Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bookcases

I know, it's nerdy. But it's time to talk bookcases, and just how cool they can be!


Notice how everything in this room seems to fall into the same color scheme? We all know publishers love bright book covers that will catch your eye while browsing at B&N, that beg, "Buy me, buy meeeeeee!" An easy solution to keep your books beaten into color scheme submission is to make slipcovers! So, so easy to get butcher paper and just write the title and author on the spine, and presto! That bright pink shopping novel now blends in with your tan, navy blue, crimson, and white living room.



This is so cool! And sooooo intense. I know I don't own that many books. I love that the window looks like it is set deep into the wall, and there are ledges to add fun flair to, like a vase of flowers, or a collection of frames.



Check it! All the books are color coordinated. Forget about organizing by subject, author, genre...oh no. Color? Yes. Another easy solution by slipcovers, if you want to even out the ratio of pink shopping books to yellow and orange cookbooks. 


I also love how you can stage a bookcase, and draw the eye to different elements on the bookshelves. I love the bust on the top, but check out the orange and white candle! Stacking books is also different, and makes it fun to look at.



O.M.G.
Bookshelf stairs. Stairs!! This is crazy! But SO cool! I have no idea how this could be done, or how it is even feasible, but how fun would this be in your local bookstore? What a creative way to shelve books, and how fun would it be to climb up and down these?

Happy Thursday!  

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Save the Dates!

I love "Save the Dates." They are so fun! They allow for a ton of creativity and shows the couple's individuality, with, of course, a formal invitation to follow. Here are some cute ideas I found this week:


So, so sweet!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Little Details, Big Effect

There are small things in every home that can make big punches in visual interest, and make a house even more "yours." Example:


RULERS! How crazy creative is that?! What a fun detail, and a great way to spice those up!

Here's another area of a home that is nearly always blank:


How fun! I probably wouldn't put the table there, or own that weird puppy lamp, but I'd rather let the entire area just speak for itself. Sometimes spaces don't always have to be super functional--sometimes they can just look pretty.

I'm not sure if you remember, but a different post I mentioned how crazy I am about doors. I love doors with big windows, or different styles!


I mean, I know it's the door to the bathroom, but it's so creative and different! I love the edging in it, and the high windows. Those allow for light, but no peeking while you are...erm...doing your business. Anyway, I would love this to be my front door. It's different, and does not have blurry or decorative glass. I'm sorry, half of America that I'm angering with this statement, but I do not care for that kind of door. Bleck.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Bedding Time





I love all this bedding! Some designs work specifically for younger styles, and others work well in other, more gender-neutral bedrooms.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Prints, Round 2

Found some new prints I love! I love that these are sweet, creative, and just plain cute.





Love it love it love it!

Wedding Cuties

So, I like to look at pictures from weddings. Every couple does it different--each wedding has its own little quirks that make it special and unique. Plus, it's just fun to see fun ideas people come up with! I came across this invitation today, and it cracked me up!


Hahahahaha! I love this small details and FUN design of this. And I love the little note at the very end... "Dinner and dancing and eternity to follow." SO cute.


Is that not adorable?! Of course, the couple would have to be careful when moving the chairs, but I think that is the cutest chair decoration/designation. What a great way to spice up something that rarely is!


I love this fun spin on a classic childhood craft.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Inspiring

These make me want to throw color everywhere.



Spring and summer are nearly here...I hear it coming! It smells like sunshine, sounds like chacos, and looks like robin's egg blue and eggy yellow. It's coming.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Changeup Alert

(I know I've complained a lot about the cold weather, so expect a ton of happiness and freaking out about how excellent the weather is now.)

Have you BEEN outside yet?! It is 72° outside. 72°. In February. I am so happy. I am wearing shorts, my new kicks, and walking slow, enjoying the sunshine. It's actually nice to walk around campus! And plus, after months and months of wearing heavy clothes, and lots of them, isn't it nice to see your skin? Not going to lie...I missed my legs. They were always covered by leggings, jeans, thick socks, boots, etc. I missed seeing those little white guys! The weather is making going to class so much more pleasant. And as my meteorology professor said, we probably won't have any cold weather for several weeks. (WEEKS!) I am so excited. I don't think I'll be inside much.

On another happy note, I have a "fresh" decorating idea for you:






Hanging plates!

How fun are those walls? Hanging plates seems like such a new, interesting way to spice up your walls. Plus, you only have to buy one plate at a time, not a whole set. So in the end, cost could be pretty low. The plates can be all different sizes and shapes and colors! I mean, you could stay with a uniform theme, like in the second picture, or you could just go for a fun combination, like in the first and third pictures! Anyone else like the peacock plate in the first pic? This is just another idea I have tucked away in the back of my mind...just some dining room fun!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Some Humbling Rhetorical Questions

Recently, I read through Job 38-42, and was reminded of so many things. We all know the story of Job, but rarely, I feel, have ever read through it completely. Basically, by chapter 38, Job has gone through many reactions to his troubles, but is asking "WHY?" of God, demanding an explanation. Job, of course, is completely unaware that a cosmic battle is going on, with him in the middle. In chapters 38-41, God answers Job out of a storm, and gives him an answer--but in a different way.

Job 38:1-7, 12,16-18, 31-32, 35-36

"The the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said:

'Who is this that questions my widsom with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
'Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions?
Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone--
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?

Have you ever given orders to the morning,
or shown the dawn its place?

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been shown to you?
Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

Can you bind the beautiful Pleiades?
Can you loose the cords of Orion?
Can you bring forth the constellation in their seasons,
or lead out the Bear with its cubs?

Do you send the lightning bolts on their way?
Do they report to you 'Here we are?'
Who endowed the heart with wisdom
or gave understanding to the mind?'"

Reading over this is so incredibly humbling. Who am I to question the God of the universe? Who am I to pretend that I know anything? Who am I to pretend that I have any sort of power or control at all? How utterly amazing is God! The lightning bolts report to him! He can move stars! He has walked on the bottom of the sea, and seen the gates of Hell! How amazing is it that the stars sing? He orders the morning! He shows the dawn its place!

Of course, this is only a small snippet of verses from chapter 38. Chapter 39 continues in the same manner, and God begins to talk about the animals and beasts of the world. Just reading over the verses, it is clear to see the utter love God has for his creation. He cares for the lions, he provides prey for them. He watches the doe give birth to the fawn, and protects them. When the raven cries of hunger, he feeds it. He praises his creation, the horse, for his strength and heart. The horses's personality. God knows every detail. He knows his creation, he has seen that it is good. What a reminder that the Lord knows us so thoroughly and deeply! Does this not stir your affections for God? How can it not?!

Job being questioned by God reminded me of another passage from Exodus 4, when God is telling Moses to go to Egypt, and free the Hebrews. Moses has protested several times, and communicates to God that he is not the "man for the job" because he is, and always has been, slow of speech. The Lord answers him with this:

Exodus 4:11-12

"The Lord said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.'"

This again, is humbling. Who am I to tell God that I cannot be used by him? He has demanded me of it--who am I to tell the RULER OF THE UNIVERSE that he picked the wrong person? We are not too broken to be used by God. Because....

2 Corinthians 12:9

"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"

Praise God!

(I'm almost done, I promise.)
One final thing I noticed, which I thought was really interesting, and really cool. Who says the Bible isn't in popular culture and film? Listen to the first 22 seconds of this trailer, then read the following verses below.



Job 39

vs. 24: "In frenzied excitement he eats up the ground..."
vs. 21: "He paws fiercely, rejoicing in his strength..."
vs. 21: "...and charges into the fray."                         
vs. 22: "....afraid of nothing."                                   
vs. 24: ".....when the trumpet sounds."                     

Well, hello there, it's GOD talking in Secretariat....


Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Two New Loves...

This evening, a song fell across my unassuming ears, as I watched an episode of a new TV show I might like. (I haven't decided yet.) An appreciator of good music, I YouTubed the song, and found the rest of this artist's album. I listened to about five other songs, then proceeded to buy the entire thing. Which is completely out of character for me. If I don't like all the songs on the cd, I don't waste my money on music I won't listen to! But this guy....top notch, I've decided. Let me introduce you to....

I'm pretty much in love. Such good stuff.

The other beau(s) in my life are my new Nikes! I have another pair, and I LOVE them. LOVE them. They saved my feet, walking all over campus! So, I decided, why not get another pair? I wear the other ones enough anyway....



The blue is a lot darker, but that's what you get with bad lighting and a flash happy camera. :)

I've got a ridiculous amount of homework to do, especially since I have a paper due Monday, a test Monday, and a test Wednesday. So life will be grand for the next several days...curse all this snow and cancelled class! I want the heat! Who's with me in moving to Florida?

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Not Again....

It's Tuesday, and therefore, I am in need of more sleep, time, and the weekend! Since none of those are going to make an appearance anytime soon, I'll just counsel myself looking at these lovelies:


Looking at this picture makes me want spring/summer even more! (Not the snow we are supposed to get tonight!) Who wouldn't love to sit on this patio with a good book, iPod in hand, glass of lemonade nearby, sunglasses on your nose while the sun beats down on your shoulders at a balmy 88 degrees? (If it's not clear by now, I think about warm weather a lot. I love it. Looooove it.)


*drool*
I think I could sleep for ever and ever and ever and ever in this room! I love the calm color scheme, the fancy schmancy chandelier, and the bedside table. Though I might be afraid to walk on the carpet.


I love this color scheme! The couch pops against all the gray, and the mustard yellow does too! And check out the stencil on the coffeetable...a nice changeup from the standard. I think sitting/laying on this couch would be fun, to be surround by my my favorite colors....ahhhh.



Is that not the coolest bookshelf you have ever seen in your life?!



With the terrible weather that is headed our way, I would love to snuggle up under this bedding. Who wouldn't?

Stay warm tonight! (And tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that....) Who knows when I will resurface into the world again? Probably when it's 70 degrees. I am considering trying to get all my classes online, so I never ever ever have to go into the cold again. Sounds reasonable, right?


Sunday, February 6, 2011

Blessed Be Your Name

1 Peter 1:6-7
"In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

"Every blessing you pour out
I'll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say

'Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name'

You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
'Blessed be your name'"

--"Blessed Be Your Name," Matt Redman


The past week or so has been filled with a lot of bad news, with a vast amount of friends going through difficult trials. I've been thinking a lot about our attitudes toward the Lord, when he generously gives us gifts, and when he takes some away. I am so quick to praise and thank God when he gives me something, such as rest, self-discipline, fellowship, a close parking spot. But how quick am I to praise him when I learn the sister of my friend died tragically? Or that a sweet family will never meet their little boy because he died in utero? Or that a lovely wife and mother has stage three cancer? Or that a precocious four year old I knew suddenly died of a brain aneurysm? How quickly do I praise God when I fail a test, or feel rejected by friends?

How quickly do we lift our hands to God, and say, "I don't understand, but blessed be your name, Lord"? When do we say that? We may have faith, accept what happened, and still believe that God is good and faithful and loving, but when do we bless the Lord's name for what happened?

I'm not so sure we do. In my selfishness, I am so quick to wallow in self-pity and misery. In my weakness and flesh, I focus on myself, not on the unfailing character of the Lord, or the promises he has made to me. I focus on the "why?" and not the goodness, mercy, love, faithfulness, and care of the Lord. In that, I praise God that he is all of those things, and forgives me for my selfishness and ungratefulness. He is good in all things, and unfailing in his love. Blessed be His name.


2 Corinthians 12:9-10
" But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Saturday, February 5, 2011

DIY--Corkboard

During the "snowpocolypse" I was able to complete a project I've been thinking about for weeks! I had a sad little framed corkboard that I desperately wanted to recover, and basically glam up.

Here it is before:


I decided to recover the corkboard with a cute little fabric at...drumroll please...Wal-Mart. I know, I know, but it was during the Snowpocalypse, and I was in a bind. If I do say so myself, it is rather cute! Wal-Mart pulled through for me. Who knew?

All I used was a hot glue gun, and the project was easy as pie! Here are my steps:

I covered the corkboard's front, and turned it over. Using the hot glue gun, I put a line of glue along the top of the back, and folded the excess cloth over, patting it down. It looked like this:


I continued that process, making sure to pull the fabric really tight. On the sides, I used a gift wrapping technique, and folded in the corners. I hot glued the rest of the sides, making sure to pull the fabric tight before pressing the fabric down. At some point during this process, I accidentally stuck my thumb in a giant glob of fresh hot glue, and burned the $&#*@($%&* out of the side of my thumb. It has since blistered up, and feels super awesome. Here's what the corkboard looked like completely hot glued:



I also decided it would be fun to make my own pushpins. My mom has a GIANT tub of old buttons, so I searched through it, finding nine I really liked. I hot glued these to flathead tacks I had previously bought, making sure to put massive amounts of glue on the tacks, so that the buttons are unlikely to fall off when pulled on. Here are the pushpins I made:



Isn't that pattern cute?! I really love how the entire thing turned out:



Since OU will charge me if I put holes in the dorm walls, I used Command Strips, with a "sawtooth" hook to hang my little beauty. So far, it's been holding strong! Let's hope it stays that way, and doesn't fall on my legs in the middle of the night...

Here's my little corner of my dorm. Excuse the fact that it is completely Theta-ed out, but come on! It's a fun theme to spice up my boring dorm room. (Remember how I said I HATE these plain white walls? It drives me nuts!!)



Hoorah for sprucing up my dorm. (Take that OU Housing!)

Home Sweet Home

"Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one."
--Jane Howard

After getting 4 days (4!) off of classes, I decided to go home Friday, beat the lonely blues, and hang out with my family. And I'm so glad I did! The comforts of home cannot be beat by a measly dorm room. I get spoiled rotten when I go home! (My list includes a fireplace and homemade brownies, among other things.)

Anyway, it was incredibly refreshing to go home. Friday afternoon, when the flakes were HUGE, I went on a "snow walk" with my parents around the lake/pond in our neighborhood--it was gorgeous! I also reverted back to childhood and made a snow angel, something I haven't done in probably...oh...five years. The lake/pond is almost completely frozen over except for two sections, so the geese are all cluttered together in two areas. This is what I went outside to this afternoon:


And then, a flock started flying toward me, and I got this cool shot:



My sisters made a snow(wo)man, named Stella:


Here's a pic of me and my sissies in the snow:



I. Love. Being. Home. Perhaps I should go back more often?


Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Snow Day(s)

Tomorrow will be Day 3 of school cancelled. I think we got around 8 inches of snow, and in some drifts it's over a foot high! I have been holed up in my dorm room nice and cozy, but this is pretty much what outside looks like:

I stole this from my friend's photo album on Facebook. I didn't venture outside long enough to take a picture.

Ever since Monday night, when I found out class was cancelled, I have been watching movies. A mix of oldies but goodies and newies that aren't so good. I've watched 9 since Monday. And, no, my brains did not melt out of my head, and yes, I did get a massive headache from so much screen time.


A classic. Love this movie!


Watched this for first time. The only conclusion I have is that both of these actors are beautiful, and Clyde had serious dude issues.


Love this movie. Love love it.


Yeah....I know...but in my defense, Liam is really pretty...


I LOVE X-Men. I am an action/adventure/superhero nerd. 


This movie was not good. At all. It was weird. And uncomfortable.


This movie was pretty cute. I don't think I'll watch it again anytime soon, but who doesn't love a little Harry Connick Jr.?



The children in this were brats. It was a struggle not to shout at my laptop.


Literally just finished watching this one. I really like (500) Days of Summer. I know a lot of people don't like it, but I respect its honesty and truth about relationships. Not everything can be "Maid in Manhattan!"

If we have school on Friday...it's going to be rough getting out of my movie rut! But then there's always the weekend....