Better late than never

I've had great intentions for posting pics of the bulletin boards, but the universe had other plans like making me sick. Tonight I finally took some shots in poor light, so we'll have to just live with that until the next round of updated things happens (which should be soon).

Magenta acrylic paint on the frame, gray grosgrain ribbon , and a fabric from JoAnne's called tropical something or other. I can find the name when I go back to look for curtain fabric this week.

I haven't decided if/where to mount the boards, so for now one is propped up above my desk and one is being useless lying on top of the printer. They are so small that I can't bring myself to pin anything on them and cover up that fun pattern yet.

Even though I only bought a yard of the fabric, there is enough left over for a throw pillow or two for the bed. Here is the current bed situation:

A little boring, right? Need to work on that. [Note wet spot from doggy nose. She kept jumping into the shot.]

At the foot of the bed is a trunk I keep my underpinnings in. It's the same red as my parson's desk, which you might get to see if I ever get my cords under control.  

Here is the yellow fabric with the bed to give me an idea of what the pillow will be like. Say hello to Lucy.

Yes, she does have eyes, I promise.

While the sewing machine is out for the pillow(s), there might be some window treatment action as well. The window behind this chair lets in far too much light in the morning.

There are blinds I'd like to cover with a fabric shade...maybe in a gray geometric pattern. Then some blackout curtains would be life-changing. I could go bright or black with those. We'll see.

It's my birthday

via 

I crammed this day full of my favorite activity: sleep! It was blissful, to be honest.

Pics of the bulletin boards tomorrow when there is better light.

Still looking for advice on the side table situation from yesterday, smart people!

I want this

Pics of the humble mini-project are coming soon. Bad weather has been keeping my very inquisitive puppy inside and up in my business all week, so it's hard to find opportunity for messy things like paint and glue.

I decided I need to upgrade my nightstand situation from the plastic and MDF Container Store cabinet to something nicer. Maybe something shiny and sophisticated. Maybe a round brass and glass campaign side table. It turns out they are crazy expensive (for me).

But then I saw this:

which is a lot cheaper than this:

Hmmm. Does anyone know if it would be feasible to try to brass-i-fy the first one? With gold paint maybe? If so, I think I could like this accordian style instead of the campaign one.

Sources:
metal accordion side table, urban outfitters, $64
global views directoire brass & black granite end table, allcoffeetables, $613.80

Things acquired and planned for

I went to scope out the gorgeous bag situation [see yesterday's post] at Target. The striped and the equestrian totes were not there. The dreamy cognac bag...was a heartbreaking, utter disappointment. It is ugly and fake. I spotted it from the door and it was dreamy from there, but from a few feet away, it's obviously crap. Le sigh.

But onward! In the beauty clearance section I spied the Sonia Kashuk duffel bag I'd been wanting for 30% off. Yes, thanks! It is huge for a cosmetic travel bag, but small for a regular duffel bag (perfect for a carry-on flight bag). Super lightweight, and it comes with two small bags for little liquid toiletries (the bags are velcro'ed to the inside--genius). Sadly, it's no longer available online.

I also scored two bulletin boards for $2.50 each. I've been wanting to do a big, fabric-covered board forever...so many adorable ones in the blogosphere. But these two smaller ones together should work out fine. Tomorrow I'll head to JoAnne's...I was doubtful of the selection, but I just saw this swatch:

...over at Framing Spaces, and that has given me hope. I might just go with that fabric unless I find a royal blue geometric pattern that wins me over. Then I'll need some ribbon to trim it out and a little craft paint for the frame.

P.S. If I don't post the results soon, it's a safe bet that I have had a fatal crafting accident. I am not like the rest of you, who can whip up a houseful of drapes in a morning or upholster a chair in ten minutes. It is much more likely that I will end up glued to the cork and the floor and the table, with ribbon tangled in my hair and limbs and a wild look in my eyes.

You're kidding, right?

Target is debuting these gorgeous bags sometime soon. Prepare for jaw-droppage.

Just when I had convinced myself that I had all possible bag-needs covered, and was hoping to keep a very condensed closet...I now desperately want the first one. I hope I hope it doesn't disappoint in person.

**Update** The only tote that is decent is the black and white striped.
Sources:
Merona Pleated Tote in Cognac 29.99
Merona Striped Canvas Tote in Black/White $16.99
Merona Canvas Tote in Tan $19.99

Can't stop dreaming of honeysuckle

A beautiful honeysuckle-framed mirror has caught my eye, and while I debate on it, I'll just show pics of other pink things...just in case someone reading snatches it up first!

Gold, black and white are good with it.

But it's not enough to rescue a dark prison room.

Overkill? I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to spend an afternoon here with girls and cake.

Yes! A super-long, tufted, nailhead-trimmed sofa. Just do some more sophisticated/edgy pillows instead of the Adlers. I want this.

Get your pink on vicariously with Eloise (or be inspired and get out the paint).

It's just art.

 Get brave and wear something fun!

Sources:
Eloise $9.95 at anthro
Venus pendant $318.00 from laylagrace
double-faced wool jacket $229, from talbots, pictured in luckymag

Busty

Did anyone see the commercial for ceramic busts on the De Niro episode of SNL recently? Pretty funny stuff.

Busts that aren't too formal or militant or old-school-Greek can be cool in the right setting...

I don't like the bust-on-a-column look so much. DO love the white-bust-against-white-walls-or-bookshelf look! A playful, modern setting seems to work best.

Here's a definite don't in my book:

It's just too much like the hall of heads in Return of Oz...

[That movie is the reason I never saw the original Wizard of Oz. So much creepiness!]

I couldn't find any guy busts I liked for sale, but here are three pretty females.

Sources:
cameo white resin female, $48 from urbanbarn
french girl in resin $67 burkedecor
Fredericka in Plaster $150 burkedecor