my new companion

I have finally joined modern technology and took the plunge of smart phones. For years I promised myself I would never really need a smart phone, but when Brian got one all bets were off. Once I really saw just how much can be done with a smart phone I was just biding my time till I was due for an upgrade. After a terrible storm and me dropping my phone in a puddle, I now had a real reason to upgrade my chunky high school very outdated phone.

After lots of research I decided on the Samsung Exhibit II and have been pretty happy with it. Along with the phone comes the new perks, like finally joining the Instagram bandwagon {username Blissfulmae}.

While I am loving my phone I have resisted to be totally obsessed with it. It's been helpful when it comes to wedding planning, email, staying up to date and connected with people, but it's just a phone. I have taken my cues from fellow bloggers Beth and Jessica, and know that this new piece of technology will not run my life. Technology should just be one of the ways that we connect with people, it should not define our relationships or our lives.

apartment accessorizing: lighting

I wrote them down, mapped them out and was off. I was on a quest for apartment accessories, particularly lighting, nightstand tables, or an entryway table for the apartment. I had almost given up hope after 1/2 a dozen thrift sales with no new items in tow. I was moments away from throwing in the towel when I spotted it.

A thrift sale with about 8 different lamps, from floor lamps taller then me, to an almost matching set of white lamps that were screaming 'Emily take me!' I noticed that they would need a little work, but I would much rather add my own stamps to them. I love taking something worn down and making it new, so that's what I did all afternoon. A few yards of fabric, my trusty glue gun, a can of ivory spray paint and with lots of patience I set off to make these lamps a little more apartment ready.

 

 

 They started like this with their white pain chipping away and covered in a light layer of dust from the months of neglect. After a good cleaning and a few coats of paint they looked brand spanking new again and ready for some stylish lampshades that would match our apartment. The color of our walls in the family room is a very light sea foamy blue, and that goes perfectly with our brown coach. The whole color scheme of our kitchen/family room is sea blue, tan & brown. The color scheme of our bathroom/bedroom is cranberry, tan, cream & brown.

So when it came time to pick out the fabric I knew exactly what I was looking for. You can probably guess which two lamps will be in the family room and which one in the bedroom. These will add a nice touch of color and help to incorporate our themes while doing their real purpose, adding light to our rooms.

I have a few yards of extra fabric and have some ideas in my head about how to use them but I could use a few suggestions. One of the first things people might think of is pillows, but seeing as I just bought a few of those to make resting on the couch a little more comfy I want to use it else ware. I plan to make some wall art with the fabric, but I'm looking for a few other ideas.

Any suggestions? How would you use the extra fabric in your family room/bedroom?

random inspiration

you never know what you are going to find in your e-mail in box or surfing the net. some days you happen upon nothing interesting, but some days you stumble over pure inspiration. today was one of those days and i could help but share with you some of the ideas at one of my favorite go-to sites for inspiration: Better Homes and Gardens. whether it's the magazine {that my mom thankfully subscribes to} or their web site, i get so many ideas that fill my head with projects i would love to do if i wasn't slaving away in school.

this would be so much for for a baby present {spelling out the baby's name} a holiday, or any occasion. so many options.

all of these craft could be done on a reasonable budget. a trip to Micheals or Joans {which ever is your fancy} or your favorite little craft store and you could be amaking these wonderful decorations to fill your home. i jumping with anticipation to have my own home some day. i will be bursting with ideas, can't wait.

embracing it

fall is beginning to infiltrate our lives:
department stores are filling the windows, shelves, and racks with new fall outfits.
our nights are getting colder.
students are returning to their classrooms and back to the books.
halloween boutiques are starting to fill up, awaiting their avid shoppers.
apples are getting right for the picking.

today was a whirlwind of shopping/bridal shower/visiting with friends that I haven't see in quite a while {more on that latter}. a few hours before the shower consisted of a little trip to the 'great mall.' with the seasons changing, I figured it was time to do a little pre-fall shopping. while I may visited quite a few windows, I found what I was looking for in 2 of my favorite stores: GAP, H&M. Gap was where I made my first purchase and found this lovely vintage cardigan:
H&M was my second spender, and I found an assortment of layers to go along with my new cardigan. with emerald greens, vibrate blues and a variety of pre-existing scarfs I am ready to welcome fall in with open arms {just not quite yet, give us a few more weeks}. fall is going to be here soon, so why not enjoy it's upcoming arrival.

my enlightened sill

dear fresh flowers,

thank you so much for gracing me with your beautiful presence in my new aqua mason jar. you certainly know how to make your presence known. thank you for brightening my day u-top my now enlightened window sill!

sincerely,
your adoring fan

my latest additions

this is the story of my new dishes....

last weekend I went shopping with a friend {Carly} to pick out a few items for her new apartment. among the many aisles of bath towels and kitchen ware, I got inspired to do a little impromptu shopping myself. even though I am not on my way out of my parents house, I thought it might not hurt to take a little look at the kitchen dinnerware at my favorite store {can you guess by now....target}.

my eye caught upon an adorable set of dinner plates, cups, small plates, salad bowl, deep bowls, and adorable non-slip tray. I totally fell in love and checked the price. Everything in my favorite color pallet combination {turquoise and yellow} was on sale. I instantly collected a set of all that I wanted. a few others stole aways escaped from the shelves into my steadily heavier basket.

I now have 4 storage bins of delightful supplies for my future home. my thought is "if you have to buy these sort of things eventually, you might as well purchase them along the way. instead or flustering to get items for your new home at the last minute, get a few items at a time in advance. it will also be easier on the pocket book that all at once in the end." how do you feel? did you make all your purchases at once, or a few here and there along the way. I wonder how it has worked for you?

pure bliss

There is nothing better that summer fruit! With all its color & flavor, it is truly pure bliss!!

real simple: organizing for your personality

Organize your life, that's the name of the game or the name of the magazine for this month. Last month I shared the cover art of my first issue of Real Simple magazine, but I decided to make a series of it. Each month when my new Real simple magazine comes in the mail, I'll pick out an article and share a little preview with the blogging world.

The article I picked for this month is Organizing for you Personality, because everyone has their own way. Some line up and label while others lay out with style. Whether you are white glove tidy or a pile maker, you can find a strategy that will match to you ways. After a left-brain right-brain quiz determining your possible organization system, the article goes on to share a few ideas. With each idea about: keepsakes, jewelry, and photos there are options for both left-brained and right-brain organizers. Some may know that I love to organize, I mean if it was up to me {well, I won't go on} so this article was bliss to me!!

new favorite flats

Strolling thought the rows and rows of shoes in Target on Sunday, I happened upon these adorable little flats. Seeing as I am on the tall side, I normally don't venture into heels too often for 2 reasons {1. I don't have the best balance and tend to trip often, heels not really helping and 2. I don't need to be any taller that I already am}. Sometimes when you aren't looking, a little treat will surprise you, on Sunday that came in the form of my new favorite shoes.

now, I know

Last summer I made one of my favorite purchases I've ever done. I had been thinking it through and carefully looking at dozens of them in many different stores. I invested in a camera. To be exact it's a Canon Power Shot SX10 IS, and it became my little baby. Ever since them I have been joyfully snapping away moments of my life and loving every minute of it.

I always thought I had just picked up on this blissful hobby by maybe the influence of others, but now I know, I got it from my daddy! This weekend my dad got out his amazing film camera with it's numerous lenses and I was amazed. I remember various vacations or life moments were my dad would capture them on the "big expensive camera that we were never aloud to touch." {well that's what I thought as a kid, and now understand why he was so protective.}

It is special to share a love for something with your parents, that you both have in common and can discuss. After hearing the fun stories from my dad about the days of film cameras, I took the camera out for a little photo shoot displaying it in all it's glory.

real simple

{the front cover featured in the May issue}

So this afternoon, I was feelin a little blue because the volunteer program that I have been a part of for the last 10 weeks ended today. While making super, my dad brought in the mail that included some thing that would cheer me right up. I was delighted to see that my Real Simple magazine had arrived! One of my girlfriends, Jenny, used to let me take a peak at her magazine's while she lived here, and I must say I missed the splendid magazine. Now with my own subscription I can too enjoy the articles that range from: Dirty jobs made easy, to Problem-solving products from $5, to Happily ever after in 351 square feet.

expression of love {6}: card inspiration

I don't know about you, but I love taking the time to make a personalized card. Whether it's for Christmas, a thank you, or just a little note to say that I care, I love to make my own. Now, with school papers and tests, work, friends, and a variety of other tasks keeping me occupied I haven't gotten around to making mine for Valentine's Day yet. When I opened up my latest addition of Scrapbooks etc I just couldn't help but be inspired! Visiting their web page can also evoke new inspirational ideas and the ones I found certainly did, so I'm sharing them with you! {and by the way there are plenty more ideas, these were just a few of my favorites} Hope you love them as much as I do.

My finds at Pier 1

Pier 1 is fulled to the brim with inspirational ideas and creative new projects. It inspires me to redecorate my room and add a little creativity. I found these candle holders shoved in the back corner of the clearance shelf and I dressed them up with a little silk ribbon and some craft ribbon. With a little care they turned into a matching set!