Tree #3 {the formal tree}

From the moment I saw a photo of a Christmas tree with all white and silver ornaments way back when, I knew I had to have one. Sure, it took awhile to make that dream a reality – but I finally have one and love it.

The Formal Tree


And of course, ornaments hanging in the windows:

Tree #5 {the sweet tree}

Yes, I acquired another tree. Don't judge too much. :)

The Sweet Tree
I've always wanted a Christmas tree in my kitchen filled with peppermints and other candy and kitchen ornaments. This little guy definitely fits all my requirements.

Flowers gone glam

I'm a snob when it comes to fake flowers, but when I saw these crystal flower stems at Z Gallerie, I quickly warmed up to the concept. They are just too fun to deny.

The Living Room – Where I Got It

Since my living room is finally done, I am excited to answer the most frequent question I get – where I got something that’s in my living room.


1. Sofa – Nebraska Furniture Mart (Ashley Furniture), $900 (including stain guard protection and tax rounded up)
2. Coffee and end tables – Nebraska Furniture Mart, $500 (after I ordered this, I discovered Z Gallerie also carries these)
3. Art – This piece was a housewarming present from an artist from of the family
4. Lamps – Z Gallerie, $220 total (during their 20% sale)
5. Rug – eBay, $110
6. Bowl – Kate Spade, $149 (gift)
7. Tealight holder – Z Gallerie, $3 for both (gift)
8. Bowl – Crate & Barrel, $29.99 (gift)
9. Vase – Z Gallerie, $24 (during their 20% sale)
10. Picture frame – Z Gallerie, $14.95 (gift)
11. Pillows – Etsy seller Nestables and custom made, $100 (including inserts)



12. Chairs – Home Decorators Outlet, $300 total (gift)
13. Pillows – from sofa
14. Panels – custom made, $200 (includes fabric and labor)
15. Sofa Table – Target, $110
16. Mirror – HomeGoods, $59.99
17. Vase – Z Gallerie, $29.99 (gift – my mom gave me this vase and she has broken it twice. So yes, hot glue can do miracles)
18. Candleholders – Z Gallerie. $26 total (during their 20% sale)
19. Bling candleholder – Hobby Lobby, $14.99



20. Floating shelves – Lowes, $80
21. White vase – Z Gallerie, $29.95 (gift)
22. Crystal vase – I only have 2 things from my grandma, this is one of them
23. Candleholder – Z Gallerie, $16.00 (during their 20% sale)
24. Westie art – DIY, free
25. Line art – art.com and Michaels, $30 total
26. Bud vase – Michaels, $3.99
27. Vase – HomeGoods, $12.99
28. White vase – Gordmans, $14.99 (gift)
29. Bling candleholder – Z Gallerie, $9.99 (gift)
30. Candleholder – Kohls, $4.99 (gift)


Total I spent: $2,392.98
Room total: $2,979.83

I must admit, I had a difficult time figuring out how I should do room totals. Because what I actually spent versus the room total are 2 very different things, I wanted to include both.

There were other things I debated, and that's where it gets complicated. There's at least $400 in the "total I spent" category that could be debatable. Any gift certificates I received, I included in that total. As well as the console table I bought with my March Madness winnings several years ago.

And for those curious about the multiple "gifts" in the room...a good chunk of it is wedding presents that we finally get to display. Brent's and my birthday's are really close together, so we took advantage of that last year with the amazing chairs.

Yep, I think that is about it. I hope I answered all questions. :)

Design Time: "Glamour: Making it Modern"

When I go to the library I’m guilty of forgetting non-fiction books are also housed there. I get very into my routine of running in, picking up my books on hold and then leaving right away. So when I remember things like cookbooks and interior designs books are also available, I get in my “this is the best idea ever” mode.

I’m excited to report that I checked out my first interior-design books ever. (I know, it was a big day for me).

The book I was most excited about is “Glamour: Making It Modern” by Michael Lassell, which is a collection of Metropolitan Home goodies. As you can probably tell from my living room, I’m a slight fan of the style.

If you aren’t familiar with the modern-glam style, I think interior designer Michael Berman describes it best

“When a client says ‘glamour,’ it’s code for ‘Design our home so people will swoon when they visit.’”

While I didn’t actually learn anything new about the glamour style in the text, the pictures were amazing. Here’s a few of my favorites:

Do you have any favorite design or organization books? I'd love to hear about them.

Rate My Space

I thought it was time. I finally uploaded my first set of pictures to Rate My Space. Granted, I'm not completely done with this room (throw pillows), but I figured why not? So far, everyone is being nice enough.

So, if you're a RMS fan, please check it out – I'm something_classic.

I have art!

There are no words, other than I'm in love. I just need to find some throw pillows and then this room is done. :)

Before:
After:

A lot of zebra

Working with zebra print overwhelms me – I love it, and yet I'm terrified of it.

I wanted to step outside of my safe, little design box, and do something bold and daring. And well, a huge, zebra print rug in my modern-glam living room definitely accomplishes that goal.

I'm happy with the new look, but I'll be honest, it's going to take awhile to get used to without me thinking "wow, that's a lot of zebra" every time I walk into the room. Plus, I think once I get some black and white pillows for the chairs and my painting is done, some of the pressure will be off of the rug.

Before:

After:

We have a floater

It's morning and I'm tired, so yes, that's the best I could do I this entry's title.

After much floating shelf debate, I ended up going with the shelves at Lowes. I wanted a thick shelf for 2 reasons – I wanted the shelf to stand out and I wanted to put heavy things on it without worrying about them crashing to the ground. And for $80 plus tax, I think my goal has been accomplished.

Before:
After:
My shelf accessories aren't finalized yet, but that's what I had around the house – so that's how it will be for now.

In other living room news – the rug should be arriving within the next several days. I am so excited. This room is finally coming together, and I am loving it.

My mirror

I would chat more, but I enjoyed a little too much margarita with dinner. So here is my fabulous new mirror.

Before:
After:
I can already picture how fabulous that zebra rug will look in here. :)

The Dining Room

I'm really happy with how it's coming together. I want to switch out the fabric on the dining room chairs, but I'm sure to what yet. As for the other 4 dining room chairs – that's what Christmas is for, as well as a table centerpiece. :)

Dining Room inspiration

Because Brent and I finally bought a dining room table (pictures to come later), I figured it's time to start daydreaming about that room.













Bling tealight lamps – Z Gallerie
Table runner – Z Gallerie
Star candleholder – Z Gallerie
Day without sunshine – DIY
Circuit candleholder – Crate & Barrel
Hurricane candleholder – Crate & Barrel
Napkin rings – Z Gallerie

Z Gallerie's Modern Glam

I am loving Z Gallerie and all their modern Hollywood glam decor. I am loving even more the 20% off they are offering online and in the store.

I am already marking things off of my wishlist with them. I am now the proud owner of the pillar candleholder and the star candleholder. :)

Dresser

Accent Table

Bling Picture Frame

Napkin Rings

Multi-Purpose candleholder

Star Candleholders

Weekend Update

Seriously, after this weekend, I want a nap. I am exhausted, and yet I know that come tomorrow after work, I will somehow keep on going. Get ready for photos galore, and more should be coming tomorrow night.

What I Bought
I got this awesome buffet off Craigslist for $85. I can't wait to finish this piece.

The Living Room
I was just not a fan of the living room color. I was basically on countdown for the sofa to arrive, so I could color match. It was just this weird light green – it was no good.

Before:

After (with my fabulous new lamps):

The Dining Room
And since I painted the living room, why not add the dining room to the weekend agenda.

Before:

After (with a sneak peak of my Craigslist goodie):

The next item to save for

Is it bad that I haven't even bought the duvet cover, and already have a new item in sight? My logic is I'm making the duvet cover happen, so I can make 2 of these table lamps happen as well (and the fact that my birthday is next week, can't hurt).

These lamps would be fabulous in my living room – they are the exact modern-glam look I am going for.

Plus everything in Z Gallerie is currently 20% off, and I found a long-lost giftcard from there that's still good.

A modern Hollywood Glam

Because of the amazing mirror art above the mantle:

Panel Love

I am so happy I didn't cheap out on panels I didn't truly love. Finding a more pricey fabric and then getting them custom-made, was more than worth it. Plus, the lady I used to do them was beyond reasonable priced.