a little bit of love

happy weekend, bloggerinos! I can't believe it's friday already. and you know what happens on friday? friday favourites, of course!

1. first up: have you guys seen my new blog design by the amazing Kaelah Bee? I love love love it! very easily tops the list of my new favourite things. 

2. I might be a little late to the party, can't stop listening to this album. I'm no soulful southern rock chick by any means, but I feel like the songs are about me. oh, and they're just plain rockin'. //Alabama Shakes. 

3. how perfect is this dress? golden hued, darling shape, and delightfully detailed. unfortunately, in the time it took to write this post, it sold. // 1919 Vintage. 

4. I really want a great, neutral brown bag. casual, versatile, and big enough to fit all my junk in. any shade will do! //clockwise fr. top right; Modcloth, Topshop, Ruche. 

5. love this fun string art in the shape of my favourite state. :) //Beau Grande Monde.

6. this polaroid camera necklace is another adorable Etsy find; you can have the little photo pull-out customized with your own picture! so fun. //Strangely Yours. 

7. Brando and I visited this Williamsburg used bookstore the other day, and I'm in love. the bulk of the books are modern & classic fiction, which is right up my alley, and the prices are great. I got Franny & Zooey for $1! //Book Thug Nation.

8. I've recently noticed a disturbing lack of midi skirts in my wardrobe. terrible, since they are the ideal separate- they a feminine, comfy, and securely cover my tushie. I love pretty pastels, flowy fabrics, and flouncy pleats. //clockwise fr. top left; H&M, Ruche, Zara, Ruche.

9. A Beautiful Mess recently featured Elizabeth's lovely home in one of their features, and it has inspired me to keep working on our own little apartment-sweet-apartment. I especially love the hutch Elizabeth used as her bar cart. a little kitchen bar is the next item on our "to buy" list.

10. and on that home decor note... I'd love to add this cheeky little work to our gallery wall! //Craft Complex.

movin' on up

good news, blogger buddies; we have an apartment! 

on wednesday Brandon and I will be the newest residents of a Brooklyn brownstone. our place has three bedrooms, two brick fireplaces, and a dishwasher! the dining/living room space is a little small for both, so one of the bigger bedrooms is actually going to be a living room. another will be a guest room/my closet! CLOSET. it's been so long since I had a real closet. 

since I missed the last friday favourites post, I thought I'd do an apartment-themed one to make up for it. I'm excited to start picking out furniture and decorating and hunting for special little touches at the flea market. for inspiration, I picked things that are mostly affordable and that we are actually hoping to add to our new home!

(sorry I made the picture so small... I need to get better at arranging these little collages.)

1. this light fixture is a little out of our price range, but I'm hoping I can find something with a similar vibe at Ikea or something! // Panselinos.

2. I want to keep the big things neutral and accessorize with lots of bright colors; red, pink, turquoise, and chartreuse. // Urban Outfitters.

3. I'm completely fixated on this couch; it's my absolute must-have piece of furniture. I love the marled grey color, and it converts into a sofa bed! great for all the visitors we're hoping for. // Urban Outfitters.

4. we picked a cool wingback chair for Brandon. // Ikea.

5. bright curtains add color to the walls without the annoyance of painting. // Modcloth. 

6. same goes for temporary wallpaper! I love gold accents, and white keeps a small-ish space looking open.

7. an giant, plush ottoman serves as extra seating and extra storage; this one looks so old-Hollywood to me. // Urban Outfitters. 

8. I love a good accent pillow! Urban Outfitters & Modcloth.

9. this is another piece that we probably won't splurge on for a while, but it's my absolute favourite coffee table. hairpin legs, a glass top, and it opens up for storage. // Urban Outfitters. 

10. I have a thing for wire accent furniture. // Modcloth.

11. the perfect "welcome" mat for an entranceway. // Modcloth.

12. a simple side table on wheels can be used in any room. // Ikea.  

13. love the bright color of this refurbished dresser. // Aqua Xpressions.

14. this storage piece is so funky and mod; and it ties in almost all the colors I want to use. // Ikea.

15. the coolest record shelf- every apartment needs a little hot pink! Urban Outfitters. 

16. a clean & simple wardrobe to contain the overflow of dresses from my closet. // Ikea.

17. sometimes you need a little wall decor that isn't a poster of photo. these pretty letters look great in a gallery wall. // Urban Outfitters.

18. definitely, definitely my dream bed frame... yes please. // Ikea.

I can't wait to move in! 

I'll be sure to share photos once we actually buy some furniture. right now all we have is a mattress; my first grown-up purchase! 

feels like home

the thing that I'm most nervous about with moving to New York is finding an apartment. I know we'll find an affordable, nice place eventually, but I'm kind of anxious to find something I love and can make a real home.
I know it'll take time, and it'll be hard, but I'm excited! and I have high hopes. I found a few inspirations on pinterest to keep in mind, not necessarily while apartment hunting, but while decorating. even if you can't find the perfect place, you can turn it into one, right??

I know it's not very likely, but I die over exposed brick walls. I would be so pumped if we could find an apartment with even just one!

even without brick walls, I love these living rooms! I especially want an awesome, retro couch and lots of natural light.

I want to improve my art collection.. by which I mean, start one. nothing fancy, just cute prints and posters.

the kitchen is completely out of my control, I know, but a girl can dream about backsplashes and white cupboards.

this room is perfection, even decor-less. someday!

I'm really excited to find a new home. even if it's small and simple and nothing special, we can make it ours! 

someday...

I don't know how many of you have pinterest (or how many people are even reading this...hmm) but I'm kind of addicted. man, that site can eat up hours of your life. in the past couple days I've been especially keen on "pinning" inspirations for my dream home. I think it's my inner nesting instinct finally trying to get out; I've been smothering it through years of sub-par living conditions and tacky 70s-era apartments.

but I'm 24 (*cough cough*). I think it's about time I had a cute little place to decorate and make messy.

my dream bedroom must include: 

- a wrought iron or canopy bed

- lots of different patterns & textures

- footboard tables (preferably with a couch!)

- and eclectic, retro vibe!

I like rustic, airy kitchens with:

- fun colours

- lots of natural wood (twss)

- one of those oversized breadboard wooden tables

- an island!

dream living room requirements:
- fireplace!
- vintage-y furniture
- colourful accents
- interesting architecture, ie. ceiling beams, built-in shelves
- lots of natural light
- hipster artwork

it's interesting to find that you have a home decor style that's as specific as your personal style, but equally as hard to define in words. I find I'm drawn to a kind of "eclectic cottage" vibe; lots of light and texture, retro prints, wood, & pops of colour. I love ceiling beams and distressed furniture and brick/stone. kind of a cozy, shabby-chic. 

...better start planning now!

(and saving...)

all images found on pinterest. you can follow me, if you like, here. 

playing: songbird- fleetwood mac