The Lovely Side

My Hunt for a Lovely, Historic Apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

If you've been following The Lovely Side on Facebook and Twitter, you're probably in the loop about the ups and downs of my Cedar Rapids apartment search. It's been a rollercoaster rental hunt - far more difficult than finding living arrangements in my former college town of Ames, where there were really no complexes or communities deemed 'that bad' in the grand scheme of things.

Apartment #1 | Cute late Victorian with water pressure, pilot light, and nearby neighborhood problems.

The first place I saw (above) was a unit on the second floor of a late Victorian. While it was cute, spacious, and in a decent neighborhood, the cons outweighed the pros. There were problems with the water pressure and stove's pilot light. There were not-so-lovely neighborhoods nearby. Traffic was a nightmare. And overall, I just got questionable vibes from the place. I had high hopes for the apartment - and it fit my price range - so it was disappointing to not feel impressed or even comfortable at the showing. I had a good cry about it and then hopped back on the apartment hunt.

Apartment #2 | Tiny studio in a historic building with huge windows and high ceilings, but with an outdated kitchen

The second place I saw (above) was an 'on a whim' showing. It was the max time/distance I was willing to commute, but the studio was located in a historic brick building that was once a school. So the historical element kept calling to me. The room I checked out had once been a classroom and still retained the original wood trim, built-in bookcase, high ceilings, and amazing windows. The kitchen was outdated and the efficiency quite small itself, but I loved its rich history, character, and tranquility. Unfortunately, another application was approved before mine and I missed out on the space. I made the mistake of getting a little too excited again - even brainstorming some space saving diy projects. So I shed a few tears and mourned the loss of my dream studio.

I was starting to lose hope that I could find a decent, historic apartment rich with character in a quiet, safe neighborhood within a twenty-minute drive to work... that I could also afford. I started thinking it was about time to go see some of the many "cookie-cutter" apartments I'd come across. But then I decided to go see one more place before reluctantly resorting to the normal, typical, contemporary apartments.

Apartment #3 | Located at the rear of the 2nd story of this Queen Anne house. Since someone
is still residing in this apartment, I don't have any photos besides this view from the street.

The third place (in the house pictured above) was a second-floor unit in another Victorian house. A good, residential part of town just close enough to downtown without being too close for comfort and quiet. Small on space - a bedroom, large bathroom, and combined kitchen/living area. But amazing details like the original hardwood floors, trim, woodwork, doors, and clawfoot bathtub. The woodwork had me at hello. Since I'd gotten used to disappointment and rejection, I tried reeeeally hard to not get too attached. But the day after turning in my application, the landlord called to let me know I'd been approved and could set up a time to sign the lease!

Just to make sure everything was set in stone, I didn't want to reveal my apartment finding until I had actually signed the lease. But I signed it on Monday morning. :) On June 1, I'll be moving into the lovely little Queen Anne apartment and taking pictures to post on The Lovely Side right away. (I can't right now because the current tenant is still living there/moving out.) But seriously, I swear that I'll be posting them asap - before I even get furniture in the place so that you can see some Before's and After's.

I'm very excited to move in and decorate the place! I will have some limitations. The house is historic and the landlord has lots of restrictions on what can be done, but I'm confidant that I can craftily work around the rules and that I'll enjoy calling the cozy space my home sweet apartment for the next year or more. The neighborhood is full of other gorgeous Victorian houses - and several huge brick mansions. It's very residential and quiet. Driving down one of the brick roads, I saw lots of people out running and walking their dogs. I can't wait to stroll through the area myself, camera in tote snapping away at the historic homes.

Taking this job, leaving my lovely attic apartment and wonderful Ames friends behind, and relocating to a brand new city has been quite the leap of faith. It has had its ups and downs, tearful disappointments, and happy announcements. I'm feeling so blessed that everything has fallen together like it has - and thankful for my awesome bf who has let me crash with him until finding my own place. (...Much longer and I'd surely be turning his bachelor pad into a flowery, feminine mess. Haha.)

Two weeks, lovelies. Two weeks til I get to bathe in a vintage beauty of a clawfoot tub. Two weeks til you get to see my pretty little abode. Bear with me for two more weeks and I assure you that this blog will be bursting at the seems with decorating and diy projects. Yippee!

My 9 Favorite Small Space Solutions from Small Cool 2013's Teeny Tiny and Tiny Entries

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Artful gallery wall. Kacey's DIY Decor

My favorite time of year in the blogosphere is Apartment Therapy's Small Cool Contest. I was really hoping to be moved into a place in time enough time to enter this year, but I supposed there's always next year... My favorite entries are the Teeny Tiny and Tiny spaces because the dwellers have to get uber creative. I've rounded up my 9 favorite small space solutions from Small Cool 2013. (In no particular order.)

Above, Kacey makes a big, bold statement by jam-packing a wall with art, maps, and more framed in an eclectic mix of dark frames. I love having something interesting to look at!

Angled furniture arrangement. Emily's Brownstone Studio

Furniture doesn't have to shoved up flush against the wall in tiny space. I love how Emily played with angles in positioning much of the furniture in her studio.

Behind-the-curtains bookcase headboard. Caitlin's Treetop Daydreams

If I didn't have a phobia about things falling from shelves onto my head while sleeping, I would totally recreate this curtained, bookcase headboard. Instead, I'll just admire from a safe distance. ;)

Ghost coffee table. Alexander's Small Space, Big Challenges

Aaahhh, ghost furniture. The sleek transparency gives the illusion that the coffee table doesn't take up any floor space at all.

Fireplace turned bookcase. Jennifer's Exposed Brick Studio

I adore the idea of turning a non-usable fireplace into book storage.

Creative dining space. Joy's Less is Definitely More

Not all floorplans allow for a standalone table and chairs. This tiny dining space is out of the way, but doesn't feel cramped or isolated.

Above cabinet storage space. Luz's Lucky Location

That space above the cabinets? Oh yea! It's oft-forgotten, or even more often... used to store unsightly blender, toaster, and mixer boxes. (C'mon, I know I'm not the only guilty one.) From henceforth, I shall only store pretty things up there - and in an organized manner, too.

Mirrored doors and furniture. Leslie's Enchanting Sunlight

Here's a great example displaying how mirrors really do enlarge and open up a small space.

Vertical utensil storage on the wall. Xsusha's Creative Small Thinking

And lastly, I love the pots, pans, and utensils hung on rods across the kitchen walls. It saves on space and keeps 'em within easy reach.

Vote for your favorite Small Cool 2013 spaces now! (All photos in this post are from Apartment Therapy.)

Storm & Tornado Safety for Apartment Dwellers

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 21 May 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Living in the Midwest, the threat of severe storms and tornadoes is all too real. Being an Iowa girl, I'm no stranger to the summertime storm sirens. Damaging winds, pummeling hail, flash floods, twisters, and fearsome lightning likely summer occurrences. Tragedies such as the recent devastation in Moore, Oklahoma hit close to home. My thoughts and prayers are with all of those who lost their lives, loved ones, and homes.

Since the season for severe weather is upon us, I thought I'd round up a few safety tips for renters. Tornadoes often come swiftly and without much warning, so take weather warnings and conditions seriously. Having a plan in place will better protect you in the event of a tornado.

If you live on the upper floor of an apartment building, get to the lowest level you can as fast as you can: an underground parking garage, basement room, or neighbor's lower level unit. If you live in a high-rise building, there may not be enough time for you to get to the lowest level... or even a lower level. Try to get to a hallway in the center of the building. Closets, bathrooms, and interior hallways are the safest spots in your apartment. Always pick a place without or as far away from windows as possible.

In the event of a tornado, put on a pair of shoes if you have time. In your safe spot, cover yourself with blankets and pillows. Get underneath a mattress, heavy piece of furniture, or large table for extra protection from falling objects and flying debris. Wear a bike, baseball, or similar helmet if you have one available - it will help to protect your head from any falling objects or flying debris.

It's never a bad idea to have a survival kit in your apartment, too. Fill a plastic toolbox with a flashlight, extra batteries, first aid items, a bottle of water, and anything else you might need handy in the event of an emergency.

For more detailed advice about your specific apartment, ask your property manager or landlord if there are any storm shelters in the building or designated safe spots in the complex.

Stay safe out there, lovelies!

Book Giveaway! | Win a Copy of Suzanne Young's The Program

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:30:00 +0000

Happy Tuesday, lovelies! I'm pleased to announce that The Lovely Side has teamed up with Simon Teen for another book giveaway... and just in time for summer! Whether you're looking for a beach read or something to devour while jet-setting, The Program by Suzanne Young should shoot right to the top of your list. We're giving away two copies!

About The Program

Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.

Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in. And The Program is coming for them.

About the Author

Suzanne Young currently lives in Tempe, Arizona, where she teaches high school English. When not writing obsessively, Suzanne can be found searching her own tragic memories for inspiration. She is the author of several books for teens, including The Program, A Need So Beautiful, and A Want So Wicked.

Read a teaser excerpt from The Program below!

Simon Teen is generously giving 2 lucky readers of The Lovely Side a copy of The Program by Suzanne Young!

How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post with your name and a valid email address. Plus, tell me where you'll be doing most of your reading this summer. Pool side? On a plane on your way to Paris? In the backyard? Between summer classes? (Email address is required. Without an email address, I won't be able to reach you. If you're worried about spam, please use (at) or [dotcom] tactics instead of @ and .com. Entries without an email address will not be entered.) Enter via the Facebook comment form and I'll double your comment entry so that you're twice as likely to win! ;)

2. You can also enter by tweeting about this giveaway. Be sure to mention @TheLovelySide and tag #TheProgram so that I see your tweet. (Be sure that private messages are allowed on your Twitter privacy settings so that I can reach you if you're selected as a winner.)

3. Two winners will be chosen: one comment and one tweet. Feel free to both comment and tweet. (But you can only comment once and tweet once.)

4. All comments and tweets must be posted by NOON on Friday, May 31st. The 2 winners will be notified that afternoon. Check your private messages on Twitter and your email inbox as I'll be getting in touch that afternoon. :)

5. Giveaway limited to residents of the United States.

6. This isn't required, but if you win... I'd love to hear what you think of the book after you read it!

Good luck, bookworms! While you anxiously await the winner announcement,

Like Simon Teen on Facebook | Follow Simon Teen on Twitter

Visit Suzanne Young's Blog | Follow Suzanne Young on Twitter

Check Out the Official Site of The Program Series

Be Still My Heart: Clawfoot Bathtubs

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 20 May 2013 20:13:00 +0000

Clawfoot bathtubs. Those two words summon such lovely images to mind. These vintage beauties stem from my deep-rooted love of all things Victorian. And it is with great pleasure that I can say my new apartment has one in its bathroom. You can bet that one of first things I do after moving in will be filling that clawfoot tub with bubble bath and sinking in with a good book and perhaps a glass of mead. I am so excited.

I don't have photos of my new place yet. (Someone is still living there through the end of the month.) So I rounded up ten gorgeous clawfoot tubs to inspire my decorating ideas and to whet your appetite until the day I get to share mine. :) Enjoy!

I love the rustic cottage feel of this one. The shelves keep essentials like towels, candles, and bubble bath within easy reach. And the primitive little stool is an adorable offset to the tub's lovely curves.

This is very similar to what my tub looks like—black base, white interior. Mine also has a metal fixture that includes a shower head. I love the fresh, floral, femininity in this bathroom.

And here's another tub like mine, but in a more rustic setting. The hardwood floors and white painted brick in this space makes me swoon—especially with details like rustic shelving and the exposed pipes. It's cozy and industrial at the same time.

Oh, oh, oh. I LOVE the mural in this bathroom. It is reminiscent of ancient murals found in the buried villas of Pompeii. So pretty. The shade of faded emerald is gorgeous, too. It couldn't get more perfect.

I love everything about this bathroom. The handsome hardwood floors, the radiator, and the natural light pouring in through the window catching the metallic gleam on the sink, bathtub, and shelves. Understated and absolutely lovely.

This bathroom is cute! The authentic black and white vintage tiling caught my attention from the get-go. I love the long, skinny shelves lined with candles and what look to be glass jars filled with seashells. The splashes of color in here are lovely, too: hot pink, mustard, pale turquoise, orange.

Simple can go a long way in letting the vintage character of a place speak for itself. The radiator, vintage subway tiling, and clawfoot tub take center stage here. I love how the ruffled shower curtain softens the space with a feminine touch. The little round stool is perfect. And the pop of green wallpaper at the top right is such a pretty little surprise of pattern.

Ooooh, I'm loving the vintage vibes surrounding this green clawfoot tub. The stool, glass bottles, and diagram artwork feel apothecary chic.

I saved this one for last because it contains some of the same hues I'll be putting to use in my bathroom decor: white, gray, and yellow.

When I created the above Olioboard as an inspiration board for decorating my future apartment bathroom using the shower curtain and accessories I already have... throwing in the clawfoot tub was really just wishful thinking. I can hardly believe that I'm actually going to have a clawfoot tub!

So spill. Which of you lovely readers have lived with and enjoyed a clawfoot tub? :) I'm in for a treat, right?

Apartment Hunting: Reality Check

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 06 May 2013 15:54:00 +0000

Hello from eastern Iowa! I know I've been missing from the blogosphere for, well... too long. So I figured I'd drop in and give you an update as to why. To make a long story short: I landed a web content writing job two hours away from where I was living in Ames. So in a mere two weeks I had to wrap things up at my social media job, pack up my attic apartment, and move all my stuff back home to my parents' place where it would stay until I found a place of my own.

Last week was my first week on the new job. It was a whirlwind week of training, navigating rush hour traffic, and a major apartment disappointment.

Let's zero in on the apartment disappointment. I'd been "virtually" apartment hunting in the two weeks leading up to my new job, but it hadn't yielded many results. And being unfamiliar with the new city, I wasn't actually sure what the good, quiet, safe neighborhoods were vs. the questionable areas. I found one place that seemed really promising. A one-bedroom apartment on the second floor of a big old Victorian house in Cedar Rapids. I corresponded with the landlord back and forth, filled out the application, and really had my hopes up about the apartment. After my first day of work, I went and checked it out.

I snapped some pictures while I was there.

I liked that the kitchen was all white, included a newer fridge, and had a little window... but I wasn't crazy about the fact that the stove's pilot light kept needing re-lighting. Plus, I can do without a dishwasher... but not without counter space.

The bedroom was a good size and had lots of natural lighting.
(Excuse the mess... the current tenants were moving out.)

The window in the bedroom was large, but it looked out onto a unkempt back alley behind
the houses in the neighborhood. Also, the closet was reeeeally quite too small for me.

I did love the large, spacious living room with its huge windows.
But the windows once again overlooked an unkempt back yard.

The bathroom was huge. It included several things I'd
need to turn into projects---like the peeling blue/white wallpaper.

But the windows inside the shower was a huge issue. The paint was cracking and peeling and the windows
just didn't look like they were in very good condition due to all the moisture from the shower all the time.

It wasn't an all out nightmare, but it was a pretty big disappointment and reality check. It did have some perks:

Victorian Charm. Similar to my attic space but in better condition. No cracked walls or ceilings. Freshly painted. Decent carpeting. High ceilings. Big windows. Lots of character.
Tenants My Age. It's easier to make friends in a new place when you have something like age in common with your neighbors.
Pretty Neighborhood. Other lovely Victorians houses all around. A playground across the street.
Near Downtown. Proximity to lots of dining and shopping options.
Good Price. Not inexpensive by any means, but not unreasonable either. It was priced well and included most utilities.

But that's where the similarities stopped and the drawbacks started piling up.

Lack of Parking. There was hardly a spot big enough for my bulky SUV... let alone space for the vehicle of the visiting bf, friend, or family member. Additionally, there was no street parking or additional parking lots nearby either.
Rear View Woes. The apartment was located at the back of the second floor rather than the front. this isn't a major tragedy, but I didn't find it aesthetically pleasing or particularly inspiring to have a scenic view of the junky back alley behind the house.
Pilot Lights. Apparently, the pilot light kept going out on the stove top. I don't think that's a good thing. And I have a super paranoia about things blowing up.
Troubled Waters. During the showing, there was no water. I guess it'd been turned off to fix some water pressure issues. Water pressure and working faucets is always something I check when looking at a prospective new place.
Scary Cellar. The washer and dryer was located in the basement, which was fine at my old place. (The basement at my old place was finished and really not creepy considering it was a 100+ year old house.) The basement in this place was totally unfinished, totally exposed, and totally creepy. Looking at some of the wiring made me a little uneasy as well.
Worries in the 'Hood. As quiet and charming as the block was, not-so-charming blocks were sprinkled throughout the neighborhoods. The place was just a little too close to sketchy areas and downtown for my comfort. This new city is two times the size of my cozy, familiar college town.
Traffic Nightmare. Getting to this place was an absolute nightmare. Granted, it was rush hour, too... but one-way streets and road construction made getting around quite a hassle.
Student Tenants. The apartment was near a college, so full of student tenants. While I don't object to living near people close to me in age, I do feel like I've outgrown the "college scene." I just moved out of an apartment on the party/bar street of my college town. I want to be surrounded by young professionals as opposed to partying students.
Gut Feeling. The biggest drawback to this place was my gut feeling. I just had a bad feeling about the place and about the neighborhood.

The apartment showing threw me for a loop. I really thought this place was it. I guess I'd jumped the gun on thinking I'd found a place so easily, so quickly, and for a reasonable price. I felt overwhelmed, discouraged, and most of all frightened that I'd never find a place here that feels like home as much as my attic apartment in Ames did. In Ames, I guess I was spoiled with an older home that had been very well taken care of with a finished basement, updated appliances, and a renovated kitchen. That wasn't the case with this other place.

I had a good cry about it and then let it go. And so I'm back to the apartment hunt.

Luckily, my bf lives forty minutes from my new workplace and is so gracious as to put up with me for a few weeks until I find the right place. Some friends who are familiar with the area have given me suggestions. And some really nice people at the new job are pointing me to good apartment complexes as well. I have a brand new list full of apartments to check out this week.

I'm in such a hurry to find my own place, settle in, and start making it into my first apartment home that's completely mine and roommate free. I can't wait to start posting about a new apartment and new decorating and new projects! But I have to be patience and I have to be picky to make sure I end up in a place I'll really love for the next year.

I'll keep you updated on the hunt and the (hopefully soon) apartment find!

Adorable Rolling Book Truck | Furniture Fetish

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 01:54:00 +0000

I stumbled upon this adorable piece of furniture on Pinterest today. It's perfectly retro and I just have to gush about it. The Flat Shelf Book Truck, available via School Outfitters, is a modern piece of furniture reminiscent of vintage school libraries.

What I love about it (besides the sixteen delightful colors it comes in) is its versatility. You could use this darling as a bookshelf, nightstand, side table, entertainment center if you have a small flat screen, mobile desk space, vanity, bathroom storage, dry bar, kitchen cart, etc.

I had a little bit of fun styling my four favorite colors of the book truck on Olioboard.

Left: Old School Library, Right: Vintage Feminine

Left: Working It in Bold, Right: Neutral Chic

The piece normally runs for $444, which is a little pricey for a college/young professional budget... yet not bad considering the use you could get out of it. But right now it's on sale for just under $296.99! If I had the extra $300 laying around right now, you can bet I'd be jumping on that deal and buying one of these darlings shelves for my new place. *sigh* I'll just hope the sale lasts a couple months. ;) In the meantime, you should let me know which color is your favorite! (...And let me know if you buy one! Though I'll be mighty jealous!)

Orange Couches (Yes, I got one!)

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 00:32:00 +0000

That's right. I now have a gorgeous, bright orange, retro sofa in my ownership. I'm sooo excited to find, settle in, and start decorating my own place. My orange sofa is going to look fabulous with my pair of turquoise chairs. To get my creative decorating juices flowing, I scavenged Pinterest for all the pretty orange couches I could find and rounded them up right here. (My couch is at the very bottom!)

Ooooh, this dark tangerine sofa looks lovely with pops of light and hot pink.

Orange stands out in a room full of black, white, and gray. And isn't that little guy adorable?!

Damask pillows in green, dark pink, and orange dress up this modern orange couch.

Citrus-y orange and yellow, toned down with some navy blue.

Gahh! Love this orange couch with all the cream and splashes of pink and blue.

This orange couch brings out the golden glow in the portraits hanging above. (LOVE the pillows!)

The orange hue takes centerstage amid a gray background and eclectic mix of art.

So very vintage right here! I love the metallic gleam of gold rollers.

Her apartment is just too, too pretty! Orange gets glam with pink accents and shiny metallics.

This vintage beauty is gorgeous. And I love the easy-to-switch-up art display behind it.

*Gasp!* This is my kind of couch! I love the baroque legs and bright colors.

Ooooh, crushed velvet. This dark orange is so pretty with a washed-out teal backdrop.

How could someone not be happy surrounded by all these glorious colors?!

Orange and blue is truly a match made in color combination heaven.

And now for the moment you've been waiting for... the big reveal of MY COUCH!

Here she is! Bold orange. Retro silhouette. Real vintage. Gold rollers on the front. Plush upholstery.

I love how it leans back, too! Soo comfy! It's lightweight and easy to move, too.

So what do you think? Totally my style, right? ;)

Gray + White + Yellow + Green Bathroom | My Next Place

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 02:35:00 +0000

So as I'm packing stuff up and preparing move, I can't help but get my daydream on about decorating my very own place. I've procrastinating my packing with a little bit of Olioboarding to create inspiration boards for what I might do in certain rooms of my next apartment. I decided to share the bathroom inspiration board first.

I'll be using a gray, white, and yellow fabric shower curtain from DENY Design that I received a long time ago but haven't been able to use. I'll keep most of the accessories (rug, vanity items, waste basket, towels) in the gray and white color scheme, with a few pops of yellow to pick up on the shower curtain. Then I'm going to add a bit of forest green here and there to match the vintage metal toolbox that I keep all of my makeup in. I will probably add a wicker laundry hamper for a touch of something natural and rustic. I also plan on spray painting a small wooden table a green matching the toolbox. I'll place it near the tub to hold a thing of bubble bath, a candle, and my teacup for long evening bubble baths. Yay!

It'll be such a lovely little retreat!

What do you think?

Moving Stage 1 | Purging Before Packing

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 00:08:00 +0000

So on this stormy April evening, I'm stuck up in the attic partaking in one of my least favorite activities: preparing to move. I love the freshness of moving into a new place, but I hate the messy process of getting there. And the first step in this process (as soon as I'm done procrastinating by blogging and watching Rules of Engagement) is a massive purge of everything I don't need.

This purge hasn't always taken place. When I've moved place to place in Ames, I've tended to pack everything up and just move. Well, I have farther to move this time. I need to downsize as much as possible. I've devised a plan that's going to help me in this purging process. And all it calls for is three empty, tall plastic laundry hampers.

Hamper 1: Keep Handy

These are things I come across that I will need to have easy (but not immediate) access to in the upcoming weeks. Certain outfits and shoes. Hair, bath, and beauty products that I don't use everyday but will need shortly upon moving. Electronics chargers. Important documents/papers/notebooks. Once full, this hamper will be packed into easy-to-get-to and easy-to-transport bags.

Hamper 2: Take Home

I'll be taking a bunch of unneeded items to my parents' place during the transition from my current apartment to the next apartment. Decorative accessories. Books. Office/school supplies. Out-of-season clothing and shoes. Artwork. Kitchen items except for the bare essentials. Once full, things will be packed like with like into labeled boxes and shipped off to mom and dad's for temporary storage.

Hamper 3: Throw Away

This is the hamper that means serious business. Anything I come across that I do not need (but cannot recycle or donate) goes here. And gets tossed.

Now, several hampers could be added to this. One for recycling. One for donating. Etc, etc. I don't have enough hampers or time to devote to that. I've got to get purging and packing and moving. And fast. If you're wondering about the items I need here-and-now all the time, those won't go into the hamper. Rather, I'll be collecting them in a small corner of my room for easy and immediate access.

Do you have any tips and tricks to purging, packing, and moving? Leave 'em in a comment below. I can use all the help I can get. Take a look at my mess of an attic right now:

Exciting & Lovely News

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 14:04:00 +0000

Hello lovelies!

I've got some BIG news for myself, this lovely blog, and my lovely life. Big changes are happening! I was offered (and accepted!) a web content writing position that I'm completely psyched about. There's a little catch that I'm perfectly okay with. ;) The position is in Cedar Rapids! I'll be relocating from this college town of Ames in the center of the state to eastern central Iowa. Nearer to Iowa City and the Amana Colonies. Nearer to my handsome boyfriend. And about the same distance to my family in my hometown.

I'm really excited about the new job and the big move. One of the major perks of this big change is that I'll getting my own place. That's right! My very own place. My apartment. All mine. Just me. The introvert in me and the decorator in me are equally stoked. My mind is exploding with all the decorating ideas. In fact, I just created a brand new Pinterest board on which to pin ideas for my new place (...as soon as I find one.)

I have much to do! Much going through stuff and tossing/donating/selling unneeded items. Much packing, packing, packing. (Oh, the horror!) Much moving. Probably from Ames to my hometown and then to Cedar Rapids when I find an apartment. And much settling into the new place and the new job.

Everything is moving so fast that I hardly have time to think about how much I'll miss Ames, the friends I've made here, and this cozy attic space I've come to call home. My attic bedroom is my favorite place I've lived in Ames. I'll miss the cozy bed nook, high ceilings, antique doorknobs, and summer nights sitting on the roof with a few friends and a few drinks.

But I'm soooo excited for this new chapter in my life! Posts over the next couple weeks might be sparse and revolve around moving/packing/etc. when I get the chance to sit down and procrastinate a while. But once I'm locked into a lease on a new place, you can better there'll be tons of small space decorating content coming your way!

Have a lovely day!

Afternoon at Amana + Millstream Brewing Co.

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:59:00 +0000

This weekend worked out conveniently for me to spend Friday night through Tuesday morning in Williamsburg with the bf. While I love the hustle and bustle of the college town Ames, I also enjoy a weekend away in a slower paced small town. On Sunday, we took advantage of the beautiful weather by driving over to one of the Amana Colonies. We hit up Middle Amana, where a lovely little brewery called Millstream Brewing Co. is located.

Before settling in at the brewery, we visited a winery to sample the goods and then several shops... a cheese shop, meat shops, general store, and antique store. It was warm enough (above 70!) to walk around in short sleeves. We Iowans have been waiting for weather this nice for far too long.

After moseying around the village for several hours, we ended the day at Millstream with a couple brews.

G likes the Schild Brau Amber, whilst I'm a Back Road Stout kinda girl. :)

It was a weekend with just the right balance of running around having run and sitting down to relax. Definitely a nice little retreat from Ames, where VEISHEA is happening this week. (VEISHEA is a crazy week long celebration at Iowa State University. It gets wild. Look it up.)

If you're ever in eastern Iowa, you should definitely take a day to visit one of The Amanas and browse the shops. Be sure to load up on meat, cheeses, jams, and wine. It's good stuff.

One Does Not Simply Whip Up a Cheesecake

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:48:00 +0000

So because lately I've suffered some unbearable cheesecake cravings, the bf and I decided to whip up some cheesecake during my weekend visit to his town. After a quick web search, he suggested this White Caramel Cheesecake from the blog Not So Humble Pie. I skimmed through the recipe, drooled over the pictures, and nodded in agreement. We figured... How hard could it be?

We started after he got home from work around 6pm. We thought the homemade caramel would be the worst part. Melting sugar without burning it can be tricky. And neither of us had ever made caramel (or cheesecake) before. Oh! If only the caramel would have been the most difficult, most time-consuming part. It's a complex recipe and involves a lot of steps and waiting. When we finally popped that cheesecake into the oven (in a roaster of boiling water!) we still had several hours of baking time ahead of us... as well as at least four hours of chilling time in the fridge. By the time we popped it out of the oven and into the fridge, it was going on 11pm and we were both zonked.

So we got up this morning, sliced into the cheesecake we'd slaved away over, and enjoyed it. Cheesecake for breakfast! Rich, dense, decadent white chocolate cheesecake drenched in caramel. It was good. But as G put it, it's not "9 hours good." I think next time we'll be tracking down a no-bake recipe or grabbing the Jello brand box mix off the grocery shelf. Or just buying one that's already been made.

Have you ever made a cheesecake before? Was it worth the toil and trouble? ;)

A Corner of White Giveaway Winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 19:16:00 +0000

Happy Monday, lovelies!

It's time to announce the two winners of A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty. One winner was randomly selected from comments left on the blog post, while another winner was randomly selected from the tweeted entries.

And the winners are...

Ren, who said:

"Oh my goodness, I think if I could go absolutely anywhere I would go to Amsterdam. (Real world.) Fictional? Hogwarts. Definitely. Also, I finally broke down and read The Girl Who Chased the Moon after passing it in the bookstores for months, and I ended up loving it! It wasn't quite what I expected."

And @cleartrampoline, who tweeted:

"Win a copy of Jaclyn Moriarty's A Corner of White from @TheLovelySide, check it out! http://www.thelovelyside.com/2013/04/book-giveaway-win-copy-of-jaclyn.html … #ACornerofWhite"

Congrats, ladies! I'll be in touch regarding your prize copies of the book. Thank you to everyone who entered and stay tuned for another giveaway soonly!

Makeover Thrifted Furniture with Brightly Colored Paint!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Are you feeling thrifty on this lovely Thursday? Yes? Me, too! No? Well you should be by the end of this post. (Just don't come crying to me when you blow every last cent on thrifted furniture and paint.) I'm a wholehearted believer in revamping old furniture from garage sales, Craigslist, and consignment shops. I have this ~~curse~~ gift in which I don't see a piece of furniture for what it is... I see it for what it could be with a couple coats of paint.

via

Like this vanity! Painted a bold red hue has breathed new life into what was probably a tired, forgotten thing in an attic.

With spring weather finally here, I'm itching to paint my bedroom furniture. (These April showers just need to go away.) Until the May flowers and sunny, dry days... I've rounded up some lovely pieces of painted furniture to tide myself over.

via

I'm trying to decide whether to paint my pieces of bedroom furniture all in one color or a different color for each. And then, I'm trying to decide if that one color should be a nice warm gray or something bright and bold. Decisions, decisions! It's probably a good thing that the weather hasn't surrendered to painting-out-side weather just yet. ;)

My Hometown Bandstand: One of America's Most Beautiful Town Squares, Featured by Travel + Leisure

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Pictured up above is myself sitting on the edge of the bandstand in the middle of the town square in my hometown of Oskaloosa, Iowa. I love the bright colors and pretty patterns on the sides as well as the beautiful ceiling. It's so gorgeous! I grew up seeing the bandstand. Parades circulated around the square. And now I get to see the rebuilding and renovating of downtown Osky. The bandstand is a symbol of my hometown. So you can bet I was surprised when I stumbled across this:

Travel + Leisure thinks my hometown's square and bandstand is quite gorgeous, too! The magazine listed Oskaloosa's City Square Park in their online list of America's Most Beautiful Town Squares. Pretty flattering for a small town in Iowa to end up on the last. I'm pretty psyched that it happens to be my hometown!

So I thought I'd share a few photos I took of the bandstand and square last September. Partly because of the Travel + Leisure feature and flattery. Mostly because these were taken at the end of summertime and I'm really longing for warm, sunny days on this cold, rainy April morning.

When you grow up somewhere, it's easy to take things for granted and overlook beautiful things in your hometown. Living there, I often didn't see the beauty in what was my ordinary. I didn't really look at the bandstand and square because I "saw" it all the time. Living in a different, bigger town now I can see the picturesque small town charm that the Osky square exudes. It's so cute and quaint and lovely.

What specials things do you often overlook or take for granted in your hometown?

Pencil It In | Working the Pencil Skirt into Your Work Attire, Including 25 Examples with Do's and Don'ts

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 18:00:00 +0000

Starting this week, every Wednesday on The Lovely Side will be devoted to wardrobe, hair, and beauty content. With summer internships right around the corner and interviews for real world jobs looming as well, I thought now would be a good time to delve into the world of office fashion.

Sarah, a reader, recently emailed me asking about how to style a pencil skirt for her "somewhat casual, somewhat professional workplace full of fashionable co-workers." She's been lusting after pencil skirts at several stores, but been hesitant to purchase one for fear of looking bad in it and not knowing what to wear with it.

Well, Sarah, the good news is that pencil skirts are super flattering on most body types. You just need to get the fit, style, material, and closure that best suits your body. Always, always, always try pencil skirts on in the store. Sizes will vary by fabric. Walk around, bend over, and sit down in the skirt to test how comfortable it is. The right skirt should hug your curves and smooth your silhouette, not squeeze anything into unsightly lumps. It should be comfortable and flexible, too. The perfect pencil skirt will very possibly end up being your most favorite, most comfortable, go-to piece of office attire.

I'm a big fan of pencil skirts myself and will wear one every chance I get. While I dress them down from time to time, my favorite time and place for a pencil skirt is an interview or workday. Here are some of the ways I wear my pencil skirts: (Note that these are not the exact pieces of clothing I own, just very similar lookalike pieces I scrounged up online.)

My all-time favorite pencil skirt is a bright golden yellow one with a high waist that hits right at the knee. It elongates my legs when something is tucked into it. And it smooths out my curvy waist when shirts are worn over it. Yellow is a great color to wear to an interview since it gives off positive vibes. I like to pair it with a rich teal cardigan and coral pumps for a fresh, off-kilter take on primary colors. To ground the outfit and keep it from getting too rainbow-dashery, I throw in a white tank and brown leather accessories. When wearing so much color to an interview or to the office, less is more when it comes to the rest. Skip the busy patterns. Exclude fussy accessories and jewelry. The color speaks for itself, so simplicity is key.

I have a bright chartreuse skirt just like my yellow one. I've found the yellow-green color can be more difficult to pair with colors. With coral or pink, it feels too watermelon-y. With red, we're getting into Mrs. Claus territory. A bright, trendy hue calls for more subdued surroundings so that it can take center-stage. So I pull out the neutrals. Since the green is so vibrant and modern, I like to soften it up with an ivory lace tank. Then to tone down the frilly femininity, I balance it out with a charcoal gray boyfriend blazer. Since the skirt elongates my legs, a pair of nude pumps are perfect. Simple nude accessories complete the fresh, springy office look.

Springtime puts me in the mood for pastels and hot pink, but these colors can be especially tricky when trying to bring them into the workplace. Pastels can come off as childish and hot pink can scream Legally Blonde even if you're a brunette or redhead. The best way I've found to wear these colors together in a professional getup means bringing them back down to earth with neutral tones. But black can be so dark and white can be so, well, light. So in with the gray, beige, and even better yet... greige! My grayish brown skirt is second in my heart only to the yellow one. It can look gray or light brown depending on what I wear it with. It works perfectly with a lovely mint blouse I recently purchased, my beloved brown t-strap pumps, a hot pink belt, and cream cardigan. Simple accessories and a tinge of pink lipstick makes this a lovely and very ladylike look to don at the office.

If your internship, job, or interviewing company leans toward the casual side, you're lucky enough to be able to integrate the chambray trend into your workplace wardrobe. Leave the faded, light-wash, distressed, and patterned denim shirts to the weekends. A dark denim chambray blouse will work best in a professional environment on the casual end of things. I like to tuck mine into a beige pencil skirt and slip into camel-hued leather flats for a pulled-together, effortlessly chic, casual career look. The outfit just seems to call out for a few pops of gold and red, too.

I have several black pencil skirts, but I tend to wear them more in the winter. Once springtime hits, they barely see the light of day. But if you're interviewing or working at a very corporate place, you'll want to look your utmost professional. Time to bring in the black. Bonus for the fact that black is super slimming and you'll look killer in a chic black pencil skirt. I like to wear mine with a neutral beige and black, tiny polka-dotted print blouse and timeless black pumps. But with a classic black pencil skirt, almost anything goes.

Now enough about me and how I prefer to wear my pencil skirts... let's take a look at some real life examples.

1: Non-fussy floral pencil skirt + chambray shirt + brown leather belt + statement necklace.

2: Nautical striped pencil skirt + hot pink blazer + plain white t-shirt + gold boyfriend watch.

3. Black and white polka dot pencil skirt + teal blouse + black peep-toe pumps + gold jewelry.

4. Emerald green pencil skirt + casual striped rugby shirt + brown leather belt + boyfriend watch.

1. Bright coral pencil skirt + polka dotted teal and white blouse + dark brown belt.

2. Lacy pink pencil skirt + ivory button down + nude peep toes + statement necklace.

3. Khaki pencil skirt + navy and white striped shirt + red belt + red pumps + hairband.

4. Mustard hued pencil skirt + navy and white polka dot blouse + belt + nude pumps.

1. Black pencil skirt + plaid button down + olive cardigan + thick brown belt + black pumps.

2. Ivory pencil skirt + denim chambray top + black metallic-tipped heels + simple chic clutch.

3. Fuchsia pink pencil skirt + cream tank + tan cardigan + brown belt + orange-toe nude heels.

4. Tan, textured pencil skirt + light blue oxford shirt + black strappy heels + camel leather clutch.

And, of course, I can't end this post without several NO WAYs

when it comes to wearing your pencil skirt in a professional environment.

1. Pencil skirts already hug your curves, so keep the length at the knees to keep it office friendly. Also, keep your shirt on. Shoulder, cleavage, etc. should be covered up. Neon colors, off-the-shoulder tops, and thigh-high hemlines are meant for weekends, clubs, and in this case... the Jersey Shore. Keep it classy, ladies.

2. Red is a bold color for an interview or the workplace. While it can express assertive, it can often do more damage than good... especially in heavy doses. Red can have the same effect as a stop sign, urging future employers STOP! and proceed with caution before bringing you aboard. Red can also be too sexy for the office. And it can be downright skanky when worn with animal print, but more on that later...

3. While this lady may be a fashionista in her own right, she's a walking mannequin with two blaring errors that shouldn't enter the boardroom... or the front door of any business. Let's start from the ground up. Such strappy shoes are too sexy and frankly too painful for work. Leather and high, thigh-revealing slits have their place ~~bed~~, errr, uh... bar hopping, not hopping up the corporate ladder. So if you want to dominate that interview or board meeting, forgo the dominatrix garb. Her neckline, statement necklace, and even floral jacket are passable.

4. Mixing and matching can be a fun way to let your personality and chic style shine through... only if you know how to do it right. While stripes aren't so bad, these stripes paired with this animal print is horrendous. Oh yes, about that animal print. Save for maybe wearing a chic animal print belt or hairband to an ultra-on-trend office in the fashion or PR industry, there's really no place for cheetah/leopard/zebra/giraffe/wild thang patterns at the workplace. It's too difficult to pull off and too easy to look downright trashy.

Coming Clean | My Favorite Soaps

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 14:21:00 +0000

I love soap. Like, not just in a "suds up and get clean" sense. But a special sort of excited sense. I guess you could blame it on my sensitive, eczema-prone, allergic-to-everything skin. I'm picky when it comes to what I lather up with. (A bad soap doesn't just leave me wanting more... it can leave me with dry, cracking, rash-ridden skin.) So when I find a soap that smells good, feels good, aaaand does good, I get all sorts of bubbly about it.

I've rounded up my favorite three brands of soap and my two favorite scents from each of those brands. My favorites are in no particular order because the soaps are all quite different from each other.

1. Revive Handmade Bath & Body

Once upon a time a lovely Southern belle by the name of Caitlin Abshier started making soap and turned the hobby into a savvy business. (I blogged about her and even hosted a giveaway of Revive soap back in 2011 here.) It's been a while since I've used her soap, but I'm starting to get a craving. All of Revive's handmade soaps are made using all natural plant-based oils and scented using pure essential oils. No synthetic scents. No parabens, chemicals, synthetics, or harsh preservatives. High quality and handmade equals happy skin. My favorite scents are the True Lavender and Classy Oatmeal. The lavendar is perfectly sweet and floral without being overbearingly flowery. The relaxing effects are nice, too. The oatmeal is a simple, natural smelling soap with just a hint of almond. I love the mild exfoliation it provides as well.

2. Yardley London

Yardley has been in the sudsy soap industry since 1770 and I just discovered their soap a few weeks ago. Bars of Yardley are made with pure extracts, essential oils, and natural ingredients. The bars are curved and delightfully smooth, plus they're an inexpensive luxury ringing in at a mere dollar or two. My favorite is the English Lavender. (I'm a sucker for lavendar-scented soap, apparently.) It's calming, sweet, and just the right amount of floral. I wash my face with it every night and use it during evening showers to unwind after a stressful day. Coming in second is the Oatmeal & Almond. It smells sweet, yummy, and uncomplicated. It's currently my daily go-to bar.

3. Indigo Wild Zum Bar

Zum Bar soap is all-natural and made from goat's milk soap, which is at the heart of why I love it so much. Nothing leaves my dry, sensitive skin feeling so smooth, clean, moisturized, and best of all: balanced. At the top of my Zum Bar list (and I've tried many) is the coffee almond scent. The java-afficianado in me just adores a shot of this vanilla latte scented soap first thing in the morning. It seriously smells good enough to eat. I love the exfoliation factor, too---the bars have coffee grounds in them! The runner up would be the almond scented bar. Almond is just one of my favorite scents ever and Zum Bar's smells super sweet, perfectly nutty, and very delicious. It reminds me of the almond paste filling of a Dutch Letter. Yummay!

And there you have it! My top six soapy favorites. There should be more to come. I've got my heart set on trying some lovely handmade soaps being sold at the local British shoppe here in town. I'm just having trouble deciding between all of the luscious fragrances: almond, lavender, and wine?! Oh, my!

What are you favorite soaps?

Friday Evening Post: Spring Has Sprung

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 02:12:00 +0000

I'm spending this lovely Friday evening up inside my beautiful attic with the windows open and the first season of Downton Abbey in the dvd player. I'm going back and forth between my weekly end-of-week tidying up of my room and a special diy project I'm doing for work. (I'll share when it's done!) I thought I'd take a quick break to jump on here and let you know that I haven't melted along with snow.

So what have I been up to? Well, the usual school and work. But besides that, I've been drinking lots of tea, reading, writing (working on my historical fiction novel again!), spending weekends with my dapper boyfriend and lovely friends or wonderful family, and doing lots and lots of planning. What kind of planning? Well, since I'm working on a blog/social media editorial/content calendar for work... I figured I'd do the same on The Lovely Side. Taking a step back, rounding up post ideas, and getting them organized will allow for me to get content up on a daily basis. So sit tight this weekend and get ready for next week! ;)

I've also been masterminding a major makeover for my attic bedroom. I've really got spring fever... as in, the spring breeze has me feverish about getting outside and spray painting. The other day at work I hosed down an old barn window and it was glorious. I'm going to go diy crazy this spring/summer. No piece of furniture, no vintage object, no wall in my attic will be safe from my master plan. Now if only I could have that lovely floral chair (above) for my space.

I've also been swooning over springy colors and patterns. I'm ga-ga over the hot pink floral wallpaper in the bathroom pictured above. Seriously. It takes my breath away. It quickens my heart. It makes butterflies flutter in my stomach. Can you be in love with a wallpaper? Or is that just my heavily sugared, milky Irish Breakfast tea talking? It's not like I can have wallpaper in my apartment anyway... or can I? ;) (...More on that in a week or so!)

Flowers are popping up everywhere. I don't really have a favorite flower. Well, if I had to choose I guess I'd say pink ones. ;) I love tulips, but they don't last very long. :( I'm crossing my fingers that the tulips pop up on time for Tulip Time in Pella this year. Have you heard of Tulip Time? I grew up in a town just fifteen minutes away, so I've seen many a Tulip Time. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and post about the Dutch treats, tulips, and all the fun that's had.

Lastly, I've been kinda obsessing over this girl's hair. She shows up in my Pinterest feed a lot. (...Or do I just keep going back to her picture?) Anyway, I love her hair. I never really loved pixie cuts. I thought Emma Watson's was cute, along with some other actresses. But I've never been so smitten with one. It makes me think about getting one. I just don't know if I have the face (or courage) to pull it off. So for now I'm just daydreaming and looking at this pretty girl in the pin.

Reimagine | How I Reimagine My Living Space Decor & DIY Projects + 5 Tips to Reimagining Yours

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:15:00 +0000

In honor of the newly redesigned MSN for Windows 8, I'm sharing time when I've reimagined or redesigned an aspect of my life, blog, or career. Thing is... I'm always reimagining!

I reimagine on a daily basis, but there's one thing I find myself reimagining more than anything else: my living space! Reimagination is at the heart of my budget-friendly, crafty, creative, personalized decorating style and do-it-yourself projects.

Not only am I a chronic furniture rearranger who has been known to move around furniture three times in one week... but I'm a hopelessly romantic reimaginer of antique shop and thrift store finds. I love combing through the items of bygone eras in a dusty antique store crammed with treasure among the junk. And you'll often find me rummaging through the shelves of Goodwill for something spectacular amid the secondhand.

I reimagine. I revamp and reuse and rejuvenate. I like to take something ordinary and redisgn it into something extraordinary. I like to take something old and rusty to renovate into something pretty. I like to repurpose something as something else. And if you really practice your reimagining, the possibilities are quite endless.

5 Tips to Reimagining Your Space

1. Reuse and Recycle

One man's trash is another man's treasure. The saying may sound cliche, but it's spot-on when it comes to reimagining. Antique, thrift, vintage, consignment, and secondhand stores are goldmines when it comes to finding junky stuff to revamp as funky decor. Sift through everything for cheap finds with potential. Picture frames, candle holders, nightstands, headboards, baskets, bookends, vases, etc.

Once a plain, industrial file sorter, I gave this a coat of red spray paint
and a new life as a magazine holder. See the before and after in this post.

2. Renovate and Rejuvenate

Don't look at what something is. Look at the potential in an object. Imagine what it could be with a little bit of TLC (a.k.a. paint, spray paint, fabric, wallpaper, stencils, sparkles). An old brass candle holder could be given new life with a few coats of fabulous hot pinks spray paint. An antique dresser would look spectacular painted a bright mustard hue. Reupholster a tired vintage chair in a fresh floral pattern. Cover a bulletin board in fabric. Wallpaper a boring headboard. Stencil a design onto the top of a thrifted desk.

This antique chair had a great silhouette and style, but its hideous golf-print upholstery didn't fit in with my decorating style. So I rejuvenated it with spray paint and a fabric paint mixture. Check out the DIY post here.

I livened up an old porcelain bust of a Greek man by giving
him a few coats of pale blue spray paint. See the before and after here.

A boring desk lamp got a makeover using lace and spray paint. See the transformation here.

Check out the before and after face-lift I gave this vintage chair with a little paint in this diy post.

3. Rethink and Repurpose

Giving a chair a face-life with a coat of spray paint is one thing, but take it a step further by remaking an object. Look at it and think of a different purpose. A pretty teacup could be used as a candle holder. Deer antlers could be turned into hooks to hold necklaces, scarves, or purses. Beer and wine bottles can be transformed into lovely vases. Use an old iron gate or antique door as a headboard. Create a sofa or bed base out of wooden pallets.

I repurposed the pages from an old book as wallpaper in my bed nook. Check out the post here.

4. Revamp and Renew

After bringing in your renovated furniture, rejuvenated decor, and repurposed accessories, look at your space on a large scale level. Reimagine the room painted a different color, then go for it! Reimagine the windows framed with bright, colorful curtains or white sheers. Reimagine a big, bold rug on the floor... or the hardwood that might be lurking underneath.

I use different bedding for springtime and summer than I do for fall and winter.

5. Rearrange and Refresh

I like change. I like switching up my perspective on a frequent basis. And so, I rearrange my furniture a lot. Sometimes I just swap a dresser with a desk. Sometimes I rearrange the entire room. Play with furniture arrangement and don't be afraid to try something new and different. Position pieces at new angles. Create zones and nooks. If you don't like it, you can always switch it back. Refresh by decluttering and cleaning. Burn a new candle fragrance. Turn your comforter over to the reverse side.

One of the times I rearranged furniture, I created a writing nook for noveling, blogging, and studying.

Imagination is one thing, reimagination takes it a step further. Embrace change. Embrace creativity. You don't need a lot of money or square footage to create a functional and lovely living space that shows off your style and personality. You just need to reimagine!

What is something you've reimagined in your living space? Or what's something you're having trouble reimagining?

This post was created in partnership with MSN. Find out more about the all new MSN experience at allnew.msn.com or see it in action on Windows 8, Android, or on iOS at msn.com.

Book Giveaway! | Win a Copy of Jaclyn Moriarty's A Corner of White... There will be 2 winners!

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:10:00 +0000

*** This giveaway is now closed. To see who won,

click here. Stay tuned for future giveaways! ***

Hello lovelies! As promised, it is time for another book giveaway. I'm currently reading (and giving away two copies of) A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty. I haven't quite finished it myself, so I have no full review to offer. I can say that I'm enjoying this original, creative, and lovely story so far. Each time I pick up A Corner of White, I'm transported over the pond to Cambridge, England as well as the fantastical kingdom of Cello. Since I read so much historical fiction, this modern-meets-fantasy novel is a refreshing switch of genres.

A Corner of White is Jaclyn's first book in a new series entitled The Colours of Madeleine.

About the Book (from the Website)

Book One: The Colours of Madeleine

She knew this. That philematology is the science of kissing. That Samuel Langhorne Clemens is better known as Mark Twain. That, originally, gold comes from the stars.

Madeleine Tully lives in Cambridge, England, the World – a city of spires, Isaac Newton and Auntie's Tea Shop. Elliot Baranski lives in Bonfire, the Farms, the Kingdom of Cello – where seasons roam, the Butterfly Child sleeps in a glass jar, and bells warn of attacks from dangerous Colours. They are worlds apart – until a crack opens up between them; a corner of white – the slim seam of a letter.

Elliot begins to write to Madeleine, the Girl-in-the-World – a most dangerous thing to do for suspected cracks must be reported and closed. But Elliot's father has disappeared and Madeleine's mother is sick. Can a stranger from another world help to unravel the mysteries in your own? Can Madeleine and Elliot find the missing pieces of themselves before it is too late?

A mesmerising story of two worlds; the cracks between them, the science that binds them and the colours that infuse them.

What others said about A Corner of White

'Perfectly strange, and absolutely comical and heartfelt ... Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have.' - Markus Zusak

'Supremely original, smart, and delightful, this treasure of a book will appeal to readers of both realistic fiction and fantasy.' -Rachel Cohn

'An absolute delight of a novel: strange yet familiar, whimsical yet real, beautifully written and completely captivating. I can't wait for the sequel!' -Garth Nix

About the Author

Jaclyn Moriarty is the prize-winning, best-selling author of novels for young adults and adults including Feeling Sorry for Celia and The Year of Secret Assignments. Jaclyn grew up in Sydney, lived in England, the US, and Canada, and now lives in Sydney again. She is very fond of chocolate, blueberries, and sleep.

Scholastic is generously giving 2 lucky The Lovely Side readers a copy of A Corner of White by Jaclyn Moriarty!

How to Enter:

1. Leave a comment on this blog post with your name and a valid email address. Plus, tell me what place (real or fantasy) you would run off to if you could go anywhere or recommend a good book you recently read. (Email address is required. Without an email address, I won't be able to reach you. If you're worried about spam, please use (at) or [dotcom] tactics instead of @ and .com. Entries without an email address will not be entered.) Enter via the Facebook comment form and I'll double your comment entry so that you're twice as likely to win! ;)

2. You can also enter by tweeting about this giveaway. Be sure to mention @TheLovelySide and tag #ACornerofWhite so that I see your tweet. (Be sure that private messages are allowed on your Twitter privacy settings so that I can reach you if you're selected as a winner.)

3. Two winners will be chosen: one comment and one tweet. Feel free to both comment and tweet. (But you can only comment once and tweet once.)

4. All comments and tweets must be posted by NOON on Friday, April 12th. The 2 winners will be selected and notified that afternoon. Check your private messages on Twitter and your email inbox as I'll be getting in touch that afternoon. :)

5. Giveaway limited to residents of the United States.

6. This isn't required, but if you win... I'd love to hear what you think of the book after you read it!

Good luck, bookworms! While you anxiously await the winner announcement, visit Scholastic's This is Teen site and Jaclyn Moriarty's official site for more great books.

Katelyn's Cute & Crafty Mizzou Dorm

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Katelyn moved into her dorm at the University of Missouri-Columbia this past fall. Since she used some of the design ideas found on The Lovely Side, she sent some photos of her space my way. She was aiming for a "sophisticated, clean feel" for her dorm room, which is part of a 4-person suite with 3 other girls. They each get their own bedroom but share a bathroom area.

Since the dorm bed height was adjustable, Katelyn set it to the tallest height in order to store 2 three-drawer storage units underneath. One of the 3-drawer units is plastic, while the other is a wooden one provided with the dorm. The units store clothes, extra towels, extra sheets, and blankets. Though the bed is twin-sized, Katelyn bought a full/queen size solid cream quilt so that excess fabric would hang down and hide some of the storage. The solid-colored quilt continues the classic, clean, sophisticated feel Katelyn aimed for. Plus, it's easy for her to dress up or down if her taste changes by switching out the throw pillows.

The colorful K art over Katelyn's bed is actually the popular crayon art you may recognize from all over Pinterest. Katelyn liked the trend, but wanted to give it a personal touch so she used an oval canvas and drew a large, monogrammed K over the melted crayon streaks.

Katelyn's dorm came outfitted with a permanent, immovable bulletin board covered in a tired, bland blue. She dressed it up by pinning black lace around the edges. She also tacked the leftover black lace to her cheap floor lamp.

Next to the mini fridge sits a small plastic box with a cushion on top. the box is actually a storage locker with a tray in it. Katelyn bought the striped cushion separately (it's an outdoor cushion with ties on the side) and tied it to the box. she keeps plaits and food stuff in it since it's nearby the fridge and microwave. Plus, it can double as seating. The total price was a mere $30---$20 for the box and $10 for the cushion. But to Katelyn, having a sturdy piece to use as both storage and seating for the next four years of college is priceless.

Katelyn crafted her own small earring holder with lace and a wooden ring you can find at any store that sells cross-stitching supplies. (Check Michael's, Hobby Lobby, or any other craft store.) The wooden hoops are available in a variety of sizes, but Katelyn chose a small one for her small collection of earrings. Just clamp the lace between the two pieces of the hoop and trim the backside. It takes less than ten minutes and makes an adorable and functional piece of wall art for less than $10. (You can paint the wooden hoop for a pop of color, too!)

Above is a photo of HOW Katelyn packed for college. To avoid breaking the bank in one weekend before going off to college, Katelyn spent most of her pre-college summer collecting what she would need. She packed slowly and in an organized manner, labeling boxes and making sure to keep "like" things together. Kitchen supplies got packed with kitchen supplies, school stuff with school stuff, etc. This method made it possible for Katelyn to unpack in record time... under 30 minutes!

Since her microwave was old, Katelyn decided to give it a makeover with spray paint. (Love this project!)

She used painter's tape to tape off a design, newspaper to cover what she didn't want to spray, and a spray paint intended for metal.

She sprayed two coats of paint on the microwave, letting dry between coats, then peeled off the tape to reveal the revamp.

And here's the finished makeover!

Thanks for sharing your dorm and do-it-yourself projects, Katelyn!

If you'd like to share photos of your dorm, apartment, or bedroom just send 'em my way via email at jessica@thelovelyside.com!

Where I Shop for Decorating Stuff | Reader Q & A

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Lovely reader Aranthza wrote in,

"Hi I'm about to start college and I love the way you've decorated your apartment! I was just wondering where you like shopping for stuff to decorate your apartment!"

Well, Arantha... I really shop around. ;) I'd like to say that I live near enough to an Urban Outfitters and Ikea or that I have the budget for Anthropologie. While I drool over decor items from all three of those places, the truth is that I've never shopped at any of them. Instead, I get crafty and creative at what is nearby and within my college student income.

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Target - Target is my all-time favorite one-stop decor shop. And their home brands and lines just keep getting better! (I wish they'd bring back Liberty of London for Target!) It's my go-to store for curtains, bedding, lamps and lamp shades, baskets, storage bins, candles, trays, shower curtains, stationary, desktop storage, and decorating accessories like vases, figurines, and pretty boxes. The prices are great, especially when you can catch stuff on clearance. Scouring the clearance aisles for dirt cheap candles, stationary, and decor accessories is one of my favorite past-times.

TJ Maxx - TJ Maxx comes in at a close second, only because I've usually had to drive at least thirty minutes to get to one. Not any more! A TJ Maxx just opened up in my town, so you can bet I'll be scouting out the decor department as soon as my wallet permits me to. The reasons I love TJ's are very much the same as the reasons for loving Target. Great stuff, great deals. I found my beautiful floral quilt at a TJ Maxx for a fraction of what quilts at Anthropologie or Urban Outfitters cost. I'm in bliss when browsing the clearance section at TJ's, some of my favorite finds being: a jewelry divider tray, tea cup and saucer, and pretty, quilted laptop cover.

Walmart - While Walmart isn't one of my favorite places to shop for decor, I do find myself there from time to time mainly because of the convenience and prices. I go here for basics: different colored sheets to swap on and off my bed often, simple curtains, candles, lamp shades, storage bins, baskets, and fabric.

Antique/Vintage/Retro Stores - I have many favorite shops back in my hometown and the surrounding small towns: Osky Antiques, The Antique Peddler, The Crow's Nest, O'Town Antiques, and several others that I just can't recall the names of. (Small town antique stores are really the best! You'll find the most unique stuff and best prices compared to popular big stores or flea markets!) Up here in Ames you'll catch me in One Man's Junk, Tangerine Zebra, Random Goods, Great Stuff, and Vintage Pickers. In the Des Moines area, I like to hit up West End Architectural Salvage, Found Things, the Brass Armadillo, and Porch Light antiques. What have I bought from antique stores? Where do I begin?! Typewriters, vintage fans, 1920 copper space heater, Roman bust, old books, old suitcases, deer figurines, fat little bird figurines, picture frames, mirrors, Ball mason jars, turquoise glass electrical insulators, vintage toolboxes, vintage clock radios, jewelry, paintings, photos, and lots and lots of furniture. I'm a bit of an antique/vintage shop addict. ;)

Goodwill/Thrift/Consignment Stores - Another favorite decor shopping destination of mine is secondhand stores. If you're lucky, you can find things you'd normally find in an antique or vintage store for much cheaper prices. Most of the time, I scope out items that I can revamp with some spray paint. I often looks for file organizers, magazine racks, tins, baskets, trays, and candle holders. Sometimes I also come across unique kitchen wares, pretty glasses, picture frames, and mirrors. Once at the Goodwill back in my hometown, I scored a pair of beautiful, vintage, green and turquoise damask, floor length window drapes in perfect condition for an excruciatingly low price. I squealed and bought them on the spot. I have on occasion purchased furniture from consignment shops as well---just be sure it's in good condition and avoid the upholstered stuff just in case of unwanted pests like bedbugs.

Yard Sales - Garage and yard sales can yield surprising finds. I'm always on the lookout for vintage furniture and accessories. My dad bought me a typewriter at a yard sale in South Dakota for less than a dollar. When he told couple running the sale that his daughter (me) collected vintage typewriters, they GAVE him another one for free. That free typewriter happened to be a big Underwood still in working condition.

Craigslist - I've purchased a lot of furniture off of Craigslist. My bedroom furniture is a distinct French provincial style from the 60's and 70's that I absolutely adore. I had an entire bedroom suite when I was little, but got rid of it as a teenager. Ever since then, I've been trying to track pieces down. While I found one desk and two nightstands from antique stores, I found two dressers, two desks, one bookshelf, and a four-poster bed in that style all from Craigslist. My top tips: Go back and forth with the seller to ensure they're not scamming you. Don't meet them alone. Take a friend, preferably a guy friend or boyfriend. Deal in cash. Don't have them come to you. If they want to deliver, have them meet you in a public parking lot. Common sense can save you from the creepers on Craigslist.

Other places I shop include: Etsy, Pier1, a gift store back in my hometown, Kmart, HomeGoods, and dollar stores on occasion. I rarely rule anything out. Cheap finds from dollar stores and Kmart can be updated with a little diy work. Yard sale and consignment finds can be transformed with a couple coats of spray paint. I rarely buy anything at full price. I honestly can't remember the last time I actually bought something that wasn't on sale or clearance. As far as my artwork goes, I create most of that myself.

I believe that about sums up where I shop for decor on a twenty-something budget. Clearance finds and creative diy ideas are really the key to successfully shopping anywhere. You don't have to afford Anthropologie or live near Ikea and Urban Outfitters to dwell in style. (Although I wouldn't complain if the great state of Iowa had at least one of those stores! Haha.)

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Leave 'em below! :)

Monica's Black and White Dorm at SCAD

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I love seeing bland dorm rooms turned into lovely spaces... especially when these spaces belong to you readers! Today I'm featuring Monica's first year dorm at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) in Georgia. Monica transferred to SCAD from Venezuela to finish a BFA in Graphic Design. Before we tour the rest of her dorm room, let's check out the "before" image!

Above is a "before" photo Monica snapped of the space. While she was lucky enough to enjoy a single, the tiny room is a tight space with a small window. It came furnished with the typical dorm furniture, blank white walls, and industrial carpet.

Since storage space was a major issue in her small single dorm, Monica lifted her dorm bed to its highest possible position to take advantage of the space underneath. She bought some cheap black fabric to hide the storage. Cubicle shelving next to the bed serves as a nightstand and organization for textbooks. Black bins slide in and out to hide clutter. Nearby, she can design for hours in a comfy, stylish, and modern white-and-chrome desk chair.

Monica keeps the nightstand tidy and pretty with a small lamp, stack of magazines, and two glass bowls.

One bowl corrals jewelry like watches and bracelets, while the other holds decorative pebbles.

She stuck to a strict palette of black, white, gray, and teal. To decorate the wall behind her bed, Monica bought a $20 block of scrapbook paper in all black and white motifs.

She used the rest of the scrapbook paper on a nearby wall, folding some pieces to create pockets perfect for holding notes and sketches.

Monica has since moved out of this dorm and into a downtown apartment. She's currently painting and setting everything up, but will send photos my way when she's all settled in. Thanks for sharing the photos, Monica and good luck with the rest of your degree at SCAD! And we look forward to photos of your apartment!

Updates in Alison's Chic & Feminine Apartment

noreply@blogger.com (Jessica Hansen) — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 21:30:00 +0000

Today, we're revisiting an apartment that I've blogged about and swooned over a couple times before (...Pretty Patterns, Pretty Pastels here and Alisons Oh-So-Pretty Apartment here.) I'm as smitten as ever with Alison's use of dreamy whites, pretty pastels, and playful touches of color. So I was psyched to see she's been busy with some more decorating updates in 2013.

Alison carefully curates all the pretty objects that surround her, keeping furniture clutter-free and lovely items corralled on trays. Isn't the light blue lamp base perfect with that rosette-spotted white shade?

Her bed deserves an award. It's one of the loveliest I've ever seen. And I love the billowy, ruffly bedding.

A chic, white and gold chevron tray contains Alison's phone, a sparkly tea light candle holder, and a spray painted white mason jar displaying fresh flowers. The nearby aquamarine glass lamp base is lovely.

Alison's living room is just as lovely as her bedroom, but integrates a few more colors and shades of gray. I'm head-over-heels for her sleek, modern gray couch and the pretty pillows upon it.

I'm also a big fan of her simple white desk placed in front of a big, bright window. What a perfect place to spend hours writing, blogging, and pinning!

Like Alison's lovely decor style? Check out past tours of her apartment in the links mentioned at the beginning of this post. And check out her photostream on Flickr: alid3y.