< Before and After//Stool >

This is less of a DIY, because my mom sewed it, and more of a before and after revealing.

I found that ugly stool at a thrift store for $6.99 and saw it's potential to be our favorite new piece of furniture. This past week I bought the textured upholstery fabric, from JoAnne's for $17 on sale for about a yards worth, and my mom was kind enough to cut and sew(I should have learned how to do it, but I was eager to have it done). My sister Natalie helped me staple gun the new cover on yesterday. I can't wait to see where this stool ends up around the house year after year, but so far it's sitting pretty in our bedroom.

The cover that was on it when I bought it, was a cover for the original ugliness...now that it's all done, I realize I probably should have taken off the original fabric as well because now the fabric is a little uneven on the bottom...you can see it in the second"after" picture. So I would suggest doing that if you cover a stool.

>>>M

< New Etsy Shop! >

It's all over town, jk...it's on my facebook and instagram, that I have started an Etsy shop!

I decided to keep the name Party In The Mountains, like my Society6 shop, because I like the playful imagery the name conjures up. Party In The Mountains can be whatever type of party you want it to be...one day it's whimsical confetti and one day it's campfires, plaids and cocoa. My shop is/will be that...a little bit of this, a little bit of that. Right now I have the listing for 4 paintings, but I have oh so many ideas for Party In The Mountains and lots that you have never seen!

I went to college to become a graphic designer and was a little lost in who I was in that program...brochures, paragraph alignment, staying within the rules(some rules are a must} were not for me. When I discovered Etsy and the art found on there, I knew exactly who I was in art and style. I signed up for Etsy in 2008, says my etsy account, and since I have wanted my own shop. I have always loved creating and I want the funky and cool things I create to come to you. I will be keeping you updated once more is available in my shop.

Tell your friends and get excited! Great things are in store.
Party In The Mountains, HERE.

>>>M

< The Design Files Open House >

What a cool space! Man, those colors are a dream!

Can I have that kitchen?? //via the design files
>>>M

< Inspiring Spaces//Kitchen Makeover >

>>>>FINAL<<<<

I am so impressed with this kitchen makeover. Oh my. There are a lot of ugly kitchens in older homes and this makeover gives hope to those looking for an older home or who need help envisioning the possibilities of a great kitchen they already own. This makeover shows how to take a generic kitchen and really make it something unique and modern without going overboard.

Some things I love about the kitchen.
> Adding the white. Love me some white. Not only opens up and brightens up the room, but white is easy, fresh, modern and is a great base to build off of.
> The grey. I don't think I would have thought of using that beautiful grey...but it works amazingly and I think is a stunning choice. It also incorporates the stainless steal appliances.
> The white tiling on the walls. What a great idea! Way better than just white paint. Gives great character, modernizes it and also has a function...easier to clean. It's also a texture.
> The open shelving on the one wall. Always dreamy. I am so in love with the idea of showcasing your beautiful dishware/glassware.
> The simple modern pieces of kitchen accessories.
> That they got rid of the window curtains.
> The hanging lighting...fab. Also, good job getting rid of the center fixture and putting in small flush/hidden lights.
> The barstools...fab.
> The addition of drawer and cupboard handles.
> That they got rid of the garbage being out and exposed.
> The sink update, especially the basin...I like that it doesn't have the metal rim around it that just gets chalky and ugly. Great way to really keep the kitchen updated. If they left that ugly sink, it would bring down the room.

I hope this kitchen inspires you as it has me. Makes me less scared to by an older home.
//See more of this makeover, HERE. And you can see their source and budget list, HERE

Inspiring spaces::1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10
>>>M

< You Are Mine//Part Two >

Another peek at what's in our home. Some great products that I love and recommend to you.

We just got our pistachio mixer the other day, so I haven't used it yet. {what should I make first?!}It was a late wedding gift from my parents, something they gave to all my siblings as well. I am grateful they were willing to give us this 2 year later gift. We just got that beautiful floor lamp from West Elm last night and I LOVE it. Mostly I just love having a lamp in our living room, finally. It raises and lowers as well as has a separate pull switch for each light bulb, giving full light or partial light. It's great.

The Crosley turntable from Urban has some bad reviews, and I don't doubt it. But luckily, we got a good one. Owning a turntable for us is a must...owning records is a must.

The art print is from Help Ink, a great site that donates it's earnings to charities in need. When you order you get to choose where your money goes. I donated that every $5 I spend goes to providing 5 years of clean drinking water to areas in need. Pretty cool. You can check out the donations, here.

Someday, I will get around to photographing our home.

Part one & tips for shopping smart, here. //1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8.9.10
>>>M

< In My Dreams >

Lovelies. //1.2.3.4.5.6.7.8

>>>M

< Free Shipping At PITM >

FREE shipping at Party In The Mountains! I got me these two pillows today...free shipping woot woot!
>>>M

< You Are Mine//Shopping Smart >

I thought I would share a sneak peek into our future home. Above are a few of the lovelies I have purchased so far. I love showing on my blog home products that I WANT, but now I can share products that I actually own! I love blogs that show stylish products at good prices...that's what I am all about...so I wanted to share so you can now run to the store and get any of the above.

I also, and more importantly, want to give some tips on how to shop smart. These tips may be some things you wise ladies already know, but I'm bettin' I will teach you a little something. Some tips for if you are starting from the beginning like we are, or tips that work if you are updating  or adding to what you have already.

My favorite shopping-for-the-home tips for smart and stylish homes...
1. Make a list of the most important things you need. Then when you know how much money you have to spend, you figure out how much you can spend on each of those products.
2. Search website after website for the best products with the best deals. KNOW what you want before you shop. Only buy the things you are certain of and the things you are not quite sure about wait until you feel like you found the right fit in your home.
3. Narrow down the style and colors of your home. This will help you save money and shop smart by not over buying several different styles that you will end up not wanting. It's really hard to narrow down a style or colors...but try and find out what is most important to you/what you really love the most and will be most happy with. Also, a style and colors that go with things you already own as well as things you will want to own for a long time.
4. Keep to your budget. If you splurge on an item that wasn't accounted for, you may need to adjust something else on your list so you can stay within your budget. I set up a separate checking account just for buying things for our home. {we needed a joint account anyway, so that account is starting off with this}
5. I wish when I was single I bought a little less decor items. I grew out of a lot of things I once bought. So I would suggest, if you are single...buy less! It's hard, but you will be happy you did.
6. Spend a little more on an item and get a. what you REALLY love and/or b. what is a better product. If you just by cheap and ignore style then you will waste money. You will hate the item in a year or so and then want to rebuy. If you plan it right in your budget you can get something a little nicer.
7. If you buy a product and then get it home and don't LOVE it or it doesn't 100% work in your design/room, go return it. Don't hold onto it.
8. See what products your family and friends have that they would recommend. That is how I decided on this vacuum. My sister Natalie has it and really likes it and having a recommendation is key for me. You don't have to get what they recommend, make sure it is something that fits your personal needs.
9. Etsy, duh. Tea towels, decor, blankets etc. Can cost a little more, but if you want something special and unique that fits your home..that's the place to go.
10. Pinterest, duh. Keep boards of products, styles you like and want. I have some secret boards so I can keep track of the products I want. It helps me stay organized and see products together.
>>>
11. GET A TARGET RED CARD! Get the debit 5% off card. It works as a debit card that's connected to your checking account. Saving 5% on small items doesn't feel like much, but every $ counts. AND saving 5% on big items, or a larger bill REALLY ads up. I have saved probably around $60 using this card. Also with this card you can get free shipping online with any amount you spend.
12. Sign up for the coupons from Bed Bath and Beyond. You can get 20% off an item right off the bat when you sign up. {I signed up a few of my email addresses so I could get a little stack of 20% off coupons}. I saved $40 on my pots and pans and I saved $20 on my silverware using these coupons. And I saved on the vacuum.
13. When searching deals, don't forget to check the website's/companies sales section. Sometimes I forget to look there.
14. Overstock.com has some great deals...still can be a little pricey, but they have the stylish things you want, but you may find them on sale there.
15. H&M home has some great pieces at great prices.
16. Don't forget to look at Ross. Ross has GREAT prices and stylish products for kitchenware. Also check out Marshalls, Home Goods etc. Places like that have pieces you need at good prices.
17. Amazon. You can find the products you love there at a better price. Not always, it depends.
18. Crate & Barel for the most part is pricey, but there are several kitchen items that are must haves that are reasonably priced.
19. Thrift stores, oh thrift stores. Don't buy things there just cus they are cheap. Still make sure it's something you MUST have and have a use for because it's still wasting money if you didn't really need it. Last week I almost bought a glass vase thing, but at the end I put it back. I just could not think of a use for it.
20. Craigslist. I don't always love what is listed on there, and mostly think it's a waste of time. BUT I did find one thing on there that I am thrilled about! {the stool} So if you want to take the time, be careful cus there is a lot of ugly junk on there!
21. Don't buy an Ikea sofa{or Target}. Spend a little more money and get a sofa that is going to last SEVERAL years and come with a good warranty. {our Ikea couch only lasted a little over a year then it broke. Dumb.}I got a GREAT deal on a sofa at Dania. I purchased a floor model sofa that was in crazy good condition and was much cheaper because it was sitting out there for a few months.
22. Ikea. Clearly they have some great and stylish pieces at a great price. Not only do they have some great pieces of furniture, but also some great little things like glasses, storage containers etc.

I think that about covers it. I have really taken a lot of time to find the best deals for the things I want most and have kept in my budget. If I splurged a little on something that I didn't plan on{Ohh Anthropologie you are going to make my kitchen pretty}, I just had to adjust my list of things I need so that I can still stay in my budget. This process has been lots of fun and these products are stacking up in my parents house. I canNOT wait to get into our apartment, September 2nd, and get this party started! However, I have been surprisingly patient with the waiting process. Good thing all the shopping and deal finding has kept my mind occupied. I hope some of these products and shopping tips have helped.

1. Pillow cover 2. Berry Box 3. Bookshelf 4. Set of 2 Chairs 5. Measuring Cup 6. Bowls 7. Dinner and Salad Plates 8. Velvet Pillow 9. Rug 10. Storage Bag 11. Mixing Bowls 12. Paula Deen Cooking Utensils 13. Pillow cover 14. Turkish Towels 15. Flatware 16. Stool{a bit different then the one pictured} 17. First Aid Box 18. {in White} Shower Curtain 19. Tea Towel 20. Mini Spatulas 21. Ice Cream Scoop 22. Blanket 23. Bath Towels 24. Vacuum 25. Pots and Pans Set

>>>M

< Emily Isabella >

Love these cards and tea towels by Emily Isabella. Aren't they cute?

>>>M

< Room Design//Master Bedroom >

A simple bedroom with some great pieces in it. I love the idea of a skinny table behind the bed as shelving instead of side tables.

one. Artwork //two. Artwork //three. TOMS //four. Artwork //five. Clock //six. Cradle //seven. Bedding
//eight. Candle //nine. Lamp //ten. Striped Booties //eleven. Dresser //twelve. Rug //thirteen. Storage Box //fourteen. Storage Bench

Room//1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12|13

Stay tuned for the next room!

>>>M

< Room Design//Dining Room >

Love this simple dining room. I am a huge fan of mismatching dining chairs and an even bigger fan of these metal chairs. The Marais chair comes in so many amazing colors, you will want to check them out. Dreamy. And isn't that stool a dream? Double dreamy. This room has a nice mix of industrial, vintage and sweet. All things I love.

one. Kitchenaid Mixer//two. Tall Glasses//three. Short Glasses//four. Bowls//five. Spice Jars//six. Storage Jars//seven. Wire Baskets//eight. Marais Chair//nine. Metal Chairs//ten. Wall Clock//eleven. Dining Table//twelve. Stool//thirteen. Scalloped Jar//fourteen. Pendants//fifteen. Shelving//sixteen. Bento Box//seventeen. Rug

Room//1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11|12

Stay tuned for the next room!

>>>M

< Pretty Party >

I love love this party table. I would LOVE to host a friends breakfast or brunch and it look like this. So soft, so pretty and so simple. //via Griottes

>>>M

< Living In ORANGE >

There is so much orange out there! I used to hate orange...sometimes still do, but occasionally I like me some orange. Here are some of the orange I love. {a really random grouping of orange}

///Camera|Mug|Earrings|Schwinn Bike|Goblets|Waist Dress|Sunglasses|Divided Skillet
TV Stand|Pillow|Backpack|Snack Container|Melamine Bowl

Living in//PINK.PURPLE.YELLOW.BLUE
>>>M

< Woouf >

Remember THESE cool bean bags? Here are a few from Woouf's 2013 collection that I love. What fun and quirky seats for the house. Which one would you want?
>>>M

< Inspiring Spaces//Part 12 >

Each of these spaces are pretty special. Not only do I love the floor to ceiling wall of art in that bathroom, but I love the white and you can see a little peek of the bathroom's white chandelier. Looks like such a fresh bathroom. Would you do floor to ceiling art in your bathroom? Or anywhere in your house for that matter?

What a great men's bedroom...that guy has great taste. My favorite is the bed and the big pops of art. I would love to have a large piece of art.

I adore everything about this third space...the bench seating{I just forgot the name of those...bucket seats? buffet seats?}, the chairs and so in love with the wood round table. I am reallly into round dining tables right now. I am going to snatch one up when we get an apt in the States. I also love that there is a window in the space giving it so much natural light. I hope to live somewhere in the future with plenty of natural light. It makes such a difference!

AND I love a good record nook. Right now I am lazy about playing records...actually, technically the majority of our records have already been sent to the States...but even when they were here I didn't like having to switch several buttons on our sound system to get to the record player. It would be nice to have it all in a space of it's own and I could just flick it on. I sure love vinyl.

Space::1|2|3|4
Inspiring spaces::1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11
>>>M