Paper Elegance

How awesome is this and how fabulous would it be if you used glitter paper?! I'm thinking of so many different ways you could make one of these paper chandeliers: for a nursery, holiday, party, etc. I like the monochromatic look here the best - maybe you could do shades of cranberry for Christmas? And it doesn't require hardly any special materials other than jump rings, a circle punch, dowels, paper and glue. And maybe a good movie to watch while you're putting it all together :)

{from LilSproutCreations via Dooce}

WANTS: Re-Fresh

How lucky am I that it's time to update my "I WANT" list? SO lucky.

1. The BBQ Doughnut.
Just Kidding. Not really. But look at this thing!

2. Adirondak Chairs
Perfect porch-lounging chair!

3. Cafe Lights
For our backyard. Which needs a little help before it looks like this.

4. Fire Pit
Again, for the backyard. SMORES!

5. New Crisp Linens
I'm ready for some new, matching linens! For the guest bed too. It has a sad twin size blanket on it right now.

6. New Plates. Well, at least more than 3, preferably.
Ok so Y'all know I've complained about being tired of our every day plates pattern, but it is getting really bad now. I broke 1 of the set of 4, so now we have 3 plates total. I mean, it's all good, and we're really looking forward to putting the new stuff on our wedding registry. But it's gonna be great to have more than 3 plates again some day soon! :)

7. Car Seat Cover
No joke, we actually need this. Pearl's fur and mud cannot be contained by the mere towel we have on the back seat right now!

8. TV Credenza
You Guys. The wee lil' side table our tv resides on now is just sad! It needs something more stately :)

9. Big Farm Clock
Although I don't have a cute pink kitchen like this one, I do feel like our kitchen has a bit of that "farmhouse" style, and it's missing a big rustic clock!

10. Still want a wind chime!

I'm the luckiest person to get to dream about all this "stuff". Some day we may have the complete set of STUFF, we may not. Either way, I'm loving getting to think about it! Anything in particular on y'allz "want" list?

Materialistic Dreams do come true

Let's just say of this list I made in 2009 of "Things I Want", I never would have guessed that in 2011 I would have a sectional but not a wind chime.

I have been stalking this certain sectional for about a half year now and it finally went on sale enough that we made a move on it:

This one is less modern and a little more practical than the one featured on my wish list two years ago. I also think it goes with the style of our house better than something uber modern would.

And we also bought a new mattress. Why work on all this physical therapy if I'm still sleeping on a crappy mattress? Exactly.

So we're slowly rotating out the college furniture. I suggested we have a "red wine and fried chicken" farewell party for the ole purple couch. Spill some food on it for the last time. Grown-up high five!

CND Shellac Manicure

So my friend Wendi and I have been curious about these "CND Shellac Manicures" ever since we read about Hillary's experience on her blog. When she posted her not-chipped day 13 mani photos I was convinced! So Wendi and I went and got ours done at a nice little place in Everett, Bliss Spa. For being right next to the Jiffy Lube, this spa was a total pleasant surprise! They were really great. Gave us a lot of information along with our manis. This technique is about $25 more expensive than your average manicure, but I would TOTALLY get it again. I'm particularly excited that I could get it done before, let's say, my wedding day (!) because then I won't be paranoid about chipping it that day. It would also be great for vacations. I swear, I should've ruined my manicure about 100x by now, but it's still perfect - this is Day 4:

It's a little hard to tell on mine because I got a very light polish, but there are NO CHIPS. It's also way shinier than your average manicure. AND - there is no dry time after your manicure, so you can literally reach right into your purse for your keys or credit cards right after. I can't tell you how many times I've just finished paying for a mani and ruined it seconds later. Totally recommend this - I'm so excited about it!

Tuesday Grab Bag

It's a Grab Bag of stuff from the internet!

The Curiosity Group comes out with a 3D printable calendar each month. They're pretty awesome :) {via HAOrgange}

When you just need an icon, check out Icon Finder! {via HAOrange}

The Six Most Egregiously Overrated Celebrities is kinda funny. {via Gala}

Um...Cut Paper works by Pablo Lehmann - amazeballs! {via ThisIsColossal}

Ok I would totally dress up and go to "Dapper Day at Disneyland" {via Gala}

Omigod - wearable planters! By Colleen Jordan. {via Craft}

A Bunch of Random Stuff

Origami Mushrooms {via HowAboutOrange}

This "Model Metamorphosis" is pretty cool (also neat make-up inspiration) {via Gala}

Um...this NoteSlate just might be the upgrade to my constant re-writing of lists! {via Swissmiss}

Gorgeous work by Michelle Armas {via frolic!}

Absolutely stunning images of "Dancers Among Us" by Jordan Matter Photography {via Swissmiss}

A Break from Europe Posts

Whew. These Europe posts are exhausting! While I'm getting the next chapter of Venice ready, I thought I'd share some of my latest google reader findings...

I already have Christmas on the brain. It's coming! I absolutely love everything leading up to New Year's but then in Seattle afterwards it's the "dark time". I have to make up some better holidays for the before-Spring time here. Maybe that holiday is known as "Hawaiin Vacation". Either way, I'm really excited to put a wreath on the door of our NEW HOUSE!!! That's right, we finally found our unicorn, a little rental house that does not look like a rental on Queen Anne. So excited! Now if only I could come across all the materials to make this colorful wreath by Pickles, I'd be all over it (also pretty sure I've blogged this before, but who cares).

Speaking of crafts, who doesn't love a good papercraft? How about a Star Wars Trilogy video entirely out of paper? {via Dooce}

Jeremy Messersmith - Tatooine from Eric Power on Vimeo.

Fun "Framed Objects" by "the." via Decor8.

Love this DIY NY city skyline idea that amhart1 created! {via LovelyUndergrad}

Keene will agree that ever since I saw this shelf/bar DIY by LoveMaegan I've been obsessed with it. Time to refinish ALL my furniture before the move!

Random Delights

I totally want this canning starter kit. I've always wanted to be a canning pro, but it's intimidating! I think because there's science involved or something. I have to practice so I can be like those Portland ladies...

How good does this Corn and Peach Salad look that Arugula Files made? Gawd I love corn.

And wow - for the person that has everything...how about some altered antique plates by Beat Up Creations? {via JennSki}

Too late but maybe next year: cute idea for sifted flour lawn/sidewalk stars on the 4th {via P&GMama}

Car Cosy, anyone? This was created by Magda Sayeg for the Il Lusso Essenziale art festival in Rome. {via MM photo by Flickr StartTheDay}

Wednesday: Cinco de Bunch of Random Stuff

So true.
--
I know this is old news but I just wanted to talk about how I think I had a different reaction than most people to the whole "banned Lane Bryant Ad" scandal. So ABC and Fox momentarily banned the Lane Bryant lingerie commercial from airing, because it was too sexy, despite the fact that they air similar Victoria's Secret ads. So...double standard, yeah yeah, I get it. But the part I like about all this, is that when you watch the Lane Bryant ad it's obvious why the networks thought it was scandalous - this chick is WAY sexier than those 12-year-old-boy-bodied Victoria's Secret models. Vicky's doesn't get the same kind of reaction because those models have some sorry ass excuses for boobies. Just sayin'. Lane Bryant is going to sell some bras with this ad.
--

Cute NYC Subway masking tape. Buy it from KawaiiiThings. {via NYAO}

--
More quotes I'm stealing from Miss NoPoMo (I love every quote she posts):

"If your dominant intent is to feel joy while you are doing the work, your triad of intentions—freedom, growth and joy—will come quickly and easily into alignment. See your "career" as one of creating a joyful life experience. You are not a creator of things or a regurgitator of what someone else has created or a gatherer of stuff. You are a creator, and the subject of your creation is your joyful life experience. That is your mission. That is your quest. That is why you are here." - Abraham

"The success of love is in the loving - it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does not determine the value of what we have done." - Mother Teresa
--

Two different ways to make a bar:

Turn the IKEA "lack" shelf into one...{via CasaSugar}

Take an old trunk and make it into a "rolling" bar...{via AT}

Random Cool Things

$72(!) "cupcake bell jar" that is ridiculous cute. {by Whitney Smith Pottery, via Poppytalk}

Shelter Island Cottage: I die for this outdoor room...or maybe I'm just heavily craving Al Fresco dining at the moment. {via NotYourAvgOrd}


Had to post this hot Manhattan manse for my NY lovers. {also via NYAO via LoftLife}


Coming to visit us in DC? We have luxurious accommodaaaaahtions. {from WhiMSy love via Craft}

Full Moon Weird Week

Y'all, when did I get busy? Weird. I actually have more than one social engagement planned this week...like, 4. What's up with that? I guess it's like they say, when you stop looking, all that stuff sorta just comes along! So yeah the blog has suffered. But I hope to be able to work on some superawesome blogworthy crafts this weekend while catching up on tivo, y'know, like old times.

Just a medley of things I've found interesting on THE WEB lately:

What a charming party this woman planned for her Grandmother's 90th Birthday. I'm a sucker for garlands and old timey photos. {from Inchmark}

Love the vulgar positivity of this print by Pen. {via Melissa Loves}

Ummm...I totally want a custom $1,895 LED coffee table made by Because We Can. {via Shelterrific}

They might as well call this series "Brooke's Fantasy" instead of "Craft Spaces". In love with the idea of having a tiny gingerbread-like cottage to do crafts in. {via Craftzine}