tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9632996275057856662024-02-07T19:53:10.352-05:00Riot For DesignRiot for Design is a blog about design of all facets; interiors, fashion, art, products, etc. Design with passion, in a sometimes silly fashion.Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.comBlogger116125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-65684806178950631342013-12-06T10:00:00.000-05:002013-12-06T15:19:18.026-05:00Epic Locker DIYToday I'm going to tell you a tale of my 2 year-long journey to find an affordable and attractive piece of storage furniture for our bathroom. Forget the Hobbit, this shit is EPIC.<br />
<br />
It all started in the urban shire that is our rental apartment in Brooklyn. Our bathroom is quite small- with a pedestal sink and about 18"x15" of square space between the wall and the toilet. Since we moved in, we'd been using one of those plastic bins from Target for the necessary bathroom storage. And for a long time, I searched for something thin enough, tall enough, cheap enough, oh and also attractive.<br />
<br />
Somewhere along the way I came the decision that a locker would be a great option. I searched for one that was tall with lots of cubbies to no avail. Eventually I found just the perfect vintage one on Ebay- 7 ft. tall with six separate cubby holes. Immediately I knew I'd leave the top half as open shelving. I was already imagining it in my bathroom. Love at first impulse, I bought it.<br />
<br />
The locker arrived and we promptly left it in the corner of the apartment for, oh, 9 months. The gestation time of a human. Not that there were any humans gestating in our apartment, but that's how long it sat neglected in the corner.<br />
<br />
When I finally got to working on it, the first thing I needed to do was remove the top 3 doors. As you can see the locker wasn't in great shape. The previous owner had painted it w/ regular wall paint, which was lookin' skanky. Also, some of the door latches were so crooked you couldn't even open the doors.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9dzDL_1HSyz4CJ0_Cwa-YJ91djgmKnPSeM0sJ4bo73SFLMZRzY8GD8LuYTmvucHGQ-BVYFxTI2Ihvpk3DhtVOSI1fb9GJnFxMAwQhX5iTWiqkaoeSJmC57C7n6e2Q8bTqs_KGfElhmMn/s1600/DIYMetalLocker_BEFORE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9dzDL_1HSyz4CJ0_Cwa-YJ91djgmKnPSeM0sJ4bo73SFLMZRzY8GD8LuYTmvucHGQ-BVYFxTI2Ihvpk3DhtVOSI1fb9GJnFxMAwQhX5iTWiqkaoeSJmC57C7n6e2Q8bTqs_KGfElhmMn/s1600/DIYMetalLocker_BEFORE.jpg" width="469" /></a></div>
The bolts and screws were little fuckers... IMPOSSIBLE to loosen. I ended up having to order something on Amazon called a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NPZ4ZI/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">nut splitter</a> because the painted-over, square nuts were not going anywhere. So yeah, I'm a nut splitter now.<br />
<br />
After looking at the lousy paint job, I began to realize I didn't want to just spray paint. Online research pointed to powder coating as the proper way to paint sheet metal, so I contacted Jose from <a href="http://pridepowdercoating.com/about-us/">Pride Powder Coating</a> (maybe this part took me a couple months... the timeline's a bit fuzzy). Of course they needed to see the piece in person, so Jon and I loaded up all 7 feet of the metal sheets and took it over. Jose was very knowledgable, reasonably priced and honest. He told us that because the locker had been painted, we would need to get it sandblasted before we could powder coat it.<br />
<br />
UGH! D-I-Whyyyyyyyyy?<br />
<br />
No turning back, we're in too deep.<br />
<br />
So we contacted <a href="http://www.evaneismanco.com/">Evan Eisman</a> based on Jose's recommendation. He has a sand blasting shop in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which was really cool and had a fantastic view of Manhattan. From the looks of his other projects, I'd say he has an upscale corporate clientele in a variety of businesses. I also got the feeling there weren't a lot of residential DIY enthusiasts banging down his door. Five months later we decided to go for it- not that we were mulling it over for 5 months but shit happens.<br />
<br />
Ultimately he did a fantastic job on the locker. It wasn't cheap, but after seeing what he needed to do to it, I can understand. Sandblasting is a labor-intensive process.<br />
<br />
The finished product looked really cool- the sheet metal was a matte gray which Jon and I liked enough to say forget the powder coating- let's just keep it this way. Evan gave us a recommendation for some Minwax oil we would need to treat the metal with to avoid rust.<br />
<br />
Then my hero of a husband slaved for a few days (or weeks?) on re-assembling and oiling. The nuts and bolts were no easier to get on than they were to get off.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa9bEIUGXPgSs0GYhMRq2fThpwBKoTA5du1DgoQfDWJs8zD7q2DrbKw_xE6wSoL7Cazto0-TZOjce90_jY7WhT85Eys-gLYxyQ3uMBDgyVhmyIRT-t4hQJrwhULTE5tMitKR2PoDteMx8/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa9bEIUGXPgSs0GYhMRq2fThpwBKoTA5du1DgoQfDWJs8zD7q2DrbKw_xE6wSoL7Cazto0-TZOjce90_jY7WhT85Eys-gLYxyQ3uMBDgyVhmyIRT-t4hQJrwhULTE5tMitKR2PoDteMx8/s1600/photo+(11).JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
Miraculously Jon still loves me.</div>
<br />
Finally we had it together! And it looks awesome in our bathroom now. Because it's a damp environment, I'm not sure how long it'll last before it starts rusting- hopefully as long as we live in this apartment. I have to keep an eye on it and expect we'll need to apply more oil periodically, but I love the result:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hC780EZCWYZz9BSN24qi2rODljwLyfgzReL1DYr-b1t8LQCMFwyQ_5e3zkAfPxczBKamI7wWnDMigX5gvO1YWkWNclKUgsi8ApvhqBZQHBSPtdViPTNZMtp7TmD1hoksN76H10-HXSPH/s1600/DIYMetalLocker2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3hC780EZCWYZz9BSN24qi2rODljwLyfgzReL1DYr-b1t8LQCMFwyQ_5e3zkAfPxczBKamI7wWnDMigX5gvO1YWkWNclKUgsi8ApvhqBZQHBSPtdViPTNZMtp7TmD1hoksN76H10-HXSPH/s1600/DIYMetalLocker2.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7nwyt0CBROhuNXRQ2H70XUZIJIRBhkIN2S_tZPnCjOe6q4oyXBL3nVOkQt3XnKTBP4gbIfHiR5R0ch87Xejswx5PRvbbq8Ze66kP7YK800kHtvqEqQxItkYZ7EBTvOMyGmmoNS40PxaU/s1600/DIYMetalLocker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="974" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY7nwyt0CBROhuNXRQ2H70XUZIJIRBhkIN2S_tZPnCjOe6q4oyXBL3nVOkQt3XnKTBP4gbIfHiR5R0ch87Xejswx5PRvbbq8Ze66kP7YK800kHtvqEqQxItkYZ7EBTvOMyGmmoNS40PxaU/s1600/DIYMetalLocker.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
All in all it took us like, oh, almost 2 years between purchasing the locker and having it as a functional piece. Of course we could have done it faster- why didn't we?!!! Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60250798/">THIS</a> came out, and it's $99. THE CURSE OF BEING ONE STEP AHEAD OF THE TRENDS! If this had been available 2 years ago, I would have bought it and called it a day. But ours is better and I learned a thing or 2,000 about vintage repurposing.<br />
<br />
<br />
TAKEAWAYS:<br />
Restoring or upcycling vintage furniture will always take more time and cost more than you think it will. It can be worth it, especially if you're into the process but don't fool yourself into thinking it will be a budget option (like I did).<br />
<br />
I love this shit, but some people might have seen that $99 Ikea badboy and hung themselves with their soap on a rope.<br />
<br />
What do you think of the result? Would this whole process be worth it to you? Let me know if you ever want to embark on a project like this, I am happy to give pointers!<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-39978636478509337772013-12-04T21:05:00.001-05:002013-12-05T13:04:17.554-05:00Beth's 2013 No B.S. Gift GuideIt's that time of year again! Once Thanksgiving rolls by, we are suddenly stupid with gift guides, aren't we? Gift guides for the techie, for the bookworm, the functionally-alcoholic, ethnically ambiguous, hygienically confused and lactose intolerant. We all have our things, I get it.<br />
<br />
So why should I make another gift guide? Because I have great taste? Yes. Because I want more things than I can buy? Yes. Because I won't put some fucking $495 blanket on the list as if anyone. anywhere. ever. bought someone a $495 blanket as a holiday gift (let's be honest, everyone secretly prefers their Snuggie anyway). YES!<br />
<br />
So here it goes, some cool shit for your family and friends that you like not enough to spend $500 on. There will also be no phone covers on this list. I believe phone covers are way too personal.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V5w22fYDPAGIAnhwcrH64_KQiPik33zXtB0OnOB7ZYF9dTAnzEYoMbkes-kijenSsC5ZHi1UqKqrY5JpRzEsgxefbXmTAXw95YeKYnE3MmI5Zwtrf4Q5gagHDd8YoG7xrJy8Clm2w-af/s1600/2013GiftGuide1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="933" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6V5w22fYDPAGIAnhwcrH64_KQiPik33zXtB0OnOB7ZYF9dTAnzEYoMbkes-kijenSsC5ZHi1UqKqrY5JpRzEsgxefbXmTAXw95YeKYnE3MmI5Zwtrf4Q5gagHDd8YoG7xrJy8Clm2w-af/s1600/2013GiftGuide1.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.mooreaseal.com/collections/necklaces-1/products/tribal-queen-necklace-1">1</a> || <a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/house-wine-carafe-1.html">2</a> || <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113526568/personalized-latitudelongitude-leather?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest">3</a> || <a href="http://fab.com/product/scented-candle-london-400344?utm_source=google_pla&utm_campaign=pla&utm_content=Home%20Accents%20%3E%20Pillars%20%26%20Votives&utm_term=&utm_type=p&ltb=off&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=400344">4</a> || <a href="http://johnconnphotography.com/collections/1980s-new-york-city-subway-prints/products/knife-print-80s-subway">5</a> || <a href="http://www.olloclip.com/4-in-1-iphone-lens/">6</a> || <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/68212930/typography-art-print-by-ashley-g-you-and">7</a> || <a href="http://oreedesign.com/products/oree-wireless-power-pebble">8</a> || <a href="http://www.giftlab.com/us/by-brand/architectural-candles/candle-modelled-on-the-chrysler-bldg-ny">9</a> || <a href="https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=19379&cat=298&page=1">10</a></div>
</div>
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.mooreaseal.com/collections/necklaces-1/products/tribal-queen-necklace-1" style="text-align: justify;">Tribal Queen Necklace</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $65</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">This looks more expensive than it is. It also toes the fine line between versatile and statement-maker. I'd wear the shit out of this.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
2. <a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/house-wine-carafe-1.html" style="text-align: justify;">House Wine Carafe</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $58</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I love the organic shape of this wine carafe from Jayson Home. It's unique. And it looks expensive. Not bad for $58.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
3. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/113526568/personalized-latitudelongitude-leather?utm_campaign=Share&utm_medium=PageTools&utm_source=Pinterest" style="text-align: justify;">Personalized Leather Luggage Tag</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - ?</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">For the fancy traveller with the non-descript suitcase.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
4. <a href="http://fab.com/product/scented-candle-london-400344?utm_source=google_pla&utm_campaign=pla&utm_content=Home%20Accents%20%3E%20Pillars%20%26%20Votives&utm_term=&utm_type=p&ltb=off&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=400344" style="text-align: justify;">Tom Dixon Candle</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $80</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Ok, I know. This is an $80 candle. That's kinda ridiculous. BUT, it's really gorgeous and you can save the vessel with marble topper/stand for all posterity. Consider this for the label whore (ME!!!) who knows who Tom Dixon is and can appreciate it.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
5. <a href="http://johnconnphotography.com/collections/1980s-new-york-city-subway-prints/products/knife-print-80s-subway" style="text-align: justify;">80's Subway Print</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $25</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">I spotted this at the Union Square Market this weekend. It was photographed by John Conn in the 80's. He's got a bunch of options, but this one stands out. For the artsy part-time serial killer in your life.</span><br />
<br />
6. <a href="http://www.olloclip.com/4-in-1-iphone-lens/" style="text-align: justify;">Olloclip iPhone Lens</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $70</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">The obsessive Instagrammer will go nuts for this lens. Sure you may regret gifting this, but (s)he'll be might happy to have it!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
7. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/68212930/typography-art-print-by-ashley-g-you-and" style="text-align: justify;">You and Me and the Cat Print</a> - $38</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your cat lady-friend will swoon for this one. Or cat man-friend. Actually this one might be best for marrieds and committeds. Kinda awkward if the poster outlasts the relationship...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
8. <a href="http://oreedesign.com/products/oree-wireless-power-pebble" style="text-align: justify;">Oree Wireless Power Pebble</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $200ish</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This is the most expensive thing I put on this list. BUT IT'S AWESOME and if you like someone $200, then consider this. It's a wireless phone charger that is not ugly. There are lots of ones out there for $50 but they will stab your eyes. This is European so naturally it is prettier. It's so European it's sold in euros, hence the "ish" after the price. Exchange rates, amirite?!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
9. <a href="http://www.giftlab.com/us/by-brand/architectural-candles/candle-modelled-on-the-chrysler-bldg-ny" style="text-align: justify;">Architectural Candles</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $40 - $100</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't we all have a hard-to-shop-for architect in our lives? These candles are so cool I would never ever light them. I want them all, but for like $40-$100 just start with your fave and go from there. Plus, it could be like a collection. Gift giving solved for the next 20 years.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
10. <a href="https://catbirdnyc.com/shop/product.php?productid=19379&cat=298&page=1" style="text-align: justify;">Cashmere Pop Top Gloves</a> - $88<br />
You can probably find these lots of places. These are from Catbird and I saw them in person so I am vouching for their awesomeness. I have a pair of Catbird pop top gloves from last season and I love them so much. Gorgeous mittens, easy access to fingers. Plus if your gift recipient is like me, I never splurge on boring things like gloves, so I need someone else to do it for me.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
WAIT THERE'S MORE!</h3>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd0bDEAZiiXfB6y6JXPMOe0AGb6jyRjOixF19m6oEGmUeqZbkD8vvvojd9jsCPnRV9KhFzg4NjVZhRpy5hFKyl4bZtCSnc0BFMwHnf8aCmOHYw6GaMDXtzhVOLXsqfWLGGuOGbljDz25z/s1600/2013GiftGuide2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="949" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsd0bDEAZiiXfB6y6JXPMOe0AGb6jyRjOixF19m6oEGmUeqZbkD8vvvojd9jsCPnRV9KhFzg4NjVZhRpy5hFKyl4bZtCSnc0BFMwHnf8aCmOHYw6GaMDXtzhVOLXsqfWLGGuOGbljDz25z/s1600/2013GiftGuide2.jpg" width="700" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.verameat.com/collections/under-100-neck/products/vampire-luck">1</a> || <a href="http://www.sephora.com/mini-mani-month-P383154?skuId=1541077">2</a> || <a href="http://society6.com/product/Bill-Murray-replaceface_Print#1=45">3</a> || <a href="http://www.childsown.com/">4</a> || <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115001939/east-vs-west-acrylic-cuff-links?ref=shop_home_feat">5</a> || <a href="http://www.fresh.com/gift-sets/sugar-keepsakes/H00002990.html#start=4&cgid=HolidaySets">6</a> || <a href="http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_4-in-1%20Travel%20Adaptor_10451_10001_161381_-1_26715_11501_161412">7</a> || <a href="http://www.sephora.com/pop-color-temporary-color-spray-for-hair-P377402">8</a> || <a href="http://www.youshouldbuyart.com/products/craig-damrauer-modern-art">9</a> || <a href="http://needsupply.com/dopp-kits.html">10</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
1. <a href="http://www.verameat.com/collections/under-100-neck/products/vampire-luck" style="text-align: justify;">Vampire Luck Necklace</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $90</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">A necklace for the Twilight / 50 Shades fan in your life. This is from <a href="http://www.verameat.com/">Verameat</a>, one of my fave lines for quirky, offbeat jewelry. You might recall another Verameat stunner from my <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas">wishlist last year</a>- the Dino Eating Fried Chicken Ring. I'll have you know I'm still waiting for it.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
2. <a href="http://www.sephora.com/mini-mani-month-P383154?skuId=1541077" style="text-align: justify;">Ciate Mini Mani Month</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $58</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">This is so freaking cool no one will care that technically they should have received it on December 1st. It's an advent calendar with mini bottles of Ciate nailpolish, including their caviar beads kinds. If you don't know what caviar bead nail polish is, don't worry, you're just totally out of the loop.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
3. <a href="http://society6.com/product/Bill-Murray-replaceface_Print#1=45" style="text-align: justify;">Bill Murray Print</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $25 - $56</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">I love this Bill Murray print, as will the comedy-loving SNL freak in your life. If you can't figure out why someone would want the deified image of Carl Spackler from Caddyshack displayed for all the world to see, read <a href="http://www.billmurraystory.com/">this</a> and then tell me you don't want it.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
4. <a href="http://www.childsown.com/" style="text-align: justify;">Child's Own Softiemaker</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - ?</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">This is one of the coolest things ever. This company, <a href="http://www.childsown.com/">Child's Own</a>, will take a picture that your child has drawn and turn it into a stuffed toy. Check out their website for more examples- they're amazing. I don't know how much it costs or how long it takes but moms AND kids will lose their shit for this. OR, maybe your mom saved a pic of something you drew years ago- how much would she love to see it come to life?</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
5. <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/115001939/east-vs-west-acrylic-cuff-links?ref=shop_home_feat" style="text-align: justify;">East vs. West Cuff Links</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $32</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Biggie Smalls and Tupac (may they rest in peace) cufflinks. Need I say more?</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
6. <a href="http://www.fresh.com/gift-sets/sugar-keepsakes/H00002990.html#start=4&cgid=HolidaySets" style="text-align: justify;">Fresh Sugar Keepsakes Set</a> - $25<br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">These Sugar lip balms are my absolute favorite. I don't like the feel of most lip sticks / lip glosses but this neutral tinted balm with SPF is amazing. Bloggers go crazy over this, as do salespeople at the Fresh Store. I kinda didn't want to try it at first because everyone was all "OH THIS IS SOOOO AMAAZING YOU'RE GOING TO LOVE HOW IT FEELS ON YOUR LIPS" and I don't like pushy, weirdly sensual statements like that but, alas, it's true.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
5. <a href="http://www.momastore.org/museum/moma/ProductDisplay_4-in-1%20Travel%20Adaptor_10451_10001_161381_-1_26715_11501_161412" style="text-align: justify;">4-in-1 Travel Adapter</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $25</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">Well designed, attractive and useful for the world traveler. I'd expect nothing less from the MOMA Design Store.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
6. <a href="http://www.sephora.com/pop-color-temporary-color-spray-for-hair-P377402" style="text-align: justify;">Rita Hazan Pop Color Spray</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $18</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">For the wannabe-a-rockstar-on-weekends-or-Spring-Break-only, this looks like a lot of fun. </span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
7. <a href="http://www.youshouldbuyart.com/products/craig-damrauer-modern-art" style="text-align: justify;">Modern Art Print</a><span style="text-align: justify;"> - $60</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;">This 11x14 print by Craig Damrauer is a great example of life imitating art, or art imitating life, or art imitating life imitating art... Basically it's good for someone who probably has bare walls but a full sense of humor.</span><br />
<span style="text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
8. <a href="http://needsupply.com/dopp-kits.html" style="text-align: justify;">Dapper Dopp Kit</a> - $51<br />
This is a great gift because Dapper is a great word. It can describe a boyfriend, a husband, a father, a brother, a cousin, a gay, a straight or anything in between. Just a great word.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
There you go... my no B.S. gift guide for the lovable weirdos in your life. </h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
If you have a particular weirdo you're struggling to buy for that doesn't fit the weirdo parameters I have outlined in this post, shoot me a comment or a message. I'd be happy to make some suggestions within your budget!</h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
Riot on,</div>
<div>
Beth</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-69204168046407690582013-11-13T11:00:00.000-05:002013-11-13T11:00:03.990-05:00The Perfectly Imperfect Bed<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
My goal in life is to have one of those beds that looks good unkempt. Mostly because unkempt is a terrific adjective for my collective existence and making my bed consistently is about as likely as me asking Miley Cyrus for styling tips.<br />
<br />
These beds never have to try too hard: <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Parisian-Apartment-soft-white-bedroom-with-natural-light-and-black-accents.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="372" src="http://www.home-designing.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Parisian-Apartment-soft-white-bedroom-with-natural-light-and-black-accents.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.home-designing.com/2013/04/scandinavian-parisian-apartments-in-white">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/52/f4/3d/52f43d78baea3a5ec565557cccbb686c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/52/f4/3d/52f43d78baea3a5ec565557cccbb686c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.home-designing.com/2013/04/scandinavian-parisian-apartments-in-white">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f2/fb/0f/f2fb0f5cc52e88c7a7c469563c0f0ecf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/f2/fb/0f/f2fb0f5cc52e88c7a7c469563c0f0ecf.jpg" width="514" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://moderncharcoal.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-11-22T18%3A28%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=7">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_wjIvUO_SOW9mejv-tFRKZ4AmncaKVOj2rNL4bFeabpjkDNKioTXRFBme7aZ-4ZXrw4CnFLow0M9nlyDx4GFOVcanC5lU5ge1qjNicyvPGRXCz-Jgz643hOQLmFpwt9WvcWWRqsJG0/s400/graybedAngusFergussonViaBrightBazaar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_wjIvUO_SOW9mejv-tFRKZ4AmncaKVOj2rNL4bFeabpjkDNKioTXRFBme7aZ-4ZXrw4CnFLow0M9nlyDx4GFOVcanC5lU5ge1qjNicyvPGRXCz-Jgz643hOQLmFpwt9WvcWWRqsJG0/s640/graybedAngusFergussonViaBrightBazaar.png" width="554" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aperfectgray.com/2010/05/fabulous-gray-bedroom-set-in-which-i.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/88/29/0a8829fd1480687b321a2bc5b2bb5df4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/0a/88/29/0a8829fd1480687b321a2bc5b2bb5df4.jpg" width="504" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://style-files.com/2013/07/03/the-style-files-loves-pretty-neutrals/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/e8/a4/b6e8a41ba798cb9381a36b563304d5ae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/b6/e8/a4/b6e8a41ba798cb9381a36b563304d5ae.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rydeng.blogspot.no/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://style-files.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/small-apartment-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://style-files.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/small-apartment-6.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://style-files.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/small-apartment-6.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveDOS1KijAz4oHJunPSwuaBO8VEjzEZX_7uj9HOOSWUKuRLz7nIw_c9hVUcmlcEgKxVE5iHCE9R-90E-1z1YUgthuD4DTqBUB34tjpaVVjiE-sgtgsmIxdq2Sy0iLKfXZcwtth-DUQx8/s1600/graybedroomviaheadoverheals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiveDOS1KijAz4oHJunPSwuaBO8VEjzEZX_7uj9HOOSWUKuRLz7nIw_c9hVUcmlcEgKxVE5iHCE9R-90E-1z1YUgthuD4DTqBUB34tjpaVVjiE-sgtgsmIxdq2Sy0iLKfXZcwtth-DUQx8/s640/graybedroomviaheadoverheals.jpg" width="500" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aperfectgray.com/2010/05/fabulous-gray-bedroom-set-in-which-i.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/63/bc/9e63bcabd29030fa1ea43d3214e880b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/9e/63/bc/9e63bcabd29030fa1ea43d3214e880b1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mydesignethos.blogspot.com/2011/09/little-bohemian-little-vintage.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I love how these beds look not perfect but perfectly inviting.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you're young and still into sleeping on unconventional surfaces and/or in other people's beds, you probably don't care about bed comfort as much as I do. But to me, this topic is pretty fucking important. And I should know, my mattress is on its last springs. <br />
<br />
I recently bought a linen duvet and shams, as well as 800 thread count sheets. The sheets look crisp even when unironed (as IF I'd ever iron my sheets), and linen looks good rumpled. Now all I need is a new mattress. I don't feel like buying a mattress but it's kinda the whole point, right?<br />
<br />
Now, time for a nap...<br />
<br />
Riot on,<br />
Beth<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-21296367586079828552013-11-11T12:00:00.000-05:002013-11-11T20:33:37.370-05:00Cawfee Tawk with Flo RidaThis post is like The View, except instead of gabbing with a cast of 4 ever-rotating screechy estro-egos of nondescript age and political affiliation, we're going to coffee klatch about actual coffee tables... with Flo Rida.<br />
<br />
What kind of coffee tables does Flo Rida like?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/3VVuMIB2hC0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Low Low Low Low Low Low Low</h3>
<div>
This is way more fun than The View. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You see, I just bought a new sectional sofa that is oh-so-cool in a loungy type of way. I feel like a gangsta 4 life as I watch The Biggest Loser. The only problem is, my current coffee table just doesn't catch the vibe. I need to go low.</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW95bBT_sH2VG0tOfj5chMHJviJyv2rx0nx6pDbrKYoDBDh6daUrdzaqdmdSNCxbSyx_37tfGiCraxDxFtDWtjzSsGyI8RCH20BH0_26R8GJrkwpYZ4kJkrf3EyniT52wG6CM8yaOM2oD/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW95bBT_sH2VG0tOfj5chMHJviJyv2rx0nx6pDbrKYoDBDh6daUrdzaqdmdSNCxbSyx_37tfGiCraxDxFtDWtjzSsGyI8RCH20BH0_26R8GJrkwpYZ4kJkrf3EyniT52wG6CM8yaOM2oD/s640/photo+(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here's the design explanation: Contrast is very appealing to the eyes. Because my loft has nice high ceilings, the best way to highlight this feature is to show them off. Draw the eye up and down- see! so much space WOW! Our wall-to-ceiling Ikea Expedit shelves to a great job of drawing the eye up, and our new sofa stays low to the ground, creating this cool contrast. The coffee table needs to go with the flow. It's simply another way to play with proportions to create an exciting and appealing visual.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are some examples:</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/39/df/56/39df561373b53bf3e80fe870e44da62b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak2.pinimg.com/736x/39/df/56/39df561373b53bf3e80fe870e44da62b.jpg" width="426" /> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://images.nymag.com/homedesign/articles/2012/05/greatroom/images/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://images.nymag.com/homedesign/articles/2012/05/greatroom/images/4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioJVgH4xIvYqfzT83zVN5TE4SWEm5CqLgCFoERrdCFyp1muCpDMeb4qlPyNgy7tr9ShQZYuy97T7eX80LsldgzTYEVhBzy_6yDFY8K8qbUGW7WaEqV9ip05dWr9aXlzzZyBBRu5JMkAs/s1600/Screen+shot+2011-03-30+at+11.35.33+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgioJVgH4xIvYqfzT83zVN5TE4SWEm5CqLgCFoERrdCFyp1muCpDMeb4qlPyNgy7tr9ShQZYuy97T7eX80LsldgzTYEVhBzy_6yDFY8K8qbUGW7WaEqV9ip05dWr9aXlzzZyBBRu5JMkAs/s640/Screen+shot+2011-03-30+at+11.35.33+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9vbzKLGOX_H__c58u8QQUN0c14RBd96cPal7sibdseH7S__sDhIy9o5PTy1l6l2tR27IpEejpKYzSKdv4QVieoK3zyp8jXn8eNklbPExuuIgJK-Pc_QRG22jSQQlGiCA9uFXQVMY-G3c/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="402" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9vbzKLGOX_H__c58u8QQUN0c14RBd96cPal7sibdseH7S__sDhIy9o5PTy1l6l2tR27IpEejpKYzSKdv4QVieoK3zyp8jXn8eNklbPExuuIgJK-Pc_QRG22jSQQlGiCA9uFXQVMY-G3c/s640/8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">via</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/storage/livingrm-casasp.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1353343825604" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/storage/livingrm-casasp.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1353343825604" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/home/2012/11/19/a-living-beauty.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciz6BELCbGd0360Kp-M5h6oXbnWRmQWomgcLBGVrWcbZa2uoLo7vLMY77urSdpkMORrLVfiyR-w_TTDDVdgFt70rAAAYaOaiGmwHFnd9jMj1qtuCgdw4IbBjLU4fgGZyyPCtrRik37Ojv/s1600/luxury-interiors-manhattan-loft-new-york-luxury-homes-minimalist-style+(5).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhciz6BELCbGd0360Kp-M5h6oXbnWRmQWomgcLBGVrWcbZa2uoLo7vLMY77urSdpkMORrLVfiyR-w_TTDDVdgFt70rAAAYaOaiGmwHFnd9jMj1qtuCgdw4IbBjLU4fgGZyyPCtrRik37Ojv/s640/luxury-interiors-manhattan-loft-new-york-luxury-homes-minimalist-style+(5).jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://interiors-and-design.blogspot.com/2012/08/manhattan-loft.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/storage/Casa-Cor-Rio-Living-02.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1346173656519" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/storage/Casa-Cor-Rio-Living-02.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1346173656519" width="520" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://atelierturner.squarespace.com/home/2012/8/28/contemporary-meets-historical.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/4f/6d/e94f6dc5d5fccb8c9a667e4cea08fae1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/e9/4f/6d/e94f6dc5d5fccb8c9a667e4cea08fae1.jpg" width="326" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1035052/Tr--plex-Copacaba--Rio-De-Janeiro---Carlos-Cesar-Ferreira-Architecture-contemporary-living-room-other-metro">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/58/54/29/585429ee255020d71f0c9ad483f9bded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/58/54/29/585429ee255020d71f0c9ad483f9bded.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.moooi.com/news/new-collection-presentation-during-salone-del-mobile-milan-2013">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
See what I mean? You gotta go low to get high, isn't that right Flo-Rida?<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Here is a round-up of my fave low riders for Chez Benson:</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNPHOnyzD_VxftYX5nPXb2HVjXZ8ODsXuY2I8dBNrN-B0EgdDWTeYXAtBTqd-9KIG4p-ru3Jno62sXSK6qlMpM23nXbw4R7Kz4SvrmGZnZmv44fRXrb_NcRVvWyEDBLO0obeHPNJKNZnn/s1600/CoffeeTables.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyNPHOnyzD_VxftYX5nPXb2HVjXZ8ODsXuY2I8dBNrN-B0EgdDWTeYXAtBTqd-9KIG4p-ru3Jno62sXSK6qlMpM23nXbw4R7Kz4SvrmGZnZmv44fRXrb_NcRVvWyEDBLO0obeHPNJKNZnn/s640/CoffeeTables.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.highfashionhome.com/siren-coffee-table.html">1</a> / <a href="http://www.highfashionhome.com/origami-coffee-table-47.html">2</a> / <a href="http://www.tomdixon.net/products/flash-square">3</a> / <a href="http://www.knoll.com/product/krusin-coffee-table">4</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
1. Siren Coffee Table- 10" height, $599<br />
<br />
2. Origami Coffee Table- 15" height, $599<br />
<br />
3. Tom Dixon Flash Square, Circle, and Rectangle- 12" height, $995 (for square), 15.7" height, $715 (for circle), 19.7" height, $525 (for rectangle)<br />
<br />
4. Knoll Krusin- 10" height, $2797<br />
<br />
<br />
As you can tell by the prices, low does not mean slumming. What do you think? Which type works best with the new sofa?<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201335/0220/img64o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ab.weimgs.com/weimgs/ab/images/wcm/products/201335/0220/img64o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/baxter-3-piece-chaise-sectional-h087/?pkey=e%7Cbaxter%7C5%7Cbest%7C0%7C1%7C24%7C%7C3&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Tell me what you think!<br />
<br />
Riot on,<br />
Beth<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-74492007451671196242013-11-08T14:55:00.002-05:002013-11-08T15:10:34.974-05:00Murder Was The Case That They Gave Me<h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
No not really. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><div style="text-align: center;">
More like Depraved Digital Negligence. </div>
</span></h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
I know I've been absent. Some might say negligent. Some might even say I'm the Teen Mom of the blog world... and you'd be right!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/portwood-jenelle-teen-mom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://blog.zap2it.com/frominsidethebox/portwood-jenelle-teen-mom.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3hfkQNd8dZKEF-B2ZTBU2IzeP6J4kFPhsBq8q1J_6pMgVtQkU5ydAKRuzboCW165wzyI6XQt0A8ZT1rR3gwIOoSZrG5OGJJn8lSmFb6099r2ld_au1EQTnIIXMA9ynSlXdW_NEWjAJ3u/s1600/BethMugShot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd3hfkQNd8dZKEF-B2ZTBU2IzeP6J4kFPhsBq8q1J_6pMgVtQkU5ydAKRuzboCW165wzyI6XQt0A8ZT1rR3gwIOoSZrG5OGJJn8lSmFb6099r2ld_au1EQTnIIXMA9ynSlXdW_NEWjAJ3u/s320/BethMugShot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
GUILTY!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
(The greatest crime might be that I made myself over 6 feet tall)</div>
<br />
But even when mamma disappears for hours, days, weeks, months, it doesn't mean mamma doesn't love you. I WISH I'd been out augmenting body parts by day and violating parole by night, but the reality is much less exciting so I'll spare you tedium. Stress, work, blah blah blah... Oh you too?!!!<br />
<br />
Needless to say, I've missed you! Despite the radio silence I have been making serious upgrades in my apartment and my life. I can't wait until my blogging behaviors don't lend themselves so gracefully to metaphors of under-educated teenage mothers making poor life choices!<br />
<br />
I WILL BE BACK! In the near future. With some new ideas.<br />
<br />
Here's a few sneak peaks!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvxR7859b5L_3sdLnN1ZU25PqGh56x-3vNYzeYbR6Usz8QQHOdPaEL1jFsmAkoeEm7JO3CL7BjvaQX7pJNH-Oxtb03728O9ZZnX6Dabn-PcuvoMVZh2qrPnIIvbFVu61TOIqtIEx1Awjh/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIvxR7859b5L_3sdLnN1ZU25PqGh56x-3vNYzeYbR6Usz8QQHOdPaEL1jFsmAkoeEm7JO3CL7BjvaQX7pJNH-Oxtb03728O9ZZnX6Dabn-PcuvoMVZh2qrPnIIvbFVu61TOIqtIEx1Awjh/s640/photo+(7).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Blue Sofa!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCP4XwEz1bJEP5x89-zyagPp06mgUkR72wFkSBk-zn-iqMpXINMSFgRKrrGBCSmiR6K_RZJNWVUpZC_w9Yj3omZ190EBJxRmJdofHo8xE2T45YuX36ag6Pj8oGKPIrM8Y-Xdsn_R9_azN/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCP4XwEz1bJEP5x89-zyagPp06mgUkR72wFkSBk-zn-iqMpXINMSFgRKrrGBCSmiR6K_RZJNWVUpZC_w9Yj3omZ190EBJxRmJdofHo8xE2T45YuX36ag6Pj8oGKPIrM8Y-Xdsn_R9_azN/s640/photo+(8).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Art + Updated Gallery Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl74iXXT7at1BbQydcugZLcWwhE26DCObHlfyBHDLawfaLVY-5zZdyC9hWj6B5Aic5Lufk9DI0xU34XUEBXc0js6hpc57sOwopk29Nbk0sDI2mUdzoScGM2bnDzUeNVOPpx_9fhls6QzMM/s1600/photo+(9).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl74iXXT7at1BbQydcugZLcWwhE26DCObHlfyBHDLawfaLVY-5zZdyC9hWj6B5Aic5Lufk9DI0xU34XUEBXc0js6hpc57sOwopk29Nbk0sDI2mUdzoScGM2bnDzUeNVOPpx_9fhls6QzMM/s640/photo+(9).JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Coffee Table Obsession- Tom Dixon at ABC Home</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDZT0vnfIjADdamlh2ip_h01eVinQEFy7gRbo6LsrEuX9E6q8-WJy7D7qMphAiQp7odx2HWAnMK0NfKYPq2kgogFOQu40AODI9_aV7rZssn80AlemrmCzHDZJdODbwiF6yD8q1DjbRuui/s1600/photo+(10).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYDZT0vnfIjADdamlh2ip_h01eVinQEFy7gRbo6LsrEuX9E6q8-WJy7D7qMphAiQp7odx2HWAnMK0NfKYPq2kgogFOQu40AODI9_aV7rZssn80AlemrmCzHDZJdODbwiF6yD8q1DjbRuui/s640/photo+(10).JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Still my favorite boys... not everything has to be new!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Riot on,<br />
Beth<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-54681389401252073272013-07-16T17:38:00.001-04:002013-07-16T18:07:31.233-04:00Sofa KingSo remember how <a href="http://www.riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2013/05/i-just-impulse-bought-couch.html">I impulse bought a new couch</a>?!!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Well that kinda fell through </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but it might have been for the better</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm not going to say West Elm was cunty, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
but </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I'm going to imply it. </div>
<br />
They cancelled our order for one of two reasons, both of which they claimed at separate times: 1) the sofa was back-ordered too long and the wait didn't meet their standards (despite the couch still listed on their website for sale) and/or 2) the price was an error so corporate made them cancel the order (despite a previous call we received from West Elm customer service stating they would honor the price despite the mistake)<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Needless to say, I wasn't cool with this explanations (plural)- but where the Lord fucketh me over by closing one door, he un-fucketh me over by opening a window. That's how that saying goes, right?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The Huz and I tag-teamed the West Elm customer service line and got them to give us a 35% discount off a new couch, any couch, that could stack with their current 25% off everything sale, amounting to approximately 50% off. So we chose a different layout and fabric of the same style sectional: the Baxter. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The new configuration will hopefully suit us better and only ended up costing a couple hundred dollars extra. We could have told West Elm to go eff themselves, but we still had Pottery Barn gift credit from our wedding and seeing as they're the same company, we'd have to buy something from these fools at some point. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rk.weimgs.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201319/0024/img20c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://rk.weimgs.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201319/0024/img20c.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/baxter-3-piece-chaise-sectional-h087/?pkey=csectionals&cm_src=sectionals||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">The Baxter in Ink Blue Velvet</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
So what's my status with West Elm right now? It's complicated. It'll help a lot if the couch is awesome in person.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-65768787840635125082013-05-22T19:22:00.002-04:002013-05-22T19:30:14.052-04:00I just impulse bought a couchThat's what I do.<br />
<br />
I pour over couches for months (YEARS!) without making a decision. I go from wanting something vintage to something traditional to something ultra-contemporary. But never modern. Meanwhile I've endured the inherent homelessness a freebie couch under a way-more-shabby-than-chic dropcloth, asking my husband to stand up in the middle of Game of Thrones so I can re-center the ever-uncentering fabric. And then one day it's Tuesday and POOF! I have a new couch on the way.<br />
<br />
It's sort of what I always wanted in the way a couch on sale is sorta like the $10,000 one from ABC Home that I visit in the showroom more often than I visit my parents.<br />
<br />
The "chosen one" is from <a href="http://www.westelm.com/?cm_type=gnav&cm_sp=GlobalLinks-_-Topnav-_-WestElmLogo">West Elm</a>. And I never tested it out. I didn't go see it in the store or take swatches home or even note what the fabric is. The cardinal rules of sofa purchasing are finite and unwavering and yet I broke them all. How I got to this devil-may-care attitude might have something to do with the fact that I got an $1800 couch for less than $500 or maybe I was just so full of upholstery self-hatred that I could bear it no longer. Or perhaps I have spent too many hours circling an oval track at 10k pace over the past few months and I miss my design blog.<br />
<br />
I need to come back! <br />
<br />
Oh yeah, so about the couch... It's a sectional which will do a great job of visually dividing my loft and the color is neutral because I always change my mind about color before I can ever get around to committing to it. Now I just need a new coffee table because this is a low couch which means I need a low coffee table for all my friends in low places. And then a tall floor lamp. YES!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rk.weimgs.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201319/0039/img18o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://rk.weimgs.com/weimgs/rk/images/wcm/products/201319/0039/img18o.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/baxter-3-piece-sectional-flax-s176/?pkey=csale-furniture&cm_src=sale-furniture||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Sure, things might not work out with the couch, but couches always grow back. Oh no wait, that's hair. But you might as well take risks in design because you're bound to make mistakes anyway and it's stupid to live in paralyzing couch fear for as long as I have. This style, <a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/baxter-3-piece-sectional-flax-s176/?pkey=csale-furniture&cm_src=sale-furniture||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-">the Baxter,</a> gives me some flexibility which is peace of mind. I can purchase different pieces if I decide I don't like this shape. Or slipcover this badboy if (when) it gets stained or I want a color or pattern. <br />
<br />
It's not coming for a couple weeks, but I'll take some pics once I get it settled.<br />
<br />
<br />
In the meantime, help me pick out a new coffee table that is equally low! Have you seen my <a href="http://pinterest.com/bethy_rodgers/coffee-talk/">Pinterest board</a> on coffee tables? It's called "Coffee talk" get it?! Haha! Sooooo funny, see I work in comedy.<br />
<br />
Riot on,<br />
Beth <br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-11164702095284405282013-04-09T20:18:00.001-04:002013-04-11T08:16:09.313-04:00Auctions are my form of Gambling<div>
Eff the NCAA tournament and the endearingly indifferent homosexual who won your office pool. Don't waste your time on Poker, or Blackjack, or Roulette, or Russian Roulette, or Chat Roulette or any other type of Roulette that has an entry in Urban Dictionary.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2hb4zsfUxnZ7j2GQRdgBLEhTU04EeiBSarTVKSlu7DzpMt5YyEqLgQuRR3AcBz3H9_ewTuel4qLCnojG1aGgThVkii1T77-14yzzpE1dk7L6FoIzitYknwP4yBooLeg74dtTPP659lzG/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-09+at+8.17.01+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-2hb4zsfUxnZ7j2GQRdgBLEhTU04EeiBSarTVKSlu7DzpMt5YyEqLgQuRR3AcBz3H9_ewTuel4qLCnojG1aGgThVkii1T77-14yzzpE1dk7L6FoIzitYknwP4yBooLeg74dtTPP659lzG/s320/Screen+Shot+2013-04-09+at+8.17.01+PM.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Instead, check out <a href="http://www.liveauctioneers.com/">LiveAuctioneers</a>! It's my new Atlantic City.<br />
<br />
I've never taken to gambling, but I LOVE the drama of an auction. I've never been to one in person, though I've had my auction bidding strategy plan in place ever since I was a kid watching 80's sitcoms with the obligatory auction episode (Did the fast-talking auctioneer and arcane bidding conventions trick you into accidentally high-bidding on the bazillion dollar naked lady sculpture? Cue canned laugher!).<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
Truth is, the real reason I've never been to a live auction is more so because they're typically held in sad hotel conference rooms than any fear of accidental purchase. LiveAuctioneers is incredible because it takes the sad conference room out of the auction, and inserts your pajamas, laptop and favorite couch. Yes, it's an online service that allows you to bid live on auctions held all over the country and world. But it's not Ebay, which is entirely online and has therefore formulated its own unique auction rules. LiveAuctioneers is more like absentee bidding- placing you right in the middle of the action with a live tracker so you can see bids coming in from the auction real time.<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Even better? The selection is very appealing and the starting prices are like gateway drugs. </div>
<div>
<br />
So far I bid (and lost) on these at their starting price of $50:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC_kkR7zwt5vl8A8Ao-azqxBQUZgBWF2h0tg6nnlsC3PgJDTyRH3JNnlfoJ8yyhD7Sd0FhDoROX-viWSpN7U65j_4osHSMxICyIPcg4kuMuYcQeMzg2GHi8MgT2W-TzdedaQyxX2MQYn-/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-07+at+11.38.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGC_kkR7zwt5vl8A8Ao-azqxBQUZgBWF2h0tg6nnlsC3PgJDTyRH3JNnlfoJ8yyhD7Sd0FhDoROX-viWSpN7U65j_4osHSMxICyIPcg4kuMuYcQeMzg2GHi8MgT2W-TzdedaQyxX2MQYn-/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-04-07+at+11.38.04+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
They would have been cool- they sold for $125.<br />
<br />
<br />
And I really wanted to bid on this, which, in order to appreciate the scale, I must tell you is about 5ft wide by 4ft tall:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToRtpbRYbrIOATeaOuhKm3CjWlkzBCSZR9z2J65cJIfQuSU-FoO_K7-36Xj9camJ_ZzHe-exjo07aizFbptf60CLLVArw0Wl-Q-B3Z4ohxdmEBLWJL_wexerqH_rgmQaTaYEZAXIAhpKp/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-04-07+at+11.34.46+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhToRtpbRYbrIOATeaOuhKm3CjWlkzBCSZR9z2J65cJIfQuSU-FoO_K7-36Xj9camJ_ZzHe-exjo07aizFbptf60CLLVArw0Wl-Q-B3Z4ohxdmEBLWJL_wexerqH_rgmQaTaYEZAXIAhpKp/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-04-07+at+11.34.46+AM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
But evidently my husband doesn't share my taste in art. And he didn't take too much to my proclamation that he would "get used to it."<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
But you love it, right? RIGHT?!!!</h3>
<br />
Starting bid was $150, I believe it sold for $275. Now the fucked up horse belongs to someone else :(<br />
<br />
<br />
Now that I've tested the waters, I don't think there's any going back for me. I'm in too deep. I'm already eyeing some other cool things, but I'm not telling you fools! Go check it out for yourself</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-86684962183009438592013-04-06T18:16:00.005-04:002013-04-06T18:27:56.666-04:00Quiet RiotI'm in one of those moments in life where I'm in a bit of a funk. I'm having a crisis of purpose, I suppose. Maybe it has to do with recently <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/30-years-old.html">turning 30</a>, or the running injury that fucked <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2013/01/resolutions.html">my plan for this year</a>, or maybe it's stress and restlessness from work, or maybe it's all of these things combined with the fact that I'M 30 AND NOT IN MY 20'S ANYMORE AND GETTING OLDER AND WILL SOMEDAY DIE.<br />
<br />
I don't seek therapy, I don't take pills. Instead, I run, I think, I cry, I roll up in a ball and hide under the covers until I have the courage to come out of my cocoon a stronger, happier person. I have never been a shouter, an intimidator, a confronter but I do think I'm a fighter, in my own way. This is just how I choose to fight my battles.<br />
<br />
Times like this always turn me introspective. What have <i>I </i>done, or not done, to get myself in this situation? What can <i>I </i>do to make things better? While it might sound corny, I find inspiration from history and successful people. After all, these fools have been through some shit.<br />
<br />
Here are a few quotes that really resonate with me right now:<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/736x/24/fa/25/24fa259b61655a38757ea86a044da93f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/736x/24/fa/25/24fa259b61655a38757ea86a044da93f.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: left;">
This is metaphorical AND literal advice for me.</h4>
<div>
<a name='more'></a><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/736x/e1/42/0d/e1420d354c1b1bb68370e79f79af7235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/736x/e1/42/0d/e1420d354c1b1bb68370e79f79af7235.jpg" width="494" /></a></div>
<h4>
Go after your own dream, or you'll be recruited to help someone go after theirs. </h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-give-me-the-luxuries-of-life-and-i-will-willingly-do-without-the-necessities-frank-lloyd-wright-202116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://izquotes.com/quotes-pictures/quote-give-me-the-luxuries-of-life-and-i-will-willingly-do-without-the-necessities-frank-lloyd-wright-202116.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Prioritize your happiness.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.emilymcdowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/inferior1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.emilymcdowell.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/inferior1.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Whether we realize it or not, we teach people how to treat us. Perhaps I should try teaching people to treat me like a Tunisian Shaman.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/736x/74/5a/b7/745ab72a89abedd495ccd30505534e2c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="588" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/736x/74/5a/b7/745ab72a89abedd495ccd30505534e2c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4>
This is my antidote for the old Hollywood adage, "It's not what you know, it's who you know." I don't know anyone, so I might as well try courage.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/736x/fe/34/74/fe347412ea05169cb7bc1ee172d9e46f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec7.pinterest.com/736x/fe/34/74/fe347412ea05169cb7bc1ee172d9e46f.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<h4>
I've been waiting 30 years to feel ready.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/736x/fd/3c/5c/fd3c5c738491a5cc0588837f35cafd5c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-is0.pinimg.com/736x/fd/3c/5c/fd3c5c738491a5cc0588837f35cafd5c.jpg" width="526" /></a></div>
<h4>
If this is true, I must be able to see a ton of motherfucking stars. </h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.hohumcards.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lady-in-an-apron-greeting2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="http://www.hohumcards.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/lady-in-an-apron-greeting2.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4>
Perfection is boring, just look at Jessica Alba.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/736x/4f/8a/72/4f8a72b3959b369a7ab427e2094766fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="440" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/736x/4f/8a/72/4f8a72b3959b369a7ab427e2094766fc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<h4>
Right now I feel like a fish that finally figured out how to climb the tree, got stuck & needed someone to call the fire department.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/736x/57/20/39/572039e1548ab19fa9497f19cd887a43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec5.pinterest.com/736x/57/20/39/572039e1548ab19fa9497f19cd887a43.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h4>
Conan said this on his final broadcast of the short-lived <i>Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien</i>. It reminds me that at the end of the day, all we have is our own character and work ethic. In this city, it's easy to be cynical but I genuinely believe this to be true. Or at least I hope it's true, because it's the only kind of world I want to live in.</h4>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Are you a self-helper too?</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What are your fave inspirational quotes?</div>
</h3>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-27378476540165172552013-03-30T00:23:00.000-04:002013-03-30T00:23:45.136-04:00Why Do I Love The Most Impractical Things?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/Barneys/502486431_model_1?$model_size$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://s7d9.scene7.com/is/image/Barneys/502486431_model_1?$model_size$" width="246" /></a></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.barneys.com/Haider-Ackermann-Slit-Front-Long-Skirt/502486431,default,pd.html?cgid=march-influencers&index=5">Haider Ackermann Slit Front Long Skirt via Barney's</a></h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b>A skirt with a train. In NYC. Don't even look at the price.</b><br />
<h4>
Where to wear: Photo shoots, sterile operating rooms and 5-star hotels.</h4>
<h4>
Sigh.</h4>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-67320918316475270632013-03-15T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-15T08:00:11.689-04:00Paris Flea Market Style<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81RUxtFzmYL._SL1500_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81RUxtFzmYL._SL1500_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
A week or so ago I received my pre-ordered copy of <i>Paris Flea Market Style</i> by Claudia Strasser (of the site / blog <a href="http://www.theparisapartment.com/">The Paris Aparment</a>).<br />
<br />
I first heard of Claudia through her <a href="http://www.theparisapartment.com/boutique/index.php">online boutique</a>, which has some of the most amazing French antique finds- they are truly from a fantasy. And of course, the first question on my mind was, "Where did she find these amazing things?"<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Paris, duh. It says so in the URL.<br />
<br />
The book is a whimsical stroll through Claudia's search for said treasures, which she finds in the Paris Flea Markets and then ships home for restoration. As any self-respecting Francophile would command, the book indulges in romance and decadence on every page. It would be sickening if it wasn't so damn magical! You can read the whole thing in an hour and gain a lot of valuable insight from someone who has dedicated her career to treasure-hunting. Or you can leave it on your coffee table for people to peruse in small, lovely bites like a frou-frou macaron.<br />
<br />
The book reads like an indispensable tour guide with very specific advice from an obvious expert.<br />
Claudia gives us descriptions of the various flea markets in the city, which markets specialize in a particular item, when to go, how to search and what exactly to look for to find value and authenticity. For me, her insistence that shipping items from the Paris fleas is a simple process was encouraging. I have foreign shipping anxiety, well among other forms of anxiety.<br />
<br />
<br />
So why am I so obsessed with Paris Flea Markets? This is a 2 parter:<br />
<br />
Flea markets because I lament the loss of skilled handwork in modern design and antiques are most affordable at flea markets.<br />
<br />
Paris because the French have excellent taste in design (not up for discussion). Also, the last time I was in Paris I was in college and only spent 36 hours in the city. I called it "Speed Paris" because my fellow study abroad-mates and I hit up all the "must-see" sites one after the other, Amazing Race-style. Top of the Eiffel Tower? Check! Champs Elysses / Arc de Triomphe combo? DONE. Off to the Louvre- go straight past the Winged Angel and on to the Mona Lisa. Smile with an Asian tourist! Click! OK taxi boat to Notre Dame. In hindsight, it was pretty much the worst way to experience Paris.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfhPcGgsmH-st7u136QZaXnr8ZvQ_CzeRuycNkk0gUK-TfCNU9r-2u3SJntupWAvnqLJOopWYmFN0ccQ1NYZgO599wZMVvUOp6z9q7gEQIFlceCnj892iXwkWwanbjf9cn02FSMxOhmF0/s1600/Paris2004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfhPcGgsmH-st7u136QZaXnr8ZvQ_CzeRuycNkk0gUK-TfCNU9r-2u3SJntupWAvnqLJOopWYmFN0ccQ1NYZgO599wZMVvUOp6z9q7gEQIFlceCnj892iXwkWwanbjf9cn02FSMxOhmF0/s640/Paris2004.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The obligatory Eiffel Tower shot & our group pausing for a breather on the steps of the Louvre</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Now I need to go back to Paris, preferably without looking like a rapid tourist. I want to stroll. I want to sip. I want to see! And after going through Claudia's book, I am certain it's a must-bring to help me find some wonderful Parisian treasures to bring home. In fact, I'm pretty sure Claudia herself is a must-bring. We could totally be BFFs, right?<br />
<br />
As someone who has always dreamed of visiting the Paris flea markets, this book preaches to my choir. If you are so inclined, you best grab yourself a copy of the book and then call me immediately so we can start planning our shopping trip!<br />
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
*Note: This post is a safe place. There will be no mention of cost, currency, exchange rates or other practical notions. The French have no time for such minutiae.</h4>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Here are a few lovely photographs from the book:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdseL_TrVy4NP7-jfpeP9h7KE9J_r8RJfDzj2hXdRIaJllOv9RfzOWYFoCbGypmMGLL3oC_0a9nxSOUINzE29hRnMSbyJLMCN5ctzCPpmo1w2YH_bLnOsfF2-M6IYeeY8MdBBBSKb4V17H/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-03-14+at+4.05.11+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="638" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdseL_TrVy4NP7-jfpeP9h7KE9J_r8RJfDzj2hXdRIaJllOv9RfzOWYFoCbGypmMGLL3oC_0a9nxSOUINzE29hRnMSbyJLMCN5ctzCPpmo1w2YH_bLnOsfF2-M6IYeeY8MdBBBSKb4V17H/s640/Screen+shot+2013-03-14+at+4.05.11+PM.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1iKh06nGBGUllu1fUAGi49WzhewEOHpKUnu5M3F9awhD7oUNUX34aj31KGFd_aOsAKAFxNxsZbWqQBQH6Ly7oirJEhAsG_JLGgQyDiFyccbjP1b8eDdv3rsR4CBkR45xvRMjh-W_0-T0/s1600/ParisApt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictJiv5dlFxCZiiohlJ3bYJVuhCzoZxi3tH1INeExiszLNnK0NTOqNg3JXVt7oAzQkYceqajnmpDSsUzVaSGP6rF7f4BHAMYzN00SE9vTHFglMWofp1dTmjnj6nC4h7HLVqfywjKyLE3dd/s1600/ParisApt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEictJiv5dlFxCZiiohlJ3bYJVuhCzoZxi3tH1INeExiszLNnK0NTOqNg3JXVt7oAzQkYceqajnmpDSsUzVaSGP6rF7f4BHAMYzN00SE9vTHFglMWofp1dTmjnj6nC4h7HLVqfywjKyLE3dd/s640/ParisApt1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbKgoeT-qtQrDWlU9YLfjN3TF8gywXG-BXAIUel_5bOpD3O0XqEwrJaQ6OljqxypeRww1ndc-4Wl0KjfAvxkVDBvRsoOlSpL3TdejtOfnwHLw8fehViLRyzDNuZ8tMwxO369q8jhwNrXN/s1600/ParisApt2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKbKgoeT-qtQrDWlU9YLfjN3TF8gywXG-BXAIUel_5bOpD3O0XqEwrJaQ6OljqxypeRww1ndc-4Wl0KjfAvxkVDBvRsoOlSpL3TdejtOfnwHLw8fehViLRyzDNuZ8tMwxO369q8jhwNrXN/s640/ParisApt2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_401960661"></span>All images via<span id="goog_401960662"></span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-90804513429517290722013-03-14T08:00:00.000-04:002013-03-24T12:35:31.189-04:009 Things the Internet Loves that I'm Not So Sure AboutI follow the lifestyle mags / blogs / Pinterest world like a drug-crazed fiend (but in a good way). Those of us who are hooked on pictures of pretty things tend to follow trends, which is inevitable. But sometimes I just can't seem to get on the bandwagon. Here are 9 things the Internet-loving universe is all crazy over that I'm just not sold on...<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Argan Oil</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.sephora.com/productimages/sku/s1121797-main-Lhero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.sephora.com/productimages/sku/s1121797-main-Lhero.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
So many bloggers / beauty editors rave about this product that I threw caution to the wind & bought a full-size bottle of this schtuff for $50 at <a href="http://www.sephora.com/argan-oil-P218700?om_mmc=Googlepla,_requestid=42976,cm_mmc=us_search-_-GG-_-pla-_-,ci_src=17588969,ci_sku=1121797">Sephora</a>. It's touted as an anti-aging, moisturizing, conditioning, miracle-working, unicorn-spotting, Pope-selecting, Peace-in-the-Middle-East-inducing oil. But it still smells like tires. And if I use it anywhere at all and then touch my hair by the end of the day I look like Johnny Depp after a week-long sauna. But I'm sure it's great for some people.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<h3>
Alexa Chung</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://cdn3.gossipcenter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/fullsize_image/images/a/alexa-chung-elle-uk-0312-%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn3.gossipcenter.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/fullsize_image/images/a/alexa-chung-elle-uk-0312-%20(1).jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh Alexa Chung- that girl who suddenly I was supposed to know & care about yet couldn't quite figure out why. Sure, she's beautiful and probably talented at something but since I still don't know, I refuse to learn. It's my own form of non-violent resistance, kind of like Gandhi. But of course, you fucking love her don't you. Everyone does.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Nail Art</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafebqmKIm8-TlTNUIhwfhdu7L1IfA_kNPebwu3U41ctZk-BeRHzuWUKLleg40sOaru8xYhuXrQRpnP8-TuWeqzPYWw-iF5p153JInIKYlcK3_0K2fALqa4QrCZ12KH3aln9x_vxyx549n/s1600/NailArt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafebqmKIm8-TlTNUIhwfhdu7L1IfA_kNPebwu3U41ctZk-BeRHzuWUKLleg40sOaru8xYhuXrQRpnP8-TuWeqzPYWw-iF5p153JInIKYlcK3_0K2fALqa4QrCZ12KH3aln9x_vxyx549n/s640/NailArt.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
Hey, we all had the <a href="http://www.klutz.com/activity-books/kids/Nail-Art">Klutz Nail Art</a> book from the 90's. I've already done my fair share of painting ladybugs and flowers on my fingers and toes with a toothpick. But come on, <i>nobody </i>is going to paint effing Starry Night on their fingers. These designs had to take hours and 3 assistants to complete. They're cute, but think about how desperate you'd look if you went out in public like this!<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
The word Smitten</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-VcDVmOMLukByNKiasm4xoY-vbt3Zr0gCNBqs8XwzVossMJ82I_6CR9IOij_JAbfbztpOJg0aLGpuyYbSzZV-TO5R45h1qzBePQ8TRzT0yQrM59u3zBomJtW1_xXqZOIOj149qKYrGXu/s1600/smitten.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu-VcDVmOMLukByNKiasm4xoY-vbt3Zr0gCNBqs8XwzVossMJ82I_6CR9IOij_JAbfbztpOJg0aLGpuyYbSzZV-TO5R45h1qzBePQ8TRzT0yQrM59u3zBomJtW1_xXqZOIOj149qKYrGXu/s320/smitten.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
I get it... it sounds like "kitten" which is cute because everyone loves kittens and cat videos. But do you ever use that word in real life (<i>IRL)</i>?!!!! Here's a deal: If you can use that word on a first date or while talking to your boss, then smit away my friend.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
Mustaches</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_17ffObdP8273et_1PArdAu2wn4K-M5WuYzp0gzzSK7brnrr38qMppLbg72uUA90MZCG2ypNjSbYz_suldXNygWTK1fpmdx_hXhvNCuR6_IjrUlHZsrYZUDzfZAuvDc2Ms95t948ttZd/s1600/mustache.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7_17ffObdP8273et_1PArdAu2wn4K-M5WuYzp0gzzSK7brnrr38qMppLbg72uUA90MZCG2ypNjSbYz_suldXNygWTK1fpmdx_hXhvNCuR6_IjrUlHZsrYZUDzfZAuvDc2Ms95t948ttZd/s640/mustache.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<br />
There's no doubt Brooklyn is to blame for this one, so I can't help but feel a sense a guilt for marrying a man who has a full beard, including mustache. We know not what we have done...<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Oliva Palermo</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjICJiEg9hw8U7wU2ClZErpvL68YHu2LeMfDNyTN2SAOEBnbPL8fnFixNKXrgg4RnCnVI3Ntg1wrwm7oVCaa4qJmHzNf7S4CscFjsjwTkAaCd2eadjXnzb_emgveXz-QOqbEk2-1gJWh3U/s1600/OliviaPalermo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="416" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjICJiEg9hw8U7wU2ClZErpvL68YHu2LeMfDNyTN2SAOEBnbPL8fnFixNKXrgg4RnCnVI3Ntg1wrwm7oVCaa4qJmHzNf7S4CscFjsjwTkAaCd2eadjXnzb_emgveXz-QOqbEk2-1gJWh3U/s640/OliviaPalermo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
She was in <i>The City </i>on MTV. Now she clogs up my Pinterest feed with her pristine features and the untarnished lustre of trust fund privilege. She sucks. I'm jealous.<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
<br /></h3>
<h3>
Fishtail Braids</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/1a/b8/cd/1ab8cd1889d6914934833d7cf65f2a21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/550x/1a/b8/cd/1ab8cd1889d6914934833d7cf65f2a21.jpg" width="376" /></a></div>
<br />
This one also falls under the "<a href="http://www.klutz.com/activity-books/kids/Hair-Book">Klutz did it in 1995</a>" category. I seriously don't know anyone who has the hair to pull off a fishtail, which leads me to believe they are mostly made of horses just like our hamburgers.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Photo Filters</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qE1fdfm-4HTUaSGvyqBLoV8zefvRGUHWqOSBHxhxSJxaU-5050GovcU3862YS1boEz5D5SACP2YCWsoLqdg_BlHJuoRZlnHjvD-lbTvyVerJ1aQSQVY0xVbHKMMcdRPim_Go4QQCTRWD/s1600/AdobePhotoshopExpress_2013_03_14_010003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2qE1fdfm-4HTUaSGvyqBLoV8zefvRGUHWqOSBHxhxSJxaU-5050GovcU3862YS1boEz5D5SACP2YCWsoLqdg_BlHJuoRZlnHjvD-lbTvyVerJ1aQSQVY0xVbHKMMcdRPim_Go4QQCTRWD/s640/AdobePhotoshopExpress_2013_03_14_010003.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Oh Instagram, look what you started. Why bother learning to take a good photo when you can take a shitty out of focus one, add a filter to mask the crappiness and pass it off as artistic license? Trust me, I look at <i>thousands</i> of professional photos every day for my job, so I've learned a thing or two. I like Instagram for photo sharing, I could just do without all the sepia-tones and soft focus.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
This Poster:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1glDvRrM8gfRPPYAYuFeqdMehwE_j5mX9OPDAI46Je6nqgYIX42OyapS9k6ATKKOGrgivwlR-ZOt6vVRkAoN6yGHbmL2Jy3m1uDl0F-k-cGyDhajzW5FuJgWgJ8oRHdpr5z4jy4Yy1ox/s1600/ForLikeEver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL1glDvRrM8gfRPPYAYuFeqdMehwE_j5mX9OPDAI46Je6nqgYIX42OyapS9k6ATKKOGrgivwlR-ZOt6vVRkAoN6yGHbmL2Jy3m1uDl0F-k-cGyDhajzW5FuJgWgJ8oRHdpr5z4jy4Yy1ox/s640/ForLikeEver.jpg" width="492" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's the new "Keep Calm". In fact, "they" (the Internet gods, of course) wanted to make a poster that said <b>Keep Calm and Carry on For Like Ever</b> but, like the collision of two atomic nuclei, such a creation could threaten our very existence and alter the course of life as we know it. Rumor has it that North Korea has been trying to get its hands on these posters "For Like Ever." Of course, in America we forcefully defend one's right to bear arms, but if you find yourself in possession of one of these posters: Please! I implore you, decorate with caution.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
So there you have it! What say you? Is Olivia Palermo just misunderstood? Or are Olivia and Alexa actually THE SAME PERSON?</h3>
<h3>
Are mustaches really a metaphor for man's inevitable confrontation with mortality?</h3>
<h3>
What else did I miss? I'd love to hear what you think!</h3>
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-50771214133171892212013-03-06T08:00:00.000-05:002013-03-06T08:00:01.713-05:00Artsy FartsyI'm always on an endless quest for good art that is affordable. Evidently this is an oxymoron because I just heard a collective chortle from Chelsea (gallery owners totally chortle).<br />
<br />
Someday maybe I'll drop a year of my offspring's college tuition on some arranged acrylic but for now I'm just an computer browser window shopper. Yeah, I'm too lazy to actually go to galleries but I do check the dimensions online so I can visualize the scale. That's totally the same thing, right?<br />
<br />
Here's a few pieces I've been digging lately. And don't judge, I'm no <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/huckleberry-bar.html">Gallery Girl</a>.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7m7gg9HrN1r4j0nro1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7m7gg9HrN1r4j0nro1_1280.jpg" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; color: #0b6896; font-family: Futura, 'Century Gothic', AppleGothic, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 21px; outline: none; text-align: left;"><a href="http://justanothermasterpiece.tumblr.com/post/27844454201/dailyartjournal-jean-claude-terrier"><span style="background-color: white; border-bottom-color: rgb(238, 238, 238); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px;">Jean-Claude Terrier</span> via</a></strong></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I see a person standing in a doorway. I see machinations. I see dead people. OK not that last one.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiEAQDrs_cFHF7Mb-dbytU_Z6v4nLblWCZoZNhjbijbf7gU5VhDsTbEHwIljqk7ukBVM10O__V2nWJTCXpnoqIyE_QyXr2S-sZdzu1hg6dO2HObdEam3RLbNEoaCP6sXuInHs76Z9BCwI/s1600/Screen+Shot+2013-03-02+at+12.06.20+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdiEAQDrs_cFHF7Mb-dbytU_Z6v4nLblWCZoZNhjbijbf7gU5VhDsTbEHwIljqk7ukBVM10O__V2nWJTCXpnoqIyE_QyXr2S-sZdzu1hg6dO2HObdEam3RLbNEoaCP6sXuInHs76Z9BCwI/s640/Screen+Shot+2013-03-02+at+12.06.20+PM.png" width="638" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lindsaycowlesart.blogspot.com/p/available-artwork.html">Lindsay Cowles via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This painting is a departure from Lindsay's typically vibrant color palette, but I love how it looks like an aerial of NYC on a dreary day. Lindsay also will make prints in varying sizes of mostly (if not all) of her paintings. So this one really is relatively affordable- <a href="http://lindsaycowlesart.blogspot.com/">check out her site</a>!<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m87245HT981qdki6xo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m87245HT981qdki6xo1_1280.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chadwys.com/">Chad Wys</a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The spray paint gives this a street art vibe & contrasts the oil paint of the original portrait. There's probably some social commentary in there somewhere, but I don't really feel like analyzing my subconscious right now.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shard2.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/87/3132/MWG_Lerma_Untitled2_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://shard2.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/87/3132/MWG_Lerma_Untitled2_2.jpg" width="596" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://art.1stdibs.com/art_detail.php?id=31001">Jose Lerma via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
I don't know why, I just do.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cf2.thingd.com/default/220629430492464119_0f2970e5e7d3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://cf2.thingd.com/default/220629430492464119_0f2970e5e7d3.jpg" width="530" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.redbubble.com/people/himitsuhana/works/7175703-air-is-not-enough">Air Is Not Enough, Himitsuhana via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This is a print of a photograph. This chick looks boozy, I dig it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you've noticed my taste has been devolving- time to class it up again...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shard1.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/155/6044/_MG_1337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="636" src="http://shard1.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/155/6044/_MG_1337.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://art.1stdibs.com/art_detail.php?id=34539">Untitled, Xavi Carbonell via</a><a href="http://www.redbubble.com/images/clear.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" src="http://www.redbubble.com/images/clear.gif" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This painting inspired my entire <a href="http://pinterest.com/bethy_rodgers/living-with-style/">Living With Style pinterest board</a> for the <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/1st-dibs.html">1st Dibs contest</a>. I just love the color combinations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://hommemaker.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/waterphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://hommemaker.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/waterphoto.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.20x200.com/">Carlo Van de Roer via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Serenity now. For some reason that circle makes it feel not boring.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media4.artspace.com/media/maria_berrio/el_secreto/maria_berrio_el_secreto_640x480.jpg?data=256062e8e8a668b4a3f4b7e19c9df176" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media4.artspace.com/media/maria_berrio/el_secreto/maria_berrio_el_secreto_640x480.jpg?data=256062e8e8a668b4a3f4b7e19c9df176" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artspace.com/maria_berrio/el_secreto">El Secreto, Maria Berrio via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
This feels so Klimt, doesn't it?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Aaaaaannnnd, just because this is Riot for Design and because I know you can handle it:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://shard1.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/45/1556/0353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://shard1.1stdibs.us.com/archivesE/art/upload/45/1556/0353.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://art.1stdibs.com/art_detail.php?id=22298">Fuck You (That Gun Is Always Loaded), Trey Speegle via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Really, someone ought to start a kickstarter fund for me for this one. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You know, it's funny. I would be perfectly fine <a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/angry-design.html">hanging swear words on my wall</a> but I still blush at the thought of nude paintings. What about you- where do you draw the line?</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-56930687293349834392013-03-05T12:09:00.000-05:002013-03-05T12:47:08.967-05:001st Dibs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/e2/6e/55/e26e55ba78e3a558cfaf22ccde4db9ea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/550x/e2/6e/55/e26e55ba78e3a558cfaf22ccde4db9ea.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
There's a contest where all you have to do is pin things and create fake rooms with an unlimited budget!?!! I already do this for $0 so I figured, why not? The contest is sponsored by <a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/">1st Dibs</a> and the grand prize is $2000. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
So what if none of the things I pinned were less than $2000 (OK maybe the coasters)- if I win the grand prize, I'll just pick something else. It's not 1st Dibs' fault I have Hapsburg tastes. They're just my dealer... of dreams. If you haven't been to 1st Dibs yet, just clear the rest of your day because you'll be in a state of involuntary ecstasy; drooling, crying, fetal-position-because-the-furniture/jewelry/antiques/accessories-are-so-amazing-but-worth-more-than-BOTH-your-kidneys state, rendering you worthless to any family, friends or coworkers. It's some good shit.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh and YOU CAN ENTER TOO! Just go <a href="http://www.1stdibs.com/pintowin/">here</a> and enter by March 11th. Then we can debate whether we prefer French or Italian Art Deco...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Anyways, here's a taste from me to you. Wish me luck with the contest! Oh and check out my <a href="http://pinterest.com/bethy_rodgers/living-with-style/">Pinterest board</a> for credits!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2phXHB9S9Ittw8C9sqrmLQCaffiZtyLXo_kWuEazNwhNJjBA_JJWPP63gHcE1hLtrm8oy6YrfUZRSgR3xC3Z6Zs3NpmW10Ijw09l5oKQAa0UqUN3-mgMCyqCqDYq4VH1kNqvAG87vQAq/s1600/1stDibs1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2phXHB9S9Ittw8C9sqrmLQCaffiZtyLXo_kWuEazNwhNJjBA_JJWPP63gHcE1hLtrm8oy6YrfUZRSgR3xC3Z6Zs3NpmW10Ijw09l5oKQAa0UqUN3-mgMCyqCqDYq4VH1kNqvAG87vQAq/s640/1stDibs1+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4GRphj3WVJG7XgzqVNjVvjGgCyn6h3sEp4wRTWaConnwTGStMQhHBPsBLSpdJ1UlWpNj1IAXXStKlD_TTQY1Hpq2sAQY86m-vbFzwhyphenhyphenoRNav9hFW2p77lmw8YJiw8fC7GivOFOYrbHXD/s1600/1stDibs2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4GRphj3WVJG7XgzqVNjVvjGgCyn6h3sEp4wRTWaConnwTGStMQhHBPsBLSpdJ1UlWpNj1IAXXStKlD_TTQY1Hpq2sAQY86m-vbFzwhyphenhyphenoRNav9hFW2p77lmw8YJiw8fC7GivOFOYrbHXD/s640/1stDibs2+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQgeRjQeT0_S_dsshfP_aPmKZmAPZW3EQh1ZGFEn3yH-Y46UgOZ6M8iELkFhyphenhyphenUk1ZKUZul3EU83EIYZj1QKa3tQSXEQbLKVR3F-4T7fpl0rzC1uJjh8rp6Et2lnBtGkVqmfiJ6UWIYLbi/s1600/1stDibs3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVQgeRjQeT0_S_dsshfP_aPmKZmAPZW3EQh1ZGFEn3yH-Y46UgOZ6M8iELkFhyphenhyphenUk1ZKUZul3EU83EIYZj1QKa3tQSXEQbLKVR3F-4T7fpl0rzC1uJjh8rp6Et2lnBtGkVqmfiJ6UWIYLbi/s640/1stDibs3+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5gim0d5H54gOMNCuzT49G8yE4jtI0fj5tjDyn2WuJ1Y6RWSr9ZnM3iT1VG17umvNS5LWVp_VE8fosAuWEepFRlrKiO42fGquoigqgF2aT4rVEgnvhZhf0KeBw3LP4liuFN3mAUCe2t6R/s1600/1stDibs6+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW5gim0d5H54gOMNCuzT49G8yE4jtI0fj5tjDyn2WuJ1Y6RWSr9ZnM3iT1VG17umvNS5LWVp_VE8fosAuWEepFRlrKiO42fGquoigqgF2aT4rVEgnvhZhf0KeBw3LP4liuFN3mAUCe2t6R/s640/1stDibs6+copy.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYpWx8SzYYhPEZNxnm5-bLpysuXQL-qYrUk66LPx9tLkP_nIhjQpmA_iBpqcGL15I5whO-_MASwQQLXHKbNgSrYoPW_2Cg0oge6VytXymzzAtOzHIVqfUTMNJdKt8903LqZX-DaOB2fuJ/s1600/1stDibs5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFYpWx8SzYYhPEZNxnm5-bLpysuXQL-qYrUk66LPx9tLkP_nIhjQpmA_iBpqcGL15I5whO-_MASwQQLXHKbNgSrYoPW_2Cg0oge6VytXymzzAtOzHIVqfUTMNJdKt8903LqZX-DaOB2fuJ/s640/1stDibs5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-6982957896768226842013-01-29T21:47:00.001-05:002013-01-29T21:48:39.003-05:00The Rain In Spain Is Mainly From Champagne!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKujb_nw2YaND9Lzt46-N8fIJ2xcJOWCmqaWYr2vZyAht5vOu_Y_zUGUijndoaLCw7WiyJLyXXPzM5LgY19iv_SwK1p8I-5w7NwfCxK96v4pPjbrjBWX9iu30-fv6f4NILvHkIdVL3byON/s1600/Spain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKujb_nw2YaND9Lzt46-N8fIJ2xcJOWCmqaWYr2vZyAht5vOu_Y_zUGUijndoaLCw7WiyJLyXXPzM5LgY19iv_SwK1p8I-5w7NwfCxK96v4pPjbrjBWX9iu30-fv6f4NILvHkIdVL3byON/s1600/Spain.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3>
Thursday night the Huz and I are off to Madrid for a long weekend of celebrating my 30th!</h3>
<br />
I can't wait to visit the renowned art museums of Madrid, drink and eat my way through the city, hunt down some cool Euro flea market finds and just soak it all in! And I can't think of anyone I'd rather spend it with than my wonderful, sweet husband. Some people might like huge bashes for their birthday, but all I need is a hot man and a cold glass of champagne.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's a pic of the balcony of the hotel we'll be staying in. When Jon and I visited Barcelona a couple years ago one of our favorite memories was drinking cava and eating pastries on our balcony. I am officially making this a Spanish tradition.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/files/fsa/nodes/2009/11779/11779_7_hotelvillareal_fsa-g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://www.fivestaralliance.com/files/fsa/nodes/2009/11779/11779_7_hotelvillareal_fsa-g.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Where should we go? What should we see? Just because I'm 30 doesn't mean I'm all of a sudden cured of procrastination. I'll be putting together something resembling an itinerary tomorrow so let me know what needs to be on the list!<br />
<br />
<h3>
¡Ciao! (Yeah, I know that's Italian but Spaniards say it too)</h3>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-48682570910627905692013-01-28T23:41:00.004-05:002013-01-28T23:41:53.650-05:0030 Years Old<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQft3JUHN3Y8AXldpHKRyr8IlFqs1ssU49gchlGJq_Jp50yDPnn4aqog5j1VoodTRDQDZXjZMqyV_zXAef-UGfJLKCMgjI7qqWtT9qUgCz9v6e-VPRhHSZRqrChPRClcCLn9tzJ17DRo/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIFQft3JUHN3Y8AXldpHKRyr8IlFqs1ssU49gchlGJq_Jp50yDPnn4aqog5j1VoodTRDQDZXjZMqyV_zXAef-UGfJLKCMgjI7qqWtT9qUgCz9v6e-VPRhHSZRqrChPRClcCLn9tzJ17DRo/s640/30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
My birthday is coming up this Friday (eek!) and I'm turning 30. Along with the requisite celebration, I can't help but feel like this rite of passage must be lined with ever-the-more meaningful gifts- ones that will usher me into a far more insightful, lucrative and classy decade. A decade of champagne budgets (or at least Prosecco budgets, which are better than beer budgets) and friends with beach houses.<br />
<br />
<br />
Of course I would judge a birthday by gifts- it's the American way. My 20's were all about designer jeans, a bag with some kind of label on
it and shoes that gave me a lifetime of deformities and permanent
PTSD (but oh so pretty, right Jimmy Choo?). Somehow I've learned a few things over the past 10 years, and I'm ready to leave that all behind and welcome my 30's with toned calves and practical flats. Learn from my list of what every 30 year old woman needs and deserves:<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
A Good Haircut (and Color and Hair Tools)</h4>
I recently spent a horrifying amount of money on a haircut and color. And guess what: I'm hooked. It was WORTH IT because I wear it every day and I fucking love compliments. If you fucking love compliments too, consider splurging. This goes for hair tools as well...<br />
I love my <a href="https://www.woodleyandbunny.com/content/shade-variation-care-warm-chestnut">Christophe Robin Shade Variation Care</a> (from Woodley & Bunny, where I got my highlights & cut) and this <a href="http://www.sephora.com/singlepass-whirl-P289944">T3 ceramic hair curler</a> that doesn't give you that tell-tale Dance Recital crimp.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://trueandco.com/browse/877/4976">Nice lingerie</a></h4>
There's no shame in sexy time in your 30's. Even if you're unmarried it's like, um the jig is up. And I AM married so that jig is so up it's down. There was no sexual innuendo there, for the record. What there was, is a great excuse to buy something gorgeous for a bod that's still got some hot. Check out <a href="https://trueandco.com/">True & Co.</a>, an excellent online fitting resource and shopping site- they are awesome.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Quality Lotions & Potions (<a href="http://www.tatcha.com/shop/gentle-rice-enzyme-powder">1</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/12021310195270073318?q=vitamin%20e%20oil&hl=en&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.41524429,d.dmQ&biw=1392&bih=865&sa=X&ei=olEHUcaQGbTE0AHk-oDICQ&ved=0CLIBEPMCMAg">2</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glycolic-Acid-30-Gel-Peel/dp/B006ZBKH2Y">3</a>)</h4>
Get out of the drugstore now. Your sun-damaged, severely dehydrated, alcohol-poisoned face is just waiting for the crows to come home and walk all over your eyelids. And the ass skin- I'm sure it's not getting any better. It's time to buy good lotions with SPF like you knew you were supposed to do in your 20's but didn't. Nice lotions and skin products also have good perfumes in them so they don't smell like glade plug-in candles. My wedding makeup artist Sally Duvall <a href="http://sallyduvall.com/glowing-skin-how-to-get-it-a-few-of-my-favorite-products/">recommends these affordable goodies</a>, and she has gorgeous skin! <br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://usa.hermes.com/woman/scarves/scarves-90/silk-twill/green/configurable-product-002712s-28129.html?nuance=7">An Hermes silk scarf</a></h4>
Accessorizing is an art. Hermes silk scarves are pieces of art in themselves. They can be worn around the neck, as shoulder straps, tops, head scarves or belts and they are TIMELESS. A bit of a splurge but no one regrets Hermes.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
<a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/furniture/sofas/the-theodore-sofa-2.html">A Really Nice Couch</a></h4>
Like my increasingly temperamental backside, the boho dropcloth look is getting old. It's time to buy a good quality couch that doesn't need to hide under a huge piece of draped fabric. It's a big purchase, but I'm a big girl now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
Something Gloriously Impractical and Youthful</h4>
I just HAD to have <a href="http://images.anthropologie.com/is/image/Anthropologie/A26107219_011_b?$product410x615$">this tulle skirt</a>. It's kind of ridiculous because really, when am I going to wear a tutu? But then I will, because I do shit like that. And it'll look awesome in my opinion and I won't care about anyone else's so there. Plus, it evokes memories of ballet dancing as a child, and romantic Pinterest photos and Paris because people probably wear tutus to the dentist in Paris. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
What am I forgetting? What else does one need to gracefully transition from the third to the <i style="font-weight: bold;">fourth </i>decade?Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-42980398264345535042013-01-10T00:18:00.001-05:002013-01-10T00:27:58.879-05:00Resolutions<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">General</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3274122744332999" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-prioritize / focus / time management</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b id="internal-source-marker_0.3274122744332999" style="font-weight: normal;"><b id="internal-source-marker_0.3274122744332999" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">-consistency</span></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">-get clothes tailored</span></span></b></div>
<b></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></b></b></div>
<b>
</b>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><b><span style="font-family: Arial; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jan-April</span></b></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Focus on running:</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- break 3:20 in marathon</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- half marathon sub-1:32</span></div>
</div>
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></b><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Running Process Resolutions:</u></span></b></span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- stretch after every run </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- pushups every day </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- more strength training </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- keep a training log </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- more easy running</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">April-Dec</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Develop blog as a business</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-network / outreach</span></div>
<div>
<u></u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Blog Process Resolutions:</span></u></u></div>
<u>
</u><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-at least 5 posts/week</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">-further develop my voice, aesthetic & point of view</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; font-weight: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
Inevitably this post on resolutions is going to turn into a discussion on time management, discipline and self-respect. And turning 30 in less than a month. All seemingly separate concepts that have somehow encircled me like Frankenstein vines of my own creation that, ironically, were meant to set me free but are now gradually squeezing the life out of me.<br />
<br />
You see, I created this blog because I know I have more to offer the world, or at least myself. I love design and I have really good taste (if I do say so myself... and you know I always do say so) but until about 6 months ago that didn't really mean anything. I don't have an art degree, I didn't have an influential friend to vouch for me or even a non-influential one. But that's never stopped me before... so I decided to make something from nothing and started this blog.<br />
<br />
And it has been amazing and fulfilling and humbling and really fucking hard. Looking at a blog as more than a "blog;" as an opportunity toward your future isn't easy; you have to devote the attention and discipline to see it through. And I know I've been less than stellar on the discipline because, well, I'm a lousy employee to myself and a really lenient boss to myself. It's not like you, my readers, are going to tell me to get my ass in gear- that's not your job. And I'm never going to fire myself. But I want to honor my business relationship with myself this year.<br />
<br />
So part of learning discipline and self-respect, and part of growing up, is focusing. This year I need to close of flood gates of self-improvement that unlatch every January 1st upon my consciousness (I'd really like to buy a neon bra and have abs and someday I want to write a spec script for Girls and I want to learn how to sew, or at least know someone who knows how to sew and learn how to cook so my mother will stop pitying my husband...).<br />
<br />
So I've made some decisions:<br />
1.) I am running the Boston Marathon on April 15th- this is a commitment I have earned by qualifying for this race in 2010, and then again in 2011. I was signed up to run last year's race a week before my wedding (hello? time management?) but dropped out two days before the race due to the projected 90 degree temps on race day. It's very important to me that I have a good race, after having a lousy running season last year.<br />
<br />
2.) I am an all or nothing type of person. Commitment and focus go hand-in-hand for me. And I can't focus really well on two things at a time. Last year was a perfect example of why this doesn't work; I bounced between focusing on running and focusing on blogging about one week at a time, and both suffered as a result.<br />
<br />
3.) Therefore, I'm doing resolutions differently this year. I'm splitting them up. I have decided to prioritize my running for the next few months until April 15th. I will kick ass in the Boston Marathon and THEN I will turn my efforts toward this blog with a renewed sense of focus and commitment. I hope you'll wait for me!<br />
<br />
4.) And finally, I will go to the tailor more. That is all.<br />
<br />
I'll still post here and there over the winter, but I'm allowing myself to be a lame blogger for the time-being. Another contributing factor to this is that I've started contributing to <a href="http://curbed.com/archives/2013/01/02/here-now-27-rooms-to-wreak-havoc-on-your-resolutions.php">Curbed</a>, and I would like to not suck.<br />
<br />
30 is the new 40 people; time for me to grow up just enough to start dying my hair, paying my taxes on time and setting attainable goals. It's the best I can do- and I owe it to my future rich bitch self. Continuously falling short of our own expectations is damaging to our emotional and mental health, and I'm just getting too damn old to put up with someone telling me I'm not good enough to succeed, especially if that someone happens to be my own inner demons.<br />
<br />
Here's to 2013- the luckiest fucking year of the century!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-3935450504982635502013-01-01T12:23:00.003-05:002013-01-01T12:23:40.257-05:00Happy New Year!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHekF6jy_a4AZsdrSywdfC1O1WwSto4MUIw10-r3krw8vYIFJ0raBFjY4wV630lq-ltlxLaV0sziM-Vo-vqi_3Uwwnv1HXntY3FD8BIQdE2kLTqLzAzs1QlUO9zofk04cpY4UcLH00OyHs/s1600/DISCO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="572" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHekF6jy_a4AZsdrSywdfC1O1WwSto4MUIw10-r3krw8vYIFJ0raBFjY4wV630lq-ltlxLaV0sziM-Vo-vqi_3Uwwnv1HXntY3FD8BIQdE2kLTqLzAzs1QlUO9zofk04cpY4UcLH00OyHs/s640/DISCO.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.townrealestate.com/images/ListingPhotos/17933_13829.jpg">1</a> / <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/187814246931844113/">2</a> / <a href="http://www.iartublog.com/2012/06/whats-your-art-jihan-zencirli-from.html" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">3</a> / <a href="http://nomadasandzingari.blogspot.com/2012_02_01_archive.html">4</a> / <a href="http://theselby.com/galleries/georgie-greville/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">5</span></a> / <a href="http://us.sofa.com/shop/sofas/sectional-sofas/stella-sectional/" style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">6</span></a> / <a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2012/11/2/adrian-briscoe.html">7</a> / <a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/great-ideas-wall-treatments" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">8</span></a> / <a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/29777151/tumblr_m4z4tzfjUz1qcm87ko1_500_large.png" style="font-size: small; text-align: start;">9</a> / <a href="http://theselby.com/galleries/georgie-greville/" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">10</span></a> / <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpc5JtGHZ0CniBEAUDXfKrzOEG3QZyTjhT3BlCwOU_Fw9k95RdbU36xkPQf_dWl42sUGh6_TiJoVX387d5aQkhcX3Jn-L7-mDlGmVH9vu6YBMIH25Kh3WLHCul5lM7q5-KJvb9K26DLUfR/s1600/93942_14643fvo10fhddqz30copy.jpg" style="font-size: medium; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">11</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-22428896315734783172012-12-28T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-28T08:00:01.734-05:00A Year in Furniture PurchasesAs 2012 comes to a close, it's time to look back on the year and reflect. Have I grown this year? Did I learn new things? Did I achieve my goals?<br />
<br />
Most importantly, does my home look better now than it did a year ago? To this last one, I can definitively say yes. As I have been trying to make interior design more than just a hobby in my life, I've been making a concerted effort toward my inevitable two-page spread in Architectural Digest (I've got double secret off-the-record unverified unconfirmed confirmation on this from a guy named Chuck who says he works at AD). Jon and I have been blessed with some generous wedding money, which has also helped the efforts. Our apartment today is more functional, practical, comfortable and beautiful, even if we are far from done.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
Due to the aforementioned generosity in the form of gift cards, I am deeming 2012 the year of the store-bought new furniture, as most of our purchases came from big box companies. I always love to balance old and new, and now that our river of plastic money is finally running dry, next year my goal will be to hit the 2nd-hand markets hard. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
Below is a summation of a year's worth of furniture and home purchases. I love them all:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201236/0052/img84o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://rk.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/rk/images/dp/wcm/201236/0052/img84o.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/bancroft-crystal-lamps/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
You had me at hello.</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.simplyseleta.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/west-elm-parson1-e1349276248587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.simplyseleta.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/west-elm-parson1-e1349276248587.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.westelm.com/products/parsons-desk-with-drawers-f099/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
I've wanted you for so long.</h3>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod1617037?$ev$" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="624" src="http://media.restorationhardware.com/is/image/rhis/prod1617037?$ev$" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1617037&categoryId=cat1850037">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
Where have you been all my life?</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.organicmodernism.com/img/images/1271/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="582" src="http://www.organicmodernism.com/img/images/1271/1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.organicmodernism.com/index.php?p=273">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
Do you have any idea how sexy you are?</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/media/08/a207919135645dff7ab539_m.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="321" src="http://www.shopfurbish.com/media/08/a207919135645dff7ab539_m.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.shopfurbish.com/servlet/the-1050/Bronze-Pharmacy-Lamp/Detail?category=Home%3ALighting">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
You complete me.</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/BelmontKitchenIslBlkLLF9/$web_zoom$&/1006011621/belmont-black-kitchen-island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i.c-b.co/is/image/Crate/BelmontKitchenIslBlkLLF9/$web_zoom$&/1006011621/belmont-black-kitchen-island.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-kitchen-storage/belmont-black-kitchen-island/f32924">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
To me, you are perfect.</h3>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images.cb2.com/is/image/CB2/FuelCredenzaWhite3QS11/&$web_zoom$&/1012100922/fuel-white-credenza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://images.cb2.com/is/image/CB2/FuelCredenzaWhite3QS11/&$web_zoom$&/1012100922/fuel-white-credenza.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cb2.com/fuel-white-credenza/f6352">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
I can't live without you.</h3>
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://cdn.jaysonhome.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/920x/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/h/g/hg138823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://cdn.jaysonhome.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/920x/17f82f742ffe127f42dca9de82fb58b1/h/g/hg138823.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/sale-1/furniture/fulton-table.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
I will love you forever.</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgf_PZMJfJoKo3IBAVrZB7N3xWjS8uB-dFeh3HKLjct3kVGuIFjLdonVYn8efbuxu6g48InLy_jSFrOFhgWYp4WqX4VQiPxXvLxCA_e3Tdi8znsjTfhJhdXnVy_Evn63nZcJswLSTGGuk/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgf_PZMJfJoKo3IBAVrZB7N3xWjS8uB-dFeh3HKLjct3kVGuIFjLdonVYn8efbuxu6g48InLy_jSFrOFhgWYp4WqX4VQiPxXvLxCA_e3Tdi8znsjTfhJhdXnVy_Evn63nZcJswLSTGGuk/s640/photo+(4).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
You were worth the wait.</h3>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-ones-that-got-away.html">The one that got away.</a></h3>
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-85894144923044396152012-12-11T16:27:00.001-05:002012-12-11T16:43:01.835-05:00Outside Inside<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDv0AacXz2LRD7SpEBvL5m7Bcaa7GL7sNz8KSPbG5lJ1h4_ktoRLBiRZ9KSC3_HTkOHvHxaRH1zmPLiOJOVdqw5qb5Zmoxf1qtjxAPjUEeBgQygfov7I6b9pyycXNDMh5DwqBMnkgic1N/s1600/TuesdayTrendIndoorGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDv0AacXz2LRD7SpEBvL5m7Bcaa7GL7sNz8KSPbG5lJ1h4_ktoRLBiRZ9KSC3_HTkOHvHxaRH1zmPLiOJOVdqw5qb5Zmoxf1qtjxAPjUEeBgQygfov7I6b9pyycXNDMh5DwqBMnkgic1N/s640/TuesdayTrendIndoorGardens.jpg" width="584" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dwell.com/articles/garden-apartment.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaEnil4m76AOb2hGwsdBm2Puy-EpYbdG1qShEsCyoSJkTnAcFZoomnEUkUDiGYO7ZiUF1EXrCxWUfSNGL1zHnV_pXjaS1VWG_jz3o_DrEYgOanRmoIpqtVJAb2OqPQzfDUmBwi6TCx_Vd/s1600/TuesdayTrendIndoorGardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
Today's trend is dedicated to a friend/coworker who dreams of converting his own loft one day and creating an outside oasis indoors. While I can appreciate this, my own personal relationship with indoor plants is somewhat abusive in a violating-Geneva-conventions sort of way. Define water torture, I might say in my defense.<br />
<br />
I tried to add some Home Depot "low-light" plants to our decor a few years ago, and even those, sitting in front of our floor-to-ceiling windows, didn't last as long as a carnival goldfish. For me, gardening just falls under the same category as cooking; things that I don't feel like learning. <br />
<br />
But that doesn't mean I can't admire the amazing use of greenery in interior design. I find indoor plants to be warm and inviting in an inexplicable (primative? evolutionary?) way. I think it's clear that the indoor garden designers tend to be of a different ilk than us straight interiors people who may throw in a ficus every once in a while. As you can see from the below examples the use of entire plant gardens command full attention, influencing and impacting every element of the room's design. The actual arrangement and design of the gardens are an art form of their own, not to mention the attention and skill to keep this mess alive. Like every day. <br />
<br />
Here are some of my favorites:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2011-07/desai-chia-architecture-new-york-city-loft-slideshow/jcr:content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_pagination_container/cn_slideshow/item03.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.03_desai-chia-architecture-new-york-city-loft.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="406" src="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2011-07/desai-chia-architecture-new-york-city-loft-slideshow/jcr:content/par/cn_contentwell/par-main/cn_pagination_container/cn_slideshow/item03.rendition.slideshowHorizontal.03_desai-chia-architecture-new-york-city-loft.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.architecturaldigest.com/decor/2011-07/desai-chia-architecture-new-york-city-loft-slideshow#slide=3">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://bloodandchampagne.com/images/bloodandchampagne2730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://bloodandchampagne.com/images/bloodandchampagne2730.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.bloodandchampagne.com/2012/11/28/117/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://camillestyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/michelle31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://camillestyles.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/michelle31.jpg" width="546" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://camillestyles.com/uncategorized/do-you-dare-colossal-cacti/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-wall-aerial.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-wall-aerial.jpg" width="630" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-wall-family.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-wall-family.jpg" width="630" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-living-room-light.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media.dwell.com/images/645*653/indoor-gardens-paris-france-blanc-patrick-dimanche-house-living-room-light.jpg" width="630" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.dwell.com/articles/garden-apartment.html">Above 3 images via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/upload/176414510373464427_5DkuuF9N_f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec1.pinterest.com/upload/176414510373464427_5DkuuF9N_f.jpg" width="488" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thedecorista.com/2012/07/white-done-right.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://g-ec2.apartmenttherapy.com/10811/1-9-vertical-garden-1_rect540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://g-ec2.apartmenttherapy.com/10811/1-9-vertical-garden-1_rect540.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/vertical-gardening-supplies-fr-73555">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/05/06/garden/06vertical-3/06vertical-3-popup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2010/05/06/garden/06vertical-3/06vertical-3-popup.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/06/garden/06vertical.html?pagewanted=2&_r=3pagewanted=all">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/91127592429700445_AvH4OToo_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache0.pinterest.com/upload/91127592429700445_AvH4OToo_c.jpg" width="406" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/91127592429700445/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/4r/05-emerald-green-kitchen-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/4r/05-emerald-green-kitchen-lgn.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/cooking-up-color#slide-5">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vogueliving.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/simone-gooch1.jpg?w=640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://vogueliving.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/simone-gooch1.jpg?w=640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blog.vogueliving.com.au/2011/11/10/artistic-promise-simone-gooch-brings-the-outside-in/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnvVTV616U7g_VtfJWEGM_aFkYycHFg2wUUauCbwSitN96V4qFe7n1y2-sWxPqHOOiVASLFMTYD-PhA8LLqEK-uicE4jbgWJS0_oFOGgOGzOZuwU6EJ1g1keX9Yw8ahAyQ4qNvfCMLTa6/s400/081909_2032_TheIndoorGa1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCnvVTV616U7g_VtfJWEGM_aFkYycHFg2wUUauCbwSitN96V4qFe7n1y2-sWxPqHOOiVASLFMTYD-PhA8LLqEK-uicE4jbgWJS0_oFOGgOGzOZuwU6EJ1g1keX9Yw8ahAyQ4qNvfCMLTa6/s640/081909_2032_TheIndoorGa1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.fengshuicreative.com/green-day/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/98164466847888150_jIgV4Kiu_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/98164466847888150_jIgV4Kiu_c.jpg" width="450" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/235453886738853964/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbufrgwTlf1qlwg31o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mbufrgwTlf1qlwg31o1_1280.jpg" width="612" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buddhainteriors.tumblr.com/post/35519451220">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m37t68LtaS1qau3eho1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m37t68LtaS1qau3eho1_1280.jpg" width="456" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://buddhainteriors.tumblr.com/post/26377404481">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-1502126000800498832012-12-10T18:44:00.003-05:002012-12-10T18:44:48.254-05:00Khoury Guzman Bunce LimitedI have just discovered the fantastic work of <a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/">Khoury Guzman Bunce Limited</a>. Aside from truly inspired furniture design using "materials that aren't associated with modern furniture," such as fumed white oak, silicon bronze and Borosilicate and plated precious metals, they are also a full-service interior design and architecture firm. And with a name like KGB, I just can't stay away:<br />
<br br="br" gt="gt" />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f5a992a4d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="421" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f5a992a4d.jpg" width="617" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/">All photos via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The above photo is their Chelsea showroom featuring their furniture designs:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vbj2eVI9GEnxnoRDpzIMJeImPHIWZ2pKNWfhZ9bHIQL-f0IICMekbNFZ4HaIBb0SNoFYYQL19Rd5IK6GOBzHvTgSi_IuMni1ZlTi9rvAL2GWQhka_YhHxE0Ry9DSykFffxWtIdn642VK/s1600/KGBfurniture.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="874" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vbj2eVI9GEnxnoRDpzIMJeImPHIWZ2pKNWfhZ9bHIQL-f0IICMekbNFZ4HaIBb0SNoFYYQL19Rd5IK6GOBzHvTgSi_IuMni1ZlTi9rvAL2GWQhka_YhHxE0Ry9DSykFffxWtIdn642VK/s1600/KGBfurniture.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<br />
Their portfolio of work is equally amazing. Notice one of their clients, this Brooklyn townhouse is next to the famed (yet sadly, former) Pepto Bismol Brownstone!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f7126a463.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f7126a463.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f71a630ed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f71a630ed.jpg" width="456" /></a></div>
<br />
I am insanely <a href="http://www.riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-name-is-burl.html">mad for burl wood</a> lately, and this KGB credenza is un-fucking-believeable. Even for a foul mouth such as myself, there isn't a bad word good enough to describe this piece.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f70e7a30b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f70e7a30b.jpg" width="420" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f71e0ff53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f71e0ff53.jpg" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f721b4d4c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f721b4d4c.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
Here's an interior of the Brooklyn townhouse, which was a gut renovation
project. The results are really stunning, including the two-tone
herringbone flooring, Queen Ann-style architectural details and signature KGB furniture designs.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's a few more pics from their portfolio:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f77e8db55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f77e8db55.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f77a8c7d3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.kgb-limited.com/uploads/4f43f77a8c7d3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
So now I have to ask you, are you as big a fan of KGB as I am?!!!</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Riot on. </h3>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7vbj2eVI9GEnxnoRDpzIMJeImPHIWZ2pKNWfhZ9bHIQL-f0IICMekbNFZ4HaIBb0SNoFYYQL19Rd5IK6GOBzHvTgSi_IuMni1ZlTi9rvAL2GWQhka_YhHxE0Ry9DSykFffxWtIdn642VK/s1600/KGBfurniture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-66118668167625267232012-12-05T12:51:00.000-05:002012-12-05T12:57:06.091-05:00Buy This Now<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd8uhWXLRXuwPeynfbiZr1tLSwk60yrWgAlYsEu2KKuexY_rLbLRgpnziY8rv4SanNBUe9vzRmVDn9d-nlSzNlxG_9HZzcU2hP40lwiDqPsOD7iWeHtZ1fU5TZQ1e2xDyOu-llOuCFV3v/s1600/BuyThisNowLRBoot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="594" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXd8uhWXLRXuwPeynfbiZr1tLSwk60yrWgAlYsEu2KKuexY_rLbLRgpnziY8rv4SanNBUe9vzRmVDn9d-nlSzNlxG_9HZzcU2hP40lwiDqPsOD7iWeHtZ1fU5TZQ1e2xDyOu-llOuCFV3v/s640/BuyThisNowLRBoot.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.loefflerrandall.com/sophie-wedge-boot-black">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
The Loeffler Randall Sophie Wedge boot is 50% off TODAY ONLY</h3>
<h3>
<br />That means it's $350 instead of $700... that is a BFD!</h3>
<h3>
<br />Buy this boot for someone you love (ME ME ME ME ME ME ME) or for yourself because it is gorgeous and timeless and at $350 your broke ass can now afford it.</h3>
<h3>
Riot on!</h3>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-26573014124718487762012-12-04T08:00:00.000-05:002012-12-04T08:13:04.397-05:00My Name Is Burl<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C3lQ0hAaNGJY2QREfHZ-CT0e0T8PjPTkJVff61kw6iKpgrursa4LGpAkuVmV8ucQBPW6gSQdRXAY8-9lUeSsOV4-SxRc4YkmmqhPSkmAAUGV07OWOlFVWENsqiwFt7VFbebkNQCZI1Cg/s1600/TuesdayTrendBurl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1C3lQ0hAaNGJY2QREfHZ-CT0e0T8PjPTkJVff61kw6iKpgrursa4LGpAkuVmV8ucQBPW6gSQdRXAY8-9lUeSsOV4-SxRc4YkmmqhPSkmAAUGV07OWOlFVWENsqiwFt7VFbebkNQCZI1Cg/s640/TuesdayTrendBurl.jpg" width="564" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jaysonhome.com/vintage-burl-tables.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Everywhere I look, I'm seeing burl wood these days. What is burl? Basically it's deformed your-momma-tree-must-have-been-hitting-the-sap-a-little-too-hard wood but damn if it isn't just gorgeous. It creates a swirling pattern that is reminiscent of a tortoiseshell or animal print. It lends a luxuriousness to even the most basic of furniture designs and brings an unexpected texture to case goods. It's no wonder Milo Baughman was such a fan. And if Milo was a fan, I'm a fan too.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here are some of my favorite examples of burl wood in design. Just try to go on with your life now after seeing these:</div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/vx/ED0312_Astier_002-625-lgn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="510" src="http://www.elledecor.com/cm/elledecor/images/vx/ED0312_Astier_002-625-lgn.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/perfect-pitch#slide-2">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMb5-Y869yKrKEPqX5UYUFWTHdfyWDjagzUVJtZ_xD2s2P9pNaXEw-JfwnOMZIsZe2O7pKCdqPiqb-ugoPfniTJB8-diIDoCvTJ8NgwzFL0O1kW7DtLA253AR6LON4cIV-YI1_LHTEjc/s1600/1024x1536_Quality97__MG_5342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBMb5-Y869yKrKEPqX5UYUFWTHdfyWDjagzUVJtZ_xD2s2P9pNaXEw-JfwnOMZIsZe2O7pKCdqPiqb-ugoPfniTJB8-diIDoCvTJ8NgwzFL0O1kW7DtLA253AR6LON4cIV-YI1_LHTEjc/s640/1024x1536_Quality97__MG_5342.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://loveisspeed.blogspot.com.ar/search?updated-max=2012-11-14T20:17:00Z&max-results=11&start=11&by-date=false">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyfEmnafLEtYViXPtRcLJJt_AuophWaKQzcaDLOyqVvBWHh8urQIdfuS2VJNYHxnAmNmp9KRzowc4UTv-yCYovfjNniNk40IihBa80iI2qaGp6baOxoss9lYVsAWb4tbFMMk71eadfkuZ/s640/luxury-homes-home-decorating-ideas-interior-design-ideas-home-interiors+(11).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="560" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyfEmnafLEtYViXPtRcLJJt_AuophWaKQzcaDLOyqVvBWHh8urQIdfuS2VJNYHxnAmNmp9KRzowc4UTv-yCYovfjNniNk40IihBa80iI2qaGp6baOxoss9lYVsAWb4tbFMMk71eadfkuZ/s640/luxury-homes-home-decorating-ideas-interior-design-ideas-home-interiors+(11).jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://interiors-and-design.blogspot.com/2012/03/eclectic-style-apartment-in-barcelona.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/September-2012/Interior-Designer-Amanda-Nisbet-enlivens-a-Park-Avenue-apartment/Color_Article1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/September-2012/Interior-Designer-Amanda-Nisbet-enlivens-a-Park-Avenue-apartment/Color_Article1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/September-2012/Interior-Designer-Amanda-Nisbet-enlivens-a-Park-Avenue-apartment/">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx167/madamepumphrey/taking_her_work_home_04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx167/madamepumphrey/taking_her_work_home_04.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vivafullhouse.blogspot.com/2010/10/art-and-composition.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yKnPwhkaKUyDNXtYhy1P3gD9y95cDE8hIYue-I7qPVDDkUaxq0taIR744va27srmctlCFfzPPLk7jPvIBIpU2vbwIg8IQkeNNoieYyOC3m0jw2fAKve4XIsinjeqYxL9JVDU58o_ii8/s640/tumblr_li28yinhYr1qei7a7o1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yKnPwhkaKUyDNXtYhy1P3gD9y95cDE8hIYue-I7qPVDDkUaxq0taIR744va27srmctlCFfzPPLk7jPvIBIpU2vbwIg8IQkeNNoieYyOC3m0jw2fAKve4XIsinjeqYxL9JVDU58o_ii8/s640/tumblr_li28yinhYr1qei7a7o1_1280.png" width="482" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.littlebluedeer.com/2011/08/urban-boho.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Hizwd-Cxl8EyoDnfweLtzdClC9QuQYGr5NRiYyx9TbDPrjtE0LUWoJtJs23HkChGiXCb931cMcXXfpJqN0WP7EqsXDWFUDfwj3fyaRUSqPfTClN36adddubHaoC_JgEH02hW09-Mgvs/s1600/BurlWoodIsland.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg34Hizwd-Cxl8EyoDnfweLtzdClC9QuQYGr5NRiYyx9TbDPrjtE0LUWoJtJs23HkChGiXCb931cMcXXfpJqN0WP7EqsXDWFUDfwj3fyaRUSqPfTClN36adddubHaoC_JgEH02hW09-Mgvs/s640/BurlWoodIsland.jpg" width="426" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://roost-home.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-11-14T07:22:00-05:00&max-results=4">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tylerdawsondesign.com/image/dawson-californiast_res-03462.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="470" src="http://tylerdawsondesign.com/image/dawson-californiast_res-03462.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://tylerdawsondesign.com/california-street-12.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www3.pictures.lonny.com/lo/Furniture+tray+table+between+pair+slipcovered+WFVUwIJzIywl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www3.pictures.lonny.com/lo/Furniture+tray+table+between+pair+slipcovered+WFVUwIJzIywl.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonny.com/photos/Furniture/Takrq1iRV9Z">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www1.pictures.lonny.com/lo/Furniture+hide+rug+office+space+round+mirror+Nj11Vg2fMlGl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://www1.pictures.lonny.com/lo/Furniture+hide+rug+office+space+round+mirror+Nj11Vg2fMlGl.jpg" width="510" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.lonny.com/photos/Furniture/iqoIvmhVcLA">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/21955116903441655_rWuXeUfy_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec2.pinterest.com/upload/21955116903441655_rWuXeUfy_c.jpg" width="460" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2012/02/chic-in-madrid-lorenzo-castillo.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-3962875083681992422012-12-03T15:23:00.000-05:002012-12-03T23:56:36.716-05:00Yikes! Stripes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had a productive weekend- <a href="http://www.riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-painting-weekend.html">as I mentioned Friday</a>, Jon and I painted some accent stripes on our wall as part of our office makeover. Seeing as how I'm still alive, you can deduct that the project was a success and I was not, in fact, murdered for my life insurance money. The office is far from done, but I am really happy with the results!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Now that I'm an experienced striper (not stripper, mind you), I've got a couple pointers if you ever decide to give it a try:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<ul>
<li>This goes for any project ever, but recognize that everything will take longer than you expect</li>
<li>Be aware that floors are not always even so measuring from the floor may not give you a good result. A laser tool is essential for this project, as is a second person to hold said laser.</li>
<li>Be crazy psycho meticulous with the first line: mark the walls every 3 feet or so and then apply the blue painter's tape as flatly and carefully as possible. It may not seem like a big deal if there are wrinkles in the tape, but this can screw you later in the process</li>
<li>I measured all the subsequent lines off of the first line of tape to make sure that the lines would be parallel to one another </li>
<li>Be mindful that the painter's tape is negative space, not color. That means if you want a 6 inch stripe, the space between the tape must be six inches, not 4 inches plus the width of the tape. This means sometimes you'll be aligning the tape from the bottom and other times you'll be aligning it from the top</li>
<li>THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT! After you've applied the tape, take a credit card edge and run it over the tape to make sure it's completely adhered to the wall, particularly the edges. If you don't do this, paint will seep under the tape and your line will look like it was applied by epileptic donkeys.</li>
<li>After you've done your coats of paint, remove the tape while it's still not completely dry. I'm not exactly sure why, but that's what other sites said to do and I think the lines looked cleaner when I did it wet than when I forgot and had to do it dry.</li>
</ul>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/office-space-update.html"> For the BEFORE, go here</a></h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</h3>
<h3 class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The IN BETWEEN:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKg13RU5mMgSBOHo2fWD-I34M47ioVMNPXBdtp2IV8Lf-LlALUftaXpDWXTPLeUG4rCIVf-lMkrpBcBQayIFCWH_HLplNLXvVd9_5H95LZnR2-Ov6-4t6wW35Yh2qQ9gOio5xty8-cYuL/s1600/photo.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKg13RU5mMgSBOHo2fWD-I34M47ioVMNPXBdtp2IV8Lf-LlALUftaXpDWXTPLeUG4rCIVf-lMkrpBcBQayIFCWH_HLplNLXvVd9_5H95LZnR2-Ov6-4t6wW35Yh2qQ9gOio5xty8-cYuL/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEQ5vPNvDcK7deQIlnkA0TdToQPVCZSPWUFeJkO_fdllKxUz9dseqqz1VYjz32nnZRiHddUFBNtxs_jAx63T202eTAM3jKK7yJcLrxKnDcuamsJSRx8o3yDcghGRotLYTZ5AsfqKt887i/s1600/photo+%283%29.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEQ5vPNvDcK7deQIlnkA0TdToQPVCZSPWUFeJkO_fdllKxUz9dseqqz1VYjz32nnZRiHddUFBNtxs_jAx63T202eTAM3jKK7yJcLrxKnDcuamsJSRx8o3yDcghGRotLYTZ5AsfqKt887i/s640/photo+%283%29.JPG" width="640" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
X marks the DON'T PAINT THIS IT'S NOT A STRIPE!</div>
<br />
<h3>
And here's the AFTER:</h3>
<h3>
<a name='more'></a></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsPqMYSqUcd_MxZEEV26aQgvqNjlIEzDNRNQfX-ARnbndiGVmCsiSX8kr9_fu5rQ6_G1il8r2exqAxEXLFiyxmO7HhLcdo_rzbX5yopdZMPVizKI04MF3OImh6_CunuubZWBx3olkBXhY/s1600/photo+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLsPqMYSqUcd_MxZEEV26aQgvqNjlIEzDNRNQfX-ARnbndiGVmCsiSX8kr9_fu5rQ6_G1il8r2exqAxEXLFiyxmO7HhLcdo_rzbX5yopdZMPVizKI04MF3OImh6_CunuubZWBx3olkBXhY/s640/photo+(2).JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Obvs this isn't done... I have lots of stuff to put up on the walls and still need to hunt down some amazingness to soften the overall look. Notice how the computer screens blend into the stripe- a neat way to hide your technology in plain sight. <br />
<br />
If you're wondering about the bedroom moody darkness, the Huz convinced me to hold off on that project. But it's going to happen- I've pulled paint swatches, which is the point of no return. Though I am glad we didn't try to tackle it this weekend.<br />
<br />
I was able to complete the epic DIY beaded chandelier project I've been working on since Demi was @MrsKutcher on twitter. I'm going to tell you all about it, but here's proof that I'm not a quitter:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnEQ5vPNvDcK7deQIlnkA0TdToQPVCZSPWUFeJkO_fdllKxUz9dseqqz1VYjz32nnZRiHddUFBNtxs_jAx63T202eTAM3jKK7yJcLrxKnDcuamsJSRx8o3yDcghGRotLYTZ5AsfqKt887i/s1600/photo+(3).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgf_PZMJfJoKo3IBAVrZB7N3xWjS8uB-dFeh3HKLjct3kVGuIFjLdonVYn8efbuxu6g48InLy_jSFrOFhgWYp4WqX4VQiPxXvLxCA_e3Tdi8znsjTfhJhdXnVy_Evn63nZcJswLSTGGuk/s1600/photo+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBgf_PZMJfJoKo3IBAVrZB7N3xWjS8uB-dFeh3HKLjct3kVGuIFjLdonVYn8efbuxu6g48InLy_jSFrOFhgWYp4WqX4VQiPxXvLxCA_e3Tdi8znsjTfhJhdXnVy_Evn63nZcJswLSTGGuk/s640/photo+(4).JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It needs one more coat of spray paint and a little primping, but I think it'll look great above my dresser. So what if it's a little bit of a Monet, it's about $7,700 less than the one I liked online.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Hope you weren't nearly as productive as I was this weekend!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Riot on.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKg13RU5mMgSBOHo2fWD-I34M47ioVMNPXBdtp2IV8Lf-LlALUftaXpDWXTPLeUG4rCIVf-lMkrpBcBQayIFCWH_HLplNLXvVd9_5H95LZnR2-Ov6-4t6wW35Yh2qQ9gOio5xty8-cYuL/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<br />Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-963299627505785666.post-78313761385056451812012-12-01T06:00:00.000-05:002012-12-01T06:00:07.193-05:00Happy Painting Weekend!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This is a big weekend for the office renovation! Jon and I are going to be painting the striped detailing on the wall (<a href="http://riotfordesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/office-space-update.html">see my mock-up here</a>). I'm very <strike>terrified</strike> excited to try this out- it'll be my first foray into any sort of wall "art". But I figure I might as well try on walls that someone else owns! If it looks like ass I'll probably have to keep it for a while so that my husband won't murder me in my sleep for my paltry life insurance sum, which would cover the costs of fixing the wall and possibly little else.</div>
<br />
Thing is, I'm really an all or nothing kind of person. And all this paint thought has me DYING to paint our bedroom area a moody, dark color. It's been on my mind for a while, and I'm hoping I can convince Jon that it's a fantastic idea to just paint the whole universe this weekend.<br />
<br />
And finally, I'm about to complete a "simple" DIY project that I began, uh.... a year ago. It's a beaded chandelier made from a hanging planter and mardis gras beads but needs to be spray painted a respectable color. I'll give you the entire ridiculous rundown of this year-long adventure, but suffice it to say this was the DIY project that couldn't.<br />
<br />
Here are a few examples of dark moody bedrooms that I can't get enough of lately:<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://moodboard.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83539e9ed69e2010535ba9b04970c-500wi" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://moodboard.typepad.com/.a/6a00d83539e9ed69e2010535ba9b04970c-500wi" width="604" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2009/08/jenna-lyons-home-complete-view.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_wjIvUO_SOW9mejv-tFRKZ4AmncaKVOj2rNL4bFeabpjkDNKioTXRFBme7aZ-4ZXrw4CnFLow0M9nlyDx4GFOVcanC5lU5ge1qjNicyvPGRXCz-Jgz643hOQLmFpwt9WvcWWRqsJG0/s400/graybedAngusFergussonViaBrightBazaar.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIf_wjIvUO_SOW9mejv-tFRKZ4AmncaKVOj2rNL4bFeabpjkDNKioTXRFBme7aZ-4ZXrw4CnFLow0M9nlyDx4GFOVcanC5lU5ge1qjNicyvPGRXCz-Jgz643hOQLmFpwt9WvcWWRqsJG0/s640/graybedAngusFergussonViaBrightBazaar.png" width="550" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aperfectgray.com/2010/05/fabulous-gray-bedroom-set-in-which-i.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aefqFLjiYK0/UHF-CSAo3aI/AAAAAAABP1A/xshVF6l-GiI/s1600/Image8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aefqFLjiYK0/UHF-CSAo3aI/AAAAAAABP1A/xshVF6l-GiI/s640/Image8.jpg" width="414" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vosgesparis.blogspot.com/2012/10/modern-moroccan-style-in-black-and-white.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/91127592430202007_0qwiAC5l_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://media-cache-ec4.pinterest.com/upload/91127592430202007_0qwiAC5l_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.marieclairemaison.com/data/photo/w500_c18/7da3111517_rouge.jpg">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdssJRplOHFoJSc8DMkI-0WiuXILPdvE6ccm_KYUqOZXnESdH4cyzYssA-RI-yb16oRfZJJDXFqndzUldSlgng4tZ9ou1YeAhdM9s2o4jZ9NLzhal2iwhqejqwZRSz71mcDnXE4x-0PxY/s1600/chandys1ThisPrettySpace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdssJRplOHFoJSc8DMkI-0WiuXILPdvE6ccm_KYUqOZXnESdH4cyzYssA-RI-yb16oRfZJJDXFqndzUldSlgng4tZ9ou1YeAhdM9s2o4jZ9NLzhal2iwhqejqwZRSz71mcDnXE4x-0PxY/s640/chandys1ThisPrettySpace.jpg" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.aperfectgray.com/2012/02/sparkle.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/getMedia.phpStella%20Nicolaisen033012.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1333109226085" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/storage/allpostphotos/getMedia.phpStella%20Nicolaisen033012.jpg?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1333109226085" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.desiretoinspire.net/blog/2012/3/30/reader-request-brass-and-gold.html">via</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Here's to paint fumes highs and ruined manicures! What a weekend.<br />
<br />
Riot on.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Bethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18028078855243312841noreply@blogger.com0