Sarah Jeanette

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A DIY Christmas

So this isn't my first Christmas in my own place but it IS the first year I haven't had any loaned or hand-me-down decorations to use! I'm starting completely from scratch. I thought, instead of heading to Target and spending big bucks on fancy decor that was most likely made in China - I've decided to take a more responsible approach. Not only will it be easier on my bank account, but it is more sustainable and the results: much more meaningful. I'm very much looking forward to getting started. I can't believe it's December 14th already! Here is a list of some ideas I've collected from other blogs and websites. Feel free to be inspired! Merry Christmas.

Wreaths:

http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/diy/craft-projects/

for this one i'll probably use different colors

difficulty: easy

http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/diy/craft-projects/

so cute and so simple!

difficulty: easy

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/holiday-decorating-1208#fbIndex23

i heart recycling!

difficulty: easy

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/holiday-decorating-1208#fbIndex9

love this! & with matching yarn on the tree? yes.

difficulty: moderate

Tree Ornaments:

http://ecobites.com/home/635?task=view

great idea! i most likely will hang a few spools on their own, each one a little different

difficulty: easy

http://www.countryliving.com/crafts/projects/pizzelle-candy-cones

favorite! i'll probably cheat and use store bought cones though

difficulty: moderate (fragile)

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/holiday-ornaments-1208

so pretty! and can most likely be re-used during the rest of the year.

difficulty: easy

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/holiday-ornaments-1208

yummy!

difficulty: up to you

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/holiday-ornaments-1208

time to hit the thrift store

difficulty: moderate (affordability)

Alternative Christmas Trees:

http://www.countryliving.com/homes/holiday-decorating-1208#fbIndex29

great for kids!

difficulty: moderate

http://www.buzzfeed.com/melismashable/25-alternative-christmas-trees

how clever! no mess

difficulty: easy

http://blog.alltheluckintheworld.nl/

although i most likely won't be doing this it was too cute not to share

difficulty: up to you

http://www.woodwoolstool.com/

more recycling! i would add lights

difficulty: challenge

http://marthaandtom.com/2010/12/a-pine-tree-for-christmas/

i love this one!materials from Home Depot under $30

difficulty: moderate/challenge

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/look/michaels-musical-christmas-tree-103414

but my boyfriend plays guitar... wait! there's an idea!

difficulty: easy

http://momsbyheart.net/100-days-of-christmas-day-17/

oh oh i like this one, too!

difficulty: easy

http://www.marthastewart.com/266879/displaying-christmas-cards?czone=home/organized-home/easy-organizers&center=276989&gallery=275278&slide=198256

http://homes.ninemsn.com.au/diy/craftprojects/8381784/card-tree

the first photo is from Martha, can you tell? i love this idea, definitely doing this

difficulty: easy

Love, Sarah J

Monday, December 12, 2011

My Christmas List

Merry Christmas!

All I want for Christmas is to be happy and healthy. But since my friends and family keep asking what I want... here's a few things I could use!

A new pair of winter booties!

Since mine are falling apart.

The Muppets collection by OPI!

particularly "Rainbow Collection" and "Meep Meep Meep"

Mittens!

The Nook Tablet!

since I no longer use a smart phone.

Bumble and Bumble shampoo & conditioner!

since they are too expensive to buy for myself.

New Perfume!

A fun animal hat!

Like this Red Fox from Spirithoods.com

and that's about all I can think of!

Besides maybe a few things for the apartment...

or some cash to get my hair done.

Life is good :)

Love, SarahJ

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

The Smell Before Rain

"If you lived here, you'd be home now."

This is our new place! Isn't it cute? We're renting just the first floor, it's a duplex. It's an old 18th century home full of all kinds of charm. Oh, and that's my little red car, too!

Our entrance is on the side of the house in the alley. I decided to decorate the wall, make it feel like home :) I wasn't sure about posting my address here, but I figure why not. You can all send me letters. Hah.

Ryan chalking some street art

Doesn't the chalk dust look cool on the spider web and ivy

Finished piece

Our chalk alley. The neighbors liked it :)

Boyfriend's Hendrix Tee - perfect for moving days

The Artist

un-intentional but super cute

Captain seems to like it here

Ryan's Nephew

Ryan's Mom and sister only live a few blocks away from us so we get to spend a lot more time with them and Ryan's nephew, Sean. On this particular day, it was his first visit to the new place. He said he really liked it a lot. His favorite part was the pizza shop around the corner, which we walked to. He ate 3 slices! He also liked our chalk walk, which he added to with his own rendition of Optimis Prime.

Got a feather extension during a "Ladies Night" hosted by a local shop

I've been collecting beer bottles and making them into vases for flowers Ryan picks me. Told him I need a green one next. Captain likes them, too. *note the growing chalk wall :)

I really enjoy recycling old containers like bottles, cans, etc. and re-using them as vases or planters. I've been looking into a lot of DIY projects recently to decorate the new place. Photos and tutorials to come!

Settling in

Just a small preview here on how I'm decorating. I'm trying to stick to the time period of the home, using all vintage, antique finds. The lamp and dresser were both given to me by my Grandmother who recently downsized to a smaller home. The record player belongs to our roommate, his most valuable addition to the place. Haha. The painting, yet to be hung, is a college project my mother did in college. I love it.

Random Tumblr find of the day:

She has returned!

Horray for internet! Sorry it has been a while since my last post. We moved into our new apartment! The other day our neighbors upstairs hooked us up with their wi-fi password until we get set up. Isn't that so nice of them!? I love it here so much, the area is so rich with history and culture. The main street is always buzzing, there's so much to do. There's a bunch of independently owned stores and restaurants to check out. So many blog opportunities! I'll doing an apartment tour once everything is decorated and in the mean time I'm thinking of doing a neighborhood tour! I really love my new home and I can't wait to share it. I've taken a million photos already so stay tuned!

Upcoming blog posts:
The lost pictures from my night photo shoot.
The lost pictures from the day at the creek.
A tour of Historic Bristol Borough and Mill St.
A haul from the local thrift store, Groovy Used.
An apartment tour.
Some DIY and decorating tips.
... and so much more.

Can you handle any more good news? Brace yourself... I got a new job! Yay! After a long series of interviews and many anxious days in between, I was hired as a teller at Wells Fargo Bank. I'm very excited, this new position is very sought after and will help make mine and my boyfriend's lives so much easier. Starting in August, I have two weeks of training then I'm officially the cutest teller at Wells Fargo! There are so many different aspects of the job that I am looking forward to, one being NO UNIFORM! Imagine that! I have never held a position where I had to dress "business casual." I'm a little lost on where to start. How do I dress professionally while still being fashionable? I don't want to over-do-it and stand out too much, but I don't want to be Cathy Lee Casual! (haha Zoolander reference)

I've been searching the blog world as well as Chictopia for inspiration and I've collected a few key pieces that I definitely want to make part of my new wardrobe. I've included a few inspirational photos as well.

http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/coats-jackets/Chiffon-Back-Blazer-%252d-Blush.html

http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/bottoms/Ruched-Knot-Skirt-%252d-Black.html

http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/dresses/Draped-Across-Dress-%252d-Slate-Blue.html

http://www.shopnastygal.com/products/new/clothing/coats-jackets/Ruched-Linen-Blazer.html

http://assgost.tumblr.com/

http://www.romwe.com/polkadots-turnup-fitted-belt-nudepink-pants-p-6677.html

http://www.romwe.com/fashionable-camel-harem-pants-p-5060.html

http://www.romwe.com/preppy-sleeveless-bowknot-splicing-colour-jumpsuit-p-5594.html

*problem with cute sleeveless tops like this is that I have large tattoos on my arms. I'll to get a large supply of cardigans... on second thought, I see no problem here :)