Blissful Musings

It’s no secret that I love all things paper.  Paper crafts, stationery, letterpress, my cricut that cuts paper, paper collections and any sort of detail that involves paper.

Lately I’ve been wanting to create some sort of paper garland to decorate our home.  I know it’s often used for a party but, I think the right combination and placement can add some pop and fun to a room.

Paper Garland inspiration…

Even the spools are cute.  I think some layered strands criss-crossing over each other would be a fun backdrop.

Kristina Marie Etsy Shop via With this Ring

When the garland hangs straight down it creates almost a chandelier effect.

Eat Drink Pretty

This is such a creative idea.  Imagine adding it to a little boys room.  I love the simplicity of white airplanes, but coordinated colors could look just as good.

Smile and Wave

Bunting is so popular right now.  Ruffled Blog makes it easy with downloading your letters in different patterns.

Ruffled Blog

I adore this version of paper garland with the different patterns and how each piece fans out.

The TomKat Studio

Sometimes it’s not so much your DIY but appreciating someone else’s. I want to buy something from this shop, I just can never make up my mind which one.

Bookity from Etsy

Now I just need to get out my paper and start cutting away.

p.s. I start my sewing class tonight!! So excited!!

Remember my post about bedding?  It’s still on my mind.  Especially after I came across some lovely duvets at West Elm that wouldn’t break the bank.

Don’t you think these would just invite you to crawl into bed after a long day?

I just want to sink into this bedding at the end of the day.  The texture just looks luxurious.

The simple pattern doesn’t overwhelm, but still draws attention.  I’d maybe go for some more simple throw and pillow covers to balance the actual duvet.

Can’t you just imagine this with some cute yellow throw pillows?  I’ve been into pops of yellow.  I like that this bedding has a pattern, but at the same time potential for a different look and feel depending on what else you match.

{all photos from West Elm}

I just want this room in general.  It feels welcoming and comforting and exactly where I want to land at the end of a long day.  The wall vignette is actually what I’ve been wanting to do in our own room.

I wish we had a guest bedroom, but unfortunately it wasn’t an option when we moved the city.  This is kind of a bummer because we LOVE to entertain.  We have an open door policy for our friends and family.  We love to have people over, hang out and spend some quality time.

I just wish we had a lovely and comfortable guest bedroom to put them in.  Because right now here is our guest bedroom.   That is really an AeroBed in the living room.

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Now this was an investment and we did what we could to make sure we got the best and most comfortable air mattress possible.  And we make it pretty with bedding.

BUT if I could really have my way I’d want our guest bedroom to look something like this…

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However, who am I kidding?  Let’s be honest, I just wish our bedroom looked like this.

Do you have a dream room?

Now don’t get me wrong, I love accessories just as much as the next girl.  But, somehow I can never bring myself to buy them.  Necklaces, earrings, head bands, bracelets, purses and the like never make their way into my shopping bag.

Why?  I think I just get cheap and figure I don’t need to spend the extra dollars or I’d rather be able to buy a new shirt that would seem to be more usable.  See my shopping habits have drastically decreased in recent years due to budget and a combined income.  For some reason I feel more self-conscious about my spending and tend to skimp, feeling like I should use the money elsewhere or save for something we both can benefit from.  Not that I’m controlled by my wonderful husband, he usually encourages me to splurge on something when we are out together.  I’d just say fashion unfortunately hasn’t been as much of a focus as of late.  Something I always regret when getting ready to go out.

Anyways all of this has led to a lack of accessories.  And guess what?  I’m always wishing that I had more of something to add the final touch to an outfit when I’m going out.   I need to add a few fun things to my collection.

Here are some accessories that I’ve been admiring.  (Many are from the shops created by my favorite blogs)

Puffy Neon Owls Skinny Headband from Dead Flowers

Purple Frosting Headband from How Joyful

Carnival Night Plaid Fabric Pin from Silver Pencils

The BLUSH Flower and Ruffle Headband by Redheaded Actress

Dainty Initial Hearts from The Vintage Pearl

Seafoam Print Laptop Bag by Gussy

Are you an “accessories person?”  What are the must have accessories?

Do you ever hesitate to spend on yourself?

Oops.  I disappeared again.  Not sure what to say other than time has been flying by and I reason with myself I don’t have anything “that good” to write about.  Maybe I just need to write and see where I go.  I’m going to try posting regularly again shooting for 3-4 times a week.  Not to mention I still need to do my Weddingbee recaps.  Yikes.

I have lots to catch up with you on.  I feel like random thoughts and posts are floating in my head.  In other words I am contemplative.  Probably need to organize so I don’t ramble.

A new Etsy shop I found.  I need to add some pictures to my wall.  This picture seems to represent a contemplative mood.  Or at least I’d like to just relax on this dock, read a book and think.

Waiting for the Storm by Lilac Pop Photography

Scrabble YOU ROCK by Lilac Pop Photography

I’ve been in a Scrabble mood lately.  Playing the app on the ipad and words with friends.  It’s addictive.  Do you play?

I’ll be back.  Promise.

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?

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?

I came across the dear colleen Etsy shop a few months ago when I was looking for prints to help my mom decorate her kitchen.  I instantly fell in love with the typography, clever graphics, witty words and fun colors.  I’d love to frame a few of her prints for my home.

When Life Gives You Lemons

Loving You Print

L is for Lover

Check out the dear colleen etsy shop and blog for more goodies.

What have been your favorite etsy finds?

Yesterday I was greeted by the new spring catalog of Crate & Barrel in my mailbox. Yes, new reading material, don’t you love fun mail!? I love getting fun mail, even if it’s a catalog where I can’t really afford to buy the stuff. It’s kind of like playing pretend for grown-ups.  Anyways, moving on.

As I flipped through the new Crate & Barrel catalog, I instantly became excited as 3 colors emerged that I’ve been hoping to use in my kitchen/den since before we were married. Now, I told you about our neutral, blank walled apartment, but what I didn’t tell you was I already had a general idea of colors I wanted to incorporate. For you really insightful readers you may have noticed my pillow post had a few specific colors involved.

I have been wanting to incorporate yellow, blue and green accents into our home. Not the most original color combination I know, but I’m always attracted to that trio. It started with a green and blue rug I saw at Pottery Barn and then my mom painted her kitchen yellow with a blue island so I added yellow into the mix.

Alright here are some of the goods, that are officially on my wishlist. I’m pretty sure it’s meant to be.

Love the Evelyn vases that can add style on their own or compliment some fresh flowers perfectly.

Hello beautiful curtain that would look so nice in my bedroom.

Alright so another espresso machine might be a little excessive. But how fabulous would this retro eye candy look on your counter?

There is something so happy about yellow wall with the shelf of plates. The table is just perfectly arranged and ready for me to enjoy a cup of coffee.

An easy way for that pop color to be incorporated into a room. It’s a good looking lamp.

I saved the best for last. How cozy yet stylish is this chair? I just want to grab a book and curl up in it. It’s just a minor detail I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with no room for extra furniture.

What do I have so far that is blue/green/yellow? Hmmm…well..yeah. Some kitchen towels, potholders, a blue dutch oven and tea pot, assorted dishes and a fabulous green and blue serving bowl from C&B. Still have a ways to go, but I’m determined to get there.

What new spring items have you added to your wishlist?

I really love shoes.  To the point that I’d rather shop for shoes and neglect all other pieces of my wardrobe.  Sadly due to my budget and the unfortunate fact that I have strangely narrow feet that result in expensive shoes; I have not bought many shoes in recent times.

But like with all good cravings and addictions, does that stop me from thinking about shoes I’d like to have? Nope.  I just look online and think about a day when I’ll be able to afford some of the shoes I just simply admire now.

What type of shoes?  Well, I used to be all high heels.  However, between going to a college with unreasonably steep hills,  dating my now husband who I prefer to be shorter than, and just being out of “high heel shape” my shoes are mostly flats now.  To the point that I completely wore my favorite flats to falling apart at the threads and am now on the search for some replacements.

I think these pairs would do just fine.

Lovely People ‘Lilly’ Flat

Steve Madden ‘Florale’ Flat

Frye ‘Emma’ Flat

Seychelles ‘Trip the Light’ T-Strap Sandal (I like yellow and taupe)

Seychelles ‘Veronica’ T-Strap Pump

What pair of shoes are on your wish list? Do you prefer heels or flats?