Inside your Pantry | The Paper Society

Every time I get an order on etsy for The Paper Society, one of the first things I do is check out the invoice and see where on earth my labels are going to end up. I am BEYOND fascinated that in this crazy world, I can have my label designs in pantries from Australia, to the UK, to Texas. It. Blows. My. Mind. I know it shouldn't, because that is the nature of the international web marketplace, but still, I am amazed.

Even my husband (who gets the paypal notifications to his email) comments when he sees an order and says something along the lines of "Hey hunny, your labels are going to Germany! You're my idol! Want me to make you some schnitzel?"...Ok, I made up that bit.

I also love hearing and seeing what people do with my labels and how they organize their pantries. There are some very talented and organized people out there and I have seen a fair share of magazine worthy pantry makeovers. Melanie's has got to be one of my faves.

Melanie lives in NYC, and if that isn't enough to make you a wee bit jealous, she's also a very driven entrepreneur. Her company Elizabeth and Clarke is little bit genius, a lot bit functional. I don't live in the city but I do get the hassle of running around from shop to shop trying to find staples. Elizabeth and Clarke takes all the hassel and guess work out of stocking your wardrobe with the essentials. Ease and affordablity- I like that.

Back to pantries! Melanie has used the OXO pop up containers that I absolutely adore. They seal perfectly airtight, and in a day and age where so many things are short lived and disposable, I do feel like these containers will stand the test of time. I only have a couple but hope to one day outfit my pantry with some more of them!

The jars for the vinegars are also genius! I have a handful of sparkling wine bottles with this type of lid that could so easily be repurposed. And, decanting keeps everything looking the same, so what's not to love!

Are you having pantry envy yet?

I sure am ;)

xo J

Ella's Social Space | Reader E-Design

So, I just experienced my first blog-spaz when I opened up this post that I had been working on for the last two days, pressed some random buttons to fix some formatting issue, and somehow lost the whole thing. I may or may not have shed a few tears, and my darling husband may or may not have offered to hook me up to a chocolate IV in a futile attempt to calm his panic stricken wife. It's ok, though. I'm over it (almost). Deep breath.

Perhaps the universe was telling me that the post was too wordy?

Or maybe I just need to start saving my in-progress posts on my computer as well as on Blogger?

Either way, what would have been a lengthy post will now be a short one. I will be back Tuesday with some more details and sources, but for now, let's just get to the good parts.

I opened up my inbox last week to this sweet email from reader, and fellow blogger, Ella Pretty.

Hello Jen,

I've recently discovered your blog (through a link on Simply Seleta) and I love it so much! You have such an amazing eye for style - and I love how you use affordable sources (dollar store, Ikea) and make them look like they belong in a magazine! Plus - you're Canadian too - so I know I can find the things you mention :-)

I was wondering if you feature reader questions on your blog. It's been a year since we moved into our townhouse - and I'm SO stuck on style - in particular my TV room is just BLAH! The leather sofa is comfortable and practical - but I have no idea what to do with the rest of the space (what to put on the wall - what cushions to use on the sofa - I'm not loving the pink ikea cushions!)

http://ellaprettyblog.blogspot.ca/2012/05/decor-update-house-tour.html

I love your design aesthetic and would really appreciate any advice!

I'm so excited to find your blog - I look forward to reading it from the start and picking up lots of tips along the way :-)

Take care,

Ella


I have never been approached to give advice on a reader space before, and to say I was thrilled was an understatement.  I LOVE this kind of thing. So much fun, and it's a nice change of pace from decorating my own home. Here is Ella's current living room.

Ella mentioned in her house tour post that she wanted to do something light and feminine, with a touch of Parissienne, to balance the large dark sofa.

J'adore Paris, and was really looking forward to get my French on in a less literal way. I figured instead of an oversized Eiffel Tower print, or a burlap pillow printed with some fancy french script, why not create something that evokes the feeling of Paris, rather than spells it out?

I think the colours and the gold touches help acheive that, and I love how everything comes together and makes the sectional look intentional.

The gold scales just ooze Versailles to me, while the black X pillows remind me a bit of modern Paris. I'm really happy with how it turned out (it IS my style after all) and hope that Ella can find some inspiration in it.

Back on Tuesday with details and sources (and my apologies for this slapped together post without the aforementioned). Live and learn I guess. Save, back up, save, then back up some more.

xo  J