Office/Guest Room Re-do

This procrastinator has a mother-in-law coming next week to stay with us and I need to feel like the guest room is presentable. Every time we've had guests stay in our office I feel this huge guilt trip before they arrive that it is more of a junk room/office than an office/guest room. Over time, I have pulled out some ideas from my sleeve but never acted on them (note the procrastinator bit).

So I am going to work my butt off to try and make this room more comfortable for our guest's three week long stay. Granted I will be working around some MAJOR issues:

Issue #1: The space is a rental so as much as I would love to shell out my own money to make the space my dream room, I refrain from changing pricey fixes.

Issue #2: Previous tenants painted the walls a dark orange

Issue #3: These walls are paired with our pistachio green desk (see the DIY of this desk here)

Issue #4: There is a non-working fireplace at the end of the room and two windows that are off centered on the opposite side of the room

Issue #5: We "invested" in a queen sized air mattress in college and would like to feel like it is still worth the investment (so for now, no buying a queen sized bed to wedge into the office)

All of this of course on a super small budget.

To begin, I have been gathering up room and color inspirations to help me figure out what I can do with minor changes in the space.

I'll keep you updated on this project....

Copy Cat Bargain: Entertainment/Media Center

I recently spotted this entertainment center set-up in the new West Elm catalog and fell in love!!! I would love to convince the hubby to let me buy it (to replace the two stereo speakers we have lying on their sides and our fancy tv sitting on top), but it is a little pricey. To get the set shown would cost you about $1,097!

West Elm: Newkirk Media Collection

However, I also spotted THIS entertainment center set-up while browsing online at WorldMarket. Granted, there are some slight differences but it's still the look I love. And at around $629 it seems like a steal!

World Market: Chase Media Collection

Flowers for my Hair: A treat from small girls

After spending part of my holiday with some of my nieces, I have come to the conclusion that large flower hairpins look good on more than just sweet little girls. A clip or two were put in my hair by the girls to keep my "hair out of my face". It really did wonders for my mangy traveling 'do so now I am in the works of getting some flower clips of my own.

Here's some great places to start looking:

Forever21: Large Blossom Hairclip ($3.80)

Mandizzle: Fuschia Gerber Daisy ($21)


Forever21: Satin Blossom Headband ($4.80)

Yellowyellowdesign: Christina's World Hairclip ($35)

Bpoetic: Petite White Hairclip ($25)

Beautiful Blossoms: Red Flower and Feather Clip ($18)

Twisted Crystals: Fresh Salmon Flower ($32)

Love for: Thomas O'Brien

Some of my favorite images from Thomas O'Brien's designs.

Old Catalogs Online: Fun Shadow Shapes

I was scanning through old Anthropologie catalogs online today and had to post this photo- I think this catalog was just genius. This was my favorite spread. Such creative photography.