Womp Womp

My plan for today's post was to show you the updates that I made to Hubby's office for his big 3-0 birthday this past Friday, buuuut the technology upgrades (i.e. a 2nd computer monitor) have been giving me nothing but headaches.  I just wanted to purchase a 2nd one of his current monitor (discontinued naturally), but lets just say, it's been more of a challenge than expected.  I've already exchanged 1 model and we'll probably do another exchange.... apples to apples it is not (even though the *#@!-ing model numbers are the same).  When I get it all worked out, I'll post the results (and my missteps when the wounds aren't so fresh). ...and since I'm very frustrated and feeling inspirationally drained, let's all cheer up to Surprised Kitty. An oldie but a goodie. I dare you not to smile.

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Bmhjf0rKe8]

Have a Seat

In my recent bout of project energy, I've finally made significant progress on my dining chair collection.

All 4 got primed...

And the first set of chairs are painted, recovered, and living in the dining room.  It's about time: I started collecting these chairs shortly after moving!

If you're very observant, you may have noticed a sneak peak of these on my new (and in progress) Home Tour page earlier this week.

The curvy one on the left was the one that needed the most help.  This is what it looked like when I rescued it from a tag sale for $5.

I'm absolutely in love with the new fabric and the fact that I got an amazing deal on it just makes it all the better (3 yards for a total of $23)!

I'm really liking the new look of the room, but I'm thinking about how to take it to the next level- add a real WOW factor.  I have a few ideas, but I need to let them marinate a bit.

Whichever WOW idea I go with, it will certainly have something to do with colors.  A more developed color story in here will go a long way to making it pop.

Jewelry Hook-up

I've been talking about how to organize my hoard of jewelry for what seems like forever and a day.  I had been thinking about using frames to display it all, and I even tried a version here.  HOWEVER, I've realized, when I drag my feet on a project, it usually means that something just doesn't feel right.  So I finally scrapped that plan and went a new direction: hooks. The idea for a collection of vintage-style hooks hit me when Zara Home went live in the US a little over a month ago.  They have so many beautiful options!

1/2/3/4/5

After waiting so long for inspiration to hit, I was in the mood to git-r-done.  Waiting for a shipment from Zara Home, no matter how pretty it may be, wasn't what I wanted (sorry Zara!).  Glutton for punishment, I headed over to my go-to place for vintage style hardware: Anthropologie.  That place is dangerous.  As in walk-through-the-doors-and-surrender-your-wallet dangerous.  Per usual, I left spending more than planned, but I scored a pretty awesome collection of vintage inspired hooks to showcase my necklaces.

I went rogue and started hanging them without planning it out first.  Thank goodness it worked out- plaster walls aren't very forgiving.

I just love the textural interest all the different hooks add.

The frame was actually an unplanned last minute addition, but it's one of my favorite parts.  It's currently showcasing 2 beautiful necklaces from Hubby.

Not the biggest transformation, but it's just a breath of fresh air.  Certainly makes my 6am wardrobe accessorizing a bit easier.