On the List -Updated

Whilest in the midst of taking down Christmas and an attempt at deep cleaning and de-cluttering... I was hit again by my wish lists of things I wanted to around our place as stated here.  So I thought I would revisit it and give an update persay of what's been done/what hasn't as well as *new* goals.

On the List (Bedroom edition):

1. New bedding/pillows - 25% complete? For Christmas, I got two Euro Sham Pillows for the bed. But currently they are sitting there naked because I haven't figured out the bedding sitation yet. WORK IN PROGRESS.
2. Attempting to DIY a leaning floor mirror, like this, this , or this - I was all set to do this over Thanksgiving (talked about here) but then realized that the entire total cost would cost more than say... the Ikea Mongstad Mirror (which was even $20 cheaper at that time). So I went to buy that, measured it and my car, bought it... to realize I forgot one important measurement of my trunk mouth... and to return it right away. Still planning on this mirror instead I think; just have to work out transporting it because it cost the same price of the mirror to ship!! EEK!
3. Figuring out the his and her closet organization--- in a small closet. -We are currently trying to go through clothes and determine what to keep/give away but otherwise NOTHING done towards this.
4. Find a new rug- YAY! 100% complete.  It was a Black Friday deal from rugsusa.com. Was planning on taking a picture of it with the new mirror and then... well I already said what happened.
5. Under the bed storage*

On the List (Living Room edition):

1. DIY rustic frame around a lovely Murphy Brown Quote- Keep going back and forth on this one. Still nothing done yet.
2. To find an industrial style bookshelf? Or new bookshelf? Or just hang shelves? Basically... anything with more shelving and item space/storage.- This is my current battle. I like bookshelves for the height it adds since we have tall ceilings, but I kind of want something with more storage purposes like a buffet with some drawers and shelves... I am seriously searching nightly right now.
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? - And I tried out some crib rails a friend was getting rid of to determine what I think about a blanket ladder. I am not convinced. I think I will be getting rid of a couple blankets or moving there storage somewhere else. So basically, long story short, I give myself a 10% done because I at least ruled out the blanket ladder? Small victory.
4. More art or wall decor in dining area- Another small victory. I ordered one piece of art so far... it is from the show Fixer Upper... I bought a beautiful piece of metal art from Magnolia Market. Joanna Gaines- I love you.
5. To find a new coffee table-- I LOVE industrial style coffee tables like this, this, this, and this- UGH another battle. I have found nothing as of yet.
6. Carpet/Rug*
7. Throw pillows*
8. Possible plant stand/side tables? Love this ikea hack*
9. Plant life*

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.- TEMPORARY. I made space for them when have been doing a deep clean and sorting through old stuff in the back to give for donations.
2. Re-frame hallway art onto lighter frame for improved ease with hanging (and staying up).- Seems like it would be a pretty easy one to complete... why haven't I done this yet?
3. Get rid of treadmill that is wasting space in our back area.- Another seemingly easy one and now that winter is here and we can't just see if someone will take it from the alley... probably will take a while to do yet.
4. Get tubs/containers and organize back area of tools, crafts, wrapping paper, party goods, etc.- Part of the deep cleaning process that is currently taking place, so hopefully I will be crossing this one out shortly!
5. Shoe storage*
6. Make-up/Hair Supplies/Hair tools storage in the bathroom cabinet* Maybe like this #9 or this #25
7. Cleaning Supply storage under kitchen sink* Maybe like this #1- I have cleaned it and what not since I have posted this and without further ado, it looks better. Holding off on anything more fancy now. So... I am gonna cross it off (or technically as you are reading.. I already have!)

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! - Did a little something with various fake fall like fruits on a wood server with a cloche over it. Not the greatest, but something.
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. - I will cross this one off because we actually have bought a few small candles we went through, but we have also been melting wax with like a warmer that my mom had bought us.
3. Clean. Obviously. - Silly to have on the list because who is not constantly cleaning. DUH.
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! -And was a little late to the game. By the time, I looked there was nothing. Oh well, less stuff I have to figure out where to store right now. 

Right now, with not even what I have put here- my to do list is huge! But I am in a very productive mode and crossing things off left and right. BOOM! Hopefully I can keep this surge up. 
Welp. That is all. Hope you are crossing things off your list too!

Happy HUMP day!

xo jess xo 

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

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?!

Home Sweet Home?

Definitely still evolving style wise for the home.  We are about to renew our lease at our current apartment and after 2 years, and about to start year 3, I think I have lived here long enough to finally call some spaces complete.
Sometimes I find it hard to decide between what I love, what I like, what I need.... I've tried where I only walk out of the store with something if I LOVE it. If I don't get it, it is still on my mind and it is still there next time- it's fate and I guess I like it more than I thought and I should have it. HOWEVER this can sometimes result in a modge podge (not always a good thing) of items that don't really flow together.
Currently I have been putting a wish list together of things I would like to do around our apartment. But before I do, I am definitely taking a few quizzes and using Pinterest for some 1) affordable 2) semi-easy 3) cohesive changes for our spaces.
Here are a few quizzes I took (and my results):

HGTV Style Finder Quiz
Your style is Classic Casual
AKA Transitional. A mix of contemporary and traditional. Usually updated, graceful, enduring.


Stylish Home Design Style Quiz
You most resemble a "Bespoke Classic".

Center hall, formal dining, stately living. To cook a grand meal in an elegant kitchen is your joy. A bedroom with distinct character - warm and charming. Your decorative canvas stretches to the property lines. Set your table in a festive fare. A cool refreshing drink - and often more than one! Pre-war, upper east side attitude. At the end of the day… you don't take things too seriously..

Suspected "Bespoke Classic": Princess Diana, Fred Astaire, Ralph Lauren

HomeGoods Stylescape 

You are BOHO and a touch Classic

 Boho isn't just carefree. She's adventurous and passionate, loving color and new and unusual uses for things. She's into the Revamp, Reuse, and Recycle, and she can't get enough of foraging for a good deal while mixing and matching silk-and-knit textures and vibrant colors anywhere she can.

- Classic knows there's a place for everything—and everything belongs in its place. And she imbues her sense of structure with a graceful elegance, an undisturbed calm, and of course, an irrefutable beauty.

 So definitely some similarities... "classic"- which is a word I definitely have found myself choosing when I was planning our wedding and with trying to plan a wardrobe or space. So  Time for some Pinterest and further planning my to-do list. I will share it when I have some game plans!

Anybody else feel like it was at least Wednesday today? Just me?