Painting the town... gray?

Matt and his brother started in on the serious job of painting the entire interior of the house.  That's a whole lot of paint.  Not to mention, a whole lot of paint choices.  I met them at Home Depot to pick out the last few colors.  And boy oh boy was it an adventure....

Bachelorette Pad Tour: Part 1

I must say, it is a damn good thing that blogging isn't an audio file.  If it was, I would recommend turning the sound off on your computer, because I have the worst laryngitis I've had in a long time.  I don't often lose my voice but when I do, its a doozey.  Something akin to nails on a chalkboard.  In fact, several people over the last couple days have told me to "stop talking, it hurts to listen." *sigh*  At least I have my typing skills during my vocal hiatus.  As promised on Friday, I am going to lead you on a tour of my bachelorette pad before I start packin'er up to move into a house of "we."

I'm going to break it up into two parts so it doesn't get too long and yawn-tastic. So lets start the way you'd really see my house and walk in the front door.

Welcome to my living room/office space. My couch was a steal at the Jordan's Furniture Outlet in Avon, MA at under $300 brand spankin' new.  My glass and iron coffee table was a steal from Craigslist for $40 and because it takes up such little visual space, it makes the space feel much more open.  I layered a $30 area rug {from local discounter, Building 19} on top of the wall to wall carpet to anchor the space and keep it separate from the "office."  You may also remember the addition of the vintage map and of course the pillow shams I made on the cheap. {Check out the how-to right here!} 

Here's a better view of the work space.  Don't judge the drum-shade pendant that is crooked.  I tried finagling it straight- to no avail.  So, I've just accepted this quirky quality and it makes me snicker when I notice it.  You can see my desk makeover here {though, I have yet another makeover up my sleeve after the move!} and of course how can you forget Buttercup, my first dabble into upholstering? You probably see my dress form chilling in the corner ... and I have to admit that I'm lucky that something that is a tool of my trade is so stinking cool looking.  She's a good lookin' lady who keeps me company.

Are you wondering why my roman shades are drawn?  No, I'm not a hermit, and I don't hate daylight. But I do live on the ground floor, and the nice gentleman that lives upstairs parks his giant pick up truck, 4-wheeler and motorcycle right outside my windows.  And since he sits out there all the time tinkering with them, I don't want him peering it at me on the couch, eating, watching TV, on the laptop or even scratchin' my butt.  {Don't act like you've never scratched your butt... you have.} Call me a privacy freak, but just like Vegas, what happens in my living room to stay in my living room. 

If you step onto the opposite side of the room, where my dress form was just standing, this is the view you'd get:  A peek into the kitchen, the coat closet {that holds way more than coats} and the Target Fieldcrest linen closet.  Of course my armchair and slip-covered ottoman. 

The glowing orb a-top my vintage $10 Craigslist find is my beloved No. 5 Target lamp and below it is my collection of W magazines.  I don't know what's wrong with me, but I just cannot stand to get rid of them.  But I think this move will be a good catalyst to donate them to the local public library, if they'll have them.  Did I mention I also l.o.v.e. my gallery wall? Oh right because I do.  And there is a little peek of my TV playing "The Bachelorette" and my cedar-chest-turned-TV-stand makeover that you can see here!

Enough of the living room... let me show you where the magic happens.  The Kitchen.

This little mini kitchen did the trick for me! Enough space for me to cook and Matt to eat at the little 2-seater table and stools for $120 from Walmart that I will be selling before the move.  Those little floral matchstick kitchen mats were $3.99 and $5.99 each! They've seen their better days so they will be chucked in the move.  And remember those embellished dish towels?  Oh yeah. They haven't gone anywhere.

This is definitely my dirty little secret that I haven't shown you all in blogland before. It is the ugg-er-ly rolling microwave cart.  This has been with me since college and I'm happy to say it has GOT to go.  It carries its weight though, between housing wine, a basket of Tupperware, the toaster, candles, and granola etc etc. Hanging proudly above it is a shadow box of keepsakes of Matt and I's 2.5 years together.  I like to look at it when I'm waiting for the microwave.

Those cabinets are just so painfully dated aren't they?  I'm sure with a good coat of white paint they would be heavenly! Oh the plight of living in a rental without the right to paint. *sigh number 2*  And also, I will be perfectly blunt. I like slappin' things on my fridge.  I find it comforting and homey. Some of you may think it looks messy and unkempt.  Maybe it's because it's how I grew up but it makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

And this is the view from the sink.  Since I don't have a dishwasher, I have this view often.  I'll watch TV and test my lip reading skills since I don't hear a thing over the running water.  But my all time favorite thing in my kitchen is that piece of art just right of the doorway.  It's a pen, ink and watercolor painting from my brothers SoHo gallery show last April. I am so very proud to have this hanging in my home and I can't wait to find the perfect place to hang this in our new home.

So there you have it, Nesters!  The first half of my house tour! I hope you like what you've seen so far, but not too much since it's going to be boxed up very shortly!  Next up on the tour is the bedroom and bathroom.  If you have any questions about where I got something or whatever you can think of, leave a comment and I'll be sure to give you the answer!  I hope you have a fantabulous Tuesday Nesters!!  <3

I'm not dead! But we have a bed!

I swear! I'm still alive and kickin'.  I can't even tell you what I've been doing that has kept me away from the keyboard for so long this stretch.  The past month has been a blur.  My grandest apologies. But did you like my rhymin' in the title?  I should start rapping.  Did I mention I'm bad ass?

Oh right. Because I'm not.

Hollywood Regency - Ain't Gonna Happen.

I have a confession to make.  I am obsessed with the 1930's and 40's.   As a fashion forward art student I dressed the part daily.  Oh yes, did I wear vintage heels and a skirt nearly ever single day? You bet your bottom dollar!  But what was even more fun, that I actually had the Bettie Page hair do and rolled my hair too.  It used to take FOR-EVER.  Wish I had a pic of that....  But here was the inspiration.

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It was more than a haircut and a style of dress, it consumed my life.  I went so far as designing my senior collection as a 1940's Pin-Up Bridal collection.  Well, while over the years I have tamed my attire, my love for that era has shifted to my home....

 Are you pickin' up what I'm layin' down?   That's right: Hollywood Regency.  You may have noticed I have a proclivity for the style "Hollywood Regency."  If you're not familiar with the style it was the uber glam style of the 30's and 40's Hollywood Stars and Starlets. 

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So the problem with Hollywood Regency is... it's pretty. stinkin'. girlie.  Ratz... Matt won't let that one fly in our new house.  He likes dark wood, metal and as modern as modern can be... hardly H.R.  Bummer for me.  But we all have to compromise.  Luckily, I like many different styles so I am totally fine with working things more into a masculine friendly home.  Anyhoo, that means I have to live vicariously through other peoples homes that are staged in a HR style.

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GAH-LOR-EE-US!!! Give me glamour or give me death!! Ugh!  Okay you probably think I'm totally nut-so now but good lord does HR get my heart pumpin'!   I hope it gave you a little beat too! Well go and have a FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC holiday weekend, Nesters! <3

Some "Me" time

No New Years resolution {or lack there of} has ever given me much motivation.  In fact, I kind of skipped out on the gym for the first couple months of the year since it was so packed with "resolutioners."  I have since been going more and more. And with getting back into the swing of cooking, I am definitely going to need to keep it up, because I'm no health nut.  I like rich foods with whole sticks of butter and cheeses and carbs.  Don't get me wrong, I love veggies, too.  But I'm not going to eat like a rabbit.  I'm going to enjoy my food.  I've been listening to Julia Child's "My Life in France" on CD in my car,  {Since 1.5 hours every day of radio gets a little boring.}  and I have a newly renewed zest for food since disc one.

Happy Blogiversary, Nesters!

One year ago today, a drained 9-5'er reached for her laptop while lazing about in bed, watching TV and started a blog.  This blog.

Every Rose has its Thorn...

...And every apartment has its issues. 

Unfortunately for me, my cozy little nest I've rented, is not immune to this rule of thumb.

Another year older...

Heya Nesters! I have this problem.  I get excited about my birthday and can't seem to shut my trap and keep it a secret.  Every year I tell myself that I'm going to be "aloof" about my birthday. But it never works!  Somehow, I slip it into conversation at work and with friends and, of course, family. Oops! And  since my birthday tends to fall on or very close to Thanksgiving, the family usually celebrates it on Thanksgiving day regardless of the actual date. Then I'll have a small celebration on the actual day itself.  But this year has been a full out week of celebration and it was awesome.

When I was 17...

Heya Nesters.  I remember the moment when I realized I was no longer a "teen".  It wasn't when I turned 20, it was the day I asked myself "When did VH1 become cooler than MTV?"  I was about 17.  And that theory has gone one step further that now neither are all that cool. {With the exception of Teen Mom, I shamefully admit that show is a total guilty pleasure.}  In the spring, MTV aired a show called "When I was 17" where celebs discuss who and how they were when they were in high school.

{Image via MTV.com}

 

 

 

So, when I was 17, I loved pink, purple and silver.  Oh yeah... and don't forget Christmas lights.

Booming Bunting

Good Morning Nesters!  Have any of you, trolling the blogosphere, noticed that insanely booming popularity of gas-station reminiscent bunting? 

All Over the Map

Heya Nesters! Remember that awesome {and awesomely cheap} shopping spree at The Christmas Tree Shop I went on to snatch up these mirrors a little while ago?  Yeah... they weren't the only things that filled my cart.  I almost forgot to tell you about this find!  So here goes... I have to admit I have a weird thing for maps.  I don't know what it is?  I was never much of a geography whiz {let's be real: I'm terrible at geography} but they always attract my eye.

Welcome Mat

What is it about being genuinely welcomed into some one's home that gives you the warm and fuzzies? Maybe its the home cooking and baking, or just the hug of a friend or family member... Or maybe its just a really great foyer.

I love the girlie shabby chic cozy foyer. A perfect place to hang your hat! {Or scarf!}

Fall Bouquet: Part 2

A few weeks ago, my mom gifted me a bouquet of gorgeous roses from her garden that only bloom in the late summer just before fall hits.  They were great while they lasted but while at Trader Joe's on Friday I decided to treat myself with a true "Fall Bouquet."

Baking Bonanza!

Good Morning Nesters!  I found myself in a seriously productive mood this weekend. Saturday morning, I got to hang with Mom a little and started sewing a dress I'm making for a wedding we're  going to in November.  Then Matt and I went to scare our own pants off by going to see the movie Devil.  After a good nights sleep {thankfully without any nightmares! That movie was scary!} we got up bright and early and headed out to Stow to Honey Pot Hill apple orchards. 

 

If I Had a Million Dollars: Making and Eating

Eating. Everything in my life revolves around eating. {It doesn't help that I love to cook too.} When Matt and I go on dates: we love to chat and laugh over a good plate of food. When I spend time with my girlfriends: We make sure to find a new spot to try a new drink or a new stack of nachos. When I'm spending time with my family: we cook for hours on end and scarf it down in a matter of minutes.

Fall Bouquet

Heya Nesters! I visited mi madre the other day and let me tell you: she has got one helluva garden.

Ruffles a-plenty!

Hey Nesters! I had a fun purchase this weekend that I am elated to share with you guys. Maybe I'm just a huge home goods nerd but I got the cutest throw blanket. E.V.E.R.

Card Art

Heya Nesters! Last year sometime I went to an local artist community open studio.  Most of the art was out of my price range (which is nil) but one photographer {sadly, whose name escapes me} had some photos that really stood out to me. 

Check Out my Chevy!

And by Chevy I mean chevroning, of course!  If your not familiar, Wikipedia describes chevroning as: "The general shape of a V character, or a triangular shape pointing up or more often, down."  

 Well let me tell you... I love me some chevroned stripes!

DIY Project: Pretty Little Dish Towels

Heya Nesters!  Today I'm bringing you a new DIY project to spruce up that kitchen of yours. Remember way back when I wanted to flank my LOVE poster with this lemon printed fabric?  Well I chose to go with a different accent for that piece and saved the fabric to use to make my dish towels look much more "Gina."