Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Have you heard of Rifle Paper Co.? I love their designs, and just last week I bought/ordered a few cards from there...

This one is for my Valentine:






















Fun, right? Yet handsome.   

I also bought this set of birthday cards:
















It's such a happy looking card, don't you think?

Monday, January 16, 2012

my DIY desk

I recently wrapped up a pretty big DIY project--I made a desk!

After we moved into our new place, the Benjamin and I searched all over town for a desk. A lot of what we saw was out of our budget and the desks that were in our budget just didn't seem to fit quite as well with our style. So when I saw that Kate Miss of For Me-For You had made both a table and desk with simple steel hair pin legs, I emailed the images to Ben to see what he thought. He liked the desk and I decided I'd make it my project. I immediately ordered four 28-inch three-rod raw steel legs from Hairpin Legs, a metal shop in Columbus, Ohio (just as Kate Miss had done).

Sadly, those poor raw steel legs sat in their box in the guest bedroom for about four months... Every time I walked by them (and every time Ben saw them), I was reminded of how I wasn't following through on my project. (What can I say, I get excited about a diy project when it's still in the abstract and then I am daunted by it all ask once it's real. I'm not the only one, right?) Finally in October, I ordered a plank of wood from a company in Oregon. I was looking for the perfect plank and I found it during an online search. The folks at Perfect Plank Co. were super helpful--and the woman who takes the orders (I wish I could remember her name) more than walked me through the various types of wood they sell and how each would stain. She helped me figure out what would best meet my needs, and I ended up with their alder.



Finally around Thanksgiving, the Benjamin and I bought everything I'd need to complete the project--the sandpaper, the stain (we used Minwax in Antique Walnut Satin--we liked the look of it on For Me-For You), the latex gloves, brushes, etc. I was scared to death I was going to screw up the desk while staining the wood--mostly because I tend to rush through these kinds of projects once I start them. But I made a conscious effort to be careful and patient. I also made an effort to stay positive--I hate to admit it, but I can get pretty grouchy when I don't feel like I'm doing a good job.

 

I'm glad I was careful with the process (sanding and applying 3 coats of stain) because it paid off. I am completely in love with the finished project. I love the clean lines and simplicity of the desk. And I love that I made it with my own two hands! Well, my own hands and the Benjamin's hands--he helped to drill in the legs.





Our desk is my favorite piece in the apartment and our little home office is my favorite spot--it totally inspires me! I can't believe I'm putting this in writing, but I'm considering future diy projects...stay tuned!











Friday, January 13, 2012

Getting pretty when you're getting hungry

How cute is this navy with gold stars lunch bag from J-Crew!? I found it while doing a wide search on the sale items. Oh, did I mention it's 30% off the sale price? I'm tempted to buy it...It would totally dress up my leftovers and snacks...