fashion, my style, outfits, shopping, valentine's day

Valentine’s Day Outfit

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There’s something about Valentine’s Day that makes me want to wear a feminine and fun outfit. I even remember in middle school when my friend and I planned what we were going to wear and put our hair in foamed-roller ponytails the night before so that we’d have super curly ponytails the next day.

Fast forward almost 15 years and I still love to look especially cute on Valentine’s Day. Here’s a completely over the top Valentine’s Day outfit for you.

Sweater | Pants | Earrings | Scarf | Watch | Ring | Shoes

Red pants and a pink sweater are a bold look, but how fun is this if you could pull it off? The appropriately titled Merino Boyfriend Sweater from J.Crew is a little oversized and comfy, and looks great with a scarf (I know because I saw my sister wearing this sweater with a scarf in different colors a few weeks ago). And I LOVE this scarf. It reminds me of Andy Warhol’s Lips print. I really hope it goes on sale soon so that I can actually afford it. I’ve wanted the Kate Spade Locked In studs in gold for a while, but these pink ones are a lot of fun for Valentine’s Day. The watch is an affordable piece from Target and comes in many other colors (I think gold and leopard are especially cool), and the ring is from BaubleBar. If you’re looking for something more delicate, you could try other versions of the arrow ring–there are a ton on Etsy. The Printed Pointy flats from Gap look to be a cute and practical every day item. They come in other cute prints, including navy and white dots and leopard. 

Of course, any one of these pieces individually would be a fun way to add a little Valentine’s Day to your wardrobe. If you want to see some other pieces that would be fun for Valentine’s Day but didn’t make it into this outfit, check out my So Stylish pin board on Pinterest. 

home decor, Projects, shopping

A Tale of Four Coffee Tables

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This is a tale of how I ended up owning four coffee tables at one time…which is coincidentally also a tale of three very tolerant roommates.

Those of you who have known me for a while may recall when I refinished my first coffee table for our living room. I did a pretty good job if I do say so myself. But I haven’t been in love with it lately. It’s not that I don’t like the table, it’s just that it’s to heavy for this space. We have a pretty large sectional in our living room, and the upper drawer gives it a heftiness that makes this space feel a little crowded. That said, the height and general dimensions have worked well.

I posted a few months ago about my obsession with Hollywood Regency marble coffee tables, and I’d be lying if I didn’t say I am still head over heals for that marble and brass combo. In fact, my parents got rid of their glass and brass coffee table and gave it to me to sell at a yard sale…except it didn’t sell. So I have been dragging my feet trying to sell it through other means because part of me hoped that I could use that gorgeous brass base if I found the perfect marble top for it. But alas, I have not. And I’m not convinced that an oval is the right shape for this space anyway.

If you read that marble table post, you may also remember that I did actually purchase a marble coffee table, only to get it home and realize…nope. Way too small. Proportion and I don’t totally understand each other yet, but through this experience we are definitely getting to know each other better. So that coffee table base recently got a fresh coat of ASCP French Linen with gilded gold accents. She’s now for sale. If you’re interested, drop me a line.

So the fourth coffee table? Well, in November I watched an episode of Sabrina Soto’s High Low Project in which she used a mid-century travertine and brass coffee table in her high version, and a brass and glass with a white back coffee table in her low version, which got me thinking, maybe I don’t really need marble, maybe I just need a material that reflects light and varies the textures in the room. I knew glass just wouldn’t work for us, but maybe lacquered wood would? So I started searching for brass bases that I could put a lacquered table top on.

Then, around black Friday Gilt.com had a sale where everything was 50% (max $100 discount). That’s when I saw this coffee table from Safavieh. This was the kind of table I had actually been looking for when I bought my metallic side table. I’m not going for such a rustic vibe, but the proportions were perfect, and I liked the modern shape. With the sale it was about $120, and shipping was only about $8. Then it occurred to me: if this table was reasonably priced and had good bones, I could probably work a little magic and transform it into the brass and lacquered look I’m going for. So I bought it. It was scheduled to come in January, which was awesome at the time because I had like a million things to do before Christmas and I needed to move a bunch of existing projects out of our house so I could easily wait to deal with this coffee table.

via Amazon.com

Then one night in December I got home from class around 11:00 p.m. and found this leaning against a wall in our entry way. Whoops.

Normally I am pumped when things arrive early, but I was a little less than excited about this one. It’s still sitting in its box until I can figure out what to do with the three other tables. I’m thinking about gold-leafing or spray painting the base. I haven’t decided if I want to paint the top, stain it darker, or leave it as is yet.

So that is how I ended up with four coffee tables. In summary, if you are looking for a coffee table, I might have one for you. Call me maybe?

Linked to: Miss Mustard Seed

Projects

Deciding Which Project to Tackle Next

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Recently a few people have asked me how I decide which projects I take on when, so I thought I’d give you a little insight into my process. Here are a few rules to live by when planning which projects to tackle around the house.

Rule #1: As much as possible, finish a project before you acquire a new one. I am a total furniture hoarder. I’m really trying to be better about it, but in the past I’ve been really bad about picking up stuff on Craigslist because it’s free, or accepting things from friends I don’t really need, or holding on to pieces because I think I can sell them. I do not suggest being like this, because it makes it a heck of a lot harder to get anything done. It’s kind of like ordering a book on Amazon.com every time you read a good review, but never finishing the book you started months ago. You’re never going to read those new books until you finish that one you started, so just stop buying them. OK, you caught me…I do that too.

Stop looking on Craigslist. Buy/order your materials. Make decisions. Dedicate time to your project. One way that you can help yourself to do this while preserving ideas or intentions for the future is by keeping a sketchbook. Maybe you have an idea of what kind of a media stand you want to get, but you really should spend time refinishing the dining room table first. Sketch the media stand, know what kind of dimensions you’re thinking about, and revisit the idea after you’ve finished the table. Seriously. It’s a lot easier to let an idea go when you know you have it recorded somewhere.

My dining room as I prepared for Lucketts. Furniture everywhere. 

Rule #2: Don’t burn out on difficult projects. I have a few friends who like to run marathons. Most of them run about two a year. In between marathons, they’re still running and racing a lot, but they’re doing 5ks, 10ks, half marathons, etc. They just can’t run marathon on top of marathon because they would totally burn out. I am no marathon runner, but I treat some of my more intense projects the same way. For example, stripping and refinishing a piece of furniture like my desk chair is a long, often miserable process. I am always proud of the end result, but I need a good long time in between projects like that. While I could probably tackle a similar project immediately afterwards, I know that 1) I will be miserable, and this is something I try to do for fun; and 2) I probably won’t do a very good job because I will be so impatient and fried after the last project that I’ll try to take shortcuts or miss important details. I also need time in between projects to forget how long and annoying some of them can be.

I ended up taking apart my desk chair to do a really thorough job stripping paint off it before I refinished it.
It took forrreevvverrrr. 

Rule #3: Give yourself some freebies. This is no new concept: it helps to gain momentum by taking care of a small project  that you’ve been meaning to do but haven’t gotten around to yet. In this case I’m talking painting a tray or vase or something. They are quick and can be done on a Saturday afternoon, and it feels so good to cross it off your list that. Plus, you might be so inspired that you spend the rest of the day tackling more projects. Freebies don’t have to be furniture or painting projects. They can be finally putting that accessory you bought at the store in the right place, or hanging a picture, or even cleaning your room.

Rule #4: Plan projects with the seasons. This week it’s been in the 20s in DC. This is not spray painting weather or doing anything outside weather unless it involves a snowsuit. So it would be really stupid of me pick up something tomorrow that needs to be spray painted. Likewise, I better not intend to paint anything in my backyard in July when it’s 95 degrees and 200% humidity outside. It will never dry. So when I think about acquiring projects, I have to think about when I’ll reasonably be able to address them.

My desk was much easier to sand outside because I could use my power sander, which would have generated too much dust to use indoors.

Rule #5: Know your finishes. While my personal aesthetic leans a little more towards the lacquered furniture look, that paint can take 24 hours to dry, and the water-based ones need multiple coats. Chalk paint or milk paint, on the other hand, don’t require sanding and dry very quickly. Given the amount of time it takes to paint something with Water-Based alkyd paint, it’s useful to ask myself if there is an alternative, easier way to get a comparable look without compromising the quality of the finish.

This little table looks great, but it took way too much time to dry in between coats, which meant that a small piece of furniture like this took days to complete.

Although I was going for a modern look on these tables, I used chalk paint because it dried quickly and was easiest to apply the pattern with. In the end, I achieved the look I was going for. 

Rule #6: If you aren’t willing to invest time in doing it right, then don’t do it right now. I can’t tell you how many times I used to throw a crappy coat of paint on something just to get it done quickly. Now everyday I pull clothes out of a dresser that I should have done a better job painting, and it’s a daily reminder of how my haste led to something I’m not totally happy with. I wish I had done it right the first time, because it’s really too late to redo the thing, and if I ever want to replace it and sell it, I won’t be able to get a price that it worth of my other work.

Rule #7: Admit when you don’t think you’ll ever take on a project, and get rid of it. Last year I picked up a free chair on the side of a curb and planned to fix it up for the Lucketts Market. When I got it home, I realized it wasn’t in awesome shape, but was determined to fix it up. Finally, I determined it wasn’t worth my time or energy, and I gave it away. It feels good to know that project isn’t still sitting on my plate, and it’s not taking up room in my home either. I’ll probably end up doing the same with this chair too, since the frame is rotted beyond my ability to repair it.

my family, travel, vacation

A Weekend of Family, Wine, and Dementia

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While the rest of DC was overwhelmed with Inauguration festivities over the weekend, I took a trip with my family to visit my grandma in Geneva, New York. It was the first time in as long as I can remember that a journey to visit Grandma didn’t involved a trip to my dad’s hometown of Verona, New York. The family moved Grandma to an assisted living home in Geneva a few years ago when everyone realized that she wasn’t safe living on her own. Now she lives close to my aunt (about an hour from where she used to live), so instead of staying at Grandma’s house and using that as the central meeting spot like we always used to do, we stayed in a hotel and all met up at my aunt’s house.

It felt weird to go somewhere different, but I really enjoyed staying in Geneva. It’s located on Seneca Lake (one of the Finger Lakes) and has beautiful views. Because it was settled in the late 1700s, the town is full of amazing historic architecture. There were a bunch of restaurants and shops that I wish we had time to check out, but we’ll have to do that next time we’re in town.

Friday evening we arrived and and went out to eat at Halsey’s in downtown Geneva. After enjoying some gourmet pizza there, we ventured over to my aunt’s house for a little while before retiring to our hotel on the lake…which unfortunately involved my sister and I sharing a double bed while my brother got his own.

Saturday we spent the day at my aunt’s house, which was chock full of grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins, cousins’ kiddos, two dogs, and three cats. One of the dogs was my cousin’s huge boxer, Chevy. Despite his 90 lbs hulk-like frame, he’s a hugger. My sister could not get enough of him, which was photographed on many occasions throughout the weekend. The cats were also really friendly, but I had to avoid petting them since I’m allergic to cats (bummer).

After we took Grandma back to her place Saturday night, the rest of the family met up at our hotel bar. It sounds a little lame, but it was so much fun to get out of the house and visit late into the evening with family I don’t get to see very often.

Sunday morning we had breakfast with two of my cousins who were leaving that day, and then picked Grandma up and took her to lunch. Afterwards, we dropped off Grandma and headed to my dad’s cousin’s house to visit with her. She recently purchased one of the historic homes on South Main Street in downtown Geneva, so we took advantage of the trip and got a tour of her new place while we were there. South Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Her house, built in the early 1800s, is one of the oldest row houses on the street. As a result of the historical significance, she knows a lot more about her house than most people do about their homes, like when specific additions were built, the fact that the house was at one point connected to the house next door, that the original front doors were likely imported from Italy, and a whole host of other info. You can even see historical photos of the property on a website dedicated to the South Main Street historic district.  The house was SO cool. I snapped a few photos with my phone while I was there.

After we toured our cousin’s house, she took us to White Springs Winery where she works a day or two a week. Seneca Lake is lined with vineyards and wineries because the lake moderates the climate in the area and makes the hills around it good for grape growing. It’s becoming a popular destination for wine tour vacations, so it was fun to take advantage of the family connection and have a personal wine tasting in the area. You can learn more about the Seneca Lake Wine Trail through their website. Once we were done with our excursions, we headed back to my aunt’s house for dinner and football watching.

Of course the only picture I took during our trip to the winery was of a rug that I loved, which was hanging on the wall. 

For as much fun as I had with the family, this trip was a big reminder that I’m not a kid anymore. One of the weirdest things about growing up is that all the stuff you knew would probably happen, but you could never really imagine happening, is happening now. For the most part the changes are good. Two of my cousins have children. One of my cousins is getting married in September. Another is renovating a house with her husband and son. Almost all the cousins are over 21 at this point, which means we can enjoy fun evenings in a hotel bar together.

Other changes are rough. My Grandma has dementia…or is it Alzheimer’s now? I’m not sure at this point. As a result of a few falls and a confused “escape” from the assisted living facility, she is now in a locked wing that is for people with memory problems. They take good care of her and she is safest there, but it still feels weird to walk into the place and be greeted by a room full of elderly people asleep in chairs “watching” kittens play on Animal Planet. This is not how I remember Grandma, though I suspect I am not as she remembers me. Is this how everyone feels? That their loved ones just don’t seem to belong in a place like that yet even when they do? Interesting how denial and dementia can play the same tricks on you.

I look terrible in this photo but everyone else looks good. I REALLY need a haircut. I also need to stop parting my bangs so far over. It makes my face look fat. 

Thankfully, Grandma remembers us and has plenty of lucid moments, like when she was pleased when Syracuse basketball won a close game Saturday night (Grandpa always watched Syracuse basketball). It’s the moments when she gets worried that she doesn’t have her keys and won’t be able to get into the house when we’re taking her home (“You don’t live at that house anymore, Grandma”), and the moments when she tells us she can’t remember why “Dad” couldn’t join us (we don’t bother to remind her that Grandpa died six years ago), that are awful. And they’re more awful when my dad, my aunts, and my uncle are around, because as hard as it is to witness what age will do to what was once a very bright mind, it’s harder to watch how much it hurts the immediate family her mind is gradually leaving behind.

At this point I’m wishing I took pictures with more than just my iPhone. 

I keep reminding myself that Grandma is 88, and while this condition just plain sucks, a lot of people don’t make it to this point. In many ways she is doing well for 88. Her eyes are still bright and her smile is ever beautiful  (fingers crossed I inherited some of those genes). She is one of the few people in the whole facility who does not rely on a walker to get from point A to point B. And she is often shocked to learn she is 88. Youth is a mentality, not an age, right?

This trip, as they more often seem to be, was bittersweet. This is our new normal and although it’s rough seeing Grandma in this state, the weekend was one of the nicest visits I’ve had with the rest of the  family in a very long time. I will always miss playing croquet in Grandma’s back yard and enjoying her breakfast pastries, but it’s fun to do something new and change up our traditions as the family dynamic changes. It makes me wonder–and look forward to–what else we might enjoy together as things continue to change. I really hope that those who couldn’t make the trip are able to make the next one.

So that was my weekend. Family-filled, politics-free. How was your long weekend? Did you go on vacation? Check out the inauguration festivities?

shopping

No Shop January 2013 Update

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Earlier this month, I declared that I would be celebrating my second annual No Shop January. Here’s a little update on how I’m doing.

Successes

  • I went shopping with the boy last week and managed to resist the temptation of buying stuff that was super on sale at J.Crew.
  • I’ve taken multiple trips to Target without buying random crap. 
  • I completed a couple projects without buying any new materials. 
  • I decided I don’t need to buy another pretty calendar. 
  • I washed all of my tights so that they are ready to wear again (small victory!).


Failures (kind of)

  • I ordered Dwell magazine through a Daily Candy deal. Magazines are something that I choose to invest in since I need so much inspiration for school and images for projects. Most of the magazines I get right now lean traditional/new-traditional, and even though Dwell isn’t really my style, I decided I need to diversify my inspiration sources with something more modern. So I’m OK with that $12 purchase. Plus, if I buy even three of any specific magazine off the rack in a year, I end up spending more than the subscription price, so it’s worth buying the subscription if I think I’m going to do that anyway. 
  • I have not been stellar at planning my meals, so I’ve spent more than I intended on eating out a couple times. Still, I haven’t been eating out as often as I normally do. 


Temptations

One of the reason I did No Shop January again was not just to save money, but also to conduct a little exercise in impulse control. Naturally, I’ve been tempted to purchase a few things during the month. I haven’t pulled the trigger on any of these, but I am do so after sleeping on them for a while (another two weeks maybe?). 
Target Horse. This little guy is part of Target’s great Modern Cottage Home Decor Collection, which I initially spotted on Sanity Fair, and later saw in store. He would look wonderful on my new bookshelf in our living room. Right now I have a white reindeer on there and he looks cool, but he’s really only socially acceptable for the next few weeks. This horse would make a great replacement.

Object: Target Horse Figural
Target via Pinterest

Kate Spade’s new book, Things We Love: Twenty Years of Inspiration, Intriguing Bits and Other Curiosities. Why am I such a sucker for big beautiful design books? I could spend hours pouring over them. And I LOVE how stacks of design books love sitting on a coffee table, although I don’t think that’s very practical because I wouldn’t want anyone putting their sweaty drinks on them, even with a coaster. But still. I don’t really carry Kate Spade’s handbags, but I love her classic yet contemporary, playful yet sophisticated aesthetic. And as I mentioned last week, I love her jewelry. I want to see what she loves!

Book: Kate Spade New York: Things We Love
Amazon.com via Pinterest

Garden Stool. We have this funny little space next to a chair in our living room which doesn’t functionally need a table next to it, but it just looks weird and empty. Also, we need more items to introduce our green and plum color scheme throughout the room. They’re on sale at World Market right now, and I’m seriously tempted to grab one while it’s so affordable. Now that I look at it I’m not sure that I am totally in love with the shape. See–this exercise in impulse control is working!

Furniture: World Market Garden Stool
Cost Plus World Market via Pinterest

Harper’s Bazarre, Vogue, and Architectural Digest. I already receive at least 5 magazines every month, and I feel like I’m forgetting one. I just ordered Dwell. I want more. What is wrong with me? I’ve followed all these publications on Pinterest in hopes that seeing their pins will satisfy my desire to read the entire publication. 

So that’s how I’m doing. The real verdict will be how much lower my credit card bill is than it has been over the past few months. How’s your No Shop January going?

home decor

Evolving Style: Traditional Rug Revival

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One thing I love about design is that my taste is always evolving, and I have an opportunity to enjoy things that I’ve overlooked in the past. My taste has become more eclectic as I become more immersed in the design world and appreciate the way trends have come and gone over time.

For example, I used to think that the only types of rugs I ever wanted in my house were simple patterns, like a trellis pattern or the Moroccan patterns that have been in lately.

Via Alice Lane

I still really like this look and think it suits certain spaces well, but lately I’ve really come to appreciate more traditional rugs too. They are starting to pop up in a lot of contemporary spaces, I love the way they add a sense of well-worn history to a space. The scale of the pattern can add color in a way that creates more subtle depth in the space than two-color patterned rugs. I also love how they can make a space seem formal but cozy and inviting at the same time. And as Alix pointed out in the comments of this post, these rugs still look gorgeous after they are old and worn.

Via Emily Henderson
Len Morgan via Elle Decor
Via Maria Killam
Miles Redd via Mrs. Blandings

I’m especially enjoying over-dyed traditional rugs. They bring the same subtle pattern as a traditional oriental rug, but give an updated spin on the look. They also seem to be hitting the market across the board, with places like West Elm selling their own versions of the look (like this and this).

Bob and Cortney Novogratz via Apartment Therapy
Austin Furniture And Accessories Urbanspace Interiors via Houzz
Someday I will have a beautiful home and will be able to afford beautiful rugs to define spaces and make them cozy…someday…

holiday, shopping, the boy

Gift Exchange 2012

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I meant to write a gift-giving roundup shortly after Christmas, but never got around to it. Since I’m a little strapped for time these days, I decided I could still feature just my gift exchange with the boy. If you hate coupley posts, then skip your read today and please forgive me. If you are a girl/boy who has a lot of conversations with friends and colleagues along the lines of, “I have no idea what to get my girlfriend/boyfriend for Christmas/a birthday/Valentine’s Day/Our anniversary”, or you want to see some cool stuff that is now on sale, then you may want to keep reading.

The boy and I don’t spend a whole ton of money on each other for Christmas—about $100 each—but it’s our style not to go over the top when it comes to spending. I know people who spend a ton more and people who limit their budgets for creative purposes, so I know our habit doesn’t work for everyone. We always manage to find a few great things for each other, and I look forward to the exchange every year because it’s fun to see what we’ve each come up with.

For the boy, I picked up a few items related to his new interest in cooking that sparked over the last year. He started by getting into slow cooking, so I got him an awesome T-Rex apron and a slow cooker cookbook (can’t wait for him to cook me one of the amazing recipes in it). I also picked up a down vest he had been eyeing from Lands’ End Canvas and a shirt that screamed “him”. 
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The boy did a great job with my gifts. He got me some gorgeous Kate Spade earrings, which he learned a while ago is always a good move (and he may have had been tipped off by my good friend, Pinterest). He also got me Jonathan Adler’s new book, which meant he inadvertently received the “gift” of me reading it out loud to him while he attempted to watch some post-gift giving TV. 
His most thoughtful gift was a Jonathan Adler Christmas ornament to commemorate my start of interior design school this year. He even had a great line – “It’s a Christmas ornament by one of your favorite designers for my favorite designer.” He’s a cheeseball and a keeper. I’m going to find a spot to have that little ornament out all year. 
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So much of this stuff is still available and on sale now, so if you’re not participating in No Shop January, check it out!

accessories, my style, shopping

Favorite iPhone 5 Cases

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A few months ago, I finally got an iPhone (yay!). I wanted one for long time, but was waiting to upgrade when my family renewed our contract (yes, I’m still on the family plan). Initially I bought a plain black case, and hunted for one for a while until I finally ordered a jazzy one right before the New Year. Here are some of my favorites:
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1 | 2 | 3
1 | 2 | 3
I am impressed by Target’s on-trend selection, but my favorite source is Society6. They just have such a huge selection. I found them through Jen Ramos’ Made By Girl Shop, which linked to it for her iPhone Case in Colors 201. She actually has three of her Cocoa & Hearts paintings available in iPhone Cases (not just the one that you see on her website). I can’t speak to the quality of the cases, but the designs are great. 
What’s your favorite source for iPhone cases?

shopping

No Shop January 2013

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Last year I decided to give my wallet a break and take on a challenge which I like to call “No Shop January”. After paying my credit card bill from the holiday season, I think it’s a great idea to participate in No Shop January again this year.

For me, January is one of the easiest months not to shop because I just got a bunch of new clothes and other stuff for Christmas, so I’m not wanting for much.

This year’s rules are basically the same as last year. No spending on:

  • Clothing, shoes, and accessories 
  • Random makeup like lipstick or nail polish
  • Random stuff from Target that I have a tendency to pick up when I’m grocery shopping there, including plastic containers and holiday decorations
  • Sewing and crafting materials
  • Tools 
  • Wine or beer from the grocery store
  • Fast food/restaurants when I’m eating alone
  • Groupons/Living Social Deals
  • Rue La La/One Kings Lane/Joss and Main/All other flash sales

I’m also making some exceptions like I did last year:

  • Shopping with gift cards from Christmas is allowed.
  • I can of course purchase materials and books for classes (which start at the end of January)
  • The boy and I are allowed to spend money out to eat for date night, but we should try to be reasonable and also cook together at home once in a while. 
  • Groceries are allowed, but impulsive purchases of craving foods when I already have perfectly edible food in my house are not allowed. 
  • I am allowed to buy materials within reason for a project that I plan to at least start in January. The only thing I can think of that might apply to this right now is gold leafing, spray paint, and possibly wipe on poly.
  • I am allowed to buy a pretty calendar to aid in one of my new year’s resolutions (more info to come on that).
  • I am allowed to buy reasonably priced baskets/plastic containers for some of the fabric and finish samples I’ve accumulated because one of my January projects to to get my design stuff organized. 
Strategies to see this through:
  • Delete flash sale and store emails immediately.
  • Plan meals better so that I don’t need to eat out.
  • Start and complete the project I’ve been planning to do instead of taking on new ones.
  • Write blog posts about the projects I’ve already completed instead of taking on new ones.
  • Go through my closet and plan more outfits so that I don’t feel the need to shop.
  • Stop treating tights like they are disposable. 
I really need to get control of my spending, especially now that I am in grad school, so I may extend this little challenge into February too. We’ll see how things go. My goal is to cut down my overall spending by creating better habits at the beginning of the year–something I didn’t do a great job of last year. 
Just like last year, please join me in this effort! Share a link to your blog in my comments if you decide to do so. I’d also appreciate it if you grabbed a button from the sidebar to put in your post!

career

Grace and Gratitude in 2013

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When I wrote a similar post a year ago, I was really ready for 2012. 2011 had been a turbulent year for me, and I was very much looking forward to making 2012 a good year. And it was a good year, and one that made me appreciate the lows of 2011 that pushed themselves into the highs of 2012.

via Inspireuart

When I entered 2012 last year, I had a general idea of how I wanted to feel in life but no clue how to get there, and little appreciation for the portions of my life that were already there. Besides buying Fiona and somehow mending things with the boy, I wasn’t really going anywhere. In 2012, I finally got a firm grasp on what makes me happy in life and what I want, and I took control of my professional growth in a way that I hadn’t quite imagined I would a year ago.

Among the things I learned in 2012, those that I think made the most difference have been my ability to take more pride in my accomplishments and my attempts to carry myself with a greater spirit of gratitude and optimism. So, in that spirit, I decided to make three (grammatically incorrect) lists to round out the year and start 2013.

Things I am Proud of in 2012
1) Taking a chance on my furniture hobby and selling it at the Lucketts Spring Market.
2) Applying to, starting, and finishing my first semester of interior design school (and all the many mini accomplishments involving that along the way).
3) Making a conscious effort to be happier in my everyday life.
4) My brother graduating from high school.
5) My sister graduating from college.
6) The boy getting a new job (and multiple offers!).

Things I am thankful for in 2012
1) A job that affords me the flexibility of pursuing interior design without going totally broke.
2) The boy, who has been incredibly encouraging and supportive in my not-totally-practical pursuit of happiness.
4) Roommates who didn’t blow a gasket when our house was turned upside down during my not-so-organized prep for the Lucketts Market.
5) My ability to provide support and strength to the boy when we lost his wonderful grandfather this summer.
6) Parents who think that having three children with arts degrees is more nifty than terrifying (or at least hide their fear well).
7) That my parents got to get the new basement they’ve been dreaming of for years and years.
8) A sister who works a J.Crew.
9) Many other things that I am forgetting to mention.

Things I am looking forward to in 2013
1) Completing more interior design school.
2) Taking a “How to Start a Business” class at the local community college.
2) Dedicating more time to my blog and furniture/design business.
3) Exploring the idea of doing the Lucketts Market again, and trying to figure out a way to make it happen without turning our house/my life into a disaster (and selling as much as possible!).
4) Helping my brother redesign his bedroom.
5) More of my own house-beautifying projects.
6) Reading the design books I got for Christmas and adding to my collection.
7) At least two weddings to attend.
8) Family vacations.
9) Making a new Christmas Eve tradition (per my Grandma’s request).
10) Visiting my sister’s new(ish) place in Brooklyn.
11) Going to the Lumineers and Mumford and Sons concerts with the boy.
…and many, many more things that I don’t even know about right now.

What are you proud of and thankful for in 2012? What are you looking forward to in 2013?