A lidded decorative box is a good looking way to stash your keys in an entry, hide remote controls on the coffee table, organize your jewelry and desk supplies, store reading glasses, coasters or loose photographs. You can also keep playing cards handy in one.
I have examples and sources for you. And there is more like what to watch on television and make for dinner. It’s Sunday Faves with Annie and Cindy.
The Many Uses For A Pretty Box With A Lid
There are so many uses, that even though you may not need to purchase more accessories, a decorative box can actually help you reduce clutter and disorganization.
Also, a decorative box can add a global, collected and unique feel to your decor. Here’s where I have found great decorative boxes.
Antique And Home Decor Stores
This is one of my favorite middle Eastern boxes.
I purchased it at an antique store near Santa Barbara. Can you imagine doing the intricate work on the inlay?
My friends gifted me this Chinese black lacquer box from a home store in Newport Beach for my birthday many years ago…and I have accessorized with it in many different places.
Flea Markets
I am always on the lookout for boxes at flea markets.
I bought that wicker oval box at the Alameda Flea market and lightly whitewashed it.
You may also like: 5 Great Things To Buy At Flea Markets For Your Home.
HomeGoods And Etsy
Over the years, I have found lots of good imported boxes like the ivory one above at HomeGoods. The marble tray is also from HomeGoods.
Target
These stacked faux shagreen boxes were from Target and are no longer available but these are similar.
Our son, Tommy gave us this set of boxed playing cards.
Makes a great gift…in fact, we might buy it for him for Christmas! Shhh.
Decorative Boxes For A Layered Look
Are you using decorative boxes for a touch of elegance?
A Delicious One-dish Recipe
This week, Howard made the pasta dish that I usually make but used rigatoni and added some chopped parsley before serving.
Sausage Spinach Fresh Tomato Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 lb uncooked chicken sausage links I used Trader Joes Sicilian, but you could use Sweet Italian or other sausage
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 shallot minced
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms, any kind I used crimini
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup grape tomatoes, chopped or cherry or Roma tomatoes
- 3-4 cups fresh spinach
- 3/4 lb penne pasta or other hearty pasta, cooked according to package
- 1/2 cup shaved parmesan cheese or grated
Instructions
- Boil water to cook pasta while preparing the other ingredients.
- Remove sausage from casings and brown in pan with one tbs. olive oil. When completely brown remove from pan and drain on paper towels.
- Add one tbs. olive oil to the pan and sautee chopped shallot and mushrooms until brown.
- Return sausage to the pan, pour in chicken broth. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add tomatoes, cooking for one minute. Add cooked pasta. Add fresh spinach cooking very briefly, just to wilt.
- Serve immediately including some of the broth, topped with a generous sprinkling of the shaved parmesan cheese.
EBY For Comfortable Lingerie
I had not worn this brand before but EBY gifted me a couple of bras and panties. I got the pearl bralette. It’s so comfortable and I can wear as a sports bra or under a tee-shirt (and will definitely wear it on the airplane to Europe) and the sheer briefs.
These briefs have thin elastic so they don’t ride up or bunch. I ordered more to refresh my drawer. I also really like light EBY support bralette and bought another.
It’s thin and there is no underwire. It evens out my chest where I had a mastectomy and reconstruction 30 years ago. Sorry for TMI but it’s a relief to feel good in tee-shirts.
What To Watch On Television: The Thursday Murder Club on Netflix
Last Sunday was a rainy day in Tampa, so while the husbands worked on their Fantasy Football draft, my friends and I watched The Thursday Murder Club. It’s fun and the interior apartment sets are layered and sophisticated to reflect the different characters’ styles.
Make sure to have cake ready to eat while watching it (you will see why). We all wished we had a piece or even a cupcake. Also, notice all the greenery used in the interiors to bring the “granny chic” to life.
“Four retirees spend their time solving cold case murders for fun, but their casual sleuthing takes a thrilling turn when they find themselves with a real whodunit on their hands.”
Let’s see what my friends recommend…
MA! I loved this movie … the apartments! I’m ready to move in. And I adored Helen Mirren’s wardrobe. You got me onto lidded boxes when you told me I needed one for TV removes. You were right. I love your collection. I also love this pasta … I mean I can tell I love it. And pinned and printed the recipe so I’ll know for sure this week. But we both know I’ll love it! Happy travels. xo
Your recipe looked so delicious that I had to make it for dinner tonight and it did not disappoint. My husband loved it too, so it’s a keeper. We watched The Thursday Murder Club last week and thought it was very good. I hope there will be a season 2. Enjoy your trip and time with your family. I will enjoy your posts and recap when you return home.
Bon Voyage!
Thanks, Annemarie. When my husband printed the recipe he forgot that he got it off of my blog. So it was great that it tasted as good as always.
Mary Ann! I have always loved the way you use boxes, and now I can’t live without them to hide our TV controls. Remember the pretty antiqued green box you gave me when I lived in New Canaan?
That sausage pasta recipe of yours is sooooo good! I love a one-dish meal!
I also love the EBY bras! It’s all I wear now. I have one black and one nude.
xx
Annie
You shared this delicious recipe a few years back, and it’s been in my rotation ever since. A really yummy and healthy pasta dish!
For years my husband used overflowing leather trays on our dresser to collect his “pocket flotsam.” I finally bought him one of the large green lidded boxes from Target that you featured. What a game changer! We may make it to 42 years of marriage!
Just had to comment with a Thank-you for the great post!
Will watch the Thursday Murder Club for sure. I’ve been in love with Pierce Brosnan since TV’s Remington Steele in the 80’s, and Bond in the 90’s, so seeing his greyish, distinguished, still handsome self is a plus for me! Also, Had never heard of EBY, and appreciate your “let’s be real” recommendation. I, too, am very uneven; my three breastfed kids each preferred the same one side over the other. I would have been more adamant about stopping that, if I’d known 30 years later this would be the result! 🙂
I’m crazy about boxes too. Have you seen the puffy horn box by Creative Coop on Amazon? I have it on my coffee table in our familyroom. It looks even better in person – handsome!
I was interested in your comment regarding your mastectomy. Have you written about it previously? I’m having a mastectomy Thursday. There is some new thinking that women don’t have to have mammograms after age 75. If I had followed that thinking, my cancer wouldn’t have been discovered. My surgeon says to tell all my friends to continue getting them. So I’m spreading the word.
Good luck, Virginia. I hope that someday this time you are having to deal with will be a distant memory. My cancer was caught by self examination and then the radiologist told me to definitely get it biopsied and I’m so glad I did.
Thanks for spreading the word. Do you mind if I quote you during breast cancer awareness month?
PS. Creative Co-op has lots of pretty boxes.
Mary Ann,
Feel free to quote me. We want to help all the women we can. Have a great time on your trip!
Last year I had my husband detour to Fernandina Beach on the way home from the GA/FL game. I popped into the plantation shop and bought 2 small tunbridge boxes from them. I have another from them that I purchased a few years ago too. They used to have a shop in Atlanta too. Target had blue shagreen boxes last year similar to the green ones
I’d like to go to that shop!
Hi Mary Ann,
Have a wonderful trip!! I am going to look for a box now for the table that sounds like a winner. I wish there was a company that specialized in bras for women who have uneven breasts due to breast cancer and surgery. I certainly could use more support and I hate looking and feeling uneven.Happy US Open day!
I have always admired the oval wicker box on your coffee table. Could you please tell me how you whitewashed it? Thank you
I just used a little white wall paint mixed with some water…brushed it on and rubbed it off. It was an experiment 🙂
Yes yes and yes to The Thursday Murder Club! We watched it just last night and it was wonderful. A friend gave me one of the books in the series when I was going through a dark patch, and it lifted my spirits so much. Was thrilled to see this movie on offer when we dialed up Netflix last night.
I, too, find covered decorative boxes to be unmatched for containing clutter or memories. One of mine holds theatre playbills and concert programs for safekeeping.
Love the referral for swinging daybed cushions. Am in desperate need. Their prices seem very fair.
Happy traveling!
Sheryl
PatioLane is great, Sheryl!
Good Morning
Dreary Sunday weather. But fun post to read.
I had a double mastectomy 20 years ago. Always a challenge on the bras.
Another question: on the black Sezane Pippa dress are you keeping it maxi or shortening? Im same height.
It’d be great for your trip.
I kept it long, Judy. But I think shortening it might be a good idea as now I have to wear a bit of a heel/wedge.
How nice that your sister will stay with Chief while you are away. Hope she doesn’t spoil him too much ☺️ I’ve been a box collector for a long while and I will pay good money for a quality top-hinged box. I love the old stackable hat boxes too. I use them to store my scarfs, seasonal hats, gloves, socks, belts, etc. they look pretty on the top shelf in my closet. They work great in a guest room as well for guests to keep their odd items out of site. Your post’s always inspire and your vacations are like ministrations for me 😋
Wow, Bess. I love all your great ideas. Must be hard to find vintage hat boxes…maybe Etsy? I would love to see photos of your boxes!
Boxes intended to hold playing cards – I thrifted one that was probably for bridge – are just the right size to hold flameless candle remotes. And even some of their batteries. .
Good to know. The ivory box on our coffee table is doing just that! And the little remote to the string lights in the backyard.
Good morning! I too have an uneven chest due to a double mastectomy and bras that work and are comfortable have been difficult to find. I’ll give this EBY a whirl.
My husband and I LOVED the Thursday Murder Club. The Brits sure know their stuff when it comes to combining fun and murder.
Your recipe sounds tasty and pretty healthy too.
Have fun on your trip.
Bon Voyage!
I hope it works for you, Cristi. I got mediums and they are a little small but not tight. I might try a large to see the fit.