New Apartment Vignettes: Sleep Area

Continuing with my apartment makeover series, today I'm sharing with you my sleeping area, including the bed and space above the bed. I don't have a headboard at school since it's so expensive, but I made use of the wall space above my bed with art to make the area seem more grown up and complete.

The elephant is by far my favorite piece in the room. I once again just found something on Amazon.com - in this case a mounted elephant head - and spray painted it gold so it looked more chic ( and honestly, just less creepy, the original was wayyy too realistic). The shag pillows are also from Amazon and I think add a more bohemian/70s vibe to the space. I was definitely thinking of the Rachel Zoe hippie-chic aesthetic when I chose those bad boys. The prints are by Caitlin McGauley, who is AMAZING, and who I've posted on here.

The space still needs more work, but it is definitely an improvement from the start and my past rooms. What do you guys think? Not Elle Decor worthy, but not too dorm room either.

New Apartment Vignettes: Book Cart

I just finished some major apartment decorating projects, and I'd thought I'd share them with you all since I'm so proud of my work. I've never put this much thought, effort, time, creativity into decorating my space at college before - so I'm happy to share my labors of love. I'm by no means a professional and will always need to improve, but I'm pleasantly satisfied with the outcome.

Today I'm sharing my book cart makeover. I started with this bad boy:

via

A standard chrome book cart from Amazon.com. Only $30! I knew I wanted something with more of a bar cart feel (OBSESSED), so I scooped this up since it was on sell and would be a good base.

So throw in some gold paint - painted it two times since I was unhappy with the first gold I bought and some decorating....

And I ended up with this:

 I think the gold is much softer than the silver and much more boho-glam (I've decided this is my aesthetic).  On top I've put my jewelry box (an Urban Outfitters find) and my new blue and white vase and flowers seen here. I've also hung my rose rosary, it smells wonderful and I like to be reminded of my spirituality. I'm still on the hunt for some candles and other knick knacks to fill the shelves.

I've stacked my favorite books (notice the Official Preppy Handbook?) on the lower shelves,  as well as an old photo of my brother and me.

So, what do you guys think? It's definitely an improvement from the normal black bookshelf I usually purchase, and I love how the gold makes the shelf ornamental as well as functional. Can't wait to show you all some more new apartment updates! Happy Monday!

Blue and White Find!

For the past year I've been lusting after all things blue and white chinoiserie. Vases and lamps in this chic style are my favorites and I've been continually inspired by beautiful homes and stores that use these pieces. I just love a blue and white chinoiserie vase with bright flowers popping out of the top. See some of my design inspiration below before I reveal my great find from the weekend!

via

{Black and Spiro always has some great blue and white vignettes}

via

via

{Designer Meg Braff also gets it right}

via

via

{Ralph Lauren gets this preppy look right, of course}

And, now, drumroll please....voila! Here is my pride and joy Goodwill find from the weekend:

 Ok, it's not much considering the build-up, but I'm so proud of finding and buying my first chinoiserie vase and only for $2.99! I put some bright pink peonies in it and can't wait to put it on my yet to be arrived bookshelf. I'll keep you posted as the design comes along, but this is definitely a good omen for my new bedroom!

Pardon My Dust...

But, I am still moving into the new place, unpacking, preparing for interviews and school, and just getting situated back in Arizona! I will be back soon, lovelies! Can't wait to blog more frequently, catch up on all of the great blogs I follow, and settle into a routine. Now, if only moving was as glamorous as these images, but unfortunately this Arizona heat (imagine living inside an oven) won't allow it.

via

via

via

via

Pink and Green Thursday: And I'm Off!

Farewell, friends! Today I'm off for Arizona and moving back to college for my senior year. The unknown of the real world is creeping up on me, so I plan to make the most of my last year! My family and I will be spending the next two days driving out to Arizona, so my posts will be less frequent until Monday. I'm going to miss my family and STL friends sooo much - I'm so close to them and can get so homesick. Here's to safe travels and hoping I can embrace the positive and make the most of my last year at college. Happy Pink and Green Thursday!

via

via

 

via

via

via

Semi Wordless Wednesday: Catching Up

Happy Semi Wordless Wednesday with Flip Flops and Pearls! I've been spending a lot of time working and catching up with old friends, and I hope I'll get to see more of them in the near future! It's so great to regroup after being apart for so long and just picking up where we left off. So I thought I'd take a trip down memory lane and look at some embarrassing high school pictures of all the great times we had together. <3

via

Friday's Fancies: Intern Chic

 
Today I began my summer internship and fifth internship in my college career. Interning is so motivating to me, since I can see how I'm working toward my future career and love learning new skills and overcoming new challenges. I'm so excited and motivated to be back at work - so today's Friday's Fancies with Long Distance Loving is all about looking like the chicest intern in the office.

My office is more casual, so the clothes aren't that professional (still office appropriate), but the outfit can easily be made more formal by trading in the wedges for black pumps and throwing a blazer over that swoon-worthy Isabel Marant blouse. I also work in a creative industry where hipper clothing is encouraged, so if you work in a more conservative field - I'd probably lose the stud earrings and bright clutch. For me, however, this outfit is fabulous and fitting, and I am lusting after the beautiful, intern-perfect (but not intern budget friendly) items. Happy Friday, everyone, and if you're interning this summer I wish you luck and a very productive summer!

Intern Chic by edodds featuring slimming pants

Isabel Marant sheer ruffle blouse, £370
Vanessa Bruno slimming pants, $404
Christian louboutin shoes, $650
Tory Burch clutch handbag, $325
Marc by Marc Jacobs gold plated watch, $250
Anita Ko 14k earrings, £215

Mirror, Mirror pt 2...

Remember last week how I posted about some great mirrored headboard options for a DIY project? Well, I found another mirrored, glossy finalist, and it is definitely the frontrunner as of now.

 via.

Posting long vertical mirrors on their side and hanging them horizontally would be a great twist on the mirrored headboard. Plus, long mirrors with black trim like the ones above are available from only 6 bucks from Target! And I'll be honest, this project look much easier than tiling 30 craft mirrors around my bed. What do you guys think? Would these make a good headboard? Too bad I can't get one of those great pink chairs as well.

Daddy's Girl

 

Happy Father's Day to you and all the father figures in your life! Enjoy the day (I'll be hitting the shooting range for the very first time with Daddy D!), and I hope you're lucky enough to have a great dad like me!

Here are some of my favorite movie dads:

via.

The "three men" from Three Men and a Baby (one of my fave childhood movies).

A super presh clip from the movie of the men singing a doowop lullaby:

via.

Steve Martin from Father of the Bride. Great movie, gets me every time.

via.

George Bailey from It's a Wonderful Life. One of my all time fave movies.

And last, I'll leave you with one of my favorite songs all about the relationship between father and daughter. Try not to tear up and have a great father's day :)

Party Treats

A few nights ago, I had the chance to embrace my inner Martha Stewart (love ya, girl!) and become the hostess with the mostest. It was truly the most domestic I've been in ages; I'm the girl who has eaten out almost every meal this semester, much to my parents' chagrin. I was super nervous to make anything food related, but these simple recipes were delish and a hit:

These strawberry marg spritzers were soooo good, and didn't taste like alcohol at all - a great thing for a lightweight like me. Just be careful mixing in the club soda, I made quite the mess on my kitchen counter. I have so much tequila and triple sec left over - I will definitely be making them again! The recipe was in the latest issue of Southern Living, and I would definitely recommend trying it.

Here are all the awesome apps courtesy of my girlfriends and moi. So so good. Went into a food coma afterward, for sure. I made the seven layer dip, but modified it into a five layer dip, since I'm not a fan of olives or green onions. All the apps were wiped out, so I'd say they were a hit.

Finally, I'll leave you with a pic of my favorite party favors, courtesy of the movie Bridesmaids:

via.
GAAHHH CUTE OVERLOAD. The movie was so funny, I definitely recommend it.

What are your favorite summer entertaining recipes? Share them with me in the comments, so I can do Martha proud!

GOPappa

My Daddy D is a passionate member of the Republican Party, so I can't say I was surprised when I came home for summer and found this masterpiece hanging in his office:

Don't worry, you can buy it too for your GOP Pappa.

He apparently fell in love with it at the Houston Rodeo earlier this year, and mi madre snatched it up for his birthday for him to hang proudly in his office. The store also offers this beauty in case you prefer your Republican presidents playing poker instead of pool:

via.
With Father's Day coming up, here are some more Grand Ol Party gifts that would be great if you have a proud Republican daddy like me.
via.
Southern Proper makes great ties, and this GOP Gent neck tie is the perfect way for Dad to show off his political party pride in a subtle way at work or special events.
via.
Any Republican fan, including my Dad, has to be a Reagan lover. They should love this vintage campaign t shirt honoring the popular Republican prez. Do it for the Gipper!

via.
This car decal has the perfect combination of GOP-love and preppy pink and green. What kind of gifts are you looking at for dad for Father's Day?

Fun for 21

Being back in St. Louis means being able to reconnect with old friends. Last night, I had an absolute blast doing just that and meeting up with some friends from high school and celebrating A's 21st birthday. We all went to the same all girl school from 7th grade and on, so we're extremely close and can pick up right where we left off. A, N, L and I all went to NYC together on senior year spring break for a musical theater geek trip, so we've shared so many laughs together.

A, N, L, and me in Little Italy way back in high school

My own recent 21st birthday is a complete blur for me and did NOT end well, so I was happy to celebrate someone else's for a change and remember the full affair.

All the evidence the world will see of my birthday.


For A's birthday we had a great dinner at her house courtesy of her generous parents and an absolutely delicious cake from Companion Bakery. After filling up, we headed out to bars in the trendy Central West End area of St. Louis.

A and I celebrating at CWE bar, Bar Louie.

Drinks were had by the newly 21 birthday girl, karaoke was sung, and lots of fun was had. A St. Louis night out is not complete without some amazing local bar food:Mmmmm toasted ravioli, this St. Louis delicacy is a must any time I'm home! I slept in sooo late today after last night's festivities, but nights like that make me happy to be home and excited to catch up with more friends! How was everyone else's Saturday night?

Pink and Green Thursday-ish

So yesterday, a cataclysmic event happened - blogger was down. No post editing, no new posts, no commenting, no nothing. You don't know what you have until it's gone, and I quickly learned how attached I've become to blogging. So, while I was cheated out of posting my Pink and Green Thursday on Thursday, I'm an independent girl, not one to be held back by days of the week!

I had my Pink and Green Thursday ready, so I am posting it, Friday be damned!

Thursday was a big day at ASU - it was graduation! Graduation is a huge accomplishment, and was quite scary this year since I'll be one of the new grads receiving a diploma in less than a year's time, yikes!.

In honor of the new grads, this post is dedicated to divine Pink and Green grad gifts that I'm lusting after.
1. Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville Mixer - nobody knows margs better than Mr. Buffet! As a new grad, I'd love to entertain at my first place with this marg machine and slug back a few margs.
2.This Lilly magnetic board is perfect for posting reminders and keeping track of your busy new grad life - I'm deck mine out in lime green post its.
3. I'm obsessed with KitchenAid's pink breast cancer appliance line - this standing mixer would actually get me baking, no small feat.
4. These Lilly wine glasses from Lifeguard Press are so chic! And they're plastic, so they won't break easily, a great advantage for a klutz like me!
5. This KitchenAid food processor is almost as cute as the mixer. They both benefit breast cancer research and prevention.
6. I can't wait to entertain in my first place, so this Lilly cocktail shaker is a must. Now, to learn to make cocktails.
7. While these Paula Deen pots and pans aren't pink and green, I couldn't leave them off the list! I own two pans by Paula, and they are amazing. Having the whole set would be a great grad gift.

Congrats, new grads! Carpe diem!

Semi Wordless Wednesday - Til We Meet Again, AZ

Things I will miss in Arizona (only two more days left!):

via.
via.

via.
Great scenery.
via.Great food.
photo credit: Amanda Dong
Great Community.Hipstamatic

Great BF. <3

Farewell for three months, Arizona!