Testing the Water..

I'm thinking about re-joining the blogging world. I thought I was gone for good, and then I started re-reading old posts and remembered how fun it can be...

Anyone still out there?

DD

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

Lack of Inspiration

So you know how you are only supposed to blog when you have something really great to blog about? Well, that's what I think at least. So when the other half of the newlyweds from which this newlywed blog is inspired leaves town for 3 months, I decided that there just hasn't been a whole lot of inspiration to warrent a new post.

However, after 3 weeks of losing my Virginia Lover and thinking myself doomed to an uninspired summer in which I would have nothing to blog about I've reflected and realized these last few weeks have actually been pretty stinkin eventful. I went into massive "complete apartment projects" mode which included a little repainting of this and reupholstering of that and buying out half of Home Goods , my amazing family came to visit and we did more in 48 hours then I usually do in a week, I've taught a sweet puppy all kinds of new tricks.. including almost being potty trained, and I successfully got through multiple dinner events, conferences, and a graduation for the law school. It's not really like things have been super slow. I have no excuses.

Soooo very soon, when I'm not on the clock, I will revisit my blog full of picture recaps of recent adventures and hopefully some inspiring decor projects I (mostly) successfully managed.

Thanks for sticking with me.

XO,
Dianna

Summer Change-Up

Happy Friday blog friends!

I come to you with a new idea and a request for input and favors. 

As a new season is hurrying closer, I deicded it was time to shake things up a bit via le blog du Davises to kick off the summer.  Sooo I'm proposing a series of blog posts based on all the promised posts of aparment renovations, crafts, and recipes that I still haven't gotten around to uploading.

Here's where I could use your expert advice.  I have set aside some blog pages for recipes and the like, but I wonder if it wouldn't just be better to post each on my home page then later reference them within each of the categorized tabs.... hmm... If any of you lovlies have achieved separating out your blog, I would love to hear how you did it! Also, do you think it's aesthically pleasing and more accessible to post this way?

Finally, I have a favor to ask.  I love blogging and I don't think I just post for the sake of attention, but, let's be real, it is nice to know that there are friends in cyberspace enjoying your joys and gaining inspiration as I KNOW I've gained lots of inspiration, ideas, recipes, perspectives, etc. from fellow bloggers such as yourselves.  SO, if you do exist as a reader and are not currently a "follower" of Virginia is for Lovers, be a pal and let me know you are out there by subscribing to the Davises!

Thanks for the help friends, and as a reward, I leave you with a few snapshots of my summer roommate (he will probably be featured in plenty of posts over the next few months)

Thor-Dog of Thunder.

Have a Fantastic Weekend!

XOXO,

DD