I recently saw this tutorial from Hazelnuts (via Indie Icing) and was instantly loving the adorable custom mug cosy!  How cute is that?

Adding it to the must have list for sewing now.  I’m getting out my sewing machine this weekend for some projects and I might be making use of this tutorial.

Any recent tutorials you have found and added to the to-do list?

I’ve been hinting towards big changes the last few weeks. When I say things have been crazy, it really has been.

We are moving!!!

Via House Beautiful

Where do you ask? Well, we are moving to a big city…

Ork Posters!

Yes, we are going to be moving to San Francisco! In a month! Yikes! Mark has accepted a job in San Francisco. It’s an amazing opportunity and we are really excited. However, we are nervous and it’s a little scary. We both grew up in Southern California (SD and OC) and all of our family and most of our friends are down here. We put a lot of thought into the decision and ultimately decided that moving was the best thing and a new adventure. Since we don’t have kids, don’t own a house or anything like that, there really isn’t anything tying us down. It’s hard to leave family, but it’s an hour flight away and a doable drive for a road trip. We already have people planning trips. I guess that is the awesome thing about going somewhere that people like to visit!

I can’t believe we have a month to get everything done! The next few weeks are going to be a little crazy. We’ll be going up to SF soon to find somewhere to live (yes still don’t know where we are going to live). I’m sure I’ll be turning to you all for advice and support. Anyways, wanted to share the big news with you all!

I also think I need that Ork Poster now…

Have you ever been to San Francisco/Bay Area? What were your favorite things you did there?

Any moving tips?

I’ve found that my Monday posts often can be a little random as I usually write them on Sunday night and they are a compilation of things I’ve done, seen or read over the weekend.

Anyways, how was your weekend?  Ours was good, but busy.  We went to a wedding (planned in 9 weeks) that had some of the most incredible DIY and details I’ve ever seen.

I thought I’d share this awesome Lib Dub video that was emailed to me.  What’s a lib dub?  I had never heard of one but it’s basically an unedited lip sync of a song coordinated to include a huge group of people.  This particular one was by a group of high school students and seriously is awesome.  I’ve mentioned before I don’t normally share lots of videos so this is an exception and worth watching.

Wasn’t that an awesome start to your Monday morning? Don’t you wish you made a lib dub when you were in school?

Make sure you come back tomorrow morning. I have a BIG announcement that will explain why our lives have been a bit crazy lately. And I promise I’ll tell you tomorrow.

What did you do over the weekend?

Let’s be honest I love drooling over the latest issue of Coastal Homes, Architectural Digest or House Beautiful as much as everyone else.   Whenever I drive by incredible homes I am always imagining how amazing the inside must be to match the immaculate outside.  However, the likelihood of me living in a large, gorgeous home anytime soon is 0%.

For now I will be living in a little one bedroom apartment.  And I’m content with that.  We choose to live in California so therefore it’s more expensive to buy a house and we will be saving for awhile.  In the meantime I get really excited whenever I see small homes, spaces or nooks decorated to perfection.  I’m inspired, encouraged and suddenly ready to make great use out of my small space.

Apartment Therapy has a contest on “Small Cool” Spaces and I always look forward to seeing all the amazing pictures that come pouring in.  Here are a few standouts so far…

Isn’t this window just beautiful? I’d love to have a bay window.  I imagine it would make your small place seem so much bigger.  I like the mismatched chairs and white dresser especially.

Something about this room is just intriguing.  It feels almost slightly tropical with the low wooden frame, good light and that palm tree.

This couch converts to a bed at night and still looks just as cute.  Love the storage ottomans that are also trays.  We have one from Target and was a great purchase for us.

This apartment was decorated so well.  The wall colors make it seem so homey.  I also like how they used the floating shelves to add some interest.

Such a simple uncluttered kitchen.  I really like the open shelving and the selection of glasses and bowls.  I’m not sure I could actually do this without appear cluttered though.  We have way to much stuff cleverly fit (by Mark) into our cabinets to maximize space.

Again the wall color and simplicity draws me to the space.  I also love the wall of frames.

My favorite parts of this little kitchen are the rug and those EAT letters you see on the right.  I want those letters.  Are they the ones from Anthro?

all pictures via Apartment Therapy Small, Cool Contest 2010

What are your best tips for decorating a small space?  Do you live in a smaller apartment/condo or a bigger home?

How was your weekend? I enjoyed lots of quality time with friends and family and was sad to see it all come to an end. I’ve been on an Etsy kick lately, and I thought a good way to start the week would be with some thoughtful sayings that I’ve seen on prints.

Dylan by Studio Mela

Best Day Every by ErinJaneShop

Love is Everything by Studio Mela

Imagination v2 by Studio Mela

Do What You Love by LetterHappy

Flock Together by ErinJaneShop

Erin Jane Shop and Studio Mela (dazeychic) were new Etsy discoveries for me and I think I may have “favorited” half the items in their shop. I want to build a wall of frames with prints and pictures. I think these prints may be a good start…

If you are going to fill blank walls you might as well fill them with positive words right? What are some of your favorite sayings?