A fun find from IKEA

Along the topic of magnetism, I want to show you a nifty IKEA contraption:

When it comes to a kitchen, you want a space to fit your cooking needs. We are in the process of creating such a space. Jacob and I cook quite a bit--as such, we have several "go-to" spices we seem to use pretty frequently (like basil, oregano or cayenne pepper)..but there are those spices we only use on occasion (like cumin or cardamom). 

So when it came time to register for our wedding gifts last year, we decided that the standard spice rack was not for us. Instead, I stumbled across this ingenious IKEA idea:

Combine a Grundtal magnetic knife rack with Grundtal magnetic containers. 

Grundtal knife rack...only $8.99

Grundtal containers...a set of three only $4.99

Result? A pretty awesome (and oh so versatile) magnetic spice rack.  We made two, one for baking spices and another for general cooking spices. See here:

Our most-used cooking spices and seasonings

Our baking spices...made more convenient right above my KitchenAid mixer

Not only are they convenient and easy-to-use, but they make an artful addition to any kitchen wall

So pretty! And no more questioning whether you are out of your spices.

Not only are these containers good for spices, but they can be used for non-edibles as well. In my workspace, I have a set of three on a magnet board holding rubber bands, push pins and paper clips. How would you use them?

Secrets of a 60-year-old house

Lately, I have been spending a healthy amount of time in our third bedroom--transforming it into my very own workspace. Kind of like (Dwight's) Shrute Space. Well--kind of. Not so officious.

Anyway, I have always wanted my own space like this where all of my random hobbies, knick knacks and interests could converge into a single space. An organized mish mash of sorts.

A dear friend of mine (Amy!) had the first embodiment of such a room--her space is tuly a mecca. The first time I saw it, I had to spend a good minute or two standing in the doorway simply taking it all in. LOVE!

My room is far from done (once it is, I will do a post on it and share some of the highlights...like my ribbon rack and wrapping paper stand), but in the mean time, I wanted to share "my favorite feature" of the room: the magnetic closet doors.

Yes, you read that right...magnetic! These originals are a tad unsightly and anything but useful (why house builders back in the 1950s ever thought sliding closet doors were ingenius, I will never understand). I initially wanted to rip them off and replace them with a fun patterned curtain from IKEA. But once I realized their worth (magnetism!), I just couldn't do it.

At the moment, the closet door is housing my 2010 tax paperwork, some coupons and a wall calendar. Not to mention some pretty snazzy magnets from my once-awesome magnet collection. Who knows what it will hold next?!

ALSO: Upon further investigation into the only other sliding closet doors in the house (front hallway), I have learned that they too are magnetic! What the what?! So exciting.