Cargo

A couple weekends ago when I went to Portland, my friends took me to Cargo. I walked in and said, "What?" I didn't get it. I think a ship just hauled up on the sidewalk and literally dumped its cargo. I loved it. 

I'm really psyched about poufs lately. Look at these beauties from across the sea.

Just the rusty leftovers from China's Ace Hardware?

Left Cambodia without some shoes? They've got some in Portland!

So freaky and so cool.

Stools.

More stools.

These are just blocks of wood painted in various colors. For what I do not know, but I would still buy them.

This is actually one thing I almost did buy. So much mystery. Who is he? Would he like to be placed on my mantel? Could I live with his stare?

Loved this room. Old doors, headboards, wood beams.

That bright blue picture frame that is 90% frame? Come on! I love it!

These numbers would be cool on the front of your house. You'd be the only house in history that people could actually find without veering into garbage cans.

Love and largeness,

Martha

Jewelry as Decor

Jewelry looks good on your body, why not make it look just as good when it's off your body? Treat it as something to enhance the look of your vanity, bedside table, or bathroom. Here are a couple things I've done as well as other ideas from the web.

I use a turquoise Anthropologie cupcake stand as a catch-all for stud earrings and rings. Here's a similar one on Amazon in pink! It's a bit tricky because without any curvature, you can't pile it too high or bump it because things will fall off. But because of that, you can see everything and access it easily.

When it comes to dangly earrings and necklaces, I've used a frame-turned-clothesline-for-earrings-thingy that I made several years ago from a Martha Stewart idea. 

I would love to turn another frame into something like this (from Sweet Pea & Co). It's shiny and classy. Both qualities I like in my jewelry, too!

Here's a thrift store slab of wood with scrapbook paper and three Anthropologie knobs (from the discount section) that I normally use for an apron hanger but since there's no room in my new kitchen, I moved it to the bathroom to hold my necklaces.

Or just secure buttons or knobs right to the wall like this idea from Decor8. This can be an addition to a wall that already contains art.

I dig this option in the closet (from Arianna Belle). Makes me think I'd keep my closet a prettier place if I had my jewels there to inspire me.

 This photo also seen on Arianna Belle, I like the combination of things happening here. If you had a table to devote to jewelry, I'd go for this set up. Pretty bowls, various stands plus art and flowers. Yeah. Lovely.

This hanging wonder is from my friend Mad Mim. This is a great idea if you don't have wall space or surface space. Or if you just want a funky and functional chandelier but don't need more lighting.

What are your favorite ways to display your jewelry?

*Martha

Holiday DIY: Wreaths

As I mentioned before, I am not much into holiday decorating. I don't know, I always just blame it on the lack of funds. But this year I am determined to decorate. I need cheap, cheap, cheap ideas since one of us in my relationship is a student and the other is a SAHM. Enter: the thrifty, crafty bloggers of the world who freely share their insanely affordable holiday decor ideas. I'll be rounding up all of my favorite ones and posting them throughout the next couple months.

Today's topic: Wreaths. My sister turned me onto the blog Made which is just pure inspiration + pure eye candy. Here's Dana's tutorial on acorn wreaths and just a few photos below (she shows other color options, all beautiful and versatile enough to be used for other holidays). It cost her $3.50. 

I love the natural look of the brown one (which is just baked acorns, no spray paint here). 

This white one is soooo fresh. Makes me want a mint.

This green is not your usual pine green. And I like it.

If you don't have acorns in your area, here are two variations with lima beans (also found from Dana's blog). LIMA BEANS, for pete's sake! The one below is from The Southern Institute. This one she did for Valentine's Day. Then she planned to paint it pastel for Easter, a bright color for summer, etc., etc. Don't be afraid to re-spray paint to your heart's content!

Another lima bean one from All Things Thrifty. That red bow is divine.

If you're up for a cute little mini-wreath that jingles on your doorknob, Martha Stewart has the (not so detailed) directions here.

Okay, I think this gumdrop wreath (also from Marthy Stewart) is just fabulous. Pretty sure you could glue gun them on instead of toothpicks, too.

Love and longitude,

Martha

Get the Look - Mad Men Office

I just finished (a little late) watching the fourth season of Mad Men. The decor and clothing did not disappoint, as is the case every season. I especially enjoyed Roger Sterling's office this season. Black and white to the hilt! 

The artist of that black and white picture may have been Bridget Riley. If only her prints sold in cheap versions. That talking bubble in the photo below was a real quote from that episode. It does kind of feel like a vortex. Not exactly a calming piece of art, but definitely a conversation piece.

The mushroom lamp was my favorite item in the office.

If you're looking to outfit your office Roger Sterling style, look no further. These are some plausible options for getting your black and white on circa 1963.

White mushroom lamp $125

White tulip table $375

Eames style office chair $345

Black Corona chair $563

Optical illusion poster $8

Love and Lost (one TV show I have never watched...),

Martha

Little Winter in Portland

Pretty sure I could NOT be more excited for Saturday to come. I'm going to a cute little art fair in Portland called Little Winter.

It involves two of my all time favorite bloggers: Chelsea of Frolic! and Jordan of Oh Happy Day. To think I may actually meet them makes me stop breathing for a second. Second only to my love for these ladies is my love for Justin Bieber. So. That should tell you something.

Chelsea is doing the styling for the market and using this photo as inspiration.  It's giving me chills already! Brrrr...

Love and Little Winter,

Martha

Pioneer Woman's Lodge Kitchen

The Lodge is an ongoing renovation project that has its very own tab in The Pioneer Woman's home and garden section. Here is the kitchen. I like the wide openness of it.

Love that church bench on the left.

She's still working on the bar area.

Pleeeenty of counter space for major cooking with and for guests.

I would like to see more pops of color in the kitchen, like on this wall.

Nice use of stone and wood. And I love open shelving. Again, an excuse to buy beautiful dishes and display them.

This is her vegetable sink. Hello. Somebody uses lots of vegetables. I like when people fully understand the way they use their kitchens and build it into the design. Design is nothing without function, in my opinion.

Love and lovely lodges,

Martha

Pioneer Woman's Home Kitchen

I bop on over to The Pioneer Woman when I need a dose of country in my life. Have you SEEN that site lately? She can advise you on just about any part of your countrified life. Including home and garden! Who knew?  Since I've followed her cooking blog more closely, I have come to love the functionality and simplicity of her kitchen. 

I think I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for white cabinets. They are clean and classic. I also really like how the top cabinets are windowed. It gives you a chance to buy and display dishes you love (and forces you to stay organized at least in that part of the kitchen). She didn't white it out too much, she pulled in natural woods and tan tile flooring to warm it up just right.

 Her built-in flour/sugar drawers are just genius. More about those here.

She mixed up the countertops, which I love. Granite for the perimeter and stainless steel for the island. More on her countertop choices here. And tomorrow a post on the kitchen in their lodge.

Love and love songs,

Martha

VOTE TODAY!

Let's be honest, voting seems like a burden most of the time, especially when it's "just" midterm elections. Researching the issues and the candidates can be laborious. Plus, it cuts into my Facebook time! I mean COME ON! However, as a woman, I can't help but think every voting day about the women before me who fought to give me the right to voice my opinion about local, state and national government. Even when the issues are straight up boring and the candidates are straight up annoying. I love those women. I want to honor them. If you need a little extra inspiration, read this story. It's one of my favorites about how the suffrage vote was finally passed. It was thanks to the influence of a wonderful mother. Happy voting day!

Love and little know facts,

Martha

Fireplaces ... What To Do?

Are you feeling festive these days? Because here come the holidays! It's got me thinking about fireplaces. Love them or hate them, one thing is for sure: they produce a big question mark in many a head when it comes to decorating with and around them. Here are some cool ideas I've been bookmarking.

Surprise! There is a phone inside this cute fireplace in the home of the couple from Oh Darling. The yellow and orange banner is a nice way to break up the elongated brick wall. And I pretty much die over vintage fans like the one on their mantle.

Old world charm from Oh Happy Day. I like how she let the pure beauty of the fireplace itself alone and just added a few knick knacks and pictures to make it interesting.

I've had this fireplace from Caitlin Wilson Design on my mind for at least a year. When the fireplace itself doesn't function, stick it full of wood. Done and done! And that glam beaded tile all the way up?!?! Hello! That's Caitlin and her daughter in front of it. Cute, cute, cute.

You can't see the entire picture of this fireplace from Rockstar Diaries but you can tell that it is a rockstar fireplace. I love the layered positioning of the old and new photos on the mantle. The green paint around it shouts, "this is NOT a tired, old fireplace!"

Love and liverwurst, 

Martha