Crazy Life!

Hello everyone!

Just wanted to check in.  Work has been hectic, life has been hectic, and in the meantime, not much has gotten done!  I'm making a list of things to get accomplished this weekend.

Right now I am organizing and tossing my magazine collection.  I just went through all the wedding magazines and pulled out the pages I wanted to keep & tossed the excess paper.  It certainly was lovely to flip through those pages again!   I cleaned out the bins under the coffee table & worked on organizing the shelves on either side of the fireplace.  I am really working hard to give everything it's appropriate place and do a good bit of spring purging!  Lots of work, but no real photos to share from it!



Photo Credit: Link

 I am going to try to work on my basement curtains this week, promise.  As I'd really like to be able to call the basement "done" for now.  We plan on painting it later, but it's the basement, it can wait!  Our upstairs hallway needs paint much more than the basement does :)

Also, with our tax return, we will have enough cash to finish buying things & start building things in the half bath.  I'm totally nervous to get started [gulp] as it will be the first real "construction" project we are doing.  We just need to purchase the toilet, light fixture & some miscellaneous building materials.  Then we can start the demo!

So, sorry again for the slow posting, hopefully I can get another couple design posts up this week before the weekend hits.  Thanks for following & reading!

How Small is Your Space

I am always super impressed by those who are able to make their tiny apartments look amazing.  I had 700sf in my downtown apartment (thank you cheaper cost of living) and still found it small for all my stuff!  However, the more I research, the more I realize that I just wasn't USING the space to the best of it's ability.  Looking back, now I can think of 1,000 things that I could have done to make that apartment amazing - given the time & a little extra cash!

Today on Apartment Therapy, I came across an article and a HOUSE TOUR of a man that lives in a 275 Square Foot apartment!  Can you believe that!  That is only 100sf bigger than our bedroom!  But he makes it work.  Here are a few of my favorite photos from Apartment Therapy of his dwelling:

Check out the link below to meet the tenant, find out where he lives & get a full house tour.  You wouldn't think it would take almost 20 photos to show his space, but it does & it's great.

Check it out here:  Tiny Apartment Living

This inspires me to get out there and really use the space that I live in & really makes me want to help other people realize the potential of the space they have!  Enjoy.

CasaSugar's Weekend DIY

Yay for Friday!  And Yay for Casa's Weekend DIY

Even though we are currently getting buried under a thick blanket of snow, at least it's Friday & we can spend the rest of the weekend bundled up and indoors if we have to!

Regardless of the weather, I wanted to bring you some DIY projects for the weekend - so if you are stuck inside with bad weather, here are a few ways to make your weekend more eventful!  And there is another Young House Love reference this week!  [Check out their website for progress on their new home!]

www.younghouselove.com

1. Make your own Raised Garden Beds (planting season is right around the corner!)
2. Easy Artwork - Young House Love Edition (seen above)
3. Clean White Crafting Station
4. Ombre Napkins
5. Paper Flower Key Holders
6. Magnetic Poetry (for your fridge!)
7. Jewelry Plant Charms

Check out Casa's Article for all the links to the instructions!  Casa's Weekend DIY

And more importantly have a super weekend!!!

Money Saver: When to buy What?

It is a proven fact that some months are better to purchase items than others.  There is always some type of sale that ties in to an event or date on a calendar, that make certian months hot for certain items.  I acertained this information from Real Simple & thought I'd share it here with you all.

February: Furniture
Retailers are clearing out old styles to make room for new spring lines. You can save 30-60%

March: Televisions
New models are released at the International Consumer Electronics show every January, so retailers want to get rid of their old stock to make room for new TV's which ship in March.  They also recommend Black Friday for another TV shopping day - if you can brave the lines & crouds!  March can get you a 15% savings.

Photo: Real Simple

March: Sandals The first markdowns on Spring Shoes begins in March (sadly enough).  20-30% off

April: Raincoats
Knowing that April Showers are common this month, retailers stock their stores full of rain gear, but don't want to keep it around long, as we all know May brings flowers - not more rain!  You can save up to 25%.

Photo: Real Simple

May: Athletic Apparel & Shoes
Retailers try to convince people that they need to replace last years duds with new gear.  Save 30-60%.

June: Dishware
Welcome to Wedding Season.  Because people are filling their registries with dishware, retailers offer discouts so that you buy more!  Buy buyer & register beware, some styles are only around for 12 months now a days!  Save 25-50%.

Photo: Real Simple

July: Home Decor
We are still in Wedding Season and the retailers are still wanting you to run out and purchase lots of items.  Look for 2 for 1 deals!  Save 20-50%

August: Swimsuits
As depressing as it is, August is saying good-bye to summer, so stores are saying good-bye to their summer inventory.  You can save a whopping 40-70%.

September: Plants
Nurseries are getting rid of their summer plants & making room for holiday plants & trees.  Look for savings of 30-50%.



Photo: Real Simple

 October: Jeans
Back to School is over, so retailers are dumping their extra inventory.  Because people aren't buying as much for Back to School & retailers are still ordering the same amount, they end up with lots of left overs.  Save 30-60%

November: Pajamas & Slippers
Popular Christmas gifts start going on sale to get people to buy boxed sets or sets with extras included.  You can save 30-50%.  Keep your eyes open in January though, these same stores will be clearancing their stock!

December: Outerwear
Sadly enough, spring gear starts hitting the stores in January, and retailers don't want these items hanging around for long.  So while you are out shopping for your family, pick yourself up some new winter gear this month.  You can save 15-40%

Check out their whole article HERE with links to retailers that they know offer discounts.

Turquoise & Citron Inspiration Board

This has got to be one of my favorite new color combos.  We have a pillow on our couch that is turquoise & with the new citron pillows added to the couch, the bright color combo is amazing.  Now we aren't keeping that blue pillow there, it's just for added structure when we are both laying on the couch, but as I look around recently, I see that combo in other places.   I have never been a big fan of yellow, in clothes or in decorating, so how is it that I have fallen in love with this color?

One, it is in every magazine this year, from clothing to decorating & it's such a bright and unusual color, that I'm totally drawn to it.  Secondly, the color appears in the above mentioned combination on my new bags from 31gifts.  The combo is paired with a light grey, and warm grey & a white - leading me to want to create an inspiration board from the bag... here is a photo of my bag:

From 31gifts Spring Catalogue HERE

This picture doesn't really share the citron in as much glory as the bag itself actually does - but believe me,  it's there and it's great!  So this bag inspired me to throw together a room based on this palette.  I am going to start with a living room, but might end up doing a bedroom as well.  You know I'm in love with the Grey & White combo, so when you throw in two wonderful, bright, cheerful colors - how can I pass it up?

Here is the inspiration board for a chic living room scenario:



Lorimer Sectional - West Elm, Audra Slipper Chair - Pier 1, Round
Shell Mirror - Pier 1, Seaglass Lamps - Pier 1, Hive Vases - West Elm,
Recycled Spanish Glass Stacking Vases - West Elm, Remy Canary
Pillow - Crate&Barrel, Tamara Floral Erin Chair - World Market

 
There were so many other great items that I found like artwork:

Aqueous 1 - World Market

And Vases:


Ria Hurricane - Crate&Barrel

 Even these Floor Cushions:

Blanc Noir Floor Pillows - World Market

I think that everyone is in love with this color combo right now.  It's the perfect mix of bright and cheery for your room & easy to make sophisticated, relaxing, casual or any style you prefer.

Casa Sugar's Weekend DIY

Yay Friday!  It could not have come quick enough this week.  We have a busy weekend ahead, so I will try to work hard to get some things accomplished at home.  I've been inspired by looking at some great homes on line this week, and I'd really like to get moving toward the house we WANT.  If we are going to be there for the next 5 years, we better like where we are living, right?

Well here are a couple inspirational weekend DIYs for everyone.  I think it's funny that two of my favorite websites clash this week.... one of the DIYs is from Young House Love - great website if you haven't seen it yet.

Here are this weekend's projects:



Photo & DIY found HERE

1. DIY Stenciled Floors
2. "Date-Stamped" Gift Wrap
3. Coffee Filter Poms
4. Paper Garland
5. Display Shelves

Check out all the photos & links here:  Weekend DIY

10 Budget Ways to Spruce up your Bedroom

Since the economy is what it is, I thought I'd take the opportunity to share a few simple and affordable ways to spruce up your Master Bedroom.

1. Pillows:  You can add pillows to your bed to give a little extra color, texture or just a little something special to the room.  You can buy pillows or make pillow covers for ones you might already have that are a little outdated.  Check out how to cover your pillows HERE!

Deconstructed Rose Pillow - West Elm

2. Throw Blanket:  Again, this is a quick way to add color, texture and interest to the biggest feature in the room, your bed!  Make it a warm snugly one for the winter and something light and airy for the summertime.

Hand-Knitted Throw - West Elm

3. Paint your old Nightstands:  Are your nightstands looking a little dated or ragged?  The simple fix is to give them a quick upgrade with a coat of primer and two coats of paint.  Go bold with a bright color, or sleek with a glossy dark finish.

4. DIY Artwork:  Add an interesting graphic print, or even a great quilt to your wall to add interest behind your bed, and draw the eye to the focal part of the room.  You can even buy pre-hung canvases and give them a little touch of "you" by painting them to match the decor.  Make them solids, add a floral or graphic pattern & Viola!  You have a whole new room.

5. A New Rug:  Do you have hardwood floors in your bedroom?  A new rug is a perfect way to change the whole room.  Go with something dark, or bold to give the room a whole new flavor.


Photo from Real Simple


6. New Lamp Shades:  Pick up a couple modern lamp shades and swap out the old ones for a bright new look.  If the lamps are looking a little old, tape off all of the metallic elements & electrical elements and spray paint in thin even coats for a whole new look to the lamps.

7. Window Treatments:  It's amazing what a few new drapes will do.  Get some great voluminous sheers to make the room more romantic, or black-out roman blinds to make the room nice and dark at night.  You can buy great sea grass blinds & cover them with a light neutral sheer to make the room cosy.  You can even try drop cloths with a great border for something dense, but totally affordable!  There are some great deals on window treatments, so check them out!

Wood-Block Circles Window Panel - West Elm

8. A New Headboard:  Make your own!  Here is a DIY tutorial on how to make one for about $100.  It's easy, I promise, we made ours ourselves!

9. New Doorknobs & Drawer Pulls:  Freshen up the look of your door, closet doors or even your dresser drawers with new doorknobs & drawer pulls.  For a few dollars you can really spruce up the look, or even add some color.


Stanly Home Designs - Meis Cabinet Pull

10. Fresh Flowers:  Run to the store and buy a $5 bouquet of mixed flowers.  Grab two small bud vases, split up the bunch and place one on each nightstand.  Nothing makes the room look and smell better than fresh flowers.  Try Lilacs, Roses, or even Lavender to add a great floral scent to the room.

I plan on sprucing up our bedroom soon & I'd LOVE to pull up the carpet, but all in good time!