The Best Rope Baskets for Your Home + Weekend Picks

February 19, 2016Spring, Interiors, Home Blog Posts, Fashion, Fave PicksAnneke McConnell

Thank you so much for your awesome response to my last post on the new Bookshelf Styling Class by my friend Heather! You are in for a treat because she is a trained teacher AND designer. If you haven't signed up yet, do it now before the price goes up March 1st! See the details HERE.

Onto today's topic of baskets!

Beautiful rope baskets (well, baskets in general) are one thing that are a versatile MUST in any home. They corral toys, blankets, and can act as a container for plants like one of my fave, the fiddle fig leaf.

Transitional Living Room by Vancouver Interior Designers & Decorators Enviable Designs Inc.

Now, if there are two things I really love to do, it's research things to death (nerd alert!) and bring it all together in one place. When it comes to finding the most unique rope baskets, my first suggestion would be to go to ETSY and search "rope baskets". You will find beautiful handmade pieces and be supporting a small business owner, often for a more affordable price to you! Win win!

Here are a few of my favorites I found:

As for other rope baskets around the internet, there are many, but below are my favorites for a coastal casual style. I found Joss and Main to have the same items as other retailers but generally for about $20 less. It's a free membership site, but I've heard many say they don't want to join sites like this. Trust me, they are worth it and have tremendous savings on their flash sales!

Other sites that I found to be the best were Wayfair, Amazon, Nordstrom, and Target.

By FAR, I think my favorite rope basket is this one by Colonial Mills. You can find it in a variety of places, but Wayfair has it available in 10 different color combinations!

Large Striped Rope Basket for Storage

This rope basket is similar, but a little more expensive. I love the two tone look though and it comes in 4 color combinations.

Turquoise and White Striped Rope Basket for Storage

Here is a cute one on a smaller scale (with other size and color options), that's affordable and perfect for putting magazines, books or plants in. Sometimes a smaller size is needed for things like match box cars and such. ;-)

Small Two Tone Knit Basket for Storage

What do you think? Are you a storage basket loving person like myself? What do you use them for? I'd love to hear more in the comments!

Also, as we head into the weekend, there are so many new items arriving for Spring! Here are a few things that have caught my eye lately. The pretty Spring sandals are my favorite!

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enjoy the view!

xo,

Anneke

Let's Connect!

NOW ON PERISCOPE! @ANNEKEMCCONNELL

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Want to start a blog? Get me FREE Blogging Ebook to learn more: www.BloggingForBiz.com

Bookcase Styling Made Simple

February 17, 2016Coastal Interiors, Home Blog Posts, Interiors, Styling TipsAnneke McConnell

I have to admit, up until recently I was the person who avoided open bookcases at all costs. They often end up looking messy and cluttered, so I just personally assume to go with a cabinet that has doors to "hide the mess" of it all.

Sounds familiar? Now that I've been "schooled" in how to decorate a bookshelf, I'm excited to pass along some ideas to you as well so you can style your bookshelf with confidence!

This gorgeous bookcase above was styled by my friend Heather from The Decor Fix. To me, bookshelves are one of the trickiest areas in your home.....you need them to function, but you also want them to add to the style of the room. Plus, a well styled bookshelf can have such an impact. Case in point above!

Heather has created the most fantastic bookshelf styling class that even as a design lover, I learned so much from her and am happy to share her class with you. It's the perfect mix of knowledge and action without any amount of overwhelm. #mykindofclass

Bookshelf Styling Class

After years working as a designer, Heather developed a tried-and-true method for bookshelf styling that works with any decorating style. For myself, this includes a lot of white coral, seashells, framed photos of family, and of course books upon books!

When you sign up for the class (discounted through February!), you get immediate access to 90 minutes of videos as well as handy templates and cheat sheets to help you style your space.

Heather will guide you through how to use the existing items in your home, shop smart, and style with an overall plan in place. (No more guesswork and constant rearranging) #yesplease

Heather acts like your personal decor coach as she teaches you the "whys and hows" of styling, so if you have ever felt overwhelmed by styling, this class is for you.

While Heather goes into the full breakdown, here are some tips that have helped me over the years.

1. Less is More.

Bookshelves definitely start to look cluttered when there is too much going on. Avoid jam-packing the thing to the brim and purge unnecessary items. Ask yourself, "Do I really need this book I've been meaning to read for 3 years?' Yup.....I just went there. (only because I've been there)

2. Consider A Different Bookshelf.

I've been in that position where we had a home full of hand-me-downs and they honestly just didn't fit the space properly. Before you say, "But I don't have the money to buy something new!" Wait! If that's the case, don't stress about it. Heather will help you out! If you are able to sell what you currently own and buy a new or used bookshelf that fits your home and needs better, go for it!

I'm also working on more tips for painting furniture if that's more of your need. Details HERE.

3. Shop Your Home.

You'd be surprised what can make a bookshelf finally "work". Look around your home for decor items that can be pulled together to create a functional bookshelf that is also your kind of style.

source

source

source

Bookshelf styling class info.

source

Bookshelf Styling Class Info.

source

If you're looking for some decor ideas:

- One Kings Lane has beautiful options for book ends!

- Minted has endless, affordable options for art.

- Wayfair is my go to for all things baskets and organization.

- Amazon is where I find some pretty cool picture frames like this square brushed gold one << LOVE THIS!

- Of course check out your local shops, etsy, thrift stores, and own home!

It's honestly a gift to yourself to have a home you can LIVE in, instead of one you constantly feel like "you're working on". If you're struggling with styling your bookshelves in a way that works for your life, Heather is going to save you so much time and frustration.

It may seem like a simple thing, but time and time again, it proves challenging.

I invite you to check out Heather's class and see for yourself! Click the button below to watch her video and learn more.

Learn More

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to enjoy the view!

xo,

Anneke

Let's Connect!

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalinteriors

Black Classic Casual Look

February 16, 2016Fashion Blog Posts, Handbags, Winter FashionAnneke McConnell

Well we're smack dab in the middle of mid-winter break here on the homefront, and I have to admit the gray Seattle weather is getting to me this year. Talk about blah! I'm ready for sunshine.

Before I move ahead though, I wanted to share this classic casual look with you since many winter items are marked as clearance right now. This double breasted peacoat is a fave and is currently under $30 in 4 colors. #score

SHOP THE POST

CURRENT FAVE FINDS

Have a wonderful day and don't forget to enjoy the view!

Photography by Kayla J Photography

xo,

Anneke

Let's Connect!

NOW ON PERISCOPE! @ANNEKEMCCONNELL

Follow along on Facebook

Follow along on instagram at:

@a nnekemcconnell

@coastalcollectivestyle

@coastalinteriors

Want to start a blog? Get me FREE Blogging Ebook to learn more: www.BloggingForBiz.com

Blog Talk: Blogging Habits to Save You Time and Make You Money

February 15, 2016Blogging, Business Development, How to BlogAnneke McConnell

Welcome to another Blog Talk post! When teaching people what I've learned over the years about blogging and how to start a blog successfully, they usually fall into two spectrums.

The first person is the semi-established blogger (or aspiring blogger) with an imbalance of time involved blogging in relation to them making money (i.e. blogging more doesn't equal making more, being more helpful, or creating a healthy community).

The second person is the business owner who want to incorporate blogging into their business, but they just don't have the time. Trust me, I understand!

Before diving into these habits, I'd like to give you my blogging ebook for free.

Free Ebook

Ok, so what habits can you incorporate into your blog and business so that blogging makes sense?

1. MORE content doesn't mean BETTER results.

At some point, you have to ask yourself, "What the heck's the point?" I used to be that blogger that blogged and blogged and blogged and stayed up until 2am and had laundry everywhere and was seriously so stressed out. It was a little out of control. Worse than that, I wasn't really getting paid much of anything from my blog and my blog wasn't assisting my goals as a small business. I wasn't being smart about my content.

Focus about 80% of your content on what your audience really needs or wants from you, and then create something that is useful, entertaining, practical, a lesson learned, etc. These kind of blog posts will be 10x more impactful than those that are not.

And YES, this looks different for every niche! Parenting, Crafts, photography, fashion blogging, selling essential oils, and those with a small business in the health, wellness, and food industries.

Now with that said, of course you may throw in small posts here or there like my previous post on some great home decor and fashion deals this last weekend. I am a design and style blogger, so part of my job is to help save people the time it takes to find these items (and save them money!).

Basically, some posts are more practical and to the point than in depth like a "How To" or "Tutorial". Don't blog more for the sake of blogging. Spend less time creating posts of Quality.

2. Schedule Your Blog Posts.

You are going to go through seasons of life where you don't want anything to do with your blog, business, computers or technology. I'm a HUGE believer in stepping away for extended periods of time and avoiding the dread "content fatigue" that many online content creators experience.

Instead of posting 3-5 days per week, give yourself to slow down a bit, create the same posts, and schedule them out a little bit farther apart to give yourself some breathing room. If you are a business owner, even 2-4 quality blog posts per month can be huge to your bottom line!

So now that you are scheduling your posts, when you want to take that week long vacation, you can actually relax and not worry about creating 5 posts the night before you have to leave (which probably don't meet the criteria in my first suggested habit)! Scheduling and thinking ahead gives you permission to have a day off and get out of "survival mode".

3. Hire Some Help.

Consider point #2, this is huge. It's also a touchy subject for quite a number of many bloggers and business owners, but the potential impact is HUGE. Some thoughts that may be going through your head.

"But they can't do it like I do!"

"There's no way I can afford that."

"I don't have time to train someone."

Listen......I've been there. But I wouldn't be where I am today if I tried to do EVERYTHING by myself. I wouldn't have an ebook, graphics, high quality photos, an online class, and the reach I do on social media if I did it all myself. There just aren't enough hours!

Going solo works for a little while, but eventually you reach a breaking point.

Eventually you start to miss your family, a clean home (hire that out!), sleep, a balanced way of life and you're not quite sure how to have fun without "working on your blog or business".

Eventually you want to go on vacation, and actually have it be a vacation......knowing your business is taken care of and you don't look like you dropped off the online map.

A great resource for this is Upwork, which is a site to connect you to freelancers. This kind of platform is a life-saver and a safe way to hire or be hired for work.

Give it a try and maybe start with a temporary job with the potential for more work in the future OR hire people for single jobs like editing photos, improving your SEO (search engine optimization), or social media promotions. Take a look and browse around and soon enough you'll see the power of outsourcing or hiring for some help!

That's it for now!