Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Now that vacation is nearing, I'm thinking of all the wonderful projects I want to get my hands on. There seems to be an overwhelming number of them this time around. And I have that problem where once I start something and then I walk by something else I stop what I'm doing and start that other project and then I take a break and start another project and then I have 20 things going on and none of them gets finished. Yea, that's me. 2 unfinished paintings, wallpaper half stripped, closet half organized...ME!

So number one on the start up list: Finish the bedroom!
The husband has given me free reign to make it as romantic and french as I want since our living space has turned out pretty modern. So I'm thinking...Lilac walls, but you know the gray kind of lilac...and since our bedroom is so large, I'm thinking of mirrors and an ottoman.
But the mirrors are where I get a little confused. I really want this(the ottoman included):

since our bedroom lacks a full-length mirror. But I don't have $900 lying around.

This little look is enticing too, and at $30 quite a bargain. But, that doesn't solve the full-length mirror issue.

Not sure if these serious decisions are actually going to get made in the next few weeks.

FINALLY!

We finally purchased a coffee table, and we drove all the way to Covina to do it. We'd never been to Covina, but we noticed there were a lot of white people there. Not just white people, hicks. I decided that the closer you get to mountains, the more hick-like people get. I think they are actually called "mountain people." Like in the Appalachian Mountains. Anyway, I think mountain people don't care much for the mid-century look because all the Ikea's near the city were plum sold out of this model, but the Covina one was stocked with them. Maybe mountain people prefer antiques.

This city person is loving having a place to put all her junk, glasses of water, computer, AND feet!
yeehaw!

The Coffee Table Hunt

After nearly 3 months of living in our new home together, we are STILL without coffee table. We've been hunting relentlessly but alas no such luck. These days finding an affordable piece of furniture that's made of solid wood as opposed to particle board is very hard to come by. Sure there are a lot of great designs of solid wood, but for 1,800 bucks I don't think so. We find that a mid-century coffee table is a great option...now just trying to find one that we love.


Like this one.

Loving It Slowdown

Having a blog dedicated to positivity and things you love is GREAT! It makes you focus on the good in your life. But when you start to notice a hiatus from entries...uh oh. Maybe you're not looking hard enough for that silver lining.

After a few weeks back at school, I had a hard time thinking of things I loved. I could only dwell on the stress and craziness I had to look forward to each and every morning. So I decided to comfort myself with a few purchases. A new pixie haircut for the summer, a nice dress for the sweltering Valley days, a neon green t-shirt for weekends, a cute brown belt for dresses, some new teacher pants from Gap and a white cardigan for the cool evenings. And I haven't even hit up the Nordstrom anniversary sale yet. Hollah! Do I have a problem? NO, I am merely trying to mask my internal struggles by looking damn good on the outside. Now I'm going to get dressed in my fun weekend clothes and feel good about myself until Monday. I love weekends!

Jacob or Edward?

Now that I'm on Book 3:Eclipse, I feel torn between the two main men in Bella's life. I think Edward is just a bit too much. Too much drama, too oppressive, too serious. Jacob is growing on me. He's more easy going, light-hearted, and fun. (Don't worry I know these guys aren't for real.)

While none can deny the beauty of either one, I think Edward wins that battle.

You Knew It Was Coming

Since this site is dedicated to things I love/want...you knew it was bound to make an appearance...

You know what I'm talking about.

That book series that I ridiculed but a month ago. That movie I scoffed at when my friends wanted me to join them in watching it. The obsession of millions of dateless teenage girls and hopeless romantics. That's right...


I know you're laughing right now. But stop, really. I'm not saying the writing isn't horribly cheesy. I'm not saying the movie has great special effects. I'm not denying that I think the Mormon wife is trying to brainwash us to be chaste, and is making a poor metaphor for the temptations of the human plight (or am I giving her too much credit?). I'm just saying there is something engrossing about the drama of it all. Something appealing about forbidden love (so what if it's with a mythical creature).

While this is all true, I wonder, why am I so obsessed with this series? Is it because I am on vacation and have endless time to waste? Is it because I have no cable TV? Is it the curiously handsome young actor that makes me want to keep reading?

After much thought on the subject, I've decided the reason why I love the series so much is that it makes me feel like a teenager again. All that angst, drama, intense emotion. The feeling that you could like someone so much you could absolutely die (even though they've never even spoken to you). I feel pretty old when I reflect on those feelings, but I think that's what I like most about the series. It takes me back.

*Note: To all you haters out there. I was once like you. But I tell you now, it's not as bad as you think. Or, maybe it is.

A New World of Shopping

Now that we're thinking of building a home of our own. It has opened the door to websites I've never before frequented. That's right the genre of home furnishing websites. I still haven't built up the best repertoire of sites, so if there are any suggestions out there for inspiration or bargains, send them my way. First article to purchase: a sofa. My current couch is about 5 years old, and at $600 was not built to last. It's dilapidated and saggy, and while it is the perfect napping place, sitting on it can be quite painful. If you think you want to sit on the outer cushions, you'll be squashing the person on the center cushion in no time. yep, no use moving it to our new home. Might as well save the elbow grease of moving it in a few months. Here are some replacements I've been looking at (prices may affect purchase):


Modern yet retro


Soft yet bulky
These are both from plummer's, the most affordable yet fashionable site I could find.




More cute choices from Room and Board. Not sure how the pillow backs would last though.


Any other suggestions in a similar vein?

My Little Writers

Victory of the day:
My students actually LOVE writing. They groaned today when the timer went off on their 20 min. of brainstorming time. That's write 20 min. to brainstorm their ideas on what fossils are and what they tell us of long ago, and how they are found. Apparently not enough time for them. There are some things I will truly miss about this class. They're some smart cookies they are.

If I Were a Rich Man...

la da da da da da da da da da da da da da da deee...
I'd have a wedding planner and a clear design scheme.
But alas, I am not rich...
So no wedding planner for me, and all my random design ideas that don't go together are making the vision muddled.

Example #1: The dress
-I have a real form fitting dress (no ruffles, lace, or frills)
-Birdcage veil
-but now I want this bolero and it doesn't go with the look:


Example #2: The Hair
-On the one hand I want to have my hair pulled into a bun, but my hair is so short

-On the other, loose waves with chin length hair seems a good alternative


This confusion and indecision carries over into the floral arrangements, reception decor, and favors. I see all these cute websites about beautiful weddings and I wish I could have a cute "vintage" wedding. Or a "romantic" wedding. But I'm having some trouble planning it.
I think I lack the ability to envision how all parts look together. And now I'm doomed to have a wedding that will make people barf at the sloppiness of it all.