wall decal inspiration

Since I discovered the power of a great wall decal, I feel like a whole new world of design possibilities has been opened up for me! I love the choices over at Blik (thanks Jacquelyn), and now I wish I had more walls and corners - more free space to cover! Wall decals are such an inexpensive and easy substitute for so many things...

A headboard...

Works of art...

Accent walls...

And alternative furniture (mirror and plant, whee!)

So many different choices, right? And all of them would make a living space so much more fun. See all the options over at Blik's online shop, and tell me your favorite!

PS: Blik was featured in Entrepreneur mag's "100 Brilliant Ideas 2010" list. Cool!

beautiful photo

Naomi of the Rockstar Diaries is having a photo giveaway, and that's how I bumped into Amelia Johnson Photography... and how I found this photograph (which has captivated me!). It's part of an engagement portrait series, and now I want it on my wall. (Which kind of makes me creepy. Oh well!)

I have this empty frame from Ikea that I think would go perfectly with it. Shopping trip soon, anyone?

(photo by Amelia Johnson Photography)

clare vivier

I'm obsessed with Clare Vivier's functional chic style, and I especially love her bags. They're pretty irresistible in a perfect-for-everyday kind of way.

I'd take the La Tropezienne tote everywhere, because it's roomy enough to fit everything. (Can't decide between leather and canvas though.)

And the La Pochette clutch would be perfect for a sunny lunch date. The stripe comes in all sorts of colors. Both are so timeless, no? I really admire Clare and her company... keep up the beautiful work!

ta-da! the bedroom reveal

I cleaned up my room today because we're expecting some friends to sleep over due to Hurricane Irene evacuations. It's hard to believe that Alex and I only moved into our apartment 3 weeks ago! I feel like we've lived here forever in the East Village, a convenient 5 minutes away from my old stomping grounds in Washington Square Park. Thought I'd give you a little bedroom tour, if you'd like to see...

Here's what's in my room:
- 2 accent walls in Benjamin Moore Aqua Marina #816 paint
- Bed frame, bookcase, desk, wall decal, and wall shelves from Ikea

- Bedlinen and curtains also from Ikea

- Dresser, a DIY project (new paint and knobs)
- Yellow leather chair & lamp, lucky finds

- Garment rack from Target

- Beautiful prints: Picasso's "Guernica" and Jim Datz's "Manhattan"

Thanks to Ikea, some blue paint, and a few personal touches, I have a bedroom! (That didn't cost me an arm and a leg!) What do you think?

PS: My favorite (free) online decor magazines for inspiration

yellow mission

All it took was a polished, yellow blazer from J. Crew's latest lookbook to make me look around my apartment and realize that there was just not enough yellow. It's my favorite color, so what gives? I think I have a new mission for the week... a yellow mission.

- Liu Wen modeling a J.Crew look
- Dark chocolate dipped pineapple. Yum.

- Kate Spade "Wickford Sea Cliffs" mug

- Room & Board Neon yellow lamp

- ABC Carpet & Home Yellow basket with linen lining

- Modcloth "No Fair" balloon animal bookend

PS: My yellow leather chair, a treasure.

spotted at the brooklyn flea

I visited the Brooklyn Flea (@ Fort Green) with my friend Kim on Saturday, and naturally, we spent all of our money on food. It was scorching hot outside in the open-air market, so we tried some tasty shaved iced from People's Pop and also couldn't resist a Dough donut, which ended being the best decision ever. (Mine had a citrus glaze, and it was fresh, tangy, fluffy, delicious, amazing! Blew my mind.)

Dough donuts! (photos via the Village Voice)

There are a ton of great vendors at the flea, though I haven't purchased anything yet (I'm picky!). But I did do some pretend-shopping in my head, which includes...

At least one super rad instrument lamp by Instrumental Lighting

Three beautiful collage-style prints from John Murphy

I have a weakness for prints and kooky furniture, what can I say. And the prices aren't even too ridiculous! I'll be back, Brooklyn. At least to check out Smorgasburg for the food. See you next weekend?

PS: Good times at the Hester St Fair

jewelry that "works"

Phew, has blogging been a toughie this week. It's week 2 of training at work, and I've been catching myself admiring my lovely coworkers' jewelry across the conference table. Lots of fun cocktail rings and earrings, but never too distracting or oversized... totally work appropriate! Here are a few from the ever addicting Asos for inspiration...

Rings via 1, 2, and 3

Earrings via 1, 2, and 3

Too boring for you? (I never wear earrings, so this is actually a challenge for me!) You can always go bananas on the weekends :)

entrepreneurship 101 (with saucy commentary)

An NYU friend just asked for my recommendation on books for aspiring entrepreneurs, so I thought I'd share it with you awesome readers, in case you were wondering as well! The books I like are great for their fantastic advice and real-life, personal anecdotes, but they're also more importantly fun to read. You don't have to have a plan to start a business to enjoy them! Here are my best of the best (with commentary from yours truly).

Made to Stick

Or, "Do Your Research, Or Take Your Idea Off Of That Pedestal"
Tagline: If they don't get it in 3 sentences, you can fuggetaboutit.

The 4-Hour Work Week

Or, "Life Guide for the Lazy and Ambitious"
Tagline: Hard work doesn't actually pay off if you're all over the place.

Crush It

Or, "Become a Social Media Expert Or Die Trying"
Tagline: Seduce thy audience with thy twitter account.


Or, "The Art of the Hustle: Help Others Help You Without Being a A$$hole"
Tagline: WTF is networking? Here's the handbook.

Cheesy taglines or not, I crack myself up sometimes :)

PS: An inspiring video on entrepreneurs changing the world

summer lists: boys edition!

We only have one more month of summer, can you believe it? As promised, I asked some more friends for their summer lists. Here's what a few of my best guy friends had to say...

Perry's list:

- Write more screenplays

- Pick up on surfing (he's from Newport Beach, CA!)

- Take more photos

Dan's list:

- Read Radetzkymarsch (and more books in general)
- Go to the Red Bulls v. Galaxy match

- Buy a briefcase in chocolate or cognac

Justin's list:

- Make a good first impression at work

- Start going to yoga classes at least 1x per week

- Figure out what it means to have a boyfriend

Stephen's list:

- Learn to play scales on the harmonica

- Finish final two CPA exams

- Try to relax before work starts in September

Thanks for your lists, boys! I'm going to be checking in on your progress.. fair warning :)

PS: Check out the previous summer lists post.

xoxo

things to dwell on

I'm back in NYC! I start work next Monday, so I've had some sweet free time to explore, read, and do some thinking. Here's what on my mind at the moment...

1. Just purchased this DIY dictionary, Be Thrifty. It's been so fun and useful to flip through.
   
   
2. Still thinking about my first taste of raw oysters ($1/oyster during happy hour at Essex).
   
   
3. Purse DIY: I'm revamping a vintage purse by exchanging the straps with chains from an arts & crafts store.
   
   
4. I'd love to own a vapur water bottle.
   
   
5. Obsessed with Skillshare, a site that allows people to learn anything from anyone by offering a host of cool classes in your city. I'd love to take this one, this one, and this.
   
   
6. This Burts Bee's Tinted Lip balm looks so yum!
   

decor a la hollywood

Not to go on and on about decor, but Apartment Therapy just wrote a post titled "20 Unforgettable American Movie Interiors", and it is bomb (as my friend Kaitlin would say). It's so crazy how background decorations can set the entire tone for the film -- quirky, sad, or fashionable, or sometimes all three.

Breakfast at Tiffany's (with the infamous bathtub couch)


The Royal Tenenbaums


The Single Man

crafty decorating ideas

I've been inspired by all kinds of alternative ways to decorate these days... which is perfect, since I just moved to a new apartment in the East Village, and it is looking rather sparse. Here are a few things I've learned...

Instead of a buying headboard, why not drape a printed cloth or scarf?

Instead of buying prints, why not make one yourself?

Instead of splurging on a nightstand, why not stack up some books?

Love great decor - especially when it's on the cheap!

(photos via 1, 2, 3)

gorgeous summer dresses

My heart is aflutter over these sweet dresses from Asos. Look at that butterfly print! I love a good v-neck and fluttery sleeve. And the peekaboo back cut-out? So cute.

Oasis Butterfly Dress & Warehouse Floral Open Back Dress (both $77.58)