A TV Stand to Stand Up to March Madness…

I consider myself to be a pretty avid basketball fan, particularly college basketball. So I am not sure what my excuse was last year when I was woefully underprepared for the year’s biggest basketball tournament, the NCCA Final Four. It all started when I basically ignored the regular season and had no idea which teams were looking strong heading into the tournament – my bracket ended up being a total mess. To make matters worse, I had no idea what weekend the first round of the tournament was, so my media stand was a mess and terribly inadequate for the task at hand. I did not have time to upgrade my stand in time for the big game, so we were left watching the game on a fold out table!
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Vintage Numbered Hooks

I can think of a dozen uses at least for these!

Find out what Stacks is pinning!

Not Your Average Message Board

These are not your average message boards! No boring brown bulletin boards or white dry-erase boards here… only fresh, new ideas for use in organizing the home or keeping your inspirations close at hand.

The Mariposa Burlap Message Board is a beautiful thing on its own, or you can tack ideas, photos and notes on its fabric surface.
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Multipurpose Organizer - From the Kitchen to the Office

The St. Louis Kitchen Organizer does double duty, holding dishes in the kitchen and files on the desktop! It has a fun St. Luis arch theme!

Granite Drink Chillers

Made of real granite, polished - simply cool and add to your drink - they won't water it down!

Love the pick, Meghan!

Shower Hammock (for your soap)

How cool is this? Perfect for soap, scrubbies, and even razors.

Find great ideas by following us on pinterest!

Holiday Storage From Basic to Creative

Without a doubt, the holidays can present our biggest storage and organization challenges. Whether it’s the tree decorations, house decorations, gift wrap, fine china, silverware or fake trees, the holidays come with a lot of baggage. Somehow I accumulate more holiday junk every year, as if I don’t have enough already. It’s just so tempting to buy more! The problem is that I forget to buy more storage pieces for those new items and I am left with a storage issue after the holidays are over.
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The Great Debate: Slow Cooker vs. Pressure Cooker

Okay, maybe not the most important debate going on in the world right now, but important nonetheless. My family kicked off the holiday season yesterday with what we call “pumpkin day” and I found myself (as always), trying to convince the lady of the house to give pressure cookers another try. You see, she is of the generation that thinks that the pressure cooker is going to explode in her face, as it did her Aunt’s (grandma’s, etc). That’s simply not the case though, pressure cookers are completely safe now thanks go better locks and release valves.
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What To Do With The Leftovers

One of the holidays I enjoy most of all is Thanksgiving. Getting together with family, some of whom I have not seen in months or a year, and enjoying a home-cooked meal brings a bit of brightness to the dull, seemingly-weatherless late November days.
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The Land of No Dishwashers – Part One

As a life-long renter, I have lived in A LOT of different apartments, in law units, lofts, duplexes, houses, you name it. I have also lived in many cities up and down the west coast, and even in Nevada. My most recent move was to Los Angeles about two years ago. Before I go any further, I want to assure you that my intent here is not to complain about LA or the people who live here – I’m just sharing some observations.
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De-Stressing Holiday Travel

For many people, the decision to hit the open road for a long road trip during the fall season can be a double-edged sword. As I mentioned before in my last post, there is typically less construction during the fall and the weather tends to be more bearable (as in the weather is not too hot – I’ll get into the reverse of this later on). On the other hand, there are quite a few drawbacks to traveling during the fall and winter months. Some of these include the likelihood of inclemently-cold weather and devastatingly brutal pre-holiday traffic in October and November – not to mention the typical issues you deal with on a road trip during any time of the year. For me, the best way to stay cool, calm and collected during a long road trip in the autumn season is to prepare ahead of time. I ensure all of the organizers and travel comfort items I need are packed away, a key to successful travel.
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Incorporating Fall Colors into your Home Decor Scheme

Of all the seasons, fall has the most distinct, recognizable color palette, by far. It also happens to be one of the most soothing and user-friendly color palettes, a cinch to incorporate into one or more rooms of the home.

Whether you are wanting to make long-term changes to your room’s decor scheme or just simply want to get in the mood for autumn and the upcoming holidays, I’ve got some great picks and ideas for you!
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Fall Leaf Decor on Pinterest

My home has a lot of fall colors year round. I guess I'm just drawn to them. Isn't this gorgeous? I have the perfect spot by my front door!

Come join the Pinterest fun with StacksAndStacks!

Fall Furniture Finds

Fall seems to be the time to update your living room, at least that’s what furniture manufacturers seem to think! To prove it, there is an array of living room furniture sales going on throughout the weekend, including these fun modern sofas and seating pieces from Diamond Sofa which are up to 10% off, but only through September 30th!

If you like a look that is just a touch more classic, check out these deals:
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Cooking in the Dorm – Yes, You Can

I’ve seen some pretty creative uses for a George Foreman grill, mostly while I lived in the dorms. Cooking for yourself in a dorm is possible, and actually it is a great way to cut down on meal plan costs during that first year of school. Freshman dorms don’t typically come with kitchens. All you are going to have in your room is a sink (if you’re lucky) and some electrical outlets. But add a few small appliances to the mix and you can cook many meals from your home away from home! Before moving in, contact your roommates and see if anyone can bring any of the following items with them.

Here are some ideas to get you started:
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Dorm Room Cooking 101

Dorm room cooking doesn't have to mean peanut butter sandwiches and ramen soup for dinner every night. Having just the right kitchen essentials can make it easy to whip up a meal just like mom makes but in the comfort of your own dorm room kitchen.

No kitchen is complete without a nonstick skillet on hand. Perfect for making a stack of pancakes on the weekend or scrambled eggs before running off to class, a non-stick pan makes it easier to keep food from getting burned and, obviously, stuck, making it a must have dorm accessory. The Stainless 12" Fry Pan – Nonstick combines the best of both worlds, with a sturdy stainless steel base and durable non-stick coating.
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Waste Cans As Decor - Who Knew?

A small dorm room can be a difficult space to add your own personal style to. Since dorm rooms usually come outfitted with beds and desks it takes the right dorm accessories to bring a one of a kind look to the cookie cutter dorm room. With so little space it's important to add functional items, like desk lamps and bed linens, but that doesn't mean they have to be boring! Use these functional pieces as a way to add a fun color or texture to the room.

If you're looking to inject a little fun and color, try the vintage style of the Retrobin. With a foot peddle design this trash can is perfect for keeping trash contained and also has a sleek bullet shape that gives it some style.
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Clip-On Lamps - A Dorm Necessity

It might be the start of the semester, but it won't be long before midterms and late nights studying are here. Having a comfortable and functional workspace is key for cutting down on stress. The right lighting is necessary for keeping tired eyes from getting strained. Whether you have a dorm room with lots of space for a large desk or a compact work area, a clip on desk lamp is a convenient way to add adjustable lighting wherever you decide to study.
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Coffee Makers - A Back To School Money Saver

“I never drink coffee at lunch. I find it keeps me awake for the afternoon” - Ronald Reagan

Perhaps as the president of the United States, Ronald Reagan was able to find time to take a nice long afternoon nap, but as a returning college student, you know sleeping through Philosophy 322 is just not going to get the job done (or the degree earned!). For many students that are preparing to head back to college for the semester, a piping hot cup of Joe can be the perfect antidote to a monotonous Geology instructor with a penchant for using the scientific name of every mineral.
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Easy, Quick Lighting Ideas

One of the easiest ways to give any room, inside or out, a makeover is to simply switch up the lighting. Lighting is one of the most important, and often one of the most overlooked, parts of a room’s decorative theme. Thankfully, it is also easy to tackle yourself, and very affordable.

Here are some easy, quick ways to freshen up the lighting around your home without the help of a contractor. Add one of these projects to your DIY short list for the summer!
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Window Box Planters Tips

For me, nothing says summer like gardening. In the same way that fall would not be the same without raking leaves, summer would not be the same without watering, weeding, deadheading and fertilizing. Not surprisingly, container gardening has surged to new levels in recent years, as many people rediscover the joy of gardening. Gardening in pots and larger containers, like this large raised garden, has many advantages over ground level gardening. One of them is water conservation.
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Outdoor Furniture - Pick of the Season

If you’ve got the outdoor space, you should definitely consider adding an outdoor bench to your patio furniture collection. Why? Because no other piece of furniture beckons you to come and sit, relax and enjoy a bit of nature like a garden bench does. Maybe it’s because we grew up sitting on benches at parks or at Grandma’s house, I don’t know for sure. All I know is that a garden bench adds charm and functional seating to any outdoor space.

My pick of this season is the Garden Leaves Park Bench, which features a beautiful cast iron leaf design on its back. Why? Read on…
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Create An Oasis With The Mandalay Wrought Iron Rocking Chair

Creating an outdoor space where you can relax and unwind is a great way to make the most of your entire home, indoors and out. Unlike a living room that requires a lot of furniture to look complete, an outdoor space has the luxury of relying on it's natural surroundings to create a cohesive style. Whether you want to create separate spaces for eating and lounging or keep it minimal, it's easy to create an enjoyable garden.
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Keep Your Garage Neat With A Floor Mat

Keeping your garage in working order doesn't have to be a chore, it can be just as organized and tidy as any other room in your home.

No garage can go without some much needed storage to keep everything from gardening supplies to sporting equipment organized and quick to find. Though the garage seems to be a difficult space to keep clean, it only takes a few steps to ensure that any mess is manageable.
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Play Up Your Patio With Le Click Interlocking Teak Floor Tiles

Outdoor Flooring: A Quick and Easy DIY Project for Anyone!

With Spring rapidly approaching, it’s time to start planning outdoor DIY projects , and I’ve come across one that is easy to do and easy on the budget. When we think of outdoor decorating, we often forget that what goes under our feet can make a great contribution to our outdoor decor.

One of the easiest ways to update the look of your patio, porch or deck is to add some kind of floor feature, whether it is an outdoor area rug, or floor tiles like the Le Click Interlocking Teak Floor Tiles!
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Greet Your Guests With Cheer!

The sun is not just the star at the center of our solar system. When you think about it, its importance is really beyond our comprehension. Many early civilizations (and even people in our current one) such as the Aztecs and Incas worshiped the sun. Generally today, the sun represents happiness and hope. To some, it is not even worth getting out of bed if it isn’t a sunny day. And when you think about what the sun manages to accomplish in its day, it’s pretty incredible.

Why on earth am I romanticizing about the sun on a blog dedicated to home and personal organizing, you ask?
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Create Your Oasis

The Agadir Single Bench by Zuo Modern is the ultimate in multi purpose furniture! If you’ve been looking to update your outdoor decor to something more modern, this stool has you covered. With UV treated synthetic fibers and an aluminum frame, this stool is designed to stand up to outdoor conditions, but also works well inside at the bar or against the kitchen counter.

The other thing I like about this patio stool is the synthetic woven design. It makes me think of the kind of furniture you would see at a tropical resort, which is a style that I can certainly get behind in my own home!
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Deep Drawer Organizer - Perfect For Every Room

If you're like me, and staying organized doesn't come very naturally, then you'll understand what I just experienced upon looking for something in the infamous "junk drawer" of my kitchen. The junk drawer used to be a wonderful place for me. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable solution for any small item that didn't have a place otherwise. And because it's a drawer, I've been able to keep its unruly state out of sight and out of mind. Until it exploded in my face and nearly drove me crazy!
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Holiday Planning Overlooked

When it’s time for holiday planning, we tend to think only about preparation. Planning menus, sending parting invitations, shopping for gifts, and digging out the decorations. I find myself so overworked getting ready for holiday gatherings, I forget about the aftermath. Particularly when it comes to my extra dishes. I’ve never had a proper way of storing them, so they tend to just get thrown in a box that gets stacked with other boxes in the garage.

Bad planning like this leads inevitably to the catastrophe I encountered last week.
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Tuesday Tip: Make Giving Easy

I am a huge fan of thrift shops! Both donating to and shopping at.

Since I like to shop my local store weekly for great deals, I have to purge my stuff almost as often to avoid clutter.

Here is a great tip for keeping those donate-ables corralled until donation day:
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