DIY: Golden Birthday Box

It’s a little bit hard to believe, but three years ago today I published my first blog post on Olio in Iowa…

I’ve found that most people fall into one of two holiday gift-giving camps—either you’ve had the perfect gifts for everyone on your list since mid-October or it’s a week before Christmas and you’re still scrambling to find that special something. While the latter occasionally applies to me, I hate feeling like I’m rushing to get my holiday shopping done…

I’m always on the lookout for good, creative gift ideas – especially in the months leading up to the majority of my friends’ birthdays. So when a neighbor gifted me an adorable decorated mug filled with goodies awhile back, I knew this DIY would be the perfect birthday surprise for a good friend…

Anyone who knows me well knows that there aren’t many things in this world that I love more than coffee. While I usually drink my coffee black I also love trying uniquely flavored lattes and…

Lately I’m in full DIY mode—especially considering Des Moines had its firs substantial snowfall of the year on Sunday—and there’s no better time for lots of crafting than around the holidays. I absolutely love the idea of these photo coasters for a holiday gift—they’re wonderfully customizable and extremely affordable…

Now that I’ve had a little bit of free time, I’m finally getting around to some of the craft projects I’ve been wanting to do since this summer. Once I finished my finals I spent…

Even after about nine months in my apartment, I’m still figuring out the best places for things and how to style my space. While I still haven’t decided on a whether or not I want a headboard (today I’m leaning toward yes), I recently found an easy—and crazy inexpensive—DIY to spruce up the blank wall above my dresser…

I’ve been wanting to try infusing vodka for awhile now, so what better time to do so then during the height of the holiday season.

This year, my third grade self would be delighted by the news that jean jackets are finally back in style. When I was an 8 year-old, I had a pretty fabulous embroidered denim number that I wore just about everywhere regardless of the season…

As much as I love comfy clothes, I’ve never been much of a sweatshirt-wearer—other than around my apartment on lazy Saturdays. But when I started seeing embellished and bedazzled sweatshirts popping up everywhere, I knew this was a style I could get behind. Comfy and polished? Say no more…

I’m a sucker for adorable kitchen utensils and other little tchotchkes. Combine this with my knack for organization, and this DIY is a match made in heaven. These tiny metal containers are perfect for holding miscellaneous spices, teas, and other kitchen knick-knacks…

It’s no secret that I absolutely love cheese. At any given time there’s likely at least four different varieties of cheese in my fridge. So naturally, a fancy cheese platter like this one has always been on my apartment wish list. Unfortunately I can’t justify spending that much money on something so unnecessary – so I decided to make a cheaper version myself…

When I was younger my preferred means of written communication was using my mom’s old Olivetti typewriter. Now that I’m older—and have focused my attention toward my Macbook instead—I’ve started to miss the click-clack of the Olivetti a little bit…

Along with it being the first Friday of 2015, it’s also my 24th birthday. And while I don’t have anything too exciting planned in the way of celebrations, I’m really lucky to be surrounded by people who endlessly support me, go out of their way for me and continuously make me laugh…

I’m a big fan of bulletin boards–I love hanging photos, notes or scribblings on random pieces of paper on the walls for inspiration. That being said, I also love experimenting with new options for displaying these types of momentos. When I stumbled across this idea for a clothespin photo board (sans instructions), I knew it was the perfect project for a slow Friday afternoon…