Project: Closet Makeover

I am attempting the impossible...making a former bachelor's closet fit for two. I have officially accepted this assignment and have began researching closet organization tips. Some quite useful tips that I have located so far include the following: 

• Use a bulletin board or coat rack to store jewelry
• Use old jewelry gift boxes in drawers to create a divider
• Use shower curtain hooks or valet hooks in closet for accessory storage

I also plan on purchasing the hanging shoe bins/shelves to place items in. 
Here are some before pictures:

I'm looking for a little closet inspiration so please send me your thoughts.

***UPDATE***

I have a few closet inspirational photographs:





 I really like the hat boxes!!! This is a great look and only works if the color of the box ties in with the color design of the closet.

 The ladder looks great and so does the chandelier and patterned walls. My fear however, is that these items may appear "too feminine" in a shared closet.

 Don't know what to do with that portable clothes rack, place along an empty wall in the closet for added clothes hanging space.

 Again, another patterned wall but this time, it appears behind a storage shelf. I'm sure our former bachelor has one of these lying around the garage somewhere. This item would also look great on an empty wall.

 

I purchased one of these (hanging shelves) so far and I plan on picking up a few more.

Whoever came up with the idea of using shower curtain hooks to hang your hand bags is a GENIUS. Enough said.

I heard about the peg board idea and mentioned it, but decided to locate a picture to show you what I was referring to.

 Like the chandelier idea, I love the mirror as well. The problem however, is incorporating this idea into a shared closet where every corner of space is already needed. I'll really have to think hard on this one.

 This is a solution to all those jeans seen stacked on the shelf in the before picture. Using bins/or crates as dividers will prevent leaning towers from coming down on your head :-)

 There is already a ladder in the closet located in the Before pictures (probably hard to see right now with all the clutter). This picture has inspired me to paint the ladder to go along with the color design for the closet.

 I like this idea for a coat closet (though my focus should not be on that right now). If you look to the bottom right of the photograph, you will see an upright bin or clear garbage can that has been repurposed to house umbrellas (wet or dry).

LOVE IT!

The Candleabra!!!!

I have been wanting one of these ever since I began planning the bridal shower earlier this year. I checked into it and unfortunately, most of the nice ones cost a lot more than I was willing to spend. Well, my luck has changed. Z Gallerie has the white Phantom Candelabra on sale right now for $29.99. It is exactly how I want it to look (intricate design in a glossy white finish). Thanks Chasiti and Tim!!!!

Below I have included a few web images of how others have utilized candelabras. These pieces will classy up any event, occasion, or use them to glamorize your vanity or other space.

Alternatives to Cake

Some people love tradition, but there are times when it is ok to throw tradition right out of the window. Take the recent baby shower that I attended...instead of a sheet cake, they creatively used cake bites to spell out the baby's initial. I loved the idea and had to capture a picture.

Another great idea if hosting a brunch, try a donut tower. I found this image online while conducting research for the shower that I gave this year. I thought that this person's idea was not only brilliant, but influential as well. Now, your tower does not have to be this big, but you get the idea.

Party Inspiration

How neat is this idea that was used during a coworker's baby shower. For beverages, the shower planner placed ice cream and ginger ale (frappe) inside of a punch bowl along with little rubber duckies that coordinate with the shower's colors. Too cute!!! 

Great Find

I was browsing around Marshall's yesterday and I found the cutest entertaining ware. Right there on clearance were these too cute martini glasses that read "Another Cocktail?", a rectangular serving platter that reads "finger food", and even the appetizer plates that say "self serve". All of these items were made by S&P. They appear to be of a good quality and because they were on clearance.......nothing was over $6! How's that for a great deal?!!!! The glasses even come with canisters for easy and safe storage (I grabbed all 4 off the shelf). These items make entertaining fun. I can't wait to invite the girls over for "another cocktail" so that they can help themselves to some great "finger food".

Artificial Flowers vs Real Flowers

Can you tell the difference? Does it still matter if you use artificial flowers for your wedding or in your decorations? I use to think that it did, but I'm not so sure now. Artificial flowers of today have evolved from the previous hard, plastic versions. Now, artificial flowers look, feel and smell real. So much so that people have to ask the question, "are those real?" If you can't really tell the difference, does it still matter....or is it more of a mental thing that makes you feel good to know that you PAID the extra bucks and did things the more traditional and etiquette approved way? Don't get me wrong, I LOVE REAL FLOWERS,

but if you are decorating for an event or preparing for a wedding, don't disregard the idea of using artificial flowers. This just may be an area where you can cut back and use that savings somewhere else (like on excellent food). By the way, can you spot the real from the fake?

App Highlight: My Sketch

My Sketch is another app available in the App Store for the iPhone and iPad. My Sketch allows you to transform your photographs into beautiful sketches with or without framed borders. There are a lot of style options to choose from so check it out and let me know what you think.

Jellybeans: A Simple Pleasure

This past weekend, I helped to organize a birthday gathering for one of my dear friends. While preparing for the party, I read an article online that included a picture of someone posing with a martini glass filled with jelly beans. Then it clicked. I decided right then that I needed to find two glass/clear martini glasses and pink jelly beans to add to the table's decor. Well, I didn't receive clear glasses, but it worked just the same. In fact, not only was the look pleasing to the eye, but the kids at the party couldn't get enough of the cotton candy and strawberry cheesecake flavored jelly beans.

The jelly beans were favored over the birthday cake!