All posts in Guest Post

While I’m away on vacation - Tori is guesting posting for me today! Enjoy!

Hello again, everyone! So, in case you missed them, thus far in our Meaningful Art series, we’ve talked about how to remember your first home, and some DIY projects that will instantly make your house feel more like a home. Last month, I started off this overlooked art series with a look at textiles, and today, I wanted to take a look at another favorite of mine: pottery.

Pieces of pottery, big or small, can be found in almost every home. Whether it’s a simple vase, or a set of salt and pepper shakers, everyone has at least one piece. You can find almost any simple accessories and necessities for your home in beautiful, ceramic form. Dress up your dinner table with a beautiful set of salt shakers or a pitcher. Don’t let the flowers do all the work, buy a beautiful vase to take on part of the load. This is an accessory that you can spend a lot of money on, but if you are working with a tight budget, vintage is always a great option. I have found some wonderful pieces for cheap that have really helped to make my space more beautiful and classy.

Next month, I’ll share the last in this three part series covering overlooked art forms for your home. Check back in to see what’s up next!

vase, sculpture, bowl, bookends, bowl

Today the lovely Jessica is guest posting and sharing her knowledge about menu planning!

Every good host or hostess knows that the key to a great event is an unforgettable menu.  When I host an event, be it Thanksgiving dinner for the family or a brunch with my girlfriends, I find the menu planning process fascinating.  I take what I have found in my cookbooks, look to Pinterest to see what I have previously pinned and my favorite blogs like Roost in order to make a list of interesting (and yummy looking!) menu items.  Once I come up with a good list, I take to the process of editing my list until it is just right.  For me, a menu is complete when the theme of the meal shines through and I am confident that I am capable of pulling it off!

Menu planning can be as easy as throwing together what you have in the refrigerator and pantry, or it can be a creative process of curating a meal that will be both delicious and aesthetically pleasing.  It is really up to you as to whether this is a 5 minute or week long process and either way can yield amazing results.

Regardless of the actual time it takes, there are several key questions I ask myself when creating and editing my menu and I want to share a few of them with you today:

You may be hosting a fall party, dinner with friends on a Thursday evening, a baby shower brunch, or Christmas dinner, but from the most casual to uber-fancy, you should think about the vibe your meal is creating.

Combining complimentary flavors allows your guests to truly enjoy what many like to call ‘a party in your mouth’.  Personal preference is a perfect compass in this realm, but a general rule is always consider the balance of savory and sweet and the level of spice that each dish may or may not bring to the table.

Balancing the temperatures across menu items allows there to be a distinct difference in the foods your guests eat.  It’s as simple as serving as a spinach and strawberry salad with a roast and fingerling potatoes, or spicy shrimp tacos with chilled homemade guacamole, but the impact is great.

It may seem a trivial point, but the colors you place on your table and plate can add interest and excitement to a meal.  Think about the colors represented in this brunch menu:  French toast with cranberry apple compote, herb and tomato baked eggs, blueberries and a citrus fruit spritzer – white, yellow, blue, orange, red – the vibrant and varied colors represent a lively celebration with friends.

If each recipe in your menu calls for 10 different ingredients, it’s too complex!  Keep it simple when possible and if you seek a culinary challenge, choose one or two dishes that you have never tried before.  Understand the realistic amount of time it takes to make each dish and ensure that you have ample time to clean up (and shower!) before your guests arrive.

What are your favorite menu combinations?  Do you have a ‘go-to’ list of menu items that you like to pull out for special occasions or an evening in with friends?

Hello again, friends! So, in case you missed them, thus far in our Meaningful Art series, we’ve talked about how to remember your first home, and some DIY projects that will instantly make your house feel more like a home. Today, I wanted to share one of the most overlooked forms of art for your home: textiles.

Textiles are one of the simplest ways to incorporate art into your home. Patterns, textures, color… they utilize all of these elements to create powerful visuals that can make any wall, corner, floor beautiful. Don’t want to buy a large piece of art to hang in the bathroom? Choose some patterned towels and a set of colorful curtains instead. Want to keep large pieces of art neutral but aching for some color? Pillows are the perfect for adding interest and color to living rooms and bedrooms. And because they come with such a small price tag, you can easily (and guiltlessly!) switch them out as preferences and trends change.

I’ll be covering a few more overlooked art forms in the coming months so stay tuned to see simple ways you can incorporate meaningful art into your home.

curtains, tea towels, throw, pillow, rug

Hello sweet readers! My name is Meg and I am the main gal behind the bustling handmade community of 20 Best Twenty. Each month I will be teaming up with the darling Allie of Be Up & Doing to curate brilliant, talented and one of a kind handmade designs from creative minds from all over the globe. Each month will be dedicated to a certain theme and scheme, so since school and work is back in full swing, we knew your desks could be spiced up a bit, just like our own.

Now let’s hop to “Creating Your Office Space!”

How about we start with the goods, meaning the paper goods. There is nothing like a blank notebook or journal to get the creative juices flowing, so I think a fresh moleskine, like the one from Subtle Acts, or this leather bound journal, from Dearest Jackdaw, that you can throw in a bag is an essential to always have around. A simple, sturdy and reliable page marker is something I believe is a “must” as well. And I just love the organic feel to the ones from Miles of Light. Obviously you would need something simple, sleek and sturdy to write with as well, so these natural bark colored pencils from nane Handmade just screamed to me. There is something to be said for “less is more” and I believe that an uncluttered work flow is definitely useful to an entreprenuer and creative spirit.

Now that we have the essentials out of the way – we can get to the good stuff, the design and decor! I love simple design elements paired with bold colors, patterns and textures – this is where you can really let your personality and style shine through in your work environment. So don’t be shy – just always be true to yourself.

First off, I believe an inspiring print can really set the mood for an office space, and I just love this one from Splendid and Sound - all success happens drop by drop! Like I said before, pops of color can really perk a mood and provide positivity throughout a busy work day, so this dazzling bowl from etco would fit the office space perfectly. Since we all hustle and bustle around for our design or freelance jobs, I think that what you tote your precious laptop or iPad in is of utmost importance, so when I found this unique creation from Blackbird and The Owl, I had to snag it. I also love plants, greenery and nature in an office environment, so this concrete pot from Rough Fusion would be the perfect addition to add to a window sill – hopefully you have more of a green thumb than myself! We all know how key lighting is to get your work done, perhaps better yet, to create the perfect atmosphere for early mornings or late nights – so this modern table lamp from Ample Furniture just fits in so well. And finally, as an entreprenuer and constant go-getter (like yourselves), I know how important networking, mingling and connecting with the people you meet everyday is – trust me, I know. That is why when I saw this striking card case from Blackbird and The Owl (just like the laptop case), I knew it would fit in to toss into a bag and hold those all important biz cards!

Whew, can you believe those are all from handmade designers? Sometimes I have to shake myself to remember that great design and brilliant ideas are not just in retail stores, usually the best ones are being created next door.

Note from Allie: Meg will be sharing her heart for handmade every month so take a moment to say hi in the comment section! Oh and be sure to check out my feature over on 20 Best Twenty where I’m giving tips on branding your small business!

Each month, Tori (from That Pair of Crutches) guests posts on Show + Tell with her own spin on art in your home. In case you missed last month’s, check it out here!

Art is defined as something that is beautiful, appealing or of more than ordinary significance. When I think of art in galleries, art that I want to fill my home, the art that is currently filling my home, the pieces usually fall into the first two categories. But what about the last one? Would you go to a gallery to see old family photos from someone else’s dusty photo albums? Would you want to look at paintings done by another person’s two year old? Probably not. But when I think of the pieces that I want to fill my home, it’s usually the ones that are only significant to my family members that I want to hold the spotlight.

Here are three simple art projects that you already have all the supplies for, can be done in less than an hour (combined!) and will instantly make your house feel more like your home.

1. Get your hands dirty. Grab some paints and a blank sheet of paper and get ready to make a mess. Finger painting is one of the simplest  and most archaic forms of art, but when doen right, can look so great and adds a  nice, sentimental touch to your home. Especially when the piece was created by a child or spouse.

2. Do a little digging. Is your toddler a budding artist? Just discovered your spouse was quite the Picasso in second grade? Choose your favorite piece from your little artist and give it the care and attention you would an image created by any other accomplished artist. Actually, give it a bit more.

3. Who do you love? Look up to your great-grandmother? Have an old photo of your father that you adore? Slip that puppy out of it’s plastic home in your photo album and put it in a frame. Filling your home with art you love and the people you love don’t have to be two separate things.

What are your favorite pieces of art in your home? Have any fun projects you’d like to share? I’d love to hear and see them!

-Tori

Photos credits: Finger Painting | Displaying Children’s Art | Old Photos