As I sit here penning these words the smallest of snowflakes are furiously falling adrift on my windowsill and forming beautiful alabaster piles of fluff. It is a perfect time to curl up with a blanket on my bed and lazily peruse my favorite art prints on Minted. [It also doesn’t hurt that the scent of chocolate is in the air as the healthy chocolate cake that I made cools in the kitchen.]
Minted is a beautiful and creative website that offers artwork, personalized printing services, stationary, and home decor items. It really is a fun site to explore whether you are looking to fill your walls or friends mailboxes.
I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite art prints that are on the site now. I am working on curating a special collection of artwork for my home so this was the perfect opportunity to add another piece or two that is really special to me.
Hopefully you will pop over there to and check it out because you have the chance to win $50 to spend at Minted (details at the end)! Also, make sure when you are browsing to hit the little heart when you hover above your favorites. It collects them into one place so you can narrow down your favorites!
While on Minted I also checked out some of the save-the-date cards for 2015. My sister is graduating law school in May and one of these designs could work letting people know about her big event (see – date-the-dates aren’t just for weddings)!
Now that you have been subjected to my favorite eye candy from Minted make sure to hop on over to check out your favorite!
Giveaway Closed
The Winner is Cassie!
An even bigger NOW – the giveaway! Enter to win a $50 credit to Minted! Just comment below with your favorite print or item from Minted to be entered to win this prize! A winner will be chosen using random.org from the comments below. Giveaway ends on Monday, February 23rd at midnight! One entry per person. Good luck!
I received credit to Minted for this post but all opinions and thoughts are all my own!
Love Minted, and the prints you highlighted are gorgeous! I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the site when we were working on all of our wedding stationery. I have my eye on their baby-themed thank you cards — I’m starting to gather them for the exciting baby-splosion I’ll be experiencing in a few months!ReplyCancel
Thanks Meg!It sounds like you will have SO much fun using their items for the baby-splosion!ReplyCancel
Rocky
I like the morning light photo the most from your selection. Pretty colors and I like the soft, washed-out look of it.
The site has a great selection of foil stationary that I really like too!ReplyCancel
Love the save the dates.. its what we used for our save the dates and we plan on using minted for more stationary needs for our wedding. we could definitely use this!!ReplyCancel
Hi all! Wow – this weekend was like a sneak peek of spring. It definitely put a bounce in my step (except for those couple of miles when I went on a mostly uphill run – ugh – not much bouncing). I also fit in a little twirling this weekend too. That is mostly because I was having so much fun trying on new clothes (one being a dress that definitely deserved a good twirl).
See, I bit the bullet and subscribed to Stitch Fix.
I’ve been hearing about it quite a bit but really wasn’t sure it was for me. I’ve always loved fashion and shopping. So much so that I would just go to stores without the intent to buy just to see the new fashions.
However, I outlined earlier that this is the year of less stuff, and I have pretty much stopped going to stores except for the grocery store. I don’t want to feel the pull to buy something. Plus, you can get a rush out of buying something and then get home and realize that you don’t need it or it was an impulse purchase. I don’t want that to be my life.
Enter my more intentional shopping with Stitch Fix. Stitch Fix is an online personal shopping service. You fill out a style profile (which is very detailed and you can request certain pieces/styles), pick a date you want to receive a box, and then you receive five items picked out for you by a stylist. They send you a personal note explaining their choices and each piece of clothing gets a suggestion card that shows two ways to wear that piece.
Once received you have three days to try it on at home and see how it actually fits into your wardrobe (this is so helpful!). Plus, you can send pictures of it to your friends and ask for opinions on what to keep (I did this…a lot).
Being able to keep the pieces for three days lets you shop with intention. You have three days to really marinate on what to keep and what to send back. Your thrill of a new buy wears out and you get more time to really understand if you love the piece or it was just the pull of wanting to buy something new. After those three days keep what you want and return the others in a prepaid bag. Boom. That easy (and awesome).
Ok, enough words, right? It’s time to check out the clothes!!
I specifically asked for them not to send any dresses or skirts that were above the knee because I can’t wear them to work. If I can’t wear it to work, I’m probably not going to get a lot of wear from it. They totally nailed it with the length – and the waistline with the cute belt. I wasn’t sure if I was thrilled with the boxy neckline, large scale polka dots, and volume on the bottom. However, the fit was perfect (the zipper went up like a dream). The dress really put me in a twirling mood but the proportions just weren’t working well.
Can we pretty much all unite that jeans (and pant shopping in general) can be the hardest shopping challenge ever? I’ve been looking for new jeans for months. Months I tell you! So when I saw these I rolled my eyes. There was no way they were going to work. But lo and behold, I slid these babies on and it was magical. MAGICAL! These are the most amazing jeans I have ever worn. Seriously. They fit like a glove, are long enough, and have this amazing stretch technology where they will never sag or bag (tested – no sagging or bagging on this girl).
I was so on the fence with this sweater. I was keeping it. I was returning it. It was so snuggly and cozy that I wanted to keep it. But it was really after looking at these pictures that I decided to return it. It wasn’t a special piece, nor was it the most flattering with the oversized style and horizontal stripes.
Returned
Bay to Baubles Patricia Gemstone Statement Necklace
If you know anything about me, you know that I love the bling. So you know this necklace spoke to me. I am always a sucker for beautiful jewelry but usually just buy cheap costume jewelry. However, whenever I see girls rocking the statement jewelry, I love the look. When this arrived in my box, I knew it was time to take the plunge. Plus, this is a statement necklace that is more neutral so I can pair it with more outfits.
Lastly, there is this oh-so sparkly top. I know there will be many of you who will be saying “WHAT? You – of all people – didn’t keep this?!” I may be one of those people at times too! However – look closely and you will see that it is sparkly snakeskin print. I’m not an animal print person. Plus, the fit wasn’t perfect. The arm holes were a little look big and it tended to be more racer back style (read: hard to wear with a normal bra). I didn’t think it was practical enough for me.
Returned
There is a review of my first Fix – and I’m in love! It really is a great service to help you build a wardrobe full of unique pieces. Plus, they are quality pieces too. I’m already planning my next Fix before I visit my sister in California for her law school graduation! I’m definitely thinking I will be requesting a new dress!
If you’re interested, please check it out using my referral link. I would be forever grateful! However, no part of this post is sponsored – I just had so much fun with it I thought it would be fun to share!
Lots of fun pieces! I’ve gone on Stitch Fix hiatus during my pregnancy, but I’m already planning to treat myself to a fix post-baby (after, you know, I’ve had time to recommit to healthy eating!). The jeans look great, and I love the necklace! I’m not one to wear flashy jewelry, but I’ve been thinking I need a statement piece or two. They really change up an outfit!ReplyCancel
Hi Meg! Thank you!! And you totally deserve a Stitch Fix after you have your baby. That sounds like such a nice present for yourself. You should definitely get a statement necklace (NOW!) since you can wear it whether you are pregnant or not!ReplyCancel
I really like what you kept. I’ve been getting monthly “fixes” since August of 2013 and love the service. My wardrobe is slowly becoming primarily Stitch Fix pieces.
Wasn’t it exciting to open up that box? I still get excited when mine comes!ReplyCancel
Thank you Paula! I didn’t know you are getting monthly fixes! That’s awesome! I already am planning my next one but and trying to tell myself I need to wait a while…but I don’t want to! I think it is the best way to build a really fashionable and quality wardrobe!
It is so exciting when it comes! I flew into my apartment to try things on when I saw it waiting for me by the door!ReplyCancel
Dorth
Are you permitted to add the prices for each item? I really liked you in that sweater.ReplyCancel
Hi Dorth! I can add the prices if that would be helpful. I was on the fence as to whether to do it or not since budgets are such a personal thing.
Off the top of my head the jeans were $98, the sweater mid $50s, the sparkly shirt high $40s, the necklace $44, and the dress $168. If you buy all five items you get a 25% discount which can be really helpful!
The sweater was a definite for a while but then I decided against it. If the dress had been better and less expensive I would probably have kept all 5! My stylist did SUCH a good job!ReplyCancel
Christina
If you like this, you should check out true & co. Same thing, but for bras!!! It’s pretty fantastic.ReplyCancel
OMG! They have curvy style jeans now? I have asked for them to add curvy styles since September. So glad to see this change.
Also, just to let you know, Kut From the Kloth jeans have worked wonders for me. I have 3 pairs in my drawer now from Stitch Fix and they fit ‘curvy’ me just wonderfully.
Not sure if you are like me, but I am typically one size larger in the hip area than the waist when it comes to pants fitting me properly. Kut From the Kloth has worked for me in a number of different styles.
The day of hearts, love, and CANDY (candy, candy, candy) is coming up in a few short days. While this is not a holiday that I regularly go all out for, I’ve teamed with Hometalk to round-up some simple and festive DIY projects you can do to make your home a little more fun for Valentine’s Day.
So grab your anticipatory candy whilst you peruse these delightful Valentine’s Day DIY projects. I tried to pick more simple, modern Valentine’s Day projects since I’m not a pink and frills girl myself (I’m more a teal and glitter girl — cause that’s so much less girly?!). Hope you find some inspiration in there that you can bring to your home too!
You can click the image above or follow this link to see my board that has all 31 projects for you to browse. I also wanted to pick out some of my super favs here too. Read on my friends. Read on!
This is another fun and inexpensive project you can customize with any pattern and color. White napkins and fabric markers combine to make adorable Valentine’s Day napkins!
There are so many other good ones in that round-up so go on and check them all out!
PS – I’d love to hear any great Valentine’s Day stories you have! Let’s cheer everyone up with a little love, huh? I’ll start!
My friend from college who just got back from a couple months in India offered to come down and spend the V-Day weekend (plus a few more days) with me! Sometimes all a girl needs is her best friends.
Love comes in all different forms no matter if it’s a man, woman, mom, dad, sister, brother, dog, best friend, stranger with a kind face and caring heart, or a sweet thought that makes you feel filled up full with love.
The most important part of love? Loving yourself. So even if you don’t think you have anyone loving you, know you always have you…and that’s pretty awesome.
Thank you Paula! Isn’t that pillow adorable? And I think that is totally fine about bare spaces after Christmas! Sometimes that is so refreshing. I’m still hoping for a snow day for you though!ReplyCancel
Just writing this post makes me breathe a sigh of relief. That’s what happens when I purge and organize – which is a very popular topic this time of year. It’s something that is popular for me all year round since nothing really feels better than getting your home organized and getting rid of that stuff that has accumulated.
I am calling this the year of less stuff. I want to get rid of more stuff; the key for me will be buying less stuff. Yes, I mean you Megan.
Actually, I haven’t been to a store to shop for weeks now and it feels so good.
Every time I get the urge to grab my wallet and head out the door to a store, I stop and look around my house and see what I can do here instead. Maybe try to figure out new ways to put together outfits to curb my clothes shopping appetite (which is quite healthy). Or perhaps organize or style a little corner of the house so it feels new and fresh to stop my twitchy fingers from wanting to snap up home decor items from Target or a thrift store.
Making things I already own seem new to me has really helped me stop me bringing more stuff into the house.
So I have been in the habit of assessing what I have and organizing it to a “T” so I know what I have (so I don’t buy duplicates)! This is most helpful in my crafting world since there are all these little parts and pieces that can get lost in the way so you keep buying them and all of a sudden you have 1.5 million push pins, 25 pads of sticky notes, washi tape for miles, and 50 shades of the same ribbon (but of course they’re not grey).
I decided to tackle my craft corner in the studio. Thankfully my apartment has these wonderful built-in shelves that I knew would be perfect for a beautifully crafted craft organization spot. This is what it was looking like empty and then just moved in with stuff just tossed on the shelves.
I used only what I had in the house and brought together a lot of easy and inexpensive DIY organization projects that I’ve done over the years.
Plus, I FINALLY got some things up on my walls (thanks for washi tape and command hooks) that are apartment friendly (hello no holes to worry about when I move out).
Let’s take a look and stroll through all the little projects that make this a magnificent craft storage area for me.
Who says all artwork needs to be eye level! I taped up a calendar page and a card from my mom on the wall for visitors who stay over and get the oh-so-elegant air mattress treatment that gets them even with this lower level artwork. Plus, two thrifted planters stacked on top of each other leave space for some hidden craft supplies.
Fancy shoeboxes with labels provide great free storage and a dollar store bin lets that pretty yarn shine as its own decoration.
My favorite magazines are beautiful to look at and easy to grab for inspiration. Plus, a brass thrifted container holds business cards of favorite bloggers and vendors.
An open blue plastic basket showcases fabric to remind me what I have and provide pretty eye candy.
My home organization binder cozies up to two magazine holders that actually hold extra colored paper and my favorite recipes torn out of cooking magazines.
DIY Magazines are the base of a cardboard box full of various supplies and my label maker.
A colorful bin holds notebooks, cards, colored pencils, and markers.
All my files are tucked into and precisely organized in this file keeper from Target.
My “Can It” tin made from a holiday popcorn tin holds my paints while dollar store tins hold markers, washi tape, glitter tape, and paint brushes corralled on an upside down acrylic frame used as a tray.
Glitter letters are from the sun room at the house and beautiful 2014 calendar pages are hung with washi tape on the wall beside the shelves.
The organization is not over! As a fun way to keep your organization inspiration fueled (I know you’re feeling it too), hop on through to these other amazing bloggers who are sharing their organization genius with you!
Your craft supplies are organized so attractively. I know that you are so happy to have everything in one spot and labeled so you know exactly where everything is. I like how you used washi tape to hang pictures. You can easily switch them out without taking the paint off the walls. (I need to try that tip at school.) Finally, I think you found the perfect spot for your “Be Bold” letters.ReplyCancel
Thank you so much Paula! I LOVE how the Be Bold letters look there. It wasn’t until I had the shelves all organized perfectly that I knew that was the place for them! And washi tape is definitely my new best friend with apartment walls!ReplyCancel
grammygoodwill
Your room looks great. I love the colorful way your organized your supplies. I also have travel mementoes in my craft room and was fortunate to win a world map decal recently from Erin on http://diyonthecheap.com/.ReplyCancel
Thank you so much! Your world map decal sounds like an awesome win (and I love Erin’s blog)! I love all things travel and putting them into my décor too.ReplyCancel
Thank you so much Christy! Yeah, I am just not feeling like spending money on organization these days. I just want to use what I have (in every way)! The Can It is probably my favorite too! 🙂ReplyCancel
I love how colorful this is and brightens up the entire space. you are so far ahead of me when it comes to organizing crafts. Mine looks like a true junkers’ haven in our basement. Love the “Be Bold” message, too! Sharing…ReplyCancel
Thank you so much Jeanette! I love adding so much color to my white/beige apartment! The Be Bold is in just the perfect spot too! Just right for such a lively corner I feel. Your craft area sounds like fun though! Junkers heaven!ReplyCancel
I wish I could come over so we could hang out. (Maybe we can settle for Haven?) 😉
Your apartment is so super cute Megan! If your coffee cans or Paris/London art or globe end up missing, it wasn’t me!ReplyCancel
Aww I totally agree Jen! Haven will have to do! 🙂 Thank you so much for the kind words. Well at least if my things go missing it will give me the chance to visit you!ReplyCancel
Megan, Just love the creative ways you organized and stored your supplies! I’m getting ready to tackle my office and can’t wait to try some of your good ideas:) Thanks for sharing!ReplyCancel
Beautiful organizing Megan! You are so creative. I LOVE your BE BOLD! That would make me so happy everytime I saw it. Thanks for sharing and inspiring.ReplyCancel
Thank you so much Meegan! You should see how giddy I get walking into that room now that it is so pretty (compared to the mess it was before). It surprises me every time I walk in!ReplyCancel
Your craft supply organization turned out wonderful. Love all the pops of color. I am sure you will enjoy your creative time that much more!
Thanks for the inspiration,
Suzanne
Pieced PastimesReplyCancel
Megan your room came out awesome, I love the colors and all that artwork. I bet you love spending time in there now, I need to tackle my office!ReplyCancel
Everything is so nicely arranged! Great organization! I love how everything looks! At my house it is a big mess now and I am looking for some ideas! We have simply too many things and not that much storage! First we plan to unclutter a little and after that make it really organized! Thanks for the post! Greets,Storage Monken Hadley Ltd.ReplyCancel
Thank you so much!! The first step really is getting rid of the stuff you aren’t using – and then being careful at what you bring into the house! Then it gets fun being creative on finding storage. I’m sure yours will turn out beautifully! Just remember that almost anything can be turned into a storage container!ReplyCancel
It is so easy to let things pile up in the house. The least that we can do is at least get proper storage boxes and things to make all the stuff get organized a bit so it doesn’t look like a tornado has entirely hit the place! I love what you did with the corner here and it’s an excellent example of good storage!ReplyCancel
One of the things that I have learned as I continue this trial and error thing we call decorating is that a color scheme and a plan are really, really helpful when planning a room and house. I’m one who likes to just buy things willy-nilly when I like them, only to be disappointed when I get home and it doesn’t quite work. On the other side, sometimes I pass by things because I’m not sure if they will work or not and realize, once I get home, that it would have been perfect.
So yes, while I do fully recognize that decorating is trial and error and there is no perfect formula to get it right (nor should there be since it is fun to mix and match and playfully decorate) having at least a color scheme and an idea of what you want the room to look like helps tremendously when decorating. Plus, you will probably find yourself saving money and time in the long run.
This all brings us to the plan in my apartment living room.
Having struggled so much with my past living room, feeling lost in a vast sea of brown and red and trying (and failing) to brighten it up and at the same time love a wall color I don’t think I can by buying the busiest and craziest rug I’ve ever run into, I decided to come up with a plan on how to make this apartment feel more cohesive and very me.
Picking the colors was easy. Ever since I bought my emerald ottoman I have loved everything in this deep jewel tone. I love the idea of playing with deeper colors while still keeping a room light and bright.
For me, it is a natural pairing of emerald to navy since I love blue in every shade. Throw in a metallic (gold of course) with the neutrals of my furniture (not ready to buy new pieces yet but the couch is still not my favorite) and we call that a room color scheme: emerald, navy, gold, and neutrals (tan/grey).
Now comes the fun part of looking at inspiration pictures to get ideas on how to bring it all together. Here are some of my favorite inspiration pieces.
I love looking at all these inspiration pictures and how they mix the colors in both bold and dramatic ways and more subtle and soft ways. Now I just need to figure out how to make it my own in my little living room! I already have a rug and pillows picked out to make it start happening!
The Frosted Barn print is the first thing that spoke to me on Minted.
Hope you are having a snow day today and didn’t have to travel.
Ohh that sounds pretty – and appropriate! Thankfully I didn’t have to work today. Hope you are enjoying your snow day too!
Love Minted, and the prints you highlighted are gorgeous! I spent a ridiculous amount of time on the site when we were working on all of our wedding stationery. I have my eye on their baby-themed thank you cards — I’m starting to gather them for the exciting baby-splosion I’ll be experiencing in a few months!
Thanks Meg!It sounds like you will have SO much fun using their items for the baby-splosion!
I like the morning light photo the most from your selection. Pretty colors and I like the soft, washed-out look of it.
The site has a great selection of foil stationary that I really like too!
The morning light one I think I will order! I agree that the washed-out look is so appealing.
I love the Beauty Reflects Beauty print!
I agree, Liz! It’s so beautiful and inspiring!
I love the destination wedding save the dates!
Aren’t those pretty? And doesn’t a destination anywhere for anything sound SO nice right about now?!
i am digging the leo print! sawyer and i are both leos!
Nice! That’s so fun!!
I love their save the dates, my wedding is in August and we ordered ours from there! This would help us order our invitations!
That is so awesome Laura! I bet they look gorgeous!
I like the D’Office print, I visited Malta last year and LOVED it.
That is so neat Lyka! That would be the perfect print for you!
Oh I love that “Sail” print! I also love heart snapshot mix. Thanks.
Aren’t those heart snapshot mixes cool? I totally agree!
Love is an adventure is adorable… how cute!
Fingers crossed for the Minted Giveaway!! It’d help a lot for my save the dates 😀
That would be so fun to use for your save the dates! I love that the Love is an Adventure print is customizable! So cute!
I LOVE their wild rabbit watercolor!
Ooo good pick!!
Love the save the dates.. its what we used for our save the dates and we plan on using minted for more stationary needs for our wedding. we could definitely use this!!
That’s awesome Arjay! Good luck!
I love minted! What a great post!!
I do too Ellyse! Thank you!