kitchen: spices

I can't tell you how much time I wasted looking for spices while cooking. It drove me crazy. I even had them categorized -- but I still had to pick up so many to get the right one. So when I saw Anna's spice jars from IKEA, I needed them. Right down to the Martha Stewart labels.

Anna's spice jars

Our new spice jars ...

Now the spice shelf is so much less cluttered:

dinner: grilled eggplant with tomato-basil relish

We've never tried a Bobby Flay recipe we didn't like. Let's face it, the man is a genius. This recipe has become one of our favorites -- especially in the summer.

dining room: progress

We are currently working on this little black hole in the dining room...

The vision:

Add some functionality to a wasted space -- coat hooks?

Paint that door

Give the door a cute knob

Trim out the door

Paint the radiator... white! (surprised?)

Paint the stairs

Add some paint on the wall behind the radiator -- chalkboard maybe?

Finish caulking the floor molding

*By the way... that's just a screen door we forgot to store ...

We thought last winter might be a good time to spray paint it... then realized all the windows had to be opened. Not the brightest DIY moment...

the pillow of our dreams

Josh and I are both really picky. I'm posting this because it's a big moment: this is the only throw pillow we have liked in three years (that was reasonably priced). I think that's post-worthy.

Introducing...

<3 you.

dressed up clothespins

Young House Love dressed up clothespins for a playroom. I gave it a try and it was super easy!

All you have to do is find some cute paper, trace a clothespin on card stock to make a "model", trace and cut the pieces from the cute paper, brush a little glue on the the clothespin, lightly press the paper on, and done!

wire organization

We had wires everywhere. Laying on the coach, in the basket next to the couch, on the kitchen counter, on the console. Obviously driving me crazy...

We used this old coke crate to hold some party favors a few weeks ago and realized it would be the perfect place to store the wires because of the individual compartments. I don't even mind it staying out in the open in the living room...

It's not the most genius idea in the world, but looking at it makes me happy. And I'm trying to stay happy (and not lose it) because I accidentally spray painted our hardwood floor. Yeah...

georgetown: CB2

We were screaming/running down the street in Georgetown when we spotted someone walking with a CB2 bag. It was so overwhelming when we actually got there... too many perfect things to look at.

Here are some of the things we love:

Check out this hamper -- it's so simple and clean looking...

This chair is amazing... if only it wasn't leather! Please, CB2, make a fabric one!

Floating nightstands...

How cool are these shelves?

Beam mugs -- so cheerful.

Everyone needs a creamer carton...

This push-pin board would look great in the office... I love that it's a metal material...

Cute trash bin...

And we came home with...

The Beam Mug!