Miss Moon Was A Dog Governess

This one is called: 

Miss Moon Was A Dog Governess. Lesson One: Be Kind To The Wildlife And They May Return The Favour One Day.

Cool, right?!

And more ginger gals reading to animals... these would look so cute in our guest bedroom.

Love the tension and beauty in this one.

Decorating, a Heart Attack

**UPDATE**

I have no luck with blue. I should totally break up with blue.

We picked out this lovely navy to paint our bedroom walls and when we were halfway through the room and the light hit it just right we realized it was not the shade we picked out, but rather, our runner-up shade and one that we excluded for good reason and we decided to just "love" the bastard color anyway and paint on like we chose that awful blue on purpose...

[gasp].

And yesterday when my blue rug showed up and I covered my mouth in awe, the Mr. had no reaction which is still a reaction and I started second guessing my choice like "Dear God please don't let me have accidentally bought the Kim Kardashian* of patterns in the most influencing piece of decor in the apartment!"

[chevron]

After drawing it out of him like a funny bone in the game Operation (with careful precision, but not without being 'zinged'), he said:

"Does that blue match?"

Because we gave up swearing for Lent, I'll say this: Ffniiihgnsignion;wid&*$%.

My actual reaction: "Matching is for people with no imagination."

Then I hurried off to Pinterest and Furbish Studio and MFAMB to make sure that the pattern I ordered was indeed herringbone** and to find examples of a collective look.

Cause I'm full of imagination. And insecurity.

* popular for no reason, overdone, I-hope-it's-on-its-way-out-soon
** UPDATE - It's totally chevron. I'm a hypocritical idiot.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

Well under $25 so you can get a lot of things to stuff in that sock-ing.

First you need a stocking:

Source: etsy.com via J on Pinterest

Stuff it with this:

Source: sephora.com via J on Pinterest

S

and these:

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Jane on Pinterest

and for even warmer hands on the go, these:

Source: starbucks.com via Kim on Pinterest

Of course there's a sasquatch:

Source: stitchedcards.com via Jeni on Pinterest

and some survival items:

Source: larabar.com via J on Pinterest

DIY something like this:

Source: elleandblair.com via Debbie on Pinterest

and class it all up with this:

Source: anthropologie.com via J on Pinterest

and put one of these in the end... as a snack or a street weapon!

Source: harryanddavid.com via J on Pinterest

Happy Merry, Peeps. What do you want for the holidays?

Thoughtful Thursday: Free Box Economics

By Sara Gilbert on Get Rich Slowly

"When I think about it back at home, this chair — and the others at my kitchen table — are pretty radical. I’m rejecting the idea that I must buy a new chair from IKEA or a furniture store, one that’s made in a factory by workers who earn a wage (living or no), and purchased at a retail store whose workers are also paid. I brought it home on my bike, oil companies and American car manufacturers be damned. I did not create any new demand for new things.

But I saved an inestimable amount of future costs, from the disposal of the old chair to the environmental costs of manufacturing and shipping, to the health costs of workers who manufacture and ship these products, right down to my own feelings of well-being and not-argument. I don’t have to ask my husband for money to buy a new chair; we won’t argue about money, today."

Source: sfgirlbybay.com via Emily on Pinterest

Thoughtful Thursdays: Curate Your Life

"Be open to change and gradual progression; not everything has to be perfect right when you start."

- Emily Schuman of Cupcakes and Cashmere, via The Everygirl

At a book signing. Because she wrote a book. I want her life. Patience.

When the Mr. and I started organizing our house, we also started daydreaming about design and decor for it. Shockingly (I kid, I kid), we have two different approaches to setting up a home. 

He likes to getitalldonerightnow.

I like to take my time and shop around.

He likes to make decisions on budget alone.

I see quality as paramount. 

He prefers simplicity. 

I prefer unique, story-full pieces.

He's Ikea and Target.

I'm World/Flea/Farmer's Market.

See how this could be a conflict?

As most people do after a big move, we had Chinese takeout one night. One of the fortune cookies said something like:

"Persistence and determination will be rewarded."

Basically, stick to a plan and see it through. Be patient. You wont be sorry.

I promptly taped it up on the fridge (our fridge is not magnetized... I swear the Mr. did this to me on purpose... no quirky magnets!) to both remind us to enjoy the process, seek to meet both of our desires for designing a home (synchronously), and royally piss him off! In a loving way of course. 

Now we take turns moving the fortune around. I found it in the silverware drawer a day or two later. It's now on his sink in the master bath. Mwahahaha!

Tipsy Tuesday: Waiting for Home Delivery

Waiting for something to be delivered can be a pain. It's as convenient as waiting for the cable guy or a plumber. They give you a 4 hour window and then show up 20 minutes after the 4 hour window closes. OR if you are there for the majority of the time, they will show up during the 5 minutes you were in the shower or out back or, in my case, taking a jog around the block. 

Murphy wrote a loophole-less law, right there. 

So I've compiled a list of things to do at home while you are imprisoned by in-home delivery/service. 

1. Dust the baseboards. If you have pets, this is something that should be done regularly.
2. Prepare and cook an elaborate meal for dinner (something like this).
3. Do some laundry.
4. Scold the pets for things they probably do every day but you aren't around to see them do it. (Pet shaming, anyone?)
5. Hand mop the bedroom floor in preparation for placement of a fancy-schmancy rug.
6. Do not attempt to place the rug yourself because it's a 9x12 rug wooly beast that will crush you.
7. Run a short run. But run hard to compensate for your limited time. Then come home and do your very first pushup... ever.
8. Feel proud of yourself. And then ashamed that it was your first pushup ever. #ProudAshamed
9. Dance around to T.I. Wonder if he's still in prison. Wonder if the neighbors can see you dancing around to T.I. Move further from the windows.
10. Shower a quick shower for fear that you'll miss the delivery guy. 
11. Continually look out of the peephole without prompt. 

Through the peephole.

A preview of our bedroom. iPhone photos don't do the blue justice!

Ok, ok. This is just a list of what I've done today. Oh, and I worked a bit too. 

Beverage pairing: Water after the run/dance party. Wine with the braised pork.

Song Suggestion: What You Know About That by T.I.

How to Design a House

It's easy.

All you have to do it make a million reflective decisions over the course of a lifetime in conjunction with any other figureheads in your household. Oh, and on a budget! Oh, and don't make mistakes because it will cost you to return the rug/repaint that room/replace that broken mirror!

Oh! and shoot me.

We bought paint for our entire house this past weekend because Sherwin Williams (lovingly to me, Sure-Will... as in "Will this navy paint look too dark/not cover enough of the previous color? Sure, will!").

We had to make decisions on the vision for 5+ spaces in a matter of hours in order to get 40% off quality paint and 30% off supplies. (Sale goes through today [Monday], Chicagoans!)

Geeper creeper I've got a case of the weepers.

But, all you girlfriends of mine would be so proud of me. I put on my big girl pants and just made. some. damn. decisions.

Who knows. Maybe it's all wrong. We didn't get samples this time around (they are a waste of money since they're not guaranteed to match the paint you actually buy) and we didn't hang up swatches on the wall and stew over them for days on end. We just looked through the paint deck I sweet-talked out of Sure-Will (for free) and just picked.

Afterall, we stewed-n-brewed over the shades of Navy to use in our bedroom and ended up with a different color entirely because of the mismatched samples (damn you, test pots!). And you know what? The color is fine. We all lived. It will look awesome once I style the pants off that room.

We bought the 2nd best style of paint they offered and went to town. With the current sale running and a $15 off coupon we used, we got supplies (starting from scratch) and quality paint for the whole house for under $400. Not bad, right?

So what colors did we decide on?

Source: sherwin-williams.com via J on Pinterest

Source: sherwin-williams.com via J on Pinterest

Source: sherwin-williams.com via J on Pinterest

Source: sherwin-williams.com via J on Pinterest

Source: sherwin-williams.com via J on Pinterest

Seaworthy, Clary Sage, Ivoire, Rice Grain and Perfect Greige.

The first one is the kicker and the rest are playing it safe. We painted the kicker this weekend (our master bedroom) and needed a break from being kicked. The rest of the house should be calmer.

Seeing them all lined up like that makes me like their inter-play better. I can see the household vision more now.

North-American earthy, natural but a bit dramatic, more masculine. Think: wood, glass, steel, concrete, fur, no-frilly edges, some plants, iron, black and brown mixed, wool, down feathers, wicker, cork, brass, ceramics.

What is your house "vision"?

Do you tie all rooms together or do you use them as individual canvases?

Beverage pairing? A rhubarb cocktail from the cocktail box B.Lill send me. Good gravy, what a good gift!

Flip-It Friday: The Best Gifts You've Ever Received

Have you ever received a gift that was so good it made you mad?

As in: "Dammit, that gift was so good. I'll never be able to top that!"

Like stomp on the floor, smack your hip, grunt out a little "mmmhmm".

Thanks, B-Lill, for making me mad with gratitude.

Have you ever received a gift that made you mad? What is the best gift you've ever received?

---

In other news, we got our giant bedroom rug yesterday. While the Mr. was in a computer store being all computery and angry at customer service, I was perky-as-a-pepper and waiting in the car.

Patiently.

And then not so patiently.

But not being one to miss an opportunity to make others in the parking lot scared of me, this photo shoot happened.

I named him Ruggles. He's a muggle rug (doesn't know magic) and is soft enough to cuddle.

And he might have a future as a rapper.

Flip It Friday: Ya Get Me?

Source: fab.com via J on Pinterest

A giant cartoon bear bathing in the landscape of a traditional painting.

Is this funny to you?

I like it and would put a series of this artist in the spare bathroom. See my pinterest for more ideas.

Is it quirky-cool or just childish?

Tipsy Tuesday: Feng Shui. Not Just for the Artsy or Asian

Deep breath in, and relax.

You are in a tranquil space of waterfalls and Ohm. Come with me to the world of Feng Shui. Or as westerners pronounce it "Fung Schway".

A few tenants of Feng Shui that I think could help us all achieve home-decor enlightenment and that I found here are:

1) De-clutter. Get rid of whatever is broken, unused or ugly. Make space.

2) Position furniture so that navigating a room is easy. There should be a "flow". My poetry professors at Purdue would hate me for using the word flow, but love me for that alliteration. I'm sorry/you're welcome.

3) Like in life, keep work and rest separate. Create a physical distinction between where you work and where you sleep. No TVs in the bedroom. No iPhone-ing in bed. Nap in the bedroom and not on the couch, etc.

4) Make repairs promptly. If you don't fix it right away, you're better off getting rid of whatever the item is or calling in a professional. Don't create work-arounds to existing problems.

5) Mirrors. I'm not sure if I agree with this one (the fact that if you hang mirrors at the front door that they will reflect good energy back into the home...ehhhh *shrug*). But if you do hang mirrors in small rooms, it will make them look bigger. If you hang them in dark rooms, it will help make lights and sunlight brighter. It might also feed into your vanity. You be the handsome, handsome judge.

6) Living things. Plants, flowers, fruit, (dogs!). I think it's nice to display an ecosystem in your home. Have things living and existing on all levels helps you feel the balance in the world. And dogs are cute friends, right?

7) Water. I naturally have water in every room with me as I carry glass upon glass of water with me everywhere. I'm the girl who even brings her adult sippy cup to meetings. I think having water (in a glass for drinking, a fountain for listening or a vase for flower-growing), is a mood-lifter and healthy.

8) Colors. I appreciate the look of a monochromatic or all-white space, but I do like it when colors are in balance and abundant, too. Feng Shui leans towards natural greens, golden  yellows mixed with purples and reds. I wouldn't put all of them in a room together in equal parts, but if you focus on 2 or 3 and then just have one square inch of the other two, you could pull it off.

Source: google.com.br via Darlene on Pinterest

9) Avoid sharp lines and corners. Unless you like angular style of course. And if you have children, they'll either cut themselves on your sharp stuff or file all the edges down for you :) Feng Shui suggests that you should avoid pointing corners toward beds or chairs as this will direct negative energy. I think that's smart because if you point the corner of your dresser toward your bed, chances are you are not making the best use of space anyway. Think of arranging your room on a grid.

Do you Feng Shui?

Flip-It Friday: Carpet or Rug

Now that I own a home (Geez! We close next week *hopefully*. Say a prayer that everything goes smoothly!), prepare to get some home design questions from me.

And prepare to weigh in.

Now, I kinda know what I think about this, but what do you think. I want a second (or third, or fourth) opinion:

Source: designsponge.com via Renaya on Pinterest

Rug

Source: masikawa.tumblr.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Rug

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Rug

Source: markdsikes.com via Charlotte on Pinterest

Rug

Source: tinywhitedaisies.tumblr.com via Zsuzsika on Pinterest

Carpet?

Source: houzz.com via Erin on Pinterest

Carpet and rug?

Source: thewhitecompany.com via Beccy on Pinterest

Bare floor

Source: bodieandfou.blogspot.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Bare Floor


Rugs Vs. Carpet?

What do you prefer? Namely, in the bedrooms...

Or do you prefer bare floor?

I like the look of bare floor, the ease/comfort of carpet and the style options of rugs...

I couldn't find as many pictures of nice carpet on Pinterest as I could bare floor and awesome rugs. I guess no one is all that thrilled about carpet. I wouldn't be either. It's not as much a "stunner" accessory as it is a comfort.

Thanks for the Desk Stuff

My friends Sarah and Shannon gave me a few things to adorn my office the last time I saw them.

Flower pens from Sarah (she made them from colored tape!) and a picture frame from Shannon (made from a recycled keyboard!).

I hear they are getting together this weekend in Colorado. Alas, I cannot go, but I wish them a fun weekend!

If you're interested in following my other social outlets, check me out on Pinterest, Instagram (@unsolicitedadvice) and Twitter (@millar08). I'd put the URLs in here, but my employer blocks those sites. Boo.

The Secret to Success: More Meaningful Mornings

I just typed a lot about how to have a meaningful morning. Then I erased it. On purpose. I realized that I was wasting your time and mine with the babbling.

So if you want to read about meaningful mornings, go here.

If you want to see something pretty:

Source: Uploaded by user via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: olesiafx.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

These are a few of my favorite things.

You're welcome.

Tipsy Tuesday: How to Be a BOSS on Your Work-From-Home Day

Here's how to make the most of your day of working from home:

1) Sleep until 8:30 so you are welcoming the day. You've got your work cut out for you. (Or rather, you cut it out yourself 'cause today "you da boss!").

2) Then get dressed and take the recycling to the big bin a few miles away. Remember you live in the ghetto. They don't give you blue bins on your own curb. You can't even pay for them. The earth thanks you.

3) Go to a matinee. Even matinees are $10. Suck it up. You have "see a movie solo" on your bucket list, so start scratching it off. 

4) C'mon, you paid $10 to see this PG flick. Don't you dare pay for popcorn. Make a batch of stove-top, homemade cinnamon kettlecorn and smuggle it in. Bring a hankie for your fingers.

5) Hit up the thrift store. Spend $3 on this awesome bowl. A nice display piece for tea or candies for my upcoming tea party. Play Nat King Cole on Pandora while you wash up your thrifty goodies.

6) Take pictures of things in the room to avoid writing the piece you've been avoiding all day. Have cup upon cup of tea but use the same tea bag cause you're soo thrifty. Work until well past dusk to get everything done. Feel proud of yourself. Turn on Downton Abbey. Yes, you are behind, but you can still catch up. Make sure everyone sees this spoof on Downton Abbey called Downton Arby's. Thanks, Uncle Rol!

What did you do today?

Flip It Friday: What do your holidays look like?

Thanksgiving:

My brother owns his own landscaping business and we all have company shirts!

Dad carving  picking apart the turkey leftovers and my brother and friend Heidi are helping us make a mess. I think this is my tired-but-so-thrilled face.

After Thanksgiving:

I made him trim a tree and listen to stories of every little ornament. It was important to me and he got (fake?) excited!

And then this happened. Cat criminals tore down the tree with their bare claws!

And then S made it his mission to find a way to keep the tree upright after the base got broken. We ended up using a stand for a real tree. Still works!

But leans....

The oranges are to fend off the cats. I read a lot of old-wives tales to try and keep the cats away. Turns out they're mostly scared of it now because they never know when the tree will fall down on top of them again.

Good tree. Bad kitty.

Merry Christmas. 

What do your holidays look like? Comment with a link/photo/description!