House Hunting

Good morning! We have been looking for a new place for the past couple of weeks so I have been super busy! We have come up empty handed so far, but the search is still on! I will keep my game face on and power through without getting my hopes up only to have them let down because we have the cutest golden retriever know to man :) Oh well- she is so worth it. We will find a place located more than 10 feet from the train with more space, a nice kitchen and parking all included- i just know it. In the meantime, we have come across some really nice places for rent that i'm assuming were taken off the real estate market because of our drowning economy. There really is alot out there! What do you look for in a rental? I don't think i'm asking alot with my list...

1. SPACE (more than 1150 sq. ft.)
2. one or two bathrooms with storage (these bathrooms should not include black and white checkered tile or black jacuzzi tubs)
3. an outdoor space (small deck will do)
4. a bedroom that we can walk around in while our bed is still in it.
5. an area where a small home office will fit
6. Hardwood floors are highly desired, but not a must (on the contrary, the carpet should not be muted gray, green or any other drab color)
7. Kitchen- this might be my pickiest area, (and the hardest thing for my husband to understand) but I spend alot of time cooking and entertaining in my kitchen and I would like this to be the nicest entity in the space!
8. Storage- as in closets. Being from Northern Michigan I have collected my fair share of coats. Not to mention my clothing collection that I really need to organize and purge!

Is this too much to ask? On another note, I forgot to post the images I found of the kitchen in "It's Complicated". I fell in love with it when I saw the movie. Very french utilitarian. ( i made that up and have no idea what it means, but it sounds right!) Enjoy...

Dramatic Transformations

It's Friday! I woke up this morning thinking, "thank god this week is almost over!" This led me to reflect on my crazy week of constant phone calls at work and two new brides inquiring about invitations and remember that I was actually thinking clearly on Monday morning. Friday's are spent getting rid of all the clutter that built up during the week so I can get up again on Monday and breathe clearly! Maybe when I'm older I will learn how to stay positive throughout the week but until then my sanity will keep going through a dramatic transformation from Monday to Friday. Speaking of dramatic transformations, I would like to highlight some of the "before and afters" I have seen lately. It always blows my mind what you can come up with if you put a little TLC into something. Sherry and John at young house love have performed some dramatic transformations- here are some that blew my mind! Enjoy!

Before- a dark narrow room

After- a place to feel good!

Before- there are no words for this :)

After- amazing and bright kitchen

Before- dated white entrance

After- sunwashed living room!

Before- outdated red brick fireplace

After- fresh whitewashed dining/living room!Before- $20 craigslist find

After- nursery dresser

Rustic Shabby Chic

I just got the new Serena & Lily catalog and can't keep my jaw off the ground! ...

The birds nest lamp

This "Brazilian" rug is so simple yet rich looking- i love when fur is manipulated to look modern.

Vintage Bazaar

I just found out there is a vintage bazaar in Lincoln Square tomorrow! Hello old type, dusty bottles, vintage posters and real wood furniture! The entry is free and they have a cash bar for drinks (alcoholic or not) and snacks. Here's a little sneak peak!

Sunny Bachelorette Party Invites

Just posting some shots of the bachelorette invitations I just finished! I love how bright they came out!

Cover up an eyesore

Here in chicago, you are lucky if you can find a rental with modern air conditioning. So you will appreciate this post from apartment therapy showing you how to cover up the old unit! (when it is not in use) So much better!

Dreams of Summer

Bright Edition

I just found this spectacular exhibit of light fixtures from designer Pieke Bergmans! I have never seen any thing like it. Light shades folded over objects, pouring out of a stem or laying on tables. They are so unique. Enjoy!...

A series of unique crystal lamps by Pieke Bergmans, with Royal Leerdam Crystal and Solid Lighting. You may wonder: What is a light blub?? The answer is simple: it is a light bulb that has gone way out of line. Infected by the dreaded Design Virus, these Blubs have taken on all kinds of forms and sizes you wouldn't expect from such well behaving and reliable little products. Nevertheless, they seem to be enjoying their new free existences. They can be found shining across Milan during the Salone Del Mobile 2008. The Light Blubs are a series of crystal lamps, designed by Pieke Bergmans, in cooperation with Royal Crystal Leerdam. The lamps are all unique handcrafted crystal pieces, equipped with leds by Solid Lighting Design.

 

Quirky or Corky

This is brilliant: the Corky Mouse from designer Adele Peters is a kinetic energy-harvesting mouse that powers itself every time you click it or move it around your desk. Made from 100% recycled plastic components and recycled and biodegradable cork, it was one of 18 finalists in this year’s Greener Gadgets Design Competition. No more disposable batteries!

Inspiring Work

This invitation is so simple yet unique! The invites are printed on chip board and the envelope is a printed white bag folded over! The thank you is printed on chip board and can also be used as a bookmark. Very cool.

Designed by Swell Creative and printed by Smokeproof Press