decemberish musings

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... And somehow, we've made it to December... I really can't believe how quickly this year has gone - looking forward to a month full of wishes and friends and finishings of things half begun...

and we're back

via witanddelight

After what's been an interesting few days here - things seem to be inching towards normalcy.  Feeling very blessed that I was not too terribly affected by the storm, and remembering to say thank you daily.  My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost so much.  

Hope this finds you and yours safe and warm... regular posting to return soon.

more projects

This is what is keeping me up at night:

Fun stuff.  Happy Monday night.

quotable

original image found here

Thoughtful words on a Monday night - my sister shared this quote with me 

and I felt it was too brilliant not to post.

Hope your week is off to a magical start.

lately has been

A lot is happening around here - working on a couple different projects - with updates soon... 

One class assignment I'm working on is a guest house/backyard landscape design for a young family in Marin, California.

Here's what I'm thinking as far as outdoor feel:

all images catalogued on my Pinterest

Think open floor plan / natural materials, with an emphasis on glass and reclaimed wood.  And as for decor - I'm seeing (surprise) layered neutrals in a multitude of textures - a sort of clean-eclectic California surf-chic vibe.  And those egg-shaped hanging chairs are absolutely making an appearance.

Moodboard to come!

Happy almost weekend...

sartorial mashup

shirt | vest | necklace | skirt | heels

Kind of obsessed with this look for Fall- a truly borrowed-from-the-boys graphic tee on top mixed with super feminine pencil skirt and heels.  Obviously I threw in a sparkly necklace and some denim for good measure.  What do you think?

stripes - here to stay

all runway images via style.com

From the looks of NY Fashion Week, stripes are not going away any time soon - 

and I am way okay with that.  That ODLR striped gown is over-the-top-amazing.

Thoughts?

diy - high gloss armoire

As promised... here's the full recap of my newly refinished armoire.

I started out by doing a TON of research about different methods... I really wanted a high-gloss, lacquer-like finish, but without an excessive amount of sanding and smelly toxic paint.  (Oil-based lacquer in a small apartment with very little airflow was not exactly an option.  This was not a project I wanted to lose roommates over.)  And so, I settled on a latex high-gloss enamel paint from Benjamin Moore, that is quick drying, low-odor, and can be cleaned up easily with soap and water.  (Not that I had any spills or anything.)  I primed with Benjamin Moore Fresh Start, that I had tinted at the paint store so that it wasn't bright white.  Step by step, here's what I did:

1.  Wipe down the piece with a cloth to remove any dirt/dust.  Remove hardware.
2.  Sand lightly with a medium-grit sanding sponge.
3.  Cover with one coat of primer, let dry (I left it overnight).
4.  Paint! I used  a mini foam roller for the larger portions, and a brush to get the details.
5. Let dry (again, I left it overnight).
6.  Apply a second coat.  I was more generous with my paint on this application than on the first.
7. Let dry!
8.  Put hardware back on.
9. Admire your handiwork!

Things to note- I removed the cabinet doors and painted them separately.  I bought a gallon of paint, but could have gotten away with a quart (lesson learned).  If you've been reading for a while, you'll remember that I found the brass lion-head hardware for cheap on eBay.

For a first-time project, I LOVE how this turned out.  There are certainly some imperfections, but overall it looks really awesome - it's now one of my favorite pieces of furniture!!  And since I have a ton of paint leftover, I don't see this being my last DIY project.

Hope you enjoyed!

Marissa Webb NYC

background image | Marissa Webb SS 2013

And just like that, New York Fashion Week has come and gone- I've got a lot of catching up to do as far as shows go, but one of my favorites thus far was Marissa Webb NYC.  This was her first season showing solo, after leaving J.Crew last year.  I was intrigued to see what her line would look like in comparison to her work at J.Crew, and I must say she did not disappoint!  I love the mix of textures / prints / colors... a sartorial mash up of hard and soft, muted tones and neons.... of course my favorite look was the ever-effortless sequin-encrusted top/leather skinnies.  See the entire collection here.

Happy Thursday!  Check back soon for my first D.I.Y. post.

IFBCON, day one

Yesterday was a LONG day, jam packed with amazing speakers/information/networking.  I am still attempting to digest all of the information (read: five + pages of scrawly note taking) but wanted to share a few big ideas I came away with, before attending day two.  The first was the importance of consistency and individuality in the blogosphere... the idea that in order to get where you want to be with your blog, you must consistently post beautifully curated content, in a way that is unique to you.  This is not by any means new information, but definitely a good thing to come back to and check in with.  It's sometimes daunting to think about all the amazing content put out by talented bloggers, and something I am often overwhelmed by.  Hearing some of my favorite bloggers/industry leaders speak was definitely a reminder to myself to check back in, be confident in my ideas, and make more of an effort to post consistently about the things I am inspired by.  Because that is why I started this blog in the first place - to challenge myself, get outside my comfort zone, and really have a space to be creative.  It's been a year since I started this blog, and I am so proud of myself for getting where I am today... more so though, I am excited to keep learning/moving forward/challenging myself.  

Here's to another big year!

weekend recap

Had a lovely long weekend... full of furniture painting (dedicated post to follow), brunch with the best sister, gallery wall plotting, donuts at brooklyn flea with the best of friends, and a pre-IFBCON blowout at drybar (it will be very difficult to not make that a habit).  Very excited to attend IFBCON tomorrow- stay tuned for posts on what I'm sure will be an amazing two days!  Hope your weekend was just as wonderful.

autumn winds

Oh hey, Fall?

| left | middle | right | quote |

I'm ready for you.

attention must be paid

image via stockholm streetstyle

I missed the shoesday boat on this... but these shoes deserve attention:  a moment of silence for their pink, metallic glory.

image via my favorite and my best

Other things that deserve attention - these GORGEOUS Milo Baughman blush and brass pair of chairs. 

If only.

on being organized...

work space - closet 

It's been one of those weeks that drags on for what seems like years... I am SO pleased it's Friday and am looking forward to a lazy beach weekend with the best of friends.  Until the end of the day though, it's all about getting organized... 

Completely inspired by these two images / wishing I was sitting at that desk!

Happy Friday, hope yours is full of good things.

lately...

pillow - tassel earrings - photo - tory burch earring - rug - quote

Lately I'm loving and inspired by deep, lush, rich green.  Lusting over this pillow from Amber's shoppe, those Kenneth Jay Lane tassel earrings, and an old favorite rug in a new favorite color.

This weekend is all about progress, reflection, and tackling long-overdue to-do's.

brass, lacquer, good things

A project I'm currently plotting is the refinishing of an old armoire.  I'm daydreaming about high-gloss black lacquer (with perhaps a pop of color inside) and polished brass hardware.  And yesterday, I may have found (and purchased too quickly to second guess myself) these beauties on ebay:

now I am beyond excited, although a little nervous as I have never taken on a project of this sort.  I've been pinning loads of tutorials and reading up on different methods.  I want to achieve a very smooth and glossy finish- if anyone has any tried and true methods please let me know!  I am hoping to tackle this in the next few weeks- so stay tuned for updates.  I promise a before-and-after post of sorts (unless of course I fail miserably, in which case we will never speak of this again.)

late sunday musings

1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6

And just like that, the weekend is over.  This was one full of packing, organizing, and purging.  Looking forward to moving into a new space with great friends next weekend, but until then I am up to my eyes in boxes.  Hope you all had lovely weekends... 

here's to a week full of things you are proud of.

over my head

So I think I may be in a little bit over my head... but what else is new?  My schedule has been out of control as of late.  Sorry to have left you high and dry for so long!  Here are some gorgeous light fixtures- so you can have something literal over your head.  All are by Lindsey Adelman Studio... gorgeous pieces that I saw in person at the ICFF at the Javits Center a few weeks ago.  I know it seems impossible, but they are even better in real life.  

I'm loving the terrarium style (fourth image above). You can view other available styles here.

  

sensing a theme...

photos, clockwise from left: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 

I'm planning a move in the next month, and so am dreaming of cleaning/rearranging/streamlining the bedroom.   Projects are being plotted (I see some furniture refinishing in my future) and I am daydreaming constantly about creating the perfect space.  My bedroom is currently white on white on white... with a little peach thrown in.  But lately I am drawn to this combination- bold black with pale blush peach... classic, chic, and a little bit glam.  (Just look at my latest pins and you'll see the theme too.)  We'll see what comes together... but I think that pink ikat rug may have to happen.

Hope you are having a wonderful, delightful, relaxing weekend.

let's talk about

via splendid willow 

via lonny 

via a perfect gray

celerie kemble

Grasscloth wallpaper.  I love it / need it in my life.  Especially that metallic.  Thoughts?