Saturday Real Estate Stalking: An Artist's Getaway

I can't believe I still haven't shared this space with you. This is my absolute dream home. It's the place I fantasize about being forever. I found these interior photos a little while back, I think before I started this blog, but the following image has been my desktop background for months. As I'm sure you can easily tell through my other interior design and architecture posts I love rustic style like exposed brick and wood beams paired with modern elements. This dwelling does more rustic, less modern and it couldn't be more perfect. Via Kikette Interiors.

I labeled it an artist's getaway because that's what I see in these pictures. The perfect place to escape and enjoy life and create.

I'm going to go back to daydreaming about walking up this staircase. Happy Saturday!

Photo Friday: The Alf Edition

Yup, it's Alf. On a bike. Just a little memory from a couple summers ago. Happy Friday!

Turning Old Novels into Literary Jewels

I've made a not-so-great effort to hide that I'm a huge book nerd. My bookcases (yes multiple) are constantly overflowing and I get rid of nothing after I read it. So when I saw this awesome jewelry artist, Jeremy May, I thought "I need these!" May creates jewelry pieces by cutting pages out of novels, carving them into shape, and them laminating them into place. And he gets the most interesting and intricate designs out of it. See for yourself.

What I Wore Wednesday: Cosmic Leggings!

Remember this post where I gushed about cosmic leggings?! Well I got 'em! And today I'm showing them off! They are pretty much the most amazing things I own. They're not the Black Milk ones that I originally wanted, but these ones from Nasty Gal are perfect.

Don't you just love them? These galaxy leggings are perfect for going out, but let's face it I'm going to be wearing them on a day-to-day basis (thus the Dr. Martens).

Shirt: Victoria Secret

Necklace and Earrings: Local boutique
Jacket: B.B. Dakota

Jealous? I thought so.

Until next time kiddos!
-Maggie

The Secret Lives of Books

Because I've made no effort to hide that I'm a huge book nerd, here's a fun little video about what happens in a bookstore at night. This must have taken forever to film, so much respect.

Exterior Design: Brightly Colored Houses

I've always loved interestingly painted or brightly colored exteriors. Ever since I traveled to Poland to visit my family when I was little and I saw rows and rows of brightly colored apartment complexes, I've loved seeing a brightly painted building among house after house of brown here in Chicago. It's always brought back fond memories for me. I hope to one day make sure that my home is painted some loud, bright, color. I mean how nice would it be to always come home to a bright pink house after a rough day or in the middle of winter? That, and I just love bright colors so win-win huh?

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

via

What color is your dream house?

Photo Friday: Making Memories

With the oodles of 2011 round-up lists and the start of a brand new year, I have to say I've been a little nostalgic. Today's photo of the day wasn't meant to be an attempt at photography, it was just a pretty sunrise on the morning of my 20th birthday. On my 20th birthday, my best friend and I stayed out all night riding our bikes and ended up on the beach when the sun was coming up. It was a great night. In reminiscing, I'm being reminded of a lot of great moments in the past few years and I'm extremely thankful for all of them. Here's to another year of great memories.

So tell me, what's your favorite memory?

What I Wednesday: The Denial Edition

It's taken me some time to come to terms with the fact that winter is really here. I've been trying to pull the "if I dress like it's still fall, it is still fall". Mind over body right? Well, my mind's not that strong and I've had to deal with it so here you go, this will be the closest I probably get to a winter outfit. I've been braving to cold, but I think I'm going to have to move the photo shoots to more indoor locations, I don't have that many interesting coats to show you guys. Anyway, this faux fur vest was something I wanted since the fall started and it was finally something I gifted to myself right before Christmas (yay!). I love it! It's super cozy and warm, I just wanted to be wrapped in it all day. (I'm weird, I know). So today's outfit of the day post is my "It's winter, but I'm still pretending I don't feel cold" outfit.

Faux vest: Urban Outfitters
Black high-wasted jeans: Urban Outfitters
Off-white blouse: Local boutique
Shoes: Target

Also, I've been looking for a pair of these heeled winter-y boots for a while and it was the best investment. Thankfully, it hasn't snowed here yet, because once it does I'll have to put them away. For now, they are the perfect thing and you'll probably be seeing these boots again before the winter is over.

I don't know why I'm making this stupid face here, but this picture makes me laugh so I thought you guys might enjoy it too ;)

Ring: ASOS
(Yes, it's a claw around my finger. Yes, it is actually sharp.)

That's all folks! So tell me, have you embraced winter yet?

Tuesday Trendspotting: Metal Collars

Peter pan collars were all the rage a few months ago and I totally got sucked into the trend. Something about changing up ordinary collars is very appealing to me, that's why I'm also very into this new trend I keep seeing on the web lately: metal collars! I love the edge the look of a metal collar adds to any outfit. I need to get on making one for myself with all that scrap sheet metal I have laying around (you think I'm joking). I shouldn't be to hard to DIY one after seeing these awesome examples.

 

1 and 2. ModerTribes on Etsy

3. Svpply

4. Honestly WTF

5. LikeCool.com

You know what I want to hear...Love it or Hate it?

Happy 2012 and a Little Provencal Sunshine

Happy New Year everyone! I hope your new year was fun and fantastic and I wish everyone nothing but the best in 2012. Here's to one more wonderful year!

Today is the first day in Chicago where I woke up to snow on the ground (surprisingly). It's pretty frigid out today, so naturally my mind is wandering to the south of France and late summer provençal sunshine. As the south of France never fails, I managed to find a dreamy château that I would like to share with you all today.

Built in the early 17th century, the Château de Moissac-Bellevue was a residence dedicated to relaxation and maintians that today. Oh how I'd love to vacation here one day, although I'd probably never leave once I got there. It's got an elegance and old world charm that blends so perfectly with the architecture of the building. So long story short, come day dream with me....

Doesn't it just look like a dream?

Until next time!
-Maggie