Above, the owner of a little shop called Dispatcher Mommy (love it) offers a set of 50 wall butterflies made from — get this — soda cans.  Now that’s upcycling at its finest.

Next, there’s this gorgeous ink print from Vladimir Smokov – one of many in his breathtaking (and breathtakingly affordable!) hand-drawn series:

For those who want a personalized touch on their walls, Ashlee Alaine Designs puts together baby announcements and hometown pride prints with cute, customized typography exercises like this one:

And last but certainly not least, we stop in at Aldari Art to marvel at its limited-run prints of dahlias, cherry blossoms, bicycles, anchors and other beautiful things like this turquoise line art masterpiece:

In sum, whoever said art isn’t affordable must have been at least marginally crazy, uninformed or simply living without access to a computer. Luckily, we’re none of the above, so… happy curating!

Photo credits: Dispatcher Mommy, Vladimir Smokov, Ashlee Alaine Designs and Aldari Art

So, if you’re looking to make preparations for the unknown, what are some important tips for making that happen?

Organize & Plan Ahead

By preparing lists and making note of what sales you can shop each week to add to your pantry you can gradually add to your stock each week when you shop for your regular grocery items.

Helpful Link: 3 Month Pantry List (pdf)

Begin Shopping Now

Don’t wait for a windfall of money to get started on your storage shopping. Start buying extra now and gradually you will begin to see your supply build.

Helpful link: Baby Steps for Food Storage

Shop Smart

Use coupons, hit sales and buy in bulk for items that are a great deal in the bulk sizes.

Helpful link: Money Saving Tips for Food Storage Shoppers

Store Properly

Learn how to store items properly so you don’t find yourself wasting food over the course of time. Keep track of dates, come up with a system that works for your for budget and store your food to maximize longevity.

Rotate & Take Stock of Food Regularly

Come up with a system for noting the dates and be certain you are rotating food accordingly so there is minimal waste.

Look for our next article in this series where you will receive links to a variety of resources which will provide you with what you need to do all of the above in more depth – so be sure to check back for that!

Your homework for today is to make note of possible storage locations within your home. Think outside of the box if you live in a smaller space – you can make it work.

Image: Jesse Michael Nix

Common Reasons to Store Food:

• Loss of income
• Unforeseen natural disasters
• Sick family resulting in job loss or inability to make regular trips to the store
• Allow for ease in creating last minute meals on busy days
• Religious beliefs

Whatever your reasons, it’s not a bad idea to have some sort of long term food storage, but without a game plan as well as resources for making it all work, the idea can seem daunting and quite frankly, overwhelming.

We’re here to help.

There are a variety of websites that can help you accomplish your goals for food storage whether you are looking to prep for three months, a year or longer. They offer everything from basic advice to get you started all the way to checklists, spreadsheets and video tutorials.

They all recommend the following:

• Organization - Figure out what you need and create a comprehensive list of the necessities, including toiletries.
• Plan Ahead - Plan ahead how you will store your items so you know where you can keep your supplies and how you will keep them.
•  Proper Storage - Understand proper storage methods to maximize the longevity of your supplies.
• Begin Shopping Now - Chip away at your list little by little, building up your supply.
• Shop Smart - Use coupons and sales to help you accomplish your goals in an economical way.

Here at Modern Home, Modern Baby we will be featuring a series of posts on food storage that will provide tips and resources covering all you need to know in small bite sized articles so you can digest this process a bit easier – so be certain to come back for those tips in the coming days.

What are you most uncertain about regarding long term food storage?

Main Image: Suzba

2nd Image: author generated

That would be a direct sales company. But there’s a lot out there. And everyone knows about Avon, Partylite, Silpa, and Mary Kay … what if those aren’t you? What if you want something a little … different?

Check out these three companies that are different but fun and totally fall into the direct sale category.

Celadon Road: This company offers a line of eco-friendly products for the home and body. The cost to get started averages around $100 and the reported earnings per party (on average) is around $160. The products are not only green, they’re packaged super-cute so it’s easy to sell them as gifts as well. Plus, the company donates 1% of each consultant’s yearly sales to the charity of his/her choice.

The Clever Container Co.: What a concept! A home-based business that sells organizational products? If I didn’t already have something I loved doing, I suspect I would be all about this. The demand for organizational stuff is huge … and growing by the year, so I suspect there’s lots of potential here. The start-up costs run about $150 and consultants earn an average of $125 per party.

Initials, Inc.: Personalized products are another winner. People love to stamp their ownership on just about everything … this particular company caters to that need. Selling everything from home decor to accessories, Initials, Inc. takes customer feedback seriously and constantly changes their line-up according to customer demand. Start-up costs are roughly $140 and the average reported earnings (per party) coming in around $125.

Have you ever considered a direct sale business? Which one? Did you have any success?

photo credit: a small sampling of products from The Clever Container Co.

The ubiquitous zigzag is turning up on everything from chairs and pillows to lamps and table runners, and with good reason: it’s classic, it’s cool and it lends a perfect balance of chaos and order. Here, a little stroll through some of the cutest chevron-emblazoned items we’ve found of late:

Photo credits: Urban Outfitters (x3) and House Beautiful

For lots of us, that means delighting in all the beauty of the world around us — a pastime made even easier by sites like Pinterest and Etsy. And today, we’ve pulled together a host of adorable clocks from the fine folks just like us who have their own little online shops on the side. Get ready for some Etsy therapy!

First, there’s this aviary clock from Wall Decoration — a sweet parental story presented in black and white:

Next, from the same shop, check out this little guy for those who just can’t get enough of their Droid phones:

Since we’re rather literally riding the theme of “creature” comforts, so to speak, here’s a cute lime green elephant clock from LeLuni (who, by the way, also has roosters, rhinos and rabbits… oh my!) that would be equally charming in a kid’s room or a kitchen:

And up top, leading off today’s post is a polka dot creation from Shannybeebo. Of course, these are just a tiny sampling of everything that’s available out there, so with that, we’ll bid you a timely adieu. Happy shopping!

Photo credits: Shannybeebo, Wall Decoration (x2) and LeLuni

Whether it’s a bold, bright lemon or a subtle lemonade, any shade of yellow literally brightens the space it’s in and provides a sunnier outlook on things with its optimistic hue. When paired with black or grey, it even ascends to an unexpected level of sophistication.

Today, we’re inviting you to let the sun shine in a little and play around with this irrepressibly happy color.

Photo credits: More Love XOXO (first & last images in series), Deny Designs and B Design Interiors

It was all so very exciting.

In some families (like mine) this has gone on for several generations … first it was the marks of my dad on the doorframe … then followed all four of us kids … now it’s the grandchildren. Needless to say, the doorframe is getting pretty crowded.

I have a feeling that our generation will not have the same types of doorframes … and by that I mean, we tend to move around more than our grandparents did. So our growth charts really need to move with us.

Single Stone Studios makes adorable growth charts that are decals for the walls; just use a permanent marker to chart your child’s height. The version shown above is technically for boys, but could easily be used in a girl’s room as well. They also have cute trees with owls and birds on them.

Miss Natalie’s Heirloom Growth Chart has been a favorite of mine for quite some time—as evidenced by my glowing review over at Smart Mom Picks. The burlap ribbon can be tacked up anywhere you’d like; just write your child’s height and the date you measured on the provided tags and pin it to the burlap. When your child is done growing, fold it up and repackage it in the heirloom wooden box. Then tuck it away for the future when they have their own homes and families.

For those of you that are a little bit crafty and even more visual, try taking your kiddo’s photo at a certain milestone each year. We’ve done this with our oldest … taking her photo on the first day of school every year, complete with a sign to signify the grade and (as she has gotten older) a look of sheer exasperation at the thought of having to pose for the camera.

Martha Stewart (of course) actually has a ton of really great ideas on how to put together childhood milestones; definitely check it out.

photo credit: single stone studios

Even for those of us who never went away to school nor came from the United Kingdom or thereabouts, a good tartan carries a certain distinction, and when used sparingly, can be charming in its own perfectly-square sort of way.

We went off on a scholastic search of some of the most fetching plaid prints we could find, and the results were more sumptuous than we imagined they’d be. Starting with Burberry, of course, we wound our way through generations of yore and came up with a host of pillows, throws and other home accents that make a space look downright scholarly.

Add a pipe and some dusty old books and you’ve got yourself a proper study. Now, class, pay attention!

Photo credits: Burberry, Picciotto, Kohler Blog and Apartment Therapy

The book, published by Rizzoli and out this month, is also not one of those fussy, ‘that looks nice but it’ll never work in my home’ type of picture books. Well, except maybe the photo with the slide that delivers you from one floor of the house to the lower floor’s playroom. That’s not gonna work for me. I’d venture to say that’s not gonna work for most people. Oh, but if it could.

Incidentally, that is my older daughter’s favorite page!

The book includes 12 case studies – homes that have been designed with kids in mind. Like the slide. That’s definitely a kid centric house. But, like I said, not everything is outta reach.

In looking through the book, I am inspired to add more color into my girl’s room. We just bought a house (yea, finally!) and while we haven’t closed yet, haven’t moved in yet, I found this book to be an amazing jumping off point to dreamland. I cannot wait to get my hands on that house and a few cans of paint. Watch out hubster, we’re gonna be painting!

Of particular brilliance is a custom made bunk bed/storage system that I’d kill to have in our house. It’s so simple. So useful. So beautiful. The ladder up the left of the unit doubles as a deep book shelf. Amazing!

There are portions that deal with outside play areas as well. Inspiring, too, but these projects seem a little over my head. It’s not like I can just slosh around a few buckets of paint and call it a day. Still, interesting idea factory.

But, saving the best for last…the end of the book has one of the best, all purpose, a little high- a little low-brow crafting ideas. It’s not a crafting book, though, so nothing is complicated or needs too much in the way of directions.

Take, for instance, the box aquarium. Here’s the their information page – see how little you actually need to know. Of course, here’s our attempt which is slightly less lovely.

Professionals

Me and my DIY. Needs work, yes, but it’s still fun to play with my girls.

Also, I should mention, that my 2 year old keeps taking it off my bookshelf and putting it in her book bin. She has a little reading corner where she can ‘read’ her books and this is among her favorites. Seriously. I’m not exactly sure why.

For adults (he he) The Playful Home is great for thumbing through to get inspiration for having a house that is lived in without looking rumpled. You know that saying, ‘rode hard and put away wet’? I’m not certain but I think it has something to do with not properly taking care of a saddle, but oh how it fits so many scenarios (and sometimes people).

Some houses where children live look like that. But they don’t have to. Truth be told, though…I’d get this book for the fun projects in the back!

So, a big thanks from me to you, Rizzoli. Thanks for sending me the book so I could share it! You’re very thoughtful that way.

photo credit: Rizzoli for book cover; Modern Home Modern Baby for the rest

From walls to floors to accent pillows, a few stripes definitely never hurt anyone, and most of the time, they help provide a bit of definition to a room in need of some design discipline.

In case you’re not particularly steady-handed when it comes to painting, never fear: Graham & Verve offers a gorgeous striped wallpaper pattern from 2Modern (above), while Etsy’s full of temporary wall art stickers with all the vinyl stripes you can handle.

If the application of too much stiped goodness has you fearful of a jailhouse effect — both visually and psychologically — then small doses are a great way to integrate the classic pattern into your home without going too far.

Ana Candles offers a cute set of striped candles available at Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co., while West Elm carries sweet dot-and-stripe bowls and Kate Spade’s paper is simply awash in pastel stripes — one of Spade’s many favorite things.

Those willing to take the plunge but needing a smidge of guidance need look no further than straight down. Striped floors are easy to create when working with a wooden foundation that already provides guidelines naturally.

Any way you decide to earn your stripes, have fun doing it, and don’t worry too much about coloring outside the lines. After all, once we’re adults, rules are kind of made to be broken, aren’t they?

Photo credits: 2Modern, Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co, West Elm, Decor8 and House Beautiful

There’s just something sweet about a wall awash a in gritty black finish, with dusty white handwriting covering it to convey information. That’s why the author of this post in particular covered her home office wall in the stuff and wrote the first chapter of Judy Blume’s “Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” from ceiling to floor — it was the book that made her want to be a writer when she grew up, so what better point of inspiration than that to cover the wall in behind the very laptop on which these words are being typed?

Chalkboard paint is perfectly at home in the kitchen, as well — quite well-suited for keeping the week’s grocery list, jotting down recipe reminders and leaving messages of love and inside jokes to make family members smile as they pass through to grab something from the fridge.

Its application is simple (often not needing primer), and its effect is warm and inviting.

For those not willing to commit to an entire wall, there are, of course, lower-commitment alternatives like removable vinyl decals and small DIY projects like spice racks and herb gardens.

A smidge of nostalgia goes a long way, and as long as we’re not getting our names written on said chalkboard for misbehaving, it’s absolutely fine by us.

Photo credits: Houzz, author’s archive, Apartment 34 and Bright Nest

I want my kitchen to look like the pages of those magazines!! Not even just pretty, but organized!

One issue in my kitchen is that I have cooking magazines all over the place. Add to that the menu for the week scribbled on the back of an envelope (done while browsing the ads and clipping coupons) and you’ve got a whole lot of potential, but not a lot of organization. I also run into the problem where I’m constantly making the same stuff over and over.

Then I came across this menu board idea on Pinterest (my new favorite place to hang out; you should follow me!) … which then led me to this blog post at The Homes I Have Made *sigh*. I had planned to take Thursday off this week, but I might just be making myself a new magnetic menu board … isn’t this lovely?

And if you want to just skip making the thing but love the idea and just need one, you can purchase one of the fabulously color-coded menu boards right here from RobbyGurl’s Creations.

Ok, so the recipe thing is out of the way; what about everyone’s stuff? If I had an entryway, I would definitely do something like this with a bulletin board split into four sections … one for each of us. How great would it be to have everyone’s mail, schedules, school papers pinned up right under their names? And I also love the ideas that TipJunkie.com put together for family command centers.

So that leaves the refrigerator. Which, sadly, is a disaster. Partly because it’s not very big, and partly because there’s just not enough shelving. But I saw something similar to this system in the latest issue of O Magazine, and I was curious. It’s like instant extra shelving. Then I also came across this idea, over at Babble, for using bins in the freezer and I knew I was on to something.

It looks like my day off is going to be used for organizing my kitchen! Huzzah!

Now, if I can just figure out a system for my cupboards …

photo credit: robbygurlscreations