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It’s been a while. There’s really no other way to start this post other than to acknowledge it and move on gracefully from there.
I travel a bit more with work these days and have started a little tradition of trying to visit at least one local business before I leave town. My days are [...]
diy terrarium hostess gifts
By mysundrymusings On November 21, 2012 · 2 Comments · In decorating, do it yourself, entertaining and hosting
I have created the loveliest hostess gifts in the last couple of weeks.
To be fair, it’s not a project I came up with solely on my own. Terrariums are kind of a thing right now so if you’ve paid attention to the style blogs lately, I’m not doing anything that the big girls haven’t [...]
I found this gorgeous vase at ABC Home and Carpet two weeks ago in New York. At the request of a friend, who coincidently shares the same name as me, I visited the store and fell in love with everything in it. My eyes were set on a new leather purse [...]
In a month or so, my mom is coming to visit me in Seattle. I took a look around my apartment and realized I need to do some tidying up. Here’s what’s on the list.
Linen curtains for the living room
If you notice, I have curtains on one side of my apartment, [...]
When I moved into my first house after college to begin every graduate’s rite of passage (paying my own rent and living hand to mouth), I bought this soap in a small boutique in Florida to christen my new place. The honey almond scent was intoxicating and I was hooked the moment I smelled it. [...]
Remember my DIY project earlier this fall, a DIY fabric headboard? Well, finally, I finished the project with this accent piece, Dwell Studio’s Batavia Azure pillow. It was a gift this Christmas from zee boy, and it brings me such joy each morning to plop it on my bed as the last finishing touch before [...]
studio 101: diy stackable drawers for storage in small spaces
By mysundrymusings On December 5, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In decorating, do it yourself, studio 101, thrifting
I really can’t remember if I’ve share this on my blog yet but I think this was a clever idea for creating a DIY side table. A year and a half ago a friend of mine knew that I was intrigued by the idea of stacking shelves together to create a side table. The architecture firm she worked for [...]
It has been the rage among design communities as of late to make your own fabric headboard. I can’t take much credit for creating this idea on my own, I defer to the talented Grace of Design Sponge for the large stepping stone from which I launched this project off of several months [...]
Hi, I’m Natalie, and I blog about my happenings, inspirations and favorite things over at Natty Michelle. Like Catherine, I’m a girl from the south, and there are some southern-inspired traditions and habits that are hard to shake, no matter where you live when you grow up. Catherine asked me to explain [...]
studio 101: unfinished projects
By mysundrymusings On September 20, 2011 · Leave a Comment · In decorating, do it yourself, studio 101
Have you ever had one of those times when you find yourself in a design rut? Nothing seems to make you happy no matter how many new arrangements you create or how many new accent pieces you seem to find. You finish one project, and you’re off trying to figure out how to complete the [...]
I knew when I purchased my white couch that I was asking for trouble. Owning a long haired cat with a finicky stomach and penchant for hairballs meant that my couch would be the target for many accidents and an excellent testing site for various stain removal products.
Let’s say she’s christened it twice already [...]
Growing up, my parent’s linen closet was a disaster.
Come to think of it, most closets in my house growing up were a disaster save for a few areas that the cleaner family members held sole control. Competing against each other were two sets of people: the mad hatter mess makers (Mom and my brother [...]
When I originally told the story about my good fortune with the new couch, I failed to mention the new pillows I purchased for the sofa! On my way home from purchasing the couch, and before they could deliver it, I stopped by Target to pick up a few things and peruse their home [...]
I’m in the process of gathering materials for a fabric headboard I plan to make for my double bed. Grace from Design*Sponge has a great tutorial on her website that gives easy step-by-step video instructions on how to make it yourself. I’m down to a handful of fabric choices and while I think I’ve [...]
Should it be any surprise, really?
My inspiration board rotates every few months with pictures, mementos, torn out magazine pages and a cornucopia of visual stimulants to keep my mind fresh with new ideas for fashion, design and life. A few weeks ago I created this board for some looks I either want [...]
This post has been sitting in my queue for far too long. Back in February, I took the ferry over to the Kitsap Penninsula to celebrate the engagement of my good friend Chris. I was astounded at the amazing bungalow Chris scored over on Bainbridge Island and even more impressed at the unique way he [...]
Behold.
Let me tell you the story.
I’ve wanted a new couch since the day I first settled into Seattle. When I left Georgia, I sold, donated or gave back all of my furniture and housewares at a garage sale, to my friends or to my mother who somehow believes [...]
By a show of hands, how many of you remember the Caboodle?
How many of you actually owned a Caboodle?
And keeping your hands raised, how many of you still have it somewhere in your possession? Note: Tucked away in a closet at your parent’s house doesn’t count.
For whatever reason, I never got rid [...]
Above my stove I have three shelves that hang perilously on the wall, courtesy of my landlord. I haven’t been completely fond of them, to tell the truth, so I’ve had quite the time trying to figure out how to work with what I’ve been given. With the Stella and Dot party tonight, I spent [...]
Hi lovelies. Have a wonderful weekend and I will see you on Monday!
I’ve become quite the snob these days when I walk into gift shops while traveling. If an item doesn’t pass my stringent test for durability, applicability and sensibility after a vacation, I don’t buy it. I’ve carried home far too many items [...]
After babysitting for a plethora of families from Georgia to Washington, I came to one very astute conclusion: people have various take on posting things on their refridgerator doors.
I prefer to keep my fridge inspirational and to rotate every few months.
I keep a pretty groomed Google Reader.
Bottom line: If you’re on it, consider yourself honored.
And if I comment on your blog, consider it a Pulitzer.
Erin Gates of Elements of Style writes about high end decorating while adding a bit about her personal life to the mix. I like her writing style [...]
I really, really like my bathroom.
Space is at a premium, most of the tiles are chipped and I’m sure things are leaking behind the walls that would only send me packing to a new place. Nonetheless it has character and charm and I like it. The painting above the shelf was given [...]
I’m always fascinated by people who have something that’s their signature mark.
My friend Susanna hands out small party napkins with every drink she serves.
My mother has always worn perfume since the day I was born.
Dana, the chef I always talk about (and mother of some of my favorite kids), keeps a [...]
I don’t know how I thought of this idea years ago, and I’m certainly not claiming that I was the first person to do this. But when I was in high school I used to take wrapping paper, cover my shoe boxes and keep old letters or photographs in them instead of buying the $10 [...]
From my mother:
Cat:
The secret to hanging pictures or more specifically, to banging nails into plaster, is to gently place two pieces of Scotch Tape crisscrossed over the spot where you want to nail the hole and gently rub down. Then carefuly hit the end of the smallest nail recommended for the weight of [...]
I have yet to do a walk through of my apartment on my blog, studio 101 in my building. I think it’s the perfectionist in me knowing that it’s nowhere near what I want it to be and I can’t imagine hundreds of eyes critiquing every corner and thinking about what I could have done [...]
I can’t take complete credit for this idea since my mother and an old article from Domino Magazine were my original sources of inspiration, but I have wanted a good bookcase ever since I moved to Seattle. For one reason or another I just couldn’t find something that made me happy. After three years in [...]
When I was a freshman at the University of Georgia, I spent the Monday of fall finals week deer hunting with a friend in the woods of north Georgia. Yes. I wore camouflage. Kate Spade would be proud. As I sat quietly in the woods, I watched my friend shoot a spike (to which he [...]
Oh my.
Back in October I woke up to find Groupon’s deal of the day in Seattle included one of my all time favorite stores in Seattle: Velocity Art and Design.
I couldn’t get my card out of my wallet fast enough to pay for it.
You know the drill: All I had to [...]
