Back to the bathroom hoping for a spark.

Since I can't think of anything to do in my bathroom as it stands right now (small and rented), I thought I'd daydream about what kind of bathroom I would want without having to deal with the current limitations (small and rented). Hopefully, this exercise can spark some inspiration and help me boil down what I find most attractive.

recycled desk as vanity with lots of natural light

(shabby nest)

cozy nook for relaxing contrasted with bright color 

(frugal with a flourish)

feels like a bedroom

(my favorite and my best)

mix of textures

(inspiring interiors)

mix of pattern

(nina's apartment)

neutral and muted

(style files)

LOVE this idea for storage

(your decorating hotline)

again with the storage

(the estate of things)

Greetings from San Fran (well, almost).

With one summer vacation booked and another in the works, I'm having a tough time thinking about anything else. I know, tough problem to have right? Anyway, one of my favorite ways to remember the great times had is by purchasing a piece of artwork that really captures the moment. This can be through street vendor artwork, a great photograph or even a good, old fashioned postcard. After a while, the single pieces turn into a collection that's impossible not to display. While mine are dispersed throughout my apartment now, I'm thinking of reconnecting the pieces back into a collection in a way that's a dramatic but still has a casual tone.

Instead of just the typical framing and hanging, here are some composition ideas that skip the frame all together, creating a connection between each individual piece. Experiment with grid-like and organic patterns to find the one that best suits your style.

Royal College of Art (via zimbio)

the estate of things

casa sugar (keep adding rows the more you travel!)

hgtv

madison in june

house to home

Can't get enough: sunglasses

The sun is finally out! Which gives me the perfect reason to search for some sunglasses. Granted, I already have at least six pairs I can think of off the top of my head, a girl just can't have enough. And lately, I've been eyeing ones that are bright, retro and playful. I've figured out the basic shape that works best with my face (aside from aviators - those look good on anyone) and just continue to want more.

Now I haven't figured out how to justify the purchase of any of these as of yet, but my goal is to at least talk myself into buying a knock off version by the end of June. So far, the selection (and price) at Forever21 is winning but there are a pair at Target that I'm still thinking about (can't find a picture) from when I saw them back in April.

modcloth 

urban outfitters

anthropologie

forever21

michael kors via overstock.com

betsey johnson via 6pm

Faux shopping at Ruche.

At the risk of sounding completely superficial, I love shopping and consider it one of my favorite hobbies. I love the hunt, the decisions, the choices, the sales. Love it, love it, love it.

With this new found budget idea (or rather the new idea that I actually follow it), shopping quickly became a thing of the past and I was crushed. That is until my friend Amie shared how she was able to continue to "shop" without spending a dime. First start by going online and visiting one of your favorite places to shop. Then browse through the selection, putting everything you like in your shopping cart. And that's it. While you never get to actually hold, wear or use your purchases, it does allow you to continue to shop in a make believe sort of way - relieving the urge to splurge and letting us avid shoppers continue on with the hunt without actually blowing giants amount of unavailable cash.

Anyway, I thought it was a great idea and have been shopping this way ever since. Today's faux shopping date? Ruche. A gorgeous site that is full of great, unique accessories, vintage inspired pieces and flowing silhouettes. Here's what I ended up putting in my cart today. Total Spend: $322.91.

always on my mind belted dress

stroll to notingham floral dress

feeling sanguine ruffle dress

clever calculation navy cardigan

elite and chic bow top

fading away floral flutter top

golden dahlia indie hair clip

aloha sunset double strand

golden dreams leaf necklace

The inspiration-less space.

With the bedroom makeover at a halt, I've decided to move onto the bathroom - one of my least favorite spaces in my apartment. It's outdated, light pink and sea foam green. While, it can't get any worse, I'm having the worst time coming up with ideas for how to make it better. I mean, is it possible?

So far, I've tried to accent with all white, balance out the tile with antique accessories and, most recently, add some modern accents to counteract with the outdated fixtures. All of which didn't quite hit the mark and still show some sign of existence in the decor I've captured today.

All in all, the major problem I am still stuck with and will continue to be is that I need to decorate around some pretty tough challenges. Mainly the inability to paint, re-tile or refinish the vanity. Also, I have not been able to find any inspirational bathrooms and am without any resemblance of an idea of what to do to improve.

So the search continues... but wanted to provide an update on what I am working through to date.

Swapsies.

I've made one final change to the bedroom which happens to be the last one I can make until I save up enough cash for the finishing touches listed below. As mentioned here, I was really not liking the hutch originally placed in my bedroom. It was boring, it overly matched the dresser and it was too clunky for the space. The challenge remained however, that I needed every ounce of the space the hutch provided to store clothes and TV equipment. Yes, I'm aware I need a flat screen but again, not until I save up (or I put on my Christmas list).

To fix, I've switched out the hutch with an antique tall dresser I used way back when I was a kid. Originally, I'd asked for my mom for it when I was in desperate need of a storage vehicle for housing all of my arts and crafts. After pacing in and out of my craft nook and bedroom for what seemed like ages, the idea finally dawned on me. Now, each piece (I'll show the hutch in a later post) fits the space allotted for them much better and the tall dresser helps incorporate some much needed visual interest and darker wood tones to balance out the rest of the furniture. To that end, below is my final to do list that I'm either out of money or completely terrified to finish (minus the picture frames which will likely be finished this week).

TO DIY
- stain short dresser darker (frame only)
- spray paint all darker picture frames on wall a lighter color (copper, silver or white)

TO BUY
- FLAT SCREEN TV (and cable!)
- two (2) rugs: faux fur or jute?
- two (2) sets of curtains: white on white pattern + accent color?
- tailored or box pleated dust ruffle
- curtain rods: or steal from living room and replace those?

Loving this blog: Poppytalk

What I think  Poppytalk is probably the cutest website ever. It features great DIY ideas at every budget,  artists and their latest work, inspiration and decorating tricks among others. I can't say enough about this blog, I check it at least 2-3 times a week and am always coming away with a great idea or yet another project that I can add to what seems like my never ending list.

They also feature a monthly online street market used to showcase handmade goods by talented artists, on Poppytalk Handmade. It's like a smaller version of etsy that really shows off the favored style of the blog in a less overwhelming way.

Destination Spotlight: Legacies

I just recently discovered a little gem, Legacies, right near my house. I've been eyeing this place for a while now but kept forgetting to give it a try. When I finally walked in however, I was in love. Lots of antique furniture in relatively good shape, accessories like cake trays and sconces, artwork that ranged from needlepoint to contemporary and jewelry that was absolutely incredible. While most of the furniture was more expensive than a typical thrift store, the place is worth checking out if you are interested in making an investment or checking for the chance of finding an amazing deal like this small retro buffet for my BFF Jen, for less than $50. She's been searching all over for a piece like this to use as an entertainment center and, with a little TLC, it's going to be absolutely perfect.

Here are some other pieces that immediately caught my eye. They aren't the greatest at display so you have to use your imagination to understand the potential.