Greeting Card Binder

I love saving special greeting cards - especially ones between my husband and I.  So over the past few years I have been looking for a simpler way to store cards that I wanted to save.  I wanted to have them in some sort of book form to flip through (versus just keeping them in a box) but was having trouble finding an easier way.

In years past I have scrapbooked them but the process has been too tedious for me to keep up with.  While discussing this and getting ideas from a sweet blog reader over Instagram, I recently came up with a new solution!  A greeting card binder!

I found these mini binders at Target that are just the right size to fit most regular sized greeting cards.  Then using Duck tape style washi tape (think heavy and more durable so they won't tear - the glitter ones also work well) I created strips to tape onto the cards.  Then using a hole punch, I made holes in the washi tape. 

Each binder comfortably fits about 15-20 cards.

Taping all the cards up front does take some time but I figured it would be a much easier task to manage once caught up.  Now every time I have cards to save, I just have to tape up and hole punch a few leaving one less stack of something on my desk!  

Plus an excuse to buy these inexpensive tiny binders is fun!  I tried to pick out patterns that would match well sitting on a book shelf with our existing decor.

I am also thinking this might be a fun way to keep and store Christmas photo cards.  I have been using a ring which is fun to flip through but the idea of having them contained in a binder (especially with a little one around) sounds a bit more appealing.  

Well, one less memory keeping item off of my to do list!  Now if only I could catch up on my photobooks!

My Favorite Chocolate Chip Granola Bar Recipe

I have been making these chocolate chip granola bars for a couple of years now and they are so good!  It is a nice compromise - it satisfies my sweet tooth while being fairly healthy.

It is definitely more of a treat (when I need sustenance, I am all about the Luna Bar!).  But one that I can indulge in without feeling too bad about it later.

The other bonus is that I usually have all of the ingredients I need for these on hand which makes them super easy to whip up on a cravings notice.  Basically you throw all the ingredients into a pot on the stove and let the oatmeal slowly cook.  Add a few more ingredients and then pour it into a pan to cool.  It is simple.  But so rewarding. 

Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup coconut oil
1-1/2 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup rice krispy cereal
1/4 cup coconut
1/4 cup chocolate chips

Melt peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil in a medium saucepan on medium heat.  Once melted through add rolled oats.

Cook and stir the oats for about two minutes.

Remove from heat and stir in the cereal and coconut.  Let the mixture cool and then stir in chocolate chips (not a big deal if the chocolate chips melt).

Pour into a pan and refrigerate.

Once refrigerated you can cut into bars.  Keep stored in the refrigerator.

The bars can be brought to room temperature but they do tend to crumble easier.  But either way, still delicious!

Kitchen Organization: Concealing Everyday Items

Lately I have been trying to conceal everyday items around the house with pretty vessels.  Today I wanted to share a few ways I am keeping myself organized in the kitchen while keeping the everyday space cute and clutter free.

We have been blessed with extra storage space in the kitchen of our current house which has allowed me to keep my Keurig pods and tea in drawers near my coffee station.  While in our last home I loved organizing all my hot drink essentials in a basket, it has been so nice to have everything so easily accessible.

I downsized our tea collection down to only my favorites.  I even purchased these small Harney and Sons Tea travel tins to hold mesh tea bags (that came in a larger tin that wouldn't fit in the drawer).

Nearby I use a large white container for sweetener and two small ones for my vitamins.

I found that I would forget to take my vitamins if they weren't sitting out.  So after getting tired of looking at boring vitamin bottles, I finally decided to conceal them in a prettier place!  Multi-vitamin and magnesium daily for me!

Across from the kitchen is our dining room where I have this wood shelf that holds mostly serving pieces.  I don't use some of these items very often so it serves mostly as display that doubles as storage. 

The shelf is right next to our dining table where our son's high chair sits at the end of the table.  I have hidden his baby plates and utensils close by.  The utensils are hiding in the blue and white jar.

 

And his dishes are stored in large serving bowls.  

With a little creativity and a bunch of pretty vessels, the everyday is no longer so boring.  By surrounding myself with lovely ways to use ordinary things, the day to day is just a little more brighter!

// I would love to know how you conceal boring everyday items!  Feel free to share!