Let’s start off by first stating that I am no expert mover. I’ve just done it a lot. You should also probably know that my methods of moving might not be for everyone. I don’t hire expert movers; I sweet-talk friends (preferably friends who own trucks) with promises of free beer. I don’t buy packing supplies. (I knew that tissue paper I saved for the past two years would come in handy!) My methods may be unusual, but I have picked up some tips that may help you if you’re surrounded by boxes and at a loss for how to pack. Here’s how I pack my home for a move. 1. Assemble your packing supplies One time I moved everything I owned in reusable bags. You know, the kind you take to the grocery store. Granted I did this move over several weeks, but it was still a bit extreme. I don’t recommend this. Get some boxes. Many stores will give them to you for free. You’ll be a lot happier if you have the supplies you need. There’s nothing worse than scrambling at the last minute trying to find something to put your stuff in. 2. Start with the...
Weekend in St. Louis
Decorating your home doesn’t come without inspiration. And I find that I feel most inspired to get creative with my home when I’m away from it for a while. Sound counterintuitive? Maybe. But it’s no secret that a little fun can leave you refreshed mind, body and soul. This past weekend I spent a little time in St. Louis, Missouri. I wanted to share a few spots I went to (and loved!) in case you plan to visit. Here are some great areas to explore: Central West End This cute eclectic area features some nice eateries and a couple shops. We ate at Pi Pizzeria, which has locations all around St. Louis. And I couldn’t visit a city without stopping at a local bookstore. So, I bought a book after perusing Left Bank Books. Clayton This neighborhood has a nice strip of restaurants and boutiques. We ate at a really delicious salad restaurant called Crushed Red. The Loop This funky area features six blocks filled with shops and restaurants. I had fun perusing a secondhand shop that I can’t remember the name of and sipping an iced coffee from Blueprint Coffee. The Hill Starting in the 1890s, Italian immigrants clustered in...
Decorating Idea: What to Do With Seashells?
Who can resist gathering seashells any time they’re near an ocean? Just me? Maybe that’s just a thing people who don’t live near an ocean do, but chances are even you coastal dwellers have a few seashells in a drawer somewhere. Because really, what do you do with them? You could put them in a jar. Or a bowl. Those would be pretty, but how many jars or bowls of seashells can you have? Am I right? I faced this same conundrum a few weeks ago when I got back from a trip to Cambodia. During the days I spent in a couple of seaside towns in Cambodia, I gathered plenty of seashells. Because when am I going to go back to the Gulf of Thailand? Probably not any time soon. After unpacking and staring at my shell souvenirs, I was at a loss for what to do with them. Then, I came up with a brilliant solution. Use them to decorate plants! It may sound weird, but I like to set little objects in my houseplants to give them some flair. Usually I place a few pretty rocks on the topsoil. Maybe a small figurine if I’m feeling crazy. But seashells...
Travel Day: Cambodia
Today I leave for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cambodia! I’m sorry I’ve been so out of touch recently. An upcoming move (yes, I’ll be moving again this summer) and excitement over this trip has made me not in a writing/working mood. A vacation always changes that though! I hope to come back feeling refreshed and inspired. I love the feeling of the unknown before a trip (especially when traveling to a completely different country and culture). You don’t completely know what to expect and you can only imagine what you’ll see. I’m ready for an adventure! Where are you itching to travel? Tell me about it in the comments! Keep Up With Red Leaf Style! Follow Red Leaf Style author Kirsten Hudson on Twitter @kirsten_hudson, Google+ and Pinterest....
Weekend Finds: Saturday Garage Sale Haul
Last weekend I got up early and hit the garage sales. Driving from spot to spot, I scoped out some good deals. It was a prefect weekend for garage saleing. The cool weather meant tons of people were having sales. I didn’t drive far at all and found some great stuff for low prices! Here’s what I found: Small wooden end table: $3 (Yes, $3) Glass ice bucket: $5 Two books: 25 cents each Random hardware: 25 cents Two 4×6 Crate & Barrel rugs: $35 total Two dark wood shelves: $15 total I bought a couple of cheap paperbacks to take on my upcoming trip to Cambodia!. You can’t beat 25 cents each. I’m excited to add this ice bucket to my vintage bar cart! Perhaps my best finds of the day were two barely-used 4×6 Crate & Barrel rugs. They’re a pretty white and beige color and they feel so soft! Also, they’re pup-approved. Check out my past weekend finds! What do you think of my finds? Let me know in the comments!...
Why Snake Plants Make the Best Houseplants
Calling all black thumbs; I’ve got the houseplant for you. Have you ever heard of snake plants? These fancy-looking plants feature sword-shaped leaves and can get as tall as eight feet! (Mine aren’t taller than a foot or two, though.) Snake plants are closely related to Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, which is the same style plant but with a yellow border around the leaves. For those of you who aren’t so good at keeping plants alive, you’ll have a good run with snake plants. These houseplants are super hardy and can even grow in poor soil. Here are a few more reasons why I think snake plants make the best houseplants. Decorating helpers Houseplants in general just make a room look good. They add life and a bit of green to a space. And snake plants are particularly good looking. Their vertical leaves are really interesting, and they look excellent in groupings. Fit with any look Snake plants definitely give off a modern vibe. I can picture these plants decorating a sleek home that’s all black furniture and minimalist. But snake plants also work just as well with my vintage-inspired style. They’re extremely versatile. Easy to care for Snake plants are...
How to Start Seeds in Newspaper Pots
Gardening season is here! If you’ve never tried starting seeds, it can be really rewarding—and really frustrating. Take it from me, starting seeds for the first time is a challenge. You wait and wait and wait. Then finally the little seedlings emerge—or they don’t. You have to tend to them to make sure they’re thriving. And it takes quite a while until they grow big enough to transplant to the garden. Buuuuuut when you do, it’s so rewarding. It’s crazy to think that you started that little sucker from seed and now you’re eating tomatoes off of it! Here’s how I do it. Folding newspaper pots I like to start seeds indoors in newspaper pots. You fold sheets of newspaper origami-style into little pots to hold your seedlings. After your seeds grow big enough, you can even transplant the newspaper pot straight into the ground because it breaks down into the soil. I learned how to make newspaper pots to start seeds by watching this video. After a few tries, you’ll turn into a newspaper pot-folding machine. How to grow seeds After you finish folding your newspaper pots, fill them with soil. Then, use tweezers to place a seed (or several)...