This Week's Day OFF: Plan

The roses I got awhile back. =) making me smile all over again + another picture to add to my Instagram

The weather indicates a dreary Monday off. My plans naturally include some thrifting =) but in addition, I want to take a trip to Home Depot or a greenhouse and find my cactus or succulent for my terrarium project. I also realized I have a second vase from some lovely roses the bf sent me awhile back. I think I'll make two! I was considering getting an orchid from Ikea and displaying with rocks in this vase but they are so hard to keep.
I hate to invest $14 for it only to last me a few months. I tried, unsuccessfully, last year to keep the one I had so that it would rebloom and it didn't even stay green for a week after I clipped the stem and followed online directions. Waste of time. No matter how pretty they are. If I read enough literature maybe I will try again if I can't resist them during my next trip to Ikea.

Things on my To-Do List

I noted the other day that I had found a few things on my thrift list. One was a glass container. I saw these awesome terrariums on Free People and needed to have one. They however wore a heavy price tag, $400.00. I can DIY that, I think.

I was unable to find a glass container that is as unique as the ones they show but mine will work.

Aren't they cute? Hopefully I can find a cute cactus or succulent to put inside mine and I'll collect rocks on my next trip outside. If I can find some irresistible little novelty to put inside I will. Maybe a figurine of some sort?

Also posted by the great Free People is this Instagram project. I just started using the app on my iPhone but as a work in progress I'd love to create something equally as cool as this one.

I will include my Barbie doll trunk picture and I have one other to go into the project so far.

From a recent trip to the frozen yogurt place near campus. 

And if I am being totally honest I do have two pictures of the bf that I altered but I don't think he wants his face on my blog. :) I'll make a point to take some more pictures for this project.

So that's what's on my To-Do for now. Instagram and Terrarium. 

UPDATE: 304 days

The bf is still getting settled in and I am still getting used to not being able to talk to him when I need him. Tonight it would be helpful to get in touch with him to help me with a situation I'm having but I'm learning to deal.
Yesterday was my day off and it went like this.
My roommate and I set out with these awesome plans to go to the Zoo for free by signing up for a library card and receiving free admission passes from the local library. Apparently these are much more popular than I ever knew.
We drove to 4 libraries before giving up. What a bummer. We were going to have a fun day without spending money. FAIL.

The alternative: Shopping spree.
Whoa. It all happened really fast. We hit up a Goodwill, Savers, Unique Thrift and TJMaxx.

It was a great day. We both spent a lot of money. It really cheered me up though. I could have bought the entire TJMaxx. And I found some really good movies, a new phone cover, headphones, and another purse at Savers/Unique. Not to mention the 4 shirts and skirt I got at TJMaxx. AYYYYYY! It was a good day. I'm on a roll lately.


Here are some pictures of my purchases from the day:

This vintage Barbie doll trunk. Photo taken with the Instagram app on my iPhone. I will somehow turn this into a jewelry box. Love it 

This belt for $2.00 fits up around my waist. 

Vintage Dooney and Bourke. $19.00 in great shape ! 

The other items I purchased were of the clothing sort and will be posted as I wear them.  Hoping to get some more unnecessary shopping done on Monday.

<3 cheers to a Saturday night out!

Some recent, tempting DIYs

This one most recently posted by Free People
I wish my boyfriend was around to help me with the fragile glass breaking part but I might give it a shot anyway.

And how about this Flower Halo from Honestly...WTF

Now this I can handle.

And how about DIY Ombre Denim Shorts? I like this idea..

I'll just need to find some shorts to work with. Thrift shop here I come again :)

If I'm being totally honest I made a quick trip to another favorite thrift shop. Oops. I made it out under $20 though and got two things on my thrift list:

1. Glass container
2. Rimmed mirror tray

I got a few other cute items. Will take pictures and post tomorrow =)

Desk/Work Space for the New Digsss

Although I am not moving into some new expansive space (nearly the same sized bedroom) I want to utilize my space in a more organized fashion. I have begun searching for some shelving units to help me display pictures and keep things like extra paper, supplies and books.
So far I have come across this shelving unit from IKEA inspired by a photo I tagged recently.



This unit can be found here

And again the inspiration photo

Although the one offered by Ikea is metal, it does offer the same function and a space saving way to store a lot of different objects. As for other ideas...



I like the idea of the large boards above the desk for organizing. Maybe one with cork and the other with pinboard?




I'll  need to add something pink...



I would love to find a rimmed tray and some cute jars for paper clips and other desk things.




No room for book shelves.. but isn't this nice?




hair accessories?




Might be beyond my creative abilities but I could try

I don't think I could use wallpaper or anything drastic on the walls but this is adorable

And pink. This picture almost wins me over!

And another example of 'Bali'

It's a work in progress as of now, but I still have more than a month to decide. Its down to the three choices then I guess.

Pink, Bali or Coffee?
Hoorah for a Thursday off! I think I'll take a trip to the ZOO!

The New new

It's about that time of year: moving time. I always have mixed feelings about this. I am happy to be moving. Excited for new roommates and new surroundings. But then there is the actual moving. Dreadful. Packing and organizing and stuffing things into my car. I never have enough room. Even when I send a ton of stuff home to my parents house it is always a task to try to find room for everything in two cars. And the time situation. The landlords must have all gotten together and said "How can we make this most inconvenient for people?" I mean seriously. Out of the current place by noon, and no place to go until move in the following day at noon. So what do I do with all my belongings? Pack both cars to the roof, bring the box spring and mattress into the hotel room, and anything that doesn't fit? Well, we make it fit.

Things I am looking forward to:

1. A new room to decorate.
2. New roommates
3. A newer house.
4. A nicer kitchen
5. 2 bathrooms!!!!!
This year we have battled landlords, bugs, our dishwasher and most recently a toilet. It's time for a fully functioning home. I hope.

So I have been thinking I may try to take full advantage of this new place and paint my room. Never have I ever painted my room in all of my houses in college. I think it's time. But how will I decide what color I want? Should I go totally glam and girly and paint it pink? Maybe get that out of me before I live with someone who would not want a pink bedroom? Or at least until I have a little girl who can have a pink room?
Or should I just do crisp fresh white? Boring? or refreshing? Like a blank canvas around which I can use many other colors? Its an idea.
Sometimes I think about this color I saw on a design blog once called 'Bali.' Tealish, blue. Like perfect water off some majestic beach. That might be really relaxing. But maybe hard to decorate around and a little beachy.

One color I lean towards is only one I can describe but not name. I would go to Caribou, order a White Chocolate Mocha and take the cup to the paint store. Open it up and there. That would be the color. It is not tan or beige. Its coffee, or mocha or sand. And while some people think it would be boring. If you explain it in this way, its great.
I am also excited to hopefully decorate the rest of the house in a cuter more organized fashion. I am almost certain my new roommates are the most tidy and would like to have a clean and nice house to come home to like I do.

Some pictures inspiring me lately:

The accent canopy color is close to the Bali I referred to.

Bright white with many other colors = fun

White but plain and relaxing

Not quite the mocha color...but cozy

Maybe a little overzealous, but a girl can dream

This I could manage. Love the prints and the idea of being completely surrounded by tapestries

I like the color and the little bench... maybe something to look for and the light fixture

Idea for the future

Seems beach-house like but I like the denim mattress cover

Simple, sweet. I plan to buy a shelf unit (or two) like this one and I believe there is something like it at Ikea

Plain but I have always loved tufted headboards

Girly, but again the headboard

Almost ideal. Headboard. Pillows. Beadspread. Hanging balls.

Thrift Sesh: Part Deux

As planned I came straight home from work and headed out to thrift. I had two new locations to try.
I was in luck. Tuesday is apparently the new Customer Appreciation Day at all but two (?) stores. The two I visited today offered 25% off all merchandise. I thought since I had so much luck yesterday that I might keep my streak going. I wasn't completely wrong, it started off slow though.
In the new territory I was a little thrown off but I made my way to the accessories. NOT A SINGLE VINTAGE COACH. What a place. Looked through the coats and vintage clothing. Nothing spectacular.

So I went for the books. My recent quest has been to find good coffee table books. About various topics, none of which I really have decided on. But I did find 3 new novels so I can finally start on summer casual reading, with a month left of it...

I found:

Never heard of the author. Like the cover.

Subject: Europe. Black dress and Champagne. Should be a good one.

I saw the movie, wasn't impressed. And I always knew there was a book but until I saw it for $1.25 today I never thought to buy it to read.

That was it for the first, new location. 3 books. While they look promising I was not impressed with this location and do not feel the need to return.
So the second location was on my way-ish home. Driving up it was impressive. I was excited. Although both places were completely packed (Customer Appreciation Day to blame) I was excited for this one. I walked in and bypassed the jewelry because I don't like the way they display it so I never look. I went for the books and found one other that jumped out at me.

I always enjoyed the Sisterhood books, so why not give it a chance.

Then I headed for the accessories. Walked past the scarves. Snatched a nice red floral number that said "take me" and turned the corner to the purses. A few Coach contenders but nothing I couldn't live without and definitely none that matched the one from yesterday =) I love it so much I already carried it today.
I began weaving the aisles like I do looking at shoes and some tops. Nothing I couldn't live without. Made my way back to the trinkets. I found a cute little framed mirror for $1.17 and needed it for that price.

Could use a new paint job but its cute.

And for the scarf...

Nice. Bright. Some PINK and FLORAL.

An okay thriftcapade but I can do better. Maybe on my day off I'll hit up some of my other favorite locations. I haven't been to two or three others in awhile. But all of these thrifted treasures are reminding me I need some new staples to go along. I want to invest in:

-two new pairs of boots for fall, black and brown
I have these from here on my mind. Even though they are from last season.

Madden Girl Zandora Boot

and no ideas yet for a black pair.
I also NEED a leather jacket. At least one. I desperately want brown. But I would take black. But I want both. And I need new jeans.
Then there are these rain/wet shoes from Sperry here.

So many wants!!!!!!!

On my way home I discovered two emails from my boyfriend begging me to get on Skype.  I was pretty excited to see him.

<3
305 days.

-Hannah

Thrift/Wish List

Well here it is! Changes and alterations occur daily but for today here is my list.

1. Black jeans (still in? I'm not sure. but I'd really like a pair)
2. Denim vest
3. Denim shirt to embellish with studs like this one

Found here

oh, btw these may have fed my desire for a Mexican Blanket from Free People Blog

Also makes me want a puppy

Might need to take a picture like this with mine =)

Sideways, you get the point.

4. Leather jacket, either brown leather maybe with fringe or some cute accents definitely a camelish color, or black biker style
5. Watering can. I don't have a garden but I saw one at TJMaxx awhile back that I swooned over but I think I could decorate one pretty well.
6. Belts
7. New jeans. Where can I find a variety of comfortable, cute, stylish jeans? I need some new options.
8. New jewelry