Extending the Gallery Wall

I'd said quite a while ago that I would at long last put all the remaining frames we had lying around to good use (and some of the new ones I bought, too - I know, I have a problem!) and I'm proud to say that, finally, many months after planning that, it's done! And fabulous.

I went about extending the frame wall differently this time in that, for the first time, I actually planned it. Up until now, I've just arranged the frames once on the floor, then pretty much starting hanging and making it up as I go. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not much of a planner... (Surprisingly, Micha is very un-German when it comes to projects like these and let's me wing it - unplanned - all in the name of just getting it over with as quickly as possible. He knows by now that me + planning = week-long procrastination.)

I used this method I had recently read on Young House Love that seemed simple enough and for which I already had all the necessary materials. It definitely took more time than I expected, but worked out quite nicely in the end. Basically, you lay all your frames on big pieces of paper (I just cut some off my roll of craft paper and the width worked out perfectly for our space), trace them onto the paper once you've got the arrangement, measure the distance to where the nail should be from the top of the frame, mark that on the paper, then hang the paper on the wall, hammer in the nails, rip off the paper, and hang the frames. Whew! That was a mouthful. Young House Love explains it in detail much better.

You can almost see the frame outlines here...

A lot of steps, yes. But every now and then, a bit of perfectionism really pays off. Especially when you're dealing with this ridiculous mess of frames.

After ripping the paper off, it was smooth sailing hanging the frames (remembering where each one went was not the easiest. It would have been wise to mark them on the paper somehow, now that I think of it...) But we (yes, of course Micha got involved once the ladder was pulled out because he does not trust me - fairly enough - with a hammer and a ladder at the same time) finished it all in one evening and now it's done and I love it!

And, more importantly (cuz I obviously knew that I'd love it), Micha loves it! Victory is mine (again :)!

I like that that wall seems so much more balanced now. Since our ceilings our so high, it really didn't make much sense to have the frames stop below the top of the door like they previously had (for way too long). (Ohmigosh, looking back on that, I can't believe I ever thought it looked ok! :)

Here's a shot with our fabulous Thanksgiving lights still hanging strong. And, um...some empty frames. All but one are happily now filled with pictures that make me smile on a daily basis.

Our fun prints include: a Bruins poster we got at a game a few years ago | Santa Monica pier anniversary poster from The Poster List | grey, hand-drawn map of Berlin from Dussman | Picasso print from Nat's and my Euro travels | old b&w print of the Friedrichstraße S-bahn (from a calendar) | Let the Sun Shine In print and  Turn on Your Love Lights print, both from Slide Sideways

Fancy Decanters for the Bar Cart

Maybe it's the relief that alcohol-free January is finally over (it's a great tradition we have but sweet valley high it's good to taste beer again!), or maybe it's just my affinity for all things sparkly and unnecessary, but I've become rather smitten with some completely random vintage decanters that would make a great (fancy and sophisticated) little statement on our bar cart.

1. from Charming Snake | 2. from Zest Vintage | 3. from Vintage Ringo | 4. from Hobart Collectables | 5. from Young Heart Old Soul 

I started a random Etsy search for these after seeing this Instagram picture from Bri of Designlovefest.

The last thing I actually need to be splurging on right now is more goodies for the bar cart, but a girl can dream, right? Which one (or more) would you pick?

Inspired By...

...a living room that is totally not my style (there's no chartreuse!), but that I'm finding myself swooning over. That plushy sofa, those knitted pillows, and the calm color palette. I'm sold.

Photo by Pella Hedeby

...an iphone case that is cracking me up. Yep, every time I see it.

Previously available at Kate Spade

...the patience people can have to make beautiful things. Like this city made of staples--only staples, standing up. I envy the willpower.

Created by Peter Root

...a happy print of my former (and favorite) city. I think my apartment needs this asap.

Available at Maybe Sparrows Place

...surf ties! Someone give F a reason to wear a tie, and I'm buying these for him!

(Sold out) by Flux Productions

Image credits: Living room via Poppytalk / iPhone case by Kate Spade via Creature Comforts / City of Staples by Peter Root via ManMade DIY New York print by Ashley Davis via Design Is Mine / Surf ties by Flux Productions pinned by Design*Sponge

Sprucing Up the Sad Wall

On Sunday evenings, my probably very least favorite time of the week (Micha and I are notorious Sunday haters due to its all-too-near proximity to the ever-dreaded Monday), I tend to get these random and sudden desires to get something important done. And we're not talking something small, like packing my gym bag for the next day. Last week, it was my overdue taxes for both the US and Germany (I still can't believe how easy it was to do them, by the way; had I known, I would have actually done them on time!). This week, it was our sad, empty half wall in the office/guest room that urgently called out for my immediate attention.

I'm a little embarassed to show you just how sad this wall (which is opposite the balcony in our very oddly shaped guest room) has been looking for, oh, the past year perhaps, but there it is. That canvas print (of a picture Micha took of a tea leaf in Malaysia) is hanging there because we haven't found a better place for it yet and that shelf is still hanging around because neither of us has bothered to remove it (even though I voice my disdain for it quite loudly on a monthly basis). Well, this Sunday, I'd finally had enough and decided it was time to put our collection of random frames to use and spruce up that wall with pictures and fun prints.

So I measured out the suitable dimensions for hanging frames on the wall - making sure they'd be higher than the couch but stay under the blue paint line and not extend above to the white strip above, which would look awkward - and then laid out all the frames I could find on the floor. At this point, Micha casually looked over from his usual place on the living room floor (his computer-time space), sighed loudly, and said something to the effect of "why must you always start these projects on Sunday evenings...?" Which is a fair enough point as I haven't really progressed past this stage since then.

No, that's not quite true. On Sunday it looked much less unfinished. The past few days, I've made multiple trips to dm to print out a bunch of our pictures and have been slowly putting them in the appropriate frames. (It's funny how nice it is to have prints of pictures again. I'm so used to seeing them only on the computer these days but nothing beats holding a picture in your hand.) 

My goal is to finish the project - hanging included, which is where Micha comes into play as I seem to live in a crooked world and can't hang pictures straight for the life of me, whereas Germans have a freakish talent for hanging things perfectly level on the first try - this weekend and have a lovely new frame wall to show off next week. I've ordered another canvas print which will go where that random blank canvas is lying as a placeholder, to include and am currently pondering which cute prints from Etsy to finally move from my wishlist to my cart to round out the wall. Here are the current top-seeded options:

Clockwise from top left: I like big books by Luckythirteen Design | I want to ride my bicycle by Milli-Jane Studio | Start being awesome by Luckythirteen Design | Venn diagram by hippos and nuts

Thoughts? Especially from those of you who like to stay in this room from time to time? :) I can't wait to show you the finished product soon!

ps. That big books print totally makes me think of one of my favorite Friends' scene every time. Love it!

Handmade Finds:

Well, since it's a celebrate-me-and-Natalie-and-America kinda week, I found it only fitting that this week's handmade finds were all inspired by my ever-so-slight longing for my home state, California. Any of these pieces would make a fine new addition to my home (or to Micha's back ;)!

Clockwise from top left: Miss you CA print by Hands workshop | California bear men's shirt by Zen Threads | Spiky Desert print by Nature and Urbs | CA flag tote by Sleep Afternoon

Desk Chair Makeover

There's something about a little piece of fabric that can do so much--like this little piece of fabric on our desk chair. Here, it can do so much to make me hate it (okay, I hate the chair too, but since it's really F's desk and he's the one who sits in the chair everyday, my argument that it's ugly to look at is trumped by his claims that it's "super comfortable" to sit in. So I've lost the battle of trying to replace it. So far.) So I finally did something to make me hate it a little bit less.

Happy desk area, sad ugly chair

After hours (literally--I'm very indecisive when it comes to these things) of fabric searching online, and hours more of Marimekko fabric-lusting online (whose price I could not, alas, justify; sigh by me), I narrowed my choices down to blue and white chevron patterns and chose this one on Etsy. That's right, cat-scratched, faded, and frighteningly floral desk chair cushion--I'm coming for you!

Out with the old (and floral) | In with the new (and striped)

After that, I found a staple gun buried in the back of what I call our scary closet (I had no idea we had a staple gun, or why, but have to admit I was overjoyed, since I'd already removed the chair cushion and the old fabric staples before realizing I needed one to complete my project), stapled away, and voila!--a chair I can live with! And even like to look at now. I love it when small projects make a big difference. And even more when they're easy to do.

Now that's a chair cushion I can get on board with

P.S. It's kitten approved:

All overdeveloped photos by Natalie's new iphone app, Camera+. Apologies, we're still learning how to work with each other. | Chevron fabric by BobbieLou Fabric available on Etsy

Handmade Finds: Cards for Everyday

I'm big on giving cards (as Nicole can attest to) for special occasions, for thank yous, for I'm sorrys, but mostly, just for funsies. Every time F goes on a trip, I sneak a card--sometimes sappy, usually funny--into his luggage for him to find when he unpacks. And I always send my funniest finds to Nicole because she appreciates them the most. Anyway, I'm always on the look out for new cards to send, so here are some of my favorites lately (in case you want to send some "just because" notes in the mail as well).

I love this one to send someone a little dose of positivity | This is exactly how I feel when I have big news to share!

The most perfect travel love note | This just cracks. me. up.

Definitely my favorite Dad's day card | A little belated, but such a great one for mom

Be Optimistic by Best Made | I Can't Keep It In by Slide Sideways available at their Etsy shop | Hello Beautiful by Sparrow Nest Script | Livin' In Sin by Colette Paperie available at their Etsy shop | You Are My Father by Method Letterpress | Mom Thanks... by Paper Plates Press available at their Etsy shop

Handmade Finds: Stripes and Florals

The spring weather totally has me in the mood for stripes and florals. Here are a few handmade goodies that feed my craving, two for you, two for your home.

Stripes: I've been hunting high and low for new striped bedroom storage (to replace the classy giant Ikea bags I've stuffed things in) and a decent sized stripey bag to replace my current gym bag (since I carry it around with me so often, I'd like something a little less...bright pink and bulky), and I like the look and size of these cute striped storage containers and this shoulder bag. 

Florals: I'm totally lusting after this ranunculus ring but worried that I still may not be over my ring aversion (I definitely OD'd on them as a teenager in the '90s so rings make me feel about 13-years-old); and I'd love to gaze merrily at this calming tulip print when hanging around home on a warm, sunny spring evening.

Clockwise from top left: Storage basket by Alexia Claire | Ranunculus ring by Aarre | Striped shoulder bag by Bagy Bag | Tulip print by JK Photography

Happy Friday!

Happy Friday everyone! What are you up to this weekend? It's been alternately rainy and 80-degrees here, so while we're hoping some to do a long bike ride on our new road bikes down to Key Biscayne, we'll have to wait and see. We're also checking out Juvia, a new restaurant that recently opened on Miami Beach and that's getting a lot of buzz here. And can I just say that I'm kind of ridiculously excited for a dressed-up Saturday night date night?

Hope your weekend is lovely and we'll see you back here on Monday (with tales of whisky and Scottish accents from Nicole, to be sure)!

P.S. Love this tank! (As seen on the ever stylish Oh Joy.)

This would be awesome for a summer party!

The Ikea PS collection is coming to the US! Hurrah!

Made me laugh.

Image: Reason to smile letterpress print by Honeycomb Print Shop via Design Is Mine 

Sidebar Spruce-up

So I did a little work on prettifying the blog this weekend that I just wanted to quickly show off. You see the sidebar over there on the right? Look how much more fun and colorful it is now! I'm loving it. Here's a little screenshot for posterity, but if you're reading in a reader, come by and check it out today!

We needed some new buttons and I'm super happy with the ones I found on Etsy. I bought these from Twenty Three Oh One! after quite a bit of searching and I'd highly recommend her if you're looking for something similar. Not only did she send super clear instructions for installing the buttons (I even learned a few new shortcuts), but she did it really quickly and -- the best part -- I got to specify the exact colors I wanted, instead of having to pick from only pre-set options. That sealed the deal for me because I knew that we needed some bright pink and chartreuse on the blog to accurately represent Nat's and my love for color. (Fun side note: I totally ordered chartreuse icons for Natalie before she posted about her new file cabinet. If you didn't believe in twin psychic powers before, you probably should rethink it...)

The new picture of Nat and me on the side is clickable and the About Us page will be ready soon, but in the meantime, you can already click on the The Hive icon below it. Have you heard of this first European blogger's conference? I signed up immediately, since it's in Berlin, and can't wait to meet everyone there!

So those are our newest colorful changes. I'm sure we'll have some more in the future but for now, I keep coming back to our new sidebar eye candy and smiling at it.

More Neon Love

I stumbled across this little shop, Sketch.inc, on Etsy yesterday and I just had to share because I am completely smitten. I mean, it's no secret I'm (still) on a huge neon kick, and I also happen to have a big old soft spot in my heart for matroyshka dolls (cuz how could you not?). So as soon as I saw these ones, well, I pretty much just wished my birthday would roll around a lot quicker this year! (Although on second thought, thanks but no thanks; I still need to make the most of out 28.)

Clockwise from top left: Bear | Ornaments | Stag | Matroyshkas

So anywho, if you need a little mental break while enjoying your coffee at your desk this afternoon, hop on over to Sketch.inc for some fabulously colorful eye candy. And then hop back over here and let me know exactly what I can use that bear brooch for (do people still wear brooches? When? And with what? And why...?). I need justification for welcoming it into my home, and simply saying "but it looks like a Berlin/California bear!" isn't really cutting it...

ps. I kind of think that stag one would look awesome in Charlie's blue-green baby room in giant size. :)

Handmade Finds: Valentine's Treats

To start the weekend off right, here's a little round-up of a few goodies I found that could add that extra little touch of zazzle to an upcoming Valentine's Day soirée/date/evening in.

1. Who could resist the blunt sweetness of this print? {by The Big Harumph}
2. Wee crocheted hearts to spread the love around. {by Petite and Cute Design}
3. A love letter that can never be forgotten. {by YuCan}
4. Go ahead and tell that special someone what you really want. {by 5280bliss}
5. A cozy way to up the romantic factor of your morning coffee routine. {by Knotwork shop}
6. A sweet little card for those with good manners. {by the tigapigs}

Inspired By...

...a lovely chalkboard wall that was the inspiration behind my painting our entryway with chalkboard paint (more on that to come soon!).

Photo by Robbie Caponetto & Roger Foley

...a fantastically floral calendar for the new year.

Available at The House that Lars Built

...a DIY for a throw pillow that I can't wait to recreate asap. Now just to think of the quote I want to stencil...

 

Photo and DIY by Amanda Wright

...pretty much everything colorful and neon from GAP's new spring line. I can't wait to get my hands on that striped sweater and those pink flats!

Available at Gap

Image credits: Chalkboard wall from Cottage Living idea house via SF Girl by Bay | 2012 giclee calendar by Brittany Watson of The House the Lars Built | Throw pillow DIY via Wit and Whistle | Outfits available at Gap

Monday Morning Finds

I spent half the weekend fighting off an impending sickness (coughing all night is my favorite), which means I spent half the time indoors and not outside enjoying our magical 80 degree weather. Even though I know pretty much every day from here on out is going to be 80 degrees and sunny, that always bums me out. You know what I mean? I did, however, find some lovely things across the web that brightened up my weekend.

I think this Valentine's Day card is perfection (does anyone else only think of Chandler from Friends saying "Gum would be perfection," when they hear that word? Anyone?). Adorable, simple, and a great lyric from a really great song. I'm sold.

Available at Our Little Words

These colorful flower paintings, and many more, would fit right in in this Miami sunshine, and would be sure to brighten up the dreary New York winter, as well. I love the bright color, the whimsy of the lines, and the imperfect brush strokes. These all add up to such unique and fun paintings, don't you think?

Available by Lulie Wallace

This visual New Year's resolution (this one is "to eat healthy") is just too cute. And how much nicer to look at a pretty picture of a resolution than a dull written/typed list? That'd sure help give me the inspiration to stick to them.

 Styling by Style Cookie

Love love love this simplistic but super functional desk. The chunky wood, the set-in drawers, the way it's partitioned off to, perhaps, create its own little nook even in a busier space. Love it all.

Available at Slow Wood

This hilarious labradoodle print (and many more) that made me laugh out loud this morning. Cause I basically think this is exactly what every fluffy dog is thinking.

Available at Tiny Confessions

 

Image credits: Valentine's Day card by Summer Allen of Design is Mine available at her Etsy shop | Lulie Wallace paintings via You Are My Fave | New Year's Resolution photograph by Maria Stijger styling by Wenda Torenbosch via Bloesem| Desk by Slow Wood photo by Trendland via Ohhh...Mhhh... | Labradoodle's confession by Christopher Rozzi via Fab.com

A Few Things that Made Me Smile This Morning

The kitten that fell onto our balcony at 7:30 this morning and woke us up. (From two floors up! Don't worry, the little guy was a-ok--he just wanted to explore and to be cuddled after.) I was hoping he just wandered into the apartment because he knew we really really want a new kitty. But, sadly for me, he has a family already. It was quite the wake-up call.

This sweet little print that I saw on Etsy and want to hang over my bed. I just love everything about it.

A gorgeous ombre party table with one of my favorite foods--figs. I just love everything in the new Styled., especially all the fig recipes and decor. And if you haven't seen yet, Victoria is now combining Styled. with her blog, A Subtle Revelry, so we can enjoy the beauty of this online mag more often. Love that idea, and I can't wait to feast my eyes on more of her lovely images!

This pillow cracks. me. up. And I want it now.

Image credits: Cute little clumsy kitty by me | "Dream" screen print by Melanie Greenwood | Figs on the table by Alli Michelle, photo by Andrea Dozier | Inspirational pillow available at Dormify

Handmade Finds: Pops of Neon

 Ever since our neon Thanksgiving bash, I can't quite seem to shake my obsession with the neons-and-neutrals color combination. Each time I think I'm over it, new neon goodies pop up to beckon me back into a world of brightly colored bliss. Here a few Etsy and DaWanda picks I've had my eye on lately.

I wonder if I should just suggest painting our pink wall neon so we could commit to the color combo once and for all. My not-so-color-loving German boyfriend couldn't possibly say no to that, could he...?

Clockwise from top left: Mokka print by Mengsel Design | Berlin necklace by SNoU | Pillow by Pillowation | Regal chair by Jeux de lin

Handmade Finds: Winter Coziness

It's no secret I love grey anything (except weather) and these cozy, grey handmade goodies really caught my eye lately. I'm a sucker for anything that'll help keep me (especially my hands and feet) warm on chilly winter days and for bags big enough to stuff extra gloves and scarves in to make sure I won't freeze during my Christmas market visits.

Bag by Milloo | Wrist warmers by Kare Knits | Blankets by Samantha Holmes | Slippers by Ploonk!

A Little Reading Inspiration

Okay, I'm about to admit something mildly embarrassing about myself that my roommate recently discovered when she saw my ever-growing collection on our living room bookshelf: I love reading kids' books. Not picture books--I do read at higher than a first grade level--but pre-teen and young adult books. I don't know why, but those are the books that got me hooked on reading when I was a kid (like Goosebumps, remember those?!) and I've never gotten sick of them since. I of course was on the Harry Potter bandwagon, although I never could get into Twilight, and now I am so hooked on The Hunger Games. Usually I try to find my books at the library (yes, I still use the library, and sometimes I feel I'm the only one, but I'd have a personal library to fill a three-storey house by now if I didn't) or order them on amazon, but I was so desperate to start Catching Fire, the second book of the trilogy, that I had to go out and buy it at my local bookstore right away. Don't you just love books that are powerful enough to suck you into their world and not let you go?

Anyway, needless to say all things Hunger Games are on my mind since I'm reading the book every chance I get--at the gym, on the subway, before bed. The forest, camping, hunting, gathering edible botanicals, Katniss Everdeen's mockingjay pin, her leather hunting boots...I could go on and on. These are some of my pretty Hunger Games-inspired recent finds.

It probably goes without saying, but even if you're not into, or too old for, Young Adult books, read the Hunger Games trilogy. It's addicting! Then tell me what you think.

Clockwise from top left: Feathers print by RiverLuna | Silver sparrow necklace by Tiny Cottage Treasures | Zip-up boots by Ash pinned by Kayleigh | Botanical calendar by  Miles of Light 

Handmade Finds: Baby Room Prints

With friends all around me announcing pregnancies and showing off baby bumps (I think of this hilarious quote every time!), I've been thinking a lot about good baby shower presents. After all, I'm determined to bribe my way (with both presents and love) into favorite-aunt status with some upcoming little ones, so I have to start sucking up to them and their soon-to-be mommas early.

I find handmade items from small shops make the perfect presents for such an occasion, which is why I love scouring Etsy for ideas. And if you live anywhere in Europe, don't forget to check out DaWanda too. It's like Etsy for Europe (only not quite as sleek) and is particularly useful when you no longer want to deal with those awful customs fees that tend to sneak up on you when a package from the US arrives at your doorstep. (In Germany, the customs fee is a whopping 19%, which particularly hurts when you have to pay it just to receive a Christmas gift your mom sends you.)

All that to say, I'm thinking of doing a regular post series here featuring handmade goodies I find on Etsy and DaWanda for those of us who can't get enough of discovering new shops.

To start us off, here are some lovely prints I've been oggling that would make cute additions to any baby room.  

Whimsical, sweet, and colorful. Just what you need to win over a wee one's heart.

Clockwise from top left: 1) Alpine cow from Sally Boyle Applied Graphics; 2) I Love You So Much... from Yellow Heart Art; 3) Little Red Riding Hood by Sandra Ortuño Illustration; 4) Sail Boat by Urban Tickle.

Fall Coziness

Growing up in LA, I never really understood the hype surrounding the beginning of fall. Changing leaves were not part of any real-life scenery that I knew and boots and scarves seemed like clothing that people only wore in movies. When Natalie and I left the city of perpetual summer and headed to Boston for college, fall suddenly became something to me that was all too close to winter. I was constantly freezing and never really embraced the season that brought with it the return to classes, swim practices, and dining halls.

But now, a few (let's just not count how many right now, k?) years later, I finally get it. Berlin has offered me the most perfect half-Indian-summer-half-start-of-fall September this year and I can't get enough of it. Here are some goodies that I'm lusting after on this brisk yet sunny fall day.

Nothing beats woodsy table and party decor for fall get-togethers. I'm working on justifying buying all of West Elm's upcoming fall collection for my Thanksgiving party this year. I just hope they sell everything in sets of 20 to accommodate my ever-growing guest list.

Photo by West Elm

My years of wearing only flip flops are behind me and these days I yearn for tons of boots in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But I am sadly the worst at picking out boots because I tend to just want all of them. When I'm queen of the world, I will have my own personal boot shopper at my beck and call. Until then, who wants to volunteer? I can compensate you in baked goods and love.

 Boots available at zalando

Something about the crisp fall air and thick knit sweaters that go along with it just makes me want to curl up at home with a giant latte, turn off the computer, and write some real letters again (my grandma, who has no computer, would be overjoyed). A pretty address stamp like this one would be the perfect finishing touch.

Stamp and photo by emilie friday

What do you daydream about this time of year?

Image credits: 1) Woodsy items by West Elm via Bright.Bazaar; 2) Brown boots by KMB and black boots by Blowfish available at zalando: 3) Stamp by emilie friday via dandee.