Before and After: Desk

I purchased a desk off of Craig's List a few month back for $25 out the need to find some space of my own and a place to store some of my items.  It took me a long time to decide on a paint color and then due to the everyday rain that seems to happen here in Nashville during the spring it has taken a lot longer than I would have liked to get it ready to be used.  Thanks to my great fiance it finally got finished and just got placed in its permanent spot in our apartment, the closet.  Yes, my desk is in our walk in closet.  First, there really was no other space for it in our small one bedroom apartment.  Second, as much as I love my fiance and our two kittens I needed some space where the kittens don't go and I can just say this is my space.  When living in South Bend, IN I had my own apartment and also had a huge office all to myself at my previous job.  Upon moving to Nashville, I currently reside in an apartment with three other bodies and have zippo personal space in the gallery where I work.  Needless to say I was a girl in serious need of this space more than anyone really knew.  Here are the before and after pics. The desk still needs one more pull and I obviously need to put my junk in the drawers but other than that it is ready to be used!  I really can't wait to start craft projects on it, send e-mails from it and write cards on it, I think it is going to make my little corner of the world that much brighter.  

                                  BEFORE:  

                                    AFTER:

Close up of my chair, cushion and drawer pull

In need of a creative outlet!

First off, how has an entire week gone by and I have not posted on the blog? I need to get myself into a routine I suppose.

After a mini-meltdown about living in Nashville and my job (which I do not like) last night into this morning I am sitting at work looking through old blog posts that I have starred on my google reader and find myself envious of those people who can sit at home and make creative items to sell and blog about. I really am in need of finding something that I can make and market in a creative fashion. Maybe not to replace my real job right away but more of a distraction. As I am saying and thinking this nothing comes to mind as to what I should create. I feel like all of the good ideas have been done and taken and that I would just be a copy cat. The strange thing is that I am creative so why I can't think of something new and unique is beyong me! I guess I will have to figure out a way to get the creative juices flowing and start on something. Luckily for me Michaels is having a sale on Monday, my day off so maybe a trip through the craft store will inspire!

Here's hoping!

(source)

Shoe Crush: TOMS Wrap Boot

As described by the SCOOP these look like:

"a flat canvas shoe with an 'ACE-bandage-like' wrap-around piece that circles your leg and affixes at the top with velcro"

but what a great ACE bandage type shoe they would be! I am thinking with a pair of cute shorts or a skirt. They would be perfect for Nashville living. I am also a fan of unique clothing and shoes and these fit the bill. They come in seven different colors from red to gray and are vegan. They are kind of pricey especially for those of us not buying shoes at $98 but if you purchase a pair TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need, so you are really purchasing two pairs of shoes for that price, good deal, no?

via SCOOP


via TOMS

Not Your Normal Wallpaper

Creative solutions for new and vintage wallpapers.

Recently, I have come across not only new uses for vintage wallpaper such as necklaces, purses, and lamp shades but also new wallpaper that is being designed and used to create a contemporary feel at home. I only wish I had surfaces that could be wallpapered but since I am renter I will have to wait and dream of beautiful wallpapered walls! I guess in the meantime I can purchase a necklace or bag off Etsy.

icff preview: madison and grow - Design*Sponge

look closer. - seesaw designs


diy idea: kellie’s fossil wall - Design*Sponge


When in Doubt Draw Flowers - Etsy


wallpaper projects - seesaw designs

Shoe Crush

I LOVE shoes! It is not a secret and as I tell anyone who feels the need to comment on my expansive shoe selection: I could be addicted to something worse! Since we have many expenses for the wedding I am on a slight shoe moratorium; self proclaimed. Even though I am not purchasing shoes, a girl can still look! And these shoes may be an exception since they could by the shoes I wear at my wedding. I am sure this will be the first of many "Shoe Crush" posts so here we go, Shoe Crush #1.


I saw these shoes on a wedding blog (The Bride's Cafe) that I read and had to figure out if they were still available. After googling "Vivienne Westwood for Melissa called VW Lady Dragon Love Heart" I found one location that still has these shoes in stock! The store is called epaulet and they have three different color combos. How fun are they?

Art Break: "Pasandola de Avión en Avión" (Going from Plane)

"Pasandola de Avión en Avión" (Going from Plane)
Digital Print, Printed on Archival Fine Art Paper 2007, Berkeley

I previously held two positions at the University of Notre Dame working with art, specifically Latino Art. This was a new area of study for me since Latino Art is not traditionally taught to art history students, at least those getting their BA. In my two years of working my two positions; one at The Snite Museum of Art and one at The Institute for Latino Studies I was exposed to artists and artwork like I had never seem before. What started out to be just a job turned into a passion not only for the art but also for the people and culture. Here is a work by one of the artists I had the pleasure of working with, Favianna Rodriguez. Check out her website for more information about her and more of her outstanding work. She truly has made a name for herself and is a young artists with such great things ahead!

Simon's Cat

So very funny and makes me think of my two kittens, Frida and Einstein!  Shared with me by a friend who is also a cat lover.  These are too funny and too true.  Even if you don't own a cat or love the small furry beasts you will still laugh.  Enjoy!

Typewriter Love

In the course of looking at a multitude of wedding blogs I came across this idea I love for a creative guest book. I was intrigued by the idea of using a vintage typewriter and was drawn to how beautiful they are. Even if we don't use it for a guest book how wonderful would it be to get a hand typed letter from someone?

Inspiration(source)

Finds of my own!
(source, source, source, source)