Apartment Updates- Bookcases, Shoe Storage & Dining Chairs

I keep telling you that I am so excited to get back to blogging and yet all week I couldn't think of anything to write about. Well, lucky for you I finally have an idea! 

How about I share some updates to our apartment? I am very happy with the state of our home right now but the designer in me will always find things to change. The majority of our furniture was given to us, brought from home or came from our college apartments.  There is absolutely nothing wrong with that but some of it just isn't my style.

We have finally found some bookcases to replace our basic 3 shelf ones that flank the tv. 

We are going to get 2 of these beauties tomorrow!

Crate and Barrel

Another piece that we need for the living room is shoe storage or organization for the entryway. I haven't found anything I really like yet. Who knows...maybe this will be my next DIY project?? :)

pebbles

source

crates

source

source

baskets/bins

source

source

Now onto the "dining room". I say this in quotations because its more or less an area, not a room. The existing table and chairs were given to us from my Aunt Eva and I have used them for about 3 years now. Will probably replace the chairs first and worry about the table later because we might have a larger dining room when we move again. If we bought a table now it would probably end up being too small.

I have my eye on these!!

Target

Target has 2 of these for $99. World Market has 1 for $119.

Not everyone would want this for a dining room chair because it is informal and is probably not going to be super comfortable. I however adore this industrial look and you can't beat 4 dining chairs for $200, right?? Amazing!!

These inspiration images will probably change your mind if you are on the fence about them.

source

source

source

source

source

source

source

Have a GREAT WEEKEND!!!

J.Crew Wishlist

IM BACKKKKK! I know you are just ooozing with excitement, right?? Well I have a pretty cool post to share today so you should be!!! First of all I want to mention that I received an email from Shabby Apple to be an affiliate of theirs. I love their products so I am more than happy to introduce it to you! So check out my left sidebar for the button that leads to their online store! I will do another post on this later, but you can go check it out now!! 

On a second note: I am wayyyy behind on the photo challenge so all of those images are at the end of this post!

Third: There are only 5 DAYS until Christmas!!! 

Fourth: I passed my views from last month :) and I have gotten about 20 more followers via GFC!! So grateful for you readers!!

And now on to the real post: MY J.Crew wishlist 2012!! Are you thinking "You're crazy girl! That stuff is too expensive." Probably, but if you live near central VA or western NC then you are in luck because you can go to the warehouse sales in Lynchburg Va or Asheville NC and get some AWESOME deals on J.Crew merchandise!!! But even if you aren't, it's always fun to dream!! Plus you can sometimes get great deals at the retail shops or outlets.

Shoes: It was hard for me to narrow it down to only 4 pairs but I tried to pick one in each style. I think they are all screaming my name! Which are your favorite??

Tan Suede Ankle Boots, Leopard Pumps, Bright Yellow Gold Dipped Ballet Flats, Pink Sperry Shearwater Boots

Accessories: A girls best friend :) I really want the chain link bracelet. I am also considering some similar ones that are much cheaper on Etsy.

Braided Fabric Bracelet, Navy Leather Hobo Bag, Colorblock Zip Wallet, Rhinestone Chain Link Bracelet

Outerwear: Gotta keep warm in style...no better way to do that then wear these!

Orange Schoolboy Blazer, Quilted Vest in Herringbone, Gray Peplum Jacket, Double Cloth Coat in Retro Jade

Tops and Bottoms: These are some great every day staples for my closet. Especially loving cardi's and cords this winter!

Tippi Cardigan in Vintage Kelly, Chiffon Dot Top in Navy, Classic Felted Wool Mini in Navy, Matchstick Cord in Sand

What's on your J.Crew wishlist?? 

Day 14: I tried out this recipe...Hashbrown soup from Pinterest and it was sooo yummy! I would definitely recommend it!

Day 15: Ashley and I Christmas shopping! (she actually took these with her iphone but I wanted to include them)

Day 16: Leopard ornament...I got this beauty at Pier One! I also love these: here, here, here and here!

Day 17: my stocking- also leopard (do you see a pattern here??) Had to hang them on the bookshelves...no fireplace :(

Day 18: gingerbread cookies! We went over to Anna and Ryan's new home to hang out and decorate gingerbread cookies! Thanks for having us :) 

Day 19: Christmas cards!! Finally came in and I'm sending them out in the am!!

Wedding Wednesday

You are probably thinking "Samantha, you are already married! Why are you talking about wedding wednesday?" Well, that is because I have A LOT of engaged friends right now!! And I am a bridesmaid for 2 of them...so I am back in the wedding pinning/inspiration mode :) It's okay because my wedding was perfect and I wouldn't have changed a thing. I know the industry will constantly be updating trends and I will wish it was around when I got married but I can enjoy my best friends weddings and dream about it with them! And if this blog helps someone else plan their wedding, then that would make me super happy :D

Today's topic: how to make your wedding unique and stand out from the crowd.

 I know that I followed some of the trends in weddings for 2012 but that was truly because I loved them, not because I wanted my wedding to be "cool" Mason jars, burlap, and boots are popular right now, but can you still use them and have a unique wedding? OF COURSE! Don't worry about what other people think when it comes to planning your wedding. Its about what you (and your fiance: yes, his point of view matters too) want.

Next, if you have a small budget or just don't want soooo many details to worry about then how can you achieve the look you want.?Well, my first piece of advice which I may have mentioned before is PRIORITIZE! Is the decor more important or photography? Do you care more about having amazing food or a designer dress? Each of you make a list of top 3-5 things that are most important and focus on those.

Also try to write down describing words on how you want the ceremony and reception to feel. For instance, for my wedding I wanted it to be rustic, fun, relaxed, sweet and southern. So how do you take that and turn it into a complete wedding design? Pick a word and apply it to a physical thing. So if I want a fun wedding I should pick bright, fun colors (hence navy and yellow decor and attire). If I want a rustic wedding, I should incorporate what that means to me (wood, outdoors). Do this for all of your words and this should give you a big enough variety of components that will create a unified look that is also one of a kind!

I want to share some details that can help make your wedding unique! If you want something very traditional, these ideas might not be for you. There is nothing wrong with that. Do what makes YOU happy because you will remember this day forever! Let me know if you have any wedding planning questions! I would love to help :)

1. Bouquets made from something other than flowers (or uncommon flowers)!

Pinterest

 source

source

source

(these are yarn balls if you can't tell)

2. Entertaining guests without dancing (mostly ones for outdoors)

source

Pinterest

source

would be cute for single bridesmaids and groomsmen to volunteer for

source

3. Unique food service/display

food trucks!

Pinterest

Mini food

source

Pinterest

source

Fix your own ice cream/smores

source

Did you have a unique feature like these at your wedding? I would love to hear about it! What do you think of incorporating these into a wedding?

XO

Samantha

Linking up here:

 

Happy Friday!

It's NOVEMBER!!! Once again, I can't believe it! I have been working for Courtney for 3 months!! and I love it! Also,I appreciate you readers soooo much. I was up 600 more views from last month!! YAY! Also, I want to organize my blogs so that it's easier to read/find specific posts. If you have any ideas or suggestions for this let me know! Just comment on what you like/don't like. I LOVE hearing from you and including you in my blog!

Looking forward to:
1) Ty and Gabby are visiting and its her birthday so I am making her an epic dinner!
2) Me and Gabby are getting our nails done tomorrow :) much needed treat
3) Wedding dress shopping w/ Denise is coming up next weekend

This months highs:
1) found 2 great churches! (this was on the month's goals)
2) got wedding prints!! and hung them up (also on the goals)
3) going to Highpoint Market! It was so much fun!

This months lows:
1) The Hokies are doing terribly :( It's really hard to watch)
2) Missing family and friends a lot, haven't gotten to visit much
3) Hurricane Sandy- praying for everyone affected

Goals that I checked off:
Exercise More
Take More Photos 
Find a Church
Getting Wedding Photos Printed

Fall Bucket List:
Take a Nature walk and bring camera (did this twice!! Woot Woot)

Inspiration for daily life:

Teal Leather -as always

source

Twinkle Lights- can't wait for Christmas!

source

Chocolate

source

LEOPARD and lots of it!

source

Chevron!

source

WEDDINGS! for my beautiful friends!

source

Self-explanatory....

source

God's paintings!

source

I hope you continue to be inspired by my blog! Please tell me if you want to see more posts on something specific :) Otherwise it may just be random like this haha! 

On another note, Tuesday is Election Day. I am not one to rant on with politics but I know the importance of voting so...don't forget to VOTE....and do your research first! Don't rely on commercials to tell you the truth!

Happy Friday ;)

XO Samantha