So, I have FINALLY got the old desk ripped out of my dining room, and we have our new vintage china cabinet in place (I’ll post on that soon). Our dishes are fitting in there … so. much. better. However, it left me with a few shelf inserts, I wasn’t using anymore.

What to do with them? I have been on a purging, and organizing mission around here in recent weeks, so there was no way I was putting them in storage. They were getting donated, or repurposed. And, Repurposing is so fun!

Then, it came to me, while I was doing some more purging and organizing in my closet… Remember, our lovely Pax? Welp, I have a spot where I keep my jewelry in there. But, it was always in a jewelry box, and when things are in boxes, and I can’t see them? They don’t get worn. Eureka! My shelf inserts!

The Variera Shelf Insert from Ikea was PERFECT for earrings and necklaces! Open, beautiful storage, where, at-a-glance, I can see everything I own. Make quick decisions about what I want to wear that day. And, best of all… everything has it’s own space!

See all those pretty flower like perferations? Amazing for earrings, and more than enough space. Plus, I had an old bracelet hanger, that wasn’t being used, that was the perfect pair for my new “Jewelry Storage and Ikea Hack”. A few finishing nails, hammered into the sidewalls of my Pax, made quick work of the rest of my necklaces.

My grandmother’s mirrored tray is the perfect spot for keeping rings. Having everything in my actual closet, is the best spot, too. While I’m choosing an outfit, I can choose a necklace or earrings to finish off my look, all at the same time.

The Variera Shelf is my new best friend. And, I’m happy to report, I really AM wearing my sparkly stuff more often! And the old jewelry box? It’s found a new home on my daughter’s dresser — and, she is, dress-up crazy, right now, so she is having a blast keeping all her “princess stuff” in there! Win-win!

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I’ve been busy setting up a new website (coming soon!), and a new workshop space for myself. Organization is good, isn’t it? And, it turns out, I’ve got more tools than I remember, especially screwdrivers… time for some easy DIY Screwdriver Storage…

I didn’t want to put any cash into simple storage. We’ve got a lots of odds and ends kicking around the garage, and I knew I could come up with something, without a trip to the hardware store. Turns out, all I needed was my drill, mitre saw, and some spare wood pieces.

I took a plain chunk of 1 x 4, and used my drill, fitted with a spade bit, and started making holes. Easy.

Then, used my mitre saw at a 45 degree angle to cut two nifty triangle brackets. Sorry, no picture… I’m thinking it’s not so safe to operate my saw AND my Camera at the same time.

But you get the idea, ya? Next I predrilled some holes to attach the bracket to my shelf and the bracket to the wall of my cabinet. Pre-drilling is your friend, it stops the wood from splintering and cracking when drilling in your screws!

Here is the shelf attached, and the pre-drilled slot for my screw with the screw in place. See where we’re going here? Quick and easy. All that’s left is to grab your level to make sure everything is even… and attach to your cabinet. (Or wall, whatever works for you…)

Ouuuu!… Aaaaaa!… even an extra little chunk left over, to place a tape measure (I’m ALWAYS losing that thing!)

Totally doable. So easy. And you get to use a giant saw, so it makes you feel tough — Bonus! Make any easy organization lately? Share away!

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Look at this little beauty! Once again, I found this vintage octagon mirror, in a stack of old musty frames, and dusty mirrors, at the thrift store. Have I mentioned how much I love the thrift store? She had me at octagon. Didn’t hurt that it was only $10. Home with me, she came.

But, of course it didn’t start out so fresh, and so clean. (Forgive my “workshop photos”. Winter = no light). It started with an old, beat up, oak stained frame, with a gold inner trim. The hanging hardware on the back had it with a straight-edge up. I wanted to switch things up a little…

First, I knew I wanted to hang it with an exposed strap. I had a couple options, but settled on my never-used hand strap, from one of my favourite cross-body Matt & Nat bags, that I’ve had for yeeeears. I never used it as a hand bag, so I had no need to hang onto the handstrap any longer. Perfect for this project.

I taped off the mirror and gave the entire frame, a nice coat of Rustoleum Gold Paint.

Then, to add a bit of dimension, and make the gold paint look a little more brassy (to match the patina on the hardware on my leather strap, I gave the gold paint a quick sand. Then, rubbed a little brown wood stain onto the frame with an old rag.

All that was left was to pre-drill holes, and add my brass screws to hook onto the strap, and hang.

Isn’t she pretty? I also shifted its position when hung, so there is a point at the top, instead of a straight-side.

The hardware on the strap was so perfect to work with as the bottom hooks, rotated 360 degrees, making it easy to hook it onto my screws and have everything lay flat.

Nice little addition to my gallery wall for now, but she may find a new home when we’re done with the fireplace mantel.

I love how the blue in the strap, keeps it modern and ties in with all my little blue accents in the living room.

LOVE a good, and EASY, DIY project that adds a lot of impact. $10 + what I had lying around the house + about 20 minutes of work, = well worth it! <3

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2014, especially the latter half, was a year of self discovery. I set some pretty major goals for myself in my personal and professional life. And, in a word? It was wonderful. But, I think the most important lesson I am carrying forward into the new year, is kindness. Which brings me to my word. Kind.

Kindess was something I found easy to express, outwardly. I can be your cheerleader, your supporter, and I find great value in supporting others goals — It lifts me up to see my loved ones succeed. However, I’ve realized I’ve had some trouble turning kindness towards myself.

I believe that if being kind, does not translate to how you treat yourself, your true potential might never be reached. This, in turn, affects all those around you. To forgive, and love, and speak softly to your own mind, is to truly be kind, and to genuinely be kind, to others.

So, my practice this year, is to be kind. In all ways. To all people, including myself. When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.

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(Pop on over to Instagram to share your own photos of holiday giving with the #fcgiving hashtag).

I’ve been on a journey of teaching my (almost) 4 year old about a little holiday giving. My little bean has been accustomed to the month of December feeling very much “all about her”. Her birthday is on the 24th. We celebrate it a couple weeks early every year, so her special day doesn’t get lost in the Christmas celebrations.

Of course, her big party is swiftly followed up by Christmas (more presents), with a little special attention on Christmas Eve (her actual birthday), with a birthday song and maybe a candle on a cupcake.

That’s a lot of presents and attention — and it’s well-deserved, she’s a pretty fantastic kid. But, she’s old enough now to begin to understand, that not everyone is afforded the same opportunities as she is. And, the holiday season has been a great time to expose her to fun ways we can give back to our community, and feel good about helping others.

You can see her first mini adventure here.

And, here are her latest adventures:

We both had some very warm, beautiful winter coats we weren’t using anymore. A perfect donation with the United Way, to help keep someone else warm. This is a great one for kids to get involved in, to see a coat they actually owned, and to give it away with the understanding it was going to keep someone else warm, all winter long. Perfect. The lady at the donation centre was so sweet, and took the time to say thanks to the Kiddo.

Next up, was the Salvation Army donation kettles. In our digital and on-line world, I’m not sure the Kiddo had quite the understanding of dropping a $20 bill into the kettle, but it was another easy opportunity to help the community we live in, and another opportunity to have a conversation about why it’s fun to receive, but it’s also fun to give — and she got a free candy-cane for her efforts, so she was totally into it!

From my family to yours — we wish you a safe, and happy holiday season. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!

How do you choose to give? #fcgiving

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