Easy DIY Art

Recently at the hotel I asked my General Manager if he had any frames laying around that I could have to start putting together my gallery wall. Frames are expensive and I can't bring myself to pay more than $10 at Value Village for used frames and the big ones are always more than that.  Lucky for me he let me grab whatever I wanted for, FREE!  Only problem is they were all filled with ugly hotel hallway pictures.  This one frame is awesome but it has very weird measurements and any artwork or prints that I liked weren't long enough.. I decided I'd do some DIY art to fill in the frame. I always like Kate Spade and Jonathan Adler's bright, playful, fun housewares and decided to do something along those lines.

ugly hotel picture that occupied the frame before

the mayor felt like being very helpful through out the process

Supplies:

1. Glue Stick

2. Shape paper punch

3. Paint sample swatches from the hardware store (I went with some pretty basic colors but you could do any type or feel that you want)

4. Frame, mat, large piece of paper (I actually just flipped over the ugly picture, no cutting required :) )

Step 1: punch colored holes while finally binge watching the last season of Breaking Bad on Netflix until the ball of your hand hurts

Step 2: Glue dots randomly on the piece of paper.  I felt like making it feel more like rain.

Step 3: Put in frame and hang up!

Step 4: Admire the easiest piece of art ever made.

Final Product

  I actually really like how it turned out, the picture doesn't do it justice. This was probably the easiest at home art that took zero talent ever but sometimes things shouldn't be difficult.

M

Working For The Weekend

It is my last manager weekend at the hotel which is a little bittersweet but that let me have a sunny Friday off. Here are some great things that will make working all weekend not so bad...

this raccoon fence art on Pike

being able to wear white jeans

this new gurgle pitcher and fresh flowers from the market

this planner and everything in it

this DIY art project (final item coming soon)

this thrift shop find which is going to look great next to my NEW bed

What gets you through having to work when everyone else is having fun?

M

Bedroom Inspiration

I'm in the market for a new bed frame and bed.  I can't wait to upgrade from what I currently have.  This talc colored tufted bed is sitting in my "shopping cart" waiting for me to hit the purchase button.  I wish I could afford these Jonathan Adler wall art but that is a little out of my budget at the moment.  Maybe it will be a DIY afternoon project. 

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 

Currently my bedroom is pretty neutral but has more pink, red, orange accents.  I think the blues, green, and yellow will feel better in my bright apartment.  The red colors just feel harsh because of all the sun light.  Now to just wait for the bed delivery.... and find all these items in a bargain basement sale since I can't afford any of this.. Polyvore gets me every time!

Cooking in India

On our last day in Udaipur we spent a couple hours taking a cooking class at a restaurant across the street. 

prep bowls & recipes

spices & marvelous green marble

dried pineapple 

chopping block

yellow lentils for Dahl

making naan 

What colors and inspiration do you find in the kitchen?

M 

Early Morning

Time to head out to India for two weeks!  Can't wait to get on my way, other than my flight is at 6 am... One way to make the morning easier is to have your traveling clothes all set out.  Comfortable and easy.

jean, black, & leopard 

The only hard thing is packing 14 days worth of clothes into this back pack.  I'm hoping I haven't forgotten anything and that I have the right mix of items to keep me feeling put together enough.

I think he has figured out I'm leaving

Expect some pictures soon! 

Carry On Must Haves

I'm off to India on Tuesday for two weeks and it very quickly crept up on me, meaning that I need to pack stat.  I was thinking about what I could not live without while abroad and came up with very basic items that I make sure are in my carry on.

1. Hand Sanitizer - I'm not a huge germ phob but lets be serious public areas in general are gross

2. Dry Shampoo - this stuff saves my life on a daily basis.  Sometimes you just don't have time to wash, dry, and style your hair.  Dry shampoo and a couple of bobby pins and I'm set.

3. IPod - I know, I know your phone has everything!  But if you actually use your ipod your phone battery will last way longer which is sometimes more important than looking dated carrying two apple products at once.

4. Packing Cubes - These things make living out of a back pack for two weeks less messy and stressful.  Best Christmas present ever, Thanks Mom!

5. Liquid Eye Liner Pen - Stays on better than pencil, no need to pack a sharpener, and stays on longer!

6. Camera - I know my phone takes pictures... blah blah blah... but this takes BETTER pictures.

7. Bronzer/Powder - I don't wear a whole lot of make daily but this is always on my face

8. Eos Chapstick Ball - obsessed.

9.Facial Mist - Flying dries me out and makes me oh so tired.  A little spritz of this and I feel 1000x better

10. Hand & Face Wipes - Since I'm headed to India these are going to be in my bag every where we go.  The bathrooms aren't all westernized and I'd rather be safe (clean) than sorry.

What are your carry on must haves?

Weekend Wrap Up

What a great weekend! Friday we celebrated a good friend quitting a job she was miserable at.  Happy Hour was definitely in order and I finally got to use my Kate Spade pouch that I picked up for Valentines Day. I styled it with converse and some stripes of course!

Saturday night I went with a group of girls to the Seattle T-Birds Hockey game to do my part in fundraising for the Columbia Tower Firer Fighter Stair Climb. Not usually into hockey but part of the ticket went to the stair climb!

finally rocked a fur vest!

Sunday we laid around, got breakfast at Skillet Diner on the Hill... so good ::drool::.  Then we went to dinner at Buddha Ruksa in West Seattle.  Best. Thai. Food. Ever. and I'm a huge snob when it come to Thai food after my study abroad trip.  Definitely worth the 45 min wait to be seated!  We discovered our dinner spot through Sosh.  If you live in Seattle, San Fran, or New York take a look at the website/app.  So many new restaurants and ideas all in one place!