babble: excuse the expression

excuse the expression if you would, but my husband is a badass.

this is not a costume.

this is real life.

a "weekend project" 

of completely disassembling all things brake related on our Range Rover and replacing rotors and linkages and wirey things... much more complicated than I can explain. While I was working with Victoria on Friday, he took his lunch hour and installed a new exhaust. Saturday afternoon he updated our olde timey Mercedes. I've witnessed him - no joke - laying underneath the wheel well - again, not kidding - lift the front end of the truck using only his finger-tips. Yah. I know.

Beyond his fixing everything and building me a table and camping in the snow and the rock climbing and other manly things, his badassness goes to a level that is beyond my verbal limit. Little things like watching cartoons with his ridiculous wife (may I suggest Phineas and Ferb?) and washing dishes while simultaneously playing with the dog, to bigger things like serving his friends and sponsoring a few kids so they can get an education. 

I mentioned a few months ago that you shouldn't waste time with someone who doesn't make you greater by being with them. The expression "my better half" very much applies in my life. And  he wants a partner - not someone who can change the brake pads and climb Everest - thats what he wants to do - but someone who helps bring the tools while he's under the car and runs the miles with him while he conditions for his climb to the peak. 

What I'm saying here is that whether you're awaiting that better half to come along or you already have your better half for always, work at being the best of yourself. Its not just about fairy tales and fulfilling your dreams of having someone there for you etc etc etc... you get to be the fulfillment of someone's dream, and honestly, that takes work. Being selfish is easy. Being a partner is about serving. 

So, whip your butt into shape: Be a better friend. Achieve those goals you've been wishing for. Wake up earlier. Stop negative talk. 

I'm saying all this to myself here.

I've been a part of a few conversations on this topic over the past week and its on my mind. Especially when I have someone who is so wonderful living in my house doing his best every day. Why should I do anything less?

-l

creation station

i had a few days off last week 

so I did a few upgrades to the decor in my life. 

Quick, cheap and pretty. 

Don't read into that. 

Remember that fabric I found at the thrift store? Well, I love it. Just as it is.

So much so that I made up a few throw pillows inspired by the fabric.

Gorgeous, GORGEOUS storm grey-blue LINEN. 

$19 a yard.

or, what I paid for it:

50 cents for the yard.

Tip: Go straight to the odds and ends scrap box in the back of the fabric store. 

This bit of beauty had 4 scissor cuts running down the middle. Sad.

Not really sad. More inspirational. 

Enter the pleat. Nothing wrong with some textured throw pillows.

What else did I find? Beautiful, natural white linen: another 50 cents. 

Part of what I loved about the natural linen was that it was the last part of the roll where the fabric makers mark size, weight and eventually sign off on their creation. I love it.
You can buy inexpensive pre-made pillows at the fabric store, in pretty much any size. Or, if you just happen to have some batting laying around and want some special sizes and squish-factor, which I just happen to, that takes the cost down to, yes, $1.00 for 4 pillows. That is something I very much like.

I'm searching for the right bed-side lamp for myself. I like to read at night. I also don't like to shine a giant overhead light... pretty much ever. After living in this house for about 2 years, I still don't have a bedside lamp. What I have been using is a battery powered camping lantern that might be the ugliest and most awkward late-night reading situation ever.
So, day off + kid movies + minor/temporary/frustrated creativity =

A temporary fix.

And, I might say, not an ugly one.

Yes, yes, those are coffee filters (just one of the millions of ways people use them) and those are battery-powered LED's left-over from christmas and its hanging from a ribbon I happened to have.
that makes this cost... lets seeee... free. $0. Which, for a temporary fix, you just don't get any better.

Well, that was Friday afternoon. 

Tuesday was a bucket of die, a leftover can of spray paint and voila:

Sad, old door mat is now a stripey and inviting one. Easy.

A no-longer-bland curtain

and a hanging bottle planter with a sprouting spider plant

(eventually this is going into the office

when I get around to moving that giant furniture... more on that later)

and this is Dani... helping... or just sitting in the shade, being cute.

and this is a quick, super-secret look into future projects:

because what is the best use for a giant mirrored closet door?

outlining new ideas with the man. He's pretty creative too.

go do something!!

-L

One of the BEST days.

Last week Laura and I had one of the best days that we can remember.  We met up in the early afternoon to explore some of my favorite thrift stores in the neighborhood, and ended up finding so many treasures at my local American Way that is was hard not to get back to the house immediately to decorate.  The wheels had started turning and we decided that my bedroom would get it's 2nd makeover! ;)  Yes, I know that I had just posted a blog about redecorating my bedroom but hey i'm a girl and we like change (that might be why i don't remember my natural hair color).  ;)

And the day begins... 

Laura found this great piece of fabric, I can't wait to see what she decides to do with it.  There were talks of making an ipad cover for her husband, but knowing her she will use every last scrap of that fabric to create some of the most wonderful homemade treasures. 

You know me and lace, I just couldn't pass this up at only 4.99.  This would be the design project of the day!

Pretty sure she has something in mind with this piece of fabric!  She also snatched an AWESOME hammock that I can't wait for her to show you!

Well once again this is the before picture of my bedroom... and yes it definitely looks lived in. ;)

And the AFTER! Whoohoo for lace headboards!  This was Laura's brilliant idea to make a headboard out of that lace curtain we found and i must say it adds the perfect amount of feminine to my room. I'm in love. 

We switched around the frames and tacked up a space for my hats on the  wall adjacent to the windows. 

We picked up these cute succulents at Ikea for only 1.99 and that silver pot was .79 cents, I thought they went perfect with my family photos!

We found this lovely Aloe plant also at Ikea for only 2.99, and the plant pot for only 1.99!

;)

This monster of a scarf man was in the corner of my room making it feel very small.  So I decided to give him a new home in my closet where he would be at home with the winter coats.

Now the corner is free to be a work space/desk.  I loove how open it makes my room feel!

I had been wanting to use this rug since I picked it up last christmas and it was Laura's great idea to put it at the end of my bed. i love it!   Hope this has inspired you to seek out some fun vintage finds of your own!  -V xoxo

Lazy Saturday

On Saturday I decided to do a little afternoon decorating.  I had previously purchased some incredible picture frames from a sweet lady off of craigslist and they were just sitting in my garage collecting dust.  So i thought hey why don't i bring them inside to collect dust?  So after cleaning the garage, going for a hike, running an errand at H&M (my fav part of the day ha) I got down to business.  It only took me about 15 minutes to set it all up and hammer everything into place.  Here's the finished product, I love it, it was simple and it gives the room such a different feel!

My "before" simple framed poster

And "after" 3 empty picture frames 

 I decoupaged pages from my favorite book of poems as the center art.

HAPPINESS!!

-V xoxo

wannabe: style

I love the Dick Van Dyke Show.  I love Dick Van Dyke. I love Mary Tyler Moore. I love the writing. I love the personalities. I love how what is happening in each episode is a ridiculous version of something that I have experienced. Not that I'm accident prone or anything... that was a lie.

The internets is very much lacking photos of the set or from shooting and since I really can't watch every episode, screen grabbing the things I love, you'll have to go watch them yourself and enjoy the humor and the set and dress design. Its streaming on Hulu. Do it.

So, quickly, here are a few design elements that I am hoping to add to my home:

A whole wall full of framed ink and pen drawings. Love.

This one is all about the kitchen chairs and those open shelves.

Everything from the sofa to the chairs to the tables are just beautiful. And this was the office. I wouldn't mind going to work to an office furnished like this.

I love the Danish style. Very clean and open, tapered legs and warm teak.

One day I'll tell you a story about some lovely Danish chairs similar to these that I once had. It was sad. You'll cry.

Less about decorating and more about the cuteness... and flat front khakis. 

and more just plain cuteness.

And finally, if you needed a reason to watch, see the joyous faces below and click the pic. You'll thank me later... after you've accidentally watched 3 episodes and find yourself incredibly happy and wanting to run to your nearest thrift store for clothing and amazing chairs.

-L

une semaine très pleine

Well, its been a very busy week & quickly pushing into a very busy weekend. Victoria has been out of town and I'm very much looking forward to her return and the giant hug that will be given to her... from me.

I'm drinking more water.
I'm running with my puppy.
I'm organizing my projects.
I'm updating my website... again.




I'm going to buy these:

bensimon sneakers

 I don't need another tattoo but if I did, I absolutely love

I would very much like one of these:

 Just because:

my friend Tim is a great musician and has a fantastic job and took this snap at work:

Day dreaming

write someone a note

-L