new project inspiration

Photo credit: Elise Cripe

I was going back through Elise's 26 projects archive when I came across the coffee table her & her husband built. Then they redid their living room and stained some old crates to put on the walls. And then the gears started turning in my head. 

For months, I've been brainstorming a way to move my camera collection from my bookshelves to make more room for art supplies. I considered floating shelves. I considered some sort of display case. I considered a whole separate (smaller) bookshelf. But I keep coming back to these crates that my favourite blogger put on her walls in 2011. 

I've been doing research on crates and stain all afternoon. I've definitely decided on the ArtMinds Half Crate from Michael's, and Minwax stain in American Chestnut. The only logistics I have yet to figure out is where to get some sort of drop cloth, and if I can get away with doing this inside the apartment or if it would be better to do it outside in the parking lot.

I feel so inspired to get this apartment decorated. 

happy wall

Last night I finished the painting I had been working on for the past six months. It felt great to finally have I done, but honestly I was more excited to decorate around it. The pink and blue colour scheme is something I find myself going back to over and over again when I paint, so it was pretty easy to find art to complement it. 

When I was done pulling this thing and that thing from other parts of my office, I took a step back and just smiled. Because I think it feels done, this one section of just one wall. Now I can't wait to tackle the rest of the house. 

Hustle art, yarn garland, canvas painting: DIY, paper daisies: DIY following this tutorial, You Are My Sunshine plaque: Shopko, Wooden Ampersand: elisejoy make29, Keep Calm & Snap On print: Photojojo store

little things

We got a new rug. I've always loved these rugs. I looked through the whole stack of them at Kmart to make sure I got the one that had the most colour & life in it. Slowly but surely, a year and a half after we've moved in, I am determined to make this space more homey. 

productive

My day off was spent cleaning the kitchen. Dishes are done & put away, everything is in its place again. I feel better, less like everything is in chaos. I always forget how calming cleaning is. One step closer to having #5 on my birthday list done. 

my new favourite corner

I had awesome thrifting luck yesterday and finally have a somewhat better solution for my ever expanding found mugs collection.

MUGS rack, teal mug, pig mug, flower mug, brown mug, cat mug, tea pot: Thrifted at Good Will in Waupaca, Versace tin: Thrifted at Salvation Army in Burlington, Candle: Gift from mom, Glass bottle: A cream soda bottle from The Spot at Turner House at SCAD (I miss Savannah), Jones Soda Bottle: The lone survivor from my collection from middle school.

I love this little spot in our kitchen now.

around here

Elise's podcast is my new favourite addition to Wednesday mornings.
I added a paperchain to the gallery wall (that the cats have since torn down).
Started free-lensing with my camera again, and it feels so good to experiment.
Roger, the "Stow-Away-A-Saurus" that came with my Keep Calm & Snap On print from photojojo.
Rainbows & rainbows galore. Hanging up crystals in my window was the best decision I've ever made.

Hope you all had a good weekend!

around here

We've been living here for a month now. My wax warmer was the first thing I unpacked, and it's getting its fair share of usage lately. I've packed up all my summer scents and bringing back my spicy, comforting scents. "Spice Market" just smells like fall, and lately I've been slipping in a bit of vanilla to take the edge off because sometimes that smell gives Justin a headache. He's been hiding pennies in drawers and making mashed potato bowls in the oven for dinner. I've been falling head over heels for morning light since we've moved in here. There is a lot to be said for while walls and uncovered windows. I've also been living in my brown boots lately... Fall just calls for boots and these are my go-tos.

It doesn't seem like November should be half over yet. I'm looking forward to spending my first Thanksgiving with Justin and his family in the coming weeks.

around here

Mornings seem to be my favourite things lately. I forgot how much I love soft morning light and the way it makes everything seem... new, fresh, and alive. All I need are some Cheerios and a good book (currently I'm making my way through the Harry Potter series... again) and I'm all set.

We've been living in this apartment for almost a month now, and we're still sleeping on the floor (eek!). Monday we're getting our cable and internet hooked up, and on Saturday we're getting some furniture delivered! I'm excited to start making this space feel more like home and figure out where my decorating style lies.