Show Mom some love for Mother’s Day!

Mother’s Day is this weekend, so there’s still a little time to do some last minute shopping for the hard working woman in your life. We have rounded up some thoughtful ideas for showing her just how much you appreciate all she does.

Flowers aren’t the most original Mother’s Day gift but placing them in a gorgeous vase like this one from a DC local Elodie Holmes of Liquid Light Glass, is sure to make a statement with this years presentation!

E. Holmes vase from Artglass.com

For moms that don’t have a green thumb of their own, how about some of these plantable paper flowers that will grow to fill her garden! No garden? No problem.  They’re great for an urban Mom too.  Make one – or a dozen – depending on how much room she has!

Plantable flowers from HowDoesShe.com

Food is love and it looks even better served on a colorful cake stand. We love these sweet 1950′s style cake stands from ShatterBoxx.  Toss a few cupcakes from CakeLove or Baked + Wired on top and Mom is sure to enjoy!

Cake Stands via Shatterboxx.com

Give the busy mom in your life something she probably has in short supply – Time. Fill a classic canvas tote like this one from Nest DC with everything she needs for a day in the District.

Already have your gifts purchased and just need a place to take your deserving mother? Check out our post in the Nestletter yesterday! If you would like to receive the weekly newsletter just shoot an email over to info@nest-dc.com.

Happy Mothers Day!

Margaritas + Mayhem! The Nest Guide to Cinco de Mayo….

 

 

 

It’s that time of the year again to take part in the celebrations, ceremonies and activities that make Cinco de Mayo so fun!! For those of you not subscribed to our nestletter, we wanted to share some insider tips and tricks for getting the most out of this years Cinco de Mayo festivities in the District…

If you have decided to forgo the crowds and have a in home fiesta with all your friends, here are a few tips to get your place party ready!

Cinco de Mayo is all about color and energy!! So why not grab some festive tablecloths, napkins, and plates. For a special, crafty touch, hand paint margarita glasses for each of one of your guests.  They  make a great party favor and will keep people thinking about reminiscing about your party!

On a budget? Why not turn it into a pot-luck and have each of your friends bring an authentic dish of choice! Think seven layer dips (like the one from The Girl Who Ate Everything above!) or an edible Mexican flag!  Definitely don’t forget the dessert.  These margarita cupcakes are not only adorable, they’re delicious too.  The frosting is made with tequila!  Festive, right?

If you consider yourself the chef of your crowd, ask your guests to take charge of beverages!  While margaritas and Mexican beer are a must, see if you can convince a friend to try their hand a a frozen version like these Corona Beer Popsicles or even ones of the margarita variety.  We can see these becoming a party must.

Of course its not a true Cinco de Mayo party with out some great music, awesome decorations, and a pinata!!  If you’ve got friends like mine, remember to move all breakable items from the area   Want to save some cash?  Break out the DIY gloves and create your own!

If those options aren’t enough for you then check out the Washington Post and Cloture Club guides to other events in and around the District!

Oh! If you’d like to be added to the weekly newsletter send us an email at info@nest-dc.com

 

 

 

Out with the Old & In with the Shoes

If you’re as tired of the same over-the-door shoe holder as we are, then you’re definitely looking for a chicer alternative for shoe storage. We did a little research, and rest assured, there are dozens of options for you to pack away your favorite pair of shoes!

We adore this closet’s built-in shelving, complete with custom slide out drawers for men’s sneakers and dress shoes. If you’re looking for organization like this unit, but don’t have the space to ad custom shelves in your closet there are plenty of other options for shoe storage!

IKEA to the rescue! This one-stop shop has a ton of options when it comes to chic storage, especially when it comes to shoes. This cabinet is every shoe owner’s dream! It also comes in several different styles. See here and here!

With so many options, you may just have to get more shoes!

Picture This!

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but not if that picture is in still stuck in your camera/phone! When you do your spring cleaning this season, add printing your pics to the top of your “To Do” list.

Hanging up your pictures is quick, easy, and super budget-friendly. Here are a few of our favorite ways to showcase your best photos!

When framing your photos, pick a theme that works with your room and go with it!

Frame a series of photos from your travels abroad, pictures of your pets, garden photos to get in the mood for warmer weather, or even (if you’re not quite so skilled with the camera) your favorite magazine covers!

If you’re feeling creative, check out this fabulous floating frame idea – it’s sure to make your pictures pop!

You can also cluster your photos into shapes to create cohesion amongst many photos that may not have a common theme.

Whatever way you do it, framing your photos and putting them on display with instantly give your room character. It’s an easy way to personalize a space, and show off what makes your life so special!

Re-Vamp your Vanity

If your bathroom is the one room in your house that’s looking a little dull these days, rest assured that a makeover for this room is only a weekend away! An easy DIY project that’s sure to give your bathroom a boost is to take a dresser or cabinet and turn it into a vanity!

Check out your local thrift stores or yard sales and pick out a dresser that you feel compliments your home. Once you have it, you can paint, stain, and design away! This project will only take a day or two, and has the potential to give your bathroom some extra flair!

For a full step-by-step guide on how to create your own vanity, check out this guide by the always creative HGTV!

Have you ever given a piece of furniture an entirely new function? We’d love to know about your experiences!

.

Get Organized… Fast!

In any city, space can be tight and storage can be limited, and this can only lead to one thing – clutter! No one likes it, but everyone has it. Unless of course you know how to organize! Here are a few super quick and easy ways to clear your clutter… with style!

Hanging up your pots and pans is a great way to clear out your cabinet space so it can be used for other kitchen needs!

Just because you may not have an entire room as a designated office space doesn’t mean you can’t have an office! Find a desk that has ample storage (drawers, built-in space for files) and then transform a corner of a room into a workspace that has all of your office needs in one place!

Clear up your bathroom space by installing units like these on your wall! They’re perfect for all those tubes of toothpaste, rolls of floss, combs, makeup, and more! This example (above) uses mason jars for storage, but if you’re looking for something a little simpler, check out these clear wall pockets!

Happy organizing!

Fireplace Flair

In the winter, many people like to cozy up around a fire, but lately the weather in D.C. has been so toasty that the idea of lighting a fire seems like a foreign concept!

Luckily, there are plenty of things you can do with your fireplace in the off season that keep your home looking cozy! (These ideas apply to non-working fireplaces too!)

Make your fireplace a space for your favorite plants! You can change up which plants you feature depending on the season.

.

This idea to use your fireplace as a bookshelf is just fabulous for book lovers! You can line the back of your shelves with peel-off wallpaper, and paint the shelves to match the rest of your decor!

.

Fireplaces can also be used as a display area for your favorite collection. Take vases, statuettes, and souvenirs from your travels and make them the focal point of the room!

.

Finally, using candles in your fireplace is an fun twist on the classic wood-burning fire. Half the mess and maintenance, candles are an easier way to give your room a radiant glow!

. 

Picture Credit: (1) Country Living, (2) Better Homes and Gardens, (3) Real Simple, (4) My Home Ideas

A Vote for Nest is a Vote for DC!

The Nest DC team made a video!

Take time to check out the world premiere of our video and then click the link below to VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!!

If you haven’t heard… there’s some friendly competition going on in the District, complements of the Washington City Paper’s anual “Best Of” readers poll. Nest DC has offered to give $5 to charity for every single vote we get this year! All you have to do is:

1) Click here and vote for Nest:

2) Email Emily at emily@nest-dc.com  and say I voted! (woohoo!)

3) Tell Emily in your email which of these charites you want YOUR $5 vote to go to!

- DC Public Libraries

- District Alliance for Safe Housing

- Girl Scouts of DC

- Washington Animal Rescue League

- Whitman Walker Health

- Casey Trees‘

Every vote counts, so tell your friends, your office, your family, and your neighbors! What are you waiting for? Get voting!

Nothing Says Love like Flowers

Flowers have always been a staple of Valentine’s Day, but this year there’s no need to wait until the actual holiday to have flowers in your home. There are a ton of easy, crafty, and super chic ways to bring fresh flowers into your space.

Spell out your love (literally) through these adorable mugs-turned-vases. Pick your favorite flowers and cut the stems fairly short, then mix and match the flowers together to create a lovely display. The mugs can be found at Anthropologie for only six dollars each! (They also carry these mugs which are similar but have a little extra flair!) This idea is the perfect table centerpiece because it allows for everyone to see and chat over the low-set flowers.

If you’re looking for another clever spin on the standard vase, check out this innovative idea from Martha Stewart. Simply take an empty, glass container you have around your house (try a wine bottle, mason jar, or olive oil bottle) and coat the inside of the bottle with an enamel paint that is dishwasher friendly. For the full set of instructions see here. This easy craft can be completed in no time at all, and is the perfect way to flaunt your flowers!

If you’re willing to invest an afternoon in your flower display, you’ll definitely want to take a look at this clever hanging vase from the fantastic Emily Schuman. Though it will take more time than the others, there’s no need to be intimidated by this project! (Use of power tools are minimal, we promise!) Plus, the effect is stunning. You can find the original post here; it’s sure to transform your flowers into a virtual piece of art.

Have a favorite way to decorate your home with fresh flowers? We’d love to hear! Leave your tips in the comments section below!

Vote, Vote, Vote!

Every year, the Washington City Paper publishes a “Best of D.C.” edition that features the best companies, restaurants, and stores that the District has to offer. Last year we were fortunate enough to come home the lucky winners of the title “D.C.’s Best Property Management Firm”, and we couldn’t have been more excited! Our loyal clients and friends helped us by voting for us, and we can’t even begin to explain what it’s meant to our growing business.

As blog readers, you have all been so fabulous these last few months, and we certainly do appreciate your comments, reposts, and visits to our blog more than we can say!  We would love it if you could take the time to vote for us again and make sure that we continue to do our jobs of providing excellent property management and design services throughout D.C. It would mean the world to us!