decor

Fall inspiration

by Lara on September 12, 2011

I’m getting excited about Fall! Here’s a collection of easy ideas (you know I like easy) to start planning for:

Pumpkin gnocchi and Gorgonzola sauce – I wanted to make these w/ brown butter and sage last year and still have a can of pumpkin in my pantry. Ridiculous. You can just roll the gnocchi on a fork.

If you leave that can in your pantry like me, try a hydrating pumpkin face mask!

felt leaf garland

apple slices – I’d like to do caramel and chopped nuts

I love purple for Fall – via

pet bow tie!

two bite pumpkin pies

cowl scarf

crispy potato roast

teapot

2 bundt cakes – some I’ve seen were completely iced orange. This drip effect is nice though… just more! :)

Kelly of Let’s Die Friends made this awesome wreath! Love it!

Here are some of my favorite Halloween ideas:

via

hand soap

love this pumpkin idea! Mouse Motel!

tarantula in acrylic – the bf got me one for Christmas. His name is Oscar and he lives on my bedroom mantle!

A great idea if you work in an office and want to be subtly disgusting.

candy corn bath bomb

What are YOU planning to do around the house for this Fall season?

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+ & –

by Lara on September 6, 2011

in + & -

I would never get a formal engagement photo done but this whole zombie concept is fantastic and I’d love it for a wedding pic. I can’t take formal pictures seriously. (source and the whole amazing series here)

So I gave myself that shopping ban… failing to admit that I won’t be able to stay away from thrifting once in a while. I scored on Tuesday! This bitchin vintage ski jacket was in the men’s section but fit me. It’s from the ooooold Montgomery Ward. So cute and in perfect condition.

I also learned that some Goodwills are buying Target’s extra stock and selling it. I got these brand new shoes as well. $15 total.

My friend Marisa came to visit last week from Austin, after grabbing her man up in NY. It was super nice to meet him and see her for a few hours. We ate at the new 821 but this kitty is at the entrance to the old one down the block.

pic by Marisa after me yelling, “Take a picture of the kitty!”

When I was little I collected Breyer horses I’d find at antique shows my parents took me to. It was a ton of fun until my dad kinda ruined the thrill of the hunt by getting me a huge box of them for dirt cheap at the local flea market. Anyhow, they’re all in his garage attic and I really need him to get them out for me. I have to do this to just one:

via

So much laundry to do after my parents got their power back (9 days later!). I do our laundry there during the week and between the 4 of us and all our clothes, towels and bedding… omg. I seriously did laundry from 8am until 4pm and I’m still not done.

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rainbows

by Lara on August 8, 2011

in art,decor,fashion

Neivz cuff at Moxsie $65

Maria Dahlgren Breakfast in Bed Tray $26

felt circle artwork

Red Pepper Quilts

dot mani

The Dainty Squid pouch $15.75

Mrs Kitty’s freehand embroidery

drawing by James Bills

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recent pins

by Lara on July 26, 2011

in beauty,decor

Here are some recent things I’ve pinned. Are you on Pinterest yet? Need an invite? Let me know.

I gotta get busy with the scotch tape – via

I really want this cat/mushroom print for my kitchen – via

I want all of this happy happy summer celebrating gear via Let’s Die Friends. You know I love her!

A HUGE INFOGRAPHIC OF SUNSCREEN INFO

Painting on sketch paper by Blue McRight cracks me up (should go in my bathroom) - via Drollgirl. Are you following her yet? You should be. She’s rad.

video tutorial on how to sew an elastic band skirt in an hour – measured to fit YOU! via

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pins

by Lara on June 28, 2011

in decor

Yay! Netbook! I’m back to catching up on blogs, leaving comments, perusing…

I’ve been slack on writing posts. Saturday, I met up with 3 lovely local ladies, including Adrien from Looks Good From the Back. On Sunday I met up with Adrien again to go to an after-hours event at Sephora. We shopped around, ate a few chocolate covered strawberries and I purchased Buxom mascara. Love it, even though it’s not waterproof.

Now, I’m officially broke for the rest of the week so, time to get back to looking and dreaming.

Here are some things I’ve pinned recently.

“rainbow runner” by Sonia Winner (via)

oh my (via)

stained glass wedding cake

a gorgeous Konad manicure – it’s taking all my strength to not buy supplies. Here’s what Konad’s all about, in case you didn’t know.

loves these sandals – so simple and perfect

Anything lovely you’re longing for?

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in the closet

by Lara on June 19, 2011

in decor

I just got a request to do a closet post but it’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while. As feeble as my current closet situation is… it’s all I’ve got.

Before the bf and I moved into an old Victorian apartment in the Fan, I had about 15′ of closet space and a giant dresser (that I didn’t take with me). It wasn’t walk-in but it was glorious compared to the tiny space I’ve been living with for 2 years. There are two identical clothes closets in my apartment – one in the bedroom and one in the living room. I took the one in the living room. It’s as deep as a hanger is wide. I can barely see what isn’t in the doorway. I pretty much hate it.

So this is how I have all my things stored.

First off – my closet can’t handle all of my shoes so we have 3 racks in the hallway as you walk in. 2 are mine and they’re loaded.

Here’s the dreaded closet. I have 2 shelves but need a chair to reach the top one. There’s just a bunch of blankets up there, an overnight bag, and a storage box of clutches. My coats are on the far left hanging in a garment bag. Switching out seasons is an ordeal.

The bottom shelf looks like this. I just cleaned out and redid all this last week.

Here are my hanging shelves. If you get these, get the ones with wood inside the canvas. The plastic shelves sag terribly. Oh, and I use those 4 tier skirt hangers (the metal ones you see). I love them.

The rest of my bags are in a big hatbox in the bedroom. My makeup and other junk rests on top.

Everything else fits into this drawer unit I got from IKEA. It sits in a corner in the bedroom. Jewelry is on top in these clear divided things I got at Target a while back, and in random boxes. (Oh, I also have all my winter scarves in one of my bf’s drawers. His are different and against the wall, to the left.)

Some are clearance sale scores from last winter and I haven’t even worn yet. That top right pair, I’ve had for 20 years. No lie.

color!!!

So, that’s how I’ve dealt with a small closet space – just spread everything out everywhere else! :)

What are your secrets to dealing with a small closet?

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mini ikea trip

by Lara on June 5, 2011

in decor

We made it out of Herndon Fest alive and on our way back to Richmond, bf wanted to visit a friend who lives off the IKEA exit so, he dropped me off to shop and I let him know when I was done.

I didn’t NEED anything but when has that stopped anyone?

Oh, I did need pillow inserts for the pillow(s) I want to make. Do you know how crazy expensive they are at fabric stores? Those things plus the fabric and effort into measuring, cutting, pinning and sewing can discourage a lot of people from even bothering. I ended up grabbing two 20″ x 20″ pillows for $1.99 each when I could’ve spent $15 each at Hancock Fabrics.

I checked out the fabrics and they had some crazy stuff. Did you know you have to cut your own and write down all the info? No biggie. I’ve done it before at Wal-Mart (and figured out the hand held scanner/printer thing after waiting for 10 minutes for some help, and cut another lady’s stuff too). I got a yard ($7.99) of this nutso Annamoa fabric. I want the squirrel on one side and the fox (with his tongue sticking out and a party hat?) on the other. I mean, c’mon! It’s fantastic!

Cork coasters. 4 for $1 and we actually did need these.

3 melamine serving bowls. I have their mixing bowls in the same color. $4.99.

36 tea lights in fruity scents – $2.99 & Lingonberry preserves!

The bf has a twin down comforter that we used to keep on top of the queen mattress (the surface area is the same size) until his sis got us a Tempur-Pedic topper. The old comforter needed a duvet cover so we can use it as a blanket. I grabbed this silly Seuss-esque cover for $19.99.

Lastly, I’ve always wanted a table in the bathroom. The bf has a collection of bathroom books (sorry but I get my business over with asap and get the heck outta there). They’ve been all over the floor and when I saw this silly little Jetsons bedside table for $14, I had to grab it. I think they’re discontinuing it.

So that’s that! Get anything good at IKEA lately?

{ 12 comments }

fabric

by Lara on June 1, 2011

in crafty,decor

How could I have not gone to Quilting Adventures before? Holy hell their fabric selection is amazing! I could’ve taken pics of a hundred awesome fabrics but these jumped out at me in the few minutes I breezed through the store in a rush.

Now I need to make up my mind and make a big square pillow for my bed! Help me decide!

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pinwheels

by Lara on May 23, 2011

in decor

Ever since I did that painting for my living room, I’ve been seeing the same design all over the web.

my painting

via

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LaDiff

by Lara on April 30, 2011

in decor

In my town, when you want modern furniture, the only large selection in Richmond is LaDifference. EQ3 used to be here but closed. IKEA is over an hour away although I hear rumors of one coming closer to Richmond in the next year.

We’re still on a sofa hunt. I don’t think the friend at the furniture store is going to be able to find something in our style where she works. We went to LaDiff today and sat on everything. There’s always that problem of form over comfort. We want something streamlined but today, in our butt testing, they weren’t all that comfy.

We fell in love with this sectional but it’s too large and they don’t make it in just a sofa without the chaise. It’s exactly what we want if only…

I adore this sofa. Super expensive and not something you want to curl up and watch a movie on: