Leave The Nest Up To Me

Arts & Crafts Hour at The Nest

2012-04-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

I finally made it to the craft store to pick up some supplies for a couple small projects around the house, and I'm diggin' the results.

I started with this Bamboo Tray that was corralling the junk on the coffee table:

I bought these:

Brushes, Acrylic Paint (Ultra Deep Blue & Glorious Gold), Painter's Tape

Acrylic Sealer/Finisher in Gloss

And I ended up with this:

While I had my supplies out, I updated this picture frame from Ikea:

I topped it off with some gloss and hung it back up on our gallery wall:

(Wawa is a nod to B's favorite hometown convenience store. Bought on etsy.)

I also learned that I am like a kid in a candy shop when I go to craft stores. Very dangerous.

Three's Company

2012-03-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

Oh, hello there.

Looks like our nest just got a little bigger. Allow me to introduce Ms. Pebbles.

We adopted this little snuggle-bug from the Washington Humane Society this weekend. A whirlwind of activity lead us to this point, starting with a week of dog-sitting for her foster mom who was out of town. About 24 hours in, we were hooked. Less than two weeks later, she's ours.

Her interests include snoring, cuddling, playing with her possum toy, and watching the world walk by. We're in love.

What's Next

2012-03-07T10:00:00.000-05:00

Things have been kind of quiet on the home front lately. I was overwhelming myself with ideas/projects/spending money/etc. and needed to take a breather. But I'm back.

There are a couple items left to tackle in the living room, but I'll get to them when the opportunity arises, i.e. I find some extra money. In the meantime, I'm moving onto the next project: our bedroom. I apologize in advance for what you're about to see.

Quelle horreur!

It's a mish-mash of furniture/pile of crap right now (yes, it's all my crap) and I would rather it be a more organized/refined/soothing place to relax in. There are three major items I want to take care of:

1) Paint -- I want to tone down the color on the walls. I like blue, and currently it's not a bad blue, but it's a bright blue and it can be a little jolting sometimes. Changing this will make the biggest difference.

2) Headboard -- We want one for comfort while reading in bed and to break up that big wall a bit. B is on board for a tufted look, which is one small step for man, one giant leap for man-kind.

3) Organization -- I admit I am a clothes horse and a disorganized one at that. You'd think a four-drawer dresser and large wardrobe would be enough, but you'd be wrong. Step one will be paring down, then Step Two will be organizing what's left (and sticking to it).

I'll address the smaller details as I make my way through the design process, but these are the things that really need to be tackled. I have also given myself the challenge of doing this as cheaply as possible, so I hope to reuse/revamp as much as I can.

I'm working on "vision boards" right now (B isn't so good with visualizing the space in his head so that should help him see what I want to do) so I will share those once I'm done, probably later this week.

Turn Up the Lights in Here, Baby

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

Why, hello there!

Behold our new gorgeous lamp. I snagged this vase at Home Goods months ago for a mere $15 (there were two on the shelf; I regrettably bought only one) and immediately knew that I wanted to turn it into a lamp for the living room. The process took some detours but I finally finished it tonight with the help of my new best friend, Roger, from Lamps Unlimited in McLean. The kit I originally bought did not have all the pieces I needed to get the job done so I went to Roger for some direction. He was a saint -- he supplied the missing pieces (for free!) and reviewed the process with me right there in the store. A saint, I tell you.

So let me show you how we got it done.

Supplies needed:

I bought a 3-Way Socket Kit but they come in On/Off switches too. (Home Depot, $10)

My vase is ceramic, so I needed Glass and Tile drill bits (Home Depot, $10), and my drill.

Super Glue and a Q-tip. I used a Gorilla Precision Glue Pen that we had lying around.

Threaded Nipple, under $5 (wasn't included in my kit; supplied by Roger)

Check Ring (covers top opening of vase; also wasn't included in my kit but supplied by Roger)
Or you can use a Vase Cap if you want. Both are under $5.
A Phillips Screwdriver, some tape (masking/painters) and pen are the last things you'll need.

How To:

Decide where you want to drill the hole for your wiring. Since my vase had an irregular pattern to it, I found the least-pretty side and placed a strip of tape where I would drill my hole (this helps prevent cracking the vase), then marked it with a pen.

I placed the vase on the sofa cushion for some padding, and started with one of the smaller drill bits to get the hole started, then switched to the bigger bit to drill all the way through. Take your time drilling, as the friction between the vase and the bit will create some heat and a little smoke (it might also drain your drill battery so make sure it's fully charged). Give it some time to cool off if needed.

Next, I pushed the wiring through the hole in the bottom and out the top of the vase.

I put the base of the hardware together and pulled the wire through:

Then added the Harp Bottom and Socket Cap, tightening the Socket Cap onto the Threaded Nipple:

With the wiring pulled through the Socket Cap, create an Underwriter's Knot:

When wiring, you must make sure you connect the conductors to the Socket Interior properly. One end of the insulation has a ribbed texture -- this end connects to the silver terminal screw. The other "smooth" end connects to the brass terminal screw. Tighten the screws so that the conductors are held in place.

Pull the wiring taut so that the Socket Interior is sitting in the Socket Cap, then add the Socket Shell and click into place.

Now it's time to attach the hardware to the vase. The Check Ring my pal Roger gave me was a smidge too small to cover the opening of my vase (one side has a lip to cap the edge), so he suggested I flip it over to provide more surface area to attach it with. He also suggested that I scratch up the surface of the Check Ring (it has a lacquered finish) to give the glue something to hold onto.

Per Gorilla Glue's directions, I ran a wet Q-Tip around each surface that was going to be glued (the vase and the Check Ring):

Then I added a small amount of glue to the edge of the vase. With this particular glue, be sure to add just a small amount as it will expand as it dries. Apply pressure for a few moments so that it grabs hold, and let dry.

When the glue is dry, add your harp, bulb and shade, then plug in and enjoy!

I am so happy to finally check this project off my list and have my pretty lamp on full display. I'm probably going to switch the lampshade for something with color (maybe metallic gold?) at some point, but this shade is what I had on hand.

What do you think? Have you ever converted a treasured object into a lamp? This was so easy and inexpensive, I don't know if I could ever pay for a real lamp again!

I Said "Brrrrr, It's Cold in Here..."

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-05:00

I love a productive Saturday. After getting in some volleyball (my team won), B and I did some grocery shopping, then got the crock pot cooking for dinner (a delicious Chicken Tortilla concoction). Then we moved on to finishing some projects.

Issue #1 - Igloo-like Living Room
I've mentioned that our living room is a bit chilly. The new rug has helped a little, but there was still a noticeable drop in temperature when you walked in from another room. It hasn't bothered B much since he emits heat like an oven, but I get cold easily and I'm always curled up in a ball, wrapped in blankets, wearing mittens on the sofa. It's uncomfortable. Our landlord had mentioned that winters can be rough and suggested we get a space heater, but a) they're ugly and b) they kind of scare me.

I heard good things about plastic window film so we picked up a couple kits at Home Depot ($9-12 each). Why is "kits" plural, you ask? Because when we made our initial trip, I grabbed the kit that had the proper width for the living room windows (42"), but when we got home, the length was too short (62" -- we needed 72"). Oops. So we had to go back and grab another kit that would cover our larger windows.

Before we started, we took down the existing mini-blinds on all of the windows (we didn't want to install the wrap over the blinds -- but this shows you how to operate them if you do keep the blinds up: How to Operate Window Blinds Covered With Shrink Film). Then I wiped down the frame with some cleaner to get rid of any grime that would prevent the tape from adhering.

First step was to tape around each window. I applied the tape a couple inches wide of the window, paying extra attention to the bottom sill to make sure there wouldn't be any gaps when we added the film.

Press firmly into place and wait 15 minutes for the tape to adhere (we left ours on overnight due to the size mix-up).

After the tape was set, we pulled the paper backing from the tape on the top of the frame and attached a sheet of film, leaving an inch or two overhang on all sides.

We repeated the process for each side, pulling it taut and smoothing out any wrinkles as we went.

Next up, we broke out the hair dryer (we used a 3' extension cord so we could reach the electrical outlet nearby). Turned on to its highest setting, we slowly moved the dryer across the tape first to make sure it sealed with the plastic, then started moving across the film, getting rid of the wrinkles as we moved along (you can see and feel the film shrink as you go).

Once the wrinkles were gone, we trimmed off the excess film around the window for a clean look.

The living room windows look huge and let in so much light without the blinds so we decided to leave them off for now, but we did add film to the kitchen windows as well (you can kind of see the sheen of the film by B's left arm, below) and re-installed the blinds over those for some privacy.

So far I think I can feel the difference, but the true test will be our next electric bill (it has been going up $20 each of the past couple months, even with the mild weather we've been having).

That was a doozy of a post, so I'll be back later with some other things we've been doing around here!

About that....

2012-01-27T11:45:00.001-05:00

I had grand plans of posting a new project today. After work last night, I spent a quick 30 minutes at the gym, ran home to freshen up, then headed to Home Depot to pick up some missing pieces that I needed. Home Depot was a bust so I am left brainstorming new solutions.

So for now, I leave you with pictures of new stuff I saw at Target last night. They've finally returned to offering fun and inspiring housewares again (I saw a noticeable dip in style/options when they were focusing on adding the grocery stores to each store).

Much to my dismay, I could not think of a flat surface I own that would be large enough to hold these.

I'm digging the honeycomb cutout.

I might give our coffee table tray a similar finish -- painted exterior, natural interior.

I like this table for our living room, but $69.99 is a little too rich for my blood. I'd probably spray paint it gold or something.

Finishing Touches

2012-01-20T11:00:00.000-05:00

Now that most of the big pieces are taken care of in our living room, it's on to finishing the final touches.

For the cabinet on the far left, I'm thinking about giving it a fresh coat of paint to liven it up. I found this inspiration photo below that's a bit brighter than I want to go, but I like the blue with the brass:

via Natty by Design

I'd like to give the tray on the coffee table the same treatment, to bring the color to another part of the room. I also started a lighting project to replace the boring lamp on the cabinet, but we hit a snag last night and I need to get some additional parts, so that will be revealed next week probably.

The back corner behind the chairs is empty (that's where the cabinet used to be, hence the random mirror), but I don't want/need another piece of furniture. I'm thinking of either leaning a large mirror to add some depth/bounce some light around, or hanging another vintage poster I have.

via automatism

via All Posters

I also want a small side table and some accent lighting over by the two chairs. There are no flat surfaces on that side of the room for drinks, books, etc. and there is no lighting so it's kind of dark (see room pic below). I'd like something light and open for the table, but I'm at a loss for lighting solutions:

via Urban Outfitters

Not a whole lot left to do on the other side of the room:

Boy, does that ceiling fan light kit make me sad. I love having the fan, especially during the summer, but it's a bit outdated and hangs kind of low. Not sure if it's worth the hassle of replacing/installing though.

As for the gallery wall, I have a couple items on hand that I want to add, including these metal letters we snagged at the Restoration Hardware Outlet for $6 a pop:

We're about 85% finished. I'd like to tackle these small tasks before we move on to our next project (painting upstairs!!). I'm really itching to add some finesse to our bedroom but I'm trying to take it room by room.

Do you decorate one room at a time, or add to each room as you go?

Signs of Improvement

2012-01-13T10:00:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, I went to a DSLR Workshop (a Christmas present from B -- I recommend it if you're new to DSLR cameras) and learned a few tricks of the trade. I fiddled around last night and took some shots of our updated living room, including the new rug and reupholstered chairs:

To refresh your memory, the chairs used to look like this:

I'd say it's a dramatic improvement from the ribbed pink upholstery!

The room is still a work in progress but so far, so good.

Recipes for Success

2012-01-10T11:15:00.000-05:00

As promised, here are a few of the treats we made for our holiday party last month. We tried to stick with light finger foods that could be made in large batches ahead of time. These were a big hit and have been added to our cookbook for future reference:

Buffalo Chicken Rolls via Can You Stay for Dinner

Who doesn't love Buffalo Chicken?! These were so easy to prepare and we just popped them in the oven when people started arriving. B has also made a mozzarella stick version.

Pretzel Bites via Just Get Off Your Butt and Bake

I thought these were a little more tedious and could/should have been done ahead of time (B was whipping them up during the party), but they were still very good, especially when hot out of the oven. I couldn't find a Texas-size Rhodes Roll anywhere so we used prepackaged dinner roll dough instead (in the frozen food section).

Red Velvet Cake Balls via Bakerella

These were delicious! Rolling the batter into balls got a little messy, but they were fun to make. We embellished them with some pearl sprinkles that I bought at the grocery store for a festive look.

'Tis the Season Sangria via Not Your Average Joes

Not Your Average Joes is a restaurant chain with a location near my parents house. The name sounds kind of kitschy but they have pretty good food, and this sangria is the most Christmas-y drink I've ever had -- it smells like Christmas, it tastes like Christmas. The recipe is for a restaurant-sized batch so be sure to have a very large container to mix the ingredients in -- seriously, get a bucket. You should have seen my girlfriends and I trying to calculate how to proportionately mix it into small pitchers. Terrible.

It has arrived!

2012-01-05T09:25:00.002-05:00

Please disregard the terrible photo quality, but my mom wanted to see how my new rug turned out:

It arrived on Tuesday and is still smoothing itself out, but I love it! You also just got a look at the complete (thank God!) Operation: Chair Reupholster. Better pics to come soon!

The Year Ahead

2012-01-04T10:30:00.000-05:00

via decoylab

I'm not one for New Year's Resolutions. If there's something I want to change about myself/my life, I prefer to start right away. Feeling lethargic and lazy? Find a new exercise routine and get my butt to the gym. Closet looking lackluster? Start hunting for and buying only items that I love. Tired of sitting at home all the time in front of the TV? Get out and find something new and exciting to do.

That being said, the past couple years I've jotted down some things I'd like to accomplish in the coming year. I've read more books (instead of only reading during vacations), visited a new city (Boston, Philadelphia), gone on more dates (see: live-in boyfriend), run a 5k (made it through without stopping!), etc. 2012 shall be no different. Here are some of the goals that I hope to scratch off my list:

Save more money -- This will need a serious plan. I expect there will be some major life events happening in the next couple years and they will most definitely require large sums of money that I currently do not have.
Not be afraid to spend money -- I love to spend money, let's be clear about that. But I can also be terribly stingy. It's okay to spend $60 for a personal training session to get myself back into gear. It's okay to spend $15 at the car wash so that I'm not appalled when I look at my car. It's okay to get my hair cut every 6 weeks so that I don't look like a ragamuffin.
Visit my own city -- Paddle boats on the Tidal Basin? Yes, please. Monument tour at night? Absolutely. Fancy cocktails at POV? Can't wait.
Learn how to use a camera -- B gifted me a DSLR workshop for Christmas so I hope to learn how to/practice taking better shots, even if it's just for personal enjoyment.
Volunteer -- My volunteering took a serious nosedive in 2011. Finding organizations closer to home should help me get back into it.
Slow down and smell the roses -- Sometimes I get tunnel-vision and will obsessively focus on one thing for months (i.e. decorating the house). I want to step back and take it one day at a time; get some more fresh air; enjoy the moment while it lasts; take more pictures; go on more adventures; spend time with people I enjoy.

What about you? Any resolutions/goals you hope to conquer in 2012?

Big Spender

2011-12-29T13:46:00.000-05:00

Holy moly, I just bought a rug! I've been on the prowl for awhile to find something that would work in our living room, even more so since the real December weather has kicked in (40 degree temps + hardwood on concrete slab = cold floors). I was originally looking for something geometric/striped/trendy, but I just couldn't pull the trigger knowing that I'd probably be tired of it in 6 months. I didn't want to go with a natural fiber (jute/sisal) because our coffee table is covered in the same material (seen here). Then I found her:

Handmade Heritage Treasures Light Blue/ Ivory Wool Rug (7'6 x 9'6) via Overstock.com

Isn't she a beauty?! The reviews said that the colors are more muted in person but, even still, it's so beautiful that I don't know what to do with myself. Definitely didn't think I'd go with such a traditional pattern but the colors really make it pop. This rug even coordinates with our current bedroom (I am consistent). So excited. I want it to get here now.

Bonus points for going through www.ebates.com -- I received free shipping and saved $30 for being a new Overstock customer, plus I'll get 3% cash back from Ebates. Woohoo!

It's finally here!

2011-12-24T15:50:00.001-05:00

Well wouldn't you know, it's Christmas Eve already. We survived the madness that was preparing for/throwing our little party last weekend. I didn't get pictures of the yummy treats we made, but I'll share some of the recipes next week.

In the meantime, I thought I'd share some of the Christmas decorations we put up in our place. Since this was our first Christmas together, and really the first one we've ever decorated for, we had to start from scratch.

Here's a list of things we bought:

Christmas Tree Stand: about $30 at Target. It's big and plastic, but provides easy access so that we can water the tree without crawling on our stomachs. And by we, I mean B.

Tree Skirt: a gift from B's mom, Mrs. G -- purchased at Home Goods (thank you!)

Ornaments & Tree Topper: all from Target for a total of about $30, except the Ovechkin figurine (gift from siblings) and the beer bottle (I bought it for B at Sur La Table, on sale for $13).

Wreath: I put this together using a plain wreath, string of lights and sign from Target. All for less than $15, compared to their decorated wreaths that were at least $25!

Garland with lights (on railing): from Michael's, $12

Starburst ornaments on Garland: actually snagged these at our local grocery store for $5. I was really excited for the sparkles.

As you can see, we didn't have to spend too much to bring some holiday cheer to our place, and this stuff should be easy to store until next year.

Right now, B's in Philly visiting his family (he'll be back tomorrow) while I'm watching my Redskins blow another game. Once that is over, I'll be heading to my parent's house to kick-start the usual Christmas Eve festivities: Spaghetti and Eggplant Parmesan for dinner, then raucous games of Phase 10 and Sequence, while trying to watch A Christmas Story without my mom complaining. Wish me luck!

I hope you and yours have a great holiday!

Fighting the Bah Humbug

2011-12-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

Not to go all Scrooge on you, but I'm about ready for the holidays to be over. From trying to find presents for people that are incredibly hard to shop for, to preparing for a little get-together we're having at the house on Sunday, I'm wiped. I've got nothing left to give (including money). I am in full "George Mode" -- I get stressed about what needs to be done before, during, and after we have people over/take a trip/any out of the ordinary event. It is named after my father, who now finds it funny that I inherited this trait.

Anywho, here are some images that I am running to in order to keep my Christmas spirit alive:

via Rebecca Cooper

via Pinterest

via The Glitter Guide

via Iron Accents

via Iowa Girl Eats

Ahhhh, I feel a little better now.

One-stop Shop

2011-12-09T10:19:00.000-05:00

Etsy.com is quite possibly the greatest website around. For those that haven't checked it out (what are you waiting for??), it's like the Amazon.com of handmade goods. You can find jewelry, pillows, art, clothing, furniture, supplies -- you name it, it's there in abundance.

If you or someone you know is into art, there is bound to be something that catches your eye. I stumbled across these illustrated movie posters by claudiavarosio this morning and fell in love:

Those are just a few of my favorites. I wish real movie posters looked like this. Whether you're a film buff or you know someone who is, or you just like beautiful illustrations, these definitely deserve a spot on a wall in a living room/dorm room/basement theater near you. For under $20, they are a steal and since they're not mass-produced, you'll be hard-pressed to find it hanging elsewhere.

Dear Santa...

2011-11-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

With Christmas already less than a month away, most of us are getting requests for gift ideas. I have found this to be an increasingly difficult task as I grow older. I remember when my brother, sisters and I would go through every page of the Sears or Lillian Vernon catalogs, circling every toy we wanted. Nowadays, not only are the items I pine for too expensive for family members (and myself), but those that are affordable I can easily purchase on my own, whenever the mood strikes. It took some time to find a reasonable list of items that I've had my eye on, but could hold off until Christmas to bring home.

But if money were no object this year, here's what I'd ask for:

I found this photo on Pinterest and have been searching endlessly for these rings. My searches have led nowhere. Tears have been shed.

I was going to ask B for this infinity ring, until I saw the price ($260). Definitely out of our $50 budget.

This Dwell Studio Milo coffee table is fantastic and would look even better in our living room. I am now accepting $1500 donations.

Anthropologie -- such beautiful clothes, such absurd prices ($178)

Frye Paige Tall Riding Boots -- I'd be afraid to wear them out of the house in fear of stepping into a ginormous, muddy puddle as I walk out the door, thereby ruining them and immediately making me regret spending $350 on a pair of shoes.

We need a rug in the living room, but I can't bring myself to spend $300 on something I may not like one year from now. This one could work though. It's neutral but has a pattern to give it some pop.

So basically I want anything ivory or gold, and I'd be so afraid of ruining my extravagant presents that I wouldn't put them to good use. To be honest, even this list took me awhile to compile. I guess I'm at a time and place in life where the "stuff" doesn't mean as much. Not a bad place to be :)

Comforts of Home

2011-11-21T15:01:00.001-05:00

B and I are heading up to Philadelphia tomorrow, to celebrate Thanksgiving with his family. This is the first time that I've split holidays with a boyfriend, let alone one that's from another state. It was a process to figure out where we would be for Thanksgiving and Christmas. B's family has a tradition of spending a raucous night out with siblings and cousins the night before Thanksgiving, then attending the parade downtown the next morning. Thanksgiving is a much more simple affair for my family -- we lounge around then head to an aunt's house just 20 minutes away. Nothing out of the ordinary. Christmas Eve in my family, however, brings heated games of Phase 10 and Sequence, and movie watching (I try to watch as much of "A Christmas Story" as I can before my mom starts griping about all the yelling), then the family comes over for dinner at my parents house Christmas Day. Christmas is no less special in B's family, but we decided it was a fair deal to spend Turkey Day in Philly and Xmas in VA this year. (We will review again next year, Mrs. G!)

Since I won't be with my family, I thought I'd bring a couple treats that feel like home. My cousin Lexy makes a ridiculous Chocolate Chunk Pumpkin Bread that I swoon over. I'm not a big fan of pumpkin anything, but I inhale this stuff.

via Habitually Hungry (similar recipe here)

2 cups flour

2 tsp. CALUMET Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

2 eggs

1 cup mashed cooked fresh pumpkin

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup oil

6 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, coarsely chopped (She does 6oz. of dark chocolate since 1 square = 1 oz., that's roughly a cup if you don't have a weigher)

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and spices until well blended; set aside. Beat eggs, pumpkin, sugars, milk and oil in large bowl with wire whisk until well blended. Add dry ingredients; stir just until moistened. Stir in chopped chocolate.

POUR into greased 9x5-inch loaf pan.

BAKE 55 minutes to 1 hour or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean (remember the center is always a little gooey and the chocolate chips too so try off center). Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack. Cut into 18 (1/2-inch thick) slices to serve.

NOTE: Since you are using canned pumpkin most likely, add a little extra, like 1/4 cup more of the mashed pumpkin for that gooey yummyness in the center.

Total Time: 1 hr 30 min

Prep: 30 min

Servings: 18 servings, 1 slice each (I prefer bigger slices)

I am also missing out on my mom's Sweet Cream Biscuits, a recipe that I discovered back in elementary school while doing a school project on North Carolina. These are a hot commodity at our Thanksgiving feast. Seriously, we fight over them.

via A Tender Crumb

2 cups flour

1 tbs baking powder

3 tbs sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1-1/4 cup heavy cream

PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Mix ingredients together.

SCOOP large spoonfuls onto baking sheet and brush with milk.

BAKE for 10 minutes or until lightly golden on top.

Total Time: 15 min

Prep: 5 min

Servings: About 12 biscuits

My adventures in baking have gone well so far (I made these Chocolate Chip Muffins this weekend) so I hope these will be a breeze and B's family will enjoy them. That is, if I don't get territorial and eat it all before dinner.

(Wo)man's Best Friend(s)

2011-11-14T15:00:00.000-05:00

About two years ago, I read about a running group sponsored by the Washington Humane Society, called PACK (People & Animal Cardio Klub). The purpose of the group is to give shelter dogs a chance to interact with people/other dogs and get some much needed exercise while they wait to find their "forever" homes. As someone who loves the crap out of dogs but never had one growing up, this has been a very rewarding experience for me to get some doggy love while exercising. Meet my newest friend, Chalupa:

via Washington Humane Society

I'm not really a fan of small dogs, but sometimes you just need a little dog to hold and love. She is downright the sweetest thing on earth and can run like the wind! And how can you not like a dog in a sweater?! There are so many dogs at Washington Humane Society, and countless other shelters, that have had tough luck and are looking for a new home that will love them forever. I am so thankful for the unconditional love these dogs give, even to a stranger like me, and the opportunity to give them a break from their day-to-day routine**. I cannot wait until B and I are ready to pick up a dog of our own (a daily debate).

And speaking of B, he is a gem. Exhibit A:

via Me (Please note the glittery blue mini-cowboy hat)

Not only did he watch his Eagles play yesterday via his cell phone while we were tackling Operation: Chair Reupholster, but he is relentlessly by my side no matter what I've got up my sleeve. I am amazed that he has willingly chosen to stick around after a year of my antics. He is more than I could have asked for, or deserve, and I am very grateful that he lets me hog the sheets every night.

** I am in no way a spokeperson/employee of Washington Humane Society. I am merely a volunteer that wants to help spread the word about a great program. If interested in their programs/adopting, please contact them directly.

You Spin Me Right Round

2011-11-08T09:00:00.000-05:00

Flat surfaces are my enemy. The chair in my childhood bedroom/ottoman in my current bedroom/any table or dresser I've ever owned -- they are hidden to the naked eye. I will find something to fill up that empty space.

Enter the coffee table in our living room. It's a rattan trunk that is very functional for storage (extra blankets/pillows and DVDs currently reside there) but the top is a drop spot for anything and everything. I've been searching tirelessly for a serving tray of some sort that can corral the TV remotes, magazines, etc. that have consumed the table. Since the trunk is a rectangular shape and isn't huge (about 18"W x 36"L), I've been trying to find something round, about 12" in diameter, and in a material that won't shatter into a million pieces when we inevitably knock it onto the floor (we're crazy like that).

via Emily Henderson

via Apartment Therapy

via Betsy Burnham for Lonny

I've been searching everywhere I go, and I haven't had much luck in the price range I'm aiming for (which is under $20). Most items I find are too large or too fragile or more money than I want to spend.

And here's where my Pinterest obsession comes to the rescue:

Everything LEB's DIY Paper-Mache Tray

A carry-out food container, paper-mache and some glitzy paint is all she used to make a custom tray for practically nothing. This could very well solve my problem, assuming I find something around the house that is in the size/shape I want. Add some fun paint, maybe a pattern, and I have a unique piece to help control the chaos. Perhaps I could make one for each surface in my house....

Challenge Accepted

2011-11-04T11:55:00.000-04:00

Can you believe we're four days into November already? It is amazing how quickly time flies (let's hope winter goes by just as fast, so we can get back to sunshine and sundresses).

With the holidays coming up, I've seen several "gratitude challenges" pop up over the internet -- my most favorite being Positively Present's 30 Day Photo Challenge: Gratitude, which I first saw over at Meet Virginia.

I am incredibly spoiled with the good health/family/friends/job/etc. that I have, and as I get older I realize that I don't spend nearly enough time acknowledging how lucky I am. So in the spirit of giving thanks, I thought I'd partake in the photo challenge.

via Positively Present

I won't go in this specific order and I might substitute a few personal challenges, but I will try to take as many pictures as I can. I'll post once a week or so to avoid overload. Ready?

Day 1: Nature
Photo Credit: Me

My dad made his dream come true last January and took my siblings and I to Disney World. 60 degrees and sunshine is my kind of winter weather. Let's hope Jack Frost holds off for awhile.

Join me in my challenge! If you post pics online, leave a link in the comment section below so that we can check it out.

Operation: Chair Reupholster Update

2011-10-31T11:55:00.000-04:00

Verdict as of 10/31/11: Definitely Cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs.

This is as far as I got this weekend on my chair reupholster project. #1 Lesson Learned: Be Prepared. The supplies I ordered last week didn't ship until Friday, and won't be delivered until tomorrow. Kind of makes this project a bit more difficult.

Other things I've learned so far:

Wood putty will not stain properly if not completely sanded. I have splotches on the arms/legs that I will have to re-sand and re-stain. Sad face.
Staple guns are son-of-a-guns (no pun intended).
Patience is key. Any time I try something new, I expect to be great at it immediately. I got frustrated quickly (see aforementioned staple gun) and had to remind myself that it was a Learn-As-You-Go process.

Good news is that I'm liking what I see so far. B and I are headed up to Philly this weekend, so I will resume work, with supplies in hand, and hopefully complete both chairs the following weekend. Fingers crossed!

Have you ever attempted a DIY reupholster project? What lessons did you learn during the process?

Oh, and Happy Halloween!

Operation: Chair Reupholster

2011-10-26T14:46:00.000-04:00

I briefly mentioned in a prior post that I had purchased two chairs off Craigslist for cheap, and that I had some tricks up my sleeve.

The past month or so has been crazy hectic, and since this weekend is my only free weekend for awhile, it has officially become Operation: Chair Reupholster Weekend. Let me give you an idea of what I'm envisioning:

via Home In the Country

This is my inspiration. The chairs are a little different (this is a rocking chair, first of all), but what I'm aiming for is the fun chevron and the warm wood frame. I thought the yellow and white would bring a lot of cheer to our very brown living room, but I also felt it was a little too trendy. Then I found this:

Village Green/Natural via Premier Prints

This photo doesn't do it justice. The colors are warmer in person and I think they will outlive the trend. Some eye candy for ya:

via Pink Green and Zebra

via Live Like You

My plan is to keep the arms and legs exposed and finish them with a warm stain (like my inspiration photo), which will help keep the chairs casual and (hopefully) simplify the process. I'll use the chevron on the back and seat cushions, and use drop cloths as my fabric for the body of the chair. What did I just say? Yes, I'm going to Home Depot and buying drop cloths, washing them (to soften them up), then reupholstering my chairs in them. It's a clever idea I found in a Washington Post design article: Talking design with Velvet & Linen’s Brooke and Steven Giannetti. Plus the drop cloths match the Natural stripe in my fabric perfectly, and down the line if I wanted a change, I can just stitch together new cushion covers while keeping the neutral base. Oh don't worry, I've thought it out.

I ordered some of my supplies (pray for speedy delivery) and will hunt down the rest in the next day or two. I'm getting really nervous about how this will turn out. Come Sunday, we'll find out how cuckoo-for-Cocoa-Puffs I really am for coming up with this ridiculous idea!

Our Weekend in Beantown

2011-10-23T20:57:00.001-04:00

I could blab on and on about how much B and I loved Boston -- the architecture, the streetscapes, the pizza, the T -- but I'll just post this eye candy instead (with some recommended links at the end):

Where we stayed:

The Chandler Inn, Back Bay

Where we ate:

Black Seed Cafe and Grill, Boston Commons

Billy's Sub Shop, Back Bay

Regina Pizza, North End

Solas Pub, Copley Square

Where we drank:

Goody Glovers, North End

Durty Nelly's, North End

What we did:

Freedom Trail

Dark Side of Boston Tour, North End

Harpoon Brewery Tour

If you like it then you shoulda put a frame on it

2011-10-17T21:38:00.000-04:00

I mentioned last week that I had dropped some items off to be framed. I picked them up and I am THRILLED with how well they turned out. Behold the new beauty gracing our living room wall:

My mom purchased this vintage poster for me years ago, when I lived at a previous apartment. Unfortunately, it's an odd size (28x32" or something) and I was never able to find an affordable frame for it so it sat in a poster tube for years, begging to be hung. When we moved to our new place, I was determined to fork over the cash and have it professionally framed so that I could finally stare at it on a daily basis. Boy, am I glad I did! It looks fantastic.

The frame looks almost black from afar but it has a rich brown tone that really warms it up. And might I point out that the poster's blues, greens and golds go perfectly with the Missoni media bins that I bought. Damn, I'm good. If you're in the Arlington/DC Area, I highly recommend Art & Framing Club on Columbia Pike. This frame and glass cost around $115.

In other news, B and I took our mini-vacation up to Boston this weekend so I will share details/photos later this week!

Persistence Pays Off

2011-10-12T12:01:00.000-04:00

By now I'm sure everyone's heard of, and recovered from, the Missoni Madness that was unleashed at Target about a month ago. Yes, I was one of the crazies that was at my local store by 8:05 a.m., and yes, the place had already been ransacked. I was able to grab a nice black and white chevron shirt at the first store I stopped at (no picture though), and thankfully the next store had the flats that were #2 on my list:

I was also able to score some fun blue and green media bins (that now house miscellaneous items in our TV unit), and a makeup bag in my favorite pattern online the next day:

But I still felt a little empty inside. What was #1 on my list, you ask? These beauties:

That is me, at Target last night, embracing a set of the sweetest melamine plates I have ever seen. I was utterly heartbroken when these flew off the shelves on September 13th, and considered purchasing a set off of ebay, even though they were going for more than double their in-store price of $3.49/each. I loved them that much. But I cooled my heels and refused to give in to such madness. I happened to be browsing Target's website yesterday and noticed that they had a few Missoni items for sale online, and a few that were listed as "In-store only," including my plates. I checked their availability nearby and it said that both of the Targets near me had them!

So obviously I hurried over as soon as I could (all the while telling B to pay attention and drive faster), and, after leaving B in my dust as I ran to the Kitchen section, I was beyond thrilled to see that they had eight plates available. I grabbed six and was so smitten that I literally walked around the store with the stack of plates in my arms. Don't judge. I also snagged an eye mask in the same pattern (yes, I wear an eye mask when sleeping. Long story). Special thanks go out to B's mom, Mrs. G, who gave me a Target gift card for my birthday which I used for this purchase!

Were you able to snag any Missoni goodness? Did you prefer one pattern over the other (chevron vs. whatever-those-plates-are vs. the abstract purple rose)?