Monthly Archives: March 2011

Ikea Top 10

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Posted by on in shopping

I love me some Ikea.  Recently I was reflecting on all the items I have bought from Ikea over the years and I realized just how many pieces in my apartment are from the Swedish store.  In the past three years both James and myself have invested in buying some basic furniture pieces for our apartment — some that lasted and some that hasn’t.  Whether you’re starting off in your first apartment or looking for practical needs for your home, this is a list of the top ten Ikea purchases that have served us well.

Great for bathroom storage. 

A necessary piece that easily organizes and contains messes.

Though I’m not entirely thrilled with owning art that everyone and their mom has, I do think that Ikea has several great prints (two of which I own). Besides, starting out in apartment life usually means you can’t yet afford to own originals of anything, so Ikea can get you started with a number of chic and stylish pieces.

Ikea is awesome for candle enthusiasts…and this is coming from an addict.  Ikea is a great store to buy your basics so you can always have some on have on hand when you’re in the mood for a candlelight evening.
 
I own several of the Burken jars which are great for storing everything from pasta to flour. 
Small Storage (boxes and baskets)
I love boxes and baskets… mainly because they can hide clutter and messes. 
Shelving solutions
I bought the Ekby Statlig set to use as my spice shelf and it’s awesome.  It’s also fun to mix and match the shelf material/color with the various bracket options available.
These are great.  Whether you’re trying to contain the odor of kitty poo, composting indoors, or just need a cute garbage bin, these will do the trick.  By the way, I would totally compost indoors but because of my lengthy experience with roaches and mice at previous apartments I don’t want to jinx the good fortune of not having pests at our current place. 
Lighting 
Whether it’s floor lamps, table lamps or ceiling lamps Ikea has it all.  My Dudero paper floor lamp has lasted me through 5 moves and I hope to have it for many more. 

For those with simple taste and an appreciation for affordable window treatments, this is the place to be.  We had to buy a number of curtains for our new place and instead of spending hundreds of dollars elsewhere we opted for Ikea.  It works for us now and for the foreseeable future.  :)  

The Best Pepper Mill

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Posted by on in Kitchen
Image courtesy The Kitchn

I don’t know if it’s just in the timing or if all the pepper mills in the world have decided to breakdown at the same time but mine went to pepper mill heaven last week at the same time The Kitchn did a number of reviews on the best pepper mills. I read through the options and one called out to me: The Peugeot.

After reading the review on this particular brand, I was sold.  Really, when it comes to pepper mills it’s not as if I’m picky, but knowing how much they cost I wanted to know I was buying something that would last.  The Peugeot guarantees the grinding mechanism for life, so I figured I couldn’t go wrong with this one.  Luckily, my local kitchen store had this in stock and after asking the owner her opinion on this brand, she assured me it was reliable and well-performing.

So there you have it, we have a new pepper mill.  Did you pepper mill crap out last week line mine?  Is it just a coincidence that The Kitchn did this series of blog reviews the same week that an escalated number of pepper mill deaths were reported? Actually, I just made that up but it makes you wonder if there’s a larger kitchen conspiracy going on out there….

Garden Wish List

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Posted by on in Design, outdoors
It’s official, DC is emerging from winter hibernation!  For about a week now we’ve have 50 degree weather and as a result my thoughts have automatically drifted to spring and time spent outdoors. One of my favorite things to do in the spring is to be outside enjoying the sounds and smell of nature. I didn’t used to be this into being outdoors, but something switches in you when you go from living in the heartland to a city of cement and steel.  
This last year I’ve developed a particular fondness for gardening, which would be great if I had space to garden.  It’s hard enough to find a patch of grass walking to work, let alone a rental property with space for tenants to plant their personal favorites.  Unfortunately, our current apartment fits this trend–even worse is the fact that we don’t have a balcony or patio that we can enjoy all to ourselves.  So to help resolve some of my frustration over lack of home ownership, I’ve decided to share a list of my top 10 wish list items for the dream garden I lust for. 

Anthropologie Toucan Watering Can
I love unique and quirky accessories, and that’s how I’d classify this watering can.  Why have a normal tin watering can when you can own something so cute and different? 

Pergola
Ahhh, sigh, I want a yard.  If I had a yard I would built a pergola and enjoy life under it.  That is all.

I would hang this cute lantern from my perfect pergola.  And then I would light a citronella candle in the lantern to get rid of the bugs that get in the way of enjoying nature.
Target Outdoor Patio Home Savoy 3-Piece Bistro Set
I want this sooooooo bad, but again, we have no balcony.  So alas, this patio furniture will live under my fantasy pergola in my imaginary backyard. 
Weber Charcoal Grill
Everyone needs a charcoal grill.  Enough said.
Target Home Globe String Lights
I love these lights. I would string these from my pergola.  
I want to make mojitos and drink them in my Target bistro chair.
Crate and Barrel Insect Trap
I don’t know, is this even necessary?  I tell you, I might buy it just for the memories it conjures up. Instantly when I saw it I thought of my young love–Winnie the Pooh.  Eh, lets add it to the list for kicks and giggles.
Anthropologie Umbellifers Herb Pot
I love earthenware. 
Last but not least…
Dash and Albert Lakehouse Slate and White Indoor/Outdoor Rug
I bow down to the D&A gods who make such durable and adorable rugs.  What a great finishing piece for my dream backyard!

So there you have it, I’ve officially lost sight of reality. I am now happily writing this blog beneath my pergola with all these amazing outdoor accessories surrounding me.  Ahhh, it feels nice. :)  
Have you started experiencing summer creepin’ on in?  What do you look forward to most in the spring? 

Anthropologie Addiction

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Posted by on in shopping

I experienced a slight loss of self-control this weekend at Anthropologie.  My name is Melissa and I’m an Anthropologie addict.  I love them, I can’t help it.  I walked into their Georgetown store and instantly felt as though I could buy half the things I saw, if I had the resources.  Since I can’t, I decided to limit my purchases to what I needed (mostly…ok I didn’t need them I just wanted them). This is what happens when you peruse websites and say to yourself, “I’m just looking.” That’s rarely the case.  In reality, you’re looking to see if something triggers the all too familiar alarm in your brain that tells you, “I have to have it.”  That happened this weekend.

For those who don’t know, Anthropologie has an awesome hardware and kitchen section to their store.  I have a number of household accessories purchased from Anthropologie throughout the years.  Here are a few examples:

 
Celestial Coasters
Latte Bowls
This awesome pitcher

All of these things are ohhhhh so cute and necessary.  I’ll argue that until my dying day.  This weekend I went into the store needing some new hardware for our dresser.  When I painted the dresser last year I was forced to paint the knobs since I didn’t have any other hardware to replace it.  Well, I did a shoddy job and I wanted new and improved hardware– which is why I turned to Anthropologie.  I always forget though that no matter what I go in looking for, I’ll get something else that wasn’t on my list.  Here’s what I bought.

I went in originally to get these Prismatic Spring Pull door knobs.  They look great on the dresser by the way.
I also saw this Bubbled Glass Knob and had to get it. We’re refinishing one of our side tables in a walnut stain and I think this will go great with the color when I actually finish the project.
Then I walked by the kitchen stuff and had to have this Fleur De Lys Tumbler.  I didn’t have a specific need for it but I thought it’d look great in the bathroom as our toothbrush holder so I bought it.  
Impulse buy, it’s not my fault! 
The store must pump some specially-drugged air that makes you lose all control and rational thought because once I left the store I realized that I dropped $50.  I did get a promotion at work so I suppose I’ll use the excuse that I deserved to celebrate and this is how I chose to do so.  :)

What is your shopping addiction?