Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Hello Gorgeous: Free People




I got this in an email this morning and find myself at a loss for words. These ladies are so boho stylish I'm literally drooling. Free People is one of those brands I've always loved but could rarely afford (sad life..) It's the brand that pretty much describes my style in one brand name - some of their pieces are, no doubt, way too bohemian for me to rock day to day but let's just pretend that these dreamy looks will soon to be my closet ladies.


Dream on Nina, dream on....


okay, I love this - via
Is it Fall yet? - via
Cute Crochet - via
And for the over-the-top look of the day that we love.... (drumroll pleaseeee)


An amazing $900 fringe jacket - hello 1977- via
I just wanna throw it out there that if Free People ever needs another model, I could potentially stop eating and jump on that bandwagon. And to all you Judge Judys -

Ya, it could happen.



hippie hugs,


Monday, August 22, 2011

Weekend Fun: Sunburns & Ikea Benches

This weekend I went to the river and for those of you who have not experienced what is the white-trash circus that is "salt river tubing," I highly recommend it if you're in the area. Anywho, I haven't been down the river (a 3 hour float) in at least a few years. Basically, you tie together 10+ tubes with all your closest friends and cooler full of cool beer and coast it for a few hours in the piping hot sun.... fun right? Well there's a lot of interesting characters that happen to float the salt river so it's quite the entertainment. Needless to say - after hours in the sun, sunburnt legs, a sunburnt boyfriend and too many beers, my Saturday was overrrrrr. Ouch.

However, after a relaxing 13+ hours of sleep, I hopped up on my feet on Sunday ready to start my day. I headed to Ikea (bad idea on a SUNDAY...oye) and found this bench right near the check-out line marked half off. Yes, please!


via
This guy was perfect for my front porch. I got home, eager to put it together but was faced with what seemed like this:

pile of wood pieces, via


+


confusing directions, via

I was determined, especially with the slight laughter of my boyfriend in the corner as he heard me grunt in confusion. After a short 45 minutes or so, I did it! And it looks fabulous on my porch. Check it!




This week I'll show you how to make your own window cornices - easy as pie!

Happy Monday!

xoxo,




Friday, August 19, 2011

A Helping Hand: Tribal Baskets

Is just me or has the basket made a surprising comeback? Either way, I've been noticing them left and right. It all started with this great West Elm basket:


via
Being that I have that bohemian love inside of me - there's something about tribal prints and ikat's that just strikes me. I decided to dig deeper and this is what I found.

via


African Market Baskets, which is part of the Fair Trade Federation, sources baskets straight from villages in Ghana and delivers them right to your door. Proceeds from the baskets go to help feed, buy school supplies and support the village weavers and their families. The Fair Trade Federation is an organization that prides themselves on sustainable import practices in North America and bringing support to developing communities.


via
So in light of the fact that I would be helping support a community of weavers in Ghana with my purchase, I decided to get one. It came right to my door in about 3 days and is great quality. I was originally going to keep it outside to hold all my flip flops for the yard, but its just too cute so I'm finding it a home inside. Its big enough to hold magazines, children's toys and/or towels. Get yourself one, here!

xoxo,


Thursday, August 11, 2011

Floating: In DIY Heaven

Okay kids, in light of my recent loss-of-shoe, I am grieving and in need of keeping busy. With that being said, Pinterest has got me hooked. It's like a global community to share amazing projects on..

I have been looking for new ways to jazz up my summer-stricken backyard (let's just say my baby plants met their match when the big bad heat came and stomped all over them) and not to mention little things to brighten the home here and there.

Check out what's on my DIY to-do (besides the CL wingback chair that needs to be re-upholstered anddd those two nightstands that need to be re-painted... oops.) Anywho, here she blows..

1. The DIY Necklace

This one may take quite a bit of time, but I need something to pull me away from the relentless trash TV I take in per week (ugh, I love ittt). This little necklace costs about $20 and its something I can proudly sport day and night and boast that it's "handmade." Lovely.

via


2. The knitted ottoman cover.

Where does one get giant knitting needles to even pull this off. More importantly, where do I learn to knit? Minor detail. (Mommmmmm?) You can tell that this unforgiving heat is making me yearn for those soft sweaters and cool breezes. I digress..


via
3. The Daybed.

What more can you say about this that isn't spoken in the title? The daybed is the epitome of a lazy Sunday. And this one happens to be made from a gross old palet and an old door in the back. Time to roll up my sleeves and get hunting because this one is just topping my list.

via
So many things to do, so little time. Has anyone had any experience with re-upholstery? The chair I bought is in great shape but has an absolutely grotesque fabric on it...

Until next time

xoxo





Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Adventures in raising a puppy..or 2

A case of the Monday's is an understatement for the perpetual cloud that hung over me all day yesterday, choosing to storm every few hours with some new craptastic situation. After a long weekend and an even longer day at work, I figured to myself It's 5, time to go home and rest and relax. I came home, put on my sweats and popped on Sunday's recorded episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians (lethal addiction). To my dismay, as I oogled into the TV, my PRECIOUS dogs manage to do this.

via my iPhone
In case you can't make that out due to the sudden pain in your eyes, its my gorgeous, one of a kind, anthropologie wedge. I found these beauties looking lonely in the sale section and quickly snatched them up for a mere $70.00. They were perfect and my favorite pair of shoes. As I saw my lifeless shoe being chewed on like some stuffed bunny, I paused in utter shock. Then, I cried.

I cried over a pair of perfect wedge heels.

Pathetic? yes. But rightfully so. I don't really know how to give these a proper goodbye - I can't imagine throwing them away but what more can these be used for? Until I find a way to part with my pretty shoes, they will wait in my garage, probably very mad at me for ruining them. This is what these beauties originally looked like.



Must find them.


xoxo,



Thursday, August 4, 2011

On my soapbox: poor and happy

At 23, moving into a brand new home wasn't the most "money-saving" decision. It's almost been a year now since I discovered my quaint little neighborhood, tucked behind old Tempe farms who had to have been there for at least 30 years. Looking back on the last year and where I was a year ago today, I must say I find myself smiling more and more these days. I can't say that my savings account has grown (more like stayed quite empty) but at least I'm happy.

I'm not one to really reflect, but after finishing school, starting my career and buying a house (leaping into adulthood) there's actually quite a bit to reflect on. Having more free time has made me realize what happiness is. When I started college I imagined my post-school life to be dedicated to the job - working for the man. I really wanted to make a name for myself so I could make a bunch of money. Although I am very dedicated to my work and am happy with the work I do, that isn't where most happiness comes from. Coming from a European background, we are about the term "working to live" versus "living to work." I work so that I can live: travel, spend time with my loved ones... make memories. Growth and reflection during this time for me has led to personal growth. I want everyone to who's stressed out with work and to sit back and think 'is this worth getting stressed out over?' It's not. Because when you get home, you're home. I've said it before and I'll say it again. Home isn't a place, its more of a state of mind.  I feel at home snuggled in my bed with my dogs. I feel at home with my family. I feel at home on the beach with my guy. Home is a state of happiness and we should all strive to find our own homes to escape to after long work days. Because it's home that will make you realize that all that stress at work isn't worth it. Right?

xoxo,