Looking Forward to Saturday...

Snow! I've been impatiently waiting for snow for weeks- it just makes everything look so pretty and Christmas-like.

Woohoo!

Photo Shoot: Part II

...and here are the rest of my favorites! (See the previous post for some others.)



Photo Shoot

I had the opportunity to photograph some good (and highly photogenic!) friends last night. I'm slowly making my way through the tons of pictures, but wanted to share my favorite three so far.

Cute couple, 'eh? Thanks for letting me photograph you, guys! :)

Style: What I don't like.

Is this an okay post to write? It seems rather negative. I just came across a photo epitomizing what I don't like design and decor wise. Here she is:

Photo Credit

There seems to be a theme of extreme eclecticism sweeping the design world, and I most definitely am not on board. At all. A few funky/strange things in a room add interest. A moderate amount seems artsy. But Exhibit A above is just plain ugly. I apologize if you love this room. You would probably hate my living room.

One of the main aspects of extreme eclecticism that I don't care for is that these types of rooms often seem sparse and uncomfortable. Point and case:

Photo Credit

I'm imagining this invitation:

"Hi ______ (insert name here). Want to hang out tonight? You can sit in the wooden chair and stair at the corner, and I'll lounge on my pile of pillows leaning against the wall. Bring your new book too- we installed a great new ceiling light for you to read by!"

I love cohesive color, cozy and inviting rooms, well lit spaces, and above all, spaces that generally look like there has been some thought put into them. Like a chair with padding beats one without. Every time.

HOWEVER, there are exceptions. Take a looksee:

This space is beautiful! It's very eclectic but it works. There's comfortable place to sit, for one. And the color palate is fun and punchy. Compare this room with the first room (here it is again):

No comparison, right? The fun, punchy room looks like someone put some thought into it. The drab, random room looks just that.

And I'm done now.

Faux Fall Branches

I know I'm a little late in the game, what with throwing some fall decor ideas at you. Especially since November seems to officially usher in Christmas and winter decor. But these are so cute and so easy (and so cheap!) that you still need to take a peek.

I ran across this image while surfing the web, and decided to take a crack at it.

Here's what you need:

• Branches (mine are from the dog park:)
• Fall colored card stock
• Hot glue gun

Cut out leaves from the card stock, and fold them in half (vertically) down the middle so that the leaf has some depth. I made a leaf template so that all of mine were pretty much the same exact size and shape.

Now glue them on! I needed more glue that I thought I would. I also burned my fingers more than I thought I would. But don't we all?

The putzy and time consuming part of this project was holding the leaf onto the branch while the glue dried. It look almost 30 second a piece because of the weight of the card stock.

But it was worth it! A practically free and totally whimsical fall project.

Now on to Christmas decor! :) I may or may not have started listening to Trans Siberian Orchestra's Carol of the Bells in mid October...