results for bar cart styling

How To Style A Bar Cart

Filed Under > Entertaining

bar cart stylingbar cart stylingbar cart stylingbar cart styling

By now you’ve probably seen my bar cart all gussied up for a little party we threw, but this is how she sits everyday.  I love her.  Actually I need to name here (suggestions welcome).  But while I’m mulling over names I thought I’d walk through 10 easy steps to properly style your bar cart.  Cin Cin Loves!  truly, MKR

1. Let your bar cart tell the story of you. Mix in personal items that represent your personal style. On my cart I have monogrammed mint julep cups that hold straws, vintage swizzle sticks from my great grandmother, wine corks from my favorite bottles of wine and vintage bartending books that I fell in love with while antiquing. 

2. Don’t overdo it. You don’t have to cram every barware item you own on to your cart. Keep it flexible and switch out the colors, napkins, glasses and other components for easy entertaining designed for each gathering and/or season.

3. Mix it up. By mixing colors, textures, metals, vintage and modern items your cart will be full of personality (and won’t look like you ran out and bought everything for it in one fell swoop).

4. Consider investing in the actual cart. A good one will last you a lifetime! And from my experience, get one on wheels. Though it’ll likely live in one room in your home, it’s nice to be able to move it to a different space when entertaining.

5. Get the right tools! I am a firm believer that every bar cart should have all the tools necessary to make the perfect drink. Start with a shakermuddleropenerstirrer, strainer, ice bucket and tongs (or take the guesswork out by buying a complete set).

6. Pick bottles that will look gorgeous when displayed. Even if you’re not a fan of the liquor itself, you can always refill the display-worthy bottles with your preferred scotch, whisky, vodka, gin, brandy, tequila, or rum.

7. Pick wines that you plan on drinking within 3-6 months. Anything you plan on holding on to longer should be stored on its side, preferably at a 55 degree angle (yes, even red!).

8. Fresh flowers make everything better. Include a pretty arrangement in a really fabulous vase on your bar cart to help brighten up the design.

9. Don’t limit your bar cart to just booze! Most carts would make for a lovely coffee and tea spread, dessert or appetizer cart or even a place to hold gifts at a shower.

10. It should be both functional and beautiful. Your bar cart serves a very distinct purpose, but it should also be a piece that you love looking at.

Images via Rustic White Photography  ||  Styling via yours truly  ||  My favorite wines ( GambleOrin Swift, Darioush, Silver Oak)  ||  Shaker, muddler, straws, antler opener, rope vase, and mint julep cups via Waiting On Martha 


Thinking Outside the Bar Cart Box with a Home Bar Setup

You'll Need These 8 Essentials When Styling A Bar Without The Cart
Filed Under > Ideas & Inspiration

For how much we love a good bar cart, we’re also a little over the cookie-cutter,  styling of this entertaining essential.  Don’t get me wrong; I have one in my dining room that looks just like the rest of the photos you’ll find on Pinterest (and I love it).  But since we’ve all already seen how a pretty gold bar cart can look, I thought it would be a perfect time to share a few examples of a home bar setup that DON’T involve the cart.  You can fan through the slideshow of images by clicking on the image above, and there you’ll also find eight must-haves for nailing the look at home (think a console table or antique dresser, a proper tray, a bottle opener, etc.).  Tell me, do you have your home bar stocked?  Cheers, Kat

P.S. If you’re still #TeamBarCart, check out our bar cart styling tips + check off this list of essentials. xo

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You most certainly do not pray to the crystals

You most certainly do not pray to the crystals

Crystals have been used since ancient times to serve as a tool to quiet and train the mind in different ways. According to history, they have never taken the place of God.

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VIA PINTEREST
Crystals can be a powerful meditation tool

Crystals can be a powerful meditation tool

I especially enjoyed how the ladies behind Energy Muse described the role that crystals play in a wellness practice. In this post they explain, "The mind is what controls us – until we are able to train ourselves, through methods like meditation, to no longer let it control us...Crystals are a tool to help you quiet your mind and bring you to this state of a connected center."

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VIA AN INDIAN SUMMER
Different types of crystals have different energies

Different types of crystals have different energies

While all from the earth, different crystals can be applied to different areas and stresses in your life. Some basic crystals include: agate (helps ease anxiety and helps you detox), amethyst (promotes positive energy and relieves fatigue), carnelian (boosts creativity, courage and passion), citrine (helps focus and increases opportunity), fluorite (grounds you and protects you) and rose quartz (nurtures self-love and helps you connect deeper with others).

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VIA HELLO GLOW
There are many ways you can enjoy their healing benefits

There are many ways you can enjoy their healing benefits

Make a healing crystal grid at home. Drink crystal-infused beauty water. Give yourself gem acupuncture. Try crystal-infused beauty products like this one. Wear crystals close to your body like with this necklace.

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VIA ETSY
Crystals can cost anywhere from $2 to a few thousand

Crystals can cost anywhere from $2 to a few thousand

You don't have to break the bank to start exploring healing crystals. Loose stones can cost as low as $2 on Etsy, and some rare pieces can cost up to a few thousand dollars.

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VIA HELLO GLOW

Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

The Top 15 Essentials Every Bar Cart Must Have

Filed Under > Entertaining

Top 15 Bar Cart Essentials

We’ve had a lot of love lately for our Bar Cart both HERE on the Blog and HERE on Instagram.  We’ve also had a lot of questions, about building a proper bar cart.  So I thought I’d share with you all my top 15 essentials that every bar cart must have.  Cheers!  truly, MKR

One.  Display worthy glasses.  I’m loving these from One Kings Lane…what a great price!  ||  Two.  A shaker.  I collect shakers, but every bar cart needs at least one shaker and I’m loving this one complete with anchor picks for a fun gift or this tried and true shaker.  ||  Three.  Cocktail Napkins, the “cheekier” the better.  ||  Four.  Some flair.  ||  Five.  A proper tool set.  ||  Six.  A Muddler.  ||  Seven.  Fresh flowers.  ||  Eight.  An ice bucket.  ||  Nine.  A candle, because candles really can (and should) go everywhere.  And splurge on one that once done burning can be used to hold something, like swizzle sticks or straws.  ||  Ten.  Cocktail Napkins (yes again) or coasters to mix it up.  ||  Eleven.  A bartender’s dictionary.  ||  Twelve.  Beautiful wine.  While my bar cart doesn’t house the majority of my wine (4 wine fridges do, don’t judge) some of the most beautiful and decorative bottles are out on the cart.  ||  Thirteen.  A Decanter, I’m loving this skull from Pottery Barn.  ||  Fourteen.  Matches.  ||  Fifteen.  A decorative bowl for all the corks because every cart should have a personal collection of some sort, like corks you’ve collected from great bottles opened or vintage swizzle sticks.  Just something that’s personal, and interesting.

*Image Rustic White

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