It's been awhile

So it's been a long time since I've posted, not that I've been particularly busy (I have), it's mostly that I hate how little control I have over the design of this blog and I'm trying to get motivated enough to design my own someplace else. I've been working on a couple things for my living space with a lot of help from my super handy/crafty mother. There are lots of pictures to come. The Ugly Dresser is now an awesome Artfully Antiqued Discussion Piece and my ho-hum Target desk now looks like a million bucks. Or at least it will. Tomorrow.

In other news, we've also been working on my bathroom. The giant mirror has been removed and will be replaced by a smaller medicine cabinet with coordinating side cabinets with frosted glass. The 70s textured wallpaper has been updated with a light blue that reminds me of the sky in the fall -- kind of a musky grey blue. More to come about that later.

Much love, Morgan

Zappos for your home

Something fantastic has occurred! Everyone's favorite online shoe source, Zappos, has added a housewares department. Zappos is famous among online companies for amazing customer service. I can't wait to try it out! I was expecting maybe just linens and maybe some home decor, but they took it all the way and now offer cookware, small kitchen appliances and items for bed and bath rooms. I personally can't wait until they have furniture and whether they would be able to extend their great customer service that far.

Fish Tank

I cleaned my fish tank. I thought he was going to die it was so dirty. But Ziggy is fine now. He shall live on! P.S. this is an old pic... don't judge. It is the same Ziggy, though.

Emersonmade

I'm really digging Emersonmade lately. Their flowers have had my attention for a while now, and I very much want each one, maybe three or four of each one. Then they came out with super cute clutch handbags, which I will posses sooner rather than later. And now. Now they have come out with a clothing line. Real, fantastic, professionally designed skirts, dresses and pants. I could not be more excited. Particularly since I am now employed and in the market for new daytime attire.

I am partial to EVERYTHING. I know, I know. But I am! I love everything so much. I am so sad that it is a little on the expensive side for my bank teller budget.

The best part about all these pieces, is that I could wear all of them (sans jeans) to work. It is incredibly difficult to find unique, inexpensive, well made pieces to wear at work.

I love that each design is conservative and fun and age appropriate! It's so refreshing to come across clothes I could wear anywhere! The dress above would be perfect for a wedding or grocery shopping. I mean, really. How rare is that? The skirt below? Work, church, a date. I wouldn't put it on to go garden or anything, but it's so versatile! I'm in love. Someone please buy these for me.

Hob-knobbery

I love interesting hardware. I'm pretty well addicted to any knob, pull, hinge, hook, or finial. It's pretty disgusting, but it passes the time. I typically fulfill this hardware jones at Anthropologie, but lately I've been checking out the more wallet friendly retailers (re. I am cheap and only just got a job, folks!). Hobby Lobby has recentlystarted carrying really adorable drawer pulls and such that are much more practically priced than those at Anthro. I still love you Anthro, but you are a smidgen out of budget about 99.99% of the time. Unless there's a super duper amazing sale. Then I'm all over that. Another great couple places to check out are pretty standard, at least for me -- T. J. Maxx and Tuesday Morning. I'm not sure whether these stores are available everywhere, but they tend to carry really random things, including funky hardware on occasion. Below are the pulls I picked up at Hobby Lobby for my room.

Ugly dresser

So I forgot to take a picture of my ugly dresser before I painted it, but "after" pics will be posted shortly. Mom and I picked out a greatteal color similar to Benjamin Moore's Dragonfly, which I saw in Martha Stewart's color magazine last month. I've never been a huge fan of painted wood furniture, it feels like forced coordination and decoration and, somehow, just seems unnatural. However, I've been checking out the Before and After Archives on Design*Sponge and I think I'm okay with it. I know I want fun knobs and some design element on the drawers and top. A glaze maybe? Or possibly just a lighter shade of teal? Or (and this is my favorite) a piece of artwork on the drawers. It's in development, so we'll see.

Roller Blinds

This is what happens when I stay up too late -- I find projects I think I need to do right away, but don't have all the tools to do. Case and point: After browsing the DIY at Design*Sponge again, I've decided it is imperative that I make myself some roller blinds for my window well. I enjoy the natural light, but not the icky things within the window well itself. I don't want to climb in and clean it or open the window to clean it because, like I said, there are icky things inside.

Anywho, I very much enjoy fabric of all kinds. Right now I'm kind of obsessing over Liberty of London, who isn't, right? At B&J Fabrics there is a plethora of amazing Liberty prints. I'm absolutely in love with a few, and might splurge. Once I find a job. Because I'm jobless living in my parents' basement and I'm just a huge post-college cliche right now, try not to judge.

Here are a few of my favorites, should anyone feel generous enough to gift them to me. This stuff ain't cheap at $36.95 a yard. But for eternal happiness, it just might be worth it.