Internet Window Shopping

Sooo it was rainy and dreary and dark all day annnd I had nothing to do today and I could not fall asleep last night because of eating a brownie wayyy to late and a thunderstorm at 2am - and the reason I am telling you all of this is because I basically spent the entire day in bed. I know. It's really pathetic. But I am using the weather and my lack of excitement as justification for a bum day.  But here's what I did do today:

• I watched three hours of tv online.
• Spent two hours helping Mark with a paper/various other homework - super-girlfriend to the rescue... wish I had a theme song or a snazzy outfit... sweatpants and a long sleeved t-shirt realllllly are not considered cool in the super-hero business.
• Made myself soup for lunch - yes I did venture out of my room, down the steps, and into the kitchen.
• Attempted and failed at taking a nap
• Annnnd last but certainly not least: I drooled over American Eagle's Spring Line... Here are some of my favorites!!

I love all of these tops because they could be worn with shorts on an outing in Philadelphia on a sunny Friday afternoon with Mark or could be worn with tailored white capris and the gladiator sandals to work. The shorts and beach hat aren't very versatile, but are definitly staples for a vacation at the shore. The yellow purse is something that I am hoping to buy my my tax refund - forreal! I love it! It has a cross-body or over the shoulder strap and handles, has lots of compartments, and it's yellow!! Finally the dress. Oh. This. Dress. I could wear this to work or church with a sweater, on a date by itself, and maybe even to the rehearsal dinner for my sister's wedding!! I am hoping that I get a really nice coupon in the mail from AEO and then can go get some of these items for Spring and Summer.

I am so ready for the warmer weather... aren't you?

-R

Inspired Interiors: Degas Living Room

I have always loved browsing the internet and planning out the decor of my someday dream-house. I was doing that very thing this afternoon and realized I loved the focal point of the room I had envisioned: a painting by Degas. This inspired me to start my first weekly feature: Inspired Interiors! I will design a room based on a painting, a photograph, a movie, etc. and post my design board for you! I am going to also try to stay economically friendly so that I don't get too carried away :) Hopefully my design eye will get better over time and you'll enjoy the decor I post. Here goes nothing...

Degas Living Room

Inspiration: Dancer In Front of a Window by Edgar Degas

 

I think this is absolutely stunning and I could stare at it forever...

Interior: Living Room by Ikea

I envisioned this all in my aunt's front room because I absolutely love her house! It's a split level so the front room, kitchen, dinning room, and family room are on the main floor. I love the way the rooms all flow together but are their own space at the same time... Maybe someday I'll be lucky enough to inherit it from her - HAH right!!

 

I loved the blues from the painting so much! I went to Ikea's website and one of the rooms they have pictured features this area rug and I couldn't believe how perfect it was! I also love the way the easy chair, white accent pillow, and floor lamp are the same pattern (it's a bit hard to tell here but is much more clear on Ikea's site). Ikea sells this pattern in white, beige, black, grey, and blue fabric. I think if it was in my house, I would paint the walls white, use the blue fabric to make curtains and additional accent pillows for the couch, and let the blues in the painting dominate. In a large room the area rug would totally work, but in a small space it might compete with the painting. Additionally, I thought the strong lines in the rug mimicked the vertical panes of the windows and horizontal wooden floor boards in the painting. The couch/chair legs and the coffee table also help bring the wooden floor from the painting to the room. Finally, I felt the room needed a mirror because the ballerina is looking at herself!! - yes yes you probably scrolled back up and looked again and indeed found the base of a floor length mirror in the bottom right corner of the painting - it's easy to miss :) In a larger room, a floor length mirror on a stand would look gorgeous in the corner draped with a pair of ballet shoes or positioned next to a vintage dress form, but for a smaller space, I felt this gold mirror would be perfect. It's shape mirrors (get it? mirror? ohh so bad but so good) the dancers arms. Her pose from the waist up forms an oval. Ah. I just love it! I think it all works so beautifully - and best of all - the painting is the focal point! 

Throw Pillows - $12.99/$6.00

Couch - $400.00

Easy Chair - $59.99

Blue Vases - $12.99 for the set

Black Picture Frame - $29.99

Coffee Table - $199.00

Floor Lamp - $99.00

Gold Framed Mirror - $79.99

Blue Area Rug - $399.00

SO - What do you think? About the room and about the feature?

-R

Fabulous Find!!

Today my mom, younger sister, and I went out shopping. We needed to get paper and supplies to make the invitation for my sister's surprise bridal shower (which I will be showing once it is completed). Coincidentally our favorite thrift store moved to a larger location that happens to be right across the street from A.C. Moore. We were like kids in a candy shop!!

We browsed through the furniture, the clothing, the purses and belts, the books... but nothing really stood out to us. As my mom was paying for a DDR mat for Sarah, I noticed a ladies wingback chair right by the entrance. I must have missed it when we walked in! I decided to sit because there were a few people in line and was pleasantly surprised. It was in great condition, super comfortable, and the perfect size... so I looked at the price tag: $50! Annnd guess what? Today the whole store was 25% off. Wanna know what's even better? It is the exact color of my bedroom! My mother agreed it was perfect!!

After a little febreeze and vaccuming shes looking FABULOUS. I cannot wait to read, crochet, blog, drink my morning coffee,etc. while sitting in her! She's perfect. I am in love.

 

My next project will be making a footstool to go with her :)

BREAKING NEWS

well, folks... i have BREAKING NEWS to share:
JUSTIN BIEBER
CUT. HIS. HAIR. that famous coif is gone...

                 Before                                                                           After

I think he's going for an older look... and I think it's working for him! It's like the Zac Efron thing... only Justin never let his get long and greasy... PTL!

They're both still adorable...
OH and the kicker - they're auctioning Justin's hair off for charity... I don't know about you but I wouldn't want to buy someone's hair. Slightly creepy. Majorly gross.


On a more important note... Last night I won Scrabble! I beat mom, dad, and the boy!
He was trash talking before the game started and was "so excited to crush me"... not so fast Mister! My Dad thinks I cheated... my mother says I used the circumstances to my advantage... but I think you need to hear my side of the story...

Mark was stuck and when I asked him if he wanted help he immediately said yes! I looked at his letters and didn't see much that I could make a word from... I did notice, however, that he had a U. Mark always went right before me so I was preparing my letters for my next turn and really needed a U to make the word I wanted to make. I knew it would be cheating to help Mark use the U on purpose, so I just figured I'd exhaust all other options first. Well, I couldn't come up with much... so he made the word "EMU"

Then it was my turn. I made the word "QUALM". Due to some double letter score, triple word score, and high point scoring letters, I gained a whopping 50 points! He shook his head and said "You schooled me!!" and I just giggled. My dad scoffed and my mom high-fived me. I was winning and it felt good...

A few turns later Mark happened to be in the same predicament and I helped him make the word "BAND"... and again I just happened to be able to use the A in his word to make "COAX"... for another whopping 45 points... I actually couldn't believe he wanted my help the second time but I really did not help him to get the advantage... He was 100 points behind mom, dad, and I so he knew he had no chance to win and he was a good sport about it! It was nice to throw the trash talk right back in his face :) I beat mom and dad by a few points and that was nice too. They play so often and usually beat us kids wicked bad!

sorry the picture isn't too good... I sent it from my phone...


All in all we had a great time playing and the best part was that he came up for dinner and spent the night with my family :) it was also quite comical that he didn't believe qualm or coax were real words :) ohh boy!!

-R

Never Say Never

So today I did something that a week ago I would probobly have made fun of myself for doing...
I saw the Justin Bieber movie.

And. I. Loved. It.
loved it.


He is actually ridiculously talented!! He plays piano, guitar, the drums, the trumpet... maybe other stuff too - holy cow! And his voice is real. He's no Britney Spears - he's the real deal. And little Jaden Smith!! I mean I loved Willow, but he is just adorable. Major crush on the Smith family!!

Aside from his cute laugh, cute face, cute music, and cute hair he is really really talented. He might be from Canada but he is the epitome of the American Dream. He started out with a pretty un-fabulous life and has persevered and followed his dream. In one year he went from a youtube sensation to selling out Madison Square Garden... I think we should really admire him for his dedication and hard work... not many people go after their dreams anymore...
Anyways - Enjoy the video! And if you have ten dollars and two hours... JB is your man :)

<3 R