anatomy of a valentine's day bar

Recently, I've become more than obsessed with bar cart styling. In an effort to replicate the perfect bar carts I've seen on Pinterest and on my favorite blogs, I went on a mission to purchase and style my own little bar.

bar | KALLAX shelving unit from IKEA | I wasn't able to find an actual bar cart that was in my price range, so I decided on this little shelving unit from IKEA. It was a very reasonable price and can be repurposed if I ever get tired of the "bar" set up (which isn't likely, but just in case!).

bottles | What's a bar without your favorite libations? Whether you're celebrating v-day with a significant other or friends, be sure to add your favorite beverage to your at-home stash. I'm usually a white wine drinker, but those bottles are in the fridge. The Absolut vodka bottle on the left is a special edition Andy Warhol one, which I will probably never end up drinking because it's so pretty!

mason shaker | My mason shaker was a birthday gift from my lovely best friend a few years back. It makes the perfect bar accessory for when you want to mix up a great cocktail, and will be sure to impress your guests! The Mason Shaker company also has a cocktail mixing book, shake, that I often peruse every time I pass by it at Anthropologie. If you're not quite ready to commit to buying the book, I recommend following The Mason Shaker on Instagram for a peek at their uncommon cocktail recipes.

glasses | At the moment I am showcasing a few [rather large] wine glasses, but I can't wait to add some stemless wine glasses and whiskey glasses to my collection.

mixers | Admittedly, I am not a pop [soda] person. But, these carbonated blood orange flavored waters from San Pellegrino are as close as I'll get, and they are delicious. For reasons unknown to me, I just love the foil top and colorful packaging.

decor | Add a fun stack of books, a framed picture, and something unexpected. I took a page out of Carly Heitlinger of The College Prepster's book by showcasing a pair of fun heels. I'm sure the bottom two shelves will change often, as I rearrange books and decorative items in my apartment regularly!

colorful cocktail napkins | Uber feminine and chic, these cocktail napkins are the perfect addition to help clean up spills or hold apps.

straws | Who doesn't love a colorful paper straw?! The red stripes and pink hearts keep with my Valentine's Day theme, but these always remind me of summer days and sugary cocktails with friends. The pink heart straws are a great deal in the Dollar Spot at Target!

tray | This little number was a hand-me-down within my family, which makes it very special to me. I love the vintage feel and the intricate handles it has, making it perfect for corralling bottles in one place.

No matter your Valentine's Day plans, the one you spend it with will surely be impressed if you add some love-themed accents to your at home bar set up.

I can't even wait to style my new bar according to each holiday and occasion. I am picturing a margarita bar on Cinco De Mayo, a coffee bar for a brunch party, and something extra festive for Christmas. Eek! The possibilities are endless.

cheers!

G