Aesthetically Pleasing/Wardrobe Wednesday

Folks,

I desire a space on the web that reflects my aesthetic tastes – a place that is clean, organized, and, well, pretty. I have something in the works and will reveal the new, beautified space in a few weeks. Yes, it will mean another address change (*groan*), but it’ll be permanent because I have decided that this blogging thing (that I’ve been doing for 5 years now!) is something I really like. So I’ll be buying my own URL and will have a nice wardrobe change to show you just as soon as the design is done. Just you wait. I have lots of ideas and want to start doing more with my photography, love of food, art, television, and parenting experiences. I hope you’ll hang with me where I end up. I don’t enjoy it without you and your comments!

Since I skipped Wardrobe Wednesday last week….here is a little something I put together that I’d totally wear.

simple by tmlens featuring Calypso dresses

Items in this set:
Aurora Tunic, $135
AG Kat Stevie Skinny, $170
Suede Boots :: SHOES :: SHOES & ACCESSORIES :: Calypso St. Barth, $250
necklaces
Tote with Gold Trim :: BAGS :: SHOES & ACCESSORIES :: Calypso St…., $250

Speaking of aesthetics, I took the design style quiz in the recent Real Simple magazine that arrived in the mail because, I don’t know about you, but I have no idea how to describe my taste. Do I like modern? Some of it, but not all of it. Do I like vintage? Some of it, but not all of it. Do I like country? No. So, what do I like? Well, the quiz said I liked comfortable classic (or something like that), but the accompanying picture was boring, white and slip-covered country which is not what I like. Second place was vintage ecclectic which was much more what I’m drawn to (the rich colors anyway, but not the uncomfortable fainting couch). I give up on labeling what I like, so here’s a sampling of pictures instead. What would you call my tastes?

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Redecorating on a Dime In an Afternoon

I got tired of all the red in The Toddler’s room and decided to cool it down a bit for summer. I did it all in a day and for only $67 with lots of materials left over (paint and fabric) for future projects and additions to the room.

Using ideas from these various places, I turned her babyish, primary color-laden, barn animal room into a happy forest.

These pictures aren’t very good, as I quickly snapped them tonight before she went to bed, but they’ll give you an idea before I do some final shots (after I clean up the room more, get matching bedding – which I might wait on until we do a big girl bed, which will also allow more of the tree to be seen.) It’s not perfect, but it was a quick and painless makeover. And I’m pleased.

Moving aqua planter into the room: free.

Moving curtains from another room: free.

Moving table runner from dining room: free

Painting tree and birdhouses: $21 (bought sample sizes of White, Yarrow, and Cooled Blue from Sherwin Williams for $3.49 each plus some paint brushes)

Stick mobile: stick: free, fishing line and hooks: $5 (True Value), birdhouses: $1 each (Michaels)

Matching birdies: $12 (Target)

Signed print: $17.50 from here, but they are sold out, Frame: $6 (Michaels), Embroidery hoops: $1.29 each (Michaels), fabric: $11 with leftovers to cover lampshade and maybe make pillow (JoAnn Fabrics)

Claire seems to like it, as she exclaimed “Tree!” about a million times when she first saw it. Here’s some recent pics of my cutey.

Who knew that my first time braiding her hair would result in a Pippy Long Stocking imitation?

Got soy cream cheese?

 

Decorations

We had a nice gathering of friends over last night in order to celebrate Huz being exactly half way through his dissertation (3 chapters down, 3 to go…around 150 pages written, 100 to go). It amazes me that somebody can be so focused and motivated to do a beast of work like that, especially considering the distractions in his life: new baby turned active, demanding toddler and wife recently battling thyroid cancer, to name a few. You’re a rock star, Huz! Here’s to you. (And I hope you enjoy that new Weber grill I bought for you yesterday as an early Father’s Day present. Hee, hee.)

I have been obsessed with redecorating Claire’s nursery (do you still call it a nursery after they are toddler and no longer get “nursed” in there?). This happens to me – I see a fabric or an awesome idea in a magazine and I get obsessed for weeks until I finally end up changing something (this applies to hair styles, clothing, and redecorating). I still love the green we painted her room, but I’m over the bold colors and animals. I think there is too much red and I want something more sophisticated. I can’t decide whether to keep it in a warm palette or to cool it down. Do I replace the red with a muted orange or brown? Or do I cool it down with green and gray and blue? We have a towel that we got as a baby shower gift and it’s my inspiration for a cool palette.

I’m also want to incorporate birds, since I love them and this will give me an excuse to decorate with them. I just bought this print for half price from an online shop some Twitter friends told me about. I adore it. It’s all in warm tones, though. Hopefully I can still make it work.

I also want to do something with a tree. You’ve seen all those cool tree wall decals, right? Well, I want to paint one on the wall and tie in the bird theme.

So many ideas!

One easy fix to all the red was to simply switch out curtains from our bedroom to Claire’s. I did it this morning and think this alone has made a nice change while I continue to obsess and ponder over what I want to do with her room.

Before curtain change – lots of red:

After curtain change – I took extra knob ends off the curtain rods and put them in the walls to tie back the curtains.

Before curtain change – the green curtains blend in too much with the tan walls. Boring.

After curtain change – I like how the red adds some warmth to the room and how the pillow ties in the color.