DIY Chalkboard Frame

Ever since purchasing the Ung Drill Frame from Ikea over a year ago, it's been sitting empty because for the life of me I could not figure out what to do with it. Because of its' different proportions I couldn't find the right picture to display in it, and just couldn't bring myself to purchase a custom mirror for it (because IKEA came out with the mirrored version just one month later and I REFUSE to give in. Yeah. Grrr.)

Then one day I saw this on Pinterest, and fell in love:

I really like the white frame version, but living in a place where I can't paint the walls a contrasting color, I thought white on white wouldn't work. so...

Enter a can of chalkboard spray from Michael's (and a handy husband) and wuala!

          

             Before:                                                                     After:

I love how it adds a lot of contrast and personality to this side of the room. Plus we can write each other messages. And lists. Lots of lists!

Listening to.. {on repeat}

Lana del Rey/Blue Jeans

{listen}

Christmas Corner

Earlier this year, I had big plans to paint a tree branch and DIY decorations, but when it came down to it, it was just easier to put this little festive corner together:

I arranged five branches in an ikea vase and hung up various shiny trinkets, topped it off with a few glitterry cones, a west elm owl & a pine cone. Done & done.

I like the contrast & simplicity of natural elements & silver accents. My hubby doesn't appreciate the glitter(it was EVERYWHERE), but what kind of Christmas decorations don't  sparkle? 

And, of course, Mr West Elm owl, who hasn't had a chance to come out yet until now...

Chalkboard Labels

Having recently moved and re-organized everything, and also having gone through a "moth problem" at our previous place, I wanted to find a better way to store our food that would keep all bugs & moisture out, but still be easy to find. 

Enter  JenMarie's Embellishing Life Etsy Shop, where I was able to get a bunch of chalkboard labels AND a chalk marker all for just $8.

So here's the BEFORE:

    During:

And AFTER:

I used canisters and containers I already had, but matching ones are easy 

to find at Target.

Much better! 

Bedroom Update

I admit that I've been so focused on decorating our living room that I've been neglecting our bedroom. I think I'm finally happy enough with the "base" of the room to share it and the plans I have to make it a bit more cozy...

I'm not sure how I feel about the bed, although for now it's ok... Eventually I'd like to DIY a tufted headboard in a dark charcoal color, much like this one, and add matching mid-century warm-toned wood nightstands from west elm, and a ton of colorful throw pillows.

I DIY'd this LOVE banner at our previous apartment, but it looks so much better here.

This is the other corner of the room, still pretty bare. I'd like to add some pictures & lettering above the dresser, and a record stand somewhere in here... Eventually I want to raise the curtain rod to enlarge the windows, and layer dark grey & sheer white curtains also.

This plant has miraculously survived 2 moves after being rescued from the side of the road a few years ago by my hubby... It finally has a permanent home.

And not to forget my little ninja wanting to be in every picture I take!

Moving in & Adjusting

Adjusting to being a stay-at-home mom has had it's challenges, but I feel especially grateful that my awesome hubby is making it possible for me to do so. I have a lot of time to spend with Gauge & catch up on all things I've been wanting to do with him, like make Halloween decorations & bake cookies...

                                                             sprinkles!

Moving has been especially hard for our cat Precious, since for the past 10 years he's been an outdoor/indoor cat. But he's 14 now, and we've decided to keep him strictly indoors. Except for a few especially restless cat-crazy spastic episodes that consisted of him doing back-flips chasing imaginary creatures, he's been doing ok, sleeping all day and gorging on cat food...because he won't stop meowing until we feed him and it's just easier to give in... sigh, I know.

Gauge & Precious are getting along better than expected!

Lazy Sunday mornings...

I love our little family and our cozy home!

Living Room

So we've been moved in to our new place for about a month now, and everyone is finally settled in. I'm loving the new apartment, it's bright & spacious and all our furniture looks just right in it. The living room is definitely my favorite room, although this photo is a "progress" photo {eventually we're planning on upgrading to the Stockholm coffee table, moving that side-shelf, putting up a photo collage above the couch, & adding end tables and a potted plant} So far it's more put-together than any other room in the house. 

(KARLSTAD  sofa &  chair (both with metal legs), LACK coffee table, HENNY blanket, EXPEDIT shelving, VATE pendant lantern, KNIPSA baskets, STOCKHOLM throw {white},

UTILITARIAN FRANCHISE moth pillow, & KARDEMUMMA planters)

Veggie Crackers

I was still hungry after breakfast, but didn't want to have a full meal juuust yet, so I decided to dress up some organic crackers with

-avocado

-tomato

-cilantro

-green onion

-cheddar cheese (I used Tillamook sharp cheddar)

-a pinch of sea-salt & pepper

This is such a filling yet light snack. And I feel good eating it because it's healthy & not loaded with sugar & fat.

What kind of toppings would you use?

Owl Cookie Jar {and chocolate chip cookies}

I love my owl cookie jar from West Elm. Isn't he adorable? He's perched on the kitchen counter, making me smile & reminding me to bake every once in awhile. 

I've had him for a few months now, and am sad to say he's never been used for cookies... mostly candy or whatever junk I was craving that week. Well, that changes today! Today there will be cookies!

And not just any cookies. Delicious Pillsbury Simply Chocolate Chip Cookies, basically the only kind we buy. Why? Because they're made with no preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. And they don't taste like cardboard. Gauge approves!

Check out the rest of the West Elm flock HERE

Early Holiday Inspiration

I know, I know, Christmas is two holidays away... still, I've been collecting snippets of holiday ideas all year long.  I've been getting bored with the usual red & green theme that seems to be in EVERY home. EVERY year. Since 1944. I knew I wanted something different, but what? Then one day last season I was flipping through my West Elm catalog and discovered this...

Yes, it is a small tree/big branch. Yes, it is painted white. Yes, it has minimal neutral ornaments. It is the opposite of traditional, and yes, I fell in love. I instantly knew that I would be {hopefully} making this and that all other decor would be centered to compliment it. {neutral warm wood & white color pallet with silver accents} 

 Here's some of the inspiration so far.

Check out my Pinterest board "Favourite Holiday" for more. 

Accent-Inspired Nail Polish

I've been seeing a lot of glitter accent-inspired nails on Pinterest for a few months now, and finally decided to give it a try. Although I remember doing this in high school, {black with red middle fingers} way before it was cool.  I like this for fall & winter, a darker color with just a touch of sparkle. 

CQ/Night - Revlon/Metallic - Sinful Colors/Queen of Beauty

(& clear topcoat)

Halloween Inspiration {part 2}

Come have dinner with a mad scientist! This Halloween home tour is from The Happy Heathan. I like how this setup doesn't scream "Halloween", it's more "curiosity shop". I would actually love to live here!

Love: apothecary bottles & terrariums, ravens & bone specimens

Halloween Inspiration {part 1}

Halloween is just around the corner & I've been looking for kid-friendly decorating ideas that aren't too... tacky or cutesy. I came across this Halloween home tour over at Pink Sugar. I like how fun & simple everything is, and super-easy to make.

Love: paper bats, garland, painted pumpkins.

I'm hoping to also incorporate a bit more realistic 

touches (terrariums, apothecary jars, etc) hence the part 1. 

Hopefully part 2 will soon follow!

(Gw)