Happy Halloween!
mirror | planter | Plant | tablecloth | plaid throw | branches | pumpkins | silverware | plates | napkins | bowls | curtains
Luxe Living for Less
mirror | planter | Plant | tablecloth | plaid throw | branches | pumpkins | silverware | plates | napkins | bowls | curtains
In my downtime I’ve been slowly trying to go through and organize our “hidden” storage areas: closets, basement, cabinets, etc. Everything is pretty much unpacked since our move, but lots of things were unpacked and just thrown in closets or shelves. And there they’ve sat…for me to agonize over late at night when I’m trying to go to sleep 😉 SO I’m trying to be proactive about it and to take it one step at a time. Organize, purge and rearrange until I’m happy that we only have what we need and the chaos has been tamed. Then I move on to the next one…it’s a dirty cycle. Literally.
So for today’s post I thought I show you the bathroom linen closet. This is like the bottomless pit of products. It’s a decent size and pretty much our only bathroom storage since we have a pedestal sink. So it’s definitely a catchall…kind of like the kitchen junk drawer (next project maybe???). I thought it would be fun to make a video of the whole process showing you the before and after…and everything in-between. This turned out to be a long post, but as the list of products in the bathroom got smaller, the length of this post got longer 😉 Bear with me!
Just a quick little note that I just posted a new YouTube video! I decided to take part in Lavendaire and Naturally Thrifty Mom‘s #5daystoMinimalism challenge this week. And Monday I had some spare time because my internet service has been super spotty, to say the least. Super frustrating when I want to/should be working. So I figured I’d shoot a video instead 😉 Monday’s focus was your purse/bag. Easy peasy. Today was cleaning out your car. Not sure if I’ll have time to shoot it, but I’ll definitely follow along behind the scenes! I know this video is a liiiitle different than what you all are used to on the blog. But that’s kind of the fun of it right? 😉 Anyways go check it out and if you like it please give me a thumbs up!
Would you like to be a part of the Copy Cat Chic blog team? Would love to have you!
I’ve been a full time blogger now for almost SEVEN years now. Wow. Back in 2009 I was working an office job where I didn’t even see the light of day. Talk about uninspired. I worked in the home decor and design industry though, so it definitely held some appeal, but dream job it was not. I had been blogging for over a year when I left my office job. Was I blogging every day? No. More like once a week. Was my blog making money? Definitely not, but I decided to forge ahead anyways. Actually, it was my husband’s suggestion! Yes, he’s super supportive, I’m a lucky girl.
I decided I’d do some freelance computer graphic and design work (which is what I got my BA in) while I ramped up my blogging efforts and just see where it went. I went from blogging once a week to blogging five days a week. It didn’t take long for my audience to grow. I went from making around $8 a month on Google Adsense to making $200+ within a couple of months. Not a bad growth rate at all 😉
When I first started the blog it was all just a creative outlet. My husband and I bought our first house in the San Francisco Bay area in 2006 and were just completely house broke. It was pretty frustrating working my day job for the Pottery Barn catalog and seeing all these beautiful rooms all day, then coming home to a bare house. I started trying to find look-a-likes and was amazed at the deals I found. The blog began because I wanted to share my finds with friends and family and the rest is history.
It’s amazing to see how much the industry has changed since I first started. People graduate college now and say they want to become a blogger. Mind blown. Being a blogger is a career choice now?! AWESOME. It’s been such an great ride. I can’t wait to see where it goes next.
You can read more about the Quitter’s Club on the Fohr Card Blog.
Pictures by Jessica at HejDoll.
You guys might remember the tea party I co-hosted a couple of months ago…well, we did it again! My friend Jessica and I, together with our squad, The Blog Exchange, had our quarterly party. We wanted to celebrate summer so we decided what better way to enjoy that sunshine than to have a picnic…on the beach. Am I right? Those of you who follow me on Snapchat (my username is copycatchic) and on Instagram (also copycatchic) you got to see a little sneak preview! We gathered up some local blogger friends and partnered with some fun sponsors to make it all happen. On to the pictures and pretty details!
So like I mentioned last Friday, my friend Jessica and I hosted a super fun tea party event for our local blogger friends last weekend. Those of you who follow me on Snapchat (my username is copycatchic) and on Instagram (also copycatchic) you got to see a little sneak preview!
We partnered with some amazing sponsors to make it all happen. Not only did they make our event a success, but the ladies attending got to learn more about these great companies. Jessica and I carefully chose companies that we personally love and enjoy, whether they be local to the San Francisco Bay Area or because of their eco-friendly philosophies.
So let’s get on to the pictures, shall we? Then we can talk about all the fun details!
â„…Â HejDoll |
â„…Â HejDoll |
â„…Â HejDoll |
food
munchery
We started off with the fresh fruit salad. It wasn’t your typical fruit salad – it had mango, papaya and kiwi. So tasty. We also had a variety of baked goodies: mini lemon, blueberry/raspberry and banana nut loaves, different kinds of muffins and apple and pear tarts. So delicious. Oh and SO easy. If you didn’t know, Munchery delivers to your door! So I placed my order and had it delivered the evening before. When it came time to set up for the party, all we had to do was set it out 😉 Perfect party food, am I right?
â„…Â HejDoll |
â„…Â HejDoll |
FLOWERS
the bouqs
When we saw this unique bouquet with none other than a succulent! We had to have it for our party. I mean, how perfect, right?
â„…Â HejDoll |
gift bags
Yay everyone loves a goodie bag, am I right? Let me tell you everything that was in ours AND at the bottom you can enter to win one too 🙂
herbivore botanicals
Herbivore sent us their Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Face Mist and Rose Lip Butter. They’re new faves already. That lip balm is…the bomb 😉
 love goodly
Love Goodly is a subscription service that I just learned about. They curate bi-monthly boxes that focus on eco-friendly and cruelty-free companies. Their boxes contain nontoxic beauty and skincare items, but also fun things like healthy snacks, and green accessories. They sent us some of their Green Molecule product as well as a gift card to use i their site. They’re also running a promo right now for $6 off their April/May box. Very cool.
 zady
Zady is website that offers quality fashion. They’re the epitome of quality over quantity. The pieces they offer are made by knowledgeable craftsmen out of the very best material. I love buying a timeless piece of clothing that I know will last as long as I want to wear it.
vitality bowls
I just recently discovered Vitality Bowls when they opened up a location near me. Such a fun treat. They use super tasty and exotic fruits and berries combined with crunchy granola, coconut, seeds or nuts. They’re super yummy and I love putting them in the freezer and saving them for dessert.
POP ORGANIC CANDY
I discovered this great organic candy shop on Etsy when I ordered organic lavender sugar cubes for the party. I loved their philosophy so much that I asked them if they wanted to give us some of their delicious (and unique) flavored candy for the party and goodie bags. For the party we all sampled organic rosemary and pine nut toffee (my fave), organic floral bark, and popping berry crunch which is like organic pop rocks (yasss!). For the goodie bags we got to sample a couple of their fun lollipop flavors.
THE ART OF TEA
The Art of Tea gave everyone sample tea tins in the goodie bags. Great way to extend the tea tasting fun 😉
THE BOUQS
The Bouqs also gave everyone a coupon code to use when they order flowers. Yay!
world marketÂ
We got these adorable bud vases from World Market to put each attendees gift bag. Aren’t they fun?
enter to win
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Okay folks I’m freshly back from Alt Summit and Salt Lake City. I wanted to share with you some of the great places I visited in case you find yourself in that neck of the woods. It was my first time in Utah and I’d love to go back, especially in the fall. I think SLC would be amaaaazing in the fall. So without further ado, here’s the next stop in my 36 hours series: Salt Lake City in 36 hours and under $500!Â
NHMUÂ Â |Â Â slc county building* |
HYATT HOUSE* |
HYATT HOUSE* |
LA BARBA COFFEEÂ Â |Â Â FINCA |
DAY ONE
COFFEE
PUBLIK COFFEE
You’ve got to start the morning off on the right foot and this is the place to do it! $4
BREAKFAST
passion flour
Okay you guys, two words for you here about Passion Flour: VEGAN CROISSANTS. I think the sun has a special ray of light that shines down on this place all. the. time. $6
DO
natural history museum of utah
T his museum is a fun place to spend the day. This landmark building was built to look like a part of the base of the mountains. Great place to go with kids…or even with no kids. $13
LUNCH
sage’s cafe
I had a quick meal here and got the pesto pasta and a milkshake, both vegan of course. And it was delish! $15
PLAY
discovery gateway
If you’re traveling with kids, this is the place to be! $9.50
STAY
HYATT house salt lake city
This is one of Salt Lake City’s newest hotels and it was awesome. I stayed at a different hotel the first few nights while at Alt Summit and I had roommates. SO when I moved over to the Hyatt house it felt so luxurious to have my own suite. A kitchen, living room area and bathroom all to myself. Loved it. The bed was suuuper comfy and the TV swiveled around from facing the living room to facing the bed. Pure awesome. The customer service was top notch too. So helpful. They have this great list of equipment that you can “borrow” while there, from baby high chairs to curling irons. So cool right? Everything was brand spanking new and there was a fun lounge area to hang out in downstairs. Oh and free hot breakfast in the morning? Yes. Please. And can I just say, the price can’t be beat? I priced out the room at $100/night. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me! Â $100
SHOP
alice lane
Alice Lane is definitely one of SLC’s best home decor shops. A definite must visit!
DINNER
finca
I had dinner at Finca during Alt as part of the Minted sponsored dinner. I was SO happy to be a part of it because Minted’s dinner was in high demand and spots filled up within 10 mins of being announced! The dinner theme was black and white and we were seated in the private dining room. Let me tell you it was GORGEOUS. The wall was covered in luscious black, floral wallpaper and Minted hung some of their art prints selection in modern gold frames. It was stunning. And to top it off Minted used some of their new home collection (napkins, table runners, etc) to outfit the tabletop. The menus and place cards (printed by Minted, of course) coordinated perfectly. No detail was left unfinished. It was a good night. Oh and the food, let me tell you, the food…was just as perfect as the decor. We had some tasty grub and plenty of it. I’ll definitely be going back! $60
DESSERT
Omar’s rawtopia
Omar’s is a raw restaurant if you didn’t pick that up from the name already 😉 They serve lunch and dinner BUT I really want to talk about the dessert. Because…you guys, raw vegan cheesecake. Yep, you read that correctly, cheeeeesecake. Hello. $8
PASSION FLOURÂ Â |Â Â BOHEM |
capitol building*Â Â | Â sunset in slc |
ZESTÂ Â |Â Â PUBLIK COFFEE |
DAY TWO
BREAKFAST
zest
I had brunch at Zest on Saturday and it was one of the best ways to start a weekend. Hands down. I had the savory chickpea pancakes and man, they were tasty. One of the friends I was with got the buckwheat pancakes and highly recommended those too. I’d love to go back for dinner sometime, because I hear they have some crazy good cocktails. $20
COFFEE
LA BARBA COFFEE
Another tasty local favorite for coffee shop. A friend told me that the locally-owned coffee shops in Salt Lake are so good that Starbucks keeps open up shops and then closing them back down again. Pretty awesome, right? Shop local! $4
DO
TEMPLE SQUARE
Iconic. Stately. Beautiful. Just yes.
LUNCH
budS
Buds is 100% plant based. They have super fun things on the menu like BBQ jackfruit. I mean, come on, you’ve gotta try jackfruit at least once in your life right? $10
PLAY
hogle zoo
Salt Lake City has a great zoo. So fun for the whole family. $15
SHOP
BOHEM
Hipsters paradise in Salt Lake City. This shop has all the modern goods that the inner artist in you, could ever want. Seriously inspiring and worth a peek!
DINNER
forage
I’ve heard you have to make reservations at this place at least 3 months in advance. Luckily when I searched for a spot the day of, they had one availability at like 8:45pm, but still. Tasty bites worth every penny! $90
DESSERT
cakewalk
You guys, you guys…this place has vegan Twinkies! I’m dying right now because I didn’t get to go to this place before heading home. But please, if you’re in SLC, go here and get a vegan twinkie (called a Dillo) and tell me how ‘mazing it is, mkay? Â $5
 Minted Black and White Dinner at Finca. Image c/o Amber Reverie. |
The florals where gorgeous!** |
Dinner conversation 😉 ** |
San Francisco Bay Area Bloggers:Â Rachelle, Sally, Jessica, me and Megan |
Waiting to speak…do I look nervous? 😉 With Miranda and Alison.** |
I hope you enjoyed my little foray around Salt Lake City! I know I did and I can’t wait to go back…those vegan croissants and twinkies are calling my name! 😉
image via |
one℅ | two℅ | three | four | five | six
seven | EIGHT | nine℅ | ten | eleven
twelve | thirteen℅ | fourteen | fifteen
sixteen℅ | seventeen℅ | eighteen | nineteen
twenty | twenty one℅ | twenty two
twenty three | twenty four℅
As you can see a huge portion of my packing list is from Rent the Runway. They’re a lifesaver for someone like me, who likes to wear the latest styles when I dress up, but doesn’t want to pay full price if I’m just going to wear it once 😉 If you haven’t tried them out yet, you really, really should. I’ve been using them for years. You can get $20 credit (and so will I) if you sign up using this link. This post isn’t sponsored by RtR by the way, although I was able to rent the items above with free credit (happy dance)!
wednesday travel
sponsor dinner with minted
The theme is black and white.
thursday day
thursday night party
Theme is the night sky 🙂
 friday day
friday night parties
saturday tours
sunday travel
And just for giggles here’s the last time I went to Alt Summit!
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