Design Ideas: New Year's Eve Party!

Today, instead of my usual interior design find, I thought I'd share some cute New Year's Eve party ideas! Whether you'll be a guest or the host, it's always fun to get in the holiday mood! (Can you tell I'm excited for the New Year?) These DIY New Year's Eve party ideas are quick, easy, and adorable. You might even be able to get one or two of them in before the big party! A little glitter spray paint fixes everything.

Photo Friday: Self Examination

You guys, 2013 is almost over. How did that happen? It's so weird how time just seems to go by faster and faster as you get older. No one really warns you about that when you're growing up. Soon I'll blink and a year will pass me by. Actually, I think that just happened.

With the year ending, I though this was a perfect time to share this photography series by a very talented young photographer and his collection of self-portraits. To combat his social anxieties, Kyle Thompson started experimenting with photography and used the only subject he had around - himself. The result is something fantastic that shows his tremendous talent.

Photo Friday: Secret Paper Adventures

I don't think it's a secret that I'm a daydreamer. And an introvert. (But I guess all creative people are? Amirite?) Often times, I'll be out with friends and get quiet - not because I have nothing to add to the conversation, but because someone said something that sent my brain spiraling down some secret, imaginary adventure that no one else can see. It's a blessing and a cruse. Mostly, I find it to be a curse. It means I can't focus on a damn thing for longer than 20 minutes.

This awesome photography piece by Japanese photographer Kouichi Chiba is the best way that I could have ever found to explain to someone how my brain works.

What I Wore: The Winter Coats Edition

The weather outside being frightful is an understatement. It's a nightmare out here in the big, windy city right now. If it wasn't so bitterly cold, I could have maybe enjoyed the first snow over this past weekend. I did, however, try to make the most of it for today outfit shoot!

Interior Design: Vacation Lodge in Wyoming

Anyone who knows me IRL, knows that I went on a road trip in April of this year and took a stop in Laramie, Wyoming that made me completely obsessed with the city and the state. I've told everyone that I plan on moving to Wyoming and marrying a cowboy. I'm only half joking. Seriously though, it was the best evening of the whole road trip and we ended up in California. The only draw back of Wyoming is the gorgeous mountain landscapes brings with it a 6-month winter and freaking hate the cold more than the KKK hates things that aren't white I don't do well in the cold. However, if I could spend all the winters in this luxurious, rustic lodge, I would move in a heartbeat. Boom. There.

What I Wore: The Vintage Holiday Sweater Edition

Well, shit. It's December already, huh? Here I am, once again, not prepared for any sort of holiday season. I thought that I would get the apartment decorated this week, have started my holiday shopping by now, and have ideas for what I was getting everyone on my list. Planning is so much easier than executing. #amirite If you're ahead of me at the point, you go guuurrrl! You deserve some sort of expert-holiday-wrangler award or something.

The only thing I have been able to get on top of is planning holiday party outfits - never mind that I have no holiday parties to attend yet.

Interior Design: Rustic and Modern Swedish Apartment

If anyone knows how to style a living space, it's the Swedes. It's not a secret, I'm sure, but when it come to interior design the Swedish always have their finger right on the pulse There is a reason that people flock to IKEA every weekend, right? This apartment in Gothenburg is no exception, but usually when I think of Swedish design I think of a very modern look. This apartment has a beautiful combination of modern and rustic, just like I love!

What I Wore: The Galaxy Never Dies Edition

I can't give it up, you guys. No matter how hard I try, I just can't do it. The galaxy trend can never die! I will take it to the grave with me! Am I obsessed with galaxy print? Yes, obviously. But can you blame me, really? Space is just cool. Period.

Anyway, I got this party dress on Modcloth recently and I haven't worn it much because part of me thinks it's too young looking for me and another part just thinks it's too much. Now that the holiday season is creeping up on us, my goal is to turn it into a perfect party dress.

Interior Design: A European Style, New York Castle

Holy opulence, Batman. This triplex in the meat packing district of New York is mind blowing. It's a picture of antique grandeur. The building was originally built in 1847 as a townhouse and converted into a general store in the late 1800s. From there it became a sausage factory until 1992, then a mother and daughter fell in love with the abandoned space and bought it to turn into their dream home. They tried to preserve the original, vintage elements wherever possible. Old floorboards were cleaned, treated, and reused and they even rubbed coloring into the re-done fireplace to make it look time-worn. And what a project of love, huh?

What I Wore: The Lady in Red Edition

Let me tell you, there is nothing better for the confidence than a little rouge. I am dead serious about this. Feeling blah and don't want to put any effort into your outfit today? Throw on jeans, a sweater, and some red lipstick and you'll see. It really is that easy. I know the color on this 40s style vintage dress is one of the reasons it's totally an instant confidence booster!

Interior Design: Modern Luxury in Glass and Cement

As is evidenced by most of the interior design posts on this blog, I am not a big fan of modern or simple or clean. Generally, the more cluttered...er...cozy, the better. I just always seem to gravitate towards bay windows and decorative crown molding. I can't help it. It's a disease. This home in São Paulo, however, may have just converted me.

What I Wore: The Date Night Edition

Ah, date night. Doesn't matter if it's a night out with someone new, someone old, or just the girls, it's an excuse to get dressed up and who doesn't like that? Now, as much as I love layering for fall, I always have a much harder time picking out clothes to wear out as the weather cools down. I don't know about you, but for me, you throw a jacket into the mix and I no longer have any clue what I'm doing. This makes going out at night mostly one big panic attack. SO, when I do find an outfit that works and I like, I wear the crap out of it. You too?

Interior Design: Living in a Library

How is it November already? I think I blinked and missed all of summer this year. It's strange how much faster time flies the older you get. With every immaculately designed house I find, I think about the bits and pieces I'd like to incorporate into my own home one day and with every day that goes by, that becomes more of a reality. How weird is that? To think that one day I could own a living space that's not the size of a shoebox is crazy. 

Anyway, the point of all that babble was this home design. Ever since I was little and I saw my first high shelves with a rolling ladder, I decided that one day I was going to have the same thing in my house. Mostly because it reminded me of that magical library in Beauty in the Beast and that's what every little girl who reads wants to see (amirite?). The dream has not died for me and when I saw this home design it screamed my name.

What I Wore: The Holding Onto Summer Edition

Fall is here. Like really, officially here. Thankfully, it only feels that way in the mornings and evenings and the daytime is still sunny and relatively warm! Not that I want global warming to be happening, but if it is going to happen, I am okay with Chicago becoming a tropical destination. #justsayin

Until that happens, I'm going to take advantage of the warmer weather and keep wearing my lighter, summer pieces into fall. I find that sticking with the pieces that are longer, but still light are perfect for those days that go from 80 degrees to 65 degrees in a few short hours. This outfit in particular is one of my favorites because of the brightly colored skirt. Ain't nothing better for fixing a gloomy day or a gloomy mood than some bright colors. It's the little things, you know?