Chalk Markers

Remember when we added a chalk wall to our kitchen?  

The wall is super fun- the chalk dust everywhere- not so much.  I found some chalk MARKERS online  (chalkink.com) and they rock!  They write just like a pen and wipe off clean with a damp cloth- no dust!  They have different sizes and a variety of colors.  It says on their website that these are the markers Starbuck's uses on their chalkboards. 

I tried them out over the weekend and put up a Thanksgiving message.  

Cool, huh?!  I can't wait to play with them more- did you notice I ordered the traditional Christmas colors? :)

* * * * * 

Dough Bowl

I've had my eye on a dough bowl for quite some time now.  I love the shape and simplicity of these rustic looking bowls.  I was trying to find a good deal on a large size for our kitchen island or breakfast table.



I had pinned a few from etsy, but then, imagine my surprise when I was at our annual holiday Nutcracker market and I stumbled upon rows and rows of the infamous bowls.  I was with my girlfriend and she had no idea what I was getting so excited about- she's all a "dough what?"



The one I chose is pretty large (36x10 inches) and was $75 after tax.  It's from Paul Michael Company. The giant glass lamps I left behind are still haunting me, but that's another story.

For Thanksgiving, I've got pinecones (a few embellished with gold spray paint), faux green apples and real manderin oranges in mine.  

I love seeing how other people use their dough bowls to hold everything from crayons (Emily A. Clark)

and (Holly Mathis)

to pumpkins (Sand & Sisal)

I can see them getting decked out with a little faux snow, some bright red berries, and greenery come this weekend!

* * * * * 

Necklace & Jewelry Organization

As the closet clean-out continued, next on the hit list was an array of jewelry I never wear.  Truthfully, I'm terrible at accessorizing, opting most days for diamond stud earrings or simple hoops, and James' birthstone necklace or my favorite "j" necklace.  But, I'm hoping weeding through and giving away what I haven't worn in forever and keeping everything else out in the open will encourage me to wear it more.  I think it's working because I've worn three different necklaces this week.

I've got my necklaces hanging on a piece of foam board that I covered with decorative paper.  I used thumbtacks to hold the necklaces.  

Thumbtacks also hold some of my earrings. 

Little trays are perfect for keeping bracelets and watches. 

I've had the first jewelry board for awhile, but I just made this one, since I now have extra room with lots of clothes donated. 

Bowls from Anthropologie and West Elm hold bangles.  

I really like having everything were I can see it.  The decorative paper is from Paper Source.  The silver thumbtacks are from WalMart. 

* * * * *

$100 Giveaway (Martha Stewart Home Office Collection with Avery)

With the holidays just around the corner, it makes me breathe a bit easier when things like packaging and mailing out gifts is made simpler with gorgeous products to help keep me organized. This year, I'm thrilled to have received and be using beautiful and functional holiday and organizational products from the Martha Stewart Home OfficeTM with AveryTM collection.  If you need to get control of your holidays this year too, you can find the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery line exclusively at Staples (available online and in-store).  

Since I recently redid my home office, I'm using it as command central for all things holiday related.  Keeping my desk clean and clutter free is priority number one in helping to maintain sanity when things feel out of control.  I'm so happy that the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery collection has such functional and pretty things to help keep my life organized!

I used the Stack+FitTM modular system from Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery as "home base" to hold all of my items in preparation for mailing Christmas cards.  I like how the Stack+Fit has three dividers of different sizes so I can customize it to fit what I need.  

I've got markers and packing tape (isn't that the cutest packing tape ever?!) in the small compartment, postcards in the adjoining slot and Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery padded envelopes and printable mailing labels in the large compartment in back. The labels and padded envelope are so festive in their candy cane colors, I don't have to worry about making my packages pretty.  

I've got lots of photos I'll be printing and sending this year to relatives that prefer printed (as opposed to emailed) photos of James, so I'm happy to have these red and white striped padded mailers to send them in.  I think it's so fun to receive a gift like this in the mail, and the fun packaging adds to the beauty of the gift inside.  

The Stack + Fit also has a companion pocket that you can hang on the wall to keep important documents and papers off of your table tops and counters.  It comes with matching push pins so you can hang the pockets on walls or corkboards.  If you don't want to use a push pin, you can use the attached adhesive to adhere it to metal, wood, glass, and tile; the adhesive will remove cleanly from smooth surfaces.  It's really a lifesaver that comes in various sizes and colors to meet your specific needs.  

I had no idea that Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery was making gorgeous wrapping paper, too!  I love to coordinate presents, and these papers are not only pretty, but durable, too.  The Paper Gift Tags are so cute in their stocking, mitten, and rectangle shapes. You can write right on them and they won't smudge.  The holiday line is available in-store at Staples.

To see all the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery collection go HERE.

To entered for a chance to win  a $100 Staples gift card, please leave a comment stating one way you stay organized during the holidays.

* * * * *

Rules:

No duplicate comments.



You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:



a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post.



b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post.



c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post.



d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.



This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.



The Official Rules are available here.



This sweepstakes runs from 11/14/12-12/14/12.



Be sure to visit the Martha Stewart Home Office with Avery page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggersí reviews and find more chances to win!



Like Avery on Facebook to learn even more about their wonderful products.

* * * * *

Christmas Cheer Holiday Link Party

With Christmas approaching, I'm so excited to announce our 2nd Annual Christmas Cheer Link Party!  Again, Cassie (Hi Sugarplum), Michelle (Ten June), Natasha (Schue Love), Courtney (A Thoughtful Place), Michaela (Michaela Noelle Designs), and I have teamed up to bring you five holiday link parties.  

I'm really looking forward to all of the parties, which include:

Hi Sugarplum (Tuesday, December 4)

"Christmas Craft"- Show us your holiday crafty side. 

Ten June (Thursday, December 6)

"Merry Mantle"- Bring on the mantle decor.

Honey We're Home (Tuesday, December 11)

"O Christmas Tree"- I can't wait to see your trees all fancied up

Schue Love (Thursday, December 13)

"Holiday Recipe"- Give us some yummy main dishes, sides, appetizers, drinks or dessert.

A Thoughtful Place (Tuesday, December 18)

"Christmas Vignette"- Get creative with a little something that showcases the holidays.

Michaela Noelle Designs (Thursday, December 20)

"Holiday Apparel"- We'd love to see what you're wearing this season, including any DIY holiday accessories, or hair tutorials.

I can't wait to see what y'all have to share with us this year. 

Please grab a button and let your friends know about the party!

* * * * * 

And a big THANK YOU to Jessica at Creative Index who created our cute invitation and button.  She is so talented- go HERE to see more of her design work.

Painted Closet Island

Last weekend, when I painted our half-bath door, I also painted the island in my closet.  It needed touching up from all the scuff marks.  I originally planned to paint it grey, and at the last minute chose a glossy light pink.  I figured why not- and thought it would look good with the Lucia chandelier.  It's very subtle, but I'm not sure I'm sold on it.



Right before moving in, the closet looked like the picture below.  It's all painted Sherwin Williams Divine White (flat).

Here's how the island looks in light pink and with the runner removed.  

Over the last few weeks, I've been on a deep-cleaning closet organization binge.  I have tried on almost everything I own (including shoes), and am being ruthless when it comes to editing out what doesn't fit, I haven't worn in years, or I just don't like.  I've given bundles of clothing, shoes, jewelry, and makeup to family and friends.  It's feeling very refreshing to simplify!



I also figured out a new way to organize my belts and jewelry too that I plan to show you soon.  I'll show you the entire closet as soon as I'm finished.

Are you liking the pink??  I love the glossiness, but not sure about the color- the first picture is the truest representation of the shade.  It's Sherwin Williams Venus Pink, acrylic, high gloss.



* * * * *

Black/Gray Painted Interior Doors

Happy Monday y'all!  How awesome was that extra hour of sleep yesterday?!  I was a busy bee this weekend and got lots of stuff accomplished around the house.  You might have already seen our new door if you follow me on Instagram (@honeywerehome).  I can't keep away from that app!  Thanks Cassie- grrrr!! :)

I've been seriously smitten with black doors since seeing them at Emily's house (A Well Dressed Home) and around Pinterest.  Aren't they gorgeous?!  She added decorative molding to her doors and painted all of them!

We have a half bath downstairs that is just off of the living room.  I've been eyeing that door for awhile now, wondering what it would look like if I painted it black.  I was buying paint for another project this weekend, and on impulse decided to buy some paint for the door too.   

I saw that Emily used Benjamin Morre’s Dragon’s Breath, which she describes as more of a dark grayish-brown, but my Sherwin Williams (it's the closest paint store to my house) didn't have that color.  I knew I didn't want a cold, stark black, but something a little warmer, and so I went with Sherwin Williams Black Fox, which I thought was similar to what Emily used.

I realized the door would be easier to paint if it was laid flat on the floor.  

After three coats, I ended up with a very dark gray door.  Even though it wasn't what I originally had in mind, I like it!  I still need to apply another thin coat on the inside panels because when the light hits it in certain spots, you can see streaks.  

I like it so much that I want to paint all the upstairs doors in our hallway too- but that would mean painting 9 more doors!  I would probably go with the same color, but add a little more black to it.  And for those who asked, we did have this table near the banquette previously.

Have you painted any doors in your house?

* * * * *