Homemade Holiday by Apartment Therapy

I really enjoy making homemade gifts for the people in my life but in most cases, the gifts I try to DIY end up costing more than if I just purchased already made gifts.  Since moving to Los Angeles (and having more fun on the weekends) my budget is actually pretty tight this year.  Thank goodness for Apartment Therapy's installation of Homemade Holiday Gift Ideas!  They are posting new ideas every day and I'm loving them all.  I have a very good idea of what I'm going to make for my friends already and it really will keep me under budget.

Here are just a few of the 13 they've already posted.

Clockwise from top, left:

Lace-Printed Plates

Hand-Sewn, Printed Tea Towels

Painted Tree Rings

Copper Bangles

Merry Movember!

I know I'm a little late with this Movember post, but it's been a busy month!  The Movember Foundation, an official global charity, encourages "Mo Bros" (and "Mo Sistas") to grow awesome moustaches and start a conversation about men's health awareness.  They have many supporters and hold events to raise funds in support of men's health education, awareness, and research.

I love me a good 'stache and I'm not the only one.  Elle recently featured a collection of their favorite celebrity 'stahces.

The ultimate hipster 'stache as modeled by Mr. Gosling...swoon.

Anyway...what goes better with a sexy 'stache than a bowtie.  Am I right?

Images: Urban Outfitters

From left to right:

Moustache Bowtie

Stag Bowtie

Classic Bowtie

Bike Icon Bowtie

Anchor Bowtie

Urban Renewal Clip-On Bowtie

And of course, something for the ladies!

Bowtie Shimmer Clutch - Anthropologie

Fall Decor

Not counting the last two days (ahem...90 degrees) it is FALL in Los Angeles!  Halloween came and went and very soon Thanksgiving will pass us by, too.  I have to remind myself to slow down this time of year and enjoy every second of it.

Decorating between October and December is my very favorite thing to do.  I found these simple cinnamon stick votive candles over on Apartment Therapy.  Note: the original posting can no longer be found on Jonathan Fong Style, but you get the idea.  They are a simple and inexpensive way to get your home looking and smelling like warm, cozy Fall.

Happy Decorating!



For the Office: Simple Desktops

Looking to add a little flair to your office life?  Simple Desktops is a good place to start!  They have pages and pages of quirky, fun, high-quality desktop eye candy to choose from and none of them are epic images of snow covered mountain tops, thank goodness...unless that's your thing, then no judgement!

Russas

Vinyl

Rocket Launch

Squares

Bob

Wayfarer 2

Where in the World?!

Two of my favorite people in the world are currently on adventures of a lifetime and even though I miss them like crazy, I am so excited for the memories they are making!  My younger sister needed a change of scenery (don't we all sometimes?) so she moved to Hawaii.  Selfishly, I can't wait for her to come back to the mainland, but I know she is having a blast so I am so excited for her.

My longtime friend, Janelle, was recently accepted into a study abroad program.  She is a history major and where better to study than in Italy!?  She has been keeping us back home updated on her website and video blog, Bazaar Trek.

Janelle is bottom row, second from the left.

I'm so thankful to live in a time where keeping in touch with these two very special ladies is easy.  What would we do without texting, Skype, and Facebook??  But still, I don't think there is anything better than opening your mailbox and finding a good ol' piece of snail mail from a loved one.  Since mailing care packages and letters can add up, I decided to invest in some postcards (only $1.10 to Italy!).

PaperSource is one of those stores in which I could easily run my checking account dry so I opted to make an online purchase and save myself some checkout-shock.  I bought a box of lovely postcards featuring quotes from Jane Austen but it was difficult to choose just one box! 



Jane Austen Boxed Postcards

The Art of Vintage DC Comics Postcards

Cavallini Vitnage Map Postcards

Rougin' It

At the end of the month, I will be taking a long weekend and camping in Yosemite with my main man and I could not be more excited!  I was a Girl Scout for 13 years (nerd alert!!) but loved every second of it.  The camping trips my troop took in the earlier years were pretty legit...bugs, tents, roasting hot dogs on sticks, no showers.  As we got older, and our leaders decided we had had a rich enough camping experience, we slowly become more and more like Troop Beverly Hills.  Which, by the way, is still one of my all time favorite movies...no shame.

I dabbled a little in easy camping during high school and college with friends, but this trip marks my first adult, I'm doing it all by myself (with the help of boyfriend, of course) camping experience.  I've planned our meals for the weekend, made a list of needed supplies, researched the hell out of Yosemite (Rim Fire is 80% contained and our campground is open for business), and am just counting down the days until we take off on our first camping adventure!

My packing list is pretty substantial...call me OCD but I call it prepared!  Here are a few of my favorite camping essentials...

1 Survival Can Kit - Urban Outfitters

2 BDG Waterfall Tunic - Urban Outfitters

3 Preppy High Waist Shorts Olive - Minxshop Etsy Shop

4 Stanley Classic Flask - Urban Outfitters

5 FieldCandy Silhouette Tent - Urban Outfitters

6 Wet Skin Sunscreen - Neutrogena

7 Twelve Creative S'mores for a Party - theKitchn

8 Off Track Planet's Travel Guide - Urban Outfitters

Happy Friday!

Have a wonderful, adventure-filled Labor Day weekend!

Dictionart - Etsy

Etsy Roundup: Back to School

I don't miss going back to school one bit.  I do, however, miss going back to school shopping.  Even though I've never been to New York, Joe Fox (Tom Hanks in You've Got Mail) makes me all swoony every time I hear him say, "Don't you love New York in the fall?  It makes me wanna buy school supplies.  I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.  On the other hand, this not knowing has its charms."  And I hear him say this a lot since I will watch this movie every single time it's on TV, I don't care what plans I've already made.

So in the spirit of the new school year, I have done an Etsy roundup of what I would buy myself if I was, in fact, going back to school.

1 New Backpack - wolike Etsy Shop

2 Mustache and Gentleman's Hat iPad Sleeve - StudioPapilio Etsy Shop

3 Don't Forget Notepad - QuillandFox Etsty Shop

4 Adventure is Out There Totebag - rachelwalter Etsy Shop

5 Khaki/Black Wool Jacket - happyfamilyjudy Etsy Shop

6 Arrows Pencil Case - UrbanBirdandCo Etsy Shop

7 Payphone iPhone Case - LYCshop Etsy Shop

8 Macbook Keyboard Stickers - kidecals Etsy Shop

Weekend Projects!

I love a good weekend project as much as the next girl, but my weekends have been booked full lately!  I'm not complaining...they've been awesomely fun (yes, I just said "awesomely"...live with it) but our apartment is not quite complete and we definitely need a few more chairs around the kitchen table.

My incredible deal-finder of a roommate Craigslisted this slightly used DOCKSTA Table and two URBAN Chairs for a mere $35 just a short drive away from our place!  We tipped the guy $5 for hauling all three pieces downstairs and helping us pack them into our tiny Los Angeles-sized cars like a life size game of Tetris.  If you're not as well-versed in the IKEA Catalog as we are...that's a retail value of $279.97 for just $40, Bob.  Cue the happy dance!

We're trying to figure out how to introduce a small, but standout pattern into our mostly neutral white and gold palette and maybe something like these DIY folding chairs will do the trick.  Featured on Poppytalk's 10 Summery Weekend Projects these Drab to Fab Folding Chairs are to die for!  I mean, come on...burlap with gold polka dots!?  See the full DIY's on Whipperberry and My Fabuless Life.

Hang in There, Baby

After a particularly hectic morning and a jam-packed busy weekend ahead of me, I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed.  Instead of losing my cool, I'm choosing to hang in there.  And this print from Urban Outfitters Society6 is reminding me to do just that.

Mood Board: Bedroom Inspiration

My roomie and I are finally settling down in our Silver Lake apartment.  We're more familiar with the neighborhood, the restaurants, and (obviously) the bars.  Now that our living room and kitchen are almost completely decorated, I spent a little time on my bedroom this weekend.  Before I make any holes in the walls, I decided to put together a Mood Board for some inspiration and to clarify what look I was ultimately going for.  I settled on substle pastels with gold and pink accents and I can't wait to get started!

1 Ung Drill frame - IKEA

2 Verserum frame - IKEA

3 Botanical Prints (free download) - PoppyTalk

4 Simply Shabby Chic Drawer - Target

5 Pressed Glass Floral Tie-Back - Urban Outfitters

6 Emelina Knopp Bedding - IKEA

7 Tea Cup Succulent - Apartment Therapy

8 White Willow - Behr Paint

Weekly Writing with MDP

My latest Weekly Writing with More Design Please took form after observing more than a couple people in my life attempting to "stay friends" with an ex.  I, on the other had, prefer to "hit it and quit it"...okay not really...but in terms of exes this is true.  I cut all ties ASAP to avoid those heart crushing, stomach twisting, crazy bitch inducing moments of seeing an ex's picture pop up on your Instagram feed having the time of his life while you're drowning in a bucket of Ben & Jerry's and two (and a half...WTH, Trader Joe's?) buck Chuck.  Even if that ex was a complete jerk and you're 100% better off, those moments still suck.  I hope you enjoy The Ex Factor!



$75 Giveaway: Uncommon Goods & MDP

My lovely friend, roommate, and avid blogger over at More Design Please is hosting an Uncommon Goods $75 Giveaway!  We recently moved into an apartment in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake and after DIYing as much as we could, decided to add some extra (and affordable) touches.

ALL IMAGE SOURCES FOUND HERE

Not only is Uncommon Goods a great place to get fun gifts for yourself, it's perfect for birthdays, graduations, housewarmings, Shark Week...anything, really!  And with our Mad Men themed housewarming coming up soon, you bet we'll be sending our friends our Wish List!

  

So head over to MDP and enter the Giveaway!  One lucky winner will be chosen on Friday, August 9th.

Tiki Birthday Celebration Recap

Thanks to my fabulous and super fun friends, my Tiki Birthday Celebration was even better than I could have imagined!  There were leis, grass skirts, and coconut bras aplenty and everyone had a great time.  Here are just a few photos from the evening.  Enjoy!

Mirror Mirror

I'm digging the DIY savvy that is P.S. - I made this.  Especially after this fun little project!  I think I may need to add some glam to my cubicle!

Check out the entire tutorial here.

Grammar Police

Nothing makes me more weak in the knees than a man who knows his grammar.  Add correctly used big words to the mix and I'm yours...could be why I like my boyfriend so much.  I'm sure there are other reasons too...

I love the forces at Hello Giggles and was tickled to see this post 10 Words That You've Probably Been Misusing by Tyler Vendetti about those words that drive me crazy.  I'll be honest...I learned some things, too!



Tiki Birthday Celebration: Part Deux

My Tiki Birthday Celebration is fast approaching and I cannot wait!  My roommate and I have been scouring the interwebs for vintage tiki inspiration and rummaging the 99 Cent Store and Target Dollar Spot shelves for supplies...we like to think of ourselves as the Real Life Two Broke Girls.  Also, the less we spend on decor, the more we can spend on food and booze!

1 Festive Tiki Time Cocktail Party - Hostes with the Mostess

2 Festive Drink Umbrellas - Martha Stewart

3 Leaf-Covered Candle Holder - Martha Stewart

4 Esther Williams Bathing Beauty - ModCloth

5 Tiki Bar Caddy - Hostess with the Mostess

6 Emily and Fin Bake Shop Dress - ModCloth

Weekly Writing with MDP

It's no secret...dating sucks.  And in a world where the good old-fashioned rules of courtship are disappearing, what's a girl to do?  I still want to be pursued and wooed, but it's becoming evident that most guys in the year 2013 are playing some kind of Dating Roulette.

Tiki Birthday Celebration

July is my birthday month and I've decided to have a Tiki Pool Party to celebrate!  I can't wait to share more details, but here is a little preview...

Weekly Writing with MDP

I'm a little behind on posting my Weekly Writings!  Life has been very busy in the best way possible lately...please forgive me!  Enjoy!

Sometimes, even good girls need a little bit of sweet revenge...

All of a sudden I realized I was on a double date...whoops!

Coral, Gold, and Chevron...Oh My!

I've been a very naughty blogger the last couple months but I swear I have a really good reason!  My new roomie and I have been very busy moving into (ugh) and decorating (yay!) our new apartment in Silver Lake.  Oh and did I mention my new roomie is the one and only Summer, from More Design Please?  Take a look at the inspiration for our new place and our Pinterest board.  I can't wait to share when it's all done!

Happy Fourth!

I hope everyone had an amazing 4th of July!!

Connect the Dots

Polka dots are one of my all-time favorite patterns.  I can't resist them!  There's just something ultra-feminine and fun about them.  Here's a roundup of some of my favorite polka dot finds...

1. Retro Cap-Sleeved Knit Dress - Garnett Hill

2. Foiled Dot Napkin Set - Antropologie

3. Kate Spade New York Dinnerware - Macy's

4. Polka-Dotted Pillow - Anthropologie

5. Pink Polka Dot Paper Straws - Etsy

6. The Cherry on Dot Dress - ModCloth

Happy Monday

It's overcast and rainy in Los Angeles today and even though I love this cozy weather, I think it makes some people a little grumpy...especially on a Monday morning...even more so on the Monday morning after Cinco de Mayo!!  Here's a little friendly reminder to be kind, even when you don't feel like it.

Weekly Writing with MDP

We've all been there...trying desperately to play it cool and remain calm while our insane female brains are running a mile a minute.  Read about it in my Weekly Writing over at More Design Please!

Cinco de Ma-Oh! Margaritas!

If you're scrambling to figure out what to do for Cinco de Mayo, look no further!  Here are some last-minute tips and fiesta must-haves.  If you're on the craftier side, you can whip out some quick DIY's for decoration.  If you're a stud in the kitchen, you could even dish up some delicious Mexican food.  So round up a fun group of friends and don't forget the tequila!

1. Mini Tassel Garland - Studio DIY

2. Papel Picado Streamers - Studio DIY

3. Margaritas - theKitchn

4. Mariachi Music

5. Guacamole - theKitchn

6. Enchiladas - theKitchn

Other useful links

How to Rim a Cocktail Glass for Margaritas - theKitchn

6 Tips for a Cinco de Mayo Celebration at Home - Apartment Therapy

9 Necessities for a Last-Minute Cinco de Mayo Fiesta - Apartment Therapy

12 Twists on the Classic Margarita - Yahoo!

Apartment Therapy Tips: Flea Markets

I'm beyond excited to say I have finally been hired permanently at my company after working as a temp for almost two years.  With my new position comes a 45 minute commute which I am more than happy to take on in exchange for better pay, benefits, and a 401k.  However, I do plan on moving much closer after I have a few paychecks under my belt.  Is it odd that I'm more concerned about designing and furnishing my future new apartment than actually finding said apartment?  I think not!

I do plan on finding and repurposing as much as I can from my local flea markets.  This can be a challenge for a novice such as myself.  My flea market finds have been pretty simple and decor related thus far.  Apartment Therapy to the rescue!  Here are their 9 Smart Shopping Tips for Flea Marketing and their 2013 Flea Market Guide.

Let the thrifting begin!!

You Sly Fox

Birds, owls, and foxes, Oh My!  One can find these woodland creatures everywhere now from clothing to accessories to home decor.  Even though I love a cute little owl face, right now I'm seriously digging the sly and mysteries fox trend.  Here are some of my favorite fox finds!

1. Fox Friends Art Print - Society6

2. Sly Fox Knocker - Anthropologie

3. Ceramic Fox - Nordstrom

4. Fox Dish Towel - Etsy

5. Fox Ring - Etsy

6. Dapper Fox Necktie - Etsy

7. Fox Rubber Stamp - Etsy

8. Fantastic Fox Hat - Etsy

Pretty Party!

Some perks of my moonlighting job as a freelance writer include events on Rodeo Drive.  What's even better is being able to bring my sister along!  We recently attended a little soiree at Lashfully, a beauty bar that specializes in customizable eyelash extensions.  The event included a set of eyelash extensions which I LOVED and a makeover by DuWop Cosmetics.  Remember Lip Venom?  That's them!  Their makeup rocks too!

Carried Away

Before heading off to Coachella last weekend, the awesomely fun and talented Passion Pit made an appearance at Club Nokia on Thursday night.  I got my sister and I tickets for her birthday last month and we had a blast!  Sending more love to Boston as these adorkable boys hail from the beautiful city.