It feels like I’m overdue on my ‘book tour, segment 1’ round-up. Although, really, it seems more appropriate to post something once this segment is officially finished. I wrap up this first nine days of travel with a signing in Houston on Thursday night. Look for a photo montage shortly thereafter with details about all the warmly welcomed, book signing fun we’ve been having.

Marisa of Food in Jars blog (and forthcoming book, next year!) hosted a potluck party for me at her house last night. She writes about how much fun we had and what good things we ate in her post here. I’d like to share with you a ‘Hip Trick’ from the home of fab preservationist and all-around hip homemaker, Marisa McLellan.

As we were cleaning up and restoring her house to non-potluck mode, I noticed this cute set-up near the entryway to her kitchen.

And, as you might have caught on, I’m a sucker for found object, vintage decor items. But this story gets even better…

This set-up is the ‘great linen switcheroo’. Used linens go in the bin on top to be added to the laundry bin in the bedroom periodically and fresh linens live in the tub just below. The practical and genius nature of this scenario struck me as a perfect thing to introduce to folks who are maybe just making the paper-to-cloth changeover. By keeping a mini laundry bin near your kitchen and dining areas, you need not trek around the house just to deposit your linens in the laundering pile.

I still traipse from kitchen table to bathroom laundry slot every evening; you can be sure that I’ll be on the lookout for a cute receptacle like Marisa’s upon return to Austin from my travels this week!

And, this has nothing to do with linens, but I couldn’t help taking a shot of another HGGH-heaven aspect of Marisa’s home (I could’ve wandered around in there for hours, noting all the great ideas she has in place around her home). Her everyday use pantry shelves are so adorable. Rock on with your cute, mismatched and vintage jars, sister!