INVITED IN: MOOREA'S HOME

Hi, everyone! I was so thrilled that Savannah invited me to share a little bit of my home on her blog, as her Project Condo series is a favorite of mine. I am a major budget shopper. As much as I would love to be able to splurge on some fancy decor, most of the bits and pieces you see in these photos were found in flea markets, yard sales, thrift stores, and on good ol' craigslist. I so recommend trolling the FREE section of craigslist every so often, because you can find some major scores on there.  My boyfriend found 4 cactus plants that were being given away 2 blocks away from my old apartment and those spiky little guys have stayed with us a few years now! Here is a peek into my living room:

Do you guys have any secrets for decorating on a budget?  I'd love to hear your ideas!  Be sure to stop by my blog sometime and say hello :) Thank you, Savannah, for having me! xo Moorea

I love your space, Moorea! Such a cozy and inviting place. Thanks for inviting us in!!

ADVENTURES IN THRIFT-TIQUING - PART 1

One of my goals for 2012 was to go thrifting//antiquing at least once each month. I'm surrounded by so many amazing antique and thrift stores in my area, I'd like to take more time to do some treasure hunting AND be more intentional about my vintage purchases. Last year, I started a few new collections, so when I'm "pillaging" the shops I try to keep in mind the items I love to collect so I don't spend unnecessary money on items I'm not in love with.

In order to keep me accountable to my thrift-tiquing adventures, I thought it would be fun to share my favorite finds with you each month. :)

This weekend, Jon took me to the Atlanta Expo Center to attend Scott's Antique Market (a new-to-me place//event in Atlanta). The Antique Market is an annual event that has hundreds of vendors and so many unique and mostly expensive pieces. My favorite part was looking around and appreciating the beautiful finds. I only made a few purchases at Scott's:

I was able to add this beautiful Imperial Debonair Camera and its original box to my collection. The above picture also has a few more of my favorite cameras from my collection in the background. Fun Facts: The Imperial Debonair was made in Chicago during the 1960s and was used as the official cub scout camera. 

These sweet little glass owls are called Boyd Owls. Jon picked out the black and I picked out the white one. Fun Facts: Boyd Glass is a family glass business passed down through four generations. Each piece is manufactured the old-fashioned way, with a mold and not a machine. 

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The very next day, I stopped by my favorite antique mall in Lawrenceville, GA, on our way home from my parents' house. We only had 15 minutes to shop before closing, but seriously, it's amazing what you can find in 15 minutes. ;)

On our way up to the register, Jon called me over to a little section of the store and showed me this light blue typewriter beauty. It was such a great price and is still in great working condition. It came with an adorable matching blue case attachment. So pretty!! Fun Facts: The "Smith Premier Typewriter Company" was establish in 1886. This particular model was made in the 1960s.

My final find was this set of beautiful vintage Pyrex mixing bowls. I love the steel blue color and sweet little flower details. Fun Facts: The name of this pattern is called Colonial Mist and was first introduced in 1983. 

I love learning interesting facts and history about the items I purchase. I feel like it gives each item more character and life. :) Do you have a recent favorite find? What do you look for when you're "thrift-tiquing"?

Home Nesting Update: Photo Wall

I mentioned in a recent "inspiration for your nest" post that I was looking for inspiration for a photo collage to put up in my living room above my couch. My little collection of frames grew to a good amount, so I spent last weekend planning out my collage on the floor of my living room. This is our couch view before the collage went up:

There's a lot of wall space and the fact that we painted horizontal stripes on the wall really helped make it not seem so bare for the months it's been empty. :) After much shifting around of frames, leveling, and nailing//re-nailing, this is the result:

I'm so happy with how it just added a touch of coziness to our little place. :) I still have photos to add in the frames and I have some fun prints coming in the mail this week. It's definitely a work in progress.  Once it's more complete, I'll be sure to take more photos as well as some close-ups to show off the details of the prints. I'm just so happy things are on the walls!!

Also -- I'm thinking about taking Rachel's Style Your Space e-course to help give me a little more guidance on spicing up the place. Anyone taken it yet?  

Wishing you coziness and a happy Easter!

Inspiration for Your Nest: A House is a Home

This week's nest inspiration is dedicated to daydreams about a future house//home.

Photos Via: Home Sweet Home

A Christmas Peek into the Wallace Abode

Just a little peek into our home during Christmastime. No fireplace to hang stockings and not a huge amount of space to work with, but we made it work! It feels nice and homey and full of Christmas spirit, even though we only have our first year's worth of Christmas decor (which is very minimal).

Got a good amount of my tidings from Michael's and Target and I am planning to catch some of those clearance sales after Christmas time for next year's go-around!

Inspiration for Your Nest: Jordan & Landon

Younghouselove is seriously one of my FAVORITE blogs. Every now and then, they feature a "house crashing" blog where they show off someone's sweet n' swanky nest. I just drooled over Jordan & Landon's of landonjacob.com house crash featured back in early October.

I am loving the neutral colors and the pops of color everywhere. Also, I love that they used a lot of inexpensive items from places like IKEA and mixed and matched with eclectic finds. Just look at that old crate magazine holder by the ottoman in the picture above. OoooOo so cozy. 

Monday here was rainy and some people were a little too grumpy...but there are high hopes for Tuesday!

SLEEPING BEAUTY & THE PAPER BIRCH BEDDING

This week has been a lazy week. Two days, I worked from home and was determined to stay in my PJ's the entire time. This was one of the first times I worked from home while my husband was at work, so our little place was quiet and still. I discovered a couple of things during my time on the couch in front of the computer.

1. There's nothing good on TV during the summer.
2. Oreo's are an acceptable lunch.
3. My creative fuel can indeed run out. I need to refuel.
4. My walls are naked.

With that to say, I have been on a home-sweet-home kick for a couple weeks now. Upon request, I am going to share with you some romantic, delicate, and graphical bedding to cozy up your bedroom!

1. Falling Floral Duvet Cover

2. Ditsy Floral Seed Stitch Quilt

3. Constanta Comforter Set

4. Waterfall Ruffle Duvet Cover

5. Paper Birch Bedding
6. Clover Cover Duvet & Shams

Bedding can set the stage for a beautiful room. Don't worry so much about making things matchy-matchy. Try adding some throw pillows from Target or Ross! Get a completely different graphical sheet set for a surprise when you turn in for the night.

Check back soon for a variety of beautiful art pieces to display in your space or to give as a thoughtful gift to a loved one!

8 DORM LOVELIES UNDER 25

I looked at the calendar today, while scheduling out my week, and realized that summer is coming to a quick end. It also hit me that, unlike the four summers before, I will not be returning to beautiful Berry College to take part in the community and amazing fall colors. But to be honest...I have never felt more free, creative, and inspired. Even though I greatly adored my college experience, I really feel like everything is just beginning.

As I confessed in my earlier entry, I am in a nesting//decorating craze. I can only budget so much a month for our home (go Dave Ramsey!) and I have found myself holding onto this small amount with dear life -- just crossing my fingers that a perfect coffee table would drop out of the sky for a steal. My home wish list is way too long, and that's only accounting for the living room! I need to set my priorities: coffee table first. And now, to find a coffee table. An inexpensive, unique, fairly large, coffee table. This might take awhile. I'll have to get back to you on that.

For now, as a tribute to those going back to college or perhaps those in the same nesting dilemma as myself, here are eight cute things for your home-sweet-dorm//home//apartment.

1// No room is complete without a darling little rug to compliment your taste. 2x3 Blossoming Vines Printed Rug - $18.00 Urban Outfitters 2// Pair these clean cut little vases with your favorite single stem flower. FARM Vase - $2.99 each IKEA 3// Personalize your space with your initials! Jon and I want to put these above our night stands in our bedroom. Acid Etch Letters - $10.00 Urban Outfitters 4// This is my favorite throw pillow. It feels incredible and I love the pop of yellow and neutral gray. Perfect for a thrift store chair, bed, or couch. Peony Decorative Pillow - $24.99 Target

5// Meet Zeno! Zeno the Owl by Contemori -    $23.00 Etsy 6// I don't know about you but I love a good thrift store find. It is amazing what some paint and new hardware can do to a side table. Zinna Knob - $6.00 Anthropologie 7// Everyone needs a place to throw their keys, phone, change, jewelry, and all those little extras. Why not make it vintage chic? Vintage Scroll Vanity Catchall - $18.00 Urban Outfitters 8// Nothing can beat a good set of hooks in a small space. I love using these to put my colored scarfs on. It is convenient and it adds color to the room. Birds on a Branch Hook - $18.00 Urban Outfitters

Well, there you have it! Eight items for your little place. I hope all of you have a wonderful weekend. More inspiration and creative ideas to come soon! The Wallace family is off to Alabama for double date night and a drive-in.