Ka Word

I'm back beeotches

2009-01-22T20:59:00.000-05:00

check me out here

KaWord is moving

2009-01-22T13:24:00.001-05:00

details soon...

just add a jolly rancher

2008-11-13T16:33:00.006-05:00

Nothing like sitting in a two-hour HR orientation to suck away your will to live...thankfully Google Reader greeted me with a few gems upon my return to civilization.

There's nothing like fireland's Twitter feed to make me feel a little less pathetic, and a lot more sane. Love it!

This guy must be a least mildly demented...but he's f'n ha-lar-eeee-ouss. I feel sure if I was single I'd be dying to get dumped by him.

I've lost my voice

2008-11-10T13:28:00.003-05:00

not literally...just sort of losing sight of the whole blogging thing

maybe its the weather

maybe its the short days taking their toll

maybe its just life getting in the way

hopefully some pretty pictures will bring me out of my funk

Defeat

2008-10-29T22:29:00.004-04:00

I'm admitting it. I'm a sore loser.

We were officially knocked out of AT's Fall Colors Contest. We definitely had a good run -- and many thanks to all those that voted for us. I know how much dedication it took to figure out AT's nightmarish navigation.

So sadly my dreams of a CB2 shopping spree are abandoned, but I must say I was tickled pink to discover a decent little consolation prize.

It seems my little kitchen made it to the front page of my all time favorite blog...right next to a shot of my all time favorite magazine. Pretty cool, huh? At least it gives me hope that someday, somehow I'll have my name alongside these icons on a regular basis. So until I'm sharing swatches with Kelly Wearstler and shopping for tchotchkes with Jonathan Adler, I'll guess I'll just keep trucking along...making things pretty as I go.

Watch out bitches -- get in my way and you're likely to end up covered in a fresh coat of paint.

xoxo

The Suspense is Killing Me

2008-10-27T12:57:00.002-04:00

AT's Fall Color Contest is in full swing and I did manage to get some decent (and I use that term very loosely....I SUCK at photography!) shots taken of our home submitted.

So far we've squeezed through to the second round of voting... but I'm was thoroughly convinced we're going to get stomped in this round. Our competition's home is so cheerful and colorful. We've currently tied. How ridiculous is that?!?

Help a girl out -- I promise to bring more snarky design chatter your way :)

I need your votes TODAY.

Aging

2008-10-25T23:26:00.004-04:00

You know you're getting old when your idea of a hot Saturday night is sitting home and scoring a vintage ceramic toast rack that you're going to use to sort mail.

My liver would like to thank Domino magazine and Eddie Ross for the much needed relief.

Another weekend, another project

2008-10-24T14:40:00.005-04:00

Our bedroom isn't even really finished (the hubs hasn't done my striped wall... and I haven't hung art or replaced the outlet covers), yet I already have the itch.

I think our entrance will be my next endeavor.

Here are my dream stairs:

(love, love, LOVE the black and white risers)

and the color I plan on painting our front door:

and the FLOR samples I ordered:

(b/c our fugly tile soooo has to go)

and what I'm eyeing for my next ikea pilgrimage:

and I'm on the hunt for the perfect pale, pale grey. Any suggestions?

(I think I'm liking the look of Grand...or maybe Weathered Stone.)

Bananas

2008-10-22T22:53:00.002-04:00

Five dollars at a time...

2008-10-20T14:52:00.004-04:00

You know the problem with etsy?

Other than it being the biggest time suck in the world wide web, that damed 'Pounce' feature forces me to buy things I never knew I needed.

For example, I now own this:

And I don't really know why. But I HAD to have it.

And Paypal makes it so easy. Three little clicks and a package miraculously appears at my door few days later.

My postman must think I have a problem.

Who am I kidding?

He's sooo right.

I now own these too.

Yes.

That's right.

One hundred vintage subtraction flash cards.

You're saying WTF. Really, Monica. Why?!?

But, to quote a furry friend, "I has a system. Srsly."

And it's going to rule. I swear. Something like this.

Hand me a glob of sticky tack and I'll make an art installation.

Okay....so maybe I do need etsy rehab. Anyone care to join me?

Gratuitous Pretty

2008-10-15T20:54:00.004-04:00

Getting Started

2008-10-11T16:33:00.006-04:00

(If anyone out there is reading this and not familiar with Apartment Therapy and wondering why I'm going to be spending the next few weeks rambling on about things mundane things like bathtub grout and the proper way to iron curtains, I highly suggest you check out the site and get your hands on a copy of the book.

Finding this site ranks up there with meeting my husband and buying my first push up bra. Seriously. It's life-changing. Not only did I discover that there were a group of design crazies out there just like me, but it put me in touch with and endless trove of the best resources and advice for everything home-related. The site's House Tours fulfilled my voyeuristic need to peek into sweet urban spaces that a little girl in Kentucky would never normally have access to and the book helped me transform my fur-covered hovel into a comfortable, mostly clean, almost chic home. Aided by the book and a group of fellow AT-ers on flickr, I'm embarking on my third "Cure." So for whoever is ready this (hi mom), I hope I don't bore you to death. This process can be a bit tedious, but I find sharing all the messy details can be cathartic and will hopefully help hold me accountable to finish. (That's right messy closet -- I'm talking to YOU!) So I hope you all enjoy the ride -- and if not just skip over posts tagged with 'Cure" -- I swear I'll try throw in some snarky posts on the side! xoxo, Ka)

So after that rambling foreword -- I think the caffeine took over (ok some maybeee I borrowed a little Adderall from the hubs. whatev, arrest me...) -- I can get started on what I actually meant to share...Here's goes:

As much as I was anticipating the Fall Cure, I'm finding myself a dragging a little bit. I know that was I dive in things will inevitably get worse before they get better. We finally have most of the our first floor in order (totally not counting my office, that'll be a separate post). It gets messy occasionally. The laundry room piles up from time to time and when I'm out of town for work Ian tends to have Wii festivals and our living room rug sheds in awe of his skillz. There are some doors and trim that could use touch up paint and the entrance needs some design attention, but other aside from these minor issues, our main living space is in pretty good order and supports our daily functions.

Our upstairs is an entirely different story. Comprised of a guest room, small hall, Ian's closet, our bedroom, and a "sitting room," the upstairs could pretty much be described as a pit. I've pulled it together a few times for visitors, but on a day-to-day basis it stays a sad, smelly mess. Between the dog hair, unfinished projects, and unpacked boxes, this area is pretty much crying for help.

We did make some major progress in swapping our bedroom area recently. I'm loving the new setup and Ian actually admitted he like it. (Of course he waited until I was in the shower and could barely hear him...and when I prompted him to repeat the praise reverted back his usual protests. Ugh. Boys.) So now I'm faced with tackling the rest of this project and I'm feeling a tad overwhelmed. I guess the only thing to do is roll up my sleeves, blare some Britney, and get to it.

Before I head up, I have to show you my absolutely favorite part of the cure....Weekly Flowers. I try to keep fresh flowers around the house year round, but always love when the Cure helps me justify this splurge. I love how they can transform a nightstand or a coffee table....and somehow they help me keep everything around them neat and tidy. After a week of sorting and purging, there's something therapeutic about bringing at thing of beauty into your space. LOVE IT!

Hear are this week's treats:

Two bundles of Solidago, trimmed super short and stuffed into my favorite little tumbler. Instead of discarding the stems I tucked them in the back and am liking how they sort of look like bamboo. I was totally channeling Eddie Ross (of Top Design fame...LOVE HIM!) His arrangements are always such perfection. Guess they have to be when you work for Martha!

With my next arrangement I stepped away from my usual monochromatic safety net. I HAD to have the hot pink Kangaroos Feet and I think they look pretty sweet with a generous bunch of yellow Alstroemeria. I tried them in a bunch of different vases, but ended up going back to this fun turquoise one. It adds an cheery pop of color to our industrial kitchen table.

That's all for now. Gotta go tackle our hellhole. More cure news soon.

Somethings in the water

2008-10-09T12:00:00.006-04:00

Bloggers -- you're killing me.

I suppose I've been reading too much Dooce...

And cooing over Nicole's nursery moodboards certainly isn't helping...

Maybe it's just my 26 year old hormones trying to tell me something...

But regardless of the cause when I stumbled on to Lund recently (via This is Glamorous) , I didn't stand a chance.

Adorable, quirky, even chic (!) kiddos everywhere!

Ack! Hubs - tell me no!

Motherly instincts be damned.

Repeat after me: Thou shall not reproduce before the age of 30.

Thou shall not reproduce before the age of 30.

Thou shall not repro......

ahhh! dammit, they're just all so freakin' cute!!!!

Forgive me...

2008-10-09T11:42:00.004-04:00

because, while I've never been one to be into politics, I can't ever shy away from funny.

And this is really freaking funny!

Ha-larious

2008-10-07T12:03:00.001-04:00

busy busy bumblebee...

2008-10-06T19:41:00.006-04:00

Someone's been having fun adding a little splash of yellow to her domain.

Here's sneak peak. Still needs drapes...and a rug...and shams...and art...

but it's definitely getting there.

The plan is to pull everything together this week in order to get some pics taken for AT's Fall Colors Contest.

Ambitious? yes

Especially given the sad state of my bank account after an unplanned adventure involving some unpaid parking tickets, the impound lot, and an expired out of state car registration.

Bastards.

But the hubs swears he'll help -- mostly since he was to blame for the little auto incident and is trying to redeem himself in any way possible -- so we'll see.

I'm also committing to AT's Fall Cure which starts this week. I always seem to fizzle out round week four (when I realize my plans don't exactly coincide with my budget) and can't seem to finish purging all the clutter. Maybe since I'll be blogging my progress (or lack there of) for the first time, I'll be forced to stay accountable. Someone out there make me clear out the guest room closet (you know the one -- it's stuffed floor to ceiling and should have been condemned months ago.)

Off to iron drapes (otherwise known as yell at Dan for losing the hotness that is Serena on Gossip Girl)

xoxo

No New Posts

2008-10-03T18:13:00.002-04:00

Until I'm finished pouring over it

No Boundaries

2008-10-01T22:36:00.003-04:00

Things that are rocking my world today

2008-09-24T15:04:00.003-04:00

Symmetry, order, and polka dots.

Does it get any better?

Actually yes -- add acrylic furniture, an upholstered headboard, a blinging pendant light, and a fierce shot of turquoise -- and hellloooo, could it be more Ka?!?

Kate Spade can do no wrong.

Is is normal to want to make love to a kitchen sink?

Actually that sprayer would probably be good for a few thrills....

And those sconces -- hellloo?

So hot.

I die.

Note to self -- must go buy bottles of Pellegrino immediately.

Not only does their color scheme sooo work in my living room bar area, they totally give that laid back luxe vibe you see in even domino shoot. Come to think of it... they are in every domino kitchen shoot. How did I not notice this before? They're like the vase of pink peonies.

Ubiquitous for a reason: pure perfection.

And finally, because I think I need to focus on spending more time whining to Ian about my deep-seeded need for a pair of Louboutins...

THE shoe that dreams are made of.

Hello gorgeous, come to mommy.

the joys of combined finances

2008-09-19T13:00:00.004-04:00

So I've been hassling the hubs to let me buy the four poster bed I've been obsessing over. Last week he HATED it. (And by HATED I mean despised more than anything on earth. It was although I suggested we start sleeping in a den of poo-covered porcupines...that were in mating season...and soundtrack to their pungent copulation was Rush Limbaugh talk radio...reruns. Really, he was NOT fond of this piece of furniture.)

So in one last futile attempt, I sent him a revised style tray, pleading that he give it one more glance. I got this email back:

"Looks Great!

I got the iPhone"

I'm picking up our new bed this evening.

Aren't we just a testament to the american dream :)

Blogging thru the storm

2008-09-18T10:38:00.004-04:00

Almost a week has gone by, yet Hurricane Ike has rendered my house powerless. Still. This wouldn't be much of a surprise if I, say, lived in Galveston, TX. But for someone plop in the center of the midwest - Cincinnati, OH to be exact - this is more that a little strange. And really irritating.

I probably wouldn't mind it so much if I didn't work from home...thus giving me the opportunity to absentmindedly flip the pantry light switch ten thousand times every day.

Nope, still, nothing.

My "better half" keeps complaining that my blog is "stale." Well, no shit, dear. We don't have power (the extension cord we've run through our neighbor's window hardly counts). No lights. No laundry. No refrigerator. And only the tiniest hint of an internet signal. Living in such squalor, I'm hardly inspired to post pretty pictures from people's houses that still have electricity. (bastards)

But, since bitter isn't a pretty color on me, here goes nothing.... Some lovely homes of some a-holes that are still enjoying the finer things in life -- like DVR's and microwaved pizza.

Usually this kitchen would have me cooing in delight over the flood of natural light, but, given my circumstance, I am officially over natural light. Give me fluorescent. Give me incandescent. Anything that doesn't come from a) my cell phone screen or b) the flashlight that Ian always manages to shine directly into my eyes.

I'm also aghast at their cute little blue mixing bowl. They're obviously about to bake something -- and by 'bake something," I mean taunt my inability to cook anything.

I hate you.

But not as much as I'm hating Taco Bell.

Ohhhhh, ahhhhh! Fabulous chandelier, right?

Wrong.

It sucks because it's not in my house. And even if it was, it wouldn't be working.

And finally, because three images of torture is all I could bear, a clipping from my all time favorite house. Though this does cheer me up just a bit...it also reminds me of stubbing my toe in the darkness last night as I came up my stairs from walking the dogs. Boo.

If you're out there Mr. Duke Electricity Man, please come fix things soon. I'm dying a little inside.

It's Fridaayyyy Bitches

2008-09-12T16:46:00.006-04:00

Something bright and cheery to offset the gloom of this rainy day...

and get this weekend started on a happy note.

I swear yellow stripes are good for the soul.

And who needs prozac when you have white penny round tiles?!?

Good design is my therapy.

And mmmm....this quilt is so yummy.

Makes me want to put to use my newfound sewing skills.

(the lighting, and the lamps, and the bed linens, and the wainscoting, and the flowers, etc, etc aren't half bad either. Love it all!)

So much fun -- this room is calling out for a party -- though I'm sure I'd spill red wine on the couch...

and I mean are you f*in' kidding me?!? Hot pink tufted velvet?

Love, Love, LOVE.

Off to begin celebrating the weekend with something cold and bubbly.

A Bedtime Prayer

2008-09-10T23:41:00.004-04:00

Thank you God

for today

You blessed my work

you blessed my play

Now I'm not trying to be ungrateful here, but if you feel like blessing Cincinnati Craigslist's furniture postings with a flood of vintage Eames, Bertoia, Saarinen, and Noguchi (at rock bottom prices), I would be eternally grateful....and a little more inclined to show up to church on Sunday...I'm just sayin'

Nighty Night.

xoxo

In response to Decor8 (LOVE her!)...

2008-09-10T19:07:00.006-04:00

Though I'm scared this will expose how tragically unhip I really am, this is what I'm humming along to lately (I'd say singing, but I'd never unleash that horrific-ness to anyone but the hubs and the dogs).

The first song on my Couch to 5K playlist is Stripper by The Soho Dolls. And while the song is completely badass my route of discovery is decidedly not. I first heard it on Gossip Girl last season and needed more. Thankfully some wonderful genius has created a YouTube group devoted entirely to songs featured in the show. Thank you whoever you are. Sadly, this is my go to site for music when I'm trying to pretend to be cool. You can use it too, I promise not to tell :)

I go WAYYYYYY back with my next pick. Bonnie Raitt was the artist du jour for my mom & I when I was growing up. I have many fond memories of us dancing around the house likes fools, doing our best bluesy croons, usually with a mop or broom as my mic. I think this is how she conned me into helping with the housecleaning. There's something about ten year old bopping around the house singing:

"I need a real man

Aint messing with no toy

I don't need no baby boy...

I need a man that loves me once

I want a man that loves me twice

Its a sticky situation babe

Keep me up late at night...

I need a real man..."

that's not entirely appropriate (good job there mom...), but I turned out alright.

I guess....

whatever...

Today Bonnie is my soundtrack for pretty much everything, but I especially like The Road is My Middle Name for my commute. (forgive the weirdo video....guess there arent many Bonnie fans on YouTube. Poor kids don't know what they're missing!)

I also gotta say, I saw her in concert last year and was put to shame. The woman's nearly twice my age and she is sursly SMOKIN'. Not to mention she totally rocked out.

Now, onto the truly shameful...I gotta admit I'm loving Lindsay Lohan's new(ish?) song Bossy.

Because, let's face it, I too am just a little bossy. I like it how I like it, when I like it, and, well, that's how it is. (Hear that hubs???) Ahhhh, if I only had her millions so I could make all that a reality.

On second thought...I think I'll keep my life. Samantha Ronson just isn't doing it for me.

Hopefully my final pick will redeem me a little bit.

The only fella to make my list, Ben Sollee is a local artist I've been crushing on since seeing him perform at the 21 c pajama party. Listening to him perform Fiona Apple's Extraordinary Machine on his cello literally have me chills. Granted Fiona was pretty much the soundtrack ad nauseum during all my angst-riddled teen years (those being from about 1994 until last week), but his version was A-MA-ZING. To quote my new hero Rachel Zoe...." I Die!"

Come to find out Ben's other stuff isn't half bad either. But since I just admitted to enjoying the music stylings of the infamous Ms Lohan, maybe your should take someone else's word on it: NPR named him one of their "Top Ten Unknown Artists" last year.

Discover him now....he's going to be BIG.

That's about sums it up....someone please berate me the the Lohan pick.

It's official.

2008-09-09T22:26:00.006-04:00

I've decided I MUST have a four poster bed.

NOW.

I'm totally enraptured by the ikea hemnes. The hubs seems to think the yellow is foul, but I know -- with the ridiculously ginormous yellow mid-century lamps that I'm about to get from an aunt in a freshly painted white room -- that it will be genius. I mean, like, unspeakably prefect. Especially with my fab chevron pillows.

Vision. I have it. He doesn't.

Thankfully he makes it for it with his boyish good looks, witty charm...and lucrative career.

Somebody has to support my design habit. All these pretty things don't pay for themselves!

I've never been so excited about a pillow.

2008-09-09T11:48:00.005-04:00

I recognize that it's sort of ridiculous, but my heart literally skipped a beat when this deal popped up on my google reader screen. Every since domino featured that b&w chevron vase a couple of months ago, I've been completely OBSESSED with chevron. Unfortunately, the pieces of really coveted were from Oscar De La Renta, so not exactly in my price range. My love/hate for Rubie Green also centered around her chevron design, but alas, also not in my meager (ok, nonexistent) budget.

But today, an average-as-can-be overcast Tuesday, the gods suddenly aligned in my favor and two of these lovely brown and white silk suckers are now mine. (Yay!) Thanks to undrgrnd deal of the day, I got them at 40% off! While anything not in the clearance bin at Home Goods is sort of a splurge for me, getting this much style for less than 70 bucks is a steal.

I am SOOO psyched!

White Rooms

2008-09-08T18:27:00.004-04:00

I'm headed upstairs to work on yet another coat of white paint (boo!)

This is the first room I've ever painted white. Give me chartreuse or indigo or fire engine red...I've always been patient with the crazy, vivid coors. Coat after coat, the white still isn't covering. It still looks streaky. I can't seem to rid myself of the beigey grossness. I want pure, clean, fresh. Not blah. This is what I'm after:

More Pretty Pics

2008-09-08T09:44:00.007-04:00

hmmm...Another weekend came and went. I was mildly productive. I did some painting, some laundry, some cooking....none were really followed though. I attempted to sew for the first time. (stupid tangled bobbin thread!) But more than anything, I thought about all the house projects I wanted to get done...spent time stalling looking for more inspiration...and, as usual, managed to finish nothing. So here's a few select pics to help pull me through another week. Maybe this time next week my home will look a little more like some of these.

What can be said about this? Um, yeah. It's pretty much perfection. I love the muted greige-y-ness. And envy the feminine pink touches (they would never be allowed in my house).

Why don't my expedit shevles look like this? Oh, yeah, b/c I'm a lazy, cheap mess. My attempts are organizing perfection are always stalled because I'm too "frugal" to spend the money on all matching baskets and boxes. I also don't understand how people's stuff all seems to match. Even my junk is inferior.

Maybe if this was a sleek magazine shot, but this is real....somebody's house on flickr.

Thanks for kicking me when I'm down, random perfect stranger.

Why do I love thee? Let me list the ways...

Bold, ceiling to floor drapes? Check.

Monogram pillow shams? Check.

Adorable Ugly Doll? Check.

Yummy patterned wallpaper? Check.

Cool vintage-ish typography sculpture? Check.

Bright (dustfree) lacquery nightstand? Check.

White walls, but still colorful? Check.

This pretty much has EVERYTHING I want going for it. Style, whimsy, inviting, clean. And, I came across this pic as a runner up in the Jonathan Adler Happy Chic Home contest...a contest I wanted to enter, but couldn't get my place picture perfect in time. Damn. My maximalist look is more about clutter and laundry that panache. Maybe next year...

Helloooo, (good lookin') stripes. You will be in my life sooner than hubs knows it. If you're reading this Chad, please inform Ian that he needs to bring home plenty of painters tape and pop an extra Adderall. Momma needs a new striped hallway. ASAP. sursly.

P.S. Make mine horizontal. Please and thank you.

Oh Rubie Green...

2008-09-05T11:09:00.006-04:00

I love to hate you so. I covet your stripes, your zebra, your florals, your pineapples. I die for your chevron.

Yet, alas, at $90/yard you will never be in my life.

And I hate you for it.

Not to mention you had my *dream* job as an editor at domino and gave it up to taunt me with all your pretty patterns....you're such a bee'otch.

(I don't mean that. Please forgive me. I love you more than you'll ever know.)

Please come up with a line at my local Hancock Fabrics, where none of the Amish sewers will appreciate you, so you'll end up in the clearance bin, where at long last, you can BE MINE. Please and thank you.

LOL

2008-09-04T10:49:00.003-04:00

Thanks for the card, dear.

I don't know how to put this...

2008-09-04T10:16:00.006-04:00

but I'm kind of a big deal.

I'm very important.

I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany.

Okay...not really. Actually I have many back issues of Martha Stewart weddings and my apartment smells of garlic, stale beer, and the occasional gooey chocolate baked good.

But, if I were important, I think my place would look something like this:

There's something about a secretary desk, stocked full of embossed notecards that just reads uber uppity and important to me. Guess I wouldn't be scrawling grocery lists on the back of Target receipts (and passing it off as "green") anymore.

And this.....it's all like: Yes. I know that art work is hideous. But you can't afford it.

Damn exclusivity.

And the raw linen settee. C'mon?!? How are you supposed to sprawl out for an SVU marathon on that?

Guess I'm an oversized microfiber couch kinda girl. (pout.)

And, sursly, I would take an entire staff to keep my bathroom this clean. Have you seen what a mess Bare Minerals make? And don't get me started on all my impromptu bang trimmings. I can take a sink from pristine to filthy in 30 seconds flat!

And, finally, only super-duper important people have closets that look like this. My two season old Rue 21 blouses just don't look quite the same no matter how neatly I hang them.

*sigh*

(As Usual*) Alanis Said It Best

2008-09-01T18:24:00.008-04:00

Isn't it ironic that the day we've set aside to memorialize all our hard work is best spent lounging around with loved ones? Our couch saw some serious action - or rather utter lack of action - today. So in honor of our all hard-earned slothfulness, some of my fav couch/living room pics:

(*but, NO! hubs, I won't go down on you in a theatre...)

Bling

2008-08-29T18:07:00.004-04:00

This would make a truly happy friday.

So i like to cook...

2008-08-28T23:55:00.005-04:00

but I bet I'd LOVE to cook if it were in one of these kitchens.

I vow that my next place has open shelving. And white subway tile. And a farmhouse sink. And....oh to dream :)

Yes!

2008-08-28T10:28:00.005-04:00

pretty pics

2008-08-27T22:22:00.002-04:00

somebody has a new addiction

2008-08-23T01:33:00.004-04:00

my first time tinkering with photoshop

alas...

2008-08-22T17:19:00.002-04:00

today I'm blahhhh.

But that doesn't mean my house should be.

A little inspiration to get me thru the weekend.

back to the bedroom...

2008-08-13T17:06:00.004-04:00

making progress....it no longer "smells like bigfoot's d*ck"....(i can't believe i just typed that...) and the dog hair tumbleweeds have met their match (aka our mini shop vac AND hand-held dyson)

it seems like all the bedroom images I'm drawn to have white walls....but i think we're still into the brown....all 3.5 coats of it (argh!)

so brown it is...though I prefer to think of it as "chocolate"

maybe that's just my diet getting in the way of my designing...if I start referring to the hallway as creme brulee i'll know there's a problem...

more inspiration to get by butt in gear:

Today's Fav Images

2008-08-09T01:02:00.004-04:00

In no particular order...

Creativty

2008-08-03T21:11:00.002-04:00

In 37 east steps...

Sweet dreams...

2008-08-01T23:21:00.006-04:00

As I prepare to crawl into bed - after what seemed like the longest week in history - some beautiful boudoirs to inspire tranquil zzzzz's.

Now wish me a restful slumber so maybe I can find the energy to transfer my crack den of a bedroom into a inhabitable space this week.

DIY

2008-07-31T12:46:00.003-04:00

Saw these fab wall flowery thingys on AT a couple of months again....in a bathroom...i think??

Can't find the image now...grr!

But, after seeing them on decor8 today -- found out they're for sale at Urban Outfitters....guess I'm going to have to trek my butt out do some recon. I suspect that rather than blow $40 bucks at UO, I'll mosey on over to Hobby Lobby to make some myself....we'll see...gotta love a project :)

my new favorite toy

2008-07-25T15:05:00.005-04:00

Made using a reading from my wedding and this

(thanks to nicole from Making it Lovely for the link)

woah!

2008-07-24T12:35:00.002-04:00

I never hopped on board the granite countertop craze....and may now be healthier b/c of it.

Wow!

omg -- that's me!

2008-07-24T09:59:00.003-04:00

Nothing like the cheap thrill of seeing MY handiwork posted on a major national website. (:

Guess the knot deemed mine the most creative program in the land....or at least pretty enough to post on their homepage. Now if I could only figure out how to turn my love for all things wedding design into a (lucrative) career......oh, to dream!

Sometimes...

2008-07-11T13:38:00.006-04:00

I wish I didn't have to pretend to be all grown-up and proper.

Instead, I wish I had a trust fund that allowed me to travel the world finding great surf spots (not that I surf...but that's beside the point.) I'd be really into photography and some obscure Eastern religion....with a badass sleeve tattoo (but NOT AT ALL like John Mayers'. he's such a douche.) I'd be so 1920's glam, but, like, really down-to-earth and natural. And carefree.

Instead, I'm pressed and prim Target clearance blouse with dark denim jeans and little preppy pearls....all young, creative, professional crawling up the corporate ladder in my TJ Maxx heels. I'm not really "into" anything, except appearances. I don't have a mantra or a philosophy. My creative outlet flourishes at Pottery Barn. ick.

No wonder all my twenty-something-friends are insecure and miserable. Look what we've become.

When I grow up, I want to be her:

Photography by Lisa Candela

How do I say "no"?

2008-07-11T13:16:00.004-04:00

c'mon look at that face?

I don't stand a chance.

*sigh*

Say it ain't so?!?

2008-07-09T16:20:00.004-04:00

Steve and Barry's is filing for bankruptcy!

Where am I supposed to get my fix of Sarah Jessica Parker ballet flats for $8.98?!?

What's a (broke-ass) aspiring fashionista to do?!?

Sursly, I just discovered my local Steve and Barry's hidden in the most unlikely shopping center. A true gem admits a strip mall of scrap-booking shops and dollar stores. I thought I was dreaming...I mean $8.98! Are you f-in' kidding me?!? A seersucker suit? Adorable black vest? Flannel ballet flats? Aviator sunglasses?

yes. Yes. YES!

I was IN LOVE.

And now its gone.

damn.

Who names their son Thorpe?

2008-07-07T18:58:00.009-04:00

I once had a (viking) bunny named Thor. He lived in my dorm room, defending my honor. I was a bit of a floozy sophomore year, guess he didn't do the best job...but that's beside the point.

It seems I'm just full of irrational hatred today.

First poor Mrs. Joel. Now onto random crackhead on craigslist.

You see, it all started when I wanted this table.

Solid marbled top, carved painted wood bottom. I pictured it filling that enormous void in my soul...okay, that empty spot in my living room. And at just $40 bucks, the hubby gave me the okay. So I did what any normal craigslist addict would do, sent a polite (yet eager) email to the seller asking if was still available and trying to coordinate a quick, painless weekend rendezvous.

Now, let me preface this all by stating that I am by no means a craiglists newbie. I've had my dreams dashed by enough mid century sofas and danish modern consoles to learn not to get too excited. The goodies always get scooped up pretty quickly, but I pride myself on striking fast and have my share of CL victories. (I love you avocado velvet caned side chair!) That's why this episode perturbed me so....

After agreeing to meet Friday afternoon or Saturday morning, the seller -- who never gave me his name, just an email address that read "Thorpe" -- said he was working out family plans and would be in contact. Now I understand that it's a holiday weekend, but really Mister. I'm going to drive to your house. Hand you a wad of cash. And load up the furniture that you posted. What do you have to lose here? UGH!

So then, after hearing nothing, I politely email on Sunday, letting "Thorpe" know I'm still interested and able to get it whenever is convenient for him. I get a response back saying that he's, and I quote, "not in any hurry, hope your not..."

Excuse me? I'm not trying to rush into a hasty marriage with you here buddy. I'm not a sleazy quarterback pushing the innocent cheerleader around the bases too fast.

I just want to buy your coffee table.

YOU posted it. I'm sitting here with an empty living room. Some may call it a coincidence. I prefer to look at it as fate.

Now CALL ME BACK!!!!!! (pretty please) I'd really like that table.

No Pressure

2008-07-07T13:36:00.004-04:00

This (regular) blogging thing is harder than I thought...

It's not like I need to say something monumental every time I post, right?

So here's a mini-rant...

As if, domino cover girl Katie Lee Joel isn't obnoxious enough. (ugh, she was such a boring troll in Top Chef!) It seems the magicians at domino (aka the prop guys) helped to make her already unattainable Manhattan space just a little more frustrating for me. (and, yes, I'm taking it personally...)

Note the (ADORABLE) chairs she's ever-so-preciously perched upon on in the cover...

Now, flip to page 110 and note the same dining room, same spoiled celebrity wife pretending to do common housework...with YET ANOTHER set of amazing chairs. Now maybe she has some secret hidden room where they stash all kinds of fabulous furniture that the maids swap out at her whim....but my guess is domino brings these kind of things around to make us all feel inadequate.

Damn Cincinnati Craiglist for not having sets of velvet covered Louis XV chairs that I can afford.

Damn her for making me want them.

At least I don't have to sleep next to this. yuck.

I still love you domino. Even though you break my heart.

A Strange Obsession

2008-06-25T17:24:00.004-04:00

I blame this image on creating my recent obsession with black toilet seats. I mean if its good enough to grace the pages of Domino (and support the tush of some famous designer or another) than I must have it, right?!?

(Why doesn't my husband appreciate this logic?...)

So on to Amazon.com (evidentally the place to buy black toliet seats online), where I bought my shining black beauty.

It arrived today. And I eagerly installed...a little too eagerly. It seems I forgot notice the hinge between the lid and seat was busted.

So what's a girl to do? Amazon will have another here by Friday. In the meantime, if I have to tinkle......guess those warehouse guys are getting some used, defective goods returned...Ewww!

hehehehe

Honey Joe says hello

2008-06-25T16:29:00.004-04:00

Honey Joe never had aspirations to be famous. In fact, if you really put him on the spot he'd likely admit that he is shocked to be around and kicking it these days. Honey Joe was gifted to a very sweet baby over twenty-five years ago. That tiny, innocent baby grew into a wild, severely ADD ridden toddler. How Honey Joe survived those turbulent years remains a bit of a mystery, but he definitely has a few battle wounds as evidence to his abuse. A few tears, a mended nose, a missing eye, but still very much loveable.

The toddler grew into a child, as they often do. (A child that consequently insisted on being called Bulletproof, as they NOT so often do...) Somewhere during the teen years Honey Joe likely became a source of embarrassment -- banished to closets during sleepovers, hidden from a little sister's heckling. Eventually, that little boy left for college and his mother loving packed Honey Joe along for the journey.

I'm honored that somehow -- call it fate -- that journey ended with me. That wild, hyperactive little boy grew up to be my crazy, fun loving husband. His beloved teddy bar holds post on my grandmother's bench, guarding us from monsters under the bed (not that monsters could ever hurt Bulletproof!).

How HJ (aka Honey Joe) became famous is a whole 'nuther story. It began with an InStyle magazine article featuring the home of model/actress/hottie (Kentucky native -- yee haw!) Molly Sims. While pursing the glossy, I became entranced with some dreamy artwork that I could never afford. Ever the Martha-wannabe, I decided to DIY. (When in doubt -- or, like me, debt -- always do-it-yourself.) With some leftover craft materials, a fistful of singles, and a bad 90's love song echoing in my head, I embarked to make some Fab art.

Weaning momentum got the best of me (as it often does...) and it took a couple months (and an impending house full of visitors) to make me finish it. But finish it, I did. Even finding time to document my progress during my Spring Cure (i sursly *heart* Apartment Therapy). There the finished photo sat on my flickr account, waiting to be discovered.

A few voyeurs stumbled across it, complimenting my handiwork. But Honey Joe set mostly unnoticed for weeks. It took a tipsy, late night submission to AT's new Roomark feature to hoist HJ into fame, but suddenly there he was being viewed my thousands. Favored by tens. Blogged about by complete strangers. HJ's instant notoriety made me a tinge jealous. Shouldn't it be me getting this attention? Should I get the glory?

It's those questions from which blog posts are born.

Back on the Bicycle

2008-06-25T16:11:00.003-04:00

Whoever claimed riding a bike is one of those things you never forget was clearly not around to witness the antics of me attempting to mount and ride the shiny blue two wheeler Ian surprised me with this past birthday. Fully decked out -- streamers, a bell, and basket -- I sat hopelessly paralyzed waiting for those youthful instincts to come flooding back.

They didn't.

Nevertheless, I pushed forward. A little gravel in my flip-flop. Wide eyed as hell. And despite my thighs' protest, I rode....even managing to have a little fun a long the way.

Starting this blog is a bit like that. I know there's a writer in here somewhere. Maybe a little glimmer of talent even. Those blasted college professors managed to edit what little creativity I had going for me....but I'm here to reclaim it. Thesis sentences be damed. Grammar? Ha, we'll see.

I know I have a passion for all this design stuff. And everyday I'm gaining a little more confidence in my eye -- my ability to spot trends, pick colors, understand what makes X go with Y....and, more importantly what makes Y "so fab" with Z. I just need to start putting it out there. I need to set aside those country girl insecurities and unleash (as Kimora would say...god, I hate her) my Fabulosity on the world. So here goes nothing....

hold on tight!