things happen, serendipitously.

February 19, 2013

found wine crate wine crate storage wine crate wine crate storage I’m a big fan of serendipity. The utterly unexpected surprise of stumbling into something useful strikes me as so perfectly cheerful without having any of the ominous connotations of that maddening expression, “everything happens for a reason.” On this morning’s walk, I strolled past the shuttered neighborhood wine shop and found this smart box and a note: “Take me, please.”

Well, don’t mind if I do. After lugging it home and spending a few minutes performing minor surgery with a pair of pliers and a screwdriver, the box was ready for its new home beneath our couch. It’s already become a secondary stowage area for homeless laptop computers and not-quite-finished weekend newspapers.

Wishing happy happenstances to all of you, today. Keep your eyes wide open.

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27 Comments

  • Reply Sarah S February 19, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Here's a link to a wonderful blog about a life in Medoc. http://mimithorisson.com/life-in-medoc/ I thought you would enjoy! I love her blog… and yours too~*~!

    2
    • Reply Erin February 19, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      Oh, my. Packing now…

      1
  • Reply Becca February 19, 2013 at 2:41 pm

    Beautiful find and wonderful storage idea for a tiny apartment! I'd love to come up with an attractive storage solution for quite a few things in our house.

    beccagarber.com

    1
    • Reply Erin February 19, 2013 at 2:51 pm

      These crates really are useful. If you live near a local wine shop, I'd consider asking them if they ever have leftover crates they don't use!

      1
  • Reply Cole Bentz February 19, 2013 at 2:45 pm

    It seems as though you were meant to find the box. I have a similar one under my bed and I had been planning to add brass wheels to it at some point. What do you think?

    Thanks for the happy wishes and advice. Same to you!

    1
    • Reply Erin February 19, 2013 at 2:50 pm

      They're so useful, aren't they! Wheels sounds lovely (if there's enough clearance room once attached). The only other caveat is that wine crates tend to be made out of very thin, inexpensive wood. I can imagine some hardware could be too large for the width of the wood, but it's worth a look around a hardware store!

      2
  • Reply Chloe Moon February 19, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    I love finding random totally useful things! I would have picked up that crate too in a heartbeat! =)

    Ergo – Blog

    1
  • Reply Kate February 19, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    One of the best things about living in Brooklyn is sidewalk presents! Your's is so great!
    xx,
    Kate

    ummmnowwhat.blogspot.com

    2
  • Reply Niken February 19, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    wow, i looooove that wooden box.

    2
  • Reply Jessica Kleoppel February 19, 2013 at 3:22 pm

    I love the thought behind this, and couldn't relate more to your willingness to embrace (and recognize) the bizarre without defaulting to that-phrase-that-shall-not-be-mentioned.

    2
    • Reply Erin February 19, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      ha! thank you.

      1
  • Reply Anonymous February 19, 2013 at 3:26 pm

    Wish I could find some here, I couldn't take them with me when I moved to the U.S.!
    Love Marie-France Thorisson's blog too. Her food always looks amazing and Médoc is such a nice area.I used to go to the Cap Ferret every summer … I really miss it.
    XO.
    Margoulette

    1
    • Reply Erin February 19, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      Pop into a wine shop! They might have just what you need…without you needing to stumble upon it randomly!

      2
    • Reply Anonymous February 19, 2013 at 6:26 pm

      I did, but they would not give them away. Thanks for the tip anyway.
      I found the ones I had in France on the street, they were well crafted grand cru classé !
      Margoulette

      2
  • Reply Lauren Ashley February 19, 2013 at 3:36 pm

    I love city walks, you never know what you might discover. such a nice find!

    2
  • Reply Alexa February 19, 2013 at 4:42 pm

    one of my favorite bits of life in new york—the sidewalk finds. objects seem to live many lives over here.

    2
  • Reply Mags Pomichowski February 19, 2013 at 5:12 pm

    Love this post for 2 reasons. I love when you can re-use something that someone else finds useless. I don't like wasting or throwing things out however I do like de-cluttering so I am much happier when I can donate something rather then just throw it out. Also, I love having hiding places for random stuff. I am fairly organized but I do find there are times that things just don't have a place. So this is perfect! Thanks for sharing.

    xoxo
    Mags
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com

    1
  • Reply Gillian February 19, 2013 at 5:33 pm

    Great find! Every walk I take around the city I secretly hope to find something exciting. My most recent find was a stash of wooden doors and windows (even a pretty turquoise one!) Now I have another project (or 3) on my to-do list! 🙂

    2
  • Reply Charlotte | Charlotte's Web February 19, 2013 at 7:10 pm

    Ah, you know it's going to be a great day when something like this happens 🙂 x

    2
  • Reply Rebecca February 19, 2013 at 8:09 pm

    What a find! And I love its new home under your couch.

    2
  • Reply Lo February 19, 2013 at 8:31 pm

    Lovely! I'm looking for wine boxes to serve as storage under couches now, too!

    1
  • Reply Neurotic Workaholic February 19, 2013 at 8:37 pm

    That looks like a good box for storage! I read a blog by Donna Freedman; she writes the blog Surviving and Thriving, and she advises keeping your eyes peeled for unexpected treasures on the ground. Usually I just find loose change (which is nice), but I definitely wouldn't mind finding a box like the one you found. I'd put manuscripts or books in it.

    2
  • Reply LARY @InspirationNook February 19, 2013 at 11:10 pm

    How awesome. Is lovely 🙂 Wishing I could run into one in L.A

    2
  • Reply sweet harvest moon February 20, 2013 at 12:38 am

    Love it!

    2
  • Reply Kristina February 20, 2013 at 7:15 am

    I have found a similar wooden box (from organig veggie deliveriers) on the street and used it to plant a small herb garden! So cute and I love to reuse things for my own purposes!
    Kristina x

    1
  • Reply Inge February 20, 2013 at 9:34 pm

    I love your description of serendipity. And it is indeed the most wonderful thing. Beautiful crate!

    2
  • Reply Beer Hats September 1, 2013 at 8:29 pm

    WOW! This is really an amazing and attractive post.I appreciates your posted wonderful photo. Thanks for sharing such an interesting post.

    1
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