Whether you’re in need of a night stand or just want a change, these creative yet functional ideas will have you thinking outside the box. You may even have these items at home already, even better, right?
a. Step Night Stand – a simple clean accessory per step
b. Wall Mounted Shelf- the sconce creates an usual piece for lighting
c. Ladder- perfect for a high bed; accessories are placed in a zig zag to create a scattered yet simple look
d. Chest with Mirror Above- the tall lamp helps balance the tall mirror
e. Stacked Suitcases- these vintage suitcases coordinate well with the room colors and perfect for a low bed
Wedding season is in full swing. And for your wedding, there’s no better way to put a smile on your face and your guests than with these photo booth prop ideas.
Below are our favorite ideas from Etsy that will add a little whimsy and vintage fun!
Sarah Q Happy Booths shop:
Hang this near your booth to let guests know it’s time for their close up.
Let your guests play dress up with these super cute glasses on a stick!
Little Retreats shop:
Show the world you’re the perfect match with this perfect Mr. and Mrs. pair.
Maro Designs shop:
Customize this thought bubble to say whatever is bobbling in your head!
Rainy Day Story shop:
Play up your attire with a colorful, faux tie bow!
Perfectionate shop:
And we couldn’t forget the popular mustaches!
These fun ideas will add personality to your photos and will have you smiling every time you see them. Try your hand at making a few or purchase them on Etsy where the most creative handmade items are found.
Christmas presents alone can stretch our budget, not to mention all the wrapping paper and ribbons needed for the gifts! This year at our last Winter Workshop, we came up with some creative and budget-friendly ways to wrap your presents.
#1:
Rags Aren’t Just for Washing- The pink fabric tied cutely around this small gift is actually a rag from an auto store. These rags came in a pack of over 10. We simply took the ends of the fabric and tied two bows. Then for an added accessory, we tucked pine securely in the bows. For a creative name tag, we tied a deer stencil onto the gift with green twine.
#2:
Dress Your Wine Bottle - Give a host their favorite bottle of wine with a personalized touch.
Cut the sleeve of an old sweater. Put it over the bottle and roll down the top. We added feathers and a name tag. We sewed the person’s name on a canvas type fabric layered with other fun patterns. You can get as creative as you’d like – buttons, felt flowers, etc. Choose colors and fabrics that fit the personality of that person.
#3:
For Those Hard to Wrap Presents- There are always those awkward shaped presents that won’t fit in a box and look odd wrapped in paper. For those hard to wrap gifts, we suggest using a burlap sack. Some burlap providers will actually sew the sacks for you in the sizes that you need. Or you can simply cut a strip of a coffee bag or burlap sack and hand stitch the sides.
We used holly berries, pine and Twizzlers to make it festive. If you want to get even more creative, sew on felt flowers and a name tag much like the stockings we made at the first workshop.
#4:
Craft Paper & Voila! – Instead of the usual wrapping paper, we used craft paper. With a few scraps of fabric and leftover burlap, we created one of kind gifts. Not only will they love the present inside but also the personalized touches you made to the gift wrap.
A suggestion for the kids: Use the craft paper on their play table to wrap the gifts for the grandparents. Let them color the paper. The grandparents will love it, and the kids will have fun doing it!
Halloween is in a few days, and you don’t want to be empty handed when all of the neighborhood’s little ones come to visit. Instead of throwing in a handful of candy into their bag, create something that will leave an impression and will be fun to make with your kids.
This is also a great idea for favors at your child’s Halloween party.
What You’ll Need:
- Clear, round, plastic ornament (must be able to open)
- Black string
- Black hard stock paper or construction paper
- Clear bag (we used a spider web bag)
- Candy of your choice (we used candy corn)
What You’ll Do:
- Fill plastic ornament with candy
- Weave the black string around the ornament, creating a web-like design
- Secure string with a knot and cut the remaining
- Place black paper in bag, which creates a backdrop for the bag
- Place ornament that now looks like a spider web into the bag
*We also used a pumpkin shaped bubble set to add to the goodie bag.
When it comes to natural area rugs, what’s not to love? Because they come from plants that don’t require a lot of pesticides to grow, sisal, seagrass and jute are about as green as it gets. These rugs are biodegradable, emit zero toxins and they’re allergy-friendly. The best news is they’re not just responsible—they’re beautiful! Natural rugs lend visual warmth to any room. Let me introduce you to some of my favorite fibers.
Sisal
- Origin: The ‘agave sisalana’ cactus plant. They’re grown mostly in South America and Africa.
- Cool fact: It’s anti-static!
- Best feature: Of all the natural rugs, sisal is the strongest and most durable.
- Downside: It’s also the most expensive and it watermarks if it gets wet.
Seagrass
- Origin: Marsh grass grown primarily in the Far East.
- Cool fact: In World War I, seagrass was used as bandages.
- Best feature: Seagrass rugs are very durable and are naturally water and stain resistant.
- Downside: It has a strong scent, but that fades over time.
Jute
- Origin: The stem of the jute plant, considered part textile fiber and part wood. Bangladesh is a big supplier.
- Cool fact: Cotton is the only vegetable fiber cultivated and used more than jute.
- Best features: Jute offers UV protection, sound and heat insulation.
- Downside: When it is exposed to sunlight, jute can change color.
Now you know the basics, let’s put them to work. Here are my recommendations for making natural rugs work in your space:
- Use a contrasting shade of binding to bring in a pop of color.
- Don’t be afraid of a pattern! Sisal and jute have some great options.
- Look for a rug backed with latex so it stays put.
Finally, a word of warning: Pet owners, if Fluffy likes to scratch or Fido has a potty problem, you’d be better off sticking with a hard surface floor. If a rug is still your preference, select a fiber like nylon, wool or olefin. These won’t tempt your pet as much as natural fiber.
by Renee Lecroy
Follow Renee on Twitter and read more of her expert advice here.
100% Jute Rugs available in moxii retail store in Auburn, AL.
Photo Credit: ecorug.com
School is just around the corner, and we hope that you’ve been thinking about your new space. Whether it’s an apartment or dorm room, one of the major concerns in a small space is organization and storage.
Below are a few practical tips for making your space functional and comfortable:
Make a Plan. Consider the layout of your room and the amount of closet space that you’re going to have. Before buying storage boxes that are way too large for your room, take some measurements and then look for the perfect fit for your space. Also, planning ahead means buying ahead! If you don’t purchase these organization and storage must-haves before school begins, you may find yourself too busy and left with a cluttered room.
Don’t know your dorm size? Moxii has access to most major university dorm layouts.
Get Creative. Instead of purchasing clear plastic bins, consider buying storage containers and boxes that have a pop of color or cool design. This way they actually serve as an accessory for your bedroom. Not only are they functional, but help complete the look of your room, especially when matched with the rest of your decor.
Think Functional. We love using the most random items and making them functional, such as using a small pot for plants as a container to store pencils and pens or using a bench with storage space underneath.
Raise it Up. Use bed risers to create valuable space under your bed. Most dorm rooms have 18-inch bed height. Adding 6 inches gives you a 24-inch clearance and lots of space to add under-the-bed storage containers.
For more storage ideas, check out Moxii’s student essentials.



























