Blog Plans

Six months ago I gave an update on my blog plans, but I haven't said much about that since. So here it is, my big blog plan:

1) This month I will be only posting two times a week (Monday and Thursday at 11:30am) because I'll be traveling (details to come later!). Here is a very veiled hint as to where I will be traveling:

via Pinterest

2) This blog will be active up until July 18th when there may be an interruption in your access to the site. Why you may ask? Because I will attending the Haute Blog pop up workshop! I'm super excited to attend the workshop, but I'm even more excited to re-launch this blog with a new and improved design! The way this blog looks now is fine, just fine, but I've got lots of plans and I'm excited to make this blog look more like it does in my dreams. There may be an interruption in the service for a few days but trust me, it will be worth it!

via Haute Blog

3) Surprise, I actually like blogging! I started this blog when I first bought my house, but I did it privately. I didn't want to share it with anyone until I was sure I would keep it up. And for the first six months I only wrote five posts, but then I had a sort of revelation. Blogging is a sort of discipline. I couldn't just do it when I "felt" like it, I had to do it regularly to develop the habit. So I resolved to blog every day for one month... which didn't happen. But I did write 24 posts in two months and from then on the habit was established. I've tried to blog between 1-5 times per week since. Some weeks are harder than others to get the posts completed but I've tried to update my content as often as possible. When I only post once or twice a week it isn't because I don't want to but because I don't have time to. I'm a single woman so I don't have a lot of excuses when it comes to time management but recently have been working several jobs and making time for my blog is getting harder and harder so...

4) I'm going down to part-time at my current full-time job! I am super excited to be cutting back at my curent job. This blog can, in no way, support me but I have a lot of super exciting opportunities opening up to me and want to allow myself more time to work on the things I enjoy doing, namely this blog. So good news, I will have more time to do projects, to write posts, and in general be a better blogger.

Get excited!

Online Window Shopping: IKEA Part 2

... picking right up where we left off, here are more of my current favorites at IKEA:

Aztec prints are super trendy right now and like most trends there is no use dumping money into something that will be dated in two years. IKEA versions of trends are always a good idea. Available here for $149.00.

Curtains can be so hit or miss but I like these simple blue and white curtains. They have a sort of nautical vibe. The pair is available here for $14.99.

Trays are one of those weird decorative things that you don't really need but you can always find a place for. I like them on ottomans, side tables, and nightstands. Available here for $12.99.

I've been enamored by this large zebra print for several years now. You know I love bold graphic prints and the zebra is basically the original large graphic print. Available here for $39.99.

Botanical prints are also very trendy right now. You may be lucky enough to find a vintage one but it will seriously cost you. Why not buy this affordable IKEA version? Available here for $19.99.

Benches are very useful pieces of furniture. I love them at the end of beds and in entry ways. This clean and simple white one would look attractive anywhere. Available here for $79.99.

I love bookends. They are semi-functional and can be like jewelry for books. Available here for $4.99.

I'm not usually into frilly and feminine things but these lace candle holders are really sweet. Available here for $5.99.

I love this big swoopy white bowl. It has so much potential! Available here for $29.99. 

This mini greenhouse may be the most amazing thing I've ever seen... I mean, it is a mini greenhouse! Adorable! Available here for $19.99. 

This cheery striped towel makes me smile. And since doing dishes is pretty boring a smile can really go a long way. Available here for $2.99.

This black deck chair is pretty fabulous. I think I would feel quite fancy sitting in it. Available here for $119.00.

Oooo this grey wingback is soooo pretty. Available here for $279.00.

Does all this eye candy make you want to take a trip to IKEA? It sure makes me want to!

Online Window Shopping: IKEA Part 1

As much as I love IKEA, I haven't been to an actual IKEA store in over a year. The closest one to Indianapolis is in Cincinnati which is not close by. It is definitely a day trip plus you have to have the right vehicle to be able to bring home furniture. But despite the fact that I haven't been in a while doesn't mean that I don't online window shop at IKEA all the time.

I've previously listed out all of the things in my home from IKEA (it's actually still accurate even though it was written last August), so this is a list of the things I love from IKEA that I would buy if I had more money and space (and a big enough vehicle to bring it all back from Cincinnati).

Originally this was just going to be one post but I found that I liked way too much stuff so it became a two parter!

I have a great front porch and nicely sized back yard but I have yet to invest in any patio furniture. I like this classic wicker deck chair. Perhaps four of these chairs around a brightly colored round table would look nice? Available here for $34.99 each. 

I am one of those people who go through dish towels like candy. I use a new one like every day, mostly because I do not like soggy towels. For this reason, I am always on the look out for a cool new dish towel. Available here for $2.99. 

I only have curtains in my dining room but lately I've been considering them for my entry way window and even in my living room. I'm still on the fence but these subtle grey linen ones are lovely. The pair is available here for $49.99. 

Is this rug too crazy? I kind of love how crazy it is. I also love how super Swedish it is. Available here for $49.99. 

I'm not an artist but if I were I would want this rolling filing cabinet. I guess you wouldn't have to be an artist to use it but I can just imagine using it for large pencil drawings or something equally cool. Available here for $119.00. 

I actually have this lamp in the floor lamp size but I think the table lamp size is adorable. Available here for $29.99. 

Large graphic prints are definitely my thing so this bold striped throw is right up my alley. Available here for $19.99

My West Elm shower curtain is still my favorite but this simple black and white shower curtain is lovely too. Available here for $14.99. 

I am always on the lookout for a good light fixture because there are still several in my house that I would like to replace. I love the bold yet simple look of this light fixture. Available here for $69.99. 

This mod pendant is so delicious, I want to lick it. It is a massive and bold piece that would be a great statement piece in any home. Available here for $49.99.

I've been thinking about replacing the credenza in my dining room for a while now. Maybe this simple yet unique locker cabinet would be a nice upgrade? Available here for $99.00.

I'm not normally big on patterned curtains since they can look dated fast but these curtains may just be cool enough to change my mind. The pair is available here for $24.99. 

This light fixture is probably a little bold for most people but I think it is so cheery! It would look awesome in a bathroom or a closet. Available here for $14.99. 

I'll be back Thursday for Part 2!

Decorating Resolutions

I don't typically do resolutions for the New Year mostly because I just don't. But the other day I was thinking to myself about resolving to change this or that about my house and I was like, Hey! I should make a resolutions list for my house. Since it's June I feel like it isn't too trendy to do resolutions so why not?

Here are few resolutions about my house:

1) Less than 3 IKEA items per room

IKEA Karlstad couch, IKEA Stockholm rug, and IKEA Vate floor lamp

I love IKEA. I sincerely wish there was one closer than three hours round trip but my house is pretty IKEA-ified at this point. Everyone knows IKEA furniture is poor/average quality but they have some really nice designs that as a freshly minted college graduate I flocked to. Now as a successful an employed late-twenty something I can afford to buy nicer furniture. Plus most people can recognize IKEA pieces so I don't want people coming into my house thinking it's an IKEA showroom (even though those showrooms are amazing). My resolution is to rely less on IKEA for every piece of furniture. Yes, they have cool designs at great prices but I want to mix it up a little. I think three large IKEA pieces per room is good balance for me. 

2) Stop being discontent with my progress

Sometimes I'll be sitting in my living room or dining room or just any room and all I can think about is what projects I want to get done. I get very frustrated that I don't have more time, money, and/or skills to get more projects done. But I don't want to do that anymore. I want to be content with the progress I have made and to just be in my house as it is right now. This is more of a discipline than a resolution but it is something I want to actively work on because I think it will make me happier person.

3) Stop stressing about dog hair and dust

Dude, I have a dog and he is messy. I'm a tidy person and my house usually really clean but my dog is a little hellion. Also, he's a hoarder. So my house is constantly covered in dog hair (he is black and white so when his hair comes out and mixes together it looks like grey hair so my house is always covered in grey hair which is somehow extra gross), muddy paw prints (even though I wipe his paws every time he comes inside), and dog bones nosed into corners where they are "buried". It really bothers me. But I also don't have the time or energy to clean up after him every day so my goal is clean up once a week and just let it be the rest of the week. I did choose to own an animal so I can't really expect him to live up to my human standards of cleanliness.

4) Accept that I make design mistakes

I make a lot of rash decisions. Maybe rash isn't the word, but I make quick decisions. I generally know what I want when I am making a design choice but sometimes I make the wrong choice. It happens! For example, I painted my bathroom three times before I landed on a color I like and wait for it... it was the original color of the bathroom before I even stared painting womp womp. Part of the beauty of interior design is that it can be changed easily and often. I'm learning to accept that just because I bought a piece of furniture doesn't mean I have to keep it for 10 years. If I decide after a year or even a day that I don't like something I can sell it or give it away and move on to the next thing and the world won't stop turning.

5) Don't overly accessorize

I love to go thrifting and to yard sales and to cool shops and it is easy for me to pick up little decorative items along the way. Because they are small and cheap I don't really think about if I need a mallard duck for $4 or a purple bubble gum machine for $7. I see something cool for a good price and I buy it. But I don't need 50 decorative items in my house. I "need" maybe 10-20. My resolution is to really question if I need that elephant planter or brass Nefirtiti, yes they are cool but do I really need them? Also, just because I have something cool doesn't mean it has to be sitting out. My dresser, faux sofa table, and dining room credenze are overloaded with items just because I have them. I need to declutter and start rotating items. I put a small box in my bedroom closet where I plan to keep decorative items that I will rotate out. It's a small box so I'm not keeping a ton of stuff put up away but this way I'll get to keep the items I really like and not feel like I'm living in a Hoarders episode.

What do you think? Are decorating resolutions something you think about while sitting on your couch? No, just me? Ah well.

DIY Paper Crane Mini Art Installation

I lurve paper cranes. My obsession began in the fourth grade when many of my great obsessions began. Having taught in Japan the previous year my teacher made it her mission to teach us all about Japanese culture including how to make paper cranes. Like riding a bike, I've never forgotten how to make a paper crane.

A few months ago I saw two images on Pinterest that got me thinking...

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Can I incorporate paper cranes into my home's design? The obvious answer is YES.

This corner of my bedroom was pretty empty and in need of some love so I went for it.

I really like it! When I have more time I would like to add more cranes to make it an even bigger statement but for now I'm very happy with this simple and cheap project.

Here is what I did:

Made some paper cranes
Strung them with fishing wire
Push pinned them to the ceiling

Easy!

Here is a link on how to make a paper crane. I just used white computer printer paper, but origami paper would probably work better. I think I made eleven, but like I said, I may make more to make the installation bigger and better. The best part about making paper cranes is that it is extremely soothing. If you've never made one before the first few will take some thinking, but after that your brain takes over and does it for you, sort of like typing.

The only thing I bought for this project was clear fishing line which was surprisingly expensive at $7.99. Thankfully, it was the only thing I had to buy for this project so I guess $8 isn't too much. If you have a friend who fishes you could just ask to borrow 20 yards or something since there is no way I'll ever use 300 yards of fishing line.

The way the paper crane is folded creates a natural hole at the bottom of the crane so I used that as a starting point for stringing up the crane. 

In order to string the fishing line through the crane I had to make a hole in the top of the crane. Before the hole:

After I jabbed the smaller end of the scissors into the top:

I started to make the holes bigger after I took this picture because stringing wire through such tiny holes was difficult to say they least. If you look closely you can actually see through to the other side, but it was a very tight fit!

I strung the string through the top hole first and then through the bottom hole and then I wrapped it around each wing and then knotted it on the top. Of course the string is clear so taking a picture of this process was sort of impossible, but you get the idea.

I left about two to three feet of string attached to each paper crane because I wasn't sure at what heights I'd be hanging them.

My plan for hanging the paper cranes to the ceiling was to knot the fishing wire to a push pin and then push it into the ceiling. This would have been simple if my ceiling was dry wall, but the hanging process was much more difficult than I had anticipated mostly because my ceiling is plaster. Plaster doesn't like push pins, this I learned. Instead of giving a huge amount of detail about the process I will just tell you that I used a hammer to get the push pins into the ceiling and also, I broke a lot of push pins.

Below, you can see that the push pins aren't very noticeable at all. Is it a bad thing to make so many little holes in the ceiling? I don't know. I didn't even think about it while I was doing it. I guess whenever I leave I'll just fill them with a little bit of putty or something. But it's so pretty, who cares?

It was sort of hard to photograph because they gently sway in the breeze created by my fan. I find it very soothing. It's like having a adult mobile! This would look adorable in a kids room but I personally think it looks very nice in a 27 year old woman's room too. Although, I am positive that my fourth grade self would be super proud of this project. 

What do you think? Do you have a childhood obsession that you would like to incorporate into your home's design? My advice: Do it.