weekend project: diy potted garden

Our backyard is in desperate need of some TLC. Right now, it's nothing but weeds, old mulch and dog poop. Disgusting. The problem is I haven't a clue how to tackle. Where do you even start?

Jim's been talking about a potted garden for a while now so I'm now taking that idea and running with it. Functional + pretty = best of both worlds. Here's some eye candy to show you where my head's at. 

The trick will be whether or not I can find these containers at a reasonable price. At least I know I have plenty of wine bottles in the recycle bin to get started with some hanging herbs.

emily summers

tree hugger

TIP: You can probably use gutter material to create this, keeping lettuce away from critters that might eat it. I'm thinking this could be a good way to plant green onions and spinach as well. Basically veggies with shorter roots. 

apartment therapy

TIP: Head to a spirits store and ask for leftover wine crates. Last time I did this, I got one for only $5. Given our California location, I'm hoping I can scrounge up a few of these for free.

the vintage journal

country living

real simple

urban garden casual

TIP: Mix it up! I'm loving the various heights, sizes and shapes of these pots. Clustering in an empty corner of our yard will cozy up the space. It's also an easy way to add color to an otherwise dull palette.

real simple

flickr

real simple

By the way, these photos are from a good old fashioned Google search. My attempt to wean myself off pinterest.

happy environments: bathroom design

I saw this picture while sifting through Pinterest last night and thought it had the perfect sentiment for a Monday post.

print by jimmy marble

Yes it is, headless polka dot dress girl. Yes. It. Is.

After a couple of rough weeks, I'm ready to put the stress and frustration behind me, clear the head and get back to being my old self again. It is true that negative energy can get the best of you, no matter how positive you are. But it is also true that majority of that is picked up by your surrounding environments. Which is why I'm a firm believer of decorating around what makes you happy.

One of my favorite places to start is Urban Outfitters. The kings of kitsch, this place is chock full of odd accessories that always make me smile. Case and point: this mint green tripe decker shelf.

Isn't she lovely? Perfect for a bathroom, kitchen or bedroom vanity, this piece is the epitome of organization. Mixed with the geometric cutouts and paint job full of whimsy, this shelving unit is bound to turn your frown upside down. Here's how I would decorate with it.

recessed medicine cabinet for the not-so-cute bathroom products
bedroom dresser turned bathroom vanity to give it that lived in look
round white vessel sink so it looks more like a table top accessory
vintage looking jewelry holder for on top the dresser
colorful rug to pull in all the accessories
vintage japenese porcelain cups holding makeup brushes and tooth paste to accessorize the shelf


TIP: Check thrift stores and garage sales for the dresser and vintage porcelain cups. It's a quick way to slash your spending in half.

rugs west elm and amber lewis style.

I'm back up and running, folks. To summarize, yes, I had a fantastic Thanksgiving and no, I didn't even attempt to watch what I ate. Shoveling food. In my mouth. Nonstop. I spent most days either working on my dollhouse and eating or eating and working on my dollhouse. As a reminder, the dollhouse is for Emily Henderson's I'm a Giant Challenge, not because I wish I was 7 again. Very fun. Very exciting. Very productive.

Now that I'm back from travelling, I'm focusing on dollhouse rugs. Mainly because these teeny tiny rugs are the only things that match my teeny tiny budget.

My inspiration? Part West Elm, part Amber Lewis' private collection.

It's of no surprise that West Elm has fantastic, drool-worthy rugs that make you want to pick up one (maybe even two) for each of your rooms. Put them anywhere for an instant room upgrade. What I didn't realize is the variety of awesomeness they have going on here. I mean, look at this.

marquis rug 

the ever popular andalusia rug

lourdes sanches bulls eye

iznik dhurrie

even the simple tangle rug!

So amazing that if they made any of these in dollhouse versions, I would probably buy them immediately. Sure, they'd probably still be $40 each but I mean, who needs to eat, right?

On top of my West Elm craze, I came across this pinterest pic of Amber Lewis' home. For those who stink at names as much as I do, after some searching around, I think the pattern is called kilim. Regardless, it's Turkish. It's Tribal. I'm obsessed with it.

via so haute style

via glitter guide

via glitter guide

First of all, I'm in love with Amber Lewis' style.  Her sense of pattern, proportion and hue knock my socks off each and every time I see one of her spaces. Second, I hunted around and found some decently similar rugs for purchase on eBay, The Loaded Trunk and Overstock. Both places have a few more options in terms of colors, sizes and patterns but here are my faves.

the loaded trunk

overstock

eBay

Mark my words, I will buy one of these gorgeous numbers as soon as I can afford one. For now, I'm hoping to come across a dollhouse version to finish off my dining room!

rooms i'd like to live in.

I am so entranced in this imaginary dollhouse world that I can't help but day dream about dream houses (or in my case, apartments). ALL. DAY. LONG. So as an attempt to combat this gray, rainy day with thoughts of princess castles and marshmallows, here are some rooms I've been collecting (pinterest again, duh) that make me want to do a happy dance.

And don't worry, if you like it too we can just live there together. Sharing is caring.

Enjoy!

vol25

a perfect mix of cluttered chaos. the patterns and teal and books keep it cozy.

the white fireplace and chandy keep this room from looking too chaotic.

ekoshyun

if this was the guest bedroom I got to hang out in when i visited,

I would be visiting a lot more often.

shabby nest

love the candles, love the caddy, love the chair. a fantastic little retreat to relax in.

house of deva

this makes me want to read day in and day out. the HUGE window is outrageous,

the patterns lived-in and the book shelf loaded. I hope it's of James Patterson -

because then I'd never leave!

candace rose

this outdoor area is unreal. not sure how everything stays dry and clean but,

since I'm technically in the land of make believe, I will ignore any questions regarding functionality.

style by emily henderson

I love the wood accents and the yellow couch.

I don't know why but it makes me want to sip wine, listen to music and gossip all night.

elizabeth sullivan design

ok, I really need to do this. it's cute, it's functional, it just needs to happen.

maybe on my bookcase in the living room?

darling dexter

this is another must do - although I feel like it's mocking me right now.

Sadly, I finally had to put the little Ikea palm tree plant to rest. Plants: 0 - Kate: 1

RIP little guy.

babble

this is Ellen Pompeo's kitchen that I have been in love with ever since it was

featured in Elle Decor. The open cabinetry, the super-size fridge, the georgous

picture, the giant stove for me Jim to cook on... sigh.

4 bp

I absolutely love bathrooms or kitchens that have regular furniture in them

vs. the sterile, waterproof, kitchen- or bath-only pieces we so

regularly see. This bowl sink and vintage dresser vanity make me want to hug someone.

desire to inspire

this is the cutest kid's painting / family wall I've seen yet.

Filled with black and white, old photos and finger paint masterpieces,

I think I would stare at it nonstop.

holiday ornament diy ideas a-plenty.

No matter whether the Christmas season is actually in the air or not, it's on my blog and I'm rolling with it. Mainly because I love the season, am slammed with dollhouse building and could use a little holiday spirit in my life. Plus my mom already has her "holiday theme" picked out and it's driving me nuts that she's ahead of me.

For those that don't know, a "holiday theme" starts with the tree. Unlike my mom, I tend to bypass the Pottery Barn pulled-together tree and head straight for The Christmas Story glittery, tinsel-filled mayhem.

Tacky, yes. A lot, of course. But it a good way.

So this year, like every year, I opt for homemade ornaments. I already have my signature super sentimental ornaments (+grandma) but I like to mix up the arrangement with some new duds from time to time. But what type of homemade you ask? These past few weeks, I've been collecting DIY ornament ideas off pinterest (duh) as a way to gather my thoughts. The good news is that majority of these ornament ideas are relatively easy (read: more likely to actually get done). The "bad" news? Let's just say it's going to be a lot of metallic, a lot of garland and a lot of glitter. Little fake Christmas tree from Walgreens circa 2009, you are going to look ADORABLE.

miss mustard seed

squeeze lines of Elmer's glue on glass bulb and sprinkle with glitter.

martha stewart

stick string in glue and wrap around small balloons

once dry, pop balloons and presto!

martha stewart

these would be cute even just spray painted, i swear!

but if you want to glitter, get hours of your life back by using spray adhesive instead of Elmer's.

aesthetic outburst

pour white paint inside glass ball and swirl around until all sides are covered.

grab puffy paint (or acrylic if you're boring) and paint on the designs.

mary jane and galoshes

you don't have to use maps for this one. cut identical shapes out of desired material.

grab a Styrofoam ball, start from the bottom, secure with a hot glue gun and work your way up.

zakka life

origami birds. ok, ok, these don't have to be glittered - maybe just some scrapbook paper.

elle decor

collect leaves while they're still falling, let dry and spray paint gold.

do-it-yourself

this I would tweak to add a tad more contrast.

tape off half of the pine cone and spraying the tips lime green or red.

bargain hoot

don't forget the garland!

grab some construction paper, holiday scrap booking paper, ribbon, scissors and a glue stick.

michelles journal corner

toilet paper roll slices, a glue gun and glitter

eighteen25

spray with adhesive and start circling 'round the ornament.

this may/may not be harder than it looks.

buns and artwork.

I've got two things on the brain today - buns and DIY art. The bun because I happen to have a giant one on top of my head as I type this and the DIY art because I am very slowly putting in place a plan for my workspace artwork. Totally random I know, but I can't help it.

True to form, I decided to stay in bed until the last possible second today. This left me with a whopping 30 minutes to take Ruby out, get dressed and drive to work. Totally uneccessary stress I know, but I can't help it. That said, I was unable to shower this morning (eww, gross) and my hair was out. of. control. So I did what (I think) anyone would have in this kind of situation - throw it on the top of my head, shove some bobby pins in there and hope for the best.

Well, I got lucky. My 'fro somehow managed to wrap itself into a pretty bun. Sure, it's a tad frizzy and a little huge, but I made it work. I paired it with a striped long t-shirt, my "new" $3 rust colored blazer from Dress for Success, navy corduroys and some tall gray heels. I wish I could show you a pic so you can see how not-ballerina the look is but I'm typing this on my lunch break. In the office. At my desk.

Instead, I'll offer some example pics of how to work a pretty bun. The most important things to remember? Imperfections are good and always pair with something tailored or structured.

running on happiness

[kind of what mine looks like except for a little more curl and a lot more frizz]

glamour

wonder how to

pinterest

pretty stuff

As for the DIY art, I started hanging up some pictures in my workspace and want to blend places I've been, corkboards and artwork I've made. So I did what anyone (I think) would have done in my situation and headed to pinterest for some ideas. Here are the ones I've bookmarked so far. Something fun, a little 3-dimensional but simple at the same time.

material girls

apartment therapy

etsy

jeff canham

the mayberry home journal

design sponge

lemonade makin mama