DIY Garden Trellis Advent Calendar

12.02.2014

Now that December is already a couple of days under way, it’s time to GET ON that do-it-yourself advent calendar to-do list item. Although the world probably isn’t lacking in tutorials for such a holiday-themed project, I couldn’t help but try out my own festive spin. The process is simple and straightforward (using an upside down garden trellis, no less!) and you can find all of the step-by-step details on eHow.

And in case you missed my two holiday-themed announcements yesterday, get caught up here and here. Now I’m off to go sneak some advent candy…

P.S. There’s still time to enter for a signed copy of Organizing Your Life! Details here.

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What are your tips for getting a better night’s

What are your tips for getting a better night’s sleep? I’m realizing that I need to switch up my routine to get to a better “self care” state, so leave your suggestions in the comments pleaseeeeeeee 💤 😴 🛌

Four months ago, I posted a video joking about how

Four months ago, I posted a video joking about how our 1-year-old cat Joe loved to groom his favorite faux fur blanket from @lolablankets. A week later, he very unexpectedly passed away during emergency surgery…Our hearts were absolutely shattered, but we decided to adopt again, and we were able to rescue Joe’s (real life!) baby sister. The other day, I’m sure you can imagine my reaction when I found baby Gladys grooming Joe’s blanket JUST like her big brother used to 🥹💕🐱 Life really is just one full sweet circle, isn’t it…? Thanks for teaching Gladys from afar, Joe. We miss you everyday, but see so much of you in your little sister 💔

Verrrrry much looking forward to a cozy Sunday spe

Verrrrry much looking forward to a cozy Sunday spent at home watching football and, hopefully (if I feel up to it), dinner with family later tonight 🧡🍁🏈🍽️ What are your second-half-of-the-weekend plans?

Ummmmmm…The 2-piece Home Cool Duo from @ourplace

Ummmmmm…The 2-piece Home Cool Duo from @ourplace is on MAJOR sale right now ($195, regularly $315), and I thought you ought to know!!! 🫢🧡🙌🏼 I use our non-toxic Our Place pots and pans every single day, and recommend them to everybody I know 😅👌🏼 They’re lightweight, which is a biggie for me since I have really weak wrists, and I love the design/colors. The ceramic non-stick-ability is also unmatched, in my opinion, and holds up much better than other pots/pans we’ve had. Before I got my UC diagnosis, I whipped up this Chicken Stew With Dumplings recipe (via @kitchensanctuary) using my non-toxic non-stick Home Cook Duo. Grab the bundle and lots of other kitchen goodies during the Our Place sale to get the best price of the year! Psssst…Order by 11/19 to ensure delivery by Thanksgiving 🦃🧡🍁🍽️ #fromourplace #gifted

I’m still not quite ready to transition this spa

I’m still not quite ready to transition this space from fall to Christmas, but I’m getting there mentally! It was just so fun adding subtle touches of fall to this room back in September 🍂🧡🎃 A couple plaid accents here, some pumpkins there, fall foliage to round things out…Done! Just goes to show that you don’t have to go crazy with seasonal décor to get the point across (and it means you won’t have tons to store during the off season!) 🙌🏼 Are you still enjoying your fall décor?

Fall time is my forever favorite ☺️🧡🍂🎃

We were at sort of a loss for what to do with the

We were at sort of a loss for what to do with the empty area just off to the side of our kitchen. Swipe to see a video of the space before we moved in. The obvious answer was an eat-in breakfast area, of course, but when we replaced the kitchen counters we added a bar and stools for occasional dining, meaning we didn’t need the extra eat-in space. So, we eventually decided to test out a cozy seating area, and we’ve used it SO MUCH!!! 😄👍🏼🧡 When family comes to visit, we inevitably end up hanging out in the kitchen, and it’s so nice having a soft place to land for conversation. I love that it gives me a chance to show off some of my favorite antiques, too, like our vintage leather couch, china hutch, Bernard Cathelin art, and wood coffee table. Moral of the story: you don’t HAVE to go the obvious route when it comes to room function! Do what works for you ☺️⭐️✨

It has been two months and two weeks since we adop

It has been two months and two weeks since we adopted our rescue Lynx Point Siamese kitten, Gladys Jean, and she is just a PEACH! Even though she’s still tiny, Gladys and our big cat, Marlo, have become the best of wrestling partners, and Gladys has gotten the hang of her “big girl” litter boxes, too. We’ve been using @modkat litter boxes and their Litter Keeper for years, and, thankfully, Gladys has taken well to her new home and our established pet routines. I especially love how the Flip Litter Box opens with just a couple of smooth folds of the lid so I can scoop with ease (especially since I’m usually doing this bleary eyed at 5 in the morning), and the Litter Keeper disposes of clumps with a hands-free step on the foot pedal. Our #Modkat goodies also just look so sleek and clean in our modern home, which you know is important to me! I couldn’t recommend them more—zero complaints, and I think you’ll love them, too, if you’re a fellow cat mom or dad. Tell them Gladys Jean sent you! 🤗🧡🐱 #ad

Still kinda at a loss for words today. I’m just

Still kinda at a loss for words today. I’m just gonna let that be okay for the time being. Here’s a favorite photo from our old house that made me smile this morning 🧡 Hope you’re finding reasons to smile, too.

Reminder to be gentle with yourself today. We’re

Reminder to be gentle with yourself today. We’re gonna be okay 💙 (photo of a favorite quiet corner in our living room snapped by the lovely @alisafoytik)

Nap time for Gladys Jean and Marlo just got a maaa

Nap time for Gladys Jean and Marlo just got a maaaajor upgrade thanks to the Kip Cat Cushion from @tuftandpaw 🐱🐈‍⬛🧡 I’ve honestly never been so jealous of our pets…The girls love snuggling (and wrestling) with each other on that slightly concave surface, and the faux shearling cover soaks up afternoon sun making for the perfect heated sleep routine. I’m linking it in my Stories today if you want to add one to your own pet collection! We ordered it in “Wide,” by the way, to make sure both M and G could fit on it together—works like a charm! 🐾 (gifted)

I have a feeling that our sunroom is going to be d

I have a feeling that our sunroom is going to be decked out in holiday décor EXTRA early this year…I just need a little pick-me-up, ya know?! When are you planning to decorate for Christmas if you celebrate it? ❤️🎄🎅🏼🎁

Right before I got sick, John and I crossed off a

Right before I got sick, John and I crossed off a BIG project from our home remodeling list: refurbishing the old rusty iron railings on our back porch! They were super flakey and discolored when we first moved in two years ago, so we ended up just removing them entirely (along with all the overgrown shrubs, as you’ll see in the “before” photos I included in this video). We left the railings off for more than a year, and I actually really loved the clean look of the porch that way, but the Internet went absolutely wilddddd with the safety concerns of not having a railing when I shared about it. Happy to report that we survived without incident and I would have permanently left them off if I had had my way, but I ultimately gave into the pressure and hired someone to sandblast them clean so we could reinstall and paint them once and for all. An easy/reasonable $100 per railing for the pro cleaning later, and we were ready to get them back in place! After reattaching the railings to the porch with the old hardware that I had carefully labeled and bagged up, John and I painted them using a hammered texture Rustoleum paint that’s meant to cover/seal rust. It actually only needed one thick coat, so not too bad, and only cost about $25. I love how the black color gives these 1960s railings a more modern look, and I do appreciate the upgraded safety…It looks sort of formal now and elevated! I’m just glad we finally got it done ☺️🧡🙌🏼 What lingering home renovation projects are YOU planning to cross off your list this season?

An accurate representation of our plans for the da

An accurate representation of our plans for the day 💕 #happysaturday

So, as you may know, I’ve been experiencing a he

Gladys Jean wanted to pop (or should I say “poun

Gladys Jean wanted to pop (or should I say “pounce”?) on to demonstrate how good she is at using her big girl litter box from @modkat 🥹🐱🧡 We’ve used #Modkat litter boxes for as long as I can remember, but this is our first time using their Flip Litter Box style. It’s a hit!!! Gladys seems to appreciate how easy it is to climb into, even with her still-little legs, and I love how easy it is to scoop since the lid folds back completely in two quick moves 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 Watch the video to see it all in action, including our Litter Keeper, which is what we use to dispose of clumps, and the Modkat Tidy-Up Kit for occasional litter crumb sweeping. Doesn’t the litter box look so sleek and mod in our sunroom, too?! 10/10 would recommend ⭐️🐈‍⬛🐈 #ad

AD | How about some festive fall mantel inspiratio

AD | How about some festive fall mantel inspiration for you this crisp autumn morning?! I just recently added this gorgeous gold arched mirror from @tetotehome to our collection, and knew that it would be the perfect focal point for this seasonal look🪞🍁🙌🏼 I love how it bounces light around in our naturally dark living room, and the gold feels perfectly fitting for fall. To round out the styling, I incorporated pumpkins, seasonal foliage, and a dried pinecone garland that I intentionally swagged right under the mirror so your eye is drawn there, making it the star of the show 🧡🍂🎃✨ Head to tetotehome.com to check out all of their beautiful mirror options (including light-up vanity mirrors, which are currently on my own wishlist!), or comment SHOP here on today’s post and I’ll send you a direct link to the arched gold beauty that I chose 🫶🏼 Oh, and you can use code “FX6484” for a 10% discount! Where would YOU style a mirror like this for fall?? #mytetotecorner #tetotemirror

Being sick sure does make me appreciate when I was

Being sick sure does make me appreciate when I was able to work…I can’t WAIT to be able to get back to writing, editing, and scheming new project inspiration for all of you! Please send lots of healing thoughts so I can make that happen ASAP…😩🧡🩺👩🏻‍⚕️

Whyyyyy does it have to be so hard to swap out a r

Whyyyyy does it have to be so hard to swap out a rug?! If you have tips, please share, but we usually just suck it up and tip the bed to get it done 😮‍💨 Luckily, it’s worth it every single time for a new @loloirugs area rug!! This is the IDA-05 Spa/Sunrise rug from their latest collaboration with @chrislovesjulia, which launched TODAY! I love the soft minty blue color palette with hints of blush/rust, and how it complements the celadon limewash in our primary bedroom. It’s a match made in heaven, and I love sinking my toes into it every morning 🧡👌🏼 Comment “RUG” and I’ll send you a direct link, or shop via my Stories today. (gifted/ad) #cljxloloi

Here’s one of those projects that I’m kicking

Here’s one of those projects that I’m kicking myself for not doing sooner…We used to store our spices up in a cabinet, but the variety we’ve since collected had outgrown that space. So, last month I bought some inexpensive metal shelves on Amazon to create a door-mounted spice rack in our pantry 🧡🙌🏼🌶️🫚 They were super easy to install, and soooooooo much fun to fill with our favorite spice jars and bags. Bonus: I got to put all of our specialty oils and vinegars in the now-empty spice cabinet to help thin the pantry out a bit!!! These simple DIY reorganizing projects are always the most high impact aren’t they…Best $17 I’ve ever spent 😁 Comment “SPICE” and I’ll send you a direct link to the shelves we used.

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What are your tips for getting a better night’s

What are your tips for getting a better night’s sleep? I’m realizing that I need to switch up my routine to get to a better “self care” state, so leave your suggestions in the comments pleaseeeeeeee 💤 😴 🛌

Four months ago, I posted a video joking about how

Four months ago, I posted a video joking about how our 1-year-old cat Joe loved to groom his favorite faux fur blanket from @lolablankets. A week later, he very unexpectedly passed away during emergency surgery…Our hearts were absolutely shattered, but we decided to adopt again, and we were able to rescue Joe’s (real life!) baby sister. The other day, I’m sure you can imagine my reaction when I found baby Gladys grooming Joe’s blanket JUST like her big brother used to 🥹💕🐱 Life really is just one full sweet circle, isn’t it…? Thanks for teaching Gladys from afar, Joe. We miss you everyday, but see so much of you in your little sister 💔

Verrrrry much looking forward to a cozy Sunday spe

Verrrrry much looking forward to a cozy Sunday spent at home watching football and, hopefully (if I feel up to it), dinner with family later tonight 🧡🍁🏈🍽️ What are your second-half-of-the-weekend plans?

Ummmmmm…The 2-piece Home Cool Duo from @ourplace

Ummmmmm…The 2-piece Home Cool Duo from @ourplace is on MAJOR sale right now ($195, regularly $315), and I thought you ought to know!!! 🫢🧡🙌🏼 I use our non-toxic Our Place pots and pans every single day, and recommend them to everybody I know 😅👌🏼 They’re lightweight, which is a biggie for me since I have really weak wrists, and I love the design/colors. The ceramic non-stick-ability is also unmatched, in my opinion, and holds up much better than other pots/pans we’ve had. Before I got my UC diagnosis, I whipped up this Chicken Stew With Dumplings recipe (via @kitchensanctuary) using my non-toxic non-stick Home Cook Duo. Grab the bundle and lots of other kitchen goodies during the Our Place sale to get the best price of the year! Psssst…Order by 11/19 to ensure delivery by Thanksgiving 🦃🧡🍁🍽️ #fromourplace #gifted

I’m still not quite ready to transition this spa

I’m still not quite ready to transition this space from fall to Christmas, but I’m getting there mentally! It was just so fun adding subtle touches of fall to this room back in September 🍂🧡🎃 A couple plaid accents here, some pumpkins there, fall foliage to round things out…Done! Just goes to show that you don’t have to go crazy with seasonal décor to get the point across (and it means you won’t have tons to store during the off season!) 🙌🏼 Are you still enjoying your fall décor?

Fall time is my forever favorite ☺️🧡🍂🎃

We were at sort of a loss for what to do with the

We were at sort of a loss for what to do with the empty area just off to the side of our kitchen. Swipe to see a video of the space before we moved in. The obvious answer was an eat-in breakfast area, of course, but when we replaced the kitchen counters we added a bar and stools for occasional dining, meaning we didn’t need the extra eat-in space. So, we eventually decided to test out a cozy seating area, and we’ve used it SO MUCH!!! 😄👍🏼🧡 When family comes to visit, we inevitably end up hanging out in the kitchen, and it’s so nice having a soft place to land for conversation. I love that it gives me a chance to show off some of my favorite antiques, too, like our vintage leather couch, china hutch, Bernard Cathelin art, and wood coffee table. Moral of the story: you don’t HAVE to go the obvious route when it comes to room function! Do what works for you ☺️⭐️✨

It has been two months and two weeks since we adop

It has been two months and two weeks since we adopted our rescue Lynx Point Siamese kitten, Gladys Jean, and she is just a PEACH! Even though she’s still tiny, Gladys and our big cat, Marlo, have become the best of wrestling partners, and Gladys has gotten the hang of her “big girl” litter boxes, too. We’ve been using @modkat litter boxes and their Litter Keeper for years, and, thankfully, Gladys has taken well to her new home and our established pet routines. I especially love how the Flip Litter Box opens with just a couple of smooth folds of the lid so I can scoop with ease (especially since I’m usually doing this bleary eyed at 5 in the morning), and the Litter Keeper disposes of clumps with a hands-free step on the foot pedal. Our #Modkat goodies also just look so sleek and clean in our modern home, which you know is important to me! I couldn’t recommend them more—zero complaints, and I think you’ll love them, too, if you’re a fellow cat mom or dad. Tell them Gladys Jean sent you! 🤗🧡🐱 #ad

Still kinda at a loss for words today. I’m just

Still kinda at a loss for words today. I’m just gonna let that be okay for the time being. Here’s a favorite photo from our old house that made me smile this morning 🧡 Hope you’re finding reasons to smile, too.

Reminder to be gentle with yourself today. We’re

Reminder to be gentle with yourself today. We’re gonna be okay 💙 (photo of a favorite quiet corner in our living room snapped by the lovely @alisafoytik)

Nap time for Gladys Jean and Marlo just got a maaa

Nap time for Gladys Jean and Marlo just got a maaaajor upgrade thanks to the Kip Cat Cushion from @tuftandpaw 🐱🐈‍⬛🧡 I’ve honestly never been so jealous of our pets…The girls love snuggling (and wrestling) with each other on that slightly concave surface, and the faux shearling cover soaks up afternoon sun making for the perfect heated sleep routine. I’m linking it in my Stories today if you want to add one to your own pet collection! We ordered it in “Wide,” by the way, to make sure both M and G could fit on it together—works like a charm! 🐾 (gifted)

I have a feeling that our sunroom is going to be d

I have a feeling that our sunroom is going to be decked out in holiday décor EXTRA early this year…I just need a little pick-me-up, ya know?! When are you planning to decorate for Christmas if you celebrate it? ❤️🎄🎅🏼🎁

Right before I got sick, John and I crossed off a

Right before I got sick, John and I crossed off a BIG project from our home remodeling list: refurbishing the old rusty iron railings on our back porch! They were super flakey and discolored when we first moved in two years ago, so we ended up just removing them entirely (along with all the overgrown shrubs, as you’ll see in the “before” photos I included in this video). We left the railings off for more than a year, and I actually really loved the clean look of the porch that way, but the Internet went absolutely wilddddd with the safety concerns of not having a railing when I shared about it. Happy to report that we survived without incident and I would have permanently left them off if I had had my way, but I ultimately gave into the pressure and hired someone to sandblast them clean so we could reinstall and paint them once and for all. An easy/reasonable $100 per railing for the pro cleaning later, and we were ready to get them back in place! After reattaching the railings to the porch with the old hardware that I had carefully labeled and bagged up, John and I painted them using a hammered texture Rustoleum paint that’s meant to cover/seal rust. It actually only needed one thick coat, so not too bad, and only cost about $25. I love how the black color gives these 1960s railings a more modern look, and I do appreciate the upgraded safety…It looks sort of formal now and elevated! I’m just glad we finally got it done ☺️🧡🙌🏼 What lingering home renovation projects are YOU planning to cross off your list this season?

An accurate representation of our plans for the da

An accurate representation of our plans for the day 💕 #happysaturday

So, as you may know, I’ve been experiencing a he

Gladys Jean wanted to pop (or should I say “poun

Gladys Jean wanted to pop (or should I say “pounce”?) on to demonstrate how good she is at using her big girl litter box from @modkat 🥹🐱🧡 We’ve used #Modkat litter boxes for as long as I can remember, but this is our first time using their Flip Litter Box style. It’s a hit!!! Gladys seems to appreciate how easy it is to climb into, even with her still-little legs, and I love how easy it is to scoop since the lid folds back completely in two quick moves 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 Watch the video to see it all in action, including our Litter Keeper, which is what we use to dispose of clumps, and the Modkat Tidy-Up Kit for occasional litter crumb sweeping. Doesn’t the litter box look so sleek and mod in our sunroom, too?! 10/10 would recommend ⭐️🐈‍⬛🐈 #ad

AD | How about some festive fall mantel inspiratio

AD | How about some festive fall mantel inspiration for you this crisp autumn morning?! I just recently added this gorgeous gold arched mirror from @tetotehome to our collection, and knew that it would be the perfect focal point for this seasonal look🪞🍁🙌🏼 I love how it bounces light around in our naturally dark living room, and the gold feels perfectly fitting for fall. To round out the styling, I incorporated pumpkins, seasonal foliage, and a dried pinecone garland that I intentionally swagged right under the mirror so your eye is drawn there, making it the star of the show 🧡🍂🎃✨ Head to tetotehome.com to check out all of their beautiful mirror options (including light-up vanity mirrors, which are currently on my own wishlist!), or comment SHOP here on today’s post and I’ll send you a direct link to the arched gold beauty that I chose 🫶🏼 Oh, and you can use code “FX6484” for a 10% discount! Where would YOU style a mirror like this for fall?? #mytetotecorner #tetotemirror

Being sick sure does make me appreciate when I was

Being sick sure does make me appreciate when I was able to work…I can’t WAIT to be able to get back to writing, editing, and scheming new project inspiration for all of you! Please send lots of healing thoughts so I can make that happen ASAP…😩🧡🩺👩🏻‍⚕️

Whyyyyy does it have to be so hard to swap out a r

Whyyyyy does it have to be so hard to swap out a rug?! If you have tips, please share, but we usually just suck it up and tip the bed to get it done 😮‍💨 Luckily, it’s worth it every single time for a new @loloirugs area rug!! This is the IDA-05 Spa/Sunrise rug from their latest collaboration with @chrislovesjulia, which launched TODAY! I love the soft minty blue color palette with hints of blush/rust, and how it complements the celadon limewash in our primary bedroom. It’s a match made in heaven, and I love sinking my toes into it every morning 🧡👌🏼 Comment “RUG” and I’ll send you a direct link, or shop via my Stories today. (gifted/ad) #cljxloloi

Here’s one of those projects that I’m kicking

Here’s one of those projects that I’m kicking myself for not doing sooner…We used to store our spices up in a cabinet, but the variety we’ve since collected had outgrown that space. So, last month I bought some inexpensive metal shelves on Amazon to create a door-mounted spice rack in our pantry 🧡🙌🏼🌶️🫚 They were super easy to install, and soooooooo much fun to fill with our favorite spice jars and bags. Bonus: I got to put all of our specialty oils and vinegars in the now-empty spice cabinet to help thin the pantry out a bit!!! These simple DIY reorganizing projects are always the most high impact aren’t they…Best $17 I’ve ever spent 😁 Comment “SPICE” and I’ll send you a direct link to the shelves we used.