DIY White Board Makeover

I love simple DIY projects that you can make out of items you already have lying around. One Sunday morning, I couldn't stand to look at my bland, under-utilized white board any longer. So I did what any crafty person does: look up a DIY project on Pinterest! But I couldn't find anything quite right for me - I don't need to organize a whole family, and because my whiteboard isn't in the most visible place, it's not ideal for reminders or important notes. I decided that what I most needed was a month-at-a-glance calendar, a place where I could write down the big events and see the month as a whole. Below is a picture of my whiteboard "Before" - you can see that it was really just a place to store random photos, drawings, and magnets. Not exactly functional or beautiful.

What better way to quickly make something cuter than washi tape?! First, I cleaned the entire board with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and I chose a tape that goes with the decor of my room - a gorgeous, 30mm (about 1.18inches), hot pink and blue washi tape made by Scotch. I then covered each of the silver edges with that tape, carefully lining everything up. Then, I started creating my calendar. I used a gold washi tape I found in the Target Dollar Spot, and I actually needed two rolls to get through the whole project! I used a ruler and a dry erase marker to place dots at 3.5inch increments (that will leave a 3inch square of space to write, the tape is about 1/2inch thick). I left a space at the top for the month and days, and I made five squares down and seven across! There's also a good 6inch space to the right of the calendar to put a magnetic notepad, a container for dry erase markers, and magnets.

As you can see, it looks much better! Not only is it more functional, but it looks a whole lot cuter too. I also discovered that with the 3inch squares, I could use sticky notes to mark the really important stuff!

Instead of a generic, old-looking white board, I now have a bright, unique white board calendar that I love to use! The solution was quick, simple, and inexpensive! 

Anybody else out there love a good DIY project? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest to see all the cute & crafty things that inspire me! 

XOXO

Ikea Magazine Storage

 Anyone who knows me well can tell you that I have a bit of an obsession with magazines. I just love them! I love the essays, the photos, the illustration, the typography, the page design, the features... the list goes on! I also have a bit of a problem - I can't bear to throw them away! Not right now anyway. So I had to come up with a storage solution that helped to conceal some of my magazine boxes and shield some dust.

I went into Ikea on a mission: I knew I wanted three of their cheap Lack Tables. These side tables sell for $8-$10 so they're definitely not the highest quality furniture out there. But they work for me! I chose the faux-birch effect because I already have a lot of white furniture in my room, and I knew I would be placing them by my white dressing table and underneath a mounted white shelf.

I had already purchased the white & birch crates from Target to hold my records, so I love the way everything ties together. The tables don't hold very much weight - I think up to 50lbs or so - so I've kept the decor light: I placed my record player on one, and on another I've put a crate with library books and a vase of flowers.

I love the way that these small tables took an empty space and turned it into a functional place. As you can see, I can fit two rows of magazine boxes underneath! (Yes. That's how many magazines I've collected. Guilty.) It was a quick & inexpensive solution that I am continuing to enjoy as I switch up the decor.

How do you store/organize your magazines? Or do you tear out your favorite pages?

XOXO

My Desk

Having a desk space has always been a necessity in my life. I've always been an artist, a crafter, and a student, so having my own place to spread out my work and create is important to me. I thought I'd share my desk set-up as it is now, because I always love to see how others organize their desk space and keep it functional.

I got this desk from Ikea when I was in high school, and it has been the perfect place for doing homework and all of my craft projects. The desktop itself has a built-in light table for tracing or drafting - a functional feature that I haven't used that often, but when I have needed it, it definitely comes in handy! I use the a-frame legs for storing my garbage/recycling bins and some Ikea boxes filled with craft supplies. Next to my desk, I have an Ikea bookshelf where I keep some more craft/office supplies, magazines, and files. Because I like to keep my desk space fairly open (and there aren't any drawers underneath), it's convenient for me to have all my supplies close by, but not cluttered on top of my desk.

 

On top of my desk I like to keep just a few everyday items. Scissors, pens, pencils, paper clips, a stapler, and sticky notes are essentials for me. I also keep some colorful pens/markers in a Ikea napkin holder in the back. I recently purchased the gold stapler and glass box from Target, and I found the little gold/brassy box (which reads "Rubber Bands" on one side and "Clips" on the other) at a vintage store. I store my pencils and pens in a mason jar - so as you can see I love to mix and match old & new! 

How do you organize your office space? Where are your favorite places to shop for office supplies? I'm always switching up the way I organize/style my desk, so I'm always collecting new pieces to help me stay organized.

XOXO