Nightstands a must!

We decided to take the family and rent an Airbnb.  Pandemic has kept us close to home for almost a year. It is now about making the most of what we have. We have some beautiful places to visit close to home. We drove an hour and stayed at a beautiful old home (1844) right on the water. The owners bought it a month ago and are renting it out.

We had pretty well all we needed. Claw foot tub to soak in, fireplace to enjoy and enough bedrooms for everyone.  What was missing in a few bedrooms were nightstands.  Seriously no big deal until I'm in bed wondering what time it is and not wanting to get up and go over to the dresser. Yes, I know I could have left phone on the floor by bed.  

That had me thinking of nightstands and that they are a must. Somewhere to put your phone, book, lamp for reading. That was the other thing no nightstand so no lamp by  bed. They don't have to take up a lot of room. Some are simple shelves next to the bed. Here are my top takes on nightstands. Let me know your thoughts!

 

If you want extra storage in your bedroom a nightstand with drawers is a must.  Also if you don't want a cluttered top just pop your stuff into the drawer.

This one is more modern with a drawer and a shelf.  Plenty of space for lamp, book and alarm clock.  Plus space for a few of your favorite knick-knacks you might want on display.

You might have to be more tidy with this one. I love the idea of baskets and display space. 

A simple nightstand doing its job. Lamp check. Space for phone and also book. Visually not taking up hardly any space.

Visually not as heavy looking with the legs.  Plus drawer to drop stuff in.

There are also more antique looking nightstands, glass, different woods and metal.  Just make sure you have room for a lamp and somewhere for phone or alarm clock. Decision is nightstands are a must.

 

 

Update on organizing January!!

 We can see why the consumer industry is pushing organizing January as a sale tactic.  It is after the holidays, people are experiencing winter blues and looking for something to do.  Hence - organize and purge.  Seems most stores had plastic bins, baskets and organizers for sale in January.  Yes, we bought into it.  See earlier post for our storage options.

One of us purchased on recommendation the IKEA drawer organizer.  She is loving it for keeping her drawer neater and easier to find things. Another one of us found a cute basket that is now in her entryway closet with extra mitts, gloves and scarfs. We have also did some purging and had goodwill bags of clothing and even dishes.  I mean really how many mugs do you need?

There was also a few home improvements going on in January.  X painted the inside of her closet a blush color. It just took a small can of paint and she smiles when she opens the door.  Another one of us put a picture rail up in the dining room area. 

There are lots of small changes and/or projects we can do in the dead of winter. What do you think of painting the inside of a closet? Maybe the entryway closet? Or putting wallpaper in an unexpected place?  Even switching your pictures up. Do you have one in your living room you could swap out with one in the bedroom? Even just to try for a few days. What about getting those tablecloths and/or runners out and using them? Here is a major one if you have China put away! Get it out and use it. Pack your everyday dishes away and use your China.  We're hoping it is dishwasher safe. If not even the mugs. Don't save stuff.

So we're hoping you are getting through this. Let us know what you are doing this winter to pass the time.  Projects, DIY, books we want it all! 

Valentine Day Favorites

 We are all about celebrating.  Valentine's Day is in the dead of winter for a lot of us. It isn't just about giving to your sweetheart.  Seriously! It involves chocolate, love and crafts! People decorate for Christmas, Halloween and Easter so why not Valentine's Day.  We're in.

So here are a few of our favorite Valentine's Day ideas and blogs!! Drum roll please.....

Inspired by charm is one of our go to eye candy blogs. Check out this White Texas Sheet Cake. Oh yeah he has other Valentine's Day goodies there also.

Head over to A Wandafulthing for a great variety of easy Valentine's Day projects. These are for adults and kids.

One of my favorite wreaths (not Valentine) but made because I saw this one.  A Wandafulthing has the cutest Dollar Store DIY wreath. I made it in yellows for spring and in a circle. Love it!

Again one of our favorite blogs a beautiful mess has a post on DIY projects and recipes for Valentine's Day. One stop looking!!

How cute is this! modpodge rocks.  Can see on entryway table. Want it.

kastyles shows us a cute mason jar DIY for Valentine's Day.

This doesn't touch it but hope you find something you'd like to make and share. A few of them have multiple projects and a good variety.  Kids included.

Happy Valentine's Day

Book Club - Where the crawdads sing

 Where the crawdads sing by Delia Owens

This book was highly recommended.  Well written definitely. Mixed reviews here. People have favorite genres they are drawn to  - one of us is thrillers.  Another more light reading like Me before You. So people head into a novel with different expectations - even when they try not to.

The book jumps back and forth in time to showcase Kya growing up and the present day (well present day at the time 1969) story line. It was a bit of a struggle at times to think of a child that young being left to fend for herself. It showed how you can't assume people's intelligent by whether they attend school or get a formal education.  It was a great book to show how much learning can take place exploring and through nature. How there are different ways to learn and yes don't make assumptions on looks and education.

If you enjoy a mystery there was one. Plus a love story so different elements in the novel. It was slow to get into but enjoyed more once backgrounds established. Kya is a strong female character. The other characters in the book we found where supporting characters. Moving her story along. They also showed different sides of her. Vulnerable intelligent, strong and capable. 

You end up rooting for some characters and wanting payback for others. The story was written at the time of segregation and anyone not white and living in town wasn't enough. Enough white. Enough smart. Enough worthy. You name it, so take a deep breathe when you read how ignorant and hurtful people can be. (and still are!)

It is somewhat a coming of age novel. You watch Kya grow and adapt to her surroundings. To having family and then being alone. She wants what we all want connection.  There are twists we didn't see coming so keep reading.

Yes this is a recommendation.  Hard at times. Sad at times. But so is real life.