Keep it Simple and Cheap-Shoe Storage

Yikes, Spring is kicking my butt with lots of projects and I have been slacking on posting.  I don't know about you, but shoe organization is always a struggle.  Spring/Summer becomes even worse when there are flip flops, sports sandals, baseball cleats, tennis shoes and more!  I had been in a trap trying to figure out how to calm the clutter.  I finally decided I was over thinking the baskets and cute ideas.  At the end of the day that is why I have an entry closet and these hanging shoe storage options are great and cheap!  Sometimes you just have to remember that simple will do the job too!

Spring Ladder Herb Garden

This combines my love of nature, antiques and IKEA!!!  Last year at St. Louis Vintage Market Days
I picked up this ladder and old watering can.  If you haven't been, it is a wonderful event.  I got the boards from my grandparents farm.  I decided to put herbs on it because I knew I would use them more if I could just walk out my kitchen door and pick them as apposed to having to go to the garden.  Plus our deck is huge and needed some "decor".  I started looking for pots and did not want to spend a fortune.  I got the terra cotta pots at Ikea for $2-$4 each.  This is great because some other places charge separate for the pot and saucer.  I also got the tin and white tin pots there for under $2.  I love how chunky the terra cotta pots are!

FYI on the plants.  Home Depot and Lowes and even garden centers can hose you on plants because they sell them in large container sizes at $3-4 a pop.  Most of these plants grow so fast there is no need to get plants at all.  If you don't want to do seed though, I found at our local Rural King that they sell herbs in $1.39 containers.  Their potting soil was only $1.99 for a bag too!  I am sure a lot of the farm stores have this.

This is also a super fun project to do with the kids.  My little one loved helping me plant!  You can also get long containers and do lettuce or they sell container tomato plants.  My kids graze on all of this all summer long!  Happy spring!

Ikea Kitchen Canisters

St. Louis got an IKEA store recently and I am super excited.  That being said, I think that Ikea serves a different purpose at different ages.  As a college student or just starting out at my first apartment, I probably would buy anything there.  Now, I can see that some of their furniture is not the best quality for long term.  They also can have a very modern look at times.  However, I can always find some great things though and the prices are good too.  I thought I would highlight some of the things I get there and love!

I decided I really need to brighten up my kitchen.  My counters are super dark and changing them out isn't happening tomorrow!  I loved these canisters.  They go with my decor and reminded me of ones my mom had growing up.  You would also be shocked at how much it does brighten things up.  (My old ones were cream so not dark, but it was a huge difference)  These canisters range from $2-$4, and I love that you can pick individually the sizes that work for you instead of a set you are stuck with!  They also seal really well so I don't have to worry about moisture, etc.

Super bonus, I sold my old canisters for more than what I paid for these!  Nothing like making money on an upgrade!