Home Dec-ROAR!

So I'm not much of a pat-myself-on-the-back kind of gal, but I just HAVE to share my achievement. Yesterday, in a half hour, I hung these shelves ALL BY MYSELF!!! This might seem like a small fete, but I've never really done anything like this before. I can use a drill, yes. I can paint and DIY, yes. But use anchors and drill holes and stuff? Ohhhhh hell no. But you know what? I don't have a man around the house anymore to do this sort of thing, so I have to grow and be the modern can-do woman. I am woman, hear me roar! I'm every woman! I will survive! Insert other woman-power song titles here ______ ;) (I bought the shelves for like $15 at Bed, Bath, and Beyond if you're interested.)

My dad would be so proud of how straight these shelves are. And, it was NOT easy to do.

On a slightly related note: I was watching "How I Met Your Mother" last night on my DVR and heard this great quote, "Sometimes things have to fall apart to make room for something else." I needed that, HIMYM. Thanks!

Love,

Oscar Recap

Here's a photo recap of my Classy Oscar Party:

Making chocolate chip pancakes. One oober large pancake + peanut butter = delicious!

Red carpet table-scape! Salmon toasts and some "movie" tickets for decoration.

Presentation of the pancakes with a side of syrup.

Thanks to the usual suspects for making an appearance and for bringing the yum. Carissa's Andie's brownies were to die for, Suzie's healthier nachos were delicious, and Bonnie's bling was perfect!

What did you think of the Oscar's? My main take-away: Watch more movies!!!

Love,

Classy (Not Trashy) Oscar Party

I decided Wednesday to throw an Oscar party this weekend. I'm super excited because I haven't really thrown many last-minute parties, and I think this may be my favorite way to have guests. There's less time to be stressed about what to eat (we're doing a potluck style), how to decorate (I'm borrowing a red table cloth and using what I already have), and what to do (I printed out pre-made Oscar bingo and ballots).

Like most of my decorating, cooking, fashion, and traveling trends, I get more excitement and pleasure out of "making it work." Give me a few ingredients a la Top Chef style and my creative juiced flow. Side note: Once my mom gave my sister and I a $100 to do something nice while Jen was visiting me in Pittsburgh where I was studying for my MFA. We ended up taking it as a challenge to make that $100 last as long as possible. We ended up going to dinner, watching a movie, having drinks, generally enjoying the entire weekend on one $100 bill. Rachel Ray's vacation on a dime, eat your heart out!

Anyway, so for this last-minute party challenge, I've decided to make a few "classy" bites, print out the afore-mentioned Oscar-related games, and decorate with what I already have.
I'll take pics of the event, but here's what I'm planning for food:

Salmon toasts. I already have the smoked salmon and bread, but I will have to buy the cream cheese.

Mini pancake dessert. I'm going to make silver-dollar-sized pancakes, stuff them with peanut butter, and drizzle with syrup. All of which I already have here. No stress.

I think I'm really going to enjoy this relaxed party atmosphere ;) The red carpet starts at 4pm Pacific. Enjoy!

Love,

Photos courtesy of Kimba's Kitchen and A Side of Peanut Butter.

In-Spa-Ration

Suzie (my roommate and butt buddy while my condo's being tented for termites) and I went to this fabulous spa in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. It's called Anatomy. I'm not sure I could afford the regular prices, but Suzie had a Groupon that she gifted me so I got a mini facial. Faboo! :)


Anyway, the point isn't that the spa was great. The point, dear friends, is that the decor was to die for and I went a little stalker on Anatomy so that I could post a few pics on here for you! (Again, please excuse the blurriness. I'm working with my phone camera and I was trying to be 007 about it, so I couldn't get some of them to focus.)

Beautiful metal and crystal lamp. Suzie fell in love and has been researching where she can buy it (Z Gallery for over $250 clams YIKES), make it (plastic crystals from JoAnns or Michaels and old lamp from Good Will?), or make do with something that will give the same flavor (eurostylelighting.com). Will let you know what she ends up with!

Can't get over how cute this mirrored table is. I didn't even think I LIKED mirrored furniture!

This faux peacock is so graceful. Just enough umph for your room without having it look like you have a weird thing for birds.

Love love love these. Isn't this the cutest idea for a little planter in your bathroom? Succulents need very little attention, but look great all year long. And the shells are just genius.

Love,

Oh P.S. They had a eight-week old puppy tumbling around the host area. Adorable.
Inspiration from Anatomy Day Spa & Boutique.

Blog Love: Crush Luxe

Just wanted to pass along this great Web site that I came across a while back. Genevieve of Crush Luxe hunts down some great designer sunglasses, bags, and clothes for adults and kids. I can't afford the regular price of a Badgley Miscka purse, but I could afford them at her price!

Catch her deals here!

Love,

Investment Piece: New Couch!!

I have made a big move in my decision to start buying investment pieces: I have bought a new couch! I went to HomeGoods on Monday on a whim and saw this blue beauty for $299 (not including tax). Can you believe that?! It's comfy, it's cute, it's mine! Luckily, I was able to find a mover to bring it in my condo the very next day. Unfortunately, my condo building is being tented for termites which meant I was only able to enjoy My Boy Blue for one single day. I sure am looking forward to getting back inside on Friday to snuggle into this guy:

PS. I picked up that lime green ottoman for $10 on craigslist. A deal's a deal, right?! Hoping to have my girls over for an Oscar party this Sunday where I can introduce my new "investment" to the masses (fyi, great Oscar party ideas here). Happy hunting!

Love,

Housewarming Recap

I had such a great time at my housewarming party this past Saturday! Thanks to all of my friends who came out to celebrate with me, and I hope everyone who couldn't make it will stop by sometime soon.

I have to say the best thing that I put together for the party was the food...shocker! No one really cares about how much stuff is on the walls, what I'm wearing, or how clean my tub is :) But the FOOD...oh the food ;)

Here's a photo recap: Suzie and Carissa arrive first to help me finish getting ready. Thanks, ladies!

Bacon and spinach mashed potatoes (I have a bone to pick with you, Rachel Ray, and your bland food!)

Meatloaf Muffins. The clear blue ribbon winner of the afternoon.

Cheddar grilled cheese and Trader Joe's creamy tomato bisque.

Suzie's delicious s'mores pie.

Here's to your happy housewarming parties!

Love,

No-Stress Housewarming

My official housewarming party is tomorrow, and of course Aloha (our weather woman) has informed me that it's supposed to rain...like Biblical style. Since San Diego is usually 70 and sunny, rain, wind, and fire are really our only "seasons." (Sounds like a James Taylor song.)

In San Diego terms, rain means accidents, flooding, and leaks. Yay. So, it's perfect timing for me to stay inside my HOUSE where it's WARM and enjoy the comforts of a warm meal. I guess I couldn't have picked a better theme for my housewarming--Comfort Foods--for the anticipated blustery day. Who wants comfort food when it's a 75 degree day anyway?

The person who first created these is clearly a genius.

I'm trying oh so hard not to stress about this party. I wanted to have it to kick off my dinner parties and socializing NOT to show everyone my ready-to-wear apartment. God knows it takes decades to get anything show-stop ready on a dime budget. I did manage to start (key word: start) a few crafts/projects and hang up some decorations for the party. But that's where I stop! This is supposed to be a no-stress event. It's taking everything in my will power not to run around like a chicken with my head cut off. So, now that everything I have is hung, I'm just going to focus on cleaning and cooking.

I thought you might like to know what I have planned for the meal, since that's what really counts, right? ;) This is another attempt to be low stress, but I'll have to let you know after the fact how that works out for me.

It's All About Comfort Menu:

Meatloaf Muffins

Bacon, Spinach, and Cream Mashed Potatoes

Mini Grilled Cheese With Tomato Soup Shots (like these)

Kraft's new Homestyle Mac & Cheese

And my friend Suzie is going to make dessert: S'mores Pie (I'll have to get the exact recipe, but I think it's going to be sort of like this. Um...HELLO!)

I can hear the leafs rustling outside and the wind chimes a-chimin'. That storm is on it's way, and oh how I'm going to love it!

Love,

Photo courtesy of Creative Inspiration via pinterest.com (I can't find the original photo source, sorry.)

DIY Shopping Hint

This is going to seem like it's coming out of left field, but I just noticed that Crate&Barrel is having a sale on baker's twine. I keep seeing DIY projects popping up that use baker's twine (like here and here on Creature Comforts) and this is the first time that I've seen where to buy the twine. So, this is a shout out for DIYers who might be on the hunt for this fabulous twine: Does anyone know where else you can get this twine?

Love,

Photo courtesy of Crate&Barrel.

Pom Pom Holler!

Remember how I wanted to put pom poms over my bed? I found these two pictures on this great Web site called pinterest.com where I can pin the pictures I like to put together my very own digital mood boards. LOVE IT! :) These two photos show EXACTLY what I want to put over my bed! Genius! Thank you Concrete and Honey! Exclamation!

Love,

PS. I'm having my housewarming this Saturday. Details to come soon.

Photos courtesy of Concrete and Honey.

Happy Valentine's Day!

These beautiful flowers are growing at my condo complex right now. Enjoy Valentine's Day and the growing love you have for yourself, your friends, your family, and maybe your special someone!

Love,

Friday Adventure: Torrey Pines State Beach

Friday afternoon I took a hike up to Torrey Pines State Beach in Del Mar, Calif. for some much needed sunshine. The ocean views on this hike are just amazing. It's one straight shot up the hill and then several sandy trails with cliff-side vistas. If you come to San Diego, you must visit Torrey Pines. Here are a few shots from my adventure:

Love the shot of this couple reading together on the beach. Someday...
The Beach Access Trail

I grabbed an acai bowl in downtown Del Mar for my after-hike treat. I don't recommend eating this while driving ;)

Love,

To Shave Or Not To Shave. THAT Is The Question!

I'm up late tonight helping my mom with some proofing work on flowcharts and randomly came across this one through The Frisky. (PS. I lOVE that Web site.) This is definitely a flowchart that I understand 100%! Enjoy the pure genius and accuracy of this little guy.

Love,

Flowchart courtesy of Twice Shy.

February Resolutions

I know it's already February, but I thought of a few more goals I'd like to give a go this year. I figured in the spirit of St. Valentine's Day, I could still spread some love in the way of becoming a better ME:

• Walk with better posture.
• Make a compost for all the veggies I let rot in my fridge and used coffee grinds.
• Try to eat more veggies and other yummy food that I've cooked myself.
• Try more wines and sign up for a wine club.
• Make my own beer.
• Have more dinner parties...and stress less about planning them.
• Remember to be thankful for something every day.
• Work on my anxiety. I just learned that panic attacks may happen when you're overwhelmed and feel like you don't have the right tools to solve the problem. I'd like to learn to trust that my fellow humans are around to help me figure things out at the new gym, random car wash, etc. I feel anxious when it comes to trying things new, probably because I feel quite alone these days. But fear not! I am learning to deal with my new-found independence and learning to trust that I'm not really alone.
• Love me more...including my bubble butt. Really, could you be any more perfect for me, Sketchers ad? ;)

Care to share any self-love "resolutions?"

Love,

Yarn Monogram DIY Mishaps and Blunders

Last night I set up shop to make my yarn-wrapped monogram letters I'd eyed over at Evie-S by way of Creature Comforts.

I wanted to make something simple for my bedroom that just SCREAMED "me" and I don't know what screams me more than my very own initials :) I tried to choose colors that wouldn't be too overwhelming, but in hindsight I almost wish I'd made them all that lovely, rustic oatmeal color (thanks Vana White for your yummy yarn collection!). Either way, I'm quite pleased with the results and proud of myself for free-handing the letters (though that was only because I couldn't figure out how to make the stencils big enough):

I've been leaning towards all things French these days and tried to find a font that would emit that j'oie de vivre. I think what I really have, though, (DomCasualBT) is more of a causal nautical theme. Damn you anchors! See how Evie-S's is fuzzy and feminine? I want that! Why not me?! I might suggest to others to get a fuzzier yarn to begin with and something not...blue. Eh, oh well. I'll make it work...I'm surely not going to redo these. The hot glue portion of last night's festivities were less than desirable.

Happy crafting!

Love,

Photo and inspiration courtesy of: Creature Comforts post featuring yarn-wrapped monograms. Evie-S yarn-wrapped monograms.

Life is Too Short!

I just saw this on Semigloss Chic today. This may need to go on my wall in a very prominant place. :)

Love,

Photo courtesy of Semigloss Chic.

Pom Pom Canopy DIY

I've decided to embrace my inner girlie decorator! I used to have to try to balance my girlie likes with the bf's manly tastes, but since I'm back to being single it's all about what I want! It's all about me, me, me ;) I have no plans of turning into Barbie or Strawberry Shortcake, but I do want to use more pinks and reds, flowery textures, and softer edges. This is now a no C-word zone (i.e., compromise).

One of the first girlie things I've decided to tackle is my bed. Right now it's comprised of a wicker frame and a navy blue quilt. Not exactly screaming girlie, but I have plans for a canopy-type idea using pom poms much like Martha Stewart does in her New Year's decor here:My thought is to have a group of about a dozen or so pom poms hanging over the head area...and hoping that they don't fall on me in the middle of the night! It turns out that they're not too hard to make. Michael's had a sale on cupcake liners and I just banged out 2.75 pom poms while catching up on my DVR (Hellcats, anyone?). Here are the supplies I bought (I'm going to exchange the solid blue ones for solid red):

I used regular needle and thread to give a hanging device to my pom pom. I had to pull the needle out with pliers, but it seemed to work for now. (I didn't feel like buying the hooked wire and special thread that Martha suggested, so we'll see if my pom poms fall during the middle of the night!)

And here's a finished pom pom. This one had striped cupcake liners. I left the very top open so I could find the string when I want to hang them. And here's what I currently have. I want to make at least nine more of varying colors and sizes. Maybe I'll finish by the time this season of Hellcats ends ;)

Am I crazy for wanting pom poms over my bed?!

Love,

Photos courtesy of Martha Stewart and me. Inspiration by Creature Comforts.