Apartment Therapy

As promised, following my last post, I am updating with lots of goodies from the past few weeks.

A couple of weekends ago, my dear family drove up to Charlottesville to pay me a visit and see my first apartment as a married lady.  And of course my parents would not care what the place looked like, but if you know me, you know I dress to impress... and this of course includes my home.  I had all kind of project ideas I wanted to implement to make my house our home, but with a new job and few precious months with my husband before he would be gone for the summer, I had little creativity and energy to do anymore around our place than rearranging the magazines on the coffee table.

Family coming was just the kick in the pants I need to get the ball rolling and a few things I've been itching to do.

The first thing was to FINALLY finish painting our bedroom.  When we moved into our apartment the entire place was beige... and I mean BEIGE. Floor to ceiling.  Moulding, trim, doors, walls, ceiling.. beige. A few months after we moved in, I went to work painting all the moulding, trims, and interior doors and nice clean semi-gloss white.  Then I filled in the living room, kitchen and hallway walls with a sunny yellow, and finished off the kitchen with a super cheap backsplash (i.e. Sherwin Williams wallpaper that looks deceivingly like metal.)


I decided to get out of my comfort zone in our bedroom and try out an accent wall. For some this is less than uncomfortable, but I'm a bit of a traditional girl... just let me live in Pottery Barn and I would be pretty happy. BUT, I knew I would only be in this apartment for a couple more years, so why not try something out now? If I liked it I could implement it in other homes in the future, if not, at least I know what I don't like.

Before:

During: Hello skyblue accent wall!

After: The bright, tranquil, cottage-y bedroom I was dreaming of. UNFORTUNATELY.. my sad little iphone camera get a wee bit wet so the lens makes everything look kind of foggy.. but you get the idea!

*The reupholstered ottoman will get a post all its own.  Completely worth it, but, guys, what a project!

Drawers were painted using Valspar Eggplant undercoat, crackle glaze finish, and Valspar Antique white over coat. Also, I realize I have much too much jewelry and am STILL working on a good way to organize. I would love suggestions!

Brown wooden shelves from Target.. I always say, a little spray paint goes a looonng way!

This bedroom comes fully equipped with a cuddly cat who doubles as a table ornament.

Sorry it took so long to finally get some pictures up.  I'd say I'll be more diligent in getting up specifics from some of the projects that made this room.. but I probably won't.  This week is busy busy busy and next week I'm headed to see my husband in the muggy south. It's going to be wonderful! 

Stay tuned.. I will post again, eventually.

Lots of love,

DD

Hubby Birthday!

Happy Birthday to THIS Guy!

If you are on the Virginia Is for Lovers blogging train, then you know this guy deserves a very special day all his own. Unfortunately, since Law School finals have arrived, we decided that this year we would pretend that April 29 was actually yesterday.... of course that did not stop me from bringing over the birthday wishes and celebrations to his TRUE Jour de Naissance, because, personally, I think this hubby deserves two days of celebration anyway!

My incredible husband sadly spent the better part of his pseudo birthday and his real birthday studying for those darn finals, but I tried to make his few hours of freedom extra special with some festive handmade frills and a cake I knew he wouldn't be able to pass on.

Birthday Corner at the Davis'

TL: Birthday Banner printed from Anders Ruff, TR: Beverage Bucket for tailgates
BL: Bucket adorned with Dianna original cutouts BR: Paper ornaments on twine (tutorial from the Handmade Home)

When I was trying to decide what kind of cake to make my hubby for his special day, I knew whatever the flavors, it needed to be "manly." And what says manly bakery delight more than a cake imitating the flavors of an Irish Car Bomb?  That's right. Each major part of the cake featured one of the ingredients found in an Irish Car Bomb, you know, the over the top beverage composed of three different irish alcohols.  An Irish stout went into the chocolate cake, Irish Liqueur such as Bailey's Irish Cream went into this fabulous swiss meringue buttercream, and irish whiskey flavored the chocolate ganache.  

(The full recipe to be posted in my recipe box soon!)

So Happy Birthday to you, Love.  You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, and I love celebrating your birth!!

XOXO,

DD

Quality time..

Once again I find myself writing a blog about how funny I've noticed God likes to work in our lives... just as I was complaining about not having enough hours in the day, I have found myself with all the time in the world!

My first job in c'ville and I parted ways this week.  It was an answered prayer and a burden lifted.  HOWEVER, now I'm finding myself with all the time I wanted to do all the extra things I wanted, and I have NO idea where to begin.  I've contacted a knitting instructor, re-taken up my letter writing, researched paint colors for the apartment, and decorated for fall...and that's just the the beginning of the list that I've accomplished in the past two days.

I think Joe is quickly loving my being at home more (you know the whole clean, decorated apartment and dinner waiting thing is not something he's really experienced much until now)... but we both know what we aren't saying and that is: as wonderful as this unclaimed time is, money must be made somehow. We are pretending not to panic about that yet. God granted my prayers of getting out of ill-fitting job and providing much desired time and I know when the time is right, He will provide for our monetary needs as always.

In other news, today I felt, for the first time, like I really am a Charlottesvillian.  While having lunch with a new friend (who happens to be a fellow MSU Delta G) I ran into someone familiar who called my name from the ordering line.  I almost didn't turn around thinking no one here would know me, but sure enough it was a friend from church choir who just recognized me and wanted to say hello.  I can't explain how refreshing that was! It was so natural, like I wasn't a visitor anymore, but a member of the community. It's a small and silly joy, but I had to share it.

I also want to share my newest fall finds that have made me oh so happy.  Fall is hands down my favorite season of the year.  It's a good thing Christmas isn't in fall or there would be nothing to look forward to for me once the thermometer reads below freezing.

Happy pumpkin season!!