Blog - The Anastasia Co.

December 13, 2018

6 Thoughtful Gifts For Your Boyfriend

Guys can be tough to shop for! If you’re looking for a sentimental or practical gift idea, there are several great options for the man in your life.

Whether he’s sporty, stylish, a music lover or a beer connoisseur, it’s fun to choose a present that fits his personality and hobbies.

If his birthday, Christmas or an anniversary is coming up, here are six great gift ideas for your boyfriend. Many of these gifts can found at a variety of price ranges.

1. Glassware for His Favorite Beverage

A quality set of whiskey, beer or wine glasses is a great gift for a guy who loves to enjoy a good drink. Customized glasses with sports team logos or monograms give the gift a personal touch, allowing it to be thoughtfully geared toward your boyfriend. Don’t forget to throw a bottle of his favorite liquor, wine or beer in the package so that he can start using the glasses right away! Get it here. (affiliate link)

2. A Funny Card

What’s a relationship without humor? While sappy cards can be sweet, there’s something about a corny joke that can mean just as much — and show just how well you know your man. Choose from sayings like I Like Naps and You, Mutual Weirdness Forever, or I Love You More than Taco s and add your own sweet (or sassy) message inside.

3. A Watch

While a watch may seem like a standard guy gift, you can add your own special touch by getting the back of it engraved with a short and sweet note. Make sure he’s always thinking of you when he puts it on in the morning with a message that makes him smile. Looking for a unique timepiece? Try a wooden watch, which can be versatile for a dressy or casual outfit. Featured: Wild Watches

4. Tickets to a Concert or Sporting Event

He can’t go alone, so when you give tickets as a gift, it’s also a gift for yourself! Whether your boyfriend has a favorite sports team or a band he can’t get enough of, giving tickets is giving the gift of an experience, which can be even more fun than an object.

5. A Framed Photo

We have a tendency to just post our pictures on social media and forget to print them. Find a frame that matches your boyfriend’s decorating style and then choose a photo that brings back memories of a fun weekend you spent together. Whether he sets it on his nightstand or hangs it in the living room, you’ll always be in his home (and his heart). Featured: DUST and THINGS

6. Meaningful Wall Art

Guys aren’t always the best at choosing home decor, so help your boyfriend out with these simple but thoughtful I Choose You and And I’d Choose You prints. Pair them with a framed photo to help him start a simple gallery wall or let it hang solo to spruce up his man cave.

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December 7, 2018

7 Gifts Any Traveler Will Love

Do you have a friend who’s always on the go? Whether they’re jetting over the ocean, driving across the country or hiking around the state, you know it’s important to treasure all the time you can get with your traveling friends.

Show them how much they mean to you with these thoughtful gifts for travelers. Try something that reminds them of their travels or a useful item for them to bring on one of their whirlwind getaways.

1. Personalized Passport Case

It’s not a necessity, but they sure are cute. A personalized passport case can protect that very important document and a bright color helps in stand out in the depths of a big travel bag. Get it monogrammed for your bestie to make it extra special. / Featured: Lullas Boutique

2. Travel Journal

Giving the gift of a journal is like giving the gift of preserved memories. A journal is the perfect way for your traveling friend to jot down stories, keep track of a daily itinerary or plan and dream about future excursions. With sayings like And So the Adventure Begins or Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone on the cover, these journals are sure to inspire big dreams and a free spirit.

3. World Map

A map is the perfect way for your friend to mark their travels and display for all to see. Some are bulletin-board style with a set of pins to mark travel destinations. Or, they can use it as inspiration for upcoming travels. Featured: Odd Nerd Vintage

4. Vintage Globe

A globe is the perfect decoration to encapsulate a traveler’s personality. Find one at a thrift store or antique shop and it’s sure to be a one-of-a-kind gem that your friend will treasure for years to come. Featured: Papercase Studio

5. Luggage or a Stylish Backpack

Help your friends upgrade their travel gear with a new luggage set that will last for years. Or, go small and practical with a stylish backpack perfect for hiking, a camping trip or even as a hands-free carry on bag. Get it here. (affiliate link)

6. Wall Art

Everyone needs a good remind to get out, wander and explore. These prints will remind your traveling friend to Never Settle, Wander Often and more. Pick several for a charming gallery wall, or choose your favorite and write a note on the back before your pass it on to your friend.

7. Jewelry

A necklace or bracelet adorned with a charm in the shape of a favorite state or country is a subtle nod to travel and a perfect accessory. Dainty jewelry, perfect for layering, is trendy and chic and can be dressed up or down for any occasion. Featured: Au Handmade Jewelery

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November 16, 2018

7 Reasons Why You Should Send Christmas Cards

Sending Christmas cards is a tradition that dates back to early 19th-century England. Thanks to social media, our busy schedules and a plethora of other excuses, it’s one we’ve fallen away from.

But here at The Anastasia Co. we firmly believe that it’s important to spread Christmas cheer with some good old fashioned snail-mail cards. And if you’re wondering, the prime time to send your cards is after Thanksgiving, aiming for them to arrive the second week of December.

Here are seven reasons you should bring the tradition of sending Christmas cards back in your own family.

1. Cards provide a tangible touch.

A Christmas card is a tangible way to show your friends and family that you care. A card takes time and effort; it shows you took a few moments to think of the recipient and share a few kind words. It’s a small gesture to say “I love you.”

2. Handwriting is personal in the digital age.

It’s easy to fall back on sending a Facebook message or shooting a e-card to a mass list of email addresses. But in today’s digital world, handwriting is a personal touch that we see less and less. Just a sentence or two is all it takes.

3. A Christmas card can be kept for years to come.

When you send a photo card year after year, it’s like a mini photo timeline of how your family has grown and how your kids have grown. Not only will your recipients want to hold onto it, you’ll want to keep a copy for yourself, too. Unlike a text message which will be gone almost instantly, Christmas cards are worth holding onto.

4. It’s a piece of mail that is sure to bring a smile.

Any adult knows that when there’s something other than bills in the mail it’s an exciting day. Let your card be that happy piece of mail. A handwritten address rather than a printed name on a bill-sized envelope will bring a smile to the recipient’s face before they’ve even torn it open.

5. Christmas cards keep you connected to people.

If you don’t see some of your family and friends in person often, cards are a way to stay connected and show you care. Writing a longer note — a little life update of sorts — is a thoughtful way to keep them in the loop on happenings in your own life.

6. People enjoy displaying cards in their home.

What’s a more joyful Christmas decoration than cards from friends and family? Whether they feature classic holiday sayings or photos of those you love, cards add to the heart of the holiday season, which is love.

7. Cards are a chance to point others towards Christ.

The best part about Christmas cards is that you get to decide exactly what they say. While the saying may be cheesy, Jesus truly is the reason for the season. You can use your cards to share a bit of the Nativity story or tell others how God has worked in your life in the past year.

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November 13, 2018

5 Holiday Hosting Tips + A Mulled Wine Recipe

This post has been sponsored by Layer Cake wines. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The holidays are a time for togetherness. Welcoming family and friends into your home is a beautiful way to love and serve the people you care about. Sharing conversation together over delicious food and great wine (especially Layer Cake!) is a sure way to add meaning and intentionality to a season that can be so full of chaos. By hosting an intimate gathering, you’ll be able to slow down for a few hours and disconnect from the holiday hustle.

Believe it or not, hosting a holiday party does not have to be a stressful task! Here is a mulled wine recipe and a few tips to make your gathering memorable and relaxed.

1. Choose Good Wine

Wine is a hosting essential any time of year but especially during the holidays! When selecting wine to serve at your holiday party, keep quality in mind. Choose several varietals so you’ll have something on hand to please every palate!

Layer Cake wine offers full-bodied, complex flavors in several varieties. For this holiday shindig, I served Layer Cake’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbon Barrel Cabernet, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Primitivo and Chardonnay.

These wines are completely handcrafted, and it is so evident in the taste! Their expert team works directly with farmers in the world’s most iconic wine regions to make each wine with care. The result is a richly layered and delicious wine that complements your meal well.

2. Snack It Up

One of the easiest ways to give yourself a break is to remember you don’t have to do it all. While handmade foods are important, not every element of your meal needs to be handmade.

Instead of worrying about what to make, eliminate stress by purchasing a variety of easy and flavorful snacks for your guests.

Grab a few different cheeses, meats, fruits, and nuts to create a snack board in less than five minutes. This will free up your time to make an excellent main dish or focus on other party details!

3. Add Ambiance

Ambiance is so important to create a festive atmosphere – but it doesn’t have to be complicated!

The two secrets to create a warm, inviting scene are candles and greenery. I simply placed some full greenery down the center of the table and added a few blooms for a pop of color.

To add a lighting element, I brought out my collection of vintage candlesticks. These beauties are timeless and add a touch of charm.

4. Create a Playlist

A good playlist is what separates a good party from a great party. Music sets the tone for the evening (literally), and it can be a special way to bring people together.

Online streaming services allow you to select a song or artist and create a playlist in one click. It doesn’t get any easier than that!

5. Serve Mulled Wine

If you’d like to make a simple yet flavorful drink for a group, Mulled Wine is the way to go! This delicious cocktail was an instant hit at our party. There’s nothing quite like a warm drink on a cold winter evening. Serving some delicious Mulled Wine is a sure way to add a cozy element into the mix.

The rich layers of Layer Cake wine gives you the perfect base for this festive holiday cocktail. Since this recipe doesn’t have many ingredients, you’ll want to make sure the ingredients you use are great quality.

There are a few different ways to make Mulled Wine; I prefer the slow-cooker method. This will keep the drink warm, stovetop free, and allow guests to grab refills with ease.

In the spirit of keeping things easy, this drink only takes five minutes to prepare—giving you more time to relax with your guests!

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Holiday Mulled Wine Recipe

Author: Jillian McClenahan

Prep time: 5 mins

Cook time: 35 mins

Total time: 40 mins

Made with Layer Cake red wine, apple cider, citrus, and warm spices, this delicious cocktail is a must at your next holiday party.

Ingredients

750 ml (1 bottle) Layer Cake red wine (a sweet varietal works best - Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot are great choices)
2 cups fresh apple cider
¼ cup honey
1 orange zested and juiced
5 whole cloves
4 cardamom pods
2 cinnamon sticks
1 whole star anise
Orange slices for garnish
Cinnamon sticks for garnish

Instructions

Pour Layer Cake red wine, apple cider, honey, orange zest, and orange juice into slow cooker and stir.
Add whole cloves, cardamom pods, cinnamon sticks, and star anise.
Cook on low, approximately 30 minutes.
Once warm, ladle into mugs. Serve with an orange slice and cinnamon stick for garnish.

Simple Mulled Wine Recipe / How to Make Mulled Wine / Ideas for Christmas Party / theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

Christmas Party Hosting Tip: Instead of worrying about what to make, eliminate stress by purchasing a variety of easy and flavorful snacks for your guests. Grab a few different cheeses, meats, fruits, and nuts to create a snack board in less than five minutes. This will free up your time to make an excellent main dish or focus on other party details! / Wine Party / theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

Wine Party / Wine Tasting / Layer Cake Wine offers full-bodied, complex flavors in several varieties. For this holiday shindig, I served Layer Cake's Cabernet Sauvignon, Bourbon Barrel Cabernet, Malbec, Pinot Noir, Shiraz, Primitivo and Chardonnay. theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

Warm Cocktail Recipe / Simple Mulled Wine Recipe / There are a few different ways to make Mulled Wine; I prefer the slow-cooker method. This will keep the drink warm, stovetop free, and allow guests to grab refills with ease. In the spirit of keeping things easy, this drink only takes five minutes to prepare—giving you more time to relax with your guests!

Holiday Party Ideas / How to Make Mulled Wine / Ideas for Christmas Party / theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

Christmas Table Ideas / Mulled Wine Recipe / Layer Cake Wine / theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

Holiday Table Ideas: The two secrets to create a warm, inviting scene are candles and greenery. I simply placed some full greenery down the center of the table and added a few blooms for a pop of color. To add a lighting element, I brought out my collection of vintage candlesticks. These beauties are timeless and add a touch of charm. / Christmas Table / Layer Cake Wine / theanastasiaco.com @theanastasiaco

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November 9, 2018

7 Apartment Decorating Ideas

Apartment decorating is a fun challenge. Whether you’re moving into your first studio apartment, updating the look of a small living room, or looking to give your bedroom a refresh, you can easily give new life to your space with these simple apartment ideas!

Adding in some new home decor pieces and updating some accents you already have can make a huge difference in the way your home feels when you walk in the door.

Apartment Decorating Ideas

*Disclosure: Some affiliate links are included; which means I may earn a small commission should you click through and make a purchase. This allows me to continue to create content for you, and I greatly appreciate your support!

1. Mirrors

via For the Home and Sun Woven

A mirror in the right place will make a room feel larger and brighter. If a certain spot has you stumped, a mirror may be the answer you’re looking for. In addition to creating an illusion of space, mirrors may go a long way to hide imperfections. A leaning full-length mirror makes a gorgeous addition to your apartment bedroom or living room.

2. Wall art

via The Anastasia Co and Sarah Sherman Samuel

Look at your walls like a blank canvas. When you first move in, all of the blank space may be intimidating. Fear not, there are so many ways to fill it! This Home Sweet Apartment wall art print is minimal and striking. With small, medium and large sizes available, it can be hung in a frame or placed on a shelf for a pop of personality.

Gallery walls with a mix of art prints and wall accents will make a statement that everyone will notice when they walk into your apartment living room. If you’re looking for simplicity, find an element in a print, or piece of art that you love and make it the common theme in your apartment decorating. (Find this Home Sweet Apartment Print for your wall here!)

3. Rug

via Northwood Supply

No matter what kind of flooring you have – hardwood, tile, or carpet, a rug is an interesting way to add some depth and character to a room. A lightly-colored rug will make a room feel larger. It can also protect your flooring from wear and tear. Be bold with patterns and colors – they’re easy to switch up at any time!

4. Lighting

via Cynthia Harper

Light is one of the most important elements of a room. It’s the factor that creates the ambiance and determines the vibe of your home. Lamps are a great way to make your home feel inviting and warm. These mood-setters come in many styles – you can choose from table lamps, floor lamps, wall lamps (also called sconces), or pendant lights.

5. Coffee table

via A Fabulous Fete and Forest Home Store

A coffee table can be the perfect stage for your favorite books, candles, and plants. A curated coffee table arrangement will show off your style and tie the room together. If you’re looking for something non-traditional, vintage trunks, crates, wood slabs, and tree stumps make excellent alternatives.

6. Throw pillows

via Meg Biram for Hayneedle

Even the plushest of couches can be made more comfortable and cozy with a carefully curated collection of throw pillows in your apartment living room. Mix colors, patterns, textures, even pillows of different shapes and sizes to create a striking display on your couch. If you have a studio apartment, using similar colors and textures in your throw pillows will create a cohesive look and make the space feel unified. I wrote a post on how to arrange pillows on your bed where I share the formula for layering your pillows! Choose your pillows based on accent colors already in your home, or pick accent colors from your pillows first and build around them.

7. Curtains

via Kimber Interiors

Curtains are the finishing touch that will give your apartment a polished look. Not only are they an opportunity to add style and color, they’re also a very practical accent piece. Curtains will enhance privacy, darken the room, and even help to keep the heat in. Like rugs and pillows, curtains bring personality to a small, one room apartment where there may be limits on the wall color. If your apartment has a sliding glass door to the balcony and floor-to-ceiling blinds, you’ll find curtains will instantly make the space feel more homey.

Tackling two or three of these apartment decorating ideas will make your home feel much more cozy!

How do you go about making a space your own? I’d love to hear, so please let me know in the comments.

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November 6, 2018

Drink-Inspired Fall Decor Ideas

Thanksgiving is so close and fall is slowly coming to a close. This means that it’s almost time to say goodbye to fall leaves and autumn color palettes in exchange for snowflakes and winter tones. However, we still have some time for one last hurrah before we start packing up!

If you’re not ready to put away the pumpkins or you have yet to bring fall into your home in time for Thanksgiving, you can take a look at these fun fall decor ideas inspired by popular fall drinks to get your last big gulp of fall before we move into the winter! There are ideas for all decor styles from modern mavens to traditional autumn fans. Either way, you’ll definitely wow your guests with one-of-a-kind design.

The best part is that you can keep your decor versatile by using cross-season pieces. For example, you can pick up a few comfy throws or fluffy rugs in neutral colors so you can use them for fall and winter. Smaller pieces like gold utensils and serving trays can also work for both seasons depending on what other items you pair with them.

Take a look at the ideas ProFlowers put together and see how you can add some a few last-minute fall twists into your home.

Modern Fall Decor Ideas

Traditional Fall Decor Ideas

Boho Fall Decor Ideas

Whimsical Fall Decor Ideas

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November 2, 2018

17 Thanksgiving Table Setting Ideas

While it’s the food that usually steals the show, your Thanksgiving table setting can be just as important to create a beautiful background for the delicious meal.

Use natural elements to create a simple, beautiful Thanksgiving table setting. Lush greenery, varying textiles, colorful fruit and scented candles create a warm, welcoming atmosphere.

Not sure where to start? Here are 17 ideas for a beautiful, fall tablescape.

You may also like these other Thanksgiving planning resources:

1. Greenery

via By Tezza

Give your table a lush, green centerpiece by layering stems of seeded eucalyptus. Add in fall flowers and pumpkins for pops of festive color.

2. Monochromatic Pumpkins

via Fashionable Hostess

What screams fall more than an array of beautiful pumpkins? This set of white pumpkins provides a perfect array of sizes and may even leave you with a few extra to decorate other parts of the house.

3. Candlesticks

via Style Me Pretty

Give some height to your fall tablescape with a selection of gorgeous candlesticks. The key to this vintage-inspired look is to use candlesticks of varying sizes to give the look more dimension. Try using these brass candle holders available in three different heights or these in dozens of different styles. Local thrift stores are also a great place to find unique candlesticks and can make your tablescape truly one-of-a-kind.

4. Pops of Copper

via Modern Glam and Rooms for Rent Blog

Copper’s orange-gold hue is a beautiful compliment to the red, orange and yellow colors of fall. The shiny metal makes a statement so small pops are all it takes for it to stand out. Try using copper flatware or copper mugs like these here for just the right pop.

5. Box of Fall

via 724 South House

If you’re looking for more structure in your table runner, using a simple wooden box is the perfect way to display your fall decor. Fill it with moss, greenery, candles, pumpkins, pinecones and whatever other hodgepodge of autumn items you have on hand.

6. Gifts at Place Settings

via Alt Summit

Make your Friendsgiving dinner a little more meaningful with a homemade gift for each attendee. These homemade pickles are a fun idea, or use any other take-home snack that you can make yourself. For added sentiment, put a handwritten note on each gift sharing a little bit of why that friendship is important to you.

7. Napkin Details

via Driven By Decor

The dainty details can make the biggest impact. Small, colorful sprigs of berries or flowers are all it takes to make the napkin the highlight of the place setting. Go for a vintage, rustic look with twine or a more polished look with simple white ribbon.

8. Antlers

via Tone on Tone Antiques and Sand and Sisal

Antlers, similar to candlesticks, are a great way to add height and dimension to your Thanksgiving table. Whitewashed antlers are a modern take on the woodsy decor while the natural brown look is more rustic. Fill in the table runner of decor with pumpkins, candles and greenery.

9. Personalized Plates

via Sarah Sherman Samuel and Ruffled Blog

A personalized place setting lets your guest know “I did this just for you!” Assigning seats yourself even gives you the opportunity to try and set up two friends — and what’s more fun to be thankful for than a budding romance? The simple hand lettering on this brown paper is simple yet chic and these hand-lettered tags double as decor for a napkin tie. Set off each setting with gold-plated flatware for an elegant pop.

10. Painted Pumpkins

via Casa de Perrin

Forget the table runner, just use pumpkins! Take a different approach by adding in non-traditional colors. A group of 30+ mini pumpkins in varying sizes is an easy way to make a big statement.

11. Layered Plates

via Home Stories A to Z

The secret to creating a full, finished Thanksgiving table? Layers. Layering the charger, dinner plate, salad plate, and a fun topper is a quick way to add visual depth and bring the table to life. Use a textured charger as the base to include a natural element.

12. Pumpkins

via Ella Claire Inspired

If in doubt when decorating your fall table, the answer is pumpkins on pumpkins. This table features pastel orange, white, and green pumpkins of various sizes and shapes. Use tree stumps to add levels, and mix in candles for an element of warmth.

13. Textiles

via In Honor of Design

Using patterned textiles is a great way to give your tablescape personality and color. Fabric and tea towels are an inexpensive ways to give your table character and create a color scheme.

14. Nature

via Cherished Bliss

God’s art provides the best inspiration. Look outside for an array of natural pieces you can work into your table. Think about incorporating different stems, antlers, fruit, vegetables, pinecones, and wood to bring the outdoors to you table. Tree slabs are an excellent addition to your Thanksgiving table – if you don’t have the resources to cut down a tree, these are an affordable option.

15. Pattern

via House on Longwood Lane

If your style is more boho modern, these DIY mud cloth painted pumpkins may be just what you need. Get creative by painting different patterns in a bold, consistent color scheme.

16. Gift Tags

via A Thoughtful Place

Add a thoughtful touch to your table with words of the season. Some ideas could be: gather, together, grateful, family. These sweet sentiments can be handwritten calligraphy, or you can print the words out and cut the paper into the shape of a tag if handwriting isn’t your specialty.

17. Feathers

via Kara Rosenlund

In keeping with the theme of nature, consider pairing together a faux feather and a piece of greenery for a simple, delicate plate detail.

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October 26, 2018

5 Easy Ways to Stay Organized

In today’s busy world, staying organized is key to mastering your to-do list, keeping control over your schedule and home, and achieving balance between your work life and your personal life. Finding a system that works for you can help you to stay on track, and have energy left over to enjoy the people you love.

5 Easy Ways to Stay Organized

Here are some tips I have found and used to be more productive. These strategies are designed to help you find peace among the chaos, stay organized, and lower stress.

1. Plan your meals

Batching tasks is one of the best productivity hacks, meal planning included. Many people shy away from cooking because it can take time and energy, resources people are typically short on during the week. If you settle in on a weekend day and plan your meals, including snacks, you may find less decision fatigue, because your meals are ready to go. No thinking required.

Take it a step further, and plan a weekend where you actually do a little batch cooking. This will save you time during the busy work week. Your meals will be cooked and portioned out, so you can heat them, enjoy a home-cooked meal, and continue on with your day. As a bonus, you’ll also be more likely to eat healthy meals when the food is ready and waiting.

2. Set your priorities on Sunday

Planning ahead is the key to staying on track. In the increasingly digital world we live in, sometimes it’s nice to take a moment to sit and actually write something down. That also allows us to take time and prioritize the tasks that will dictate our day. That’s where the Weekly Planner Notepad can come in handy. This 55-page pad is undated, and spacious. The 8.5 by 11 inch size lets you comfortably fill in all of your priorities without running out of room. Map out your entire week so you can see it all at a glance. Use it for to do lists, meal planning, or even your plant watering schedule! Marking the box when you’re complete is one of the most satisfying feelings.

3. Tidy Up

Never underestimate the power of tidying up, even if it’s not to the level of Marie Kondo. It doesn’t have to take a lot of time, but this one action can make a huge impact on your mood, your mind, and your time management. Take 10 minutes at the end of the day to free your counters of clutter and pick up things off the floor. Place your items into organized piles until you can set aside time to deep clean. I promise you will feel so much more at peace. When your space is more organized, your life instantly feels more organized. It’s amazing how much the two go hand in hand.

4. Manage your inbox

Like many people, I realize how easy it is for my inbox to reach an intimidating level. Many let their inbox get to an overwhelmingly full level, and give up on getting a handle on it because it seems unmanageable. Life hack: it feels incredible to have an organized inbox. That’s probably why services that will bulk unsubscribe users from unread newsletters and promotional materials from businesses are flourishing. You don’t have to pay for a service to clean out your inbox and get that unbelievable feeling when your inbox no longer looks like a jungle to navigate.

I suggest setting aside a chunk of time to implement these steps, although you can clean and organize your inbox in multiple appointments with yourself.

Create folders for recurring emails like receipts, shopping, business, travel, social media, etc. Having folders for specific types of emails makes it easier to find them later, and gives your inbox a cleaner look. If you take the time to create the folders and move mail into them as you manage your email daily, this lessens the potential that your inbox will be a source of massive anxiety.
Set up filters for emails you want to receive but don’t need to see right away.
Most email providers allow you to filter your incoming email so that it goes straight into folders you’ve specified. Some providers will automatically flag certain emails and categorize incoming mail based on your previous actions.
Unsubscribe from emails you no longer wish to receive. It’s normal to sign up for newsletters that you find intriguing, but if you find that you’re not actually reading them on a regular basis, it’s time to let them go. There’s no need to take up precious space in your inbox. Hit unsubscribe. Your mind will thank you.

5. Make a List

Sometimes you just need to write it down. The art of writing something gets those thoughts weighing you down out of your brain and into the world. You no longer have to wrestle with them, and the actual act of writing it down makes it easier to remember. There’s actually physical connection!

If you have a lot of errands to run, write them down. If you have a list of things you need to purchase, write them down. Or maybe you’re just feeling overwhelmed and anxious – write all of those things down!

Because I firmly believe in the power of writing, I put together the Organization Pack. This three-piece kit will help you plan your weekly priorities, to-do lists, and shopping lists.

Ready to get organized? You don’t have to tackle all of these tasks in a single day, or practice them every day to see the benefits. Give them a try and let me know how it goes! Have other tips? I’d love to hear them!

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October 23, 2018

How to Arrange Pillows On Your Bed

Throw pillows are an easy, affordable way to update the look of your bedroom, living room, or home office! These accessories can add a simple pop of color, texture, and personality while pulling the room together in an effortless way that takes almost no time at all. Learning how to arrange pillows on your bed will add depth and style to your bedding arrangement.

There are many ways to arrange pillows according to your space and aesthetic. At the beginning of the year, I gave my bedroom an earthy, boho makeover. The layered pillows quickly became one of my favorite focal points! Here is one simple recipe you can use to recreate this look.

How to Arrange Pillows

(1) body pillow
(2) 20-inch pillows
(2) 18-inch pillows
(1) 15 x 27-inch pillow (Find the pictured geometric pillow here!)

Fluff, toss, and enjoy!

When creating your pillow arrangement, you will want to place the largest pillows in the back and the smallest pillows in the front. This will allow all patterns and colors to be visible. Since I don’t have a headboard, I used a body pillow as a foundation. If you have a headboard, three layers of pillows can do the trick.

I purchased all of my bedroom throw pillows from Target – they offer an incredible selection of styles, colors, and sizes, without breaking the bank. Their website lets you filter by color, size, type, and price which makes the shopping process a breeze!

Elements to Keep in Mind While Selecting Your Pillows

Color
Texture
Pattern

For a bold approach, don’t be afraid to mix colors, textures, and patterns! If you go this route, choose a similar element such as color or pattern to keep a cohesive look. Texture is also an important piece of the puzzle. Textured pillows add so much visual interest and make a statement without being over the top.

Decorative pillows are so easy to switch out for the season or your mood. In just a few minutes you can breathe new life into your room without having to paint or rearrange furniture. To top it off, you can also add a contrasting throw blanket for even more style and comfort.

Pin the image above to save this idea for later! You can find a ton of other ideas on our home decor Pinterest board.

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October 19, 2018

Junkstock: Fall 2018 + New Paper Goods

It’s hard to believe we’ve been doing these Junkstock recaps for four years now! This is the tenth time setting up shop at the farm, and I still fall more in love with the people and the atmosphere every time.

The harvest edition of Junkstock is one of the very best times of year. The crisp air, pumpkins everywhere, and vintage goodness never gets old. You may remember back in April when we had a ridiculous amount of snow. Rain replaced the snow this time — but, it was a great show! The amount of people who will brave any weather to come out and support local businesses never ceases to amaze me.

When I first started this business, I didn’t know prints and greeting cards could tear down walls and open hearts. I didn’t know how much words could impact a person’s perspective and mindset about life. I didn’t know how many truly incredible, inspiring people I would meet.

Opening a shop has blessed me with the opportunity to become friends with complete strangers in a matter of minutes with some simple encouraging words and a little humor. THANKFUL does not even begin to describe how this feels.

The set up and tear down process for the show takes about a week. It’s a ton of work, but it is always worth it. I tried out some new display vignettes this time while keeping many of the same elements to keep a cohesive, branded look. Let me know what you think! Filling the space with seeded eucalyptus is a great way to sprinkle in a touch of nature. It adds SO much!

Six new art prints and six new greeting cards (including some special Christmas cards!) were released at this event. You can find them in the shop and at the bottom of this post. These pieces created some awesome conversations.

We’ll be back at the farm in a few very short weeks for Junkstock’s Winter Wonderland: Nov 30-Dec 2 and Dec 7-9, 2018. If you’re in the Nebraska area, be sure to come say hello!