The Epiphany

Downton Abbey

 

I was brought up that you leave the tree up until the Epiphany. I have always loved the tradition of it and that it extends the season. What is this tradition?

Wicker for the Kitchen

Wicker Onion Baskets

 

I found some wicker for the kitchen or pantry that are so old school, attractive, and functional! These are traditional baskets designed for storing onions, but you could also use them for potatoes, apples and other fresh produce. The baskets are hand woven of sturdy rattan reeds, with an ear handle on one side that allows for hanging in the pantry.

For centuries, these wicker baskets have been commonly used for everyday life in Europe for food storage and as a better solution to prolong the shelf life of veggies the natural way. The breathable design allows air to pass keeping any moisture away promoting a longer shelf life. A highly sustainable elegant kitchen organizer.

Puppy Day

Mark & Graham X Steele Storage Container

Our new puppy Beatrice is en route and will be here in a few hours. My week did not go exactly as planned - instead of a relaxing week getting organized for the new puppy, I ended up with not one but two emergency laser eye surgeries to repair tears in both my retinas. One surgery Wednesday and one yesterday.

The Epiphany

Downton Abbey

Today is the Epiphany and it's also going to be a rare rainy day here in South Florida. So it's a perfect day for me to take down my Christmas decorations. 

I was brought up that you leave the tree up until the Epiphany. I have always loved the tradition of it and that it extends the season.

January Organizing - Fridge Envy

HGTV

Last week I posted a sneak peek of my January organizing series with a post on properly storing your fine china. Click here if you missed it. Then we looked at storing your Christmas decorations so they are safe and sound - click here.

All these posts are projects that are designed to be easy and budget friendly, but important elements in having a beautifully organized home. Today we are looking at some refrigerator organization tips.

The Epiphany

Downton Abbey

 

 It is funny what a hot button topic this is. I saw on Instagram a very popular social influencer saying that she had taken down her Christmas tree and put away all Christmas decorations the day after Christmas. She got lots of comments with people agreeing that they couldn't wait until Christmas was over to take it all down.

Whimsical Wicker

Amanda Potcake Wicker Dog

 I have a definite thing for wicker animals and have a little menagerie in my home and lanai - four wicker elephants, two wicker snails, two wicker monkeys, a wicker turtle, and a wicker frog. No wicker dogs, but this guy is very cute.

A Summer Icon

Carolyn Bessett Kennedy - 1997

 

What bag has been iconic for eight decades, is worn by prepsters and celebrities, and costs $30? The answer is the L.L.Bean canvas tote. I was never a backpack girl and started wearing L.L.Bean totes in middle school. I always loved monograms and would spend hours designing my bag, choosing the trim color, monogram style, and monogram color. 

When I was in college, my family flew out to Bryn Mawr and we did a New England road trip with the highlight being lots of lobster and a trip to the L.L.Bean store in Freeport, Maine. I used their totes during prep school, college and law school. When I graduated from law school, I bought a gorgeous Coach leather tote in the same style that I had embossed with my monogram in gold foil.

Garage Organization

Apartment Therapy

 

This week I worked more on my garage organization, and it is so empty I started thinking about getting a second car. I would keep my Audi, but get a small fun car for running around doing errands and for the beach. The news reports are true about dealerships having no inventory. In fact, the business model has changed with some manufacturers where you order your car as opposed to buying it off the lot. I am thinking about a BMW, and that is the case with it, for example. I am in no rush, and I'll get exactly what I want.