Back in the saddle

I have been MIA for the past few days because my mom was in the hospital again, it seems like it is finally determined what has been going on with her. We are relieved for that, but I getting back into the swing of things has been a challenge post holiday, and post family emergency. But here I am again, trying to get back in the saddle.

My office space is in my kitchen, and my dining table is usually my desk, unless I am having people over for dinner. My office was completely dismantled over the holidays, and although I began working again (I work from home), I had not gotten it all set up. Today's project - Mission Office Organization.
I have been on the hunt for the perfect desk lamp for a long time. I found this one at the thrift store for $3, and spray painted the shade kelly green. It's awesome because it's small and portable, so when I need to do the old office switcheroo, it folds up and I can put it on my printer cart and roll everything out.
I am doing new "To Do List" method, I got one of those giant post it pads and some markers, and I have a gigantic poster sized list on my fridge. I think checking things off and seeing the list get shorter that way will help me feel like I am actually getting things accomplished. I bought old school Mr. Sketch markers, you know - the kind that smell like cherries and licorice. Sooo retro. It takes me back to elementary school. Those were always the markers everyone went for!

So now that my space is pretty organized (I still have a big stack of papers to file, but that will be for another day) I'm hoping to really be off and running now...let's cross our fingers.

You'll have to pry this glitter out of my cold, dead hands

Much like my fun with turquoise spray paint this fall, I have excessively used this fantastic mint green glitter from Martha Stewart. It is subtle and a super fine grain, and don't we all love sparkly deep down? I have glued and glittered and my porch has a green metallic sheen that will probably last until spring. I recycled my fall pine cones and used card stock and white paper strips to make the trees inspired by my trip to the NYC Anthropologie flagship store on Park Ave.

Oh, Charlton Heston. Maybe I should start a National Glitter Association.

These are a few of my favorite things

Well, these are not brown paper packages tied up with strings, but they are pillows tied up as packages. This is a super easy and inexpensive holiday decoration. I happen to have a giant box of ribbon hanging around my house, so I chose some in holiday colors and just tied up some of my pillows like presents. I was worried they wouldn't stay put, but they are working out beautifully.

Trimming the home for the holidays

It's finally time to get ready for the holidays! I don't have to restrain myself any more.

My regular posts this month will feature an ornament of the day and a song from my holiday mix, in addition to ideas for DIY, cheap and chic holiday home decor, crafts, gift ideas, and tips for holiday entertaining on a budget.

I'm kicking off the official season to be merry by making my second-annual holiday mix CD. Last year, I put one together, made some copies, and gave it as gifts to friends . I was inspired by a friend who also does the same thing, and I look forward to getting his mix each year. I like a mix of traditional, choral, old crooners, motown, acoustic, humorous, etc. I'm counting down December days til Christmas giving you a song (or maybe two) a day.

Today's Holiday Mix Song -

Please Come Home for Christmas, Harry Connick Jr. (Super jazzy and fun.)

I did a bit of holiday decorating, I got the tree and some lights up. Unwrapping those ornaments takes forever! I did some other fun little projects that I will be sharing with you in upcoming posts - an easy holiday pillow makeover, my faux wood mantel, and DIY advent calendar from recycled materials.

No budget thanksgiving decor

I've done a few autumnal, harvest-y decor projects around the house this season. I made some harvest garland, had it up for a few weeks, got tired of it, and decided to go for round two of the DIY fall decorations. The challenge? Do it on the cheap, really cheap, as in shop my own house and spend no money cheap. I had eyed fall wreaths in Target, but didn't want to plunk down the $20. I had some leaf garlands in my stash that I have had for at least 3 or 4 years, and little red berries that I put out every Christmas. I bought those berries the first year I moved to Atlanta, so I've had them for 8 years now? They are super versatile. I pulled out a wire hanger and wrapped everything around, and voila, a new fall wreath.

I also made a little bookshelf vignette from things I had around the house. I filled a clear vase with acorns I collected a while back. I learned from blogging friends that there are little worms that live inside them. So, I baked them at low heat for a few hours, which did the trick. I collected some bare branches from the yard and hot glued little fabric leaves I had leftover from the garland project. I always keep white pillar candles on hand, and stuck them in galvanized planters and tins, one borrowed from my desk, the other I grew basil in this summer. A little fall ambiance to tide me over until I can bring out the winter holiday decorations.

And on the theme of thrift, here is a really cool story from NPR on the recent rise in popularity of thrift stores.

Eve of All Hallow's Eve

It is a gray and rainy day before Halloween. I awoke to one of my most anticipated television moments of the year - the unveiling of the Today show host costumes. (This is totally dorky, I realize, but like a woman in retirement, I watch the Today show every morning.)
We are in full on Halloween mode now - I'm doing some last minute alterations to costumes to get ready for the party tomorrow night. I want to try to squeeze in a matinee of Paranormal Activity tomorrow just to set the mood. I am sad that I won't have trick or treaters this year. I moved to a new apartment, and I'm on the second floor, so no little ones.
I have gotten most everything for my costume, let's see if you can guess which one I picked. I apologize that I did not choose Jem (of Jem and the Holograms), but that would have required sewing the entire thing from scratch, and I just couldn't muster the Christian Siriano in me this year. Next time. It would be a fantastic costume!
Click here if you're dorky like me and want to see the Today Show crew in their costumes. And speaking of Christian Siriano, my favorite little elf from Project Runway, click here for the 50% off coupon for his line at Payless. It was announced on Oprah yesterday - it's only good until the end of the day today! You're so fierce.

Home office makeover

I am fortunate to work for a nonprofit that lets me work from home. However, living in a small space, I am unfortunate to not have an extra room for an office. So, I have created a little office nook in my kitchen and my dining room table serves double duty. I am going to be doing a little home office makeover this weekend, so I will keep you posted! I'm trying to make the space a little more functional, and a little more organized. More to come...(The view from my Carrie Bradshaw-esque "office" window, and the construction across the street that has become the soundtrack to my work day.)

I'm half-apologizing, Anthropologie

By now you know that I have a complex relationship with Anthropologie. It's mostly love, as in I desire most everything in their store and the shopping environment and experience they create. But I find a lot of their stuff overpriced, and some of it I just want to make myself, or find someone on Etsy who does. However, I also appreciate the inspiration I find there and the uniqueness of their brand. It's my wallet that can't handle it. Enter the Sundance Channel's new show "Man Shops Globe." You had me at shop.

The show follows Keith Johnson, a buyer for Anthropologie, as he travels to exotic locations in search of merch for the store. I thought I would hate it, and although I set my DVR to record, I didn't watch it until last night. I found that it was totally the opposite - it's a great show, and it gave me more respect for the company. You get a glimpse into the process of how they find their inpsiration and merchandise, and it's no small feat, scouring places like Turkey, Holland, and South Africa for artisans and crafts people who are making what looks new and fresh. Keith says his mantra is, "you always have to turn that last corner to find what you're looking for." So true, so true.

So Anthropologie, I'm offering my half-apology. I'm sorry I doubted your authenticity, but I still will probably stalk your shelves and find a way to DIY at home. But I will be watching the show, and coveting this guy's job. (And I find him oddly attractive, despite the fact that I'm 99% sure he's gay. Story of my life, girls.)

Anthro-Inspired Wall Art

I could get lost in Anthropologie for hours. I would love to fill my home with their linens and housewares, but it's soooo expensive! I usually leave empty handed, but full of ideas for anthro-inspired projects I can do at home for much, much less.

I found this fantastic fork and spoon wallpaper on their website...for $620. (No mistake, six hundred)


Get the same look for much less with these wall decals for $30 at Home Stickers - and peel them off when you're ready for a change.