I Miss Camping

I am dying to live outside again... I can't wait until it's warm enough to spend weekends picnicing and swimming at the Columbia river. I can't wait to take some dreamy summer photos of my own.

Into Mint/Seafoam + Coral/Peach

Together or separate:











I really love the idea of using this color scheme for a retro-themed guest room.

J.Crew Spring Love

I shy away from bright colors. I'm very fair-skinned with dark eyes and redish brown hair so colors like hot pink and orange and even some kinds of yellow just completely wash me out and look weird on me. I prefer darker more muted tones because they compliment my complexion. An exception to this rule is turquoise which looks great on those pale and tan alike and look especially beautiful next to copper-colored hair.

Anyway, sometimes I really feel like my day-to-day outfits lack color especially when the weather gets sunnier. I find myself avoiding trying to avoid my issues with color by wearing prints and mixing patterns more but this spring I'm really determined to kick my fears to the curb and bring color back into my outfits.

My inspiration comes from the J.Crew spring collection and their monochromatic styling. I LOVE it, I think it's the perfect solution for me who had trouble pulling off "a pop of color." I love the idea of wearing one hue all over in all different shades. The bright shades will look less severe since there are surrounded by the same hue but they will still stand out. I think their pairing of colors like turquoise/olive, bubblegum/rose and neutral/coral- shades you would never think put together. One would expect dissonance but instead we see what I like to call "agreed to disagree."



Even monochromatic neutrals look colorful when they clash so perfectly like these ensembles. I can't wait to go home this weekend for some prime thrifting so I can get a headstart on some of my own monochromatic looks. Lucky for me I keep my closet organized by color. This could also help me take double-denim one step further!

inspiration abounds

The following are some interiors so inspiring I haven't been able to stop thinking about them.



I have completely fallen in love with the displayed collection of little toy deer in this above-bed shelf.



I think that the pink/white/gold/silver/clear palette of Emily's office is brilliant. I love how she incorporated the Ghost chair so effortlessly.



Every since I first laid eyes on this picture I haven't been able to forget the contrast of the subway tiles and the hexagonal tiles together in one room. Such a thrill for the eye.



High ceilings, nooks, built-in shelving, herringbone floor more than a few of my favorite things. I like the asymmetrical quality to it.



The plants, records, wooden chairs and Buddha bust really give it a 70s vibe but as soon as you look up and see the molded ceilings your sense of time is thrown off in the best way possible.



So much rich color and texture melded together in perfect harmony. I want that wooden-legged-glass-topped table! I love how "beautiful" can also looked "lived in."



Excuse my French but how fucking dreamy is this bed?

Valentine's Day

[source]

I love the pop of red in this black and white outfit. It's definitely inspiring my outfit tomorrow for Valentines day.

Neat Things On Craigslist

One of my favorite internet past-times is cruising Craigslist for an awesome home decor deal. It's sort of like Virtual thrifting. Etsy is the equivalent of going to a vintage store or a real antique store and Craigslist Seattle is like going to Goodwill in Ballard. You never know what you're going to find and often times you overlook something because it isn't on display in a way that makes you say "yeah I could see that in my home!" Which brings me to a plethora of pictures of things on Craigslist that have recently caught my eye and I wish I could purchase.

I apologize for the poor photo quality and small size, that's just how things are in the world of Craigslist.



I love this glass-top desk. The glass really makes it stand out, I would be awesome to do a monochromatic display under it against the dark wood.



How amazing is this lamp? It is basically a bell jar filled with butterflies that you can put a lamp shade on. For $77 this is a total steal. Unfortunately I don't have a place for it and I don't have $77 to be spending on things I have no place for. Bell jars are all the rage in decor these days, though!



A hot plate food cart! I don't know why this caught my eye as it's not really my style. I guess I just really loved the Plexiglas cover. The ad said it would probably make for a great bar cart which could be cool, otherwise it would probably sit in a closet for most of its life.



I'm into lamps these days. Especially those with crystal bases. This would look really awesome with a lemon-colored lampshade to top it off.



A coffee percolator that works! This looks so neat! I love chrome kitchenware and I love it's bulbous qualities.



I'm really into weird dishes. Got to love these plates with vintage ski trip photos emblazoned across them. I'm not sure if these are actually vintage but they're cool regardless.



This wrought iron bed frame is stunning. It would be awesome in a guest room but it would be a shame to not see it very often.

It probably will be awhile before I live in a place that I can decorate exactly as I see fit and where I can justify buying things like vintage crystal lamps but until then I will continue to save all my inspiration in my "Interior Decorating" file meticulously labeled with key words.

Happy almost-Valentines day, everyone! Bake some cupcakes for your neighbors.

Barrister Bookcases

I took piano lessons for ten years from a women who lived in this amazing gold brick house. It was not until recently that I began to appreciate how amazing her house was. It was filled with treasures she had obviously been collection for years from her travels and from life.

I remember waiting for lessons on a Duncan Phyfe sofa and staring the all the books and trinkets kept in the Barrister bookcases she had to pass the time. (This was all in her dining room, by the way). Everything about that house was extraordinary including the blonde-wood Steinway that took up the majority of the living room save for a squishy gold velvet couch. Did I mention that the ceilings were painted gold too? Ah... stunning.

Anyway, I was thinking about her lately and how grand her home was and how amazing it would be to own some Barrister bookcases of my own. This is what one looks like if you are unaware:



I love the scholarly feel to them. They keep dust off your books but still allow you and all of your guests to see how cultured and worldly you are.



Look how smart.

I think this might even been a version in green steel which is sort of need and more industrial looking. I would definitely prefer the wood version though. Particularly an older one with lot's of stories to tell.

adventures in homemaking

I decided to make some Singapore Noodles and photographically speaking, this is how it went:











I'll be honest, I'm still starving. There was pretty much zero protein in that meal so uh... yeah, I ordered a pizza. BUT... I loved the textures and with a little chicken I bet it would be awesome.

Attempting some reStyling tonight, including dip-dying... wish me luck.