A- to the - N-thro-pol-ogie!

Dude, some of Anthropologie's currents are putting me in a shopping mood (but I'll have to admire from afar).......

Protozoa Paint Tote

Fanning Button Up

Borrowed Boyfriend Cardi

photos via anthropologie website

Best part, all these items are under $40!   W^(#^$*^&!!!!- how so?  Because they're all listed in the sale section of course.  This lady doesn't shop full price in the

A-n-thro-pol-o-gie, it's gotta be on sale to spark my interest, because that's how I roll.

Happy Spring!

Project Hutch- Round One

We did it- we got a start on our hutch makeover.  Let me start off by saying this was actually a project that both D and I were excited to work on.  It was a long (somewhat painful) search for a hutch that we both not only liked, but could afford.  Knowing that we needed a buffet for the dining area to help with some storage issues, we began a hunt for just the right piece.  Apartment living set some limitations as far as width size, height, and depth. 

As we continued to visit antique stores, we had our eye set on one hutch which eventually was sold (bummer), but then again it was on the high end of the budget.  We continued our search until I began stalking Craigslist for a few weeks straight.  With no such luck (again, we had size constraints), I was convinced we wouldn't find anything or if we did, we would definitely have to refinish it to our taste.  Then popped up a new listing one Saturday evening.  I replied to the ad and the next day we picked up our new old hutch and the best part..........................$50 buckaroos.  Um, sweet!

Our sweet little hutch sat in the garage for weeks (ok, maybe months?), as time got away from us.  This weekend, we rolled up the sleeves (actually I threw on a tank top, it was 90 degrees) and managed to get our hutch primed.  I'm hoping we can paint this next weekend.

*Side note:  The couple we purchased from told us the piece originally came from a Minister's family, which they then bought from, and now we are the happy 3rd owners (and this piece is in for a major overhaul)!

What we bought (stay positive):

Some may love this hardware, not me, it's gonna go.  And may be for sale if anyone is interested in knobs and pulls.

Beginning the transformation (no more cherry finish):

Removed the back panel, which will be replaced with T1-11 type panel

Ripped off the "detail" on the drawers, D didn't like it and we learned it was actually plastic (ick).  We then used wood fill to fill in the holes.

Please excuse the white legs (Spring just started), although give me two weeks at the beach and I'll still be "fair".

A work in progress.  We'll share our final paint choices, hardware, etc. as this project enters round two. 

P.S.- This project was completed in a few hours- which was my "break time" from Etsy, I'm hoping to have a bit of free time this coming weekend.



Happy Friday!!!

YAAAAAAAAAAAAY!  It's Friday.  It will be a packed weekend of projects, but the weather is forecasted to be in the 80's, Hubby D has got me on the motivation train, and I'm looking forward to it.  We're getting closer to sharing projects with photos (new sofa may come in by next week................still waiting).

Have a happy one!

Untitled

I'm pretty sure that waking up with a headache and stiff shoulders, a dry throat, and itchy eyes is not a good start to the day.  Good sign is that I don't think it's a start to sickness, rather just work stress.  Hope the feeling passes by the start of the weekend!

photo via Google

Rad Romper

WHAT!......!.......!.......?........?.........!

Look at this rad romper I found browsing over at Seashells and Southern Belles........

Give me that and a pair of Toms and we're ready to get on with the day.  LOVE!  p.s.  Jana's blog is a fun one- check it out for more coastal inspirations!

The Details

Guess what we splurged on to join in on the living room makeover?

Photo via Native Vermont

You may remember me posting this a while back- I really love the uniqueness of these pieces, being both artwork and meaningful statements.  I'm working with the artist to create a custom color palette to compliment our room, and he's been wonderful to communicate with thus far.  I can't wait to share our finished piece with you all and reveal which words/locations we chose to be included in our one-of-a-kind creation.  Fun, fun, fun!  Check out Ryan's work via Native Vermont Studio on Etsy.

*Additional Thoughts*

Art is subjective.  It is meaningful, it is special, it brings forth different emotions and feelings within each individual person.  One of my college art professors once shared a message that has always stuck with me over the years: 

 "invest in what is meaningful to your person, what calls to you within.  What may appear questionable in value to one, may be priceless to another." 

I truly believe in the value of art, not only because I was educated with a degree in the Arts, but because of it's message- the ability to question, evoke feelings, allow discussion, heal, the list could go on.  Having a background in art, or even learning to appreciate it's nature, opens your eyes to view the world in a completely different aspect (it truly does).

Beach Chairs- Please share

We are in search of new beach chairs: something easy to carry, rather comfortable, and easy on the eyes.  If anyone has any suggestions, please send them our way
 p-l-e-a-s-e-!-!-!-!  It's been a long painful search.

via

Let there be Light

Lighting is a huge issue in our apartment.  Natural light unfortunately is a challenge, as well as forced lighting in the evenings.  D and I are trying to figure out the best
solution(s) to compliment some of the living room re-vamp.

The Madison glass sconce pendant is in the running.  The glass shade would provide ample light (not sure if it may be to harsh), we're proposing two of these sconces framing each end of the sofa.  Another challenge with our new sofa is side table space, hence the wall hanging option.  Also, as renters, the lighting must be plug in as opposed to hard wire.  Tons of challenges. 

It is true that designers can solve issues for their clients, but when it comes to making decisions about their own home- it's impossible!  Also, it's apparent that I am by no means a multi-millionaire, so many of the lines I am accustom to working with are just simply not in the budget.  But, this PB sconce, totally in the budget for us!!!  Personal use = must be reasonable priced.

via Pottery Barn

Catching Up

Life is slowly getting a tad more manageable as work continues to get completed.  It's leaving me a bit more time to think about the projects we've been wanting to get to around our apartment.

We're getting closer and closer to creating a photo gallery on the wall behind our sofa in our living room.  Our new sofa is expected to arrive in a few weeks and we'd like to get our photos dialed in before placing the new sofa in front of the wall.  Recent thoughts are to use a blend of black and white photos, some matted, with mixing in framed faux coral backed in a blue/grey colored paper.  I've been researching some inspiration photos online:

via Google

photo via Google

We'll be sure to share a photo of our own space- hopefully within the next month!

Stop, Breathe

I need to stop and breathe.

I cried last night.

Call it stress, overwhelming stress, lack of time, no "individual time".

I will make a change this coming month, time for me, time for my husband.

Without feeling selfish, I will spend a bit of time away from a loaded "work" schedule.

And I will get back to my blogging (and checking in on my faves), because it's part of my "me" time.

Time

We threw out our wall clock this weekend.  I know, it's pretty bad when you resort to throwing something out, rather than waiting to donate it.  I hated it that much, really I did.  Damon was kind enough to leave it by the trash in case a passer-by for some reason fell in love and decided they scored big time. 

I'm on the hunt for a new one, understated yet "timeless".  I found a simple, modern design over on good 'ol Etsy, via a shop named Uncommon:

Photo via Uncommon

Shell Wall Art

Just had to share this gorgeous shell wall hanging of a seahorse, mixed with a variety of shells and jewels.  I spied it in my little eye during a visit to one of my favorite antique/consignments shops (which clearly posts a sign saying "no photos allowed")- I totally broke the rules.  After I made two decent purchases in this shop, I braved up, snapped the photo, and kinda sorta justified my actions.