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!!

Renting creates some complications.  The place is your home, but it’s not quite your own.  This means taking out walls, adding tile, making large holes, hanging new doors, and anything that is permanent or leaves a permanent “stamp” is off limits.  Even painting is conditional if allowed at all.

Our old place allowed paint, but the standards for the wall once the lease was up, left us being hesitant to bring out the paint brushes.  In our new SF condo we rent from a private owner and painting is off limits, in fact we got a better deal on the place because she didn’t repaint.  This left us with a black accent wall in the bedroom, but that’s another story.

How do you add style, personality and design to a rented home?  It’s a little bit more of a challenge.  Lately I’ve been keeping my eyes open for fun, home DIY projects that we can use in our rented condo.  (Really, they are awesome for home owners too though).

Wallpapered Bookcase by Pepper Design Blog

A wallpapered bookcase will add color and pop and is a great alternative to actually hanging wallpaper.  Also, it gives you an excuse to buy some fabulous wallpaper.  (Have you seen Oh Joy! is coming out with a design?)  Some paint can also achieve a similar effect.

Collapsible Storage Bakets by Sew 4 Home

Who can’t use some extra storage?  Plus if the storage coordinate with the room, you are adding style not an eye sore.

Coffee Table to Ottoman by Pepper Design Blog

A little more of a complicated DIY project.  However, I think it challenges you to look at pieces you may already have and how you can recreate them to compliment your home.

Fabric Drawer Liners by Mod Podge Rocks (and a fun new knob)

Another reason why Mod Podge is awesome.  Also, finding a cool knob can completely change the look of a piece of furniture.  My favorite knobs are at Anthropologie.

Summertime Wreath by Cartwheels in My Mind

This project is so adorable and full of fun personality.  I LOVE the flowers especially.

Paper Capiz Shell Chandelier by Design Sponge

The chandelier is just ridiculously creative.  It’s worth looking at the tutorial just to see how it all comes together.

Recovered Lampshade by Olive and Joy (via ish and chi)

I really want to try this project.  I love patterned lampshades and they always seem to be so expensive.  This seems like an easy alternative to get the same style.

Fisherman’s Orb and Vignette by Love & Lace

Stephanie and Love & Lace has seriously some of the BEST DIY projects.  Her home is amazing and I’m constantly in awe of her awesome ideas and style.  Plus, she is super sweet too.  I love the idea of creating a vignette on the wall with some DIY pieces and simple shelving.

The best thing about most of these projects is that you are creating pieces that have flexibility whether you are just rearranging a room or actually moving.  If you own a place and aren’t up for major renovations or projects these ideas will work just as well to update or refresh a space.  It’s investing in “mobile decor” that will travel when you move to the next place, move it to a new room or are setting up your first permanent residence.

Any simple decorating tips that are rental friendly?  What’s a favorite DIY “mobile decor” project you’ve done?

Also, check out this post from Ish and Chi for some more rental decorating ideas.

Here are a few recent bunches we’ve had…

What is your favorite type of flower to have in your home?

Sometimes we just need to play dress-up and have fun.  Fancy shoes and balloons just make it better.

Happy Friday!

Isn’t this little girl adorable? Check out the sweetest mother-daugher shoot by Amelia Lyon.

Any fun weekend plans?

To be perfectly honest my progress has not gone that well.  It’s hard to make a lifestyle change or change habits.  We have a small gym for our apartment community, but I really don’t use it.  Other than doing cardio on the elliptical machine, I tend to wander aimlessly between the other machines.  There is a tempting lap pool, but my Southern California temperature gauge hasn’t gotten up the courage to swim outside in San Francisco fog and cold.  I would probably do better in an organized class, but really don’t want to pay the money for a gym membership.

The other day we were watching TV and came across the Pilates Power Gym on Home Shopping Network.  Long story short, after some thought and reasoning we bought the machine.  Some of our thoughts…

• We could work out at home anytime we wanted
• The machine has the potential to do so many types of exercises that work out the entire body and hopefully I won’t get bored with all the variety
• Somewhat compact for a 1 bedroom apartment where space is priceless
• It came with instructional videos to get me motivated and into a routine
• Obviously the gym near us wasn’t helping motivation, we needed to change it up
• Like the idea of pilates and it’s strength building without being overly strenuous
• Simply buying the machine was going to motivate me to work out

Our machine arrived this week and I’ve already used it several times.  It was easy to set up, quiet and I could get started right away.  I didn’t feel that I had to master everything before I was effective.  Now there are a few exercises that I need to improve on where the motion is more advanced, but overall I could jump right into a workout.  I’ll give a more in depth review once I’m able to use it with more regularity.

Source

I’m also trying to adjust diet.  Right now my main focus is smaller portions, more vegetables, less meat and resisting the temptation of things that are just straight up not good for me.  It’s hard though.  I need to be more disciplined.  Extra motivation come from recently watching Food Inc. I am trying to be conscious about food not only for diet, but also being aware of what is going in my body and what process that food went through to get on my plate.

So that is where I’m at with the whole getting in shape and losing some extra weight.  I’ll keep you updated on my progress with Pilates Power Gym and give a more detailed review once I am able to get used to it and pure excitement from a new machine has worn off.

Do you workout at home?  What is your routine?  What kind of diet have you found works best for you?

Well I made them the other night.  And all Mark could say was “Whoa these things are nuclear!!”  They were seriously hot.  Our lips were left with this tingling burn.  Water helped as we ate away, but was of no use in the burning aftermath.  This could only be remedied with delicious ice cream.

But they were good.  I’d maybe recommend taking the Sriracha down a notch and I’d say we both like spicy food.  If you have ever used with the stuff you know it packs some serious heat.  Think of consuming 1/4 cup and that is what we did.  We also added some extra soy sauce and some thai sweet chili sauce we had on hand.

Verdict? I recommend them.  Just be prepared with some ice cream for dessert.

Source

Usually this means we are running out to a delicious dinner of Chinese, Japanese or Thai.  But lately I’ve been more determined to cook.  My mom is an amazing chef of Chinese food.  I’m trying to get some of her recipes, but she doesn’t write anything down.  So I try observing, writing as fast as I can and taking a few pictures as it is the only way to get her recipes and it’s not always a successful recording.

While I try to get my mom’s secret Chinese recipes (I’ll share), I have found some pretty delicious recipes online that I want to try.

Asian Noodle Salad by Pioneer Woman found via Tasty Kitchen

This salad just looks refreshing and delicious with all the veggies.  I’d also maybe add in some stir fried tofu.

Spicy Ginger Soba Chicken Salad found via Tasty Kitchen

The marinade for the chicken alone sounds delicious.  I find ginger and garlic to be like a taste of home.  As most of my my mom’s Chinese recipes involve those ingredients.

Sriracha Chicken Wings by White on Rice Couple

Ok, maybe not a super traditional Asian dish.  But Sriracha sauce is awesome.  Add it to anything for a spicy kick.  Plus Mark LOVES hot wings.  So Asian hot wings are perfect for both our tastes.

Crockpot Pho Recipe by Steamy Kitchen

I love Pho and I love my crockpot.  I’m super curious to try this recipe and see if it’s as delicious as the $4 bowl I get at my local Vietnamese restaurant.

Chinese Fried Rice by Steamy Kitchen

There are lots of versions of steamed rice.  My favorite is my mom’s but I find these recommendations and tips from Steamy Kitchen to be super helpful.

Now the hard part is to decide which one to make.  The best part of eating at a restaurant is to order a bunch of dishes, eat family style and take home some delicious leftovers.  At home I’m only likely to make 1 maybe 2 dishes otherwise there is a pile up of dirty bowls all over the kitchen.  Can’t help it if I get a little crazy in the kitchen, it tastes good.  At least that is what I tell Mark when he asks how I create such kitchen disasters.

What types of food do you get cravings for?

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’m going to the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair this weekend and am SO looking forward to it.  I’ve heard about the craft fair many times but have never been able to make it myself.  Lots of amazing handmade pieces, crafty treasures and basically a live Etsy shop. Can’t wait.

Hoping to find:

Throw Pillows

Necklace to match a blue dress I bought recently

Prints/Posters

Hair Accessories

Candle Holders

Candles

Fun Home Decor Finds

Have you been to a Renegade Craft Fair?  What were your best finds?

Hope you all are having a good week!!