TV Stand with Storage... and Height... and Style...

I have been looking to replace the TV stand in our bedroom for a while now, but it seems like my list of requirements is a mile long... thus making it impossible to find anything that will work!  The current TV Stand was a Craigslist find from a few years back - it's dark wood, low to the ground, and really nothing too special.  I think it may have come originally from Target. It does the job, but we need something taller, and it NEEDS to have storage.

To add onto this equation - it also has to be narrow, since our monster King size bed moved in with us, and the way our room is laid out, you walk between the TV stand and the bed to get to the SINGLE bathroom in our apartment.  Awesome.

Anyway, I had been thinking "console table" but it's rare to find a console with storage, and most dressers are too "fat" for this space - we need at least several feet for the walkway, otherwise it is just going to feel WAY too claustrophobic.  I hadn't been having much luck so far, so my hunt had nearly come to a halt... until I discovered this little gem at Ikea!  The Tarva 6 Drawer Chest.  Hello lover!

I know, I know... it doesn't look like much, but when I'm done with it, this simple little guy is going to look phenomenal!

Don't believe me??  Look at a few of these Tarva hacks I dug up online...

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Look at this lovely white number... that high gloss paint, really transforms it into something fabulous, and the greek key appliques covered up the holes where the original pulls went, so each drawer could have a single middle pull.


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This is another super cool take on the original - painted drawers - ombre no less - unique pulls, and a stained top and legs??  Talk about a transformation!


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No clue how they pulled this off, but they make this brand spanking new chest of drawers look old, and cool, like wooden shipping crates...


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And... it's official... this may just be the most versatile piece of furniture, since it serves as a kitchen counter here!


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Finally, my favorite hack (I think) - this one draws inspiration from Hollywood Regency, and I love loovvveee LOOVVVEEE it.  The gold border and the large gold pulls??

Fabulous!

Can't wait to get started on my own version!!

Valentine's Day Table Decor - DIY Project

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What do you do for Valentine's Day each year?  Kris and I have developed a little ritual... every year, instead of going out, we opt to do a simple Valentine's Day dinner at home.  We started doing this a few years ago, because very restaurant was packed, overpriced, and they hype around trying to make it over-the-top special and romantic was way too stressful.  I love doing dinner at home - making dinner together is fun, stress free, and we find ways to make it special.

This year, I'm not sure what we'll be making (rack of lamp perhaps??) but I do know that I want to do a Valentine's Day tablescape.  I was brainstorming a few idea's, and remembered this image that I'd pinned nearly a year ago!  It's super simple, and in my opinion, very sweet.  Wouldn't a dinner table look so pretty with lots of flickering candles inside these paper wrapped mason jars??

HOW TO:

Take an old book you'll never read again, tear out a few pages, and cut to the circumference of your mason jar.  Fold the paper in half and cut out a heart.  If you are super Type A (like me), iron the crease out of the paper, so you can't see the fold. Spread some modge podge on one side.  Place the paper (carefully) inside the mason jar, and seal the ends together.  Finish this off with a piece of twine tied around the top, or ribbon would be really pretty as well!

What do you think??  I think we have a winner!

Bringing the Outdoors In

I'm just going to say it... that Superbowl SUCKED. As a 49ers fan until the bitter end, I think it's best that we just not talk about that painful loss at all.

Moving onto other totally unrelated topics... let's talk about these glorious sun-rooms.  I would give my left arm (since I'm right handed) for an open airy sun-room like these.  Can you imagine how amazing it would be to kick the windows open on a warm, sunny day, and let the outside in... OR on dreary rainy days, wouldn't it be so cozy to curl up and read a book, watching the rain pour down around you??  Ahh, a girl can dream!!

Contemporary Living Room design by Chicago Interior Designer Tom Stringer Design Partners

I especially love this first one - it looks like this sun room is just off the kitchen table - I'd have my cup of coffee there every single morning... and the bead-board paneling??  So preppy and cute.  I could pretend I lived in Connecticut!

Traditional Porch design by Minneapolis Interior Designer Elsie Interior

Floor to ceiling windows??  You don't have to ask me twice!  This is pretty much the most elegant "greenroom" I've ever seen with those pretty vines, the fountain, and PERSIAN RUG. Oh yeah... that's a Persian rug next to the bushes...

Traditional Porch design by Boston Architect Frank Shirley Architects

This next sun-room might be my favorite in terms of design.  For cooler days, it's a fully functioning sun-room  and for warm weather, all those doors slide back, turning this sun-room into an open porch!  Um... genius!

Traditional Bedroom design by Chicago Interior Designer Alan Design Studio

How AMAZING is that sun-room right off the bedroom???  That's not even a question!  Can you imagine waking up to that every day??  Yeah, me either.  Our bedroom looks out on another apartment building right now, so this is pretty much the opposite of that.  I'm in love.

Contemporary Family Room design by Charlotte Interior Designer Lucy and Company
This room was made for a southern tea party!!  Am-I-right???  All the yellow in the room really accentuates the sun streaming in the windows... and on a cold day??  A fireplace - so you can soak up as much sun as you can, while staying toasty by a fire.  Amen to that!!

J'adore Peplum

Ok people - I mentioned last year how I LOVE peplum.  Not just LOVE but LOOOOVVVVVEEEEE.

It's been an ongoing love affair for me, and I couldn't be happier now that I've seen it blowing up everywhere.  It's lady-like, flattering, and totally on trend right now.  I've found myself wearing peplum to work, to brunch, and to go out with girlfriends.  It seriously is the best comeback since leggings (um stretchy pants are back from my childhood??  HELL yeah!)

Need some inspiration??  Well even if you don't, I'm going to give it to you... here we go!

PEPLUM TAKES YOU FROM WORK TO PLAY:

Day to Night Peplum by beckyc1923 featuring a ribbed shirt

Mango ribbed shirt / Blue top, $24 / HUGO high waisted skirt / Schutz pointed toe pumps, $200 / Kate Spade leather handbag / Kate Spade handcrafted jewelry / Gorjana

Need to head into the office, but don't have time to go home and change before going out to nice dinner or happy hour?  Presto chango - take off the cardigan, add a snazzy necklace and you are set!

Kate Spade is the queen of the ladylike bag, and this one is large enough to carry your wallet, car keys, rolled up cardigan, and a pair of ballet flats (for the walk home) but it's not so big as to be obnoxious at a crowded bar scene.

Nude heels?  Classy enough for work, sexy enough to play... and can you really say no to something that makes your legs look longer??  Me either.  Plus that capped toe?  Fierce.

PEPLUM GETS FUNKY:

Modernized Peplum by beckyc1923 featuring leather boots

MSGM lace tank / Mango bike pants, $44 / Givenchy leather boots / Cross body handbag / Bangle bracelet, $140 / McQ by Alexander McQueen wrap bracelet, $110 / Fantasy Jewelry Box chain bracelet / Viva La Diva lip makeup, $14

Not every look with peplum has to channel Mad Men - updating this silhouette with bright colors, or interesting materials makes it modern, and edgy.  Neon yellow anyone??

I love this with leather leggings, and sexy strappy caged booties.  Bracelets upon bracelets are all you need - you do not want a big necklace to compete with this top - and sexy Bardot inspired makeup would be so perfect - big eyelashes and pale lips.

The hair should be big and voluminous and I love the idea of another bright accessory (to avoid looking like a bumblebee in all that yellow and black).  Purple and yellow are opposites, and they always look fabulous together.

PEPLUM GOES CASUAL:

Daytime Peplum by beckyc1923 featuring j crew

Forever New cut out shirt, $31 / Madewell cotton jacket / J.Crew j crew / Tory Burch genuine leather handbag / American Apparel leather strap watch

Nope - I'm not insane.  Yes, it's January, but with sunny weather here in California that is close to 70 degrees, I couldn't help myself!  For those of you freezing your tootsies off somewhere on the East Coast, put this one in the back pocket for this summer, when I'm here bundled up in the fog!

Nautical stripes, and yellow pants scream preppy, which I love, loooveeee, LOOVEEEEE.  These leopard loafers are comfy, and stylish.  Need I say more?  Grab the jean jacket that literally goes with everything, and a side slung brown leather bag, and you are set for anything - shopping, lunching, brunching, wine tasting, or just kicking back with a good book.

Jump on the peplum train y'all - I promise you won't look back!
xo

Valentine's Day Cards

I'm 28, but somewhere in me is still a giddy seven year old girl, who LOVES Valentine's Day.  I just adore the sweet gesture of giving a Valentines card to the ones you love.

I came across this Valentine's Day card online, and thought it was the sweetest thing!

Adorable!  This Site will customize it for you depending on the dates you enter (August 1st, 2006 - 2/14/2013 for example) so the whole process couldn't be easier!

Today is February 1st, and the countdown is on my friends!  Happy ALMOST Valentine's Day!!

xoxo