I’ve always had a love for thinking outside the box and using things in ways they weren’t originally intended. I love the creativity and “flowin’ brain juice” that comes with figuring out how to get what you want by using only things you already have on hand.
When I began Free Stylin’, I wrote a post about items in my home that were being used for storage in unintended ways. I called it Unintended: Storage Edition.
The “Edition” part was kind of a joke since it was like my 3rd post, but I knew I wanted to write many future posts about using items in unexpected ways.
And the time has come. 
So, today’s Unintended Edition: Vases.
I am not a huge fan of using the vases that come with flower arrangements, so I’ve never really kept them. I think it’s the “Here’s a vase. You only use this for flowers. You must only put flowers here,” idea that really bugs me about the whole thing.
I just wanna tell the flower shop:
“Stop telling me what to do.
I’ll tell you where to put your flowers.” 
(I think I may have issues…)
Plus the vases are usually boring, which I’m not. So that’s the long version why I don’t have regular ‘ole vases.
Anywhoo, the Hubs surprised me this year by waking me up on Valentine’s Day with roses. Aww! So sweet. The flowers are so beautiful and have lasted quite awhile. But a few were beginning to look a little sad, and I wanted to give them a fresh start.
And I did what any crackhead normal person with vase issues does:
I scrounged the house for other items to use as a vase.
We recently had friends over for lunch, and we drank IBC cream sodas. YUM! I saved the bottles for times like these.
The roses that were still going strong were separated into single IBC bud vases and lined up on the dining room table.
I love the simplicity of the single buds. Each rose stands out.
The red is more striking than when all the flowers are together in one larger vase.
Plus there is something so carefree about a cream soda bottle as a vase. It reminds me of spring days outside on the grass. Roses are sometimes too formal, but not like this.
It’s like wearing jeans with beautiful blingy jewelry.
I had a few flowers leftover, so I arranged them in a bottle that was once full of our favorite barbecue sauce, from our favorite barbecue place, on the planet:
Oh, my sweet Rudy’s. I miss you. 
Since the bottle of sauce reminds us of home,
using it as a vase makes me smile.
I put the vase on my desk to brighten up the place.
(Please disregard the lack of style over here. I haven’t had a chance to put my stamp on it like I want…yet. Stay tuned for that!)
Here are a few more ideas for vases using things
you may have around the house:
Old metal buckets spray painted a fun color:
Pretty urns:
A pitcher:
(via the ridiculously cool Thrifty Decor Chick)
Canisters from your kitchen:
So, how about you? Are you a member of the “No Boring Vases Fan Club, too?” Or do you love to use things in unintended ways? Do you have items in your house, vases or otherwise, that are being used for something other than their original purpose?
I’d love to hear about it!
And, if you have a picture, send me a link so I can check it out!
