Sole Mates - summer weekend

sole mates summer weekend by prettyneatdesigns featuring enamel earrings

Good morning!  It has been unseasonably warm and wonderful here in Boston.  I am not complaining.  I say bring on more of it please.  In anticipation of the real summer, which is sure to follow after a freak snow storm or something, I put together an outfit based around two of my favorite summer staples - flat sandals and cropped jeans.  And some Orla Kiely too because I honestly cannot get enough.  And she is so all over the place these days that you would think I'd be saturated by now, but oddly enough I'm not.  I just keep wanting to see more and more of it.  I found out she did a line for Uniqlo (which is only in NYC) and I begged (it really only took one e-mail asking politely, but why not add some drama Mike Daisey style) my friend Diane to pick me up one of the scarves.  So anyway, me and Orla Kiely and flat sandals and cropped jeans = summer.  How is your week going?  I've been having some productive mornings, like two loads of laundry done and folded by 8:30 AM yesterday!  Those taxes I've been whining about?  Not so much.  

Before & After, a love story about a dresser

Hello.  So you've seen some glimpses of one of my favorite before and after project ( November Open Studios post, and a couple of photos on instagram ((follow me as prettyneatdesigns)), the orange dresser.   It almost deserves all caps.

So here is a whole post about this love story.  I got the idea of finding a dresser that I could turn into a china cabinet type thing.  Something to hold the silver plate I've been buying at Brimfield (post here) and the dishes and linens I've been collecting.  We have a pretty small kitchen so there is no room for extra.  But I really like collecting these things so I wanted to find a way to make them work.  I remembered an article in Country Living or someplace like that where they did something similar.  So I made a list of possible places where I could find a dresser.  Cheap was my biggest want.  Brimfield has great bargains, but I wanted something REALLY cheap.  I was checking craigslist, and considered getting one from IKEA, but they weren't cheap enough.  On a craigslist search I found a listing for a yard sale in my area.  I dragged Dave over there and it started raining.  Really raining, not just misting or anything light and lovely.  But I found a dresser. 

I liked the shape a lot.  It was interesting and had plenty of drawers.  And there was a shallow drawer that was perfect for my silverware collection.  How much?  $20!!!  Then I remembered I needed to get cash.  We headed for an ATM and it started raining even more.  Eventually I paid the guy and then we had to go get the car.  Yeah, we were totally unprepared for this adventure.  We walked home in the rain and I was just giddy with anticipation of this project.  Dave said, "I'm so glad that you get this excited about a $20 dresser."  Translation: thanks for being cheap.  Sweetheart.    By the time we got back to the dresser it was pouring rain.  Pouring pouring POURING rain.  Like the street was starting to flood.  We managed to get it into the car but it quickly became apparent that it was one heavy piece of furniture!

We took it to the studio, which is a second floor walk-up.  I am pretty strong, but this thing was a total beast and as soon as it was in the studio I knew that I would not be carrying it back out.  (I had to bribe someone into helping carry it out.)  

So eventually I had some time to spend on this project.  And boy did it take time.  The bottom had to be reglued, and Dave did that.  The legs had major damage from either a very tenacious dog or a pack of small wolves, so I had to fill chunks with wood-filler and then sand them smooth. 

Then I had to sand off some flowery decals from the front of a couple of drawers.  Remove the unmatched hardware, sand sand sand, and then tack cloth it before getting to the painting stage. 

I wanted a red-orange color and ultimately decided on "tomato red" in high gloss by Benjamin Moore.  I also picked up tinted primer.  I put on two coats of the primer and then coat after coat after coat of the paint.  There are FIVE coats of paint on this sucker and it could probably use about 2 -3 more.  But I just decided enough was good enough. 

And then I found these pulls on sale at Anthropologie.  $2.95 marked down from $10.00.  That was fantastic!  I bought two to make sure I liked how they looked against the orange, and I loved them.  Instantly loved them.  But we were going to NYC the next day and I was super worried that they would sell out.  So we went to Anthropologie in SoHo and I bought the other ten.  I had to really dig for them and a random family started helping me.  Who says it is every person for themself in New York?!  And so here she is. 

The others are lined with this great paper from Paper Source (which was sort of the inspiration for the whole dresser).

My brown and white transferware fits nicely, and looks so organized.  And the brown coffee cups from IKEA that go nicely with the antique dishes.  I love this stuff!

I also collect white dishes.  I like to mix plates of all different styles, but they all are white.  Some I've picked up from the sale table at Anthropologie.    And there is a drawer for some larger bowls and serving dishes.  Like this Catherine Holm bowl that I love.

The bottom drawer has these nifty dividers that organize table cloths, runners, and vintage linen napkins I've been collecting.   (I plan to line the shallowest dresser drawers with velvet for the silverware, which I haven't done yet which is why there is no photo of that.)

So what do you think?  Pretty great transformation, huh?  This is way better than I could get at IKEA and even with the paint, paper, and pulls it cost less.  I'm just so in love with this dresser. 

Cheesy Thursday - Karma Chameleon

I don't know if I've posted this one before or not.  It would be hard to believe that I haven't, but if I have it is due for a repeat.  The video is. interesting.  And just watching this now and thinking how long ago this was it is pretty cool that Boy George pulled off this look way back then.  This was pre Gaga, people. But Dave reminds me that Bowie did it before BG.  So there you have it, Bill.  Red, gold, and green...  Have a great Thursday!

brass band

brassy living room by prettyneatdesigns on polyvore.com

Well, not quite a band, but a box.  Isn't this brass chest awesome?  I don't think I could make it work in my space, so I created a room around it.  I think it is fun and sassy.  You want to know what isn't fun?  A black out.  Last night I was in the Back Bay at a painting class and about an hour or so into it the lights went out. All of the lights.  Look outside, no lights.  Then police cars.  We knew there was some sort of fire, but didn't know the extent of it.  We could still sort of paint by emergency light but then the police said they were evacuating the area.  And the T stops were closed.  I can walk home, it is only a couple miles.  So it is pitch black, the only light is cell phones and police lights.  And then a cruiser says, "head toward Boston Common and remain inside, there is poison gas."  Boston Common was the opposite direction of home.  I was only a block from Dave's work, so I called him thinking I could wait it out a bit with him at his office and then we could walk home or take the T if the stops had opened up.  He came down to get me and when we went to go back through security they wouldn't let either one of us up.  Oh, boy!  My friend that I was with at the painting class lives only a few blocks and she offered to drive us home.  What a relief!  And then at midnight all of Dave's phones started ringing: cell, blackberry, and home phone.  His building would not be opening and he would have to work from a different building.  But all the numbers for the call tree were in his briefcase, which was at work.  Oh, boy!  So he was up pretty much all night logging on remotely and writing down numbers and then calling people with instructions of where to go.  And this morning about 15 minutes before he was leaving all the phones started ringing again and the latest update was that the building was opening. More phone calls to make.  What a mess!!  So, anything exciting happening in your part of town?

hello

Hello.  I am having one of those weeks where I am behind in everything and not feeling particularly motivated to get it all back on track.  Can I go my own way?  Sure I can.  But I might want to go the way of the highly organized and ultra efficient for a change.  But is it possible to be someone you are not?  Probably.  But why would you want to?  Well, see, the thing is, I want to!!  I want to be someone I am not.  But going deep, well, deep for a blog post on a Tuesday morning anyway, it is really just comparing myself to someone else and feeling less than.  And comparison is the thief of joy, right?  So do you see this crazy circle I'm riding?  No good.  Because where does it end???  Like how a wedding band is a circle because it symbolizes that it has no end.  Ha!  I can tell you that you can end it.  Because the cure for unhappiness is to break the circle and go your own way.  Same for this thinking crisis I am in.  I am going to try to hop off the crazy circle and think of something that I can and will do instead of what I think I should do because I've compared myself to someone else.  Oh, don't read anything into the marriage thing.  I am grateful that my marriage is good, but what I am saying is, not all of them are.  And I'm not sure there could be much worse than a bad relationship, so symbols be damned, just go your own way.  That might not have come out that great either.  Oh man, this is too much.  I don't take divorce lightly, but I also don't think that people should be miserable either.  You know what, forget it.  I can't communicate here without censoring myself and thinking I need to explain everything or I will worry or offend someone.  So I'm going my own way with this.  The way of the rest of my day.  

weekend

Source: 4.bp.blogspot.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Friday.  woot. woot.  I feel like the guy in this photo.  I should strap roller skates on to my fat suit.  It could really complete the look.  This weekend should be fun.  My friend Matt's art opening up in Kittery tonight, hoping to make up there in time for the dance party so I can flash some jazz hands.  And a cooking class tomorrow.  Topic, appetizers.  Yum.  And then, taxes!  Cripes.  Hope your weekend has more jazz hands than taxes.  

cheesy Thursday - Sunshine Day

It is supposed to be in the mid-60's today.  With sun.  So this song seemed perfect.  I'll try to enjoy it as much as possible even though I'll be cooped up in a courthouse most of the day.  How is your week?  Hope it has lots of sunshiney good times.

Shoe envy

Source: anthropologie.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Still winter?  Check.  But there is a rumor amongst the weather predicting people that it is going to be in the mid-60's tomorrow!  I am certain that there will be at least two dumb dumbs in flip flops on the subway.  At least two.  I'm not quite ready for sandal weather, but this pair is a winner.  Hope you have a great Wednesday!

sole mates - yellow and blue and white

sole mates weekend cool by prettyneatdesigns featuring white earrings

stripes.  and jeans. and spectator type shoes. and coral and gold.  and pearl studs. and the color yellow that I adore but does not adore me.  these are all things I like quite a bit.  and so I put them all together in one outfit.  a uniform of sorts.   I'd live in it.  Hope your Tuesday is like a taco with a side of awesomesauce.

think about it...

Source: twitter.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Helllllllllooooo!  Happy Monday to you.  What did you do this weekend?  Was it fun? Exciting? Exhausting?  If it didn't involve taxes it was probably better than mine.  But I barely made a dent in things because I was working on some other projects too.  Whatever, it will get done eventually.  By April 15th, obviously.  We bought plane tickets to Chicago for June and you know how much I enjoy flying.  Whenever I have to spend money on plane tickets I feel a little cheated.  It is like, oh, great, here goes money toward misery.  But then I say, oh no you will not act like a jerk and a constant complainer.  Just think of all those people you get to spend time with when you fly.  And also real Mexican food.  People have no idea about the lack of real Mexican food in Boston.  No idea.  It's sad really.  But we soldier on.  So I can't remember if I posted this quote before, but last night I was watching a documentary about roller derby (Boston's season opener is on March 24!) and I was comparing my skating skill to the bad-ass women in the movie.  Not a good use of my time.   And the other day I was comparing my current size to my size two years ago and that was a major killjoy.  So maybe take a break from the comparing because the beat goes on.  OK, so that just got "Lose Yourself" stuck in my head and whenever I hear that song I think about using it to teach poetry.  The thing is, I don't teach poetry.  Well, I don't teach anything, but the last class I taught was law related and we didn't really do anything with poetry.  But if anyone who reads this is into poetry and gets what I'm saying, please let me know.  

weekend

Source: 28.media.tumblr.com via Amanda Jane on Pinterest

Snow.   There hasn't been much of it this year, but we got a dusting Wednesday afternoon followed by rain  followed by another dusting yesterday.  Enough to look pretty without requiring much shoveling.  I was stuck inside though so I didn't get any photos.  So the weekend is here!  what are your plans?  Anything fun?  I wish.  I will be working on taxes and I am a big hater when it comes to working on taxes.  But it has to get done and I promised I would get going on them.  Maybe a new pen will make it seem more fun.  And some music.  Or new shoes.  And a new sweater.  A new desk?  A fancy new chair?  Now it is just getting out of hand.  Just the taxes, ma'am.  Have a great weekend!

cheesy Thursday - Cheap Trick Part 2

So I know I just posted a Cheap Trick song a couple of weeks ago, but this song was on in a Crepe shop in Holliston, MA on Saturday and I just caught the video out of the corner of my eye and spent the rest of the day singing it to myself.  You couldn't even hear it through the TV, but I remembered the video from back when MTV actually played videos.  And so I just filled in the words because I sure remember this one from the 80's.    This can be part of your ten minutes of fun.  No seriously, singing and dancing breaks are a great way to fit 10 minutes of fun into your day.  Just again, please not whilst riding public transportation.  I say this for your safety and my sanity.  Although I don't know how much of my sanity remains.  There is an old cell phone with a dying battery around here somewhere and heck if I can get my hands on it.  Instead I just keep listening to this awful beep.  Not unlike a smoke detector that needs a new battery.  Actually, that is a good segue.  Check your smoke detector batteries.  Fires are bad.  There was a HUGE fire a few buildings away in January and all those residents are without homes.  And I heard at least one cat didn't make it.  So sad.  And scary.  So, check the smoke detector batteries and have your ten minutes of fun.  Yesterday before leaving for work I san along to "teenage dream" as sung by Glee.  And then when I was on the T I (silently) sang along to "eye of the tiger" and imagined myself running the final mile of a marathon.   Because I am a complete and total nerd.  And because it is WAY more fun to imagine running than to actually run.  I ran Tuesday and my knees were killing me going up minor stairs.  Old lady knees already!!  Wow, wordy over here this morning!

Leap

Source: Uploaded by user via Dave on Pinterest

Leap day.  An extra day this year.  Wouldn't it be awesome if it was truly treated as an extra day and school and work was closed?!  Yeah, too bad.  I'm on my way to court.  but maybe I'll find some way to take a little leap, or get a small project done so I can feel like it wasn't just another day (which I know it totally is.)  What about you?  Getting all crazy with the leap day stuff?  I did think the 30 Rock episode was funny, but I am a huge Liz Lemon fan.  But sometimes when I am laughing at her craziness and Dave says I am a lot like her I get to feeling that it might not be a compliment.  So leap, my friends!

84th Annual Parade of Dresses, aka The Oscars

The Oscars.  So, what did you think?  My unsolicited two cents on the winners.  Or, the non-winner.  Of all the movies nominated, I had only seen two, Bridesmaids and Midnight in Paris.  I didn't see The Help or any of the other movies in the Best Supporting Actress category, but without having anything other than my opinion of Melissa McCarthy's performance to base it on, she got robbed!  In my humble opinion.  But on to the dresses.    I didn't have too many favorites, which meant it was easier than I expected to put this post together.

Source: movies.yahoo.com via Cindy on Pinterest

I loved Emma Stone's dress.  Now will people please stop saying that a redhead can't wear red?  She nailed it.  The neck was festive, the waist looked great.  And her hair was perfect.  (gown by Giambattista Valli) (PS, did you happen to notice that almost every dress with a train that wasn't a dark color looked incredibly dirty?  And didn't someone go without shoes?  Gross!)

Source: movies.yahoo.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Even though pastel hair is almost pase, Kelly Osborne looked great in her lilac do and sparkly dress.  Look at the sleeves - perfect upper arm cover.  And the placement of the mesh panels was pretty amazing.  She's a 10 for sure.  (gown by Badgley Mischka)

Source: movies.yahoo.com via Cindy on Pinterest

Natalie Portman rocked a lot of polka dots in a vintage Dior dress.  I love this dress.  It is beautiful, but it has a lot of personality in a sweet and fun way, not in an I could be a drag queen way.

Two of my favorite Oscar looks of all time are Reese Witherspoon in 2002 and Michelle Williams in 2011.

Source: thefablife.com via Andrea on Pinterest

That black Valentino gown is amazing.  The neckline and the cap sleeves.  And even the beading, which I'm usually not a big fan of.  Just love this look.

Source: elizamagazine.com via Summer on Pinterest

And the cream beaded Chanel gown? Shut Up.  I love it.  It is perfect on her with that pixie hair cut.  And the fit?  Crazy.  The seamstress should have won an award!!


I'm not going to be negative and post photos or comments about the dresses I was less than thrilled with, but I will say that I was not a big fan of the dark nail polish.  It was distracting.  Jewelry is a great distraction, blackish nail polish not so much.  So.  Ten more minutes of fun?  Go on.  Do something!

think about it...

Source: vi.sualize.us via April on Pinterest

Happy Monday!  Did you have a good weekend?  Did you watch the Oscars?  Did your favorites win?  I didn't watch, but I did check out the dresses.  I am going to share my favorites tomorrow.  For today I have a "think about it..." post.  This quote is a goodie.  I for one must remember this one because it can be pretty easy to turn thoughts into beliefs.  And they are far from the same thing.  And if we really started to "believe" in every crazy thought we had the earth just might stop spinning.  That is how scary some of our thoughts can be.   Have fun today!  For at least ten minutes, and seriously, who doesn't have ten minutes?!  Even if your ten minutes of fun is singing really cheesy music at the top of your lungs on your commute home (provided you are not riding public transportation.  because you'll get your ass kicked, and that's not fun.).  Ten minutes of fun, that is your prescription for today.  By order of this here blog writer.  

weekend

for the oscars by prettyneatdesigns featuring vintage style earrings

Weekend!  Whoo-hoo!  Are you watching the Oscars?  I don't watch the actual program, but I love to see the arrival photos, which luckily are available online.  And I don't think I've seen many of the movies nominated.  I am not a big watcher of movies in the theatre.  I usually just watch movies on netflix.   Oh, unless I score free tickets from the college radio stations.   So anyways, if you haven't noticed yet, here is the bad news.  This post is about nothing.  But I did put together a fancyish outfit for the Oscars.  Not sure this is red carpet appropriate.  Maybe if you were attending a crazy fancy viewing party.  Or if you are a seat-filler.  Or a B actress.  Who knows.  I do really like the emerald green, though.  I don't think I own enough emerald green.  So.  weekend.  here it is.  Hope yours is super!