A Low-Budget Bedroom Wall Turned Office

After a few weeks of bribing you to come back to see the progress we have been making in our bedroom, I can finally say that this room is getting closer to being done.  The biggest task we have took on so far is completed for now, until I decided to make a tweak here or there.

What am I talking about?

Well, thanks for asking!  Sometimes I ramble on without making any sense.  You’ll have to excuse me from time to time.  Mr. Converse Sneakers and I worked really hard brainstorming a way to incorporate a fully-functional organized (and pretty) office space into our bedroom.  Since the only other living space we have domain over (our roommate gets to dictate what goes on in the upper bedroom, living room, and bathroom) is our downstairs living room which has zero extra space for both of us to use as an office space, the bedroom was our only option for converting.

Let’s take a look at where we started.

In August, our bedroom looked like this:





We were smart and invested in a long desk from Ikea, but the placement was off.  We really liked the bed on the back wall because it was perfectly centered, but the desk area made no sense.

A couple weeks later, the room took on a new arrangement.





We moved the desk along the back wall, added a skirt, and placed the bed on the wall opposite the door.  We had to nix one nightstand and temporarily replace it with that hideous green storage stand because of a pesky step built into the floor (seen in the upper photo above) making our lives a decorating nightmare.  This layout made much more sense, but it did not provide any more storage for our office supplies.

I posted many ideas a little while ago that served as inspiration for our office space.

If I had to choose the two ideas I took the most inspiration from, I would choose this one (below) because I loved the symmetry of the desk in between the shelving units . . .



. . . and this one (below) because of the shelf, color, and cute storage ideas.



Now, drumroll please, here is what our office area looks like now:



Much better, right?  Here is a shot of it straight on:



We definitely combined both of the inspiration photos to come up with our own custom look.  We centered the desk on the wall, added two Ikea Expedit shelving units with three storage boxes (similar in price and look to the Ikea Drona boxes – I cannot find the name of these specific Ikea ones anywhere).  We also added an Ekby Jarpen shelf held up by beautiful curvy Ekby Hensvik brackets.  We used a lot of Ikea products, which we probably wouldn’t normally do because we like a little less modern aesthetic, but the price was right!



The left side is Mr. CS’s side.  The three storage boxes hold electronics (GPS, Nikon DSLR, Sony point-and-shoot, chargers, etc.), various paper items (envelopes, notepads, stamps, notebooks, etc.), with one box almost empty still (yay for overflow space).  The second to top shelf holds a few nick nacks that my hubby loves, a blue mason jar holding coins, a few magazines, and a basket I demanded he keep his keys, ipod, and other everyday items he usually leaves scattered around the apartment.  The top shelf holds some of his things like recipes (since he is a chef and a huge foodie), more magazines, a planner, and a notebook.  We bought the most awesome hanging file bins from Target that are housed on top of the left shelving unit. One is for my papers and one is for his.



To make our lives easier once we find new, smaller nightstands that probably won’t have any drawers, we are using the bottom two storage bins for things like socks and under garments.  The top storage bin houses some of my photography business products like DVDs, business cards, and large envelopes.  The second to the top shelf holds some of my books and my new beautiful camera bag.  We bought a large gray hanging file bin to hold our important papers we need on hand.  The rest of our paper storage is held in a file cabinet in our laundry/storage room (which I am still not brave enough to show you).  I store my school books and a few miscellaneous books in a silver tray on top of the shelving unit.



We are still working out the details with the contents on the shelf, but for now we store some books and use the rest of the space as an area to add pretty details like our ornate pink “S” and a blue frame with one of our engagement photos in it (the frame was a birthday present from Mr. CS a few years back and I still love it).  We cannot use every inch of space on the shelf because the only vent in the room lands right above the shelf.



Below the shelf, I used items we had on hand (two cork squares and a dry-erase board) to create a quick-reference area for notes, reminders, birth announcements, wedding invites, and any inspiration we come by that we want to showcase.  Fun fact: the purple card on the right cork square is the exact card I gave Mr. CS the last day before Christmas break our senior year of high school.  I ended the card with, “If you asked me out right now, I’m not sure I would say no . . . Anyway, have a great Christmas break!”  Such funny memories – that was the card that started this beautiful relationship!




To divide our desk areas, we keep charcoal paper drawers that store our everyday supplies (like white-out, rubberbands, staples, dry-erase markers, etc.) and paper for the printer.  In a mug I bought my hubby a few years ago with picture of various desserts he made at culinary school, we keep pens, pencils, and scissors.



On top of the paper drawers, we keep a floral bin that stores our external harddrives.  On top of that, we bought a stylish letter sorter to keep recent bills, letters, and lists we need to look at in the near future.  Years ago, I made the two floral decorative boxes out of greeting cards with my grandma, which now hold our tacks and paper clips.  I love them!



The one solution I had the hardest time coming up with was where to keep the printer.  It is too big and chunky (not to mention not very pretty) to keep on the desk.  It is too big to fit on either the shelf above the desk or the side shelving units.  The only solution I could come up with was to keep it under the desk.  It’s wireless, so all we have to do is turn it on when we want to use it.  After a week of keeping it there, it has worked out perfectly!  It might not work for all, but it works for us!

Let’s recap the before and after one more time:

BEFORE



AFTER



BEFORE



AFTER



What do you think?  Do you have a room that doubles as two rooms in the way it functions?

Refocusing: Needs versus Wants

Every so often I get swept away in my ideas and in all of the inspiration around me and I forget what is really important in life.  Just when I thought I had mastered a way of thinking I have been taught since birth, I find myself thinking like a child again.  I’ll say, “I need this” or “I have to have that.”  As someone who has spent years studying the English language, I know how crucial language is to one’s understanding of the world.  When I say I “need” something I don’t really need, but in fact, want, I begin thinking that I really do need that something in order to survive.  Most things in my life I don’t need to survive.

Today, because I am sure I’m  not the only one who gets swept away with these thoughts, I’m going to share my needs versus wants.  I hope it helps me gain some perspective and puts me in a better mood because today I’m crabby!  I have no idea why.  I need to remember just how blessed I am just by being alive.

My thought: I need some more mascara.

No, one does not ever need mascara.  I’m simply running low.

Replace it with: I’m so blessed to have time to think about vanity when others are spending their time thinking about how they will survive.

My thought: I need a craft area in my living room.

No, I want a craft area because it would be easier to craft if everything is in one place.

Replace it with: I am very lucky to have the resources to afford items to use for a hobby.  I am lucky to have free time.

My thought: I need more time with my husband.

Replace it with: I should cherish the little time I have with my husband and cherish the fact that we both have jobs and fulfilling days, every day.

My thought: I need the new iPhone.  My phone is crap.

How funny it is that now a cell phone is considered a need.

Replace it with: Phones are a luxury that I’m lucky to be able to afford.  Be thankful every time I use it because it’s something not everyone has.

I think you get the point.  I hope it helped you or at least is something you could look back on if these thoughts ever creep into your mind.  It has helped me!

What is something you find yourself saying you need, when it is really just something you want?

What’s In My Pretty Yellow Camera Bag?

Two years back, during finals week of my junior year, I ordered a Nikon D5000.  I tend to spend large sums of money during finals week, probably because my brain is so fried I am unable to think clearly about what I am doing.  Or, that’s my excuse. ;)

I loved that camera more than words could describe.  I learned all that I could find about ISO, shutter speed, aperture, metering, light, composition, and exposure so by the next year I had moved beyond of Aperture Priority and began shooting in manual.  I never felt very good about my indoor shots because most of the places I take photos of inside have limited natural light which is what I like to work with exclusively.  Our current apartment has been horrendous to shoot. Nothing ever looks the same on camera as it does on person, which is definitely my own fault because I don’t know a lot about shooting indoors, especially with low light.  I never purchased an external flash and I never used the one on my camera even once.  For over a year I have been thinking about upgrading when I had a good reason to.

Well, if opening my own photography business isn’t a good reason to get a more professional DSLR, then I don’t know what is!  After many weeks of researching, I decided to stray from Nikon.  As much as I loved my old camera, I decided that Canon, in my opinion, offers better features at a lower price.  Everyone has a different opinion about the ongoing Canon/Nikon debate, and now I’ve been on both sides.  I think both brands are awesome and I could never choose one over the other.  However, I did tons of research on the cameras other professional photographers doing lifestyle photography are using, and hands down, 99% of the ones I researched (which were lots) were using a Canon 5d Mark or the 5d Mark ii, which was actually the camera I had been pining over for many months.

I decided to go for it, finding it $500 cheaper online than I would pay at a nearby retail store for full price with tax.  It arrived last week and I am loving it!  I can’t wait to start using it professionally!  Now Mr. Converse Sneakers gets my backup Nikon D5000 to learn the basics on.

While I was upgrading my camera body, I had to also get new lenses and other camera gear since I am now starting a business.

Let’s check out my bag and its contents:

My camera bag came in this awesome box – with the same font as my blog header!


It’s the Betsy in mustard from JoTotes.



I had many requirements for a bag:

• It had to look like something other than a camera bag.  With so much expensive gear in one bag, when I am out and about I don’t want anyone knowing what’s inside at first glance.
• It had to be cute.  I figure if I am going to go the untraditional route with the bag, it might as well be adorable!
• It had to be able to expand to my growing collection of gear.
• It had to have extra pockets.
• It had to fit well as a messenger bag.

So far, Betsy has far surpassed my requirements!

She even has a pocket in the main flap which will be great when I can think of what I want to store in there!



The pocket in the back was designed for an iPad, but I will probably keep a notebook in there.



In addition to my 5D Mark ii and 50mm f/1.4 prime lens, I also keep the following in my bag:

• A case for my CF cards
• A cleaning pen and a lens blower
• Transfer cable
• Battery charger
• 85mm f/1.8 lens
• Pen and pencil

I still have a lot of ideas for things to add (like lenses), but so far, I think this is a great start.  I love it all and am thrilled to share my progress with all of these tools over time.

What’s in your camera bag?

Getting the Ball (or Lens) Rolling

Last week, I shared the engagement photos I took for my friends and my announcement that I am starting a photography business.  Over the course of the past two weeks, I have spent every second of my free time (some of which when I should have been doing homework) researching, planning, and building my brand.  It took a long time to come up with a name because my first and middle names (Sarah Ann) are extremely common and already taken as photography names, and I was hesitant to use my last name because it’s hard to pronounce when reading it, but no other name would fit.  I decided that it is my name and I should be proud of it!

My new photography website is Sarah Syhakhoun Photography found here.  I would love if you would go check it out, especially if you life in the Twin Cities area.  Since I am just starting out, I am offering very affordable rates, so please send me an email if you are interested!

I can’t wait to update my new website with more photos!  This journey has been, so far, extremely thrilling as well as terrifying, but I know it’s right, so I’m going to keep chugging along.

:)

Our Wedding: Part 4–The Ceremony

I am SO sorry I completely forgot to post about our wedding on Monday.  I’ve been so into my new photography business that I honestly spaced out and plain forgot!  How does one forget her own wedding only two months after it took place, I’m not sure!

This week I will be telling you rambling on and on (and on) about our ceremony.  Although we put a lot of work and thought into the reception, the ceremony was our main focus throughout our year of wedding planning because we wanted every word spoken to reflect our relationship. I had just graduated from college with my English degree, so I am at lease a little obsessed, if not ready-to-be-admitted obsessed with words and their meaning.  We wanted to hand-select every part of our ceremony to fit our unique relationship.

Watching the video of our ceremony taken by friends and family makes me tear up.  It was incredibly special.  We had never heard any part of our ceremony recited before at someone else’s.  We got so many compliments on the words, which was not something I expected (I thought people might think it’s weird to not have any traditional readings), but was greatly appreciated.

I’m going to post both the words to our ceremony as well as photos from the ceremony (taken by Leah Maria Photography).  My comments will be in a normal font, the ceremony reading will be italicized.

San and Sarah’s (or Mr. Converse Sneakers and Mrs. Ruffled Flats’) Wedding Ceremony

Our ceremony was held outdoors at Riverview Greens in Stewartville, MN.  The grounds were absolutely gorgeous.  At the end of the aisle after a little strip of grass where the bridal party stood was a small lake with a beautiful fountain.  We decroated with pink pomanders (that took DAYS and DAYS to make but looked very pretty that day) and balloons, which were used in our ceremony (keep reading to see how).



Guests were greeted with a small table with “tears of joy” Kleenex packets, a book of our engagement photos, bubbles, and program fans – all held in vintage or vintage-inspired baskets/crates.



I bought the program fans from Michaels and printed them to match our invitations:



One little splurge was our ceremony quartet (Ensemble Con Brio) consisting of a cello, flute, harp, and violin.  It was lovely!



All the men walked out first and lined up:





Then the ladies walked out one by one
.


We had two ring bearers (both Mr. CS’s cousins) and a MIA flower girl (also his cousin) who had just woken up from a nap and refused to be a part of the festivities (so funny).  She was supposed to be pulled down the aisle on a wagon with a quilt that my grandma and I made for my Confirmation in ninth grade, but instead, the boys pulled the cart with the basket of flowers by itself.  I was a little embarrassed because I think people were confused, but it’s pretty funny to look back on.



Instead of a ring bearer pillow, I searched for hours on Etsy for a vintage cookbook to use in the wedding as a ring bearer book.  I found a perfect used on called “Blueberry Hill” with great vintage recipes in the perfect pattern and color for our big day.  We plan to make a recipe from the book on every anniversary!  It really made the sapphire in my ring pop (which, by the way, I had picked out before I had ever heard of Kate Middleton, but I had known how timeless it was and that Princess Diana had a sapphire)!

My adorable father in his red cummerbund (I made him leave his jacket unbuttoned because it was so snazzy on him) led me down the aisle.  The hem of my dress had been ripped during photos (an easy fix) and was not noticeable to others, but it hooked around my dad’s foot right before we reached the beginning of the aisle.  It felt like it took forever to unhook it, but in the video I couldn’t even tell.  I can be pretty dramatic sometimes!

One of my favorite photos from the day.  I tear up almost every time I look at it.






Opening:


Friends, Sarah and San have invited us here today to share in the celebration of their marriage -- their wedding. We come together not to mark the start of a relationship, but to recognize a bond that already exists. This marriage is one expression of the many varieties of love. Love is one, though its expressions are infinite.


It is fitting to speak briefly about love. We live in a world of joy and fear and search for meaning and strength in the seeming disorder. We discover the truest guideline to our quest when we realize love in all its magnitudes. Love is the eternal force of life. Love is the force that allows us to face fear and uncertainty with courage. But, you must "be of love a little more careful than of anything."


For the giving of yourself in love is difficult, for you must learn to give of your love without total submission of yourself. Therefore, in your giving, give your joy, your sadness, your interest, your understanding, your knowledge -- all expressions that make up life. But in this giving, remember to preserve yourself -- your integrity, your individuality. This is the challenge of love within marriage.


San and Sarah, you are marrying because you enjoy each other's company and because you want to be together. You are marrying because each of you can grow in humanity and in love more fully while touching the other. You are marrying because you can be more trusting of life as life mates. Keep this understanding of your marriage fresh and alive in the days ahead.


In marriage a family comes into being. Be joyful in your family. Bring to your family an appreciation of the beauty of each other. Bring to your family a sense of comfort and strength. Bring to your family a joy and thankfulness for being together.





Foundation:


Marriage is a gift from God, a miracle. It is obvious that you already know some of the great blessings marriage has to offer. It is an opportunity to feel the joy of taking care of someone who takes care of you, to be challenged towards growth yet gently nurtured, to love deeply and receive it in return. It is about trust, friendship and having a partner to share all life has to offer. It is a commitment to participate in a process of mutual evolution, understanding and forgiveness. It is indeed a sacred union to be treated with reverence.


Marriage is not a place to hide from the world. It is a safe place to grow and become wiser. It is a place to evolve into better people; so that you can go out in the world and make a difference by spreading the joy and wisdom that you have found with each other. Together in this marriage, you shall contribute more fully, for you both shall be more full.


Sarah, San is a gift to you from God, but he is not a gift for you alone. It is God’s will that in your love, this man might find within himself a greater sense of who he is meant to be. You are asked to see the good in this man, to accept him for who he is and who he shall be. In this way, God’s purpose shall be accomplished in this relationship. May this man find the kingdom of heaven through the love you share.


And so it is with you also San, that although Sarah is God’s gift to you, she is not a gift intended for you alone. You are asked by God to so love this woman, that in your love she might find herself as God has created her, so beautiful and strong and brave and true, that the entire world might be blessed by the presence of a woman who shines so. May she relax in your arms as she has never relaxed before. May she know, from now on, that there is one on whose love she can depend on forever.


May you both create, with God, a piece of heaven on earth.





Prayer:


Our Father, love has been Your richest and greatest gift to the world. Love between a man and woman which matures into marriage is one of Your most beautiful types of loves. Today we celebrate that love. May your blessing be on this wedding service. Protect, guide, and bless San and Sarah in their marriage. Surround them and us with Your love now and always. Amen.


Sarah and San want to acknowledge their parents on this occasion, Casey and Valerie and Pone and Devin. Sarah and San offer their profound gratitude to their parents for all the love and care they showed in raising them. The unconditional gifts of love and support that you have continually offered have inspired them to become who they are today, and they thank you, from the bottom of their hearts, for guiding them to this celebration of love here today. Without you, this day would not be possible.


We despeartely searched for symbolic readings/activities to use in our ceremony that weren’t overdone, had meaning to us, and could be done outside.  One of our favorite elements of the ceremony was the Hands Ceremony.




The Hands Ceremony:


San and Sarah, please face each other and take each other’s hands, so that you may see the gift they are to you.


These are the hands of your best friend, young and strong and full of love for you on your wedding day as you promise to love each other today, tomorrow, and forever.
These are the hands that will work along side yours as together you build your future.
They will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, and with the slightest touch will comfort you like no other.
These are the hands that will hold you when fear or grief temporarily comes your way.
They will wipe the tears from your eyes, tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
These are the hands that will give you support and encouragement to chase down your dreams.
They will give you strength when you need it and will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times.
These are the hands that will lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into eyes that are filled with overwhelmingly love for you.
And even when wrinkled with age will still be reaching for yours, still giving you the same unspoken tenderness with just a touch.


My husband’s aunt, who has been one of our greatest sources of support, agreed to do a reading for the wedding.  She surprised us at how well she had practiced the whole thing!



We both wanted to memorize something for the wedding, so we edited down a little back and forth pre-wedding vow promise to each other.  It was scary but definitely worth it!




Minister: You are different people today than you were five years ago. Five years from now, you will be different still. Yet, you are about to make promises which are meant to last a lifetime. May you grant each other the gift of growth.
Groom: Sarah, I expect you to change, just as I will change. My promise to you is that, as I grow, I will share the growth with you.
Bride: I will not expect you always to think and believe exactly as you do today. I will encourage your growth and you will encourage mine. I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
Groom: I promise to respect your opinions even when they differ from my own.
Bride: I will be your partner but never your shadow.
Groom: I will be your equal but not your double.
Bride: I will bring to you my ideas and interests, not expecting you always to have the same enthusiasms.
Groom: I will respect your interests even when they differ from my own.
Bride: I will strive for a love that is flexible that adapts to your changing needs.
Groom: I will strive for a love that will withstand the test of time.
Minister: I offer you the good wishes of myself and these your guests. As your love grows, may you also grow in the capacity to share it. May every change bring you increased happiness.




We spent the most time coming up with good wedding vows.  We didn’t want to go with the traditional vows because we’ve heard them so much, we thought they wouldn’t be meaningful as we said them.  We wanted to be fully aware of the promise we were making to each other and to God.



Sidenote: my veil started to fly off right as I was saying the words “to laugh with you” which definitely made us both laugh and made the moment lighthearted!  I’m holding it down in the photo above.  Right after the vows, I handed it to my maid of honor.  It’s all about improvising, people!

Vows:


Minister: San and Sarah, please repeat after me as you enter in the covenant of marriage.
From this day on
I promise to keep you as my beloved soul mate,
to live with you and laugh with you;
to stand by your side and sleep in your arms;
to be joy to your heart and food to your soul;
to be the best I can be, just for you;
to celebrate with you in the good times;
to struggle with you in the bad;
to wipe your tears with my hands;
to care for you with my entire being;
to share with you everything that I have;
as we treat each other with tenderness, compassion and love.


One day during wedding planning, a thought came to me to release balloons, but not just balloons, but balloons with our vows tied to them!  It would be symbolic of the covenant we were making with God.  It was one of my favorite details!




Balloon Release:


As a symbol of their never-ending love and their covenant with God, San and Sarah will now release a balloon with their vows written on a paper inside to the Heavens.





Exchange of Rings:


Minister: San and Sarah, as these rings are designed without an ending, they speak of eternity. May God bless these rings which you give to each other as the sign of your eternal love, trust, and faithfulness.
Minister: San, take Sarah’s ring, and as you place it on her finger and bind her to yourself, repeat after me.
Minister: Sarah, my love: With this ring, I thee wed, and say to the world “This is my wife, whom I cherish above all others.”
Minister: Sarah, take San’s ring, and as you place it on his finger and bind him to yourself, repeat after me.
Minister: San, my love: With this ring, I thee wed, and say to the world “This is my husband, whom I cherish above all others.”


Prayer:


Father, our hearts are filled with great happiness. San and Sarah have come before you, pledging their lives and their hearts to one another. Grant that they may be ever true and loving, living together in such a way as to never bring heartache into their marriage. Temper their hearts with kindness and help them to be sweethearts, helpmates, friend and guide, and together, may they meet the cares and problems of life more bravely. Let them remember the value of each other as individuals, and never take each other for granted. And as time takes away their youthful charm, may they find contentment in the greater joys of rich companionship. May their home truly be a place of love and harmony where your Spirit is ever present. Bless their wedding day, we pray, and walk beside them, through all their life together. May their love continue through life and finally blend into the life eternal. Amen.


San and Sarah, you have declared before all of us that you will live together in marriage. You have made special promises to each other, which have been symbolized by the joining of hands, the taking of vows and the giving and receiving of two rings.


By the authority vested in me, I now pronounce you to be Husband and Wife.



You may seal your promises with a kiss.


Sarah and San, never forget the beginning of your love for one another, take care of it, nurture it, and allow it to grow strong and firm in the years that are to come.


We marched back down the aisle with bubbles blowing all around us and “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles playing on the quartet instruments.  It was magical!

Whew!  As we say in Minnesota, Uf-da!  That was a long post.  Even if you didn’t read a word and just skimmed along, or just happily (or boringly) scrolled down and are now reading this, thank you for sharing in our day!  I have more to share (probably not in this much detail), but we put a tremendous amount of work into our ceremony that I thought others (like family) might want to look back on sometime.  It’s crazy to me how much of the day has already faded in my memory, but I can always come back and relive the moment through the photos and the words of our ceremony and remember the feelings of love and support we had every second of that day.

What’s your favorite part of a wedding ceremony?

Making Room for The Winter Months

I would not be exaggerating if I told you that winter lasts a good six months here in Minnesota.  It really does.  I have been putting off getting ready for it as long as possible because it just plain sucks.  I’m no fan of winter, but somehow every year it sneaks up on me and I wish I had been more prepared.

So, this year, because I’m married and newly-domestic (ha, yeah right), I decided to do a little to make room for winter clothes.  Mr. Converse Sneakers and I are not ones to put our “winter” clothes away in storage.  In Minnesota, we could have a cold front come through any day during the summer, so having all kinds of clothing at hand is sometimes crucial.  Plus, I like to layer my clothes, so I end up wearing most of my wardrobe throughout the entire year.  Unfortunately, we do not have a lot of room for clothes.

Don’t let the idea of two closets fool you (and yes, they are two different heights with handles that don’t line up – just another joy of apartment living):



I had more closet space all four years of college on my own than I do now, and now I have to share it with my husband.  The semi-nice thing about the closets is that one already has built-in shelves and one has a rod for hanging clothes.  We added another rod to the closet on the right and have done our best to keep all the folded clothes organized on the left.



It doesn’t always look like, this however.  Our clothes get pretty cramped, and when I go to find a pair of jeans, I don’t like to spend time neatly folding them all back up, so it can get pretty chaotic.  We only have enough room to comfortably fit one hamper (so we switch it out half way through the week) and can fit most of the shoes we don’t wear regularly in the little nook in the right corner (peeking out in the photo below).



I have always liked to hang most of my clothes up to save them from wrinkles (even jeans), but I don’ have that luxury now.  All of my nicer tops get crammed into the top half of the closet and my dresses get smooshed in the very back.  Mr. CS’s clothes graze the floor as well, which makes this less than ideal.  We have a tiny bit of space for his hats and our belts, winter hats, and scarves above the rods.



We used to have absolutely no room in our room for coats.  I have 2 fall/spring jackets, three winter jackets (two are dressy and one is practical), and Mr. CS has about the same.  We also have a couple rain jackets and fleece zip ups for layering.  We were keeping them in the upstairs living room coat closet, but everything got cramped in there and we are rarely in that room, so we would rather have all of our clothes right where we need them when we need them.

We have put a lot of projects on hold, but when I was at Target this weekend, sans-husband, I decided to check out the coat hooks.  I picked up this white one for $20.  We have the perfect space behind our bedroom door that fits most of our coats easily (and my purse that normally floats around the basement), and when the door is open (which is most of the time we are home), no one can even tell there are coats there.



Score!  It’s so nice to have an organized home.  We have a long way to go, but we’re getting there slowly.

I can’t wait to tackle the other half of the room: the office area.  I’ll keep you posted!

What little-used area of your home is ready for a new purpose?

A Fall Tablescape on a Frugal Dollar

I’ve been really sick of sitting at this beat up $7 Goodwill table with only two chairs (because we are still too frugal and lazy to buy new desk chairs, so the dining chairs are being used for now leaving us with only two in the kitchen).  It’s looked like this for too long:



I like having our salt and pepper and napkins on the little tray so we can easily move them off the table when we have to use it for crafting or to surf the web, but because the kitchen has barely been decorated, this tray looks lifeless and boring.  It was time to put my thinking cap on and get to work at changing that!



I wanted something with more height that I could easily change up from season to season or when we have a themed dinner night.  I found this hurricane vase tutorial and knew it was perfect.  I stopped by the local Dollar Tree and Goodwill and came home with five vases and three candle holders (the three vases are just resting on the candlesticks so I could envision the final product).



I soaked the glass pieces in the sink and very easily removed the labels.  When they were dry, I added Gorilla Glue to the candle holders and planted them firmly on the bottom of each vase.  Then I put some books on them to act as a clamp so they would dry correctly.  I will admit, this was my first time using Gorilla Glue, so I put way too much glue on that I had to scrape off.  I may or may not have cut a slice of my finger off with an exacto blade . . .  Just be careful not to put too much glue and then you won’t need to use any kind of blade.



I used the leftover candy corn from my wreath project, some pinecone vase filler from Target (that I can use in fall and winter), and a cheap IKEA candle.

Much better!



I am so happy to have some versatile pieces I will be able to use forever, and all on a frugal dollar!

What inexpensive fall decorating have you been doing?