mini projects

I have been crazy busy with school this semester.  Even though I am up to my eyeballs in homework, I'm still itching to do fun stuff.  A girl can only do so much homework before she goes nuts, right?

To feed my creative side AND still get my homework done I started a list of mini projects.  Things that I could finish fast with minimal interruption to all the drawing I have to do.  Tops on the list is painting projects.  Painting usually requires lots of coats and drying time- perfect for breaks between homework.

While I dont have alot of furniture in my apartment to paint (besides those damn office bookcases that STILL need to get done) but I have lots of furniture drawers and shelves that could use a fun splash of color. Look at all this inspiration

Elle Decor

Little Green Notebook

Brooklyn Limestone

Live Like You

Little Green Notebook

Martha Stewart

So many fun projects I could do just from this inspiration! 

I'm starting out slow with our coffee table drawer, can anyone guess what color it is currently being painted??

Future house bathroom...check

Yesterday I spent the entire day at the Boston Design Center working on my project for class.  There is soooo much to pick from. It's really hard for my crazy ADD self to focus just on one thing, I want it ALL!

While my project is slowly coming along, I didn't make any final decisions yet.  But what I did make is a final decision on is what my future house second bathroom will look like.  I've got the wallpaper and tile all ready to go...one little detail, I just need the bathroom to put them in.

It's down to either of these choices

CHOICE 1- white froggies with green tile

OR

CHOICE 2- green Froggies with black and white tile

I'm in LOVE, like I have to have it now kinda feeling.

I even brought home a sample of the green one just to show the husband.  I 100% expected him to tell me it was awful and give it the thumbs down.  But, to my wonderful surprise he actually liked it. He laughed when he saw it and said "yea that is really cute, I like it." 

I'll take that as the green light and place my order now.

You know you would too.

Love all around

A few of my Valentine's Day favorites for you...

just delish

etsy

Cartier Love Bracelet

Ork Heart Poster

Sarah Yates Photography

Glitter Guide

Yedi Heart Cup

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!!

Bachelorette Party Survival Kits

I'm headed off to a bachelorette party this weekend and I am so excited for some much needed R&R, oh and D (the D is for drinking).  Since I am all about the details I decided to put together a little Bachelorette Party Survival Kit for everyone who is coming.  I got the idea from the Project: 10K blog and just thought it was so cute I had to make my own!

It was easier than I thought gathering up all the little necessities and I had so much fun coming up with a cute label for them too.

I actually had the take out boxes left over from my own wedding and I decided to put them to good use again.

 One of the first things I decided to include was candy. Because of the name alone I went with Red Hots. 

After a long night of partying nothing is more welcome than a large glass of water and some meds.  I already had these small envelopes on hand, so I just added cute little labels and put them to good use too

The rest of the items are just basic things, no cute labels.  So here is the whole Survival Kit ready to go

Ooops, one thing I forgot to include in this photo is the emergency card I made for each girl.  I printed out business size cards with the name, address and phone number of the hotel we are staying at- you know, just in case someone has a little too much fun and gets separated from the pack. 

Lastly, I printed up this list to put in the kit explaining all of the contents

1. Gum- every girl loves fresh breath

2. Antibacterial Wipes- bar bathrooms are dirty places

3. Nail File- every girl has those kinds of nights, fix yours with this

4. Hair Ties- Puke in your hair is just a no-no

5. Blow Pop- something to suck on

6. Red Hots- to keep the weekend RED HOT

7. Band Aid- because hot shoes aren't always comfortable

8. Starburst- for that extra burst of energy when you need it most

9. Hangover Helper- because hangovers put a damper on a fun weekend

10. Lip Gloss- to keep those lips shiny and smooth

The bride-to-be hasn't seen them yet, but hopefully she loves them!

Alright, I'm off to start my ladies weekend early.  Have a good one everyone! 

Ombre Paint DIY

Ombre flowers, cakes, paint, and nails have certainly made their way around the internet.  Here are a few of my favorites

(Little Green Notebook)

(Redbook photo by Alexandra Rowley)

(Maggie Austin Cake)

Martha Stewart photo by Simon Watson

Urban Outfitters

Natty By Design

I love the look of anything ombre and since I just happened to have a plain wood box sitting around I decided to make my own version.  It's been awhile since I posted a DIY box or a tray. I guess that ends now, huh? 

The whole box started with a coat of light pink, or was it the dark pink.  oh, I cant remember.  Either way it was pink.

Then using a paper plate I mixed and matched my dark pink and white paint till I found the right tints for the box. 

even the inside is kinda ombre

from the top it looks like just a plain old light pink box

but look at it from the side and it's a total ombre party

It took a little trial and error, but without much issue I now have my own ombre piece.

Game Time

It's a big weekend around these parts.  I feel like I did in grade school the night before a big test.  I don't know why, I don't normally get this worked up about a game.  But this isn't just any game, its the biggest game of the year.  It also happens to be a rematch, and a damn good one at that.

Just so you know where my alliance stands, it's with New England.  Always has been, always will be. No questions.  I am a New England girl all the way. 

Just so you dont think this is only a sports post here is some pretty red, white and blue eyecandy

GO PATS!

(Credit: Domino, Pinterest, House Beautiful Photo by Douglas Friedman, Pinterest, Candydirect.com, Lonny design by David Caferio Photo by Patrick Cline, Emersonmade, and deadspin.com)

Collect Me

Growing up my Grandma gave my cousin and me 'collectables' for Christmas every year.  I collected small Swarovski animals (the all clear ones like a little mouse, frog and elephant of course) and my cousin collected small Herend boxes and figures. 

I never really though much of the Herend stuff, only because I wasn't the one collecting them, but now that I'm older I kinda wish I collected the Herend.   The hand painted patterns and colors are just beautiful, I cant help falling in love with all these cuties

I guess its never too late to start a collection. 

What do you collect?

Rugs by Genevive

I have loved Genevive Gorder since the days of Trading Spaces.  I used to tape each episode on my VCR, that's a long time people.  I more often than not liked her designs on the show best and loved that she worked barefoot.

Fast forward a few (dozen) years, a few new shows on HGTV, and now a new home line.  I am in LOVE with her rugs available at Capel Rugs.  They are 100% wool and so pretty.  Here are her rugs

Such pretty, classic patterns that can be used so many different ways.  I'm already thinking about how I can use that emerald green one in the first photo- maybe paired with something leopard since that's all the rage now. 

These aren't shipping till June 2012, but you can go drool at them now.

(photos from Capel Rugs)

a stitch in time

Following up from my cross stitch post, I managed to whip out two easy and meaningful projects.  I'm still working on my coasters, since those require alot more attention to detail it will be awhile before I share those.

In the meantime here are my easy cross stitch projects

  wedding initials and date cross stitch minis

The one on right was a shower present for my friend- she is getting married so soon!  I'm a bridesmaid in her wedding so I wanted to make her something special that she could keep forever.

Here is a grainy photo to show you the finished hanging project

I just used an Ikea Ribba frame with a custom cut mat (love custom mats, they make inexpensive frames look awesome).  I didnt want it to be too country love, and with the modern Ribba frame I think its simple and sweet.

I have to take a better photo of mine (that I JUST hung, better late than never) and I'll be sure to post that too.

Happy Tuesday!



lipstick and pigs

Did you read the latest issue of House of Fifty yet?  It's great, maybe my favorite one yet- but then I say that about all the newest magazines.

Anywoo, my friend Danika's bathroom was featured, along with her awesome company O'verlays.  Seriously these things are the best invention since sliced bread.  I even used them on one of my own projects that you can see here.

Back to the point- just look at this before and after

before... 1960's dated yellow loveliness

After... hello lover!!

Paint and a little elbow grease seriously can do it all people!

Her bathroom makes me think I could give my rental bathroom a makeover.  The pepto pink tiles are just itching for a makeover too.  Check out more awesome projects and O'verlay stuff on her blog Gorgeous Shiny Things. 

Have a good weekend everyone!