Re-vamped.

Here we go again, 

                                 
When I move, I'm planning on using a trunk that I currently use as a TV stand in my bedroom, as a coffee table in my living room. I saw youtuber HRHCollection's video on how she styles her coffee table, and she uses a tray to ensure the wood on her trunk doesn't scratch. I found this multicolored tray at Pier 1 on clearance for about $12. It was badly damaged, there were paint chips everywhere, and a couple of the bottom strips of wood actually weren't attached. It needed some loving. SO, therefore I couldn't resist...

I'm not sure when I would ever use a rainbow tray. But what sold me on this piece was that even though some of the pieces were a bit shakey, overall it seemed like a sturdy piece. Plus, the bottom is really interesting. I love the cut outs, and it adds a bit to the tray.



 I have a strange obsession for things like this. Knowing that I can make it look brand new was a selling point. Where can you buy a good, sturdy tray for $6? 







I'm not handy, really, at all. For some reason though, I thought it would be easy to completely sand all of the paint off of it. And I tried to.

 I used the 3M sand plaster with an 80 coarse rank and tried to take as much sand as I could off. I smoothed out any imperfections in the wood, and the rest is history.


 This is after about an hour and a half of non stop sanding. It was though, completely smooth and the wood was even. 

I didn't take any pictures during the painting process because knowing myself, my Iphone would have been covered in paint. I used a Rustoleum black gloss spray paint to completely cover the tray.


I let it set for about an hour before spraying a final coat on it. I waited about 2 hours until it was completely dry to ensure that there were no wet spots left. I chose the black gloss because for one, it is very chic now, compared to how obnoxiously colored it was before. Below is the finished product!

I'm really happy with the end result of this. I can't wait to fill it with candles, and vases with fresh florals. I want to buy some coffee table books as well to set inside of this. I can't wait to actually start decorating, but this is a foot in the right direction for me. For now, I'll add it to the stock pile in the corner of my room of things I'm waiting to use.

Hope you're all having a lovely night.

Talk to you soon.

Until then, 

-K.

Surround yourself with things that make you happy

Hey guys,

So like I've said in a couple posts now, I'm going to be moving this August down south to go away to school. So like the psycho I am, I've been  recently buying all the things I consider necessary for my apartment, not including furniture..

I work at Pier 1 right now, and am constantly surrounded with ridiculously cute home decor. How is a girl who is moving NOT supposed to buy anything? Answer me that. Well, I buy everything. I can't even help it at this point. The things that I bought today are not entirely necessary...at all, but make me happy. If I'm moving to a completely new place on my own, I'm going to need some things that bring joy into a room. And honestly, I could be spending my money on things that are a lot worse. I picked up a couple things I've really been wanting, and packed them away today in one of my many boxes for safe keeping until I can unpack them and unleash the cuteness into an apartment.

This little ceramic owl full of faux succulents($14.95) has literally been screaming my name for weeks from his shelf. I finally caved today. The best part about him, is that I can't kill his plants. I don't have a green thumb by any means, and would actually feel bad for any live plants that come into my apartment.

Next is this stack of  love mugs($14.95). I actually bought this a couple months ago for my god mother, and was so in love with it that I purchased it for myself. I think the detailing on each mug is really pretty, and will add something to a kitchen counter top.



One thing I can't resist at my store are the sales. The tall box is a glass lazy susan, and was on clearance for $5! I'm planning on using it in either the kitchen, or in my bedroom as a perfume tray. In front of it is a citrus cilantro reed diffuser. Whenever anyone comes into the store and asks for scent recommendations, I always tell them about this one. It smells so fresh and clean, and it's perfect for a kitchen or bathroom.



By the way, remember my little owl friend? Well, he has a friend too. I bought this other owl statue at Pier 1 about three months ago to put next to my bed right now. He looks perfect on my nightstand. I'm not sure why, but owls are so incredibly popular this year, and clearly I've fallen for the trend. How could you resist them? They're freaking adorable.

 The next thing I purchased is probably the only actual product I purchased that I need. It's an ALL OUT OF list, and it lists all different foods ranging from frozen foods, to canned foods, to drinks and all types of things that you need in the house! It has a magnet on the bag so it'll stick right to the fridge. I bought my mom one of these a while ago, because she always has ten lists when she goes to the grocery store. Since I'll be food shopping for myself, like a big girl now, I'm hoping this will help to keep me from throwing random crap into my cart. (it probably won't, but whatevs.)


Plus, I think a fridge with nothing on it is totally boring. Cute magnets, and pads like this add a bit of character to a kitchen. 
And, for such a handy little list pad, it was only like $6!

And here it is all packed up and ready to go. The silver bowl looking thing is actually a coaster I've had on my nightstand and cannot forget to bring. It's also from Pier1. I spend just about my entire paycheck in the store. It's really a bad habit. But like I said, I'm excited to start the moving process and buying cute things to decorate my new apartment. 

Here's my theory...if you surround yourself with things that make you happy, not only material items, but people, music, anything, you will become happy. 


Do you guys have any suggestions on stores to shop in for apartment necessities? I've never moved before, so I'm buying on a whim! Also, if you're away at school and living on your own, what do you consider completely necessary to keep on hand? 
Let me know!
Talk to you all soon, hope you're enjoying the day wherever you may be.
Until then, I'll keep shopping. 
- K.

Organize and prioritize before your eyes.

Oh hey,

Two years ago, I decided my room was too "baby-ish" and did a total flip. I changed all of my furniture to black, simple pieces that can be really versatile. I added a book shelf and styled it with picture frames, vintage perfume bottles, fashion and textbooks, and bud vases. 

My desk though, is a different story. I'm a total social media addict. I spend more time on my laptop than I probably should. You probably wouldn't have guessed that by the 18k tweets I've sent in the past few years. 
The thing is, I could never figure out how to not lose papers, notes, tickets, or other things that I deemed important. I could never find ANYTHING. I would lose memories when papers would go missing. I needed them shoved in my face, hanging above me, and right before me on the fore front for me to see on a daily basis. 


I found this at work. 
It's actually a photo holder, but this piece could work in a lot of rooms. 
Think about it...
- Kitchen : add your favorite recipe cards, coupons, mail, ect.
- Living room : family photos, ideas for decor, ect.
- Bed room : awards, photos of friends, tickets, ornaments, ect.

It's a metal based material, and it only comes in one color. It's almost like an outdoor looking bronze, and it didn't match my room. I spray painted it with a matte black paint and it now looks perfect hanging right above my desk, in my face, full of all of those important little things. I purchased it at Pier 1 Imports for under $15! 

( Sorry for the bright light in the corner, it's my lamp!)

I let it hang on those command hooks that are always advertised on TV. They're really easy to find at Target, Walmart, drug stores, ect. 

It's literally perfect. It has a ton of spots to slide pictures or whatever you chose. 
I'm planning on bringing it with me when I move. I'm sure I'll find the perfect spot for it in an apartment. I'm sure it'll be put to good use with all of the papers/hopefully a+ test I'll be receiving while I'm there. 

How do you guys organize your important papers, and junk?
Let me know!
Until then,
-K.