Here We Go Again!

Remember when all my blogger crushes got together and issued the past Pinterest Challenges? (Check out my projects for those here, here, and here) Well, they're at it again!

The amazing ladies issuing the challenge this time are:  Sherry @ Young House Love, Katie @ Bower Power Blog, Kate @ Centsational Girl, and Michelle @ Ten June.

For those of you unfamiliar with the Pinterest Challenge, it's a way to get us pin-addicts to stop pinning and start doing.  We have a week to do a project inspired by something we pinned on Pinterest.  And since they issued the challenge on Tuesday, next Tuesday you'll get to see the results.

This time, I've decided to jump on the succulent terrarium bandwagon.  Here's my inspiration pin:

I already have a vessel in mind for my new terrarium.  In fact, I've been planning this for a while, but it keeps getting pushed down the to do list.  I guess that's the point of the Challenge, right?  Stop talking about doing a project and DO the project.

If I get really ambitious, I might even try doing more than one challenge project.  I'm not going to hold my breath, but there's a remote possibility.

Check back on Tuesday to see what I come up with!

I Have a Secret

... or rather this desk has a secret

And I'm going to be cruel and make you wait to find out what it is.

Feel free to guess in the comments, although if I told you in my excitement, don't ruin the suspense!

I picked it up off Craigslist yesterday- isn't she cute?  As per my standard when I get amazing deals on amazing pieces, I felt the urge to do my happy dance.  To spare us all the embarrassment, however I just dance in my head, then grin like an idiot.

This beauty, or more aptly, future beauty, is going to be refinished for my sister-in-law's posh NYC apartment.  It seriously is the perfect item for the space- you'll see.

Have an awesome weekend!

Soaring Solo in NYC

A vibrant 25 year old aspiring actress in NYC should have a vibrant exuberant home, don't you think?   That's why, when my wonderful sister-in-law, Lily, moved into her first solo apartment a few weeks ago, I offered to design it. Sorry, only "Before" pictures to share today.  I'm just getting started on plans now, but I can already see how amazing the space is going to be.  I'll be visiting her in 3 weeks, so the design countdown begins and I need to start pulling the first room together (AK, only 3 weeks to pull together a design!)

Our first design target: the living room.

Since this is her first place sans roommates, we're starting with a near blank slate.  I mean really blank- all she's done is unpack, so the apartment is just waiting for my vision.  She has very little usable furniture and a modest budget to work with.  I couldn't ask for a better client, though.  She's not afraid of color, pattern, or having fun with design.  Sounds like the recipe for a good time to me!

We'll be reusing and revamping what we can and looking for bargains and creative solutions for the rest.  (This isn't going to be ANY fun for me at all... ok, maybe a little)

My plan is classic chic with a glam twist and pops of color.  Can't you just see it already??  I totally can, and I can't wait for it to materialize.  We've got a few DIYs planned too, so I'll definitely have some fun projects to share in the near future.