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Keeping good on my promises you guys!  I really wanted to start back writing on my blog somewhat regularly, and sharing some of the exciting updates we've made to our place!  First up, our living room. Since moving back into our new/old apartment in February, I've been working slowly but steadily to attack each room with updates. I actually used to live in this apartment with my best friend Kira, but when Kris and I moved in together, he and I found a new apartment, and Kira stayed in this one that we shared. Fast forward almost two years later, she decided to move cross-country to Chicago, so Kris and I moved back in. It has a great layout, lots of natural light, and so much more space than we had in our first place together. The only problem was that after 5 years of wear and tear, things were looking a little worn. I've got to say, it was somewhat of a surreal experience to be living back in an apartment that used to be mine - it wasn't the normal process of getting ...

Source So... it's December.  Where oh WHERE does the time go?? If 2013 was the year I really dedicated myself to my blog, 2014 has been the complete opposite.  I've completely neglected you guys, and while I feel awful about it, the truth is, I've just been lazy.  And kind of un-inspired. You'll notice that the more recent posts on here aren't some of my best. I'm sorry for that. But there is a silver lining!! As a result of my neglect, I've had the opportunity to dedicate myself to being creative outside of this blog, and it's allowed be to turn our apartment, into an actual home.  It feels so different from when we moved in - so cozy, and so refreshed.  Nearly every room has gotten a fresh coat of paint - just the hallway near the bathroom, and our bedroom are still outstanding right now. There's also a lot of new furniture - a new couch!  Yes, it happened. A new desk and office space! A new coffee table. A new side table. New lamps. New dining roo...

Hands down, the EASIEST way to bring a season into your living space is through textiles - most specifically, throw pillows.  You don't have to make a ton of big changes to make your home feel like summer, or Christmas, or in this case fall, and they are the easiest, and cheapest way to do so on a budget. Obviously, there are certain fabrics and pillows that easily run into the hundreds, but there are so many affordable options.  Some of my favorite sources... Etsy, Target, and Homegoods. A few of my favorites out there right now?? BOTANIC PRINTS: I love a good floral print - combine a large scale floral with the colors we associate with fall and bam, we're in business.  I ALMOST bought the top pillow here from Target, but could only find one.  Sad day friends.  It's so luscious in person, and a sweet deal too! I also love the look of the branches and leaves, and the more understated print of the lumbar pillow here.  It could really be used in any season, b...

Hola friends!!  How's everything going for you this week?? Just wanted to check in since some ideas have been spinning around in my head.  We're re-working our office space at home as we speak, and I'm really excited about the inexpensive changes we're making.   Source I'd been pretty happy with the mini makeover we'd given this space a few months back... the office had been functioning fine for me when I'd work from home, but as I think it goes with most projects around the house, it always starts with one little thing.... our thing was a computer monitor. Kris has been working from home, and really needed a computer monitor to be more productive.  We talked about it, and agreed that if he needed one to be more productive when working at home, it was a good decision.  So he went ahead to choose which one he wanted and ordered it. Fast forward a few weeks, and there was a massive box sitting in the entryway.   What was in this massive box , I thought? ...

Hey Guys... happy Fall!  Can anyone else believe that it's the last day of September???  Seriously, where does the time go? Source Our home still has some of it's summer decor up, but with fall in full swing, and the days getting noticeably shorter, my goal for this week is to get some fall decor going at home.  It seems that everyone goes straight for pumpkins when decorating for fall, but I want to go for a less obvious approach.   There will of course still be pumpkins and gourds in the mix as well, but for this fall, I'm really liking the magnolia leaf.   Source It's extremely classic, and I love that the leaves look as lovely bright and green as they do once they brown out.  I also really like that the magnolia leaf - whether in the form of garland, nosegay, or wreath will take you all the way through Thanksgiving... even into the holiday season! Look how pretty this garland below is - very autumnal without needing in your face bright orange leaves. So...

So... our entryway / frontdoor has gotten a bit of a facelift.   Actually, if we want to be more accurate in comparing hallway updates to plastic surgery, it's more like our entryway got some botox.  Nothing radical.  Nothing over the top.  No nips and tucks... just a bit of an enhancement.   Wait... would this update be more of a boob job then?  Ugh, whatever.  It's looking better.  Let's just say that.   Here's how the hallway looks now as you walk through the front door.  Pretty wreath.  Some nice color in the runner.  My pretty bar cart. And here is the hallway, staring back at the front door from the other end.  New mirror, new plant, and yes... a freshly painted door. << heavens singing >> I mean LOOK at that thing!  A work of art, pretty much. I am so thrilled with how it came out - the grey is perfect, and it brings some much needed contrast to the entry.  It's looking pretty good in here... n...