Chalkboard Spice Rack

Does the title of this post make any sense? Probably not...but it's about to!

A few weeks ago we picked up a new spice rack. But naturally, it didn't come with all the spices we consistently use. 

In order to switch out some of the less-used spices, we needed to find a way to label the new ones we replaced them with. 

Then it hit us...chalkboard paint! We could take off the printed sticker labels and spray the tops with chalkboard paint we found at our local craft store. 

We sprayed three light coats, with ample drying time in between. After 24 hours, we started labeling with regular chalk.

Not only do we get to use and display our favorite spices, they look so much cuter! 

DIY: Race Tag Board

With a family full of runners, we have more race tags than we can count! 

They represent fun times and great accomplishments, which should be proudly displayed. The problem is that no one ever knows where to put them. 
We saw a great DIY project using a wood board that solved all of our race tag problems! 

What you'll need:

A Wood Board 

2 Metal Clips

Wood Glue

Paint & Brushes (one small and one large)

1. Take your largest race tag with you to find the board 

so you don't buy one that's too small. 

2. Paint the board your base color, wait for it to dry, then use a pencil to draw on the letters. This ensures that everything is centered and spelled correctly before you start painting!
3. After your board is dry, it's time to glue on the clips. We've seen some race boards that have hooks instead of clips; however, every race tag is different and all may not fit on just 1 or 2 sets of hooks. 

We leaned ours up on a shelf, but you could hang it up on a wall with Command Strips or purchase a board that already has "wall-hanging" ability.

These make great gifts for any active person. Just find out their favorite colors and paint accordingly! 

DIY: Wine Cork Coasters

Wine cork coasters look great on a coffee, dining or bedside table; plus, they are so easy to make! 

What you'll need:

Wine Corks (Darn, we guess you'll have to drink a bottle or two)

Glue (we used Gorilla glue, the king of all glues)

Felt (cut into squares and attached to the bottom to prevent condensation from leaking through)

We found that gluing two corks together vertically, letting them dry, then attaching four pairs of corks worked best.

DIY: His & Her Mugs

Not only have we been wanting to try the "Baked Sharpie" technique, but these His & Her mugs are perfect for Valentine's Day!

What you'll need: 

2 Porcelain Mugs

1 Black Permanent Marker

1 Red Permanent Marker

(and an oven)

We chose the ever popular lips and mustache, but draw whatever your heart desires. Then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. It really is that easy! 

A Very Vintage Bar Cart

Vintage looking bar carts have made a comeback and we love it! They're a handy serve-yourself option for parties, and when styled correctly, they can also be a focal point in your home. 

We started with several base themes like silver serving accessories, glass stemware and liquor bottles. 

Then we added a variety of accents, like this Spanish mosaic bull figurine and other pops of color. The Turkish brandy glasses and liquor bottles draw attention with their assorted hues. 

We maintained interest from top to bottom by placing a vintage statement piece on the lowest shelf. The Solid Gold Cadillac car and shot glass holder plays "Show Me the Way to Go Home" when you lift its liquor decanter. 

Repurposing Shutters

Think again before you toss out those old shutters! 

They make great home décor statements...in addition to covering your windows. We found this shabby-chic teal set at a local consignment shop and knew the possibilities were endless. We chose to display some of our favorite earrings and pins, but photos would also look great!  

How To: Style Your Bookcase

Here are a few ways to keep your bookcase looking organized yet stylish, which is harder than it seems! 

First, you'll need books. If you've started using an E-reader or simply don't have a large collection, a great place to find unique and classic books is your local antique or thrift shop. Look for a variety of sizes and colors that will stand out on your shelves. 

As far as placing your books: stand some up straight, lean others diagonally and lay a few flat. This makes the eye wander around the entire bookcase instead of just one shelf.

Next, choose a few meaningful items to arrange on top of and in between your books, such as a picture frame or trinket. This will draw attention to your favorite pieces and add some personal flair.

Find accents that compliment each other but don't exactly match. For example: two canvases with inspirational quotes or burlap pails that say No. 1 and No. 2. We also included cigar boxes in natural wood and a vibrant red. Pairing similar items together keeps your bookcase looking coordinated. 

It's all about placement. Put everything together, change it, and then change it again until you like it. No one says it has to be perfect the first time!