Hello, Blog World!

I'm still here, kinda. The blog stopped being high on my priority list when work got busy and I spent most of February travelling. A week in Vegas followed by a week in Puerto Rico, if we're being specific. I also bought a new car! One step closer to being an actual adult. #not

To keep up with me in the real world, follow me on Instagram! @misschelseaelyse

xoxo
Chels

W2WW :: Wear to Work Wednesday

Be the chicest woman in the office in this Miu Miu lace jacket and Christian Louboutin pumps.

Coat / Necklace / Pants / Sunglasses / Pumps / Bracelet

Fridayyy

{image via the incredible Jamie of Ann Street Studio}

Happy Friday, and may all  your wishes come true this weekend ;)

xoxo

Chels

W2WW :: Wear to Work Wednesday

A great outfit for both work and drinks. Style like this deserves a good cocktail - extra dirty. ;)

Top / Shoes / Necklace / Skirt / Bracelet / Hangbag

Tues-DIY

My very first DIY! Well.. first one to be featured on the blog. I DIY like nobody's bidness, I've just never had a decent camera to document it with. Now that I'm all fancypants with my iPhone, I can share it all with you! Aren't you glad? ;)

To start off with, I purchased this mirror for $10 from IKEA. It was cheap, and got the job done, but it was way too small for the wall I was using it on. If we're being honest here, it sat propped up against the wall, still in it's box, for a good 5 months before I did anything with it. And for a while it was Millie's favorite thing to chew on.

Supplies:

• Cheap-o wood boards (I used 1"x8" because I knew I wanted a thick frame)
• A large piece of plywood or particle board to secure the mirror and frame to
• Stain (or paint, your decision)
• Polyurethane (I used this to seal the stain on the wood and add a bit of shine)

1. Measure your frame before going to the store to buy your supplies. I made the mistake of guesstimating the size of my frame, and had to go back to Home Depot for one more piece of wood.
2. Using your table saw, cut the four sides of your frame using 45 angles. Measure twice, cut once!
3. Assemble everything on the piece of plywood (not pictured). This keeps the mirror in place as well as the frame around it. We used a heavy-duty glue. If you're going to hang the mirror, as opposed to propping it against the wall, you may want to look into a more secure way to attach everything.
4. Nail the boards together at the corners, to hold everything square.

 

*skipped a few steps in the pictures, but I think you get the general idea*

4. Now the fun part! Paint, stain, do whatever you want to your mirror frame! We went with a dark stain to offset all the white furniture I have in my bedroom. This took the longest as we had to wait for it to dry, then apply the poly.
5. All done!

  

Ta-da! Still a tad bit too small, but I'm super happy with the results. Also, I know you're loving me in my jammies with bedhead.

Total cost: $30

I also have some wood scraps and tons of stain left over. I plan on making a dog food bowl holder.. stay tuned ;)

xoxo
Chels

Favorite Spaces :: 1.15

When I close my eyes and imagine my dream office, the place where I'd be exstatic to come into work every day, the place where my creativity wouldn't be constrained by a stupid cubicle, this is pretty darn close. 

Welcome to Microsoft's Vienna HQ, designed by INNOCAD Architektur. 

Monday Morning Motivation

Call me childish, but this is absolutely one of my favorite images ever. It's pretty much my life, illustrated with a bunny on a bike on a salmon background. Doing what I want (or don't want), and when I want to do it, and not giving a fck about da rulez. 

In the words of my hero, Jimmy Buffett... "I'm growing older but not up... Let those winds of time blow over my head, I'd rather die while I'm living than live while I'm dead"

WWJBD, amiright?

xoxo

Chels

Favorite Spaces :: 1.11

Je te présente, the very green (literally and figuratively) offices of Buck O'Neill Builders, located in San Francisco, designed by the very talented jones | haydu architecture firm. I find that the older I get, the more drawn I am to modern design and architecture, and this office space totally takes the cake. 

 

The space's palette consists of salvaged wood, stainless steel, glass, white concrete, and white walls, contributing to an airy space. A living wall of mixed plants serves a dual purpose by also serving as an air filtration system - one of the coolest ideas I've ever seen.

The focal point of the office, the living plant wall art, is affixed to a perforated stainless screen that is connected to a fan. Air is drawn through the plants, providing natural, energy-free filtration, and then recycled back into the space. The office space is on track to achieve a LEED Gold rating. Bravo, Buck O'Neill!

I love everything here except the bathroom. It looks like either pennies or wine corks glued to the wall. 

Ya know?

xoxo
Chels

Monday Morning Motivation

That Judy had some sense about her. True words!

xoxo

Chels

MIA

Yup, I am missing in action. (I'm actually at work through the rest of the week, but don't tell anybody.)

I had every intention to get my blogs done for this week... buuuut it just didn't happen. And still isn't happening. So I'll be back next week with regularly-scheduled content ;)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

xoxo
Chels

P.S. - Santa was extra nice this year and brought me my first ever iPhone... So you can now follow me on instagram! @misschelseaelyse

Favorite Spaces :: 12.21

I am in love with this house. I'd totally live here. The clean lines plus the rustic materials plus the GORGEOUS landscape paired with huge windows equals heaven in my book. Wouldn't it be lovely decorated for the holidays, with a 10 foot tree in the living room?

Brought to you by CWB Architects.

xoxo

Chels

P.S. - Happy TheWorldDidn'tEnd Day! ;)

Trend Report :: Fair Isle

Fair Isle was around as a 2011 trend, but stuck around in 2012 too (and for good reason)! Any trend that allows oversized, baggy sweaters is okay in my book. It makes me think of curling up to a fireplace in a cabin in the Rockies after a long day on the slopes.. although, more realistically, I'd probably wear it with boots and leggings (duh) out running errands.

Since this is a pattern that is typically winter-only (unless you really like breaking the rules), I wouldn't suggest spending major bucks on a Fair Isle article of clothing. Most of the pieces below are closet-worthy without breaking the bank!

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11

The countdown continues.. 4 days until Christmas!!

xoxo

Chels

W2WW :: Wear to Work Wednesday

Sweater / Sheinside / $27

Skirt / Dorothy Perkins / $32

Boots / Tory Burch / $495

Ring / Stella & Dot / $35

Necklace / Jonnybella / $50

Who's got two thumbs and doesn't care that it's 70 degrees outside and wore her long winter coat complete with fur collar today anyways? THIS GIRL! True story. 

Come on Santa, all I want for Christmas is a little snow. Heck, at this point I'd be okay with any weather below 50 degrees. Come on! Global warming, you suck. 

xoxo

Chels

Monday Morning Motivation

Favorite Spaces :: 12.14

Some more breathtaking interiors from the fantastic Luis Bustamante. He has such an incredible talent, it takes my breath away! I love how he uses symmetry without being too formal or stuffy. Absolutely mesmerizing. Enjoy! 

xoxo

Chels

Making Spirits Bright

Every hostess with the mostess knows the importance of a well-stocked bar. Especially around the holidays, you never know when you might receive an unexpected visitor! 

Stocking a bar is slow process, as my roommate and I are discovering. Sure, you could go out and buy everything you need all at once, but I can't even image how expensive that would be. Plus, it's fun to find little objects every now and then to add to your collection! I love scouring antique and flea markets for one-of-a-kind pieces.

Below are some of my favorite choices for a home bar... 

1. Cocktail shaker and ice bucket. Self-explanatory. Another glam option here.
2. Cocktail napkins. Your furniture will thank you.
3. Barware. Other options here, here and here.
4. Shot glasses. Because you know how to keep the party going. Party hardy here and here.
5. Stemware. Other favorites here and here.
6. Bottle opener. The more unique, the better. I particularly love this one.
7. Coasters. I also love these, these and these. 
8. Wine stopper. Other impressive pieces here and here.
9. Drink tray. More here, here and here.
10. Wine bottle holder. To impress your guests. I have 2 of these in my own home!
11. Decanters. Read about the difference between a carafe and decanter here. Who knew? Not me.
12. Snack bowls. Because a hungry guest is an grumpy guest. More here and here.
13. Straws. More fun here and here.

And a delicious winter drink that will warm your tootsies up.. 

Happy holidays! How do you celebrate the season? What's your favorite holiday libation? I'd love to hear! 

xoxo

Chels

W2WW :: What to Wear Wednesday

Sweater / H&M / $50

Pants / Ann Taylor / $140

Shoes / Zara / $80

Bag / Gucci / outrageous

Tassel Necklace / Kenneth Jay Lane / $220

Happy Wednesday! You're halfway to the weekend!

xoxo

Chels

Monday Morning Motivation

"Let light shine out of darkness". If life gets dark, just remember that darkness is nothing but the absence of light, so create your own light to fill the dark. 

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than the things you did do. So let's face today, this week, this month, this life, head-on! What will you do? 

Here's hoping you have a wonderful week. 

xoxo

Chels

Favorite Spaces :: 12.7

It's December! Time to bust out the holiday decorations and lust about a white Christmas (something we can only dream about in the South).

When it comes to holiday decorating, I LOVE a neutral color scheme. (Think golds, silvers, whites. Shocking, I know). I just find it so peaceful and calming. These spaces are right up my alley!

Images from Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles and Traditional Home. 

xoxo

Chels