tins

Vintage tins are such a great way to organize all your office and crafting supplies.

They come in so many wonderful colors and patterns and they seem to be one collectible that can still be had at fairly reasonable prices.  Etsy and ebay are wonderful sources, but so are your local flea markets and tag sales. I use them for storing just about anything...like my favorite markers (Copic)!

These two tins are my latest finds. I just couldn't resist the pretty colors...

...and sweet motifs.

Happy Weekend!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Cupcake Cases Jar Part II

I LOVE my huge glass jar filled with pretty cupcake cases, but truthfully, it had been getting a bit disorganized as of late. My wrapper collection had been growing and my jar wasn't getting any bigger, so something had to give. It was time for a little cupcake case organization.

I purged some oldies and added some new favorites.

I am happy with the result and, hopefully, I will be able to keep it this way for at least a few days. :-)

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Kitchen Storage

I think my official motto should be that almost anything looks better in a glass jar.

My pretty baking and entertaining supplies look even prettier when stored in simple glass jars.

They keep everything so nice and organized.

And they allow you to display things that are way too pretty to hide away in a kitchen cabinet.

I find most of my glass jars at Target, The Container Store, and HomeGoods - they all have an excellent selection at very reasonable prices.

Happy organizing!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Thumbtacks

Who says that thumbtacks have to be of the boring, office-supply store variety?

Try using inexpensive pierced earrings instead!  Just pop off the backs and you're ready to go...

Shops like Forever 21, H & M, and Claires have a good selection of multi-pack earrings in a wide variety of styles.  The ones I used for yesterday's mini memo boards were from Forever 21.

So skip the plain jane thumbtacks and put those pretty earrings to practical use!

XOXO

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Candy Box Storage

It's no secret that I've been known to buy something just for it's pretty packaging. These candy boxes are an excellent example...

While the truffles inside were truly delicious, it was the pastel boxes that really persuaded me to purchase them. I've collected many of them over the years - in lots of beautiful, soft colors.

But they don't just sit around collecting dust. Oh no, the candies may be long gone, but these lovely boxes now hold all sorts of little trinkets and craft supplies.

Providing pretty (and practical) storage for lots of pretty little things.

Happy Monday!

:-)

Jessica

Pretty Organized: Costume Jewelry

So, I innocently walked into Staples yesterday. I was in search of some packing tape and had planned to be in and out of the store in under five minutes. But...there was a bit of a delay.  You see, I had clearly forgotten that the new line of Martha Stewart office products had just arrived in stores!  I will do a post on all the pretty files, notebooks, sticky notes, and labels sometime soon, but today I just had to share the "boxes".  Pretty, textured, stack-able, Tiffany-blue boxes!

They were intended to hold office supplies, but instead of paper-clips, I immediately knew these babies were destined to corral my ever-growing collection of costume jewelry.

They are perfect for organizing my pretty bracelets, necklaces, and earrings...

A place for everything...

...and everything in it's place.

The boxes are reasonably-priced, come in a bunch of sizes and shapes (some with lids), and you can even order them online!

Happy organizing!

:-)

Jessica