10 Home Essentials to Have on Hand

I absolutely love our little place (we live in the lower level of my sisters' duplex in Minneapolis). It was built in 1910 and is full of charm, complete with high ceilings, original woodwork, hardwood floors, and noisy pipes :) I have loved slowly decorating it and making it ours over the last  year and a half. We are close to the river and lakes, all our favorite neighborhoods, great shopping, and amazing restaurants. It is our home and there is something so special about where you do life together. P and I love to entertain, explore, cook, and get creative, and our home is where we do that together. I have compiled a list of 10 home essentials that I feel are great things to have on hand to help you stay organized and ready for whatever adventure awaits you.

Candles: It has only been within the last couple months that I have started to splurge on having candles that I love in our home. These are some of my new favorites, especially the "Otto" candle :)

Pretty blank cards: I have found that if you have little cards on hand you are more likely to write them to encourage someone special. And it is great to have them when you need to attach a card to a gift, rather than spending $5 dollars on an event specific card. 

Cookies and ice cream: P and I are guilty of always having take-and-bake cookies and Haagen Dazs ice cream in our freezer.  You never know when someone is going to stop by or when you are going to want a mid-week splurge.

Fresh flowers: I know this is an extra expense, but especially during these cold, dark winter months, having flowers in the center of our table brightens our meals and our spirits.

Baker's twine & washi tape: I have both in a plethora of colors from Papersource. I use them for everything from wrapping gifts, to adding a little extra something special to a handwritten card, or for last minute craft ideas. 

Craft station: My husband is the creative and handy one in our relationship, but I have created a craft station in our basement that I am so thankful for. In the past I would always misplace my craft items and then when I really needed it I had no idea where it was. Now I have a set of drawers I bought at target where I house rulers, scissors, stamps, hot glue gun, pretty papers, ribbons, glitter, etc. Now they are always right where I need them, and I know where to place them when it is time to put them away.

Coffee, tea, wine, beer, Pellegrino, POM, simple cocktail items...: Having these items on hand and re-stocked is so important so when you are opening your home to friends and family you know your basics are covered. A new favorite of mine is Pellegrino and POM juice :)

Plants: While I do not have a green thumb, P definitely does and he has taught me a thing or two. I love the fresh greenery in our home and I encourage you to try growing some in yours - jade plants are a great choice to get started with. We have quite a few green living things in our home, considering its small size - a lemon plant, two fiddle leaf fig trees, air plants, succulents, and a large jade plant :)

Coffee Table Books & Cookbooks: When I am feeling uninspired I will open up one of the many coffee table books or cookbooks that we have in our home. It freshens my perspective and helps me to get excited about pursuing a new endeavor.

Meaningful artwork & photos: This last one takes time to accumulate and collect. It is so tempting and much easier to run to your nearest home store and pick out something to hang on the wall to fill that empty space. But I encourage you to wait for something memorable that you love. That means you will have to be okay with a few blank walls, but believe me, adding artwork and photos over a lifetime is so much more enjoyable and exciting.

With Love,

A

Photos by Angela Anderson

Bookcase Styling {Home}

Ever since B and I purchased our Craigslist bookcase I have been eager to get it styles. Fortunately, I have a few things I've started furnishing it with, but with five shelves to fill I needed additional inspiration. I love the idea of mixing books, keepsakes, trinkets, trays, boxes, frames and bookends together on each shelf - creating a space you truly love with items you cherish and want to showcase. I hope you find some inspiration! For more ideas check out our newly added Pinterest board. 

:: Shop The Post ::

1 PBteen Bookcase (on sale) 2 Furbish Studio Brass Urchin 3 Anthropologie Bowls 4 Diptyque Candle 5 Good Bones, Great Pieces Book 6 Chapters Indigo Easel Frame Holder & Gallery Frame 7 Jonathan Adler Book Ends 8 Kate Spade Vase 9 Design Darling Matchbooks 10 SS Print Shop 'Hello' Print 11 Kate Spade "Things we Love" book 12 Domino Book 13 West Elm Magazine Holder 14 Crate & Barrel Tray (great price) 15 Kate Spade Picture Frame




Thanks for reading,
L

Work in Progress {Home}

Today I'm sharing part of my vision for our dining room and living room in our new apartment. My family has been anxiously awaiting pretty pictures of our new place but since that's not happening anytime soon (see pics- hahaha) I thought I would start sharing through a mini-series I'm calling "Work in Progress." I initially  wanted to only share the final results of our apartment makeover on the blog but thought the process is what it's all about so here's a look at our very messy apartment. 

B and I moved into our apartment almost a month ago, but with the business of summer and travel we haven't been able to dedicate the time needed to fully pull our new place together. Just yesterday I was having fun browsing tables and chairs on Craigslist to fill our dining room (the first item of business) when I stumbled across a three drawer campaign dresser and campaign bookcase. To my shock and surprise the set was being sold for $350 and looked to be in perfect condition. At first B wasn't thrilled to put the table and chairs search on hold but I knew these items were rare gems and just had to be ours. See, I have been searching Craigslist on and off for about three years looking for campaign style furniture. I love the vintage yet modern style and appreciate the quality of the furniture as well.

Although we drove over an hour each way to collect these pieces I'm thrilled with all the potential they have. I plan on cleaning them up with Mr. Clean magic eraser's (my favorite new cleaning product) and possibly giving them a fresh coat of white paint.

What do you think? Do you have any fun Craigslist scores?

Thanks for reading and be sure to stay tuned for more on the apartment makeover!

Photo's by Laura Lorentz

Favorite Things Friday

{via}

TGIF! 

This weekend the plan is to crack down and get our apartment in tip top shape. We leave for MN next week and I just hate the thought of leaving a mess. Growing up my mom always made sure our house was clean before departing on vacation- it was never fun coming home to a dirty house! I have adopted that practice and always like to leave our place sparking {although that is always my plan, it doesn't always go off without a hitch}.

In the midst of moving into a new place and having the ability to re-organizing and re-arranging I have been paying significantly more attention to affordable home decor. Today I'm sharing some of my FAVORITE home sites that won't break the bank. 

West Elm- This is the priciest of my top five picks but with their revolving door of sales and promotions as long as you shop this store right you can get anything you need with at least a 15% discount. I particularity like West Elm for their home decor items and cute kitchen utensil/bowls, etc... some of my favorites include these bowls for jewelry storage {only $4}, this fancy votive holder, and of course my very favorite trays of all time! Last seen here.

Zara Home- I love that Zara does a home line, its filled with stylish decorating pieces and light airy linens. Here are a few of my top picks bedding set- priced just right, cute bedside table, perfectly simple frames

H&M Home- Who knew this existed? Well, the site just launched around a month ago and they have some really fun stuff! Check out these storage baskets, mini plates- I would put a candle on this or even use them for coasters. Love the idea of decorating with these- the possibilities are endless. Anyway, I'm in love with their line and cannot wait until the Autumn and Winter collections launch. 

Chapters Indigo- I wanted to throw this site into my mix to talk primarily about their gallery wall frames. Chapters Indigo is a Canadian based company {don't worry they ship to the US} I saw their selection of frames online and was impressed but I was sold after I saw the product in person. The frames are very high quality and reasonably priced. Frame Shop act fast all frames are 25% off 

Target- My beloved Target, this is always a go to when shopping for on trend home pieces. I have my eye on this cute little pouf, and this mirror would look adorable in our small entry way

Thanks for reading- have a wonderful weekend, 

L

How to Display Wedding Keepsakes Part 1 {DIY}

P and I absolutely loved our wedding day, because it clearly represented us as a couple but also because of all of the small and special moments that occurred throughout the day. My mom took the handkerchief that she used in her wedding and hand stitched an A on it with blush flowers (my wedding colors), along with a locket from Tiffany's, my "something blue" (which I now wear on a dainty long chain). This handkerchief means so much to me and I have always wanted to display it in a special place in our home. After our wedding we were left with many special items and memories from our day and we weren't exactly sure how to hold on to them and how to showcase them. This will be the beginning of a mini-series on how to display keepsakes from your wedding in a way that is beautiful and timeless. 

I decided to purchase a pretty and modern frame from West Elm to showcase my handkerchief. It is a new favorite item on my desk. Every time I look at it I am reminded of my wedding day and the special relationship I have with my mom. 

: : Shop the Post : : 

Tiffany Locket, old (similar styles here) / / West Elm Mirror Frame (3x3)

With love,

A

Photos by Angela Anderson 

Affordable Artwork {Home}

 I have an ongoing goal for myself to buy, frame, and hang more artwork in our apartment. Because my budget doesn't allow me to buy originals I have found less expensive prints from artists that I love. I also try to find artwork when I'm traveling. While in Alaska my mother in law and I stumbled upon a small art gallery selling local artist's work. It was such a fun experience to pick something out and have a memory from our trip hanging on the wall to look at every day. The prints above are just glimpse into what I look for when picking out art. I love color and phrases but my ultimate motto is to buy what you LOVE.

:: Shop The Post ::

1st Row: 1 // 2 // 3 // 4

2nd Row: 5 // 6 // 7 // 8

Thank you for reading, 

L

How to Plant Beautiful Outdoor Pots {Home}

 This is the first spring where I have been craving time outside...gardening! Never before have I been interested. My husband loves to garden (herbs, hops, and exotic lemon trees are his specialties), and I grew up with parents that took great pride in their gardens and pots. But I never took advantage of learning anything from them in my youth. Last weekend I had the opportunity to head to Bachman's with my mom and pick out greens and flowers for our pots in our front and back yards. I was so excited as I perused the rows of plants, asking questions left and right. There is something to be said for finding the joy in little things and for soaking up the newness of being in the learning stages of a hobby. 

Today I want to share my new found love of gardening with you! Planting beautiful pots is not difficult and the result is truly worth the time and effort. I actually found digging in the dirt and working with plants to be very calming and relaxing. Below I have some tips and tricks I learned from my lovely mom and the gardeners at Bachman's (they are so helpful and knowledgable). Happy gardening everyone! 

: : Tips and Tricks to Planting Beautiful Outdoor Pots : : 

My mom taught me that an appealing pot should have some foliage, a larger flower, a smaller flower, a crawling plant, and a plant with texture. You can mix and match these different kinds, or try to include all the options in one pot. There are no "rules" for this, but it is nice to have a variety of plant types in your pots. In some pots I included all the different variety types and in others I only included a couple. 

Spend time just perusing through your local greenhouse. We love to go to Bachman's because they offer unique and beautiful plants, the gardeners are extremely helpful, and the plants are healthy and fresh. Find the flowers and foliage that catch your eye, and if they work in your space, get them! I fell in love with spiralis, begonias, toffee twists, and dahlias last weekend. 

Mix and match different colors and textures with your plants and flowers. 

Buy smaller plants that come in flats of four. You get a lot for your money and they are a great little addition to add in to your pots. 

Look at the informational tab that comes with each plant. This will tell you what type of sunshine/shade the plant benefits from, how tall and wide it will get, watering habits, etc. 

Invest in a good fertilizer. My mom suggests fertilizing your pots every two weeks or so. The difference between pots that are fertilized and pots that are not are quite drastic. The fertilizer will help to cause the plants to reach their full potential in regards to height, fullness, color, and overall health. 

Pay attention to when your greenhouse is offering coupons and percentages off; buy your plants then!

: : How to Plant Beautiful Pots : : 

When I got home from the greenhouse I separated all of my plants into different groups: large flowers, foliage, crawling plants, small flowers, and plants with texture. After separating them, I started grabbing different plants from different categories until I found a mixture of plants that was visually appealing. 

Start potting by stirring up old soil and getting any large chunks worked out. Take out some of the old dirt and add in new, fresh potting soil; mix together. 

Next I laid out my different mixtures of plants in their pots before I began potting, making sure I liked the arrangement. My mom suggests placing the foliage near the back of the pot, along with the larger flower. Smaller plants and flowers can be towards the front of the pot. Crawling plants should be placed near the side, so they can crawl over the pot and down onto the sides, creating a beautiful look. 

One especially important tip I learned is to not over-crowd your pots. Everything in me wanted to buy bigger flowers and foliage, and to plant my pots full from the get-go. But the plants are going to grow immensely in a few short weeks. Leave some bare spots and spaces in your pots so that the plants and flowers can grow and fill in. 

After you find an arrangement you like, dig a hole into the dirt and carefully remove the plants from the containers by turning them upside down and inching the plant out. Place into the ground and press the plant down into the dirt; fill in with extra soil. Repeat until all of your plants are in the pot. 

Take a step back and enjoy! Once you fall in love with one pot, move on to the next.

 Happy gardening,

A

Photos by Angela & Preston Anderson

Day Dreaming {Home}

I thought I would share with you a few ideas I've been dreaming up for a future bedroom makeover. Although I have been sharing lots of fashion and sweet treats on A&L, I love decorating and dreaming up pretty living spaces. Apartment living can be hard when you are looking to invest in certain pieces- especially furniture but when it comes to your bedroom I think no matter what there are key pieces that can easily transition to any future living situations. I have been keeping my focus on home decorations, lamps, picture frames, trays, and candles have been my go to investment pieces. The smaller price points on these items make it a little easier to pull the trigger and really make your space feel like a home. I will keep you posted on any changes I make to our bedroom. Have a great Wednesday, I hope the rest of your week flies by. 

:: Shop The Post ::

Caitlin Wilson Pillow // One Kings Lane Duvet Set // Caitlin Wilson Pillow // Serena & Lily Storage Basket // IKEA Dressing Table // For Like Ever Poster // Ballard Designs X Bench // Lulus & Georgia Rug // Kate Spade Candle // Lulu & Georgia Lamp 

Thanks for reading, 

L

How to Grow a Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree {DIY}

I have always loved house plants, whether that be a simple spider plant, a potted ranunculus, or a long-lived Christmas cactus (my mom is still growing an off-shoot that belonged to her grandma). I have never been known for having a green thumb, but since P and I moved into our duplex in Minneapolis last summer, we have had access to many outdoor gardens and a screen porch that have challenged me to expand my horizons in regards to gardening. We have also been able to have many different varieties of house plants because of a large window that offers ample sunlight. I love the dynamic design element that they bring to our space. 

Recently, I have fallen in love with fiddle leaf fig plants. They are common house plants found in chic, modern spaces that add that immediate rustic, "homey" feel. Through some research, my husband and I purchased a young fiddle leaf fig plant from Home Depot for about $20. We couldn't help but chuckle when a rather large box appeared on our doorstep and in it we found our fiddle leaf. We decided to grow ours from a young plant instead of purchasing a full grown fiddle leaf, which can cost around $200. This takes more commitment from us, but is definitely more cost effective. 

Below you will see my tips and tricks for growing your own fiddle leaf fig tree. It will take a couple of years for the fiddle leaf fig to reach our desired height, 6-8 feet, but we can only start to anticipate how proud we will feel to see that gorgeous tree in our space!

: : Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree Tips and Tricks : : 

• When you receive your young fiddle leaf fig tree, re-plant it into a pot that is less than 50% larger than its' shipping pot (ideally). 
• A stiff support rod can be used to stabilize your young fiddle leaf stem and ensure that it grows straight for the first couple years. 
• Fiddle leaf fig trees need bright light, but not direct sunlight. A well lit room or partially shaded window would be perfect. 
• Be sure to rotate the pot every so often, weekly is ideal, so the tree goes straight and isn't leaning towards the light. 
• Do not over-water your fiddle leaf fig tree. It is best to let the soil dry out between waterings, at least the top 3-4 inches. A moisture reader, available at most hardware stores, can assist you in this and would be a smart and cheap investment. 
• As the fiddle leaf grows, re-pot as necessary according to its' size and how big you want it to get. The bigger the pot, the bigger and taller your fiddle leaf will become.
• Happy growing!

: : Our fiddle leaf fig tree : : 

: : The big leaves have a tropical flair to them that I love : : 

: : Happy little fiddle leaf : : 

With Love,

A

1 // 2 // 3

Photos by Angela & Preston Anderson