diy: doily table runner

Posted on June 30, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Hello there!

How are your hump days going? Awesome, I hope. Today was the first day of my “staycation” (how lame is that word, btw?), and I’ve been going non-stop since 9 a.m. The whole point of taking time off work was to get stuff done, and get stuff done I did.

A bazillion is number of errands I ran, and by 4 p.m. at Cedar Small Engine Repair, I had reached my breaking point. My poor PMS-ing ass came close to tears over the cost of an effing lawn-mower repair, and I have to say, it was not the most fun of times. Anyway, two things: 1. It’s tough being a girl. 2. I picked up a new-used mower for $65 tonight, and I’m super happy, as are my neighbors, who will no longer have to put up with knee-length grass in my front yard.

Aaannnnyway, I found this beautiful DIY and a mother lode of cheap doilies at Bibles for Missions all in the same week. Serendipitous, don’t ya think? I won’t walk you through the process, since the original tutorial does a good job of that, but here are a few pics of my finished product.

My sweetie and I are grilling shrimps tonight, so I have to dash and get the rice rolling. By the by, do any of you own Isa Chandra Moskowitz’s Vegan with a Vengeance cookbook? If you don’t, you should, even if you love meat, as I very much do. If you do own said book, make the Coconut Rice with Toasted Coconut as soon as you can, if you haven’t already. It’s so damn yummy and makes any barbecue-esque meal 100 times better.

xo,

Meghan

spare room makeover

Posted on June 18, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

I’ve reached the breaking point with my teeny, tiny bedroom closets. Or perhaps I should say they’ve reached their breaking point with me, and the excessive amount of clothing I optimistically cram into them on a daily basis.

I’m thinking of turning my spare room, which is across the hall from my bedroom, into a dressing room/guest room. At the moment, the room is full of stuff unceremoniously shoved in there before “company” comes.

See?

I would like to add some functional storage for my clothes, but I also don’t want my out-of-town guests to feel like they’re sleeping in my closet. Did I mention this room’s the size of a matchbox? And that the wall color is 100 kinds of wrong? Yep, yep, I know. I have my work cut out for me.

Here are a few closets/dressing rooms that are inspiring me.

This snug little closet is one of my favorites. I like the idea of putting up a shoe rack on the wall.

That portrait is so sweet. As is that jewelry stand.

(both scans from my collection of Dominos)

Another goodie from Domino. How cool is that painted striped floor? And the fireplace? Swoon.

(via urban nest)

I love the crammed-in, cozy feeling of this closet. I’m guessing I’d probably want to borrow a lot of stuff from this gal. Starting with her necklace.

(via the glamorai)

Oh little poodle, do you know how good you have it? I’m digging on the rug and double dose of mirrors. Is the square footage of this greater than my entire home? Perhaps.

(via apartment therapy)

Books & clothes. Two things I could definitely use more storage space for.

(via Aishiteru Itsumo)

I need to spend some time looking through this tumblr, which is jam-packed with good home ideas. Do you, dear readers, have recommendations of where to look for interior inspiration?

I’m aiming to repaint the space next weekend, so I’d better hop to.

Ideas, advice & inspiration = welcome.

<3!

Meghan

floral denim skirt makeover

Posted on May 30, 2010 by highplainsthrifter

Undeterred by the size 7 tag, I bought this ankle-length, ’90s denim skirt with the magically optimistic hope that it would somehow fit me. “Ha, ha, ha! You’re funny,” said my waist. For a minute, I was sad. I imagined myself hacking three feet of fabric off, making it a mini and wearing it all summer long with my hot new Hasbeens. Sigh. I folded up my fantasy skirt and added to a pile in my basement.

Fast-forward a month and I was sitting on my living room floor, scissors in hand, making that mini dream a reality for my girl Mary, a gal fully appreciative of the awesome print and circa-’90s tailoring. And I have to say, she looks fantastic in the finished product. Don’t you agree?