the bedroom that never happened

If you've been to my house and I've proudly shown you the living room; explained that I hate my table, then made you admire my dining room art; sneaked you into Hannah's room to look at her walls; but refused to let you see my bedroom... It's probably pretty obvious that I haven't done anything to my room.

I had grand plans (a few parts of which I've shown before) but since it's obviously not happening before I move out in a few months, I thought I'd try a little mood-boarding.  (Is that a word?  It is now.)

(This is my first time, so forgive the awkwardness of the layout, but I couldn't recommend Olioboard more.)



1. For the bed, (as you've seen before) I'm obsessed with Manhattan Nest's upholstered DIY.  He used navy wool blankets from the Army Surplus store for a killer, cheap version of a $1400 Room and Board bed.  $95 plus the cost of an Ikea bed!  What?  I know, I know.

2. I've been collecting vintage (and vintage inspired) floral fabrics for a bunch of pillows for a while now.  (Side note: I don't know what I'm going to do with all of my fabric when I move.  It's sad how attached I am to it, though I obviously haven't used any - or very much, at least.  I think it's the promise of future projects that they hold.)

I think I'd do lightly textured white bedding, or a crisp mint (like the shirt in the print on #5.)
  
3. I bought some Ikea legs and wood to make a longer version of this Workstead desk, but it never got made. So, I think I might make it for my sister.   (I actually just got that idea, so... happy birthday, Risa!  I'm gonna build you a desk!)
  
4.  I used memo-sized clipboards in my old living room to hold 30 different 5X7 photos (btw, great way to fill up a wall with pictures.)  I got them online for $1.50 apiece, so it was a cheap way to fill up a whole wall.  I like the idea of using them instead of a cork board for those little pieces of paper or magazine pictures that invariably pile up on your desk.
    
5. I've had this print (Oh Carmen) saved on my computer for a year or two.  I love the colors.  It's the perfect mix of that bright pink, orange and red.  I love the navy, the mint, the light pink... I could go on and on about it.  (Obviously.)  The rest of her etsy shop is just as impressive.  Peggy Wolf Design
 
6.  Bright coral curtains will add a great punch of color.
 
7. Eline Pelinkhof's cross-stitch wall mural is a blend of everything I love.  (And I'm sure you've seen it on this blog before.)  Old lady style, embroidery, and a giant impact.
    
8. I actually bought big black frames from Ikea to make my own version of these prints from Felt & Wire Shop.  Of course, then I left them in my car and they warped in the insane Texas heat (they were plastic) and that plan was ruined.  My versions were going to say, "'till the break of dawn," "everyday I'm hustlin'" (I couldn't not do that one), "forever, forever ever?" and my favorite, "you was doin fifty-five in a fifty four." 

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I like it.  With bright white walls, it's got the perfect mix of old lady flowers, DIY, bright colors and quirk.  Of course, the genius, obviously neccesity - doable for a super small budget.  (Except for the desk - that'd have to be DIYed.  It costs some scrilla, yo.)

I would like to say I've never used the phrase "scrilla" before in my life.  It means money, fyi.

things that I think are awesome (the my russian professor is a boring lecturer edition)

My Russian professor is a very boring lecturer.  And he does really smart stuff like tell us that what he's about to talk about will not be on the test.

So, without further ado... Things that I think are awesome.

 One of my favorite bloggers, Emily Henderson, shot this bathroom at a house she was styling. 

Somebody tell me that you can buy paint for tiles and that if I ever see a boring, white tiled bathroom that I can take some green paint and do this to it.  So gorgeous!  I love this color green, too.

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Vintage Marquee DIY by Oh Happy Day

This is fantastic.   I totally could see this with "LOVE" for a wedding or someone's name for a party.  She used these globe lights from Target and it's a pretty cheap project with a lot of impact.

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someecards.com

See, yayas!  My messy house is a sign of my love for you .

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Ferocious Felt Lion Coat from littlegoodall on Etsy

I love.  I love.  I love.  I love.  I think that when I'm out of school (December! So close!) and have some time on my hands, I"m gonna do a little more creating - this is so inspiring.  Friends with kids, get ready for lots of presents.

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by Sibylle, featured in Design Sponge

I love this meat grinder turned planter.  I always keep a eye out for one of these things every time I'm in a thrift or vintage store.  It's the perfect genius, obviously project.

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photo by Avery House as shown on 100 Layer Cake

I love the use of giant gold balloons as table numbers.  The flowers are gorgeous as well - I love the tight, single color arrangements.  This would be awesome on a smaller scale for a dinner party with even more shades of red/pink in various short white vases.

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This. Is. Hilarious.

I've done it a thousand times.

You're welcome.

not that I don't normally enjoy lectures...

But I just really loved this one.  (Ok, so I don't normally pay attention in my Russian class...)

The translator for Thirst, by Andrei Gelasimov spoke in our class today about her career in translating Russian literature.  It was super interesting and I might have avoided zoning out for the first time ever.

If you do end up reading it, feel free to tell me what you think.  It'll be on the final, I'm sure.

Update: loquacious.

Janky.  I really like that word.  It's perfectly descriptive.

Fan-freaking-tastic.

Disconcerting - another all star.

 

Of course, as my dad pointed out, I'm obviously a fan of the word dude.

in which I try to trick my sister into doing my homework with me

"Come on, Risa.  You wanna watch this Russian movie with me?"

"Sure..."

"Ok, let me just see what I'm supposed to be writing the paper about..."

"Wait!  This is a homework movie?  Dude.  I'm not doing your homework for you."

"No!  It'll be fun!  It's a normal movie, not a homework movie.  It's in Russian; it's interesting, I promise!"

Didn't work.


But, if you want to do my homework with me, feel free...

the bro.

The day of this adorable exchange:

my brother Campbell and I decided to have a little waiting-in-the-car-while-Hannah-takes-forever-to-change-her-clothes-for-Campbell's-graduation-ceremony iPhone photoshoot.

My ability to make really good faces is obviously a genetic trait.

You're welcome.

the sewing machine is finally unpacked.

Well, it wasn't still packed away in a box, but it might as well have been.  I have not had any time since school started to do anything but work/school/sleep/study (rinse and repeat).

So, when a few girls from work kept asking me to make them a skirt like mine (I have about 7 versions of the same skirt that I wear to work practically every day - high elastic waist, pockets, and a bright pattern.), I decided to finally do it.  Jen and Adrienne came over and we went to Jo-Ann's (my favorite fabric store) and went crazy buying fabric.  (I spent so much money!  Though, I'll have a whole new wardrobe of skirts as soon as I make them.)

We came home, made some sangria and got to work.  I soon turned into a sweat shop owner, barking out orders: "Ok, now cut out the pockets like I showed you.  Now, iron the hem.  Did you cut the elastic yet?"  A few skirts in, we got hungry and had to take a snack break.

 This focaccia with basil, tomato, and fresh mozzarella was fantastic.

My attempt at recreating the toppings on the front of the Nut-Thins box didn't go so well.  (Side note: Nut-Thins are delicious.  The 4 boxes in my pantry attest to that.  They tie with Simply Orange High Pulp as most beloved grocery item in mine and Hannah's household.)  I soon gave up on being creative with the almonds, honey and fruit and just stuck with plain ole' brie.  

Reason #456,503,918 I love Hannah: I made her a cracker and then said, "Do you recognize this?" and she was thisclose to saying "The Nut-Thins box!"

Anyways, yummy food was eaten and sangria was drank and we got back to work.

Correction: I got back to work.

All in all, it was a pretty successful night.  We (I) made 5 skirts (I'm counting the pink striped one above that was incorrectly measured for.  Jen. :)  Even if it's too small to actually fit over your hips, it was made and so it counts.) and an apron.  I didn't get one done for myself, but I've got some gorgeous fabric ready to go, just taunting me.  I'll try to take pictures once I make one and post a proper tutorial; it really is the easiest ever.  No pattern!

Focus on the cute skirt, my beloved couch or my $20 thrift store rug of awesomeness...  

Not the pallet/plexi-glass coffee table that I still haven't attached the casters to yet.

loquacious

This morning, in one of my silly summer school classes (UT's version of high school speech class) we did a group activity writing and re-writing a thesis statement for an imaginary speech.  Evidently every time I rewrote the sentence I kept the word "emblazoned" in it.  One of my group members was like, "You really like that word, don't you?"

This made me think of other words I really love.  Horrid.  Heinous. Asinine.  Lush (as in a drunk). Audacity.

What words do you love?

monday.

Wake up early.  Wear a handmade colorful skirt.

Do homework on the bus.

Drink some oj.  Go to the financial aid office.

Listen to Adele.  Walk to class.

Read books by old Russian guys.

(Escape Hatch by Vladmir Makanin)

Make salted caramel dark chocolate brownies (from scratch!) with your sister.
Ruin the carmel three times.
 Discuss life after college.

Watch a traumatising documentary about natural birth and then decide to adopt.
Stay up late doing homework.  Go to bed.  Wake up.  Do it all again.