#1: THROW OUT THE DISH SOAP!

I’m funny about dish soap.  It’s necessary… but can’t it be pretty too?

YES!  There are inexpensive and easy ways to dress up your kitchen, for starters… get rid of the plastic bottle of Dawn or Joy!  Cool bottles are everywhere!  Mine was a Pinot Grigio, bottle shaped like a fish… from none other than the local Walmart a few years ago.  Every time I get new flavor of dish soap the color is new and fresh.  Even a simple silhouette like this Sofia Coppola bottle or this 3-some from Ikea are gorgeous!  All you need is one of these to make it work.

#2: CLEAN OFF YOUR DESK! (pot callin’ the kettle black)

I need about 100 of these.  Also great for jewelry!!!  Love the lining!

#3: REUPHOLSTER YOUR DINING CHAIRS!

All you need is a staple gun and a 1/2 yard of fabric… these are knock offs inspired by pretty pricey designer fabrics… these versions sell for less than $10 a yard here. 

#4: ORGANIZE YOUR JEWELS

Everyone deserves to display their jewels.  Okay, so these are $6 over budget, but that’s okay, they’re worth it!!  Urban Outfitters never ceases to amaze me.

#5: INDULGE YOUR NAPKINS

No need to iron your linen hemstitch napkins after each wash, just roll ‘em up in this bird!  Your guests will be so distracted (hopefully not looking for bird-poop) but rather by their charm – they’ll never notice a wrinkle or two!  I just love birds.  We had one that looked just like that stuck inside our screened in porch last night.  We finally caught him and set him free. I should buy a set of these to commemorate the experience.