See that bookcase?

This is what I need. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I've got no place for all the books that I can't part with. It was suggested this weekend that I cram a bookcase into my bedroom and make it nice by choosing bamboo or something in a good material. I almost got in a real fight with them. One, because I have very strong convictions about where bookcases should be placed (not in the bedroom unless they're built-ins) and second, because if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right. I want one that's wide and filled with horizontal lines, that "Billy" business they've got going on at Ikea is an assault on living rooms. If you don't devote the space to make it look intentional, it will end up being known only as a home for things purchased from the "Summer Reads" clearance table at Barnes and Noble. It's a viscious circle.

Color-phobe

From looking at my closet, it would be no surprise that I'm not a huge fan of bright colors, more in rooms than my attire, but in general I prefer the flexibility of neutrals far more than those big bold colors that mother-in-laws tend to peddle.

I do, however, love the way that deep purple has been incorporated into the two rooms above (the second by designer Sarah Story). By using purple on the ceiling, it gives an element of the unexpected, while not interfering with the the tone-on tone dining room. Also notice the painted hardwoods with a metallic hexagon pattern.

*Photos courtesy of mynottinghill.blogspot.com

For King.

Beautiful peonies with you in mind. Spring's almost here, go forth and prosper.

Like Switzerland

Beautiful neutrals. I love the two chairs by the fireplace done in what appears to be a velvet?

*Photo courtesy of mynottinghill.blogspot.com

I've got an itch to shop

I've been in major recession mode due to upcoming trips and impending unemployment, but right now my head is saying "but you really need those." And I can't help but agree with myself, there are some things out there that would be the perfect addition to the aforementioned trips. Plus I want to trash everything in my closet right now because I'm so sick of wearing it all with no new items to mix it up. This is the time of year where I would normally buy, buy, buy and then come home and roll around in all of my purchases. Not so, this year. And it is killing me.

So here is my virtual shopping binge. Maybe I can practice affirmations and by speaking it out loud, they will actualize in my closet by the grace of my own determination? Or odds are I will buy at least one of these items...

So cute - new from J.Crew, but I'm thinking orange if I can swing the tan.

Elizabeth & James, perfect for my upcoming girls weekend in Vegas. Please excuse the included tragic looking model.

NOW THIS. This is what I really want. It's hard to see it here, but it's the softest light gray cashmere lined with a shell pink. SO pretty. It's Theory.

More J.Crew, this will be a must for Europe. Throw it on with anything and be instatnly market-chic. Pair it with the longchamp tote I bought and maybe I'll start to fulfill one of my new years resolution of trying to be more chic.

I've been making my list...

Oh I've got shit to do and it's overwhelming. I've got a limited amount of time to cram in all the things that the real world deems important before I take off for awhile and the clock is ticking.

I've got to seriously update my resume, but here's the rub, it's for a serious career change so how the hell do I apply what would be a successful resume in my current profession to an appealing resume for my new desired one? I have no idea?! Insult to injury, I just found out that my work has been nominated for a prestigious award, but hey, guess what? It means nothing to the new one, so big whoop. All of this means I have my work cut out for me with savvy resume writing. Did I mention I have very little experience with actually writing resumes? Serves me right for having the audacity to do what makes me happy.

I also have some interviews to set up and school to apply to. Don't envy me, I know you want to because my life seems so glamorous. I mean, who wouldn't want to be a soon-to-be-unemployed student in the worst economy in recent history? Saving grace is that I'm taking a kickass trip and that I'll hopefully enjoy the new job more than the old one.

This is me, jumping in head first.

Bedroom Redux

I'm in the middle of a bedroom renovation -- this is the progress as of two weekends ago and I'm happy to say that significant changes have been made since then. Don't mind the mounds of down that mark out a 'bed-shape' or the sad wicker desk that hasn't found a home yet.

Updates since this photo include the installation of real furniture (white upholstered headboard, deco mirrored nightstand and club chair), black little shades on the chandy and antique mahogany dresser to the right of the window. I've drawn out the floorplan but have yet to upload it into virtual life. Right now it's blocking out well so we'll see how it plays out. I wish I had remembered to get a 'before' of the room since it looks so different, but the jist is popcorn ceiling, no overhead lighting and sad grayish-blue walls that were only made to look sadder by the lack of light.

More to come (and with photos from an actual camera).

*Update: My sister says I was a fool for not caveat-ing the the fact that I cannot paint the trim white. Because duh, I would have, but it's the equivalent of a rental, so people, I'm making due with wood the way mother nature made it. Please forgive me.

My, what beautiful eyes you have!

But don't mind me while I stare at your crazy fake boobies! SJP, I was always on the fence about whether you were packing, but after last night at the oscars, your chest seemed like a big cry for help. With that terrible hair and pudgy hubby, it just seemed like a big cry for help, a "look at me! Please?!" I get that if you have bigger boobs, they are going to be suffocating in a corset, but here's the thing, not that long ago you used to do corsets with restraint and they seemed more haute couture than hot mess. I wish I could say that last night you did me proud, but you let me down and more importantly, you were just benched from my favorite 'real or fake' tv game. Thanks a lot.

Under Construction

Madison Park home in the Arboretum. 6000 square feet, 6 bedroom, 4.5 bathroom, yours for 3.75MM.

It's going to stick out in Madison Park the same way a street corner hooker would though. Madison Park is known for traditional homes steeped in old money. Very interesting -- just what will the neighbors say?

"Post-Advertising Flee to Europe" Countdown:

40 Days.