We are so behind

Why can't it look like this already?!? (It will never look like this. Sigh.)

Here is what happens when you move: You get all excited about the radical things you will do to your new apartment, you compare paint samples, you make floor plans, you plot out where you'll hang your wall art and you make endless lists of stuff to buy to enhance your tattered old furniture. And then you do nothing. For two months.

I know there are schedules to contend with and budgets to adhere to but I am so disappointed by our lack of progress on the apartment! Every day I think to myself 'self, you really need to get your shit together'. But guess what? I don't.

I guess the only thing to do now is to make small goals and see if that works better than my previous goal which was to make the whole place perfect all at once.

Image: The Decorista

Other things we can hang on our walls

As we begin to sort through our massive collection of wall art, I am finding myself more and more attracted to non-traditional art that isn't necessarily something framed. Sconces? Metallic Sculptures? Mirrors? So many options! Here's some inspiration culled from the archives of Lonny and Rue:

From Lonny:

I'm a sucker for symmetry! Red flowers omg.

Love how light these sconces look. Also can someone please buy me that desk?

I know, I know: Sunburst Mirrors: So 8 years ago. But still classic!

From Rue:

Love how ornate this sconce is.

Another sunburst mirror. Blorg. But this one is feathery and fun!

*Drama* J'dore.

Say hello hi hey there to my new bedroom

Ok well it's not my actual bedroom-that's still tk- but it's what I am currently lusting over! Stark white walls, cool-toned accents, statement art, cozy rug and luxuriously feminine bed linens. Amahzing!

Image: The Beautiful Soup via The Inside Stoop

DIY Wallpaper

This backsplash is wallpapered with Chinese food menus!

I love this idea although fear it would lead to a constant craving for lo mein.

Images: Apartment Therapy

Tempting

Oh how I wish I could get away with painting the walls of our living room black! Alas, my roommates would hate it and I think it would be wrong for the space. A girl can dream though!

Image: Desire to Inspire via The Glamourai

Kitchen Plans

Our kitchen is pretty tiny but that's not going to stop me from going overboard as I conceptualize the design of the space! My basic plan is to keep it functional but still stylish with mid-century touches and geometric accents.

Take a look!

Here's the breakdown:

*Mini Moka Silkscreen Print $55

*Omar Shelves $69.98

*Plus Salt & Pepper Grinder $86

*Hessum Mat $10

*Vidalia Bowl $145

*Bamboo Bread Box $49.95

*Coop Bowl $24.95

*Ceramic Canisters $17.97

*Spindle Clock $495
*E'spice Jars $4

*Cure For What Ails You Print $15

*Colorblock Jacquard Dishtowels $24

Image created at: My Deco

Ikea FTW!

If moving taught me one thing it is that I have way too many books. I have so many books they fill my bookshelves and also line my desk and form a tower next to my bed. There may or may not also be a pile in my closet and some under my bed as well. I decided to sell a bunch a few weeks ago in an attempt to make more room on the shelves but then chickened out and wound up selling only 10. I think I need help. My good friend has a rule I would like to adopt. He saves only the books he will read again or recommend to a friend. When I apply this rule to my own collection, I realize I can part with roughly half my library. Am I really going to read Anna Karenina again? How often do I thumb through Shakespeare? (Answer:  When I need a good insult)

I realize giving away half my books will be pretty traumatic but there is a silver lining here. My bookshelves can look pretty again and not cluttered and boring! This is a good thing because Ikea just created this amazing galvanized shelving unit and it costs a measly $15.  Reducing my book collection is a good excuse to buy new bookshelves right?

Here are some awesome things about this shelving unit:

**It is pretty

**It is cheap

**It weighs 11 lbs which means I can carry it up to my 4th floor apt by myself

I would like to have two side-by-side along a wall of my bedroom. I think I would accessorize with some small succulents potted in brightly colored ceramic pots and a few fabric-covered boxes to soften up the look.

Image: Ikea