I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
results for juliska/Two unabashed romantics, Capucine and David Gooding founded Juliska in 2001 with a collection of 40 historic Bohemian glasses – since then the company has blossomed to one of the leading home brands in America. Juliska is not about trends; it’s about loving life and living well. Juliska today is made up of an inspired group of individuals committed to providing beautiful things for the home. We are inspired by the gathering of family and loved ones over food, passionate artisans, and centuries of European design.
With the new year comes the inevitable itch to tidy up around the home. And ever since we read Marie Kondo’s life-changing book, we’re craving a bit of an overhaul with organization solutions that actually work. Bonus points if they look gorgeous, too.
Fortunately, so many of the best home organization essentials are just as pretty as they are functional; I’m a huge fan of woven baskets, trays (I am obsessed with a good coffee table tray) and acrylic organizers for nailing in both categories. I rounded up a dozen of our top home organization essentials below, and I’m sure you won’t be surprised to see a lot of them are Pottery Barn, The Container Store and One Kings Lane; three of our go-to sources for all things home organization.
What would you add to the list?! I’d love to try it! Cheers, Kat
This deep woven basket on wheels is a great solution for large stowaway items, specifically extra linens, towels and items like toilet paper and paper towels in the closet. Most closets allow for a basket of this size to fit under the last shelf, making this basket from Pottery Barn one of our first and forever favorite organization essentials. It’s timeless, is easy on the eye, and holds up for years.
I’m guilty of hoarding papers, receipts and anything and everything for work. This gorgeous acrylic file box is nice enough to land a visible home beside my desk, and it allows for me to stash all the important stuff for later.
MKR introduced us to these lovelies in her holiday house guest prep post. These shallow rattan trays work wonderfully to corral bedside necessities, as well as beauty and skincare favorites on the bathroom counter. They’re handwoven with a super tight weave to hold even the most delicate and small details.
There’s nothing worse than a jumbled up drawer (it’s called a junk drawer), and there’s no excuse to let that happen with highly used items like silverware and serving pieces. These stackable bamboo drawer organizers are the perfect solution to all of the above. We LOVE the look (they’re elevated from the usual plastic) and we love that they’re environmentally friendly and made from easily renewable sources of natural bamboo.
A chic must-have on any desk (or bathroom counter) really, this gold pencil holder by none other than Nate Berkus for Target of course made the list. We envision pens, pencils, makeup brushes and more to make their way into this stylish catchall.
Once we master the art of the fold, we’re snagging a few of these linen drawer organizers for all of the dressers and closets (available in four different sizes). They’re perfect for lingerie, undergarments, hosiery and accessories because they keep it all organized AND visible (I’m huge on that aspect of it).
When it comes to organizing and styling, you really can never have too many trays. We love this faux bamboo tray from our friends at Society Social for a chic tabletop and countertop solution (how great would it look on a coffee table?!). It effortlessly corrals your candles, coffee table books and accents.
These beautiful Beachcomber baskets are almost too pretty to hideaway in the closet. I love the idea of keeping these baskets visible in the living room to house throw blankets, pillows and anything cozy within an arm’s reach.
The area under my bathroom sink is straight scary, and actually loses a lot to dead-space where I could be stashing my ever-growing collection of organic beauty and wellness products. This acrylic tower is a nice solution; it allows for me to corral products on two levels to maximize the space. Doesn’t hurt that it’s pretty to look at, either!
This chrome spice rack solves the problem of an untidy pantry or kitchen cabinet, that’s for sure. Take away the ugly, brand labels and mismatched collection of spices and say hello to the feeling of having your life together via the kitchen. Its sleek design settles in nicely atop the kitchen counter too, making it anything but an eyesore in the space. Talk about form and function.
Forget the plastic bins under the bed; opt for these stylish woven baskets instead. They’re the perfect size to nestle easily under the bed frame, offering plenty of storage space for anything and everything needing stowing.
I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t own one of these (yet). But that’s about to change because this cookware organizer sounds like a God-send. You’re able to conveniently store baking pans and serving ware horizontally or vertically (!) to maximize the space in your cabinets. And the dividers are adjustable (and removable) so you can be sure to fit everything needed.
Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha
I’m one of those people that mourn the end of summer. And my summer was jam-packed with travel and fun events, so I expected to be sullen and somber come September like usual. But lucky for me this year, I had one last warm-weather trip on the books: a girls getaway to Tybee Island and Savannah with Cheri and Whitney with The Southern Coterie, Holly with The English Room and Monica with Lavin Label. And little did I know that Kelli Boyd, our photographer planning to capture our adventures, would turn out to be the most amazing tour guide and ringleader for the next few days.
I knew we were in for a treat with this trip; working closely with Visit Tybee Island and Visit Savannah meant we would have insider recommendations on all of the hot spots, and tips for must-try activities while we were in town. And boy, I was right.
First stop: Tybee Island. Before visiting, Tybee was a mystery to me. But upon arrival, I quickly learned that this little eclectic slice of heaven is a hidden gem for families and friends wanting to hit the beach without all the fuss. For our two-night stay on Tybee, we shacked up at a funky vacation rental right on the water. As the crew trickled in from all over (me from Nashville, Holly from Charlotte, Cheri from Athens, Whitney and Monica from St. Simons Island), it felt a little like an episode of “Real World” with each of us arriving at different times and rushing to claim the best bunks.
We were antsy to explore, and AJ’s Dockside turned out to be the perfect spot to catch our first low-country sunset and fill up on local seafood. We were all amazed that the stunning sunset could get even prettier by the second, and even as a heavy rainstorm blew by, we soaked it all in and ran for cover drinks in-hand! The vibe was great, and the food was exactly what I craved on our first night on Tybee; a half pound of crab legs and perfectly fried hush puppies!
The next morning,I knew we were in for a treat when we pulled up to “The World Famous” The Breakfast Club with its sun-bleached awning and the line stretched out the door. But with items like “The Grill Cleaner’s Special” (diced potatoes, Polish Sausage, green peppers and onions tossed on a hot griddle, scrambled with two eggs, topped with melted Monterey Jack and American cheese. Grits and toast too!) and loaded hash browns with cream cheese inside (!!!) and the best pecan waffles I’ve ever tasted…well it’s no wonder it’s world famous. We decided to work off breakfast by walking around Tybee‘s shops and checking out the Tybee Pier and Pavilion. We could tell the beach had died down a bit with most kids back in school, but we still got that feeling of endless-summer and the joy of sand beneath our toes.
We then made our way to Tybee Island Social Club, a charming, beachy spot that served up the BEST cocktails. A pitcher of blood orange sangria for the group, a beautiful Bloody Mary and a margarita or two had us all talking and telling stories in no time. I’m not quite sure how we left room for dinner, but we found our appetites again, and I’m incredibly pleased we did. Dinner at Tybee Island Fish Camp was perhaps my favorite meal of the entire trip; the super cozy, intimate spot served amazing food in an even more amazing atmosphere. I’ll be talking about those baked oysters for years to come.
It’s safe to say that I fell in love with Tybee’s dreamy, sandy dunes and sun-soaked, weather beaten boardwalks that have felt thousands of bare feet barrel down them for years. It was just such an idyllic, almost sleepy beach that I was not accustomed to (with most of my beach trips to Florida’s panhandle).
But onward we went, hopping in the car with Savannah in our sights, feeling giddy knowing we still had two nights left on our girl’s getaway. Only passing through Savannah once before, I always thought it to be a sweet southern town, but upon arriving and walking the streets, I was blown away by its charming, historic feel. I had all the heart eyes for the ivy-covered brick homes and sweeping Spanish moss. But what really took my breath away was the historic Whitman Mansion, where we’d call home for our two-night stay. Nestled right off Forsyth Park, this beauty was originally built in 1895 and boasted some of the most exquisite restoration and renovation I have ever seen. The whole time we were there, I was sad we couldn’t stay longer, and kept thinking how amazing it would be to have a bridal party tucked into the beautiful space…just stunning.
Saturday we all got zhushed with hair blowouts by the ladies at Parlor Dry Bar Savannah, we visited with the amazing Emily McCarthy (I felt like we already knew each other through this small digital world!) at her expertly curated shop and enjoyed a glass or two of Whispering Angel as we made custom stationery and monogram orders. We then shared an amazing dinner at The Collins Quarter (you MUST get the lavender martini if you go), and a few desserts and sips with the lovely ladies behind Sapelo Skin Care at Lulu’s Chocolate Bar. It was such a treat to put faces to names as we chatted with Sapelo‘s founders Cindy and Stephanie about their exciting updates on products that I’ve come to personally adore.
On our last day, we enjoyed exploring the streets of historic downtown Savannah, we survived the Georgia heat by ducking into Mirabelle Cafe for a lavender spritzer and authentic Belgian waffle. There, we spent time with Jessica O’Neill, a local artist who’s story is SO inspiring and truly worth checking out. Then, after tracking down some trolleys, and making our way to SCAD, we met up with the delightful Ellie McNevin for a quick lunch at Gryphon, which is hands-down one of the coolest places I’ve ever eaten lunch. To round out the wonderful day, we grabbed a cocktail at The Grey, and spent our last dinner at Elizabeth’s on 37th, and it was nothing short of incredible.
I joked with friends here after the trip that I “ate my way through Tybee and Savannah” (which I’d like to add is NEVER really a bad thing), but I also gushed about the wonderful time I had with the group. I felt lucky to have had five fun-filled days with such inspiring ladies that truly love what they do. It was an unforgettable girls’ getaway, and it was such a pleasure to play tourist with all of them! I’m already counting down until our next adventure. Cheers, Kat
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I’ve been sitting here staring at the computer cursor blink for going on two hours now. Is it possible to have so much to say and so little at the same time?
To catch everyone up, this past May I made the decision to take the summer off of blogging. I was over-committed with the other areas of my life and creatively burnt out. The months leading up to my break all I kept thinking was; “Did I even want to blog anymore?” In a world where it seems that everyone has become a blogger is there anything left to say? “Do I have anything left to say?” And apparently, since I’ve been staring at this blank page for the past two hours, maybe I don’t have the answer I was so sure I had a short time ago.
When I pressed pause in May I felt a huge wave of relief rush over me. By saying no to photo shoots, contracted partnerships, and having to write and create “fresh” editorial content three-plus days a week I would have time for all those areas in my life that had taken a back seat to WOM.
I would go to bed at a decent hour. I would re-focus on my health. I would meditate. I would get back into my yoga practice. I would take late night strolls with my husband, barefoot in the grass while fireflies romantically buzzed about. Okay, maybe that last one was a stretch, but you get the point. I would finally have the time to re-focus on what’s really important.
So did I regain my focus? No, but I did gain some clarity.
May, and I’d say even early June was complete bliss. I didn’t miss blogging at all. My head felt clear. My days seemed manageable. And I had even read an entire book, Emily Giffin’s “All We Ever Wanted,” it was GREAT, read it! But by mid-June somehow my calendar had filled up again.
I signed five new contracted social media partnerships, moved our entire WOM operations to a new space, opened a summer WOMH Outlet (WOM downstairs), hired two new full-time employees, decided to re-brand and re-launch all of our websites, and began the first steps to start two new businesses. That was June.
Then sometime after the fireworks of the Fourth, I sat up late one night crying to my husband that I didn’t understand why I had NO time! And there deep in my wine-fueled waterworks I realized it; the problem doesn’t lie in the Blog, the problem lies with me.
Sure I’ve always known that I’m not great at balance. That I’m either going full throttle or basically dead-to-the-world-in-bed. However there was a big difference in always knowing something, and actually seeing that something in action.
But regardless, that way of doing life has always in my opinion been a secret to my success. It’s allowed me to say yes to a plethora of opportunities. It’s allowed me to juggle a lot of different things at once. And it’s allowed me to persevere when many would have folded.
Which brought me to the question that filled up my entire month of July; if that all-or-nothing, do-do-do mentality has played such a large part in what I’ve built then is it really a problem?
Sure, I needed to set boundaries, and really give this balance thing another shot, but was it really a problem-problem? And just as quickly as I had tried to talk my way around that thought I remembered a quote from one of my favorite authors Shauna Niequist. “The very thing that makes you YOU, that makes you great is also the thing that left unchecked will ruin you.”
I remember the first time I heard those words. I re-read them over and over again. “The very thing that makes you YOU, that makes you great is also the thing that left unchecked will ruin you.” It was a true Oprah “ah-ha” moment. Of course, taking time off from blogging didn’t give me more time, because I filled that time with new opportunities, new projects, new commitments. My desire to build what’s next was rearing it’s ugly unchecked head in all its glory. I mean do you know how many yoga classes I had taken by this point? If you guessed zero you’d be right.
So as August approached and my lightbulb moment still shining, I had finally figured out that the Blog wasn’t the reason for my lack of time. Which left me at a bit of a crossroads. If I was truly going to work towards getting a handle on my time management and try to find some sort of balance in my life then I will have to say no to some things. Would that be the Blog? Do I love it enough to make it a part of my finite daily time? I didn’t have an answer. Luckily a Hallmark movie did.
But before we get to that, let me tell you about August. August was a turning of the tide. I could feel a desire to start creating again slowly creep its way in. I got back in the kitchen testing recipes. Magazine articles, fabrics, and images got pinned to a new inspiration board. I started slowly sharing on Instagram Stories my latest tips, tricks, and finds. But I still didn’t know if I wanted to translate that all back to a daily Blog. And then my answer came how one always hopes any answer comes; in the form of a two-hour romantic made for TV movie on Hallmark.
It was your typical Hallmark romance storyline. Girl moves back to hometown after a failed marriage. Boy, she loved in high school re-enters the picture. Boy and girl rediscover the love they always knew they had and live happily ever after. In this particular scenario Boy was a big New York City Chef success story (think Bobby Flay-esq). Boy had just inked his third best selling book deal and was about to sign on to his very own reality show. (Stay with me, I promise I’m making a point). He thought he had it all, but after spending a few weeks in his small Texas hometown, cooking in the restaurant he grew up in, and rediscovering the love he thought he lost he realized he was still missing something. So when the time came to hop back on that jet to NYC he looked at his agent and said something along the lines of; “I miss actually being creative; cooking and being in the restaurant. All I am any more is a brand. I sign checks, I manage restaurants, I make appearances, but I miss creating.”
I, like the Boy, missed creating.
WOM is growing, and I feel like my days are filled more and more with the management of people, analysis of numbers, plotting, planning, and next steps and less and less with why I started WOM in the first place. To create, to find, to share, and most importantly to hopefully inspire.
I know that inevitably as WOM continues to grow I won’t be able to be in the day to day creativity trenches. And that’s okay. That’s a natural part of growth. But that day is not today.
So will I be blogging every day…no. Will I ever figure this balance thing out…maybe. Did I ever get to that yoga class…yes. Two of them actually. Let’s hear it for baby steps. I’m glad to be back friends! Truly, MKR
P.S. Since I’m back to sharing, I’d be amiss to not mention that this Dodo Bar Or Miranda dress is on MAJOR sale right now. Major!
