Merry Christmas!!

I hope everyone has a peaceful holiday!  I will be spending time with family and going to see the new 'Girl With The Dragon Tattoo'.  I know it's too late to send my wish list out..lol...but I JUST got a new iPhone yesterday (I was still working with the 3G!).  Now, I need a new case and I've found this one on Etsy.  It is to die for!  I "need" it..lol:

West Elm Score!!

I've been on the market for a headboard for a couple years.  Yes-years!  I bought an oak-stained platform bed frame from West Elm a couple years ago only to have the color (and matching headboard) discontinued VERY shortly thereafter.  My alternate choice was a white tufted headboard-I found possibilities at QVC of all places, and Target .  Of course my dream headboard was from West Elm; but it was a little out of my price range.  Well, one evening-while taking a study break-I saw a post on Craigslist for a West Elm headboard for $100!!!  It's gray instead of white-but it's WEST-ELM and tufted-so I had to jump on it.  I am a CL addict!!

Overall I think it looks good but it makes me want to repaint and/or rethink my color scheme.  I have a couple weeks until the next semester begins.  Hmm...maybe I'll come up with something to do by then.

Stay tuned...

A New York State of Mind!

I went to New York City in October...my first time!  I went with a friend and we stayed with her brother and sister-in-law.  Great experience and very gracious hosts!  I can't believe it was sunny and warm back home while it rained and snowed.  BUT-it was NY!  Pics of the 9/11 Memorial building and our walk through Central Park after the snow:

Post #2

IKEA Inconvenience and Score on Chairs:

I've been looking for a dining table and chairs for the longest time.  I knew what looking I wanted; but I couldn't find it on Craigslist (my recommended go-to for budget-conscious shoppers like myself).  I knew I wanted a rectangular, dark stained modern table with clean lines.  Of course, I saw at Room and Board and other high-end furniture retailers; but I didn't have much luck finding decent "copies" at something friendlier to my wallet.  I finally decided to go with the IKEA Bjursta table.  LONG story short, FOUR trips back to IKEA for missing parts (and a $25 gift card for my inconvenience) later, I was finally able to put the table together and this is what it looks like.  It was a huge headache but it ended up looking pretty good.

The chairs were a score I found on CL.  $100 for the set!  I plan to reupholster and I'm not sure whether or not I want to paint the wood; but these were what I was looking for!  Swwweeet!

Oh-the burgundy rug has since been removed..it didn't really match my decor!

Thanksgiving Travesty!

Hey Everyone!

I know, I know...it's been way too long since I've posted something.  I've been working away on school projects and finals (I officially finished my project at 9:00 p.m. this evening....after SEVERAL weeks of staying up until 1-2 am); traveled to New York (pics to come soon); put up my Christmas tree; and signed up for Crossfit.  Oh-I also applied for a study abroad program in London and Paris, and am in the market to buy a house.  Ai yi yi!  And since it's been a while, I thought I would submit several posts...

Post #1 Thanksgiving Travesty.  

My mom hosted the family dinner this year and I was very prepared to help cook several dishes.  That is, until I turned my oven on and discovered it didn't work.  My landlord was out of town and wasn't able to have it fixed until AFTER the holiday (this is actually the event that made me consider home ownership..more on that shortly).  Anyway...

One of the dishes I was supposed to make was macaroni and cheese.  Since I wasn't able to make and bring on Thanksgiving, I made it for my family after my stove was fixed (a whopping 2 weeks later).  I usually use Patti Labelle's recipe but I'm considering something gooier for next time (think Paula Deen-hey, if you're going to go, go all the way!! :-)  I also use different pasta types; but this time I stuck with traditional macaroni.

Do you make your own macaroni and cheese?  What recipes do you use?

Updates

Been a while since I submitted a post so I thought I would send several home project updates:

1.  Bragging rights:  I found this Barcelona chair on Craigslist for $60.  Yup...$60!  You can see that the previous owner destroyed it by reupholstering the leather with this God-awful fabric, and apparently, the owner's kids stomped on the leather straps, so several of those will require modification.  So, I paid $60 but will have to make a LOT of repairs.

2. Missoni for Target
So, I was able to luck up on a couple items from the huge Missoni release on September 13.  I got these canisters, a laptop sleeve and a pair of the suede shoes.

3.  Painting

I made this by using some old sample paints purchased from Home Depot.  It's currently hanging (above that beautiful vent..lol) on a wall in front of the to-be-repaired Barcelona chair.

4. IKEA Cabinet.  I was looking through my favorite blog, 'Made By Girl', where she showcased her floating cabinet installation project (here).  I was IN LOVE with the project and wanted to try; but since I rent and am not an professional cabinet installer, I thought I better not really try it..lol.  So, I bought this TV stand/buffet from IKEA instead.  I'm currently displaying several art and Interior Design books (held together by horn bookends), some driftwood I bought at a flea market and a vase of peacock feathers.  In the drawers, I'm storing shoes...see, my place is old.  And with old means the closets are depressingly small...so there isn't enough storage space for my shoes.  This works..

5. Speaking of shoes...I recently acquired these from one of my favorite retailers, TJ Maxx.  Guess open-toe leather booties.  Pretty sexy.

6.  Book Fetish.  Well, I've been on this Art and Interior Design book fetish lately.  The Paris one really isn't a book, it's actually for storage..lol.  But I have been buying a lot of books lately, I swear.  I'm still waiting for their delivery; but I'll send pics of them as soon as they arrive.

7.  Bedroom...I'm in the process of switching up my bedroom and found these pillows from Etsy, the nightstands are an "IKEA Hack" of the West Elm Parsons table, the lamps and curtains are from Target, and the duvet set is from IKEA.

What I Crave Right Now

 

Ray Ban Aviators

 

Fossil Ceramic Watch

 

Tall Upholstered Headboard from West Elm

 

West Elm Organic Chevron Duvet

  

West Elm Parsons Desk

 IKEA Cowhide Rug

 

West Elm Parsons Dining Table

Ferreira Design

Thanks to Sue over at The Zhush for introducing me to Jennifer Ferreira.  Her designs are SO amazing.  This is (what I like to call) "the vision"!  :-)

This is why I LOVE TJ Maxx

I was meeting a friend for cupcakes and decided to take a quick peek in the TJ Maxx next door beforehand.  (For those that are not familiar with TJ Maxx-poor thing :-p-it's a department store selling name brands-including some couture-at discounted prices).  Just my luck, payday is NEXT week and I saw SO many things I wanted NOW. :-P The catch to TJ's is that you better pounce on the items when you see them because there's no guarantee they will be there when you come back.  In my case, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that all of these items will be there on Friday! :-)

 I'm normally not a fan of animal print; but this leather and cheetah messenger bag was calling me!

 I love the look of the zig-zag zippers...

 I love this bright tribal-patterned tank

 Michael Kors peep-toe lace-up booties.  They came in this olive green and black; but I think I prefer the green

 I love these combat boots.  I'd pair them with a really feminine outfit

 Vince Camuto ankle boots...SO cute!!

Paolo Masi mink bag.  I LOVE it.  Some people may have an issue with fur, but I don't!! ;-)  lol..

I am a true fan of huge bags.  I don't carry a lot of stuff in them; but I just love how they complete my looks! :-p  This is SO cool!

Cool Kitchen

I had to take a picture of this staged kitchen at IKEA...SO cool! I really like how the upper cabinets aren't identical to the lowers.  

  

Extra close-up of the tile.  I love glass tile, and I especially love how the pieces are all different sizes.

My Saturday

Just got back from the gym and am headed to the most beautiful, peaceful beach to enjoy this beautiful day.  See the pics from my visits last summer!