A Buddy's Bedroom Do-Over

Remember my friend who was recently freed from her tasteless roommate? Well she wanted to create her own personal touches in her apartment and here’s her happily ever after!

Almost every day on our lunch break, we hit up the nearest bargain shops to get ideas. Of course, I tagged along because I could never pass up the chance to go shopping. Dayana was on a budget and was able to put this bedroom together for $125! This is a rental property so throwing tons of paint on the walls is sometimes pointless. Fortunately, it helps that she’s a super-talented graphic designer and a little mural painting did the trick! While most of us would be really intimidated by the thought of painting free-hand on the wall, she did it in less than an hour…BLINDFOLDED!! (just kidding!) 

The bed and nightstand were already hers, but here is the breakdown of her new purchases:

1. Studded accent pillow from West Elm on clearance: $15
2. Sunburst mirror from Target: $25
3. Pillow shams from West Elm on clearance: $10 each

4. Duvet from West Elm on clearance: $40
*Extras: Paint and brushes: $25

Stacked Storage Copycats

As much as I love my West Elm, I sometimes can't bring myself to buy things there knowing that I can probably find it cheaper elsewhere. When I saw these apothecary jars in last season's catalog, I knew I wanted them for our new bathroom. But at $34 and $49, I thought that was a bit overpriced.

So I did a quick search online and found these copycats for half the price! I've filled them with cotton balls, Q-tips, Dove soap bars, and facial cottons. As you can see there are still a couple of holes to fill but don't you worry, I'll think of something!

I'm Sea Fan's Biggest Fan

Like I've said before, I'm a teeny-tiny bit superstitious. I heard that seashells shouldn't be used as home decor because it brings bad luck. Of course, I'm sure it's a silly myth but I still avoid it like the plague because #1. I'm senseless and #2. I don't need the potential of any type of bad luck in my life. I like it just the way it is, thank you very much! But coral...coral is technically NOT a seashell right? In my book, coral doesn't count so it's my new BFF. I found this great DIY coral sea fan artwork below and decided to try my own spin.

Here is my DIY version!

These sea fans are hung up in the small 'wash room'. I found the fans at HomeGoods for $6 each and again politely asked my hubby to spray paint them in silver so they really shine! I placed them inside shadow boxes from Michael's with shimmery green scrapbook paper. The shadow boxes were also spray painted to flat white.

Check out these other great sea fan project ideas! I just made up a new superstition - these are actually GOOD LUCK and should be in every home!

via

via

via

Mr. & Mrs. Newlyweds

Obviously, I'm still in the honeymoon stage. I can't get over these unique/cute/quirky 'Man & Wife' gifts for newlyweds. Yes, registry gifts are a must-have...but thoughtful, sentimental gifts are what turns heads, right??

While on our honeymoon in Madrid, we found our very own Mr. & Mrs. souvenirs! These modern male and female over-the-door hooks are currently hanging up our bath towels as I speak.

I've come across other great Mr. & Mrs. gifts that are ideal for your bride & groom-to-be friends. {Ok, I confess...I also bought those glasses, and the bottle stoppers are next on my list!}

1. Mr. & Mrs. Muse Bottle Stoppers

2. People Vase Set

3. Mr. and Mrs. Cocktail Glasses

4. Mr. and Mrs. Hand Towels

5. Mr. & Mrs. Muse Salt & Pepper Shakers

Addicted to Chevron

No, not the gasoline…I’m talking about the pretty pattern! I’m a sucker for anything zig-zag. I know, it’s so 2010. But I can’t help it. Chevron wins my heart each and every time. I find it so modern yet funky.

My recent Chevron purchases include a gray & white area rug

and some new fabric to make pillows for the bedroom.

I won’t go chevron-overboard in my home but just a couple of touches will do the trick…or maybe a little more than a couple!

Some of my favorite uses for chevron pattern below

via

via

via

via

Also, notice the new and improved MindMyBeeswax facelift! This Classy Bee thinks chevron is the new stripe!

Bathroom Break!

Our pride & joy...the master bath! It took 3 complete weeks to get this bathroom in shape. We didn't know how bad the bathroom really was until the remodeling dude showed us. Tiles were cracked, sitting on top of layers of mold, which created a leak, and tons of other scary issues. It HAD to be re-constructed from scratch. We took this photo from an online source as inspiration, and went to work!

Here are a few 'before' pics:

And here is the bathroom NOW!

The floors and shower walls are 16x16" multi-colored slate. Shower floors and tub wall are stone mosaic tiles. Vanities were custom made, sink vessels and faucets were purchased here, and walls were painted in Behr's Graceful Gray. It looks pretty darn close to the inspiration picture, doesn't it? Mission accomplished and we couldn't be happier.

Summa, Summa, Summatime..

Ahhh it's been a while since I logged into Polyvore to have some layout fun! I swear, if I can do this for a living I would!

In the spirit of the First Day of Summer 2011 (which was actually yesterday) I present to you my beach faves. Must. Go. Shopping. Soon!

Summatime by meperez2477 featuring a floppy hat

J Crew caftan top
$78 - jcrew.com

Undrest swimwear
$145 - net-a-porter.com

Undrest swimwear
$135 - net-a-porter.com

DV by Dolce Vita wrap sandals
$60 - nordstrom.com

Mar Y Sol striped handbag
$98 - nordstrom.com

Cuff jewelry
$38 - nordstrom.com

Kendra scott jewelry
$85 - charmandchain.com

Old Navy floppy hat
$11 - oldnavy.gap.com

MICHAEL Michael Kors see through shades
$90 - nordstrom.com

Did it All for the Nook

We have this small space by the kitchen that serves as the breakfast nook. This little spot is so important. It's where we eat our meals and plop down our stuff when we get home. It had to be functional.

It went from this...

To this!

We added a high-top dinette set in black with a crackled glass top, a set of plaid Anthropologie plates as wall decor which was a housewarming gift from my sister, and a George Kovacs aluminum pendant lamp. I originally wanted the Ikea Foto lamp to light up this spot but it just didn't work out.

Obviously, I'm not crazy about the 80s-inspired glass blocks for a window so I might cover that up with white faux wood blinds one of these days. You likey?

New Roommate

Minnie’s baaaaack!

I’m babysitting my own dog for 3 weeks while my parents are on vacation. She WAS my dog first but my dad took custody years ago. It’s funny to see her climbing up and down the stairs of our new home. I think she likes the sound of her footsteps on wood laminate floors because she’s not used to it. We are training her NOT to jump on couches {in which she’s also not used to} since we got our new ones in this weekend. Stay tuned for couch posts coming soon!
It’s really difficult to get good shots of her since she’s a hyper hot mess. These were the best 3 out of about 14! :)

Such a hacker!

I aspire to become a hacker…an Ikea hacker! Apparently this is the latest craze and I guess I’ve just been living under a rock for the last few years, but now I’m ALL over it! It makes sense; these super-smart/super-creative/sometimes-bored people purchase cheap Ikea items and turn it into awesome DIY works of art to furnish or accessorize their homes. I don’t blame them—if you’ve got the talent and inspiration while trying to get through these tough times, go for it and make us drool! I’ve come across so many awesome Ikea hacks and I want to copy them all! Where to start?!

Hemnes Dresser
Centsational Girl refurbished this dresser for her son's room and went from this…to this!


Rast Dresser
Timmy the Wiener Dog went from this…to this!
For Me-For You went from that same one...to this!

Lack Table
Domestic in the City went from this...to this!
Melodi Pendant Lamp
Tip Junkie went from this…to this!

Egeby Rug
This rug went from this...to this {via Blog Lovin}
I promised myself I wouldn't go to Ikea again for another few months. Now I have a checklist. Check out the Ikea Hacker blog for more inspiration!

Domesticating Myself

Woo! Last night I made a totally new meal without following a recipe FOR THE FIRST TIME! I'm proud of my Coconut Curry Mahi Mahi! Most people I know don't really like curry, or Thai food for that matter, but I have grown to really like it in the last few years. Here's my little meal inspired by Moon Thai, my favorite!

P.S. This is not the real photo but something close (and much prettier) I found online.

Melz's Coconut Curry Mahi Mahi

Ingredients:
2 fillets of Mahi Mahi
1 cup of frozen peas & carrots
3 tsp of curry powder
¼ can of coconut milk, ¼ can of coconut milk
½ cup of water, ½ cup of water
2 tbsp of olive oil
1 tsp of garlic powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Steps:
1. Thaw the fillets of fish. Add garlic powder, salt, and pepper on both sides and set aside.

2. In a pan, sauté the olive oil and curry powder. Add ¼ cup of coconut milk and ½ cup of water and let it boil for a few minutes. Add fish and frozen peas & carrots to pan and let it boil. Turn fish every 3 minutes.

3. Add other ¼ cup of coconut milk and other ½ cup of water and continue to turn fish for another 5-10 minutes until it is thoroughly cooked. If you prefer for it to be more watery, add more coconut milk and water as needed.

4. Serve over brown rice with roasted asparagus.

5. EAT!

My DIY Mirror Soul Mate

Love at first sight! I have found my mirror soul mate in the back of a HomeGoods waiting for me in a corner all dirty and alone. I first saw this mirror on the blog of DIY Genius, Centsational Girl, when she created her warm & welcoming sitting area. Her mirror is hung up all nice & pretty above the mantel, bringing a modern twist to her organic, natural theme. The mirror I found is much smaller but I had the perfect spot for it!
Although it looks beautiful in white, silver would look best in my space. It had black smudges of paint all over it and I didn’t like the look, so I scooped up some Rustoleum stainless steel spray paint and politely asked my Hubby do the dirty work {thanks for saving me from pointer-finger cramps!} I can't believe I found it, and I love how it turned out! It’s my favorite DIY project yet.

Check it out, hanging in all its glory. One day this console table nook will be filled with lots of other DIY fun-ness! :)