Mirror Mirror on the Wall

I have decided what my next project is... Can you guess?

Every day I see our cheap $5 full-length mirror leaning up against the wall, sitting on an upside down hamper for height. True story. This comes after not having a full length mirror in our apartment for the first two years we lived in Chicago.  IT IS TIME! Obviously all the tall, wood, leaning floor mirrors I love and of course would work perfectly in our home :) are WAY out of the price range. 

This West Elm Parson's mirror is gorgeous and $499.

Now originally I had planned to DIY that little cheap-o mirror. Not anymore. I figure, the mirror really isn't that great and wouldn't make me as happy with the end result, especially as a longer term item I am hoping it could be.  I would spend money on the wood supplies and such, all that work putting it together, and use a crummy mirror. Doesn't make sense right? So I am looking to possibly buy the IKEA STAVE mirror, not necessarily cheap at $50, that would upgrade the entire product without breaking the bank.  As for the process, I am looking to mix a bit of Swoon Style and Home with Bower Power Blog. I like the idea of using pine wood that has the grooves for the glass to fit but for a more substantial heft and support I also like the idea of having a thin plywood backing.

Bad note: we live in an apartment in Chicago and don't tend to do many woodworking projects- we have no power tools! I was thinking I might try to have them cut it where I decide to buy the wood, but I would rather be able to do it at home while putting it together so I could make appropriate adjustments as I go. 

What is a girl to do? I just might ask my father-in-law how realistic it is for him to bring it with them when they come up for Thanksgiving... 

So in the meantime... time to gather supplies! Looking forward to this weekend- little material shopping and relaxation coming up! Oh- and some Hunger Games!! SO EXCITED!

xo Jess xo

On The List

So as I said the other day... I am in the mood to get things done. When I finished the gallery wall, I immediately had started thinking of projects- BUT I was like "remember how long this ended up taking you? no need to rush onto the next thing!" So I just enjoyed it.. and am still enjoying it.  However, now I am ready for my next project! I am still deciding at this point and I want it to be something that is smaller and can be accomplished easier with the holidays coming up.

On the List (Bedroom edition):

1. New bedding/pillows 
2. Attempting to DIY a leaning floor mirror, like this, this , or this
3. Figuring out the his and her closet organization-- in a small closet.
4. Find a new rug

On the List (Living Room edition):

1. DIY rustic frame around a lovely Murphy Brown Quote
2. To find an industrial style bookshelf? Or new bookshelf? Or just hang shelves? Basically... anything with more shelving and item space/storage.
3. Improve blanket storage... maybe DIY blanket ladder? Or maybe I just need to go through blankets and donate what I don't want/need/use anymore? 
4. More art or wall decor in dining area
5. To find a new coffee table-- I LOVE industrial style coffee tables like this, this, this, and this

On the List (General):

1. We own a lot of dvds... which are located in two overflowing tubs... so definitely want/need to figure out some sort of movie storage.
2. Re-frame hallway art onto lighter frame for improved ease with hanging (and staying up).
3. Get rid of treadmill that is wasting space in our back area.
4. Get tubs/containers and organize back area of tools, crafts, wrapping paper, party goods, etc.

On the List (Holiday edition):

1. There is a possibility that if I work on Thanksgiving, we would not be going home. However, Tim's family would likely be stopping by at some point. So I would love to do a cute Thanksgiving/Fall centerpiece like this, this, or this!
2. Buy some new fall scented candles! Tim and I go through candles like crazy, so we are already in need of some new fall ones... and might as well get some winter-ish ones while we are at it.
3. Clean. Obviously.
4. Scour the clearance/sale racks for future fall decorations. At this time, Christmas stuff is already out and has been out for a bit truthfully. Time to look a bit through the clearance to see if there is anything I want fall-ish to slowly build up my personal collection of fall decor!

Now just to figure out what exactly what I want to do and.. do it! But just like the gallery wall, I am going for more long term and less quick fix- which means I will still be taking my time with it. :)

xo Jess xo

Is it weird to be in love with a wall?

It's done. And I am in love.

I have finally gotten the gallery wall where I want it to be! Soon will be getting other bedroom accessories up to snuff.. but for now, I will just lay in bed and stare at my pretty wall. :) ahhhhhh

To recap, this is where we TRAGICALLY START... with a terrible "Pinterest fail"(can read about it here) and a stack of frames on my bedroom floor.

So.... off to find INSPIRATION and my favorite was from Style Me Pretty. I liked the combination of colors, looks very classic, and it was easy to imagine around our TV obviously.

IN-PROGRESS included laying out some frames and following a "paper-hanging method". I got my paper method hanging by following these awesome blogs' instructions at Young House Love and A Beautiful Mess. They do an awesome detailed job explaining that I would not even come close to.

And after sitting like that forever, eventually frames came up in the paper's places and nothing went in them.... UNTIL I slowly filled it with meaningful things for Tim and I. :) I made some of the "written" prints and purchased a few printable quotes from Etsy (here, here, and here) and got them printed @ Nations Photo Lab. They were very easy to upload your items, pick your paper/size/etc, printed quickly with good customer service, and overall very reasonably priced. I definitely have a few more things around the house I want to get printed and I will be going back to this company.

Now I am not so great taking pictures of this and our room does not have much natural light (so sorry for the creamy/yellow overhead light look.. it does seem a bit more crisp in person. Eventually I will try to take some better photographs.)

Anywho, without further ado, THE FINISHED PRODUCT:

The overall look from our bed... well technically standing on it so I can prevent some glare ;)

Clockwise from left: The 6 photo frame holds personal things between the husband and I such as our lucky number 13, favorite quote "It's the little things", important dates in our lives/relationship, first dance song lyrics, Mr. & Mrs. ring art I did, and a photograph of the Normal Theater's marquee for "It's A wonderful Life". Next, just another quote we like that translates to "I regret nothing"- very positive outlook we think. Next, a canvas of one of our engagement pictures in "our seat" at Normal Theater.  Lastly, an old school picture of the 2 of us from... 2005?

Clockwise from left: A map of our new home of Chicago <3, a photo from a night out with friends in Milwaukee this year, a picture from our first dance at our wedding, XO (no comment needed right?), the quote "Let's grow old together" (reminds me of "i wanna grow old with you- from the wedding singer" which I LOVE and Tim would always let me know when it was on :) ), and lastly another photo from our wedding. 

AS I SAID- I AM IN LOVE! 

I'm just going to go lay in bed and stare at it!

happy monday!

xo jess xo

M.I.A.?

I'm BACK! Granted, not that I meant to go anywhere but the last week has been a whirlwind.  Busy long days at work, followed by trying to be productive at home (mainly going through clothes to keep or get rid of since the closet in our 2nd bedroom fell apart. literally. seemed like it might be a good time for a lil' purge.),  and then in general being out of town for a (((3 DAY))) Labor Day weekend!

How was your labor day weekend? We spent a lot driving in a car to and from my cousin's wedding in Iowa, but it was a good weekend for family.  :) Feeling a little refreshed! AND we have another wedding this weekend back home for a long time friend.
Unfortunately, I haven't really been finding much time to shop for something to wear. Lucky for the closet falling and going through my clothes!! Nothing too fancy (and not great photos) but here are some things I have pulled together...

*Left: what I wore from my cousin's wedding.. and I think all from Target at some point.

*Right: a selfie of the hubs and I at the wedding.

*Above are both possible options for this weekends wedding. Might have to be a game time decision. What do you think?

*Left: Shoes- Vera Wang from Kohls, Dress- Banana Republic Factory, Earrings & Bracelets- Target

*Right: Shoes- Target from at least 6 years ago, Dress- Target from 1 year ago, Necklace- Sparkly Crystal Bead Necklace from Zara (otherwise known at the Kate Middleton Zara necklace)

If I don't post again until next week... HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!

>>> As a side note... I am definitely still working on my gallery wall. Still in the planning out stages.. but almost there. Maybe next I will try and share some ideas for what's going to be IN the frames. ha

XO Jess XO

Picture This

I have definitely been all up on Pinterest and one of the first things I would like to do is.... put up a gallery wall in our bedroom. Above our tv and dresser. I had made some art for right over it when we moved in and immediately disliked it. We shall call it a Pinterest Fail.

The inspiration was something like this:

 

with amazing artistic painting penmanship and very original... however I had some issues and kept messing up so I thought, grey is in our bedroom decor.. I can have a grey background and wah-la. This is what I ended up with:

Needless to say...  I am embarrassed to even post this. I have hated it from Day One. The dimensions in the space, my handwriting, the coloring, everything. And I did not do a single thing to fix it.  EYESORE!!  (also, sorry for the terrible pics)

SO last trip to Ikea, I stocked up on a few cheap frames. I have a few old ones and a few from Target. Definitely need some more and of course to figure out what I want to put IN them... BUT here are some of my new inspirations for our bedroom. A nice little gallery wall :)

 

Debating which style of frames I like best.. should I stick with photos or also add phrases/quotes/etc? Should I keep it all picture frames or add a canvas (because I have a cute small one from our engagement photos)?  Ahhhhh who knew a gallery wall would have so many decisions? 

I think I like first one best... but maybe because that one is actually around a tv so I can picture it better.... What should I do?!