Sunday, February 22, 2009

BACK! With a Vengence?

After a week of computer problems, we're got the ol' laptop up and running again! That, compounded with the craziness of working in a restaurant around Valentine's Day made for a very busy/computer-time-less week. I've missed browsing craigslist for things I don't need, reading too many blogs, and generally wasting time online :\

But I'M BACK!

And here is the first noteworthy new obsession: Cowhide rugs.


I saw them at the IKEA in White Marsh about a week and a half ago and was immediately smitten. (Un)Fortunately, my better half was there to quickly urge me onward before I could more than glance at them.

I've been seeing animal print rugs, mostly zebra, in magizines and blogs a bunch lately, and white I recognize the asthetic and design value, I've never much liked animal hides, especially not exotic ones. Perhaps that is weird since so many people are the opposite, but maybe it was the animal lover in me. When I see cowhide however, I am more open to it in hopes that it is just a by-product of the meat industry. Working in a steakhouse and seeing so much meat every day gives one a glimpse of the cow-consumption in the US (and world) and this makes me hope we are "using the whole animal" rather than wasting.

Not everyone agrees with me (and I don't necessarily completely agree with myself). Check out the cowhide article on apartment therapy and the comments following.

All that said, if I were to have this rug in my home, I lean towards the brown prints like this speckly one:



Although this B&W one looks soft and nice too:

And just for a few room examples, see below:


Thursday, February 12, 2009

If only I had 1.5 million dollars to do the same...


Check out this gorgeous house in Marina del Ray, California!
Le sigh!

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Candace's House


My cousin and best friend Candace has bought a house and finally been able to move in and start working! It's a lot of work, but the house is shaping up beautifully and I'm so happy for her!


The living room is looking marvelous - love the tan paint and furniture!


She plans to demo the cabinets on the left to install the fridge there and get it out of the dining area. She's already got all her stuff into the kitchen - crucial to the chef in her!


And can you BELIEVE that gold paint!??! AMAZING! And so very Candace.

Love ya, cuz!

Sunday, February 8, 2009

sofa temptation

ARGH! I'm having a sofa temptation and I don't know whether to restrain myself or give in! If I let it pass, it may be something my future self would kick my present self for not snatching up! But I am just not sure, and I don't have to space to store it, much less use it now.

Decor blogs and magazines make me want to invest in it - the rolled-back quality plus the nail-head trim details make me think it's a classic keeper, but I wonder about the condition/color of the leather and if it would still be worth it if it desperately needs (very expensive) re-upholstering/re-filling the cushions/adding feet (can't tell if it has them) etc.

Here is the sofa in question; pardon the bad seller's pic:


It looks like it may only be a love-seat size really, but for $175 that's ok.

Here are some examples of potential:


so would buying this sofa totally be worth it, or would the cost of re-doing it just be the same as buying a new "perfect" one? I don't know and I don't know how to find out :(

**addendum** I just discovered that design*sponge wrote a great sofa guide a while back; great info on styles, prices, and pros-and-cons for each!

Saturday, February 7, 2009

More reasons to visit NYC!

Another fun website relating to New York City!
http://www.overheardinnewyork.com/

and here are a few of my favorites so far:

Teenage kid
: How long have you been waiting for the bus?

Old lady: Since I was your age.


Hippie, sarcastically to suit in '72 Cadillac convertible: Nice car. Where's the rest of The Sopranos?
Suit driving away, deadpan, without missing a beat: In the fucking trunk.


Well-dressed black girl to well-groomed black standard poodle with owner: Oh, look at your nice hair! You work it girl!


White girl: It was like Hanukkah on my iPod yesterday! It said there was no battery left but it lasted for two hours!

hehehe check it out!

Thursday, February 5, 2009

"I LEGO N.Y."

I often wish I could visit New York City (or better yet, live there) but alas, I have not. Yet. If I had, maybe I'd get more than half of these: I LEGO N.Y.

at least I get this one:

Tuesday, February 3, 2009