wednesday wisdom. happiness

office envy

I think there is something to be said for where you choose to spend 40 hours of your week. Most of us don't have the good fortune to make that choice solely off of the environment that the workplace encapsulates. But for those who do work from home, or own their own business for which they have the freedom to determine its decor, I am truly envious. 

Yes, home is where the heart is, but work is where the brain develops. And letting that brain develop in one of the above office, has to be amazing.   

All images are from various sources. sources can be found on @ssarahfinkss pinterest

wednesday wisdom. Audrey

one day. one hundred dollars.

So I have actually been wanting to write a post like this for a while. As you can see, I have a real passion for interior design however, budgetary constraints are definitely an issue when it comes to my personal apartment design. And as a creative person surrounded by fellow twenty somethings also itching to have their apartments ooze with their personal styles, I couldn’t help but want to write a (hopefully series) post about budget friendly projects that weren’t extremely time consuming, and could be done to any rented or owned space. My first guinea pig… my man.

This “client”- if you can really call him that- is a twenty five year old graphic designer, residing in the bicycle friendly city of Philadelphia. He lives in a two story walk up with his roommate who is slightly less enthusiastic about the style of their apartment, ie he gave us full decorating freedom of their mutual living space.

This project started off from an idea that I wanted to do in my own dwelling with chalkboard paint; after realizing I probably want to move in the near future this idea died, at least for my space. Chalk board paint is the perfect solution for this typography addicted individual who is constantly doodling over everything. He also really wanted to incorporate some sort of bike storage and after finding his inspiration on pinterest we hit home depot for supplies. We found the majority of the supplies there, with a few fun design twists found at AC Moore. The project actually did not take more than a few hours and ended up only costing him around $80 and a pho soup date for yours truly.

Shopping List

Chalkboard Paint. $24.97

Bike Hangers. $15.94

Wood Backing. $19.97

Bird Feeder. $5.00

Chalk. $15.92

dorm room days

Although I am past my dorm room days, I couldn't help but be reminded that the summer is winding down and soon college campuses will be refilled with young hopefuls beaming with excitement over this new chapter in their lives. This reminder made me reminise on my days sharing my small space with a fellow freshman, and how I couldn't help but want to make my side purely amazing.

Now I'm aware that some of the above images are a little, well, mature for the typical dorm room. But let me tell you, if I was aware of the inspiration filled site called pinterest back then, I think my side would have definitely stepped up its decor game. So for all you future freshman, or returning sophomores, starting their lives on the college campus of their choice, I hope these DIY ideas and different room images have officially inspired you to step up your decor game.

All images are from various sources. sources and more inspiration can be found on @ssarahfinkss pinterest

wednesday wisdom. courtesy of Leo

DIY diary. a beautiful mess playing cards

52 card pick up has never been this pretty.

I have a serious DIY obsession. My main problem is, however, finding the time/energy to accomplish the numerous do it yourself projects that so eagerly interest me on my daily blog and pinterest stalking. Nevertheless, the other day I finally pulled myself away from the bowl of popcorn and actually accomplished a DIY that I've been dying to do ever since I saw it on A Beautiful Mess.

The real appeal to this project was definitely that it was taking an everyday object, playing cards- yes, playing cards is indeed an everyday object in my life. I love a good game of solitaire to distract my hands from over eating on that popcorn- and turning it into a piece worthy enough to keep out on the coffee table. Also the fact that it was a one night activity didn't hurt. DIY's that take more than a few days to accomplish are a little daunting to me.

For the full instructions on this project visit a beautiful mess, but here are some helpful tips that you should definitely know pre DIY try.

• This, although looks simple, is definitely a full nights task. Don’t forget there are 52 cards to be covered
• On a beautiful mess they suggested scrap booking glue, I only had elmers around the house. Worked great. Just make sure to spread it on with a brush for a clean layer on each card
• I also couldn't stop at just 5 images, like suggested, I just made sure there was at least two (if not more) of each picture. I don't intend to play an intense round of poker with these, so I figured it's fine.
•  Books are your best friend. The cards naturally wanted to bend after getting there cover. Use heavy books to make sure they keep their flat shape, than cut out the corners and any extra paper.
• Don’t be alarmed with how stiff the cards are right after the project is done. After a few games and shuffles they’ll loosen up.
• Pick a good movie. Again this takes a while.

As you can see from the above images mine turned out awesome. I actually opted to buy cards for people with poor sight, (only $3) which I think add a quirky twist to this colorful project. Enjoy!

wednesday wisdom. true you

Trending. Gold Flatware

I will admit that I am certainly a silver girl, but this recent trend of switching the classic silverware for some shiny gold utensils has left me pulling at my purse strings (of course for the, more affordable, west elm version. A girls got to be practical).

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Pick of the week. Bar Cart

(Source: furbish.com)

On this, unfortunately gloomy day in Jersey, I am off to my works summer outting; which has now been moved indoors, making it more of a summer inning? Either way, although I should be ecstatic about my shortened work day and free lunch, I am on a total roll on AutoCAD and don't want to completely loose my space planning train of thought. But anyone who works on AutoCAD religiously can tell you that any good roll leaves a designer needing a mini mental break, which lead me to furbishstudio.

Now, I will admit, I'm not a big drinker. Don't get me wrong, I love trying restaurant's specialty cocktails, and I am learning to appreciate a glass of wine with dinner, but at least in my apartment, liquor is rarely stocked. Even with that being said I can't help but love the idea of having a beautiful bar cart in my apartment to mature my Sarah style up a bit.

So I'm officially on the hunt (mainly on Etsy due to the fact that spending a lot on a piece that will barely be used seems a little crazy to me, but a solid $100 spending limit seems reasonable). For now though, I will just continue my day dream for this colorfully quirky- and mature, of course- bar cart.