Operation Decoration

So we are currently in the process of transforming our new apartment into a home... I can't wait for it to truly feel like ours, complete with decorations and eccentric things that showcase who we are. We already have a GIANT Florida Gators flag hanging above the TV (the "mancave"), which is a start, but until lately I've been struggling to feel inspired about how to us-ify our space. BUT, after a very productive coffee shop session and large amounts of caffeine, creativity finally struck. Here are some of the pins that aided me in my decorating revelations (Pinterest, I owe you one):

The pins, in case you want them for your boards, too:
1. canopy http://bit.ly/YeK1jS
2. random chair http://bit.ly/11O3kyK
3. giant world map http://bit.ly/ZHDkqn
4. mirror http://bit.ly/12EsgZK
5. quote/lyrics http://bit.ly/10lFjei
6. trinkets on a rope http://bit.ly/11Pym8l
7. sheet-art http://bit.ly/128wR3v

Decking the Halls

Christmas is almost here! Woooooooooo!

In the meantime, I have been daydreaming about how I will decorate when I get a place of my own someday (can't wait!). Here are a few of the ideas already making me excited for next year's holidays.

Merry Christmas! :}

{white + silver+ reindeer + branches + mini trees...love it all}

{a great way to add some Christmas to the bedroom}

{the perfect front door set-up}

{the front door from the inside}

{a genius tradition: hang stockings on mum and dad's bed, so Christmas morning the kiddies come in to snuggle then open up their stockings}

{pinecone trees}

{and finally, a great way to decorate for New Year's: silver ornaments hanging from pretty ribbon}

Stop...Glittertime

So I had this cute little navy box. It was the original packaging to a ring someone made for me. I loved this cute little box, and had recently been using it to hold my bobbi pins and hair rubberbands. But apparently I loved the box a little too much, because the hinge broke. I was pretty flustered, and have since spent weeks trying to think of an adequate replacement. 

And I finally found one! I cannot tell you how excited and relieved I am! 

I've been using these precious little candles from Bath & Body Works (you can see the scents I like here), and was finally starting to use up one. But what was I to do with the little jar when I was done? It was much too cute to throw away. And then a thought hit me...I'll use it for my homeless bobbi pins! Woohoo! So I went to the craft store and bought some good ol' Elmers glue and some loose gold glitter. Then I got my glitter on. 

Pretty cute, huh? Next up: a glittered-up travel case for the bobbi's! :}

Holiday Garland

Happy fall! :) 

I whipped up this little holiday-ish garland the other day...pretty cute, huh? And it was cheap and easy too! 

Where did I get that cute striped paper you ask? Lowes. For free. Just waltz in there and grab yourself some paint chips. Then start drawing and cutting. Be sure to have a candle lit. And tea. They'll help.

To assemble, I lined up my little cutouts upside down and taped them together. There might be a better way to do this. But it made sense in my head, so I did it. And it worked, so it's okay.

Then I took a piece of ribbon, placed it across the taped together little thingies, and taped it down. 

And there you have it! I only made one fall garland because I ran out of paint chips in the appropriate colors, but I have another one planned for winter!

Adding Some Fall-ish Charm

I'm already getting into the holiday spirit, even with the 80 degree days and complete lack of pumpkins, changing leaves, and crisp breezes. So I have decided to make my own fall (on a tiny budget) and surround myself in it. Now of course, you can just start consuming as many fall-inspired desserts and lattes as you can find. In fact, I'm dying to try out some recipes based around the obvious fall treat - s'mores. I decided, however, that fall treats were not going to be enough on their own, so here are some more (haha, s'more!) ways to fall up your life...

1. Burn some seasonal candles. These cute, cheap candles from Bath & Body Works have become my go-to method for upping my fall mood: Vanilla Snowflake, Leaves, 'Tis the Season, and Snowed In.

2. Change your look. Every year I find myself transitioning from the bright hues of summer to the richer shades of fall for my nails (I have a list of fall nailpolish colors here). And I'm pretty good about adding scarves and boots to my repertoire for quick updates. But this year I decided to take more drastic measures. So I darkened my hair a bit to get rid of that sun-kissed dirty blonde I had been sporting (I've posted hair dying tips and my new 'do here) and have switched to makeup in fall-ish shades, such as an array of purples:

3. Decorate. I made this cute mini garland the other day (instructions to come soon), and strategically placed it in an eye-catching spot (by some mirrors and the tv, of course!). It was incredibly cheap, pretty darn easy to make, and, thanks to some tunes and one of those candles, I had a blast making it. 

So there you have it folks. I'm sure I will think of more ways to add the charm of fall to my life (since fall and the approaching holidays are my newest obsession), so be sure to check back for new posts!

P.S. - Happy Friday! :}

Personal Touches

Lately I've been really into little craft projects...renovating things I already own and creating new pieces that I can't wait to display in a future place of my own. My favorite part about these little thingamajigs is that they're so personal: handwritten with quotes that either guarantee a smile, invoke inspiration, or have sentimental value. While I still have a bunch I plan to do, here are my recent successes. :}

#1: an annoyingly plain glasses case turned portable inspiration, thanks to a black Sharpie and some of my favorite go-get-em quotes

#2: a much-needed resurfacing for a tarnished, cheap necklace, thanks to some glittery gold nailpolish

#3: some decorations I've been making...little tidbits written on canvas boards with Sharpies

Clever Case

So here's the sitch: I don't have a cool iPhone. Which means that I can't find super sweet phone cases. But fear not: I can still be glam with my Samsung. How, you ask? This, I tell you:

Feeling inspired, I took a trip to the craft store and picked out some ribbon (glittery, of course). Then with a lot of tape (and I mean A LOT) and a little love...

Wait, allow me to back up a pinch. I simply cut the ribbon into pieces, wrapped it around the back of the case and then secured it on the inside via tape, like so:

Not bad, huh? But I knew I could do better. Take two:

Again, not bad. But still I wasn't crazy about it. So I decided less is more, and am proud to say that I have kept the third (and final) design for a whole whopping week. I love the simple pop of color, texture and shine...such a perfect way to end the summer. 

P.S. - Since I'm sure you're wondering, I have more ribbon for fall... ;} 

Pretty Packaging II

- Continued from yesterday-  

I'm in the process of moving, and so I'm spilling some of my decorating and storage secrets from the past two years. While some of these ideas I will undoubtedly keep, I am excited to see what I come up with as I move my stuff to a new place.

1. bottles of nailpolish to hold and display bangles
2. a dvd case to hold the rest of my nailpolish collection (and makes for easy transportation to a sink or table while still showcasing colors)
3. a square basket to hold my sandals
4. a Sephora shopping bag to hold sunnies and a striped lid to hold belts
5. and, possibly my favorite, Express shopping bags to hold unmentionables

Pretty Packaging

I'm in the process of moving away from what's been "home" for the past two years, and my place is a wreck. But it hasn't always been so.  

When it comes to my room, I believe everything should have a place, yet I like to have items such as nailpolish, bangles, cute little shopping bags and festive boxes on display. Apartment living and a college-kid budget as left me with little space to make my room a giant display case, an even smaller budget and no chest of drawers. Yet I’ve enjoyed decorating under such conditions much more than I ever have before. Here are some of my shining achievements of decorating success. I’ll reveal more ideas tomorrow, so be sure to come back.

1. the obvious: a jewelry box to hold secret treasures
2. a PINK gift box to hold headphones, chargers and iPod accessories
3. a little baggie, originally for extra bra straps, to hold my iPod
4. and a perfume box to hold spare buttons