5 of our Favorite Things on our Bookshelves Right Now
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Welcome to a space where memories and decor intertwine — a reflection of the love and stories that shape our lives and, in turn, our home. We have curated these beautiful, thrifted bookshelves so that they would stand as silent storytellers in our new bedroom. From regal crowns symbolizing our union, to whimsical Disney memorabilia echoing our joyous adventures, each item on these shelves is a line from our own story. Although weʻre still settling into our new space, let’s dive into our intimate collection of “gadgets and gizmos aplenty and whosits and whatsits galore” and recall some of their stories through Our 5 favorite things on our Bookshelves right now.
We're avid fans of browsing Facebook Marketplace just for fun, and it's amazing what treasures you can find there. Our three stunning bookcases are a testament to this. We discovered them on Facebook one morning, and without hesitation, we quickly drove an hour and 30 min to pick them up from a sweet old lady (and for an even sweeter price.) Our advice to you? Keep an eye on such platforms for second-hand furniture. Not only can you snag a great bargain, but these pieces come with their own history, adding another layer of storytelling to your home. If you're struggling to find the right piece or if patience isn't your strong suit, don't worry. Below, we've listed some comparable bookcases that are just waiting to become the perfect canvas for your own life's stories.
1. Crowns
Ever since we exchanged our vows, I've lovingly nurtured a collection of crowns, each a sparkling symbol of our love and milestones. With each anniversary, my anticipation grows for the little box of sparkle that Chaz lovingly presents, knowing that it will add another regal piece to my growing collection. Our bookshelves now serve as a stage where each crown can have its “crowning glory”. Some crowns are sitting pretty on acrylic stands. Others are artfully draped on smaller items - reminiscent of Cinderella losing her shoe on the stairs.
My favorite crown, the crown I wore on our wedding day, is honored on our top middle shelves. She is sitting proudly on white and rose gold canisters. Growing up my favorite princess was Anastasia. I know… you’re probably thinking I need to turn in my official Disney adult card. But there was just something about the way her story spoke of everlasting love of family. Their love always drew me to the movie. When we got married in 2020, I wanted a crown shaped similarly to Anastasia’s. Firstly because I wanted to feel regal next to my handsome husband, but I also wanted to honor the little girl who was finally experiencing everlasting love.
2. A Castle, A Carriage & A Rose
We have had our most special pieces of Disney memorabilia in storage for over a year now, so pulling these out felt brand new! It’s weeks later and I’m still thinking of the way we both gasped so loud when we saw our castle again. You would think we just rope-dropped at Magic Kingdom! (I know we are foofs). We enjoyed spreading these pieces across our bookshelves so we could have a little piece of magic from every angle. The sweet surprise is that not everything is as it seems! Our castle and carriage, exuding a fairy-tale aura, are actually whimsical wax warmers from Scentsy. The stunning stained-glass piece depicting Beauty and the Beast is a popcorn bucket, a treasured keepsake from Tokyo Disney. And the pièce de résistance? A book that seems to tell the tale of Beauty and the Beast is, in fact, a stylish Kate Spade handbag! These pieces are not just reminders of the joyous times we've spent at Disney; they symbolize a dream of the future. They represent the adventures and memories we look forward to creating with our family as we journey through the different ages and stages of our lives together.
3. Rhinestone Love
Originally I had a framed wedding picture on the top middle shelf. The more I looked at it, the more I wanted to bring sparkle and shine to this area. Immediately I thought of the first necklace my mother-in-law gifted to me and laid it like a sweet hug across our photo. When she gave me this necklace it was the first time I truly felt like a part of my new family after marrying Chaz. Displaying the necklace in this manner brought an unexpected yet delightful twist to our bookshelf decor. Now I can enjoy this beautiful necklace every day!
4. Books, Books & Books!
No bookshelf would be complete without books! Our book collection is a reflection of who we are and where we've been. It's a mix of the intellectual and the sentimental, the historical and the personal. But every book holds more than just a story in its pages. “Iolani Luahine”, a book about the life of Chaz’s great aunt and namesake (for Chaz and his dad), has center stage on our first shelf. Books like “The Aloha Shirt” and “The Queenʻs Songbook” were beautifully gifted to us by loving friends. “American Indians” was a one-on-a-million book find where, while browsing through a trinket store, I picked it up and flipped the page to see my own ancestor staring back at me. “The Little Book of Dior” and “The Little Book of Prada” were both books I gifted to Chaz. They remind me of our first apartment and our first year of marriage. If you want to start your own book collection I would recommend finding subject matter that’s personal to you and reflects where you are in life. That way the book itself takes on a second story and forever holds a memory.
5. New Beginnings = New Light!
Chaz surprises me every day! There really is nothing he can’t do. He installed puck lights on every shelf. These lights, with their adjustable settings, can be controlled right from our phones, allowing us to create the perfect ambiance at any moment.
Sometimes my favorite part of the day is after the sun goes down, and Chaz has already fallen asleep. I can look at all our little memories, enjoying each little treasure. Taking the time to reflect upon the last 5 years of our relationship, the joy, tears, and laughter. I can’t wait to see what we collect in the next 5 years.
Thank you for sharing in the joy of my 5 favorite things. In this versatile piece of furniture each each item becomes a nostalgic note beautifully displayed on these shelves that hold more than just books. I sincerely hope you keep following along as our stories grow and new memories are added. These bookshelves serve as our daily reminder that happily ever after, is right now.
And they lived...
XOXO Hiwalei & Chaz