How to decorate with candles

Have you ever looked around and thought your home might be missing something?

Maybe it just doesn’t feel warm and inviting. It lacks that calm and cozy feeling?

One of my favorite ways to add a calming cozy vibe to your home is by decorating with candles.

My husband and I suffer from allergies and live in a small space so I try to limit my real candles to one lightly scented candle.

I might be a little obsessed with adding battery powered candles around our home though! The soft amber glow reminds me of a fireplace and has an instant calming effect on me. I set my battery powered candles on timer mode and they come on at night after dinner and are perfect for setting a relaxing mood.

I am picky about the quality of my fake candles and like them to flicker and look realistic. Battery powered candles are definitely not all the same.

Another way you can elevate the look is by placing the battery powered candles in glass or metal votive. I love the way the light reflects through the metal cut outs or off the glass. I mix my real and fake candles on the same tray so its hard to tell they are not real.

How do you feel about candles? Do you have certain nightly rituals and routines that you follow in your home?

How to style your home with faux flowers

 

I love decorating with real and fake flowers. They can add so much color and life to a space.

It doesn’t matter what season we are in…flowers can be changed out for spring, summer, fall and winter.

You can reuse some of the stems and alternate others depending on the time of year.

I like to choose vases that can pretty much work year round so I don’t have to store too many extras.

Flowers are perfect for decorating an entryway table, bathroom counter, dark corner… the possibilities are endless.

I truly believe if you add these extra details to your home it will make you more accountable in keeping your home organized and de cluttered. Do you really want to create a drop zone next to a beautiful arrangement of flowers?

Adding extra finishing touches to your home will help you be more intentional about maintaining your newly styled space.

I am very picky about the flowers I choose looking real. These roses are a favorite and have fooled many people from a distance! They are a little more on the expensive side but totally worth it! I get them at Michaels believe it or not.

Some tips I use when decorating with flowers and creating vignettes:

-Choose stems and flowers that look more realistic.

-Create a cohesive color palette with other decorative items. This will create a “vignette” and make things really stand out and flow.

-Selecting flowers with texture adds another layer of interest and warmth to your space.

-You are not limited by a small space. There are so many cute bud vases you can use on bathroom counters and places where space is limited.

-Get creative and play with some arrangements and you will be surprised how flowers can brighten up your space and instantly lift your mood.

How to create a peaceful bathroom

 

What does elevating your bathroom look like?

There are so many ways to make your bathroom feel more like a spa. More spacious, relaxing and peaceful.

Over the years I have organized so many bathrooms. It is one space that can easily get cluttered and chaotic. But with a few simple changes you can make your bathroom feel so much better. It starts with de cluttering and simplifying your products. Next comes the fun part…accessorizing and styling your bathroom. We want your bathroom to be easy to maintain but it can be beautiful as well.

Tips for creating a spa like feel:

-Upgrade your towels to a matching set. Get rid of any old scratchy towels that are falling apart. You deserve better! Add some hand towels with a waffle weave texture to create that spa like feel.

-Add real or battery powered candles.

-Bring the outdoors in by adding a real or fake plant or flowers.

-Choose a favorite fragrance of some sort in the form of a reed diffuser, fancy soaps or a room spray. Something that smells fresh and clean.

-Elevate your countertops by using glass or ceramic canisters for things like q-tips, dental picks and cotton balls.

-Add some color and texture by using a decorative tray, decorative bowls or a basket on the top of your counter for items you need out for daily use. I love repurposing items you already own in new and creative ways.

-Designate a drawer or basket for self care and pampering for things like masks, scrubs and bath salts.

-And the not so fun but necessary maintenance to keep your bathroom feeling good:

-Toss any expired products. Old facial products and old makeup can cause breakouts.

-Take everything out and wipe down your drawers and products.

-Simplify your beauty routine. Let go of those products that just didn’t work for you and now you feel guilty about tossing them. If they are new and in a pump or spray form you can always donate them to a women’s shelter.

-Use drawer liner or drawer organizers so it’s easier to keep things clean.

-And I’m going to emphasize this one! It makes me crazy..clean your hairbrushes. Pull out that loose hair regularly and wash your brush. Just grab your brush when you are jumping in the shower and add a little shampoo and rinse it off. Easy solution. (I have seen brushes with 5 years worth of hair on them. We can do better!)

I hope this gave you some inspiration… If you need some help tackling your bathroom I’m happy to help!

 

Fresh Flowers and Feng Shui

Have you ever thought buying fresh flowers for yourself was a luxury? Maybe it seems too expensive and frivolous? I used to feel the same way until I started following the amazing Amanda Gibby Peters and bought her book “Simple Shui for Everyday.” You can read more about the advantages below in her post.

If you are at all interested in Feng Shui she is a master and so inspiring. And even if you think Feng Shui is too woo woo…buy yourself the flowers anyway because you are worth it! I truly believe it’s the little details that make such a difference in our homes and how we feel!

your *excuse* to buy fresh flowers…