Inspiration Thursday: Storage Ideas for Small Kitchens

I have a small kitchen...and it's driving me insane.

Note: this is not my real kitchen but you can find this one here

It's so small in fact, that I have to store many of my kitchen items in very random places. For example, my rice cooker, croc pot, and cake decorating supplies are hidden in a little cabinet in my living room. I also have kitchen items in my coat closet and hallway niche. 

It would really be so nice if my husband and I could do a little kitchen remodel, but seeing as we are currently in a rental (and couldn't afford any big changes anyways) I have been looking for some great kitchen storage inspiration. 

I came across so many great ideas during my search, but many of them were ideas that could not be easily removed, and seeing how we are renting and don't know how long until we move, I needed storage ideas that I could take with me or were inexpensive fixes.

Here are a few of my favorite kitchen storage ideas along with a few helpful tips...

1. Labeling - no matter how small the space, things always stay more neat and tidy when they have a designated home. Labeling can help you and your family stay more organized.

2. Hanging Storage - Get things off of the counter and hang them on the wall, especially your more appealing pots, pans, and kitchen utensils. This not only gives you more work space, it also makes it easier to grab items that you use frequently.

3. Unexpected storage - Use the inside of cabinets and doors to your advantage. Peg boards are a great inexpensive solution for added storage.

4. Removable furniture - If you can't change your existing kitchen, bring in an armoire to give you extra storage space. Plus this is an investment that you can take with you and can serve various storage needs.

Do you have any tricks you use in your own kitchen to save space? 

Photo Credit: Photos 1-4 are credited to bhg. 

Strawberry Poppy-Seed Salad

I realize today is "Something Sweet Wednesday," and a salad doesn't seem to fall in that category. But, I just had to share my favorite summer salad recipe with you! Plus, this salad is definitely on the sweeter side.

Summer salads are something I truly enjoy... but for some reason don't get around to making as often as I should. I think its because I hate getting ambitious about making lots of recipes that require more produce then I'm use to...many times I forget what I've bought and then days (maybe even weeks) later, I find all of those yummy fruits and veggies stuffed in the back of the fridge looking a little inedible.

I don't mean to sound lazy, but I didn't put together a step by step tutorial this time around. I thought about it and then decided all I would be doing is dumping a few ingredients into a bowl and adding dressing (no need for photographed instructions). Plus, my husband likes to make fun of how detailed my tutorial shots get sometimes because he thinks most of the instruction are self explanatory...like taking shots of pouring chocolate chips to my cookie batter. I like to remind him that sometimes its just fun to take the picture & if it looks cool I'm proud to post it!

So, what are some of your favorite summer salad recipes? Or do you have a certain meal that you make frequently when the weather is too hot for cooking?...I would love some ideas!

Click below to get my very simple recipe! and don't forget about my GIVEAWAY!

DIY Tuesday: Throw Pillow with Zipper

I have been meaning to purchase some new throw pillows for our bedroom and living room sectional. I found a few that I really liked online (I live in a fairly small town so most of my shopping is done online), but I wasn't quite willing to pay $30.00 for a pillow. Plus, I need about 6 new pillows total, which would cost me just under $200...which seems a little outrageous for pillows when I would rather spend my budget on more important things.

After reading a few tutorials and watching a couple of You-Tube videos I figured out that making my own zippered pillow covers was really not that difficult and would save me lots of $$$!

I didn't use any special tools or materials to make this pillow case and like I have said before... I am NOT a sewer! I think this throw pillow makes a grand total of 3 things that I have sewn in my entire life. So, if I can do it, you can too!

Click below to get my full tutorial and don't forget about the Giveaway I posted yesterday!

A Giveaway . . . from HeyYoYo!

Amanda from HeyYoYo has kindly offered to giveaway one of her most popular products....

 *75 of these teal party straws!*

If you haven't heard of HeyYoYo before here's the scoop...

Amanda from HeyYoYo earned her diploma from The Culinary Institute of America in pastry, but developed her love of all things crafty while working for Martha Stewart Television as a recipe developer. HeyYoYo sells a variety of party products like baking supplies, novelties, decorative bags, & much more!

*To try and win a set of  75 of these adorable aqua straws, follow these instructions carefully...

1st. Visit HeyYoYo and browse through Amanda's lovely party products.
2nd. Become a follower right here, on StrawberryChic
3rd. Leave a comment telling me what you plan to do with these straws. For example...use in a favorite party beverage, make them into mustache holders, or make some belated sparkler straws!

The Giveaway will end THIS SATURDAY the 16th and the winner will be announced next Monday the 18th.

Plus...

For an additional entry go to my Facebook page and "like" StrawberryChic.

Happy Friday!

With summer here I've been thinking about some of my favorite summer past times and wishing I could relive some of those precious moments. 

Last year my husband and I decided to venture out to our small tiny county fair one evening. Although we weren't adventurous enough to try out the rides, we had fun enjoying the scenery with our little guy, visiting the petting zoo, and of course consuming an Elephant Ear...yum! 

Do you have a favorite summer past time?