Archive | Lifestyle RSS feed for this section

Top (Hat) of The Morning

14 May

DIYable: top hat lighting - Mr. Kate

I counted yesterday. I’ve technically been to London at least six times. “Been to” is a relative term, though. So far my longest stint in London was 13 hours … overnight … during a layover on my return from Egypt. I’ve even done some sightseeing. Once on a bus from London City Airport to Kings Cross tube station, I passed by Big Ben and the Eye of London — but it was more like a scene from the Griswalds’ European Vacation than an actual tour.

That said, during my last layover there, I had just enough time to see my sister’s new apartment, grab a pastry and a coffee and discover this amazing idea: top hat lighting fixtures! How adorable are these? I spotted them at this yummy little pastry shop in London’s Angel neighborhood. So naturally, I had to find a DIY. Here’s one from blog Mr. Kate that sounds pretty easy.

A perfect souvenir from another layover in London.

{Photos via Mr. Kate}

Just in Case

16 Apr

DIY Project: Suitcase Vanity and Towel Holder - Design Sponge

I missed last month’s Rose Bowl Flea Market, but I have just the thing in mind to pick up next month: A cute little suitcase like the one in this adorable DIY from Design Sponge. My bathroom is tragically short on space — and decorations — so I think this would be just the thing to spruce it up!

{Photo via Design Sponge}

The Ups and Downs of Planting

26 Mar

DIY Project: Recycled Pallet Vertical Garden - Design Sponge

DIY Project: Recycled Pallet Vertical Garden - Design Sponge

 

I have what is likely the least green thumb on the planet. If any of you have been watching “New Girl” and saw that episode in which Nick finds out he can’t even care for a cactus, that’s me in a nutshell. Still, I always have high hopes for planting projects — especially this one from Design Sponge that seems like it requires relatively low effort for a beautiful result.

And it’s yet another great project you can create using recycled pallets!

{Photos via Design Sponge}

Books As Craft Projects?

12 Mar

The Repurposed Library by Lisa Occhipinti

While the idea of destroying a good book for the sake of style makes me sad, I’m a little more lenient about the practice when it comes to books that aren’t so “good.” I find plenty of these: old books that have a beautiful patina or cover, but a subject matter like “Carrot Farmers of the North Atlantic.” In these cases, I think it’s totally justified to make one of the fun and crafty items found in Lisa Occhipinti’s “The Repurposed Library: 33 Craft Projects That Give Old Books New Life.”

In fact, some of these projects just might serve to put these so-so books in the spotlight more than if they were just taking up room on a bookshelf. What do you guys think? Is it OK to turn a book into a craft project?

Tree of Life

13 Feb

Tree of Life poster by Gary, Aaron & Khairul - Degree

Tree of Life poster by Gary, Aaron & Khairul - Degree

This has to be the coolest poster I’ve ever seen — well, one of them. And it tugs on my animal-loving heartstrings so much. The detail is just stunning!

How To Be Money Saavy

20 Jan

I have to admit that I’m really bad with my money. I try to be reasonable about monthly expenditures and think through the big-ticket splurges, but besides that, I don’t know much about managing money. Investments, retirement savings, and taxes? Zilch. And my biggest nightmare of all? My student loans. Funding college and grad school = a bajillion different loans, passwords, due dates, interest rates, and accounts to take care of. Eek!

If you’re in the same shoes as me, don’t worry; check out LearnVest. I found this site through DailyCandy and it’s such a refreshing take on helping women manage their money. It’s free to become a member and there’s a ton you can do on the site: sign up for bootcamp sessions that walk you through investing and budgeting, link up all of your financial accounts (students loans, personal banking, etc.) and manage them in one place, get tips that are customized for where you are in life (recent grad, expecting a baby, trying to get out of debt) and more. There are a couple of features on the site that do cost a fee, such as personal financial planning with an advisor, but otherwise you can navigate the rest of the site for free and start organizing your spending habits so they reflect your future goals. It’s awesome! And, just in time for tax season. :)

————————————————————

Have a great weekend, everyone! xx

{photos via here & here}

What Do You Wear To Bed?

12 Jan

I’ve been really into sleepwear lately. I used to think it was a waste of money (you’re just wearing it under your blankets!) and that baggy T-shirts and hot pink sweatpants from college was the best combo ever (it still kind of is). But lately, I’ve found that I feel so much better when I’m wearing something flattering to bed; lounging around the house all night becomes pretty fun, plus it just makes you feel clean. If you’re thinking about stocking up, Forever21 has a great sleepwear collection that’s cute and really, really affordable.

What do you guys like to wear to bed?

(photo via}

Angled Bed + Simple Room

9 Jan

I love the idea of placing a small bed at an angle in the corner of a tidy, minimalist room. Do you guys like this? Would you do something similar, and how is your bed positioned now?

{via}

Blanca Gomez

5 Jan

Love these sweet, fun prints by Blanca Gomez. They would perk up any room!

 

Homeless Gift #6: Worth the Splurge?

14 Dec

Topanga Candle Company

Topanga Candle Company

Ok, so I debated whether to include these in my Homeless Gift list, because the price goes way beyond what most people — including myself — would want to pay for a candle. But I just love this idea so much, I couldn’t go without at least mentioning it.

It’s simple, really. Topanga Candle Company takes beautiful old tins, flasks and copper goods, fills them with wax and a few wicks, and turns them into lovely candles. It’s a great way to give function to these great little pieces of history that might otherwise get buried on a dusty shelf. Topanga will even refill your candle for free.

But you’ll pay a pretty penny for these pretty tins, which range from $30 for a tiny copper salt shaker candle all the way up to $300 for a copper fireplace pot. Most candles are about $80 and you can find a variety of colorful tins that just might be worth the splurge.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 223 other followers