Thursday Things: Storage Solutions, Shopping Finds, and Summer Treats

Here are this week’s Thursday Things:

1. I’m hunting for a freestanding storage unit for my living/family room to hold dishes, books, knick‑knacks, and miscellaneous items. Between a stand mixer, a Vita‑Mix, and enough small plates that I could open a tiny thrift shop, my kitchen storage is completely full.

Right now my books and cookbooks are boxed up and scattered around the house because I don’t have proper shelving or a consolidated storage spot. I need an attractive, functional solution that fits the living room aesthetic while offering real organization.

2. I like the look of a unit that mixes open shelving, glass doors, and solid doors for a balanced display-and-hide approach. One example I admired online had that combination and felt elegant and practical for mixed storage of dishes and decor.

I’ve had great luck with modular systems before—the Trofast line from Ikea worked wonders in Skylar’s room—so I’ll probably poke around Ikea’s options. The downside: I fall down research rabbit holes and end up overwhelmed by choices. Sometimes it’s easier to buy a ready-made unit, but I also enjoy the thrill of planning a custom layout.

3. I hit a sale at Anthropologie last week and scored a few small items. Sales don’t always translate into bargain prices—tiny bowls were still pricey and plates remained on the expensive side—but anything off full price feels good.

4. I picked up a handful of little plates—half were on sale, half were not. The pieces I really wanted rarely ended up being the marked-down ones, which is always a funny twist of fate.

5. More storage equals more capacity to shop, right? That’s my logic anyway. If you see an attractive storage solution, please share—I might need borrowing privileges on a credit card while I decide.

6. I’ve been intrigued by a concept called Bloody Mary Tomatoes as an edible take on the classic cocktail. I love Bloody Mary flavors—savory, spicy, and a little tangy—though I try to be mindful of sodium. For anyone who enjoys bold, spicy bites, this is an idea worth trying.

7. Popsicle makers are trending gadgets: some promise quick pop creation in as little as ten minutes after you pre-freeze a base. You don’t need a specialized device to make popsicles—you can freeze mixtures in molds or use simple trays—but I’m fond of quirky kitchen tools as long as they’re affordable.

8. I ended up getting inexpensive popsicle molds for about $4.99 and they’ve worked beautifully. They’re a reminder that you don’t always need an expensive gadget to get great results. I’ll be sharing recipes for popsicles and other frozen treats soon, hopefully while summer is still here.

9. My Mango Banana Vanilla Soft‑Serve (vegan, gluten‑free) is far more fun when eaten push‑up style from molds than scooped from a blender. Serving format makes a big difference in presentation and enjoyment—molds are perfect for sharing and for photographing if you’re into that.

10. I’m smitten with old‑fashioned striped paper straws and sweet party supplies—so many adorable liners and baking accessories. Those little details make hosting and gifting more charming, and they often inspire me to bake more cupcakes than necessary.

What are your Thursday Things?

Share anything you’ve made, tried, seen, or bought recently that felt fabulous. If you have favorite kitchenware shops, storage systems, or cute cupcake liners, please tell me—I’m always collecting ideas.

I’d love storage recommendations that feel stylish enough for a living room: not oversized plastic bins, but pieces that balance affordability, good design, and real functionality. If you’ve found a solution that looks great in a shared living space while keeping clutter organized, link it up or describe it below.

Have a great (almost) long weekend!