A. Nieman Design

Went out to a club Friday night. The first time in a long time. The hardest part was to dress warm without being to warm once I was on the dance floor!

Saturday at work, this is one of my favorite winter sweaters.

Don't want to over wear my dress pants, so I brought out my pleated skirt (a big trend item this year especially in a bright color).

Week One of the Closet Challenge

2012-01-19T16:30:00.001-05:00

Here are the first week of pictures in my Shopping my Closet Challenge. Now please keep in mind I may look really angry in some of these pictures, as my previous post stated, I am fighting a cold and these were in the middle of that sickness.

Day One: Very simple with a pop of color.

Day Two: Brought the teal together with my tanktop and earrings.

Day Three: You are going to have to ignore the shoes. I wear these boots until I get to work where I keep my heels. I have a 30 minute drive and doing it in heels is not preferred.

Day Four: The height of my sickness, I probably should have called off this day.

Day Five: Have to admit I need to try this one with a belt to help make me look slimmer in the middle. But such a comfortable outfit.

Just so you know, my days off of work are also my days off from the camera. Although I will be adhering to the challenge I will not be posting pictures of my outfits for those days.

No Feeling to Good

2012-01-17T08:30:00.002-05:00

Over the weekend I caught a cold bug from my boss and it just won't go away. Everyone at work has it which probably doesn't help any of our recoveries. I am trying to fill my body with good things, like vitamins, liquids, and soup. I am washing my hands frequently and using hand sanitizer. Being sick is so depressing and just plan annoying.

What are some of your favorite cold remedies?

Shopping My Closet

2012-01-14T15:35:00.000-05:00

I have decided that I am going to try a new project. I know I have a decent amount of clothes in my closet but I usually wear the same ones over and over again. With money being tight right now I cannot afford to purchase any new clothes until after I have purchased a new car ( oh priorities). Keeping this in mind I am going to go shopping in my own closet!

So the rule is as follows: I cannot do laundry until my underwear drawer is bare.

Quite simply I will wear what is in my closet in various different ways in order to see really what I have as well as what items I could use. By the end what is left in my closet will be either one of two things: 1. things I don't wear anymore either because the don't fit or are just plan ugly. These will be donated. and 2. Summer clothes which I cannot double wear in winter.

Every so often I will document my shopping successes and post them for your to see. And afterwards I will inventory my clothes and of course do some laundry!

Dedication Increased!

2012-01-13T10:35:00.000-05:00

There are many things that I have been planning on discussing within my blogs, and I have come to the realization that it takes serious discipline to get things done. In an effort to be more available to my readers I will be working on increasing my dedication to my blog and readers.

To achieve this I will be blogging as much as possible. I am not limiting amounts of post per day, topics anything! If you have suggestions they are welcome and invited. I am also not promising anything either. I work full time and am struggling to make this my full time job, so balance is key. Over the next couple months will be a learning experience as to how I can balance this increase dedication with my everyday life.

I would also like to announce a Call to Action! If you have a blog, or like to write I would love to have you as a quest blogger on A. Nieman Design. Please email me if you are interested in sharing your talents.

Also for those of you that want to be included in my Blogs to Visit section email me as well! I would love to add more blogs to my list!

Thanks for your time and Come visit me again!

Have a Nice Day!

A. Nieman

Some of my Finished Rooms

2012-01-09T15:50:00.000-05:00

Item of the Day 1.7.12

2012-01-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

Rustic Farmhouse Teapot, vintage Aluminum tea Kettle

Item of the Day 1.4.12

2012-01-04T08:52:00.000-05:00

Watercolor Original Painting Art 8x10 - Red Bloom

Getting a Head Start on the New Year

2011-12-27T13:00:00.000-05:00

Now is the perfect time to get started on the new year. It is time to start the "Winter Spring Cleaning" as I like to call it.

The Holidays are close to over and the only party left starts the new year. So why not take advantage of the positive mind power in the air and apply it to your home.

So what is "Winter Spring Cleaning"? It can be as simple as just cleaning up the house to make it feel more a peace. Re-organizing christmas decorations into bins, moving around you accessories in your home, or switching out the towels in the bathroom can just be a few changes you need to make to rejuvenate your home.

The Winter can be a hard time to tackle large projects, but you will be amazed on how big of a change little moves can make in your home. Start with a plan. January has 4 weeks to it. Each week plan out one activity that you want to do in your home. By the end of January you will have a new home(well almost new).

The feeling you get when you have accomplished these tasks and experience a new feeling in you home can greatly affect you mood. Get out of the winter depression and make your home aid you to a happy winter season.

Suggestions of Activities to Tackle This January:

Reorganize Holiday Decorations
Move accessories around, table to table or room to room
Clean out the coat closet
Reorganize the Kitchen cabinets
Move your art work
Try a different lighting plan

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T10:30:00.000-05:00

I hope everyone has an enjoyable holiday!

Merry Christmas!

SALE Christmas Decoration MERRY CHRISTMAS Double Banner Garland Sign

Snow and White Treasury

2011-12-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

Getting into the Holiday spirit! Heres a treasury with some great wintery products:

12.14.11 Item of the Day

2011-12-14T14:25:00.000-05:00

5 Porcelain winter white & pearl snowflake ornaments.

If you have a snowflake theme on your tree (like I did for work this year), these are perfect! I love how the snowflakes are off centered and unique on each. These would make a great gift!

Item of the Day 12.13.11

2011-12-13T14:11:00.000-05:00

Modern Child Storage Unit with bins

I love this piece because you cannot only use it for children's storage but for craft storage as well. The colors are right on to what is on trend for 2012!

Item of the Day 12.12.11

2011-12-12T14:08:00.000-05:00

Wine Cork Christmas Tree Wreath

Yet another reason to save your wine corks! I have to try this one next year. But if you are not crafty purchase this one this year!

Item of the Day: 12.11.11

2011-12-11T13:59:00.000-05:00

Vintage Frames and Candlestick Upcycled Painted Bold and Bright Funky Home Decor

What a great deal! You can pull together your orange and gold room with a great collage of frames and a matching candle stick. This is a great buy, please don't pass this up if you are using this color theme!

Item of the Day 12.10.11

2011-12-10T13:43:00.000-05:00

Decorative pillow case - Teal blue tree print on natural linen canvas front & zebra print back throw pillow cover - 12x18 lumbar pillow cover

Turn this pillow around for a little surprise! I love it when artists back pillows with a different pattern. It gives you yet another way of spicing up your room and changing your room around.

Item of the Day 12.9.11

2011-12-09T08:57:00.001-05:00

An Instant Collection of TIN SHOVELS - Set of 5

The Feel of Color: Calm

2011-12-03T09:30:00.000-05:00

Creating a calming living environment like stated in the last post we need to keep it simple. It makes sense when you think about it. When walking into a spa do you see a lot of different vibrate colors? Do you see lots of accessories lining the room? Do you see complicated pieces of art? Most likely you are going to answer no to all these questions.

Lets start building our room with color. Greens, blues, creams and troupes are all colors that are used to create a calming atmosphere. All these colors work well together but remember the 10-30-60. The primary color should be 60% of your room, the secondary color should be 30% and the accent color should be 10% of the room.

Now we need a jumping off point, a piece of inspiration. Lets go shopping!

Here are some Calming themed inspirational pieces that I have found on Etsy.

Blue/Green Vase

Japanese Fountain Photography - 6x8 Original Fine Art Photograph Zen Water Stones Bamboo Drip Garden Calming Relaxing Meditation

Summer Calm - Original Painting - 24x24 on gallery wrapped canvas

Please do not steal any of the artwork featured in this blog. These are original creations create by true artists. Please be respectful and purchase their work from them directly by following the links below each picture.

Next time I will pick one of these items and build a room off of them. Comment below to help me choose which inspiration piece and which room in the house to design!

Tower Press Markets – Cleveland Handmade

2011-12-02T08:09:00.000-05:00

I have to give some press to my friends at Cleveland Handmade! They are hosting the Handmade Market at Tower Press on Dec 3rd!

Please click on the link to help support local artist this holiday season! Unfortunately this year i will not be able to participate but I am looking forward to being there next year.

Tower Press Markets – Cleveland Handmade

Three Items To Make a Room: Rustic Kitchen

2011-12-01T08:43:00.001-05:00

I would like to introduce you to my new series: Three Items To Make a Room.

In this series I will be selecting three Etsy Items that fit together to create a theme of design.

This post showcases three items that can be placed together in a room to create a Rustic Kitchen.

Upcycled Wood Original Piece Stripes in Green, Blue Acrylic Paint Metallic and Gold

13" cardboard square hanging light

70's Orange Condiment Relish Tray

If you have a specific design theme that you would like me to feature please comment below and I will feature them in order!

Thanks for reading!

Cyber Monday!

2011-11-28T08:12:00.001-05:00

Use coupon code "cybermonday" to receive 20% off everything in my shop!

Take the Pledge

2011-11-22T11:00:00.000-05:00

Take the pledge this holiday season to purchase handmade gifts for your friends, family and coworkers! Follow the link to take the pledge!

Small businesses are counting on your support to help them through the tough times of our economy. Let's take back out holiday shopping season from the corporations and buy handmade or vintage!

In the spirit I am offering 20% off all items in my Etsy Shop for this Black Friday weekend. Just use coupon code BLACKFRIDAY!

Happy Holiday Shopping!

Sage Green Medium Length Crochet Scarf

Item of the Day 11.21.11

2011-11-21T12:30:00.000-05:00

Two Funny Penguins - Wall Decal