Picking Paint Colors aka "The Art of Putting Off Packing"

Apparently September's barreling at us all which means I'm moving into my new little studio in the North End  this coming Saturday. I've started packing but let's be real, we all know it ain't getting finished until 1am Saturday morning SO I've been focusing on the more fun and exciting aspects of moving instead, including picking paint samples. Currently, the apartment is many shades of green and what can only be described as a metallicy silver. Not so cute. Luckily, my lanlord is letting me paint and I want to brighten the joint up a bit so I've comprised a growing list of colors i'm interested in with Michelle. Thoughts?

PS- Sorry! looks like I can't paste the actual swatches below so just click on each link to view the color!

1. Glidden Duo Apricot White

2. Glidden Duo Pearl Grey

3. Glidden Duo Natural Wicker

4. Glidden Duo Creamy Mocha

How to be Broke and Fabulous This Fall

Well the cooler breezes and shorter days are starting to suggest that autumn's a-comin... Every year around this time, without fail, fall's imminence seems to weasel it's way into my brains, forcing me to start salivating over all of the new clothing trends that I need. Since I'm making a major move into the city on September 1st and have a plethora of moving and decorating/organizational costs to cover, I need to be super frugal when it comes to my fall wardrobe budget this year. Below I've listed the trends that I'm dying to get my mitts on, and they're all at do-able prices. Scha-wing!

1. Oxblood Peplum top- This top showcases both a mayjah shape and color for the season. At $34.95 from H&M, I'm sold


2. "Honeycomb" colored Denim- This pair of "Rockstar jeans" by Old Navy is on sale for only $29.00 


3. Polka Dots- Prints have arrived in all shapes and forms for fall. Polka dots seem to be leading the charge and this relaxed tee from Forver 21 for $12.80 should help me ease into the trend quite nicely


4. Pointy Toe Pumps- I'm a long time fan of Target's line of "Mossimo" shoes. I'm digging this pair of "Vivian" pumps by the brand for $29.99.


5.Essie "Good as Gold" Nail Polish- Hoping this warm, shimmery golden hue will help ease me into the darker shades for the fall- $8.00

Friday Words of Wisdom

Lovely Julia

Today would have been Julia Child's 100th birthday. Seeing as she's 98% of the inspiration behind this little blog o' mine, today's post is dedicated to the many wonderful "Julia-isms" that never fail to put a smile on my face.

When I'm having an off day, my favorite pastime is to research Julia Child Quotes. I first started this little tradition when i was about 10 years old. I had a new interest in food and ingredients and cooking that I couldn't seem to explain but whenever Julia was on PBS, cooking up a storm on Saturday mornings, she seemed to verbalize my obsession perfectly. To this day, I live by her words, "Find something your passionate about and keep tremendously interested in it."

That passion she spoke of translated not only through her incredible recipes but the sass and wit she shared with her viewers and cookbook readers. It's safe to say the world would see more happiness, laughs, and most importantly- good food, if we all dared to view life like Julia did. Bon Appetit!

Reorganizing

I posted here a few short weeks ago that I would be re-doing my bedroom and sharing images of the "after". Well, since then, I decided to make an even bigger change and move to the North End of Boston. Thus, I'll have my very own little two-room studio to decorate instead!

Over the next couple of weeks I'll be sharing some decorating inspiration and ideas from across the interwebs. I figured today's post better start at square one: organization. In case you hadn't figure it out already, I'm a girl who owns an excessive amount of clothing, make-up, kitchen gadgets, etc. A studio apartment doesn't exactly offer the most grandiose amount of storage so I used this post from my best friend, Michelle,  as well as Pinterest  to find fun, alternative ways to store and organize. Below I've shared some of my favorites. You can also visit my 'Pretty Organization' board on pinterest to find the source of each image! 

The Ikea Expedit unit not only adds extra storage but extra counter space. It also  warms up  the area and helps turns it into a cozy dining nook

 

Make-shift desk area + pretty hanging bowls for storage. 

Heels hung up on the wall double as art. (I'd have to find someplace else to hide the ol' running shoes)

Lucite organization keeps this desk looking free of clutter, cute and sleek.

Curtain rod with hooks to display bags. Pure genius. Also love how the vanity serves a dual purpose as a functional desk area.

Love to additional of shelving to add storage as well as the turquoise, cream, and beige color theme to keep the look cohesive.

Great shoe organization on an Ikea budget= more shoes. Brilliant.

Friday Words of Wisdom

Brought to you today via my cubicle bulletin board. Happy Weekend!

Glitter Thursday- Death Trot 2K12 Fashion Update

As I mentioned here a few months back, I got conned by my dear friend, Callan, to sign up for the BAA 1/2 marathon AGAIN. The 12 week countown to the death trot run in October has begun and my training regimen thus far is, um,  not good (unless death trotting running 3 miles maybe twice a week is considered "right on track").

So, now that I'm entirely NOT where I need to be in my training schedule, it's time to get serious. My plan to make this happen is a 2 step process
Step 1. Cut the crap Amy (i.e. Oh look! the Ikea catalogue arrived sooo yeah....about running tonight....)
&
Step 2. I find that when I feel put together in my work-out gear, I usually have a better death trot run. So, adding a pinch of glitter to the mix can only serve to amp me up that much more!....maybe


Below I've comprised my ultimate list of glistening running gear

1. Glitter Elastic Hair Ties- How I don't already own these is a mystery


2. Glitter Sports Headband-  Keeps my bangs from sticking to my face AND they're non-slip so I won't be the girl who accidentally prances right into a ditch in an effort to retrieve her fallen headband.


3. Sports Bag- Because how can I be a serious runner without a shiny bag to put my gear in (and by "my gear" I mean the vaseline I bought to prevent under-arm chafing)