Monday Inspiration: Holiday Season

Day by day it has been getting colder and colder.

Even though I hate walking around in the cold, nothing makes me happier than snuggling up and being surrounded by friends, family and, of course, HOLIDAY DECOR & SPIRIT!

From fires, to twinkling lights, and anything red...

here are a few things that have just made me smitten about the holidays being around the corner:

{snuggle up by the fire, apartment therapy}

{branches & lights...my favorite, free people}

{perfect red peacoat, atlantic-pacific}

{sleek peacoat, atlantic-pacific}

{holiday party reds, this is glamorous}

This is probably one of my favorite things I have come across so for. I am SOOOO excited to make this DIY eventually, once school eases up.

{fireless fire pit, free people}

always,
cristinamarie

Monday Inspiration

From fall to winter already?! What is up with that...

Might as well embrace it. Bring on white, wooden, rustic rooms, sweaters, candles, and hot cocoa!

Oh, and I desperately need decor for behind my bed. Wall gallery of pictures? Random wall art?

Do I smell any DIYs???

{cabin-like room, explore.dream.discover}

{cozy room, apartment therapy}

{wooden candles, apartment therapy}

{perfect winter sweats, ae}

{cool wreath, refinery 29}

{cool decor, apartment therapy}

{love this, apartment therapy}

{minimalistic, home dream home}

{wall gallery, apartment therapy}

{want one, anthropologie}

{cozies!}

{sweater pillows}

always,

cristinamarie

Rooms of the Day - {Away from Sandy}

With Hurricane Sandy taking over the East Coast, everything's been a bit gloomy around here. 

Being home for Fall Break, I expected a bit more excitement and warmth. In my mind, I associate fall with warm fuzzies, big sweaters and boots, blankets, and snuggling. Instead I've received an umbrella and some weights to keep me from flying away. Not happy about that.

I wish I could just escape to somewhere fresh and airy.

Someone build me a room like these...

{katelindello}

{apartment therapy}

{apartment therapy}

Take me to a nice crisp, wooden lodge far, far away from the water. As much as I love the summer days, fall has always been my favorite season. I just want to be around some fresh air, bright light, and some peace & quite. Well, Hurricane Sandy...you're making that pretty impossible for me.

More blogging time though!
Until next time...

Room Tour!

I guess you could say this is procrastination at its finest...

Final on Monday, blogging right now. nbd.

Well the good news is that since I've been sick this week, I was able to finish my room! YAY! Not only does this feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders, but I finally get the satisfaction of crossing things off my House To-Do List !!!! And let's face it...although making lists is probably one of my favorite pastimes, crossing things off is an even better feeling. (Probably because I rarely ever get to cross anything off.) 

The only thing I have left to do is add wall decor for behind my bed and the wall the full mirror is on. Any suggestions?!

{dresser area}

{white bedding, peak of the area rug}

{desk area}

{reading chair}

{closet wall}

{vanity area}

{vanity gallery wall}

{chevron table, mustard ottoman}

{full length mirror}

{peak-a-boo closet}

{shoes, studded loafers}

{finished closet}

Okay...HOMEWORK TIME. baiii

Weekend PIC Up

Now that I'm back at school I've been a little bit more busy getting settled in and starting up classes again.

I've been working a lot on my room so you can expect a post on that soon! (hopefully..) The only thing that's really holding me back is the gallery wall by my vanity with all my jewelry being displayed. My mom's supposed to be coming soon to help me work on it though.

Anyways...here's an update on my life through my iPhone!

 {outfit of the day, first day of class!}

 {I think I found my large mirror! And only $60! <3 marshalls}

{loving chai tea lattes in my bed/new room}

To-Do List

If you ask anyone who knows me, they will tell you that I am the "Queen of Lists." I love starting them, finishing them, crossing things off...I love it all.

I also have a tendency to start a new list before the other one is finished. That is why I am going to start this MEGA-LIST on here to be accomplished throughout this semester. I am determined to complete it.

A new year. A new me.

The list is mainly things going to consist of things for my house at college, with a few personal things here and there...whenever they decide to pop into my mind.

1. DIY: Chevron Vanity Shelf

2. Get a reading chair for my room

3. Finish organizing my closet

4. Set up DIY: Jewelry Gallery Wall

5. Area rug for the room

6. Finish room

7. Chalkboard Quote Frame

8. White bedding

9. Studded loafers
10. Blanket

[1]                                                [2]

[4]                                                                           [5]

[8]                                                                           [9]

To be updated at a later date!

AKA...when ever something comes to mind.

DIY: Chevron Vanity Shelf

My first DIY project! (first of many, I assure you)

After being inspired by one of my fellow sorority sisters, Mina, I decided to DIY my vanity area for my room at my new house at college. Along with the latest trends, I have been loving the chevron pattern.

I've always wanted a vanity of my own dedicated to my love of make up and beauty supplies. Since they tend to be, well...extremely expensive, I decided it was a perfect opportunity to explore my craftiness!

One of the things I love about the way I set this shelf up, is that it is held up with 2 brackets underneath that can barely be seen. By doing this, I gain a less cluttered look that I would have gotten with the legs of an actual vanity. Since I'm trying to make my own little apartment in my room, I need to save as much space as possible!

I started out with a 38" x 13" piece of wood. I sanded and primed it with 2 layers of white paint. After that, came the excruciatingly tedious task of sketching 3"x3" boxes and taping the Chevron pattern.

Once this was done, I was able to paint over it with a basic acrylic gold paint. It took a bunch of coats but it didn't take very long to finish.

At this point it was time to reveal the work! I took the shelf to my house at school and removed the tape with one of my housemates. I was so nervous and had a feeling I would have to touch it up.

Needless to say, I had to touch up both the white and the gold areas. But after I was done it was SO worth it! I am so excited to use it this year! Once I finish the complete area, including the jewelry decor, I'll update this post with pictures!