Do you ever have one of those dreary days when the rain keeps coming and most of your time is spent on endless chores—laundry, wiping sticky faucets, or cleaning up after the dog? I do. I love a clean home, and the effort is worth it, but sometimes it feels like you’re stuck on repeat. You do everything, then the same tasks are waiting again the next day. It can feel monotonous.
One way I cheer myself up after those days is to pick a small, satisfying project I can actually finish. I don’t mean a big renovation or anything that requires power tools or a lot of skill—just a little, manageable craft that brings instant pleasure and no risk of frustration.
On a recent weekend trip to World Market I spotted a charming faceted glass lantern. It was meant for a candle, but I thought it would be adorable with a small plant inside. My daughter pointed out that West Elm sells similar pieces used as terrariums, so while the idea may be trendy, I was simply drawn to the lantern’s looks. Trend or not, it felt like a perfect, simple project.
When I had one of those rough days recently, I remembered the lantern. Instead of reaching for a hot fudge sundae—tempting as that was—I decided to make a terrarium. It’s not as indulgent as dessert, but assembling a tiny plant display felt soothing. I only had a small succulent on hand, but any compact, low-maintenance plant would work well. The project was quick, required no special skills, and gave me a small sense of accomplishment and a pretty thing to enjoy.
Tip: To make this even easier, place the succulent in a small dish or pot before setting it in the lantern. That way you avoid dealing with loose soil and pebbles inside the glass.
Small creative wins like this can brighten a dull day and remind you that a little beauty goes a long way. Hope your day is filled with pretty things!